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خواجگان این بندگیها کردهاند ** تا گمان آید که ایشان بردهاند
- Masters have performed these slavish offices in order that it might be thought that they were slaves.
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چشم پر بودند و سیر از خواجگی ** کارها را کردهاند آمادگی
- They saw their fill of masterdom and were sated (with it): (hence) they have made ready for (doing) the work (of slaves).
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وین غلامان هوا بر عکس آن ** خویشتن بنموده خواجهی عقل و جان
- On the contrary, these slaves of sensuality have represented themselves as masters of intellect and spirit.
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آید از خواجه ره افکندگی ** ناید از بنده بغیر بندگی
- From the master (the spiritual man) comes the practice of self-abasement; from the slave (the sensual man) comes naught but slavishness.
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پس از آن عالم بدین عالم چنان ** تعبیتها هست بر عکس این بدان 1495
- So topsy-turvy, then, are the arrangements between that world and this world. Know this (for sure).
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خواجهی لقمان از این حال نهان ** بود واقف دیده بود از وی نشان
- Luqmán's master was aware of this hidden state (of Luqmán); he had seen signs (thereof) in him.
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راز میدانست و خوش میراند خر ** از برای مصلحت آن راهبر
- He knew the secret, (but) quietly drove his ass on that road (pursued his way) for the sake of the good (which he had in view).
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مر و را آزاد کردی از نخست ** لیک خشنودی لقمان را بجست
- He would have set him free at the first, but he sought to content (comply with the wish of) Luqmán,
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ز انکه لقمان را مراد این بود تا ** کس نداند سر آن شیر و فتی
- Because it was Luqmán's desire (to remain a slave), in order that none might know the secret of that brave and generous youth.
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چه عجب گر سر ز بد پنهان کنی ** این عجب که سر ز خود پنهان کنی 1500
- What wonder (is it) if you hide your secret from the evil (one)? The wonder is this, that you should hide the secret from yourself.