گفت باشد کان طرف دزدی بود ** گر نگردم زود این بر من رود
He (the householder) said (to himself), “Maybe a thief is yonder: if I do not return at once, this (fate) will befall me.
در زن و فرزند من دستی زند ** بستن این دزد سودم کی کند
He may lay hands upon my wife and child, (and in that case) how would it profit me to bind this thief (whom I am pursuing)?
این مسلمان از کرم میخواندم ** گر نگردم زود پیش آید ندم2800
This Moslem is calling me in kindness: unless I return quickly, repentance will befall (me).”
بر امید شفقت آن نیک خواه ** دزد را بگذاشت باز آمد به راه
In (confident) hope of the compassion of that well-disposed (friend), he left the thief and again set off (in another direction).
گفت ای یار نکو احوال چیست ** این فغان و بانگ تو از دست کیست
“O good friend,” said he, “what is the matter? By whose hand (violence) is this lamentation and outcry of yours (caused)?”
گفت اینک بین نشان پای دزد ** این طرف رفته ست دزد زن بمزد
“Look here,” said (the other). “See the thief's footprints! The pimping thief has gone this way. [ “Look here,” said (the other). “See the thief's footprints! The thief whose wife is for hire (who prostitutes his wife to other men) has gone this way.]
نک نشان پای دزد قلتبان ** در پی او رو بدین نقش و نشان
Look at the cuckold thief's footprints! Follow him by means of these marks and traces.”
گفت ای ابله چه میگویی مرا ** من گرفته بودم آخر مر و را2805
He answered, “O fool, what are you telling me? Why, I had (as good as) caught him,
دزد را از بانگ تو بگذاشتم ** من تو خر را آدمی پنداشتم
(But) at your cry I let the thief go. I deemed you, ass (as you are), a (reasonable) man.
این چه ژاژست و چه هرزه ای فلان ** من حقیقت یافتم چه بود نشان
What silly gabble and nonsense is this, O fellow? I (had) found the reality: what (use to me) is the clue?”