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کیمیای مس عالم با تو است ** عقل و دانش را گهر تو بر تو است
- With you is the elixir which changes the copper of the world (into) gold: your understanding and knowledge are inlaid with pearls.”
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گفت و الله نیست یا وجه العرب ** در همه ملکم وجوه قوت شب
- “By God,” he replied, “O chief of the Arabs, in my whole property there is not the means of (buying) food for the night.
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پا برهنه تن برهنه میدوم ** هر که نانی میدهد آن جا روم
- I run about with bare feet and naked body. If any one will give me a loaf of bread—thither I go.
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مر مرا زین حکمت و فضل و هنر ** نیست حاصل جز خیال و درد سر 3195
- From this wisdom and learning and excellence (of mind) I have got nothing but phantasy and headache.”
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پس عرب گفتش که شو دور از برم ** تا نبارد شومی تو بر سرم
- Then the Arab said to him, “Begone far from my side, so that your ill-luck may not rain upon me.
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دور بر آن حکمت شومت ز من ** نطق تو شرم است بر اهل زمن
- Take far away from me that unlucky wisdom of yours: your speech is unlucky for (all) the people of the time.
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یا تو آن سو رو من این سو میدوم ** ور ترا ره پیش من واپس روم
- Either go you in that direction, and I will run in this direction; or if your way be forwards, I will go back.
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یک جوالم گندم و دیگر ز ریگ ** به بود زین حیلههای مردهریگ
- One sack of wheat and the other of sand is better for me than these vain contrivings.
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احمقیام بس مبارک احمقی است ** که دلم با برگ و جانم متقی است 3200
- My foolishness is a very blessed foolishness, for my heart is well furnished (with spiritual graces) and my soul is devout.”
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گر تو خواهی کت شقاوت کم شود ** جهد کن تا از تو حکمت کم شود
- If thou desire that misery should vanish (from thee), endeavour that wisdom should vanish from thee—