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بس مثال و شرح خواهد این کلام ** لیک ترسم تا نلغزد وهم عام 840
- This argument wants much illustration and exposition, but I fear lest the opinion of the vulgar should stumble (and fall into error),
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تا نگردد نیکویی ما بدی ** اینکه گفتم هم نبد جز بیخودی
- (And) lest my goodness should be turned (by them) to badness;—even this that I have spoken was (from) naught but selflessness.
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پای کج را کفش کج بهتر بود ** مر گدا را دستگه بر در بود
- The crooked shoe is better for the crooked foot; the beggar's power reaches only as far as the door.
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امتحان پادشاه به آن دو غلام که نو خریده بود
- How the King made trial of the two slaves whom he had recently purchased.
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پادشاهی دو غلام ارزان خرید ** با یکی ز آن دو سخن گفت و شنید
- A King bought two slaves cheap, and conversed with one of the twain.
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یافتش زیرک دل و شیرین جواب ** از لب شکر چه زاید شکر آب
- He found him quick-witted and answering sweetly: what issues from the sugar-lip? Sugar-water.
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آدمی مخفی است در زیر زبان ** این زبان پرده است بر درگاه جان 845
- Man is concealed underneath his tongue: this tongue is the curtain over the gate of the soul.
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چون که بادی پرده را در هم کشید ** سر صحن خانه شد بر ما پدید
- When a gust of wind has rolled up the curtain, the secret of the interior of the house is disclosed to us,
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کاندر آن خانه گهر یا گندم است ** گنج زر یا جمله مار و کژدم است
- (And we see) whether in that house there are pearls or (grains of) wheat, a treasure of gold or whether all is snakes and scorpions;
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یا در او گنج است و ماری بر کران ** ز انکه نبود گنج زر بیپاسبان
- Or whether a treasure is there and a serpent beside it, since a treasure of gold is not without some one to keep watch.
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بیتامل او سخن گفتی چنان ** کز پس پانصد تامل دیگران
- Without premeditation he (that slave) would speak in such wise as others after five hundred premeditations.