وقت ذکر غزو شمشیرش دراز ** وقت کر و فر تیغش چون پیاز
At the time when war is spoken Of, his (such a one’s) scimitar is long (drawn and extended); at the time of combat his sword is (sheathed) like an onion.
وقت اندیشه دل او زخم‌جو ** پس به یک سوزن تهی شد خیک او
At the time of premeditation his heart is eager for wounds; then (in action) his bag is emptied (of air) by a single needle.
من عجب دارم ز جویای صفا ** کو رمد در وقت صیقل از جفا
I marvel at the seeker of purity who at the time of polishing shrinks from being handled roughly.
عشق چون دعوی جفا دیدن گواه ** چون گواهت نیست شد دعوی تباه
Love is like the lawsuit; to suffer harsh treatment is (like) the evidence: when you have no evidence, the lawsuit is lost.
چون گواهت خواهد این قاضی مرنج ** بوسه ده بر مار تا یابی تو گنج4010
Do not be aggrieved when this Judge demands your evidence: kiss the snake in order that you may gain the treasure.
آن جفا با تو نباشد ای پسر ** بلک با وصف بدی اندر تو در
That harshness is not towards you, O son; nay, towards the evil qualities within you.
بر نمد چوبی که آن را مرد زد ** بر نمد آن را نزد بر گرد زد
The blows of the stick with which a man beats a rug he inflicts, not on the rug, but on the dust (in the rug).
گر بزد مر اسپ را آن کینه کش ** آن نزد بر اسپ زد بر سکسکش
If that vindictive fellow lashes the horse, he directs the blows, not at the horse, but at its stumbling,
تا ز سکسک وا رهد خوش‌پی شود ** شیره را زندان کنی تا می‌شود
In order that it may be delivered from (the vice of) stumbling and may move well: you imprison must (in the vat) in order that it may become wine.
گفت چندان آن یتیمک را زدی ** چون نترسیدی ز قهر ایزدی4015
He (some one) said, “Thou hast struck that little orphan so many blows: how wert not thou afraid of the Divine wrath?”