چون ببینی روی او در تو فتند ** یا مبین آن رو چو دیدی خوش مخند
When you behold his (such a one's) face, they (the demons) fall upon you: either do not behold that face, (or) when you have beheld (it), do not laugh pleasantly.
در چنان روی خبیث عاصیه ** گفت یزدان نسفعن بالناصیه
Concerning such a wicked, sinful face God hath said, “Verily, We will drag (him) by the forelock.”
چون بپرسیدند و خانه‌ش یافتند ** همچو خویشان سوی در بشتافتند605
When they (the townsman's party) had made enquiry and found his (the countryman's) house, they hurried like kinsfolk to the door.
در فرو بستند اهل خانه‌اش ** خواجه شد زین کژروی دیوانه‌وش
(Thereupon) the people in his house bolted the door. At this perverseness, the Khwája became mad-like,
لیک هنگام درشتی هم نبود ** چون در افتادی بچه تیزی چه سود
But indeed it was no time for asperity: when you have fallen into the pit, what is the use of being enraged?
بر درش ماندند ایشان پنج روز ** شب بسرما روز خود خورشیدسوز
Five days they remained at his door: (they passed) the night in the cold, the day itself in the blaze of the sun.
نه ز غفلت بود ماندن نه خری ** بلک بود از اضطرار و بی‌خری
Their remaining (there) was not from heedlessness or asininity; nay, it was from necessity and want of an ass.
با لیمان بسته نیکان ز اضطرار ** شیر مرداری خورد از جوع زار610
From necessity, the good are (often) bound to the vile: from sore hunger the lion will eat a putrid carcase.
او همی‌دیدش همی‌کردش سلام ** که فلانم من مرا اینست نام
He (the townsman) would see him (the countryman) and salute him, saying, “I am so-and-so, this is my name.”
گفت باشد من چه دانم تو کیی ** یا پلیدی یا قرین پاکیی
“Maybe,” he said; “how should I know who thou art, whether thou art a dirty fellow or an honest gentleman?”