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گوشه‌ای رو نامه را بگشا بخوان ** بین که حرفش هست در خورد شهان 1565
- Go into a corner, open the letter, read (it), see whether its‘ words are suitable to kings.
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گر نباشد درخور آن را پاره کن ** نامه‌ی دیگر نویس و چاره کن
- If it be not suitable, tear it in pieces and write another letter and remedy (the fault).
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لیک فتح نامه‌ی تن زپ مدان ** ورنه هر کس سر دل دیدی عیان
- But do not think it is easy to open the letter which is the body; otherwise every one would plainly see the secret of the heart.
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نامه بگشادن چه دشوارست و صعب ** کار مردانست نه طفلان کعب
- How hard and difficult is it to open the letter! ‘Tis a task for men, not for children playing at knuckle
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جمله بر فهرست قانع گشته‌ایم ** زانک در حرص و هوا آغشته‌ایم
- We have all become satisfied with (reading) the table of contents, because we are steeped in cupidity and vain desire.
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باشد آن فهرست دامی عامه را ** تا چنان دانند متن نامه را 1570
- The table of contents is a snare for the vulgar, that they may think the text of the scroll is like that (table).
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باز کن سرنامه را گردن متاب ** زین سخن والله اعلم بالصواب
- Open the title-page, do not turn your neck aside from these words—and God best knoweth the right course.
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هست آن عنوان چو اقرار زبان ** متن نامه‌ی سینه را کن امتحان
- That title is like a declaration made by the tongue: examine the text of the scroll, namely, the bosom (your inward self),
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که موافق هست با اقرار تو ** تا منافق‌وار نبود کار تو
- (And see) whether it is in agreement with your declaration, in order that your actions may not be hypocritical.
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چون جوالی بس گرانی می‌بری ** زان نباید کم که در وی بنگری
- When you are carrying a very heavy sack, you must not fail to look into it,