اسپ یاغی چون ببیند اسپ ما ** رو بگرداند گریزد بی عصا
When the enemy’s horse sees our horse, it turns its face and flees without flogging’.
تاکنون معبود و مسجود جهان ** بوده‌ای گردی کمینه‌ی بندگان2730
Hitherto thou hast been worshipped and adored by the (whole) world: (now) thou wilt become the meanest of slaves.
در هزار آتش شدن زین خوشترست ** که خداوندی شود بنده‌پرست
To go into a thousand fires is better than this, that a lord should become the servant of a slave.
نه بکش اول مرا ای شاه چین ** تا نبیند چشم من بر شاه این
Nay, kill me first, O king of China, that mine eye may not be hold this (servility) in the king.
خسروا اول مرا گردن بزن ** تا نبیند این مذلت چشم من
O emperor, behead me first, that mine eye may not behold this ignominy.
خود نبودست و مبادا این چنین ** که زمین گردون شود گردون زمین
Truly never has there been—and never may there be!—such a thing as this, that the earth should become the sky, and the sky become the earth;
بندگان‌مان خواجه‌تاش ما شوند ** بی‌دلان‌مان دلخراش ما شوند2735
(That) our slaves should become our fellow-servants, (and that) our timorous ones should become those who (cruelly) wound our hearts;
چشم‌روشن دشمنان و دوست کور ** گشت ما را پس گلستان قعر گور
(That our) enemies (should be) bright-eyed and (our) friends blind: then (in that case) the rose-garden has become for us (like) the bottom of the tomb.”
تزییف سخن هامان علیه‌اللعنه
Showing the falsity of Hámán’s speech— the curse (of God) be upon him!
دوست از دشمن همی نشناخت او ** نرد را کورانه کژ می‌باخت او
He did not know friend from enemy: he was playing back gammon (all) wrong, like a blind man.
دشمن تو جز تو نبود این لعین ** بی‌گناهان را مگو دشمن به کین
Thy enemy is none but thyself, O accursed one: do not despitefully call the innocent (thy) enemies.