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هست شاهان را زمان بر نشست ** هول سرهنگان و صارمها به دست
- Kings, when seated on the throne, have formidable guardsmen (around them) with swords in their hands,
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دور باش و نیزه و شمشیرها ** که بلرزند از مهابت شیرها
- Staves and lances and scimitars, so that (even) lions would tremble in awe;
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بانگ چاوشان و آن چوگانها ** که شود سست از نهیبش جانها
- The shouts of sergeants with their maces, by the terror of which (men's) souls are enfeebled.
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این برای خاص وعام رهگذر ** که کندشان از شهنشاهی خبر 3775
- This is for the high and low in the street, to announce to them (the presence of) an emperor.
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از برای عام باشد این شکوه ** تا کلاه کبر ننهند آن گروه
- This pomp is for the sake of the vulgar, that those people may not put on the tiara of arrogance;
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تا من و ماهای ایشان بشکند ** نفس خودبین فتنه و شر کم کند
- That it may break their egoism and that the self-conceited carnal soul may not work mischief and evil.
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شهر از آن آمن شود کان شهریار ** دارد اندر قهر زخم و گیر و دار
- The country is preserved from that by the king's having force and authority to inflict punishment.
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پس بمیرد آن هوسها در نفوس ** هیبت شه مانع آید زان نحوس
- Therefore those vain desires are extinguished in (men's) souls: awe of the king prevents that disaster.
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باز چون آید به سوی بزم خاص ** کی بود آنجا مهابت یا قصاص 3780
- Again, when he (the king) comes to the private banquet, how should awe or retaliation be (in place) there?
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حلم در حلمست و رحمتها به جوش ** نشنوی از غیر چنگ و ناخروش
- There clemency on clemency is (shown) and mercies overflowing; you will hear no noise but that of the harp and flute.