ناکسان را ترک کن بهر کسان ** قصه را پایان بر و مخلص رسان
Leave the unworthy folk for the sake of the worthy: bring the tale to the end and conduct it to the issue.
این حکایت گر نشد آنجا تمام ** چارمین جلدست آرش در نظام
If this story was not finished there (in the Third Book), ’tis (now) the Fourth Volume: set it out in order.
تمامی حکایت آن عاشق که از عسس گریخت در باغی مجهول خود معشوق را در باغ یافت و عسس را از شادی دعای خیر میکرد و میگفت کی عسی ان تکرهوا شیا و هو خیر لکم
Conclusion of the story of the lover who fled from the night-patrol into an orchard unknown to him, and for joy at finding his beloved in the orchard called down blessings on the night-patrol and said, "It may be that ye loathe a thing although it is better for you."
اندر آن بودیم کان شخص از عسس ** راند اندر باغ از خوفی فرس40
We were at the point (of the story) where that person (fled) in terror from the night-patrol (and) galloped into the orchard.
بود اندر باغ آن صاحبجمال ** کز غمش این در عنا بد هشت سال
In the orchard was the beauteous one for love of whom this (youth) had been in tribulation eight years.
سایهی او را نبود امکان دید ** همچو عنقا وصف او را میشنید
He had no possibility of seeing (even) her shadow: he was (only) hearing the description of her, as (of) the ‘Anqá,
جز یکی لقیه که اول از قضا ** بر وی افتاد و شد او را دلربا
Except (for) one meeting which happened to him by (Divine) destiny at the first and enravished his heart.
بعد از آن چندان که میکوشید او ** خود مجالش مینداد آن تندخو
After that, however much effort he made, in sooth that cruel one would give him no opportunity.
نه بلا به چاره بودش نه به مال ** چشم پر و بیطمع بود آن نهال45
Neither entreaty nor wealth availed him: that (fresh) sapling was fully satisfied and without desire.
عاشق هر پیشهای و مطلبی ** حق بیالود اول کارش لبی
(In the case of) the lover of any craft or object of pursuit, God has touched his lip (with honey or the like) at the beginning of the affair;
چون بدان آسیب در جست آمدند ** پیش پاشان مینهد هر روز بند
(But) when at that contact they have entered upon the quest, He lays a snare before their feet every day.