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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,
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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.
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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.
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نه بلا به چاره بودش نه به مال ** چشم پر و بیطمع بود آن نهال 45
- Neither entreaty nor wealth availed him: that (fresh) sapling was fully satisfied and without desire.
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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;
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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.
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چون در افکندش بجست و جوی کار ** بعد از آن در بست که کابین بیار
- When He has plunged him (the lover) into search for the matter (which he has at heart), after that He shuts the door, saying, “Bring the dowry.”
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هم بر آن بو میتنند و میروند ** هر دمی راجی و آیس میشوند
- Still they cling to that (sweet) scent (hope) and go (on their quest): at every moment they become hopeful and despairing.
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هر کسی را هست اومید بری ** که گشادندش در آن روزی دری 50
- Every one (of them) hath hope of (winning) the fruit whereto a door was opened to him on a certain day;
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باز در بستندش و آن درپرست ** بر همان اومید آتش پا شدست
- Then it was shut (upon them) again; (but) that devotee to the door, (continuing) in the same hope, has become fire-footed.