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گوهری بیرون کشید او مستنیر ** پس نهادش زود در کف وزیر
- He produced a radiant pearl and immediately put it in the palm of the Vizier.
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گفت چونست و چه ارزد این گهر ** گفت به ارزد ز صد خروار زر
- “How about this pearl?” he asked, “and what is it worth?” He replied, “ is worth more than a hundred ass-loads of gold.”
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گفت بشکن گفت چونش بشکنم ** نیک‌خواه مخزن و مالت منم
- He said, “Break it!” “How should I break it?” he replied: “I am a well-wisher to thy treasury and riches.
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چون روا دارم که مثل این گهر ** که نیاید در بها گردد هدر
- How should I deem it allowable that a priceless pearl like this should go to waste?”
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گفت شاباش و بدادش خلعتی ** گوهر از وی بستد آن شاه و فتی 4040
- “Well said!” exclaimed the King and presented him with a dress of honour; the generous King took the pearl from him,
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کرد ایثار وزیر آن شاه جود ** هر لباس و حله کو پوشیده بود
- (But) the munificent monarch bestowed on the Vizier every garment and robe that he wore.
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ساعتیشان کرد مشغول سخن ** از قضیه تازه و راز کهن
- For a while he engaged them (the courtiers) in conversation concerning new event and old mystery.
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بعد از آن دادش به دست حاجبی ** که چه ارزد این به پیش طالبی
- Afterwards he put it (the pearl) into the hand of a chamberlain, saying, "What is it worth to a would-be purchaser?"
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گفت ارزد این به نیمه‌ی مملکت ** کش نگهدارا خدا از مهلکت
- He replied, “It is worth half a kingdom: may God preserve it from destruction!”
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گفت بشکن گفت ای خورشیدتیغ ** بس دریغست این شکستن را دریغ 4045
- “Break it,” said he. “O thou whose sword is like the sun he replied, “alas, ‘tis a great pity to break it.