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خواجهای را بود هندو بندهای ** پروریده کرده او را زندهای
- A certain Khwája had a Hindú slave whom he had educated and enlivened (with knowledge).
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علم و آدابش تمام آموخته ** در دلش شمع هنر افروخته 250
- He had taught him science and all polite accomplishments; he had lighted the candle of erudition in his heart.
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پروریدش از طفولیت به ناز ** در کنار لطف آن اکرامساز
- That beneficent man had brought him up indulgently from childhood in the lap of kindness.
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بود هم این خواجه را خوش دختری ** سیماندامی گشی خوشگوهری
- This Khwája had also a fair daughter, silver-limbed, lovely, and of excellent disposition.
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چون مراهق گشت دختر طالبان ** بذل میکردند کابین گران
- When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,
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میرسیدش از سوی هر مهتری ** بهر دختر دم به دم خوزهگری
- And there was continually coming to him (the Khwája) from every nobleman a wooer to ask for the girl (in marriage).
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گفت خواجه مال را نبود ثبات ** روز آید شب رود اندر جهات 255
- The Khwája said (to himself), “Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it goes in all directions (is scattered to the winds).
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حسن صورت هم ندارد اعتبار ** که شود رخ زرد از یک زخم خار
- Physical beauty too has no importance, for a (rosy) face is made yellow (pale) by a single thorn-scratch.
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سهل باشد نیز مهترزادگی ** که بود غره به مال و بارگی
- Noble birth also is of small account, for he (such an one) is befooled by money and horses.”
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ای بسا مهتربچه کز شور و شر ** شد ز فعل زشت خود ننگ پدر
- Oh, there is many a nobleman's son who in riot and mischief has disgraced his father by his wicked deeds.