غلغل و طاق و طرنب و گیر و دار ** که نمی‌بینم مرا معذور دار
(All this) noise and pompous talk and assumption of authority (only means), “I cannot see: (kindly) excuse me.”
منادی کردن سید ملک ترمد کی هر کی در سه یا چهار روز به سمرقند رود به فلان مهم خلعت و اسپ و غلام و کنیزک و چندین زر دهم و شنیدن دلقک خبر این منادی در ده و آمدن به اولاقی نزد شاه کی من باری نتوانم رفتن
How the Sayyid, the King of Tirmid, proclaimed that he would give robes of honour and horses and slave-boys and slave-girls and a large sum in gold to any one who would go on urgent business to Samarcand (and complete the journey) in three or four days; and how Dalqak, having heard the news of this proclamation in the country (where he then was), came post-haste to the king, saying, “I, at all events, cannot go.”
سید ترمد که آنجا شاه بود ** مسخره‌ی او دلقک آگاه بود 2510
The sagacious Dalqak was the buffoon (court-jester) of the Sayyid of Tirmid, who reigned in that place (city).
داشت کاری در سمرقند او مهم ** جست‌الاقی تا شود او مستتم
He (the king) had an urgent affair in Samarcand, and wanted a courier in order that he might conclude it.
زد منادی هر که اندر پنج روز ** آردم زانجا خبر بدهم کنوز
(Therefore) he proclaimed that he would bestow (his) treasures on any one who should bring him news from there in five days.
دلقک اندر ده بد و آن را شنید ** بر نشست و تا بترمد می‌دوید
Dalqak was in the country and heard of that (proclamation): he mounted (a horse) and galloped to Tirmid.
مرکبی دو اندر آن ره شد سقط ** از دوانیدن فرس را زان نمط
Two horses dropped (dead) on the way because of his galloping in that (furious) manner.
پس به دیوان در دوید از گرد راه ** وقت ناهنگام ره جست او به شاه 2515
Then, (fresh) from the dust of the road, he ran into the council-chamber and demanded admission to the king at an untimely hour.
فجفجی در جمله‌ی دیوان فتاد ** شورشی در وهم آن سلطان فتاد
A whispered rumour arose in the council, and a (feeling of) agitation came into the mind of the Sultan.
خاص و عام شهر را دل شد ز دست ** تا چه تشویش و بلا حادث شدست
The hearts of the nobles and populace of the city were stricken with panic, (for they wondered) what disturbance and calamity had occurred,
یا عدوی قاهری در قصد ماست ** یا بلایی مهلکی از غیب خاست
(Saying), “Either a conquering enemy is about to attack us or a deadly calamity has emerged from the Unseen,