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,
که ز ده دلقک به سیران درشت ** چند اسپی تازی اندر راه کشت
For Dalqak, riding hard from the country, has killed several Arab horses on the way.”
جمع گشته بر سرای شاه خلق ** تا چرا آمد چنین اشتاب دلق 2520
The people gathered at the king's palace, wondering why Dalqak had come in such a hurry.
از شتاب او و فحش اجتهاد ** غلغل و تشویش در ترمد فتاد
Because of his (hot) haste and the enormity of his exertions, tumult and commotion arose in Tirmid;
آن یکی دو دست بر زانوزنان ** وآن دگر از وهم واویلی‌کنان
One man (was) beating both hands against his knee, while another, from presentiment of evil, was uttering woeful cries.
از نفیر و فتنه و خوف نکال ** هر دلی رفته به صد کوی خیال
On account of the hubbub and distraction and the dread of punishment every heart went to (wander in) a hundred streets (haunts) of phantasy.
هر کسی فالی همی‌زد از قیاس ** تا چه آتش اوفتاد اندر پلاس
Every one was taking an omen (predicting) by conjecture (and trying to guess) what had set the rug on fire.
راه جست و راه دادش شاه زود ** چون زمین بوسید گفتش هی چه بود 2525
He (Dalqak) sought admission and the king at once granted it to him. When he kissed the earth (in homage), the king said to him, “Hey, what's the matter?”
هرکه می‌پرسید حالی زان ترش ** دست بر لب می‌نهاد او که خمش
Whenever any one asked that sour-faced man for some particulars, he laid his hand on his lips as though to say “Hush!”
وهم می‌افزود زین فرهنگ او ** جمله در تشویش گشته دنگ او
(Their) apprehension was increased by his gravity: all were perplexed and dumbfounded by him.