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وهم در وهم و خیال اندر خیال ** شاه را تا خود چه آید از نکال
- Foreboding on foreboding and fancy on fancy (occurred) to the king (as he wondered) what chastisement would come (upon him),
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که دل شه با غم و پرهیز بود ** زانک خوارمشاه بس خون‌ریز بود
- For the king's heart was anxious and alarmed because the Khwárizmsháh was very bloodthirsty,
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بس شهان آن طرف را کشته بود ** یا به حیله یا به سطوت آن عنود
- And that perverse (tyrant) had killed many kings in that region either by craft or violence.
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این شه ترمد ازو در وهم بود ** وز فن دلقک خود آن وهمش فزود
- This King of Tirmid was apprehensive of (being attacked by) him, and his apprehension was increased by the artifice of Dalqak.
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گفت زوتر بازگو تا حال چیست ** این چنین آشوب و شور تو ز کیست 2540
- He said, “Be quick! Tell (me) what is the matter. Who is the cause of your being so perturbed and agitated?”
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گفت من در ده شنیدم آنک شاه ** زد منادی بر سر هر شاه‌راه
- He replied, “I heard in the country that the king had proclaimed on every highway
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که کسی خواهم که تازد در سه روز ** تا سمرقند و دهم او را کنوز
- That he required some one to run to Samarcand in three days and would bestow (his) treasures (on the courier).
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من شتابیدم بر تو بهر آن ** تا بگویم که ندارم آن توان
- I hurried to you in order to say that I am not able to do it.
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این چنین چستی نیاید از چو من ** باری این اومید را بر من متن
- For one like me such agility is impossible: at all events do not expect this of me.”
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گفت شه لعنت برین زودیت باد ** که دو صد تشویش در شهر اوفتاد 2545
- “Curse your hurry!” cried the king; “for (in consequence of it) a hundred confusions have arisen in the city.