غیر دنیا پس چه باشد آخرت ** کت کند زینجا و باشد رهبرت
What, then, is other than the present world? The next world, (the knowledge of) which will take you away from here and be your guide (to God).
بحث کردن آن سه شه‌زاده در تدبیر آن واقعه
How the three princes discussed the (best) plan to adopt in view of what had occurred.
رو به هم کردند هر سه مفتتن ** هر سه را یک رنج و یک درد و حزن
The three afflicted ones put their heads together: all three felt the same grief and pain and sorrow.
هر سه در یک فکر و یک سودا ندیم ** هر سه از یک رنج و یک علت سقیم
All three were comrades in one meditation and one passion; all three were sick with one disease and one malady.
در خموشی هر سه را خطرت یکی ** در سخن هم هر سه را حجت یکی
At the time of silence all three had one thought; at the time of speech, too, all three had one argument.
یک زمانی اشک‌ریزان جمله‌شان ** بر سر خوان مصیبت خون‌فشان 3890
At one moment they all were shedding tears and weeping blood on the dining-table of calamity;
یک زمان از آتش دل هر سه کس ** بر زده با سوز چون مجمر نفس
At another moment all three, from the fire in their hearts, heaved burning sighs as (hot as) a chafing-pan.
مقالت برادر بزرگین
The discourse of the eldest brother.
آن بزرگین گفت ای اخوان خیر ** ما نه نر بودیم اندر نصح غیر
The eldest said, “O men of probity, were not we masculine (vigorous and bold) in giving counsel to others?
از حشم هر که به ما کردی گله ** از بلا و فقر و خوف و زلزله
Whenever one of the (King's) retainers complained to us of affliction and poverty and fear and agitation,
ما همی‌گفتیم کم نال از حرج ** صبر کن کالصبر مفتاح الفرج
We used to say, ‘Do not bewail thy hardships: be patient, for patience (fortitude) is the key to relief from pain.’
این کلید صبر را اکنون چه شد ** ای عجب منسوخ شد قانون چه شد 3895
What has become now of this key, (namely) fortitude? Wonderful! The rule (which we laid down for others) is null and void (for us): what has become of it?