He replied, “The robbers came unexpectedly, and hastily carried off the stock from before me.”
قوم گفتندش که ای چو تل ریگ ** پس چه می‌کردی کیی ای مردریگ
The party (of merchants) said to him, “O man (weak) as a sandhill, what were you doing, then? Who are you, O recreant?”
گفت من یک کس بدم ایشان گروه ** با سلاح و با شجاعت با شکوه
“I was (only one,” said he, “and they were a band, armed and brave and formidable.”
گفت اگر در جنگ کم بودت امید ** نعره‌ای زن کای کریمان برجهید
He (the spokesman of the merchants) said, “If you had no hope (of overcoming them) in battle, (why didn't you) shout, ‘Gentlemen, spring up (from your beds)?’”
گفت آن دم کارد بنمودند و تیغ ** که خمش ورنه کشیمت بی‌دریغ
He replied, “At that moment they produced knives and swords, crying, ‘Silence! or we will kill you ruthlessly.’
آن زمان از ترس بستم من دهان ** این زمان هیهای و فریاد و فغان 550
At that time I shut my mouth in terror; at this time (I can utter) screams and calls for help and cries of distress.
آن زمان بست آن دمم که دم زنم ** این زمان چندانک خواهی هی کنم
At that time my breath was stopped from breathing a word: at this time I will scream as much as you please.”
چونک عمرت برد دیو فاضحه ** بی‌نمک باشد اعوذ و فاتحه
After the Devil who exposes (sinners) to disgrace has carried off your life, it is foolish (to cry) “I take refuge (with God)” and (to recite) the Fátiha;
گرچه باشد بی‌نمک اکنون حنین ** هست غفلت بی‌نمک‌تر زان یقین
(But) though ’tis foolish to moan now, (yet) assuredly heedlessness is (even) more foolish than that (tardy supplication).