گفت آن چه خوردهای آن چیست آن ** گفت آن که در سبو مخفی است آن2390
He asked (again), “What is it that you have drunk?” He rejoined, “That which is hidden in the jar.”
دور میشد این سؤال و این جواب ** ماند چون خر محتسب اندر خلاب
These questions and answers were becoming a (vicious) circle. The Inspector was left (stuck) in the mud, like an ass.
گفت او را محتسب هین آه کن ** مست هو هو کرد هنگام سخن
The Inspector said to him, “Come now, say ‘Ah’”; (but) the drunken man, at the moment of utterance, said “Hú, Hú.”
گفت گفتم آه کن هو میکنی ** گفت من شاد و تو از غم دم زنی
“I told you to say ‘Ah’,” said he; “you are saying ‘Hú’.” “(Because) I am glad,” he replied, “while you are bent with grief.
آه از درد و غم و بیدادی است ** هوی هوی می خوران از شادی است
‘Ah’ is (uttered) on account of pain and grief and injustice; the ‘Hú, Hú’ of the wine-drinkers is from joy.”
محتسب گفت این ندانم خیز خیز ** معرفت متراش و بگذار این ستیز2395
The Inspector said, “I know nothing about this. Get up, get up! Don't retail mystic lore, and leave off this wrangling.”
گفت رو تو از کجا من از کجا ** گفت مستی خیز تا زندان بیا
“Go away,” said the man; “what have you to do with me?” “You are drunk,” the Inspector said. “Get up and come to prison.”
گفت مست ای محتسب بگذار و رو ** از برهنه کی توان بردن گرو
Said the drunken man, “O Inspector, let me alone and go away. How is it possible to carry off pledges from one that is naked?
گر مرا خود قوت رفتن بدی ** خانهی خود رفتمی وین کی شدی
If indeed I had had the power to walk, I should have gone to my house—and (then) how would this (affair between us) have occurred?
من اگر با عقل و با امکانمی ** همچو شیخان بر سر دکانمی
Were I (still) possessed of understanding and of contingent (unreal) existence, I should be on the bench, (giving instruction) like the Shaykhs.”
دوم بار در سخن کشیدن سایل آن بزرگ را تا حال او معلوم تر گردد
How the inquirer, for the second time, drew that eminent (saint) into conversation, in order that his condition might be made better known (to the inquirer).
گفت آن طالب که آخر یک نفس ** ای سواره بر نی این سو ران فرس2400
That seeker said, “O thou mounted on the cane, pray, ride thy horse this way for one moment.”
راند سوی او که هین زوتر بگو ** کاسب من بس توسن است و تند خو
He rode towards him, crying, “Hark, say as quick as you can (what you want), for my horse is very restive and fierce-tempered.
تا لگد بر تو نکوبد زود باش ** از چه میپرسی بیانش کن تو فاش
Be quick, lest he kick you: explain clearly what you are asking about.”
او مجال راز دل گفتن ندید ** زو برون شو کرد و در لاغش کشید
He (the inquirer) saw no opportunity to tell his heart's secret: he at once made an evasion and drew him into jesting talk.
گفت میخواهم در این کوچه زنی ** کیست لایق از برای چون منی
He said, “I wish to marry a woman in this street: who is suitable for one like me?”
گفت سه گونه زناند اندر جهان ** آن دو رنج و این یکی گنج روان2405
“There are three kinds of women in the world,” said he: “two of those are a sorrow, and one is the soul's treasure.
آن یکی را چون بخواهی کل تراست ** و آن دگر نیمی ترا نیمی جداست
The first, when you marry her, is wholly yours; and the second is half yours and half separate (from you);
و آن سوم هیچ او ترا نبود بدان ** این شنودی دور شو رفتم روان
And the third, know she is not yours at all. You have heard this. Away (with you)!—I start in a trice—
تا ترا اسبم نپراند لگد ** که بیفتی بر نخیزی تا ابد
Lest my horse let fly a kick at you, so that you fall and never rise up (again).”
شیخ راند اندر میان کودکان ** بانگ زد بار دگر او را جوان
The Shaykh rode off amongst the children, (but) the young man shouted to him once more,
که بیا آخر بگو تفسیر این ** این زنان سه نوع گفتی بر گزین2410
“Come, prithee declare the exposition of this. Thou hast said that these women are of three kinds: pick (them) out.”
راند سوی او و گفتش بکر خاص ** کل ترا باشد ز غم یابی خلاص
He rode towards him and said to him, “The virgin of your choice will be wholly yours, and you will gain freedom from sorrow;
و انکه نیمی آن تو بیوه بود ** و انکه هیچست آن عیال با ولد
And she that is half yours is the (childless) widow; and she that is nothing (to you) is the married woman with a child:
چون ز شوی اولش کودک بود ** مهر و کل خاطرش آن سو رود
When she has a child by her first husband, her love and whole heart will go to that quarter.
دور شو تا اسب نندازد لگد ** سم اسب توسنم بر تو رسد
(Now) get away, lest my horse launch a kick, and the hoof of my restive horse land upon you.”