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  • او نشسته بر سر هر دو جوال ** یک حدیث انداز کرد او را سؤال‏
  • He was seated on the top of both sacks. A glib philosopher questioned him.

  • از وطن پرسید و آوردش به گفت ** و اندر آن پرسش بسی درها بسفت‏
  • He asked him about his native land and led him to talk and said many fine things in the course of (his) enquiry.

  • بعد از آن گفتش که این هر دو جوال ** چیست آگنده بگو مصدوق حال‏
  • Afterwards he said to him, “What are these two sacks filled with? Tell (me) the truth of the matter.”

  • گفت اندر یک جوالم گندم است ** در دگر ریگی نه قوت مردم است‏ 3180
  • He replied, “In one sack I have wheat; in the other is some sand—not food for men.”

  • گفت تو چون بار کردی این رمال ** گفت تا تنها نماند آن جوال‏
  • “Why,” he asked, “did you load this sand?” “In order that the other sack might not remain alone,” he replied.

  • گفت نیم گندم آن تنگ را ** در دگر ریز از پی فرهنگ را
  • “For wisdom's sake,” said he, “pour half the wheat of that pannier into the other,

  • تا سبک گردد جوال و هم شتر ** گفت شاباش ای حکیم اهل و حر
  • So that the sacks may be lightened, and the camel too.” He (the Arab) cried, “Bravo! O clever and noble sage!

  • این چنین فکر دقیق و رای خوب ** تو چنین عریان پیاده در لغوب‏
  • Such subtle thought and excellent judgement! And you so naked, (journeying) on foot and in fatigue!”

  • رحمتش آمد بر حکیم و عزم کرد ** کش بر اشتر بر نشاند نیک مرد 3185
  • The good man took pity on the philosopher and resolved to mount him on the camel.

  • باز گفتش ای حکیم خوش سخن ** شمه‏ای از حال خود هم شرح کن‏
  • He said to him again, “O fair-spoken sage, explain a little about your own circumstances as well.

  • این چنین عقل و کفایت که تراست ** تو وزیری یا شهی بر گوی راست‏
  • (With) such intelligence and talent as you have, are you a vizier or a king? Tell the truth.”

  • گفت این هر دو نیم از عامه‏ام ** بنگر اندر حال و اندر جامه‏ام‏
  • He answered, “I am not (either of) these two: I am of the common folk. Look at my appearance and dress.”

  • گفت اشتر چند داری چند گاو ** گفت نه این و نه آن ما را مکاو
  • He asked, “How many camels have you? How many oxen?” “I have neither these nor those,” he replied: “do not dig at me.”

  • گفت رختت چیست باری در دکان ** گفت ما را کو دکان و کو مکان‏ 3190
  • He said, “At any rate, what goods have you in your shop?” He answered, “Where have I a shop, and where a dwelling-place?”

  • گفت پس از نقد پرسم نقد چند ** که تویی تنها رو و محبوب پند
  • “Then,” said he, “I will ask about money. How much money (have you)?—for you are a solitary wanderer and one whose counsel is prized.

  • کیمیای مس عالم با تو است ** عقل و دانش را گهر تو بر تو است‏
  • With you is the elixir which changes the copper of the world (into) gold: your understanding and knowledge are inlaid with pearls.”

  • گفت و الله نیست یا وجه العرب ** در همه ملکم وجوه قوت شب‏
  • “By God,” he replied, “O chief of the Arabs, in my whole property there is not the means of (buying) food for the night.

  • پا برهنه تن برهنه می‏دوم ** هر که نانی می‏دهد آن جا روم‏
  • I run about with bare feet and naked body. If any one will give me a loaf of bread—thither I go.

  • مر مرا زین حکمت و فضل و هنر ** نیست حاصل جز خیال و درد سر 3195
  • From this wisdom and learning and excellence (of mind) I have got nothing but phantasy and headache.”

  • پس عرب گفتش که شو دور از برم ** تا نبارد شومی تو بر سرم‏
  • Then the Arab said to him, “Begone far from my side, so that your ill-luck may not rain upon me.

  • دور بر آن حکمت شومت ز من ** نطق تو شرم است بر اهل زمن‏
  • Take far away from me that unlucky wisdom of yours: your speech is unlucky for (all) the people of the time.

  • یا تو آن سو رو من این سو می‏دوم ** ور ترا ره پیش من واپس روم‏
  • Either go you in that direction, and I will run in this direction; or if your way be forwards, I will go back.

  • یک جوالم گندم و دیگر ز ریگ ** به بود زین حیله‏های مرده‏ریگ‏
  • One sack of wheat and the other of sand is better for me than these vain contrivings.

  • احمقی‏ام بس مبارک احمقی است ** که دلم با برگ و جانم متقی است‏ 3200
  • My foolishness is a very blessed foolishness, for my heart is well furnished (with spiritual graces) and my soul is devout.”

  • گر تو خواهی کت شقاوت کم شود ** جهد کن تا از تو حکمت کم شود
  • If thou desire that misery should vanish (from thee), endeavour that wisdom should vanish from thee—