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هر حوایج را که بودش آن زمان ** راست کردی مرد شهری رایگان
- And the townsman would provide, free of cost, everything that he wanted during that time.
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رو به شهری کرد و گفت ای خواجه تو ** هیچ می‌نایی سوی ده فرجه‌جو 240
- (Once) he turned to the townsman and said, “Sire, are you never coming to the country for a holiday?
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الله الله جمله فرزندان بیار ** کین زمان گلشنست و نوبهار
- Bring all your children, (I beg you) in God's name, for this is the time of the rose-garden and the springtide;
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یا بتابستان بیا وقت ثمر ** تا ببندم خدمتت را من کمر
- Or come in summer, in the fruit-season, that I may brace my belt to do you service.
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خیل و فرزندان و قومت را بیار ** در ده ما باش سه ماه و چهار
- Bring your retinue and your children and kinsfolk, and stay in our village three or four months,
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که بهاران خطه‌ی ده خوش بود ** کشت‌زار و لاله‌ی دلکش بود
- For in spring the countryside is pleasant; there are sown fields and lovely anemones.”
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وعده دادی شهری او را دفع حال ** تا بر آمد بعد وعده هشت سال 245
- The townsman was (always) putting him off with promises, until eight years had elapsed since the (first) promise (was given).
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او بهر سالی همی‌گفتی که کی ** عزم خواهی کرد کامد ماه دی
- Every year he (the countryman) would say, “When will you set out on the journey?—for the month of December is (already) come,”
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او بهانه ساختی کامسال‌مان ** از فلان خطه بیامد میهمان
- And he (the townsman) would make an excuse, saying, “This year we have a guest who has come from such and such a district;
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سال دیگر گر توانم وا رهید ** از مهمات آن طرف خواهم دوید
- (But) next year I will run (down) to that part (of the country), if I can escape from the pressing affairs (which keep me at home).”
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گفت هستند آن عیالم منتظر ** بهر فرزندان تو ای اهل بر
- He (the countryman) said, “My family are (anxiously) expecting your children, O benefactor.”
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باز هر سالی چو لکلک آمدی ** تا مقیم قبه‌ی شهری شدی 250
- Every year he was coming back, like the stork, to reside in the townsman's pavilion,
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خواجه هر سالی ز زر و مال خویش ** خرج او کردی گشادی بال خویش
- And every year the Khwája would expend his gold and wealth upon him and open his wings (wide).
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آخرین کرت سه ماه آن پهلوان ** خوان نهادش بامدادان و شبان
- On the last occasion, that paladin set dishes (of food) before him at morn and eve for three months.
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از خجالت باز گفت او خواجه را ** چند وعده چند بفریبی مرا
- From shame he again said to the Khwája, “How long (nothing but) promises? How long will you deceive me?”
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گفت خواجه جسم و جانم وصل‌جوست ** لیک هر تحویل اندر حکم هوست
- The Khwája said, “My body and soul are eager for the meeting, but every change depends on the decree of Him (God).
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آدمی چون کشتی است و بادبان ** تا کی آرد باد را آن بادران 255
- Man is like a ship or sail: (he must wait) to see when the Driver of the wind shall send the (favourable) breeze.”
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باز سوگندان بدادش کای کریم ** گیر فرزندان بیا بنگر نعیم
- Once more he (the countryman) adjured him, crying, “O generous man, take your children and come and behold the pleasures (of the country).”
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دست او بگرفت سه کرت بعهد ** کالله الله زو بیا بنمای جهد
- He took his hand three times in covenant, saying, “In God's name, come quickly, make the utmost effort!”
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بعد ده سال و بهر سالی چنین ** لابه‌ها و وعده‌های شکرین
- After ten years—and every year the same sugared entreaties and promises—
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کودکان خواجه گفتند ای پدر ** ماه و ابر و سایه هم دارد سفر
- The Khwája's children said, “O father, the moon and the clouds and the shadows too have their journeys.
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حقها بر وی تو ثابت کرده‌ای ** رنجها در کار او بس برده‌ای 260
- You have laid obligations on him, you have taken great pains on his account,
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او همی‌خواهد که بعضی حق آن ** وا گزارد چون شوی تو میهمان
- And he wishes to repay some part of that obligation when you become his guest.
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بس وصیت کرد ما را او نهان ** که کشیدش سوی ده لابه‌کنان
- He gave us many injunctions in secret: ‘Bring him to the country,’ said he, ‘coaxing (him to come).’”
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گفت حقست این ولی ای سیبویه ** اتق من شر من احسنت الیه
- He (the townsman) said, “This is true, but, O Síbawayh, be on thy guard against the malice of him to whom thou hast shown kindness.