بنگریدند از یسار و از یمین ** چارقی بدریده بود و پوستین
They (the officers) looked to the left and to the right: there was (only) a torn pair of shoon and a sheepskin jacket.
باز گفتند این مکان بی‌نوش نیست ** چارق اینجا جز پی روپوش نیست 2070
After (having looked), they said (to one another), “This place is not without balm: the shoon are only (displayed) here as a blind.
هین بیاور سیخهای تیز را ** امتحان کن حفره و کاریز را
Hey, bring sharp picks: try excavation and tunnelling.”
هر طرف کندند و جستند آن فریق ** حفره‌ها کردند و گوهای عمیق
The (searching) party dug and searched in every direction: they dug holes and deep cavities.
حفره‌هاشان بانگ می‌داد آن زمان ** کنده‌های خالییم ای کندگان
Thereupon the holes were (virtually) crying out to them, “We are empty holes, O ye stinkers!”
زان سگالش شرم هم می‌داشتند ** کنده‌ها را باز می‌انباشتند
Accordingly they (the officers) were ashamed of that (evil) thought (concerning Ayáz) and filled up the holes again.
بی‌عدد لا حول در هر سینه‌ای ** مانده مرغ حرصشان بی‌چینه‌ای 2075
In every breast were innumerable (sighs of) lá hawl: the bird, their greed, was left without any food to peck.
زان ضلالتهای یاوه‌تازشان ** حفره‌ی دیوار و در غمازشان
The holes in the walls and in the door were informers against them (giving intelligence) of their futile aberrations.
ممکن اندای آن دیوار نی ** با ایاز امکان هیچ انکار نی
The wall could not possibly be plastered (repaired): there was no possibility of denying before Ayáz (what they had done);
گر خداع بی‌گناهی می‌دهند ** حایط و عرصه گواهی می‌دهند
(For) if they make a pretence of being innocent, the wall and floor will bear witness (against them).
باز می‌گشتند سوی شهریار ** پر ز گرد و روی زرد و شرمسار
(With such reflections) they were returning to the King, covered with dust and pale-faced and ashamed.
بازگشتن نمامان از حجره‌ی ایاز به سوی شاه توبره تهی و خجل هم‌چون بدگمانان در حق انبیا علیهم‌السلام بر وقت ظهور برائت و پاکی ایشان کی یوم تبیض وجوه و تسود وجوه و قوله تری الذین کذبوا علی الله وجوههم مسودة
How the plotters returned from the chamber of Ayáz to the King with empty bags and overcome by shame, as those who thought ill of the prophets, on whom be peace, (shall be confounded) at the time when their (the prophets') innocence and holiness shall be made manifest; for (God hath said), “on the Day when (some) faces shall be white and (some) faces shall be black,” and He hath said, “and thou shalt see those who lied against God, their faces blackened.”
شاه قاصد گفت هین احوال چیست ** که بغلتان از زر و همیان تهیست 2080
The King, (speaking) with a purpose, said, “What has happened? for your arms are empty of gold and purses;
ور نهان کردید دینار و تسو ** فر شادی در رخ و رخسار کو
And if ye have concealed the pounds and pence, (then) where is the brightness of joy (that should appear) on cheeks and countenance?
Although the roots of every rooty (tree) are hidden, (yet) the leaves—their marks (upon) their faces—are green.
آنچ خورد آن بیخ از زهر و ز قند ** نک منادی می‌کند شاخ بلند
Lo, the lofty bough is proclaiming what the root has imbibed, whether it be poison or sugar.
بیخ اگر بی‌برگ و از مایه تهیست ** برگهای سبز اندر شاخ چیست
If the root is leafless and without sap, what (then) are (signify) the green leaves on the bough?
بر زبان بیخ گل مهری نهد ** شاخ دست و پا گواهی می‌دهد 2085
The earth lays a seal on the root's tongue, (but) the bough, its hand and foot, is bearing witness.”
آن امینان جمله در عذر آمدند ** هم‌چو سایه پیش مه ساجد شدند
All those trusted (officers) began to excuse themselves: they fell prostrate, like a shadow in the presence of the moon.
عذر آن گرمی و لاف و ما و من ** پیش شه رفتند با تیغ و کفن
In excuse for that heat (hot-headedness) and boasting and egoism they went to the King with sword and winding-sheet,
از خجالت جمله انگشتان گزان ** هر یکی می‌گفت کای شاه جهان
All of them biting their fingers from shame, and every one saying, “O King of the world,
گر بریزی خون حلالستت حلال ** ور ببخشی هست انعام و نوال
If thou shed (our) blood, ’tis lawful, lawful (for thee to do so); and if thou forgive, ’tis (an act of) grace and bounty.
کرده‌ایم آنها که از ما می‌سزید ** تا چه فرمایی تو ای شاه مجید 2090
We have done those deeds that were worthy of us: consider what thou wilt command, O glorious King.
گر ببخشی جرم ما ای دل‌فروز ** شب شبیها کرده باشد روز روز
If thou forgive our crime, O thou who makest the heart radiant, the night will have shown the qualities of night, and the day (those of) day.
گر ببخشی یافت نومیدی گشاد ** ورنه صد چون ما فدای شاه باد
If thou forgive, despair will be removed; and if not, may a hundred like us be a sacrifice to the King!”
گفت شه نه این نواز و این گداز ** من نخواهم کرد هست آن ایاز
The King replied, “Nay, I will not show this clemency or deal this punishment: that (right) belongs to Ayáz.
حواله کردن پادشاه قبول و توبه‌ی نمامان و حجره گشایان و سزا دادن ایشان با ایاز کی یعنی این جنایت بر عرض او رفته است
[How the King referred to Ayáz the question of accepting the repentance of the ploiters who had opened his chamber or of punishing them, because he judged that the offence had been committed against his honour.]