هم ز خود سالک شده واصل شده ** محفلی واکرده در دعوی‌کده
And, having (as they claim) travelled away from themselves and become united (with God), open a conventicle (for disciples) in the abode of pretension.
خانه‌ی داماد پرآشوب و شر ** قوم دختر را نبوده زین خبر 2550
(While) the bridegroom's house is full of turmoil and trouble, the girl's family know nothing about it.
ولوله که کار نیمی راست شد ** شرطهایی که ز سوی ماست شد
(The bridegroom's people raise) an outcry, saying, “Half the affair is concluded: the conditions that are (necessary) on our side have been fulfilled.
خانه‌ها را روفتیم آراستیم ** زین هوس سرمست و خوش برخاستیم
We have swept and garnished the rooms and have risen up (from our labour) intoxicated and glad with this ardent desire (to receive the bride).”
زان طرف آمد یکی پیغام نی ** مرغی آمد این طرف زان بام نی
Has any message come from over there? “No.” Has any bird come hither from that roof? “No.”
زین رسالات مزید اندر مزید ** یک جوابی زان حوالیتان رسید
After (all) these missives (which ye have sent) one on the top of another, has any answer reached you from that neighbourhood?
نی ولیکن یار ما زین آگهست ** زانک از دل سوی دل لا بد رهست 2555
“No; but our Friend is acquainted with this (matter), because inevitably there is a way from heart to heart.”
پس از آن یاری که اومید شماست ** از جواب نامه ره خالی چراست
Why, then, is the way devoid of (any) answer to (your) letter from the Friend who is (the object of) your hope?
صد نشانست از سرار و از جهار ** لیک بس کن پرده زین در بر مدار
There are a hundred signs (of response), (both) secret and manifest; but desist, do not lift the curtain from this door.
باز رو تا قصه‌ی آن دلق گول ** که بلا بر خویش آورد از فضول
Return to the story of that foolish Dalqak who brought tribulation on himself by his silly meddling.
پس وزیرش گفت ای حق را ستن ** بشنو از بنده‌ی کمینه یک سخن
Afterwards the vizier said to him (the king), “O Pillar of the Truth, hear a word from thy humble slave.
دلقک از ده بهر کاری آمدست ** رای او گشت و پشیمانش شدست 2560
Dalqak came from the country on some (wicked) enterprise; (but now) his mind is changed and he has repented.
ز آب و روغن کهنه را نو می‌کند ** او به مسخرگی برون‌شو می‌کند
He is making the old (corruption) new with water and oil (varnish), he is evading (punishment) by means of buffoonery.
غمد را بنمود و پنهان کرد تیغ ** باید افشردن مرورا بی‌دریغ
He has displayed the scabbard and concealed the sword: he must be tortured without mercy.
پسته را یا جوز را تا نشکنی ** نی نماید دل نی بدهد روغنی
Unless you break the pistachio or walnut, it will neither reveal its heart (kernel) nor give any oil.
مشنو این دفع وی و فرهنگ او ** در نگر در ارتعاش و رنگ او
Do not listen to this skilful defence of his; look at his trembling and his (pallid) colour.
گفت حق سیماهم فی وجههم ** زانک غمازست سیما و منم 2565
God hath said, ‘Their mark is on their faces,’ for the mark is an informer and tell-tale.
این معاین هست ضد آن خبر ** که بشر به سرشته آمد این بشر
This ocular evidence is opposed to that story (told by Dalqak), for this (whole race of) mankind are moulded of evil.”
گفت دلقک با فغان و با خروش ** صاحبا در خون این مسکین مکوش
“O Sáhib,” cried Dalqak, wailing and sobbing, “do not endeavour to shed the blood of this miserable wretch.
بس گمان و وهم آید در ضمیر ** کان نباشد حق و صادق ای امیر
Many a thought and fancy that is not real and true comes into the mind, O Prince.
ان بعض الظن اثم است ای وزیر ** نیست استم راست خاصه بر فقیر
Verily, some suspicion is a sin, O Vizier: injustice is not right, especially (when it is done) to a poor man.
شه نگیرد آنک می‌رنجاندش ** از چه گیرد آنک می‌خنداندش 2570
The king does not chastise one who vexes him: wherefore should he chastise one who makes him laugh?”
گفت صاحب پیش شه جاگیر شد ** کاشف این مکر و این تزویر شد
The words of the Sáhib (vizier) impressed the king, and he resolved to clear up this deceit and imposture.
گفت دلقک را سوی زندان برید ** چاپلوس و زرق او را کم خرید
“Take Dalqak to prison,” he said, “and pay no attention to his wheedling and hypocrisy.
می‌زنیدش چون دهل اشکم‌تهی ** تا دهل‌وار او دهدمان آگهی
Beat him, empty-bellied like a drum (as he is), that like a drum he may give us information.