-
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.
-
تر و خشک و پر و تی باشد دهل ** بانگ او آگه کند ما را ز کل
- (Whether) the drum is wet or dry or full or empty, its sound informs us of everything.
-
تا بگوید سر خود از اضطرار ** آنچنان که گیرد این دلها قرار 2575
- (Beat him) in order that he may be compelled to declare the secret, so that these (apprehensive) hearts will be reassured.
-
چون طمانینست صدق و با فروغ ** دل نیارامد به گفتار دروغ
- Since the shining truth is (a cause of) tranquillity, the heart will not be calmed by lying words.