(The two classes mentioned are) the seeker of the present world and its abundant opportunities for acquisition, and the seeker of knowledge and the considerations proper to it.
پس درین قسمت چو بگماری نظر ** غیر دنیا باشد این علم ای پدر 3885
Now, when you fix your attention on this division, (you will see that) this knowledge must be other than the present world, O father.
غیر دنیا پس چه باشد آخرت ** کت کند زینجا و باشد رهبرت
What, then, is other than the present world? The next world, (the knowledge of) which will take you away from here and be your guide (to God).
بحث کردن آن سه شه‌زاده در تدبیر آن واقعه
How the three princes discussed the (best) plan to adopt in view of what had occurred.
رو به هم کردند هر سه مفتتن ** هر سه را یک رنج و یک درد و حزن
The three afflicted ones put their heads together: all three felt the same grief and pain and sorrow.
هر سه در یک فکر و یک سودا ندیم ** هر سه از یک رنج و یک علت سقیم
All three were comrades in one meditation and one passion; all three were sick with one disease and one malady.
در خموشی هر سه را خطرت یکی ** در سخن هم هر سه را حجت یکی
At the time of silence all three had one thought; at the time of speech, too, all three had one argument.
یک زمانی اشک‌ریزان جمله‌شان ** بر سر خوان مصیبت خون‌فشان 3890
At one moment they all were shedding tears and weeping blood on the dining-table of calamity;
یک زمان از آتش دل هر سه کس ** بر زده با سوز چون مجمر نفس
At another moment all three, from the fire in their hearts, heaved burning sighs as (hot as) a chafing-pan.
مقالت برادر بزرگین
The discourse of the eldest brother.
آن بزرگین گفت ای اخوان خیر ** ما نه نر بودیم اندر نصح غیر
The eldest said, “O men of probity, were not we masculine (vigorous and bold) in giving counsel to others?
از حشم هر که به ما کردی گله ** از بلا و فقر و خوف و زلزله
Whenever one of the (King's) retainers complained to us of affliction and poverty and fear and agitation,
ما همی‌گفتیم کم نال از حرج ** صبر کن کالصبر مفتاح الفرج
We used to say, ‘Do not bewail thy hardships: be patient, for patience (fortitude) is the key to relief from pain.’
این کلید صبر را اکنون چه شد ** ای عجب منسوخ شد قانون چه شد 3895
What has become now of this key, (namely) fortitude? Wonderful! The rule (which we laid down for others) is null and void (for us): what has become of it?
ما نمی‌گفتیم که اندر کش مکش ** اندر آتش هم‌چو زر خندید خوش
Did not we always say, ‘In the (hour of) struggle laugh happily like gold in the fire’?
مر سپه را وقت تنگاتنگ جنگ ** گفته ما که هین مگردانید رنگ
We said to the soldiers at the time of conflict in battle, ‘Hark, do not change colour (lose courage)!’
آن زمان که بود اسپان را وطا ** جمله سرهای بریده زیر پا
At the time when the ground trodden underfoot by the horses was entirely (composed of) severed heads,
ما سپاه خویش را هی هی کنان ** که به پیش آیید قاهر چون سنان
We were shouting to our troops, ‘On, on! Advance irresistibly like the spearpoint!’
جمله عالم را نشان داده به صبر ** زانک صبر آمد چراغ و نور صدر 3900
We preached fortitude to all the world, because fortitude (we said) is a lamp and light in the breast.
نوبت ما شد چه خیره‌سر شدیم ** چون زنان زشت در چادر شدیم
Now it is our turn. Why have we become distracted and gone under the chádar (veil) like cowardly women?”
ای دلی که جمله را کردی تو گرم ** گرم کن خود را و از خود دار شرم
O heart that didst inspire all (others) with ardour, inspire thyself with ardour and be ashamed of thyself!
ای زبان که جمله را ناصح بدی ** نوبت تو گشت از چه تن زدی
O tongue that wert a mentor to all (others), now ’tis thy turn: why art thou silent?
ای خرد کو پند شکرخای تو ** دور تست این دم چه شد هیهای تو
O reason, where is thy eloquent and persuasive counsel? Now ’tis thy turn: what has become of thy (former) admonitions?
ای ز دلها برده صد تشویش را ** نوبت تو شد بجنبان ریش را 3905
O thou who hast removed a hundred anxieties from (other) hearts, now ’tis thy turn: wag thy beard!
از غری ریش ار کنون دزدیده‌ای ** پیش ازین بر ریش خود خندیده‌ای
If now, in thy vile poltroonery, thou hast (only) stolen a beard (art devoid of real manhood), formerly thou must have been laughing at thy beard (making a mock display of manly virtue).
وقت پند دیگرانی های های ** در غم خود چون زنانی وای وای
When thou exhortest others, (thy cry is), “Come on! come on!” In thine own anguish (thou criest), “Alas, alas!” like women.
چون به درد دیگران درمان بدی ** درد مهمان تو آمد تن زدی
Since thou wert a cure for others' pain, (how is it that) thou art silent when pain has become thy guest?