این ندارد آخر از آغاز گوی ** رو تمام این حکایت باز گوی‌‌

This (mystery) hath no end: tell of the beginning. Go, relate the conclusion of this tale.

خلوت طلبیدن آن ولی از پادشاه جهت دریافتن رنج کنیزک‌‌

How that saint demanded of the king to be alone for the purpose of discovering her malady.

گفت ای شه خلوتی کن خانه را ** دور کن هم خویش و هم بیگانه را

He said: “O king, make the house empty; send away both kinsfolk and strangers.

کس ندارد گوش در دهلیزها ** تا بپرسم زین کنیزک چیزها 145

Let no one listen in the entrance-halls, that I may ask certain things of this handmaiden.”

خانه خالی ماند و یک دیار نی ** جز طبیب و جز همان بیمار نی‌‌

The house was left empty, and not one inhabitant (remained): nobody save the physician and that sick girl.

نرم نرمک گفت شهر تو کجاست ** که علاج اهل هر شهری جداست‌‌

Very gently he said (to her), “Where is thy native town? for the treatment suitable to the people of each town is separate.

و اندر آن شهر از قرابت کیستت ** خویشی و پیوستگی با چیستت‌‌

And in that town who is related to thee? With what hast thou kinship and affinity?”

دست بر نبضش نهاد و یک به یک ** باز می‌‌پرسید از جور فلک‌‌

He laid his hand on her pulse and put questions, one by one, about the injustice of Heaven.

چون کسی را خار در پایش جهد ** پای خود را بر سر زانو نهد 150

When a thorn darts into any one's foot, he sets his foot upon his knee,

وز سر سوزن همی‌‌جوید سرش ** ور نیابد می‌‌کند با لب ترش‌‌

And keeps searching for its head with the point of a needle, and if he does not find it, he keeps moistening it (the place) with his lip.

خار در پا شد چنین دشوار یاب ** خار در دل چون بود واده جواب‌‌

A thorn in the foot is so hard to find: how (then) is it with a thorn in the heart? Answer (that)!