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ای بسا شیرین که چون شکر بود ** لیک زهر اندر شکر مضمر بود
- Oh, many the one that is sweet as sugar, but poison is concealed in the sugar.
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آن که زیرکتر به بو بشناسدش ** و آن دگر چون بر لب و دندان زدش 2585
- He that is more sagacious (than the rest) will know it by the smell; another (only) when it touches his lips and teeth:
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پس لبش ردش کند پیش از گلو ** گر چه نعره میزند شیطان کلوا
- Then his lips will reject it before (it reaches) his throat, although the Devil is shouting, “Eat ye!”
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و آن دگر را در گلو پیدا کند ** و آن دگر را در بدن رسوا کند
- And to another it will declare (itself) in his throat, while to another it will unmask in his body;
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و آن دگر را در حدث سوزش دهد ** ذوق آن زخم جگر دوزش دهد
- And to another it will give burning pain in evacuation: its taste will deal him a blow that pierces his liver.
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و آن دگر را بعد ایام و شهور ** و آن دگر را بعد مرگ از قعر گور
- And to another (it will become manifest) after days and months; and to another after death, from the depth of the grave;
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ور دهندش مهلت اندر قعر گور ** لا بد آن پیدا شود یوم النشور 2590
- And if he be given a respite in the depth of the grave, (then) it will inevitably become manifest on the Day of Resurrection.
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هر نبات و شکری را در جهان ** مهلتی پیداست از دور زمان
- Every piece of candy and sugar (desirable thing) in the world manifestly has a period granted to it from the revolution of Time.
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سالها باید که اندر آفتاب ** لعل یابد رنگ و رخشانی و تاب
- Years are needed in order that the ruby in (exposed to the rays of) the sun may obtain (the perfect) tint and splendour and brilliance.
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باز تره در دو ماه اندر رسد ** باز تا سالی گل احمر رسد
- Vegetables, again, reach maturity in two months, while the red rose comes to perfection in a year.