ور بدانی نقلت از اب وز جد است ** پیش تو این نامها چون ابجد است‌‌

And if thou knowest, ’tis (by rote, like the knowledge) handed down to thee from father and grandfather: to thee these names are like abjad.

ابجد و هوز چه فاش است و پدید ** بر همه طفلان و معنی بس بعید

How plain and evident to all children are abjad and hawwaz, and (yet) the real meaning is far away (hard to reach).

پس سبو برداشت آن مرد عرب ** در سفر شد می‌‌کشیدش روز و شب‌‌

Then the Arab man took up the jug and set out to journey, carrying it along (with him) day and night.

بر سبو لرزان بد از آفات دهر ** هم کشیدش از بیابان تا به شهر 2730

He was trembling for the jug, in fear of Fortune's mischiefs: all the same, he conveyed it from the desert to the city (Baghdád).

زن مصلا باز کرده از نیاز ** رب سلم ورد کرده در نماز

His wife unrolled the prayer-rug in supplication; she made (the words) Rabbi sallim (Save, O Lord) her litany in prayer,

که نگه دار آب ما را از خسان ** یا رب آن گوهر بدان دریا رسان‌‌

Crying, “Keep our water safe from scoundrels! O Lord, let that pearl arrive at that sea!

گر چه شویم آگه است و پر فن است ** لیک گوهر را هزاران دشمن است‌‌

Although my husband is shrewd and artful, yet the pearl has thousands of enemies.

خود چه باشد گوهر آب کوثر است ** قطره‌‌ای زین است کاصل گوهر است‌‌

Pearl indeed! ’Tis the water of Kawthar: ’tis a drop of this that is the origin of the pearl.”

از دعاهای زن و زاری او ** وز غم مرد و گرانباری او 2735

Through the prayers and lamentation of the wife, and through the husband's anxiety and his patience under the heavy burden,

سالم از دزدان و از آسیب سنگ ** برد تا دار الخلافه بی‌‌درنگ‌‌

He bore it without delay, safe from robbers and unhurt by stones, to the seat of the Caliphate (the Caliph's palace).