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شیر را بر گردن ار زنجیر بود ** بر همه زنجیر سازان میر بود
- If the lion had a chain on his neck, (yet) he was prince over all the chain-makers.”
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گفت چون بودی ز زندان و ز چاه ** گفت همچون در محاق و کاست ماه
- He asked, “How wert thou in regard to the prison and the well?” “Like the moon,” said Joseph, “in the interlunar period (when she is) on the wane.”
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در محاق ار ماه نو گردد دو تا ** نی در آخر بدر گردد بر سما
- If in that period the new moon is bent double, does not she at last become the full moon in the sky?
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گر چه دردانه به هاون کوفتند ** نور چشم و دل شد و بیند بلند
- Though the seed-pearl is pounded in the mortar, it becomes the light of eye and heart and looks aloft.
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گندمی را زیر خاک انداختند ** پس ز خاکش خوشهها بر ساختند 3165
- They cast a grain of wheat under earth, then from its earth they raised up ears of corn;
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بار دیگر کوفتندش ز آسیا ** قیمتش افزود و نان شد جان فزا
- Once more they crushed it with the mill: its value increased and it became soul invigorating bread;
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باز نان را زیر دندان کوفتند ** گشت عقل و جان و فهم هوشمند
- Again they crushed the bread under their teeth: it became the mind and spirit and understanding of one endowed with reason;
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باز آن جان چون که محو عشق گشت ** يعجب الزراع آمد بعد کشت
- Again, when that spirit became lost in Love, it became (as that which) rejoiceth the sowers after the sowing.
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این سخن پایان ندارد باز گرد ** تا که با یوسف چه گفت آن نیک مرد
- This discourse hath no end. Come back, that we may see what that good man said to Joseph.
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بعد قصه گفتنش گفت ای فلان ** هین چه آوردی تو ما را ارمغان 3170
- After he (Joseph) had told him his story, he (Joseph) said, “Now, O so-and-so, what traveller's gift hast thou brought for me?”