بعد از آن گفتش چه خوردی گفت زهر ** گفت نوشت باد افزون گشت قهر

After that, he asked him what he had drunk. “Poison,” said he. “May it do you good!” said the deaf man. His (the invalid's) wrath increased.

بعد از آن گفت از طبیبان کیست او ** کاو همی‌‌آید به چاره پیش تو

Then he inquired, “Which of the doctors is it that is coming to attend you?”

گفت عزراییل می‌‌آید برو ** گفت پایش بس مبارک شاد شو

He replied, “Azrael (the Angel of Death) is coming. Get you gone!” “His foot (arrival),” said the deaf man, “is very blessed: be glad!”

کر برون آمد بگفت او شادمان ** شکر کش کردم مراعات این زمان‌‌ 3375

The deaf man went forth. He said gaily, “Thanks (to God) that I paid my respects to him just now.”

گفت رنجور این عدوی جان ماست ** ما ندانستیم کاو کان جفاست‌‌

The invalid said, “This is my mortal foe: I did not know he was (such) a mine of iniquity.”

خاطر رنجور جویان صد سقط ** تا که پیغامش کند از هر نمط

The mind of the invalid began seeking abusive terms, that he might send him a message (filled with abuse) of every description,

چون کسی کاو خورده باشد آش بد ** می‌‌بشوراند دلش تا قی کند

As, when any one has eaten bad (indigestible) food, it is turning his heart (stomach) until he vomits.

کظم غیظ این است آن را قی مکن ** تا بیابی در جزا شیرین سخن‌‌

Suppression of anger is (like) this: do not vomit it, so that you may gain sweet words in recompense.

چون نبودش صبر می‌‌پیچید او ** کاین سگ زن روسپی حیز کو 3380

Since he had no patience, he was tormented. “Where,” he cried, “is this cur, this infamous cuckold,

تا بریزم بر وی آن چه گفته بود ** کان زمان شیر ضمیرم خفته بود

That I may pour upon him what he said (make a retort in his own style)?—for at that time the lion of my thought was asleep (I was too weak to contend with him).