در میان گریه خوابش در ربود ** دید در خواب او که پیری رو نمود

Slumber overtook him in the midst of weeping: he dreamed that an old man appeared

گفت ای شه مژده حاجاتت رواست ** گر غریبی آیدت فردا ز ماست‌‌

And said, “Good tidings, O king! Thy prayers are granted. If to-morrow a stranger come for thee, he is from me.

چون که آید او حکیمی حاذق است ** صادقش دان که امین و صادق است‌‌

When he comes, he is a skilled physician: deem him veracious, for he is trusty and true.

در علاجش سحر مطلق را ببین ** در مزاجش قدرت حق را ببین‌‌ 65

In his remedy behold absolute magic, in his temperament behold the might of God!”

چون رسید آن وعده‌‌گاه و روز شد ** آفتاب از شرق، اختر سوز شد

When the promised hour arrived and day broke and the sun, (rising) from the east, began to burn the stars,

بود اندر منظره شه منتظر ** تا ببیند آن چه بنمودند سر

The king was in the belvedere, expecting to see that which had been shown mysteriously.

دید شخصی فاضلی پر مایه‌‌ای ** آفتابی در میان سایه‌‌ای‌‌

He saw a person excellent and worshipful, a sun amidst a shadow,

می‌‌رسید از دور مانند هلال ** نیست بود و هست بر شکل خیال‌‌

Coming from afar, like the new moon (in slenderness and radiance): he was nonexistent, though existent in the form of phantasy.

نیست وش باشد خیال اندر روان ** تو جهانی بر خیالی بین روان‌‌ 70

In the spirit phantasy is as naught, (yet) behold a world (turning) on a phantasy!

بر خیالی صلح‌‌شان و جنگشان ** وز خیالی فخرشان و ننگشان‌‌

Their peace and their war (turn) on a phantasy, and their pride and their shame spring from a phantasy;