بار بازرگان چو در آب اوفتد ** دست اندر کاله‏ی بهتر زند

When the trader's bales fall into the water, he lays his hands upon the better merchandise.

چون که چیزی فوت خواهد شد در آب ** ترک کمتر گوی و بهتر را بیاب‏

Since something will (certainly) be lost in the water, take leave of the less (worse) and gain (possession of) the better.

ظاهر شدن فضل و زیرکی لقمان پیش امتحان کنندگان

How the excellence and sagacity of Luqmán became manifest to those who made trial (of him).

هر طعامی کاوریدندی به وی ** کس سوی لقمان فرستادی ز پی‏ 1510

Whatever food they brought to him (Luqmán's master), he would send some one to Luqmán after (receiving it),

تا که لقمان دست سوی آن برد ** قاصدا تا خواجه پس خوردش خورد

That Luqmán might put his hand to (partake of) it, on purpose that the master might eat his (Luqmán's) leavings.

سور او خوردی و شور انگیختی ** هر طعامی کاو نخوردی ریختی‏

He would eat his remnants and be enraptured: any food that he (Luqmán) did not taste, he (the master) would throw away;

ور بخوردی بی‏دل و بی‏اشتها ** این بود پیوندی بی‏انتها

Or if he ate (of it), (’twould be) without heart and without appetite: this is (the sign of) an affinity without end.

خربزه آورده بودند ارمغان ** گفت رو فرزند لقمان را بخوان‏

They had brought a melon as a present. “Go, my son” said he, “and call Luqmán.”

چون برید و داد او را یک برین ** همچو شکر خوردش و چون انگبین‏ 1515

When he cut it and gave him a slice, he ate it as if it were sugar and honey.

از خوشی که خورد داد او را دوم ** تا رسید آن گرچها تا هفدهم‏

On account of the pleasure with which he ate (it), he gave him a second (slice), (and went on) till the slices (given him) reached the seventeenth.

ماند گرچی گفت این را من خورم ** تا چه شیرین خربزه ست این بنگرم‏

One slice remained. He said, “I will eat this (myself), so that I may see what a sweet melon this is.