چون بدیدندش که خفتست او دراز ** بهر دزدی عصا کردند ساز

When they (the magicians) saw that he was sleeping outstretched, they made preparations for stealing the rod.

ساحران قصد عصا کردند زود ** کز پسش باید شدن وانگه ربود 1230

The magicians quickly approached the rod, saying, “We must go behind him and then snatch it (from him).”

اندکی چون پیشتر کردند ساز ** اندر آمد آن عصا در اهتزاز

When they prepared (to approach) a little nearer, the rod began to shake.

آنچنان بر خود بلرزید آن عصا ** کان دو بر جا خشک گشتند از وجا

The rod quivered upon itself in such wise (that) both (magicians) on the spot became petrified by the shock (of terror).

بعد از آن شد اژدها و حمله کرد ** هر دوان بگریختند و روی‌زرد

After that, it turned into a dragon and made a rush (at them): both fled, and pale of countenance

رو در افتادن گرفتند از نهیب ** غلط غلطان منهزم در هر نشیب

Began to fall on their faces from affright, tumbling panic-stricken down every slope.

پس یقینشان شد که هست از آسمان ** زانک می‌دیدند حد ساحران 1235

Then to them it became certain that he (Moses) was from Heaven, since they were seeing the limit of (the power of) magicians.

بعد از آن اطلاق و تبشان شد پدید ** کارشان تا نزع و جان کندن رسید

Afterwards diarrhoea and fever appeared in them, and their case reached the last gasp and the death-agony.

پس فرستادند مردی در زمان ** سوی موسی از برای عذر آن

Then at once they sent a man to Moses to excuse that (which they had done),

کامتحان کردیم و ما را کی رسد ** امتحان تو اگر نبود حسد

Saying, “We have put (thee) to the test, and how should (the thought of) testing thee occur to us unless there be envy (as a motive)?