اندرین اندیشه تشویشش فزود ** که جز او را نیست اینجا باش و بود
(Whilst he was occupied) in this reflection, his perplexity increased: (he said to himself), “No one lives here except him.
اوست تنها مصحفی آویخته ** من نیم گستاخ یا آمیخته
He is alone, (and yet) he has hung a Book (on the wall). I am not (so) unmannerly or muddled (in my wits)
تا بپرسم نه خمش صبری کنم ** تا به صبری بر مرادی بر زنم1840
As to ask (him the reason). Nay, hush! I will be patient, in order that by patience I may gain my object.”
صبر کرد و بود چندی در حرج ** کشف شد کالصبر مفتاح الفرج
He showed patience and was in a quandary for some time, (till at last) it (the secret) was disclosed, for patience is the key to joy (relief).
صبرکردن لقمان چون دید کی داود حلقهها میساخت از سال کردن با این نیت کی صبر از سال موجب فرج باشد
How Luqmán, when he saw David, on whom be peace, making (iron) rings, refrained from questioning him, with the intention that this act of self-control should be the cause of relief (from perplexity).
رفت لقمان سوی داود صفا ** دید کو میکرد ز آهن حلقهها
Luqmán went to David, the pure of heart, and observed that he was making rings of iron,
جمله را با همدگر در میفکند ** ز آهن پولاد آن شاه بلند
(And) that the exalted King was casting all the steel rings into each other.
صنعت زراد او کم دیده بود ** درعجب میماند وسواسش فزود
He had not seen the armourer's handicraft (before), (so) he remained in astonishment and his curiosity increased—
کین چه شاید بود وا پرسم ازو ** که چه میسازی ز حلقه تو بتو1845
“What can this be? I will ask him what he is making with the interfolded rings.”
باز با خود گفت صبر اولیترست ** صبر تا مقصود زوتر رهبرست
Again he said to himself, “Patience is better: patience is the quickest guide to the object of one's quest.”
چون نپرسی زودتر کشفت شود ** مرغ صبر از جمله پرانتر بود
When you ask no question, the sooner will it (the secret) be disclosed to you: the bird, patience, flies faster than all (others);