ای برادر بود اندر ما مضی ** شهریی با روستایی آشنا

In the past, O brother, there was a townsman (who was) intimate with a countryman.

روستایی چون سوی شهر آمدی ** خرگه اندر کوی آن شهری زدی

Whenever the countryman came to town, he would pitch his tent in the street of the townsman.

دو مه و سه ماه مهمانش بدی ** بر دکان او و بر خوانش بدی

He would be his guest for two or three months, he would be in his shop and at his table,

هر حوایج را که بودش آن زمان ** راست کردی مرد شهری رایگان

And the townsman would provide, free of cost, everything that he wanted during that time.

رو به شهری کرد و گفت ای خواجه تو ** هیچ می‌نایی سوی ده فرجه‌جو 240

(Once) he turned to the townsman and said, “Sire, are you never coming to the country for a holiday?

الله الله جمله فرزندان بیار ** کین زمان گلشنست و نوبهار

Bring all your children, (I beg you) in God's name, for this is the time of the rose-garden and the springtide;

یا بتابستان بیا وقت ثمر ** تا ببندم خدمتت را من کمر

Or come in summer, in the fruit-season, that I may brace my belt to do you service.

خیل و فرزندان و قومت را بیار ** در ده ما باش سه ماه و چهار

Bring your retinue and your children and kinsfolk, and stay in our village three or four months,

که بهاران خطه‌ی ده خوش بود ** کشت‌زار و لاله‌ی دلکش بود

For in spring the countryside is pleasant; there are sown fields and lovely anemones.”

وعده دادی شهری او را دفع حال ** تا بر آمد بعد وعده هشت سال 245

The townsman was (always) putting him off with promises, until eight years had elapsed since the (first) promise (was given).