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).

او بهر سالی همی‌گفتی که کی ** عزم خواهی کرد کامد ماه دی

Every year he (the countryman) would say, “When will you set out on the journey?—for the month of December is (already) come,”

او بهانه ساختی کامسال‌مان ** از فلان خطه بیامد میهمان

And he (the townsman) would make an excuse, saying, “This year we have a guest who has come from such and such a district;