نوح اندر بادیه کشتی بساخت ** صد مثل‌گو از پی تسخیر بتاخت

نوح اندر بادیه کشتی بساخت ** صد مثل‌گو از پی تسخیر بتاخت 2795

Noah built an Ark in the desert : a hundred speakers of parables ran up to ridicule (him).

در بیابانی که چاه آب نیست ** می‌کند کشتی چه نادان و ابلهیست

He is making a ship (Ark) in the desert where no well of water exists: what an ignorant fool he is!"

آن یکی می‌گفت ای کشتی بتاز ** و آن یکی می‌گفت پرش هم بساز

One was saying, "O ship, run!" while another said, "Make wings for it too ! "

او همی‌گفت این به فرمان خداست ** این بچربکها نخواهد گشت کاست

He (Noah) said, "This is by the command of God: this will not be defeated by jeers."

حکایت آن دزد کی پرسیدند چه می‌کنی نیم‌شب در بن این دیوار گفت دهل می‌زنم

Story of the thief who was asked, “What are you doing at the bottom of this wall at midnight?” and replied, “I am beating a drum.”

این مثل بشنو که شب دزدی عنید ** در بن دیوار حفره می‌برید

Hear this parable—how a wicked thief was cutting a hole at the bottom of a wall.

نیم‌بیداری که او رنجور بود ** طقطق آهسته‌اش را می‌شنود 2800

Some one half-awake, who was ill, heard the soft tapping of his (pick),

رفت بر بام و فرو آویخت سر ** گفت او را در چه کاری ای پدر

And went on the roof and hung his head down and said to him, “What are you about, O father?

خیر باشد نیمشب چه می‌کنی ** تو کیی گفتا دهل‌زن ای سنی

All is well, I hope. What are you doing (here) at midnight? Who are you?” He said, “A drummer, O honourable sir.”

در چه کاری گفت می‌کوبم دهل ** گفت کو بانگ دهل ای بوسبل

“What are you about?” He said, “I am beating the drum.” He (the sick man) said, “Where is the noise of the drum, O artful one?”

گفت فردا بشنوی این بانگ را ** نعره یا حسرتا وا ویلتا

He said, “You will hear this noise to-morrow, (namely) cries of ‘Oh, alas!’ and ‘Oh, woe is me!’”