کودکی کو حارس کشتی بدی ** طبلکی در دفع مرغان می‌زدی

A boy, who was the guardian of a cornfield, used to beat a tomtom in order to keep off the birds,

تا رمیدی مرغ زان طبلک ز کشت ** کشت از مرغان بد بی خوف گشت 4090

So that the birds, at (the sound of) the tomtom, were scared away from the field, and the field became safe from evil birds.

چونک سلطان شاه محمود کریم ** برگذر زد آن طرف خیمه‌ی عظیم

When the Sultan, the noble King Mahmúd, pitched a great tent in that neighbourhood as he passed on the way

با سپاهی همچو استاره‌ی اثیر ** انبه و پیروز و صفدر ملک‌گیر

With an army like the stars of heaven (in number), numerous and victorious, one that pierces the ranks (of the enemy) and takes possession of empire—

اشتری بد کو بدی حمال کوس ** بختیی بد پیش‌رو همچون خروس

There was a camel that carried the kettle-drum: ’twas a Bactrian (camel), going in front (of the army) like a cock:

بانگ کوس و طبل بر وی روز و شب ** می‌زدی اندر رجوع و در طلب

Day and night he (the driver) used loudly to beat the big kettle-drum and the (ordinary) drum on its back in returning (from an expedition) and in setting out.

اندر آن مزرع در آمد آن شتر ** کودک آن طبلک بزد در حفظ بر 4095

That camel entered the cornfield, and the boy beat his tom--tom to protect the corn.

عاقلی گفتش مزن طبلک که او ** پخته‌ی طبلست با آنشست خو

An intelligent man said to him, ‘Don't beat the tomtom, for he (the camel) is well-seasoned by the drum; he is accustomed to it.

پیش او چه بود تبوراک تو طفل ** که کشد او طبل سلطان بیست کفل

What is thy little tomtom, child, to him, since he carries the Sultan's drum twenty times the size?’

عاشقم من کشته‌ی قربان لا ** جان من نوبتگه طبل بلا

I am a lover, one who has been sacrificed to Naught: my soul is the band-stand for the drum of tribulation.