باز این اندیشه را از فکر خویش ** کور می‌کردند و دفع از ذکر خویش
Then, again, they were blindfolding (hiding) this thought from their reflective faculty and banishing it from their memory,
کین تفکرمان هم از ادبار رست ** که صواب او شود در دل درست
Saying, “This thought too has arisen from our ill-luck, (namely, the thought) that his being in the right should be perfectly established (proven beyond doubt) in our minds.
خود چه شد گر غالب آمد چند بار ** هر کسی را غالب آرد روزگار
What, indeed, does it matter if he has prevailed (against us) several times? Time (Fortune) brings every one to predominance (now and then).
ما هم از ایام بخت‌آور شدیم ** بارها بر وی مظفر آمدیم4495
We also were made successful by the Days (Fortune), and at times became victorious over him.”
باز گفتندی که گرچه او شکست ** چون شکست ما نبود آن زشت و پست
(But) again they were saying (to themselves), “Although he was defeated, it was not disgraceful and vile like our defeat,”
زانک بخت نیک او را در شکست ** داد صد شادی پنهان زیردست
Because in (the hour of) defeat (his) good fortune gave him underhand a hundred secret joys;
کو باشکسته نمی‌مانست هیچ ** که نه غم بودش در آن نه پیچ پیچ
For he did not at all resemble one defeated, as he felt no sorrow or distress thereat,
چون نشان مومنان مغلوبیست ** لیک در اشکست ممن خوبیست
Since to be vanquished is the mark of the true believers; yet in the true believer's defeat there is goodness.
گر تو مشک و عنبری را بشکنی ** عالمی از فوح ریحان پر کنی4500
If you crush some musk or ambergris, you will fill a (whole) world with (a scent like) the exhalation of sweet herbs;
ور شکستی ناگهان سرگین خر ** خانه‌ها پر گند گردد تا به سر
And if you suddenly crush the dung of an ass, the houses will be filled to the top with stench.