لیک هنگام درشتی هم نبود ** چون در افتادی بچه تیزی چه سود

But indeed it was no time for asperity: when you have fallen into the pit, what is the use of being enraged?

بر درش ماندند ایشان پنج روز ** شب بسرما روز خود خورشیدسوز

Five days they remained at his door: (they passed) the night in the cold, the day itself in the blaze of the sun.

نه ز غفلت بود ماندن نه خری ** بلک بود از اضطرار و بی‌خری

Their remaining (there) was not from heedlessness or asininity; nay, it was from necessity and want of an ass.

با لیمان بسته نیکان ز اضطرار ** شیر مرداری خورد از جوع زار 610

From necessity, the good are (often) bound to the vile: from sore hunger the lion will eat a putrid carcase.

او همی‌دیدش همی‌کردش سلام ** که فلانم من مرا اینست نام

He (the townsman) would see him (the countryman) and salute him, saying, “I am so-and-so, this is my name.”

گفت باشد من چه دانم تو کیی ** یا پلیدی یا قرین پاکیی

“Maybe,” he said; “how should I know who thou art, whether thou art a dirty fellow or an honest gentleman?”

گفت این دم با قیامت شد شبیه ** تا برادر شد یفر من اخیه

“This moment,” said he, “resembles the Resurrection, since a brother has come to flee from his brother.”

شرح می‌کردش که من آنم که تو ** لوتها خوردی ز خوان من دوتو

He would explain to him (the countryman), saying, “I am he from whose table thou didst eat viands manifold.

آن فلان روزت خریدم آن متاع ** کل سر جاوز الاثنین شاع 615

On such and such a day I bought that merchandise for thee: every secret that goes beyond the two (who share it) is published (to all).

سر مهر ما شنیدستند خلق ** شرم دارد رو چو نعمت خورد حلق

The people heard the secret of our affection; (as a rule) when the gullet has received bounty, the face hath (signs of) bashfulness.”