بعد شکر کلک خایی چون کند ** بعد سلطانی گدایی چون کند

بعد شکر کلک خایی چون کند ** بعد سلطانی گدایی چون کند 1215

After (having eaten) sugar, how should he chew (the empty) cane? After having been a sultan, how should he practise beggary?”

گفت بفشارم ورا اندر فشار ** تا شود زار و نزار از انتظار

He (the vizier) replied, “I will squeeze him in torment, that he may be made wretched and worn out by waiting;

آنگه ار خاکش دهم از راه من ** در رباید هم‌چو گلبرگ از چمن

Then, if I give him earth from the road, he will snatch it as (though it were) rose-leaves from the garden.

این به من بگذار که استادم درین ** گر تقاضاگر بود هر آتشین

Leave this to me, for I am expert in this, even if the claimant be fiery (hot and fierce).

از ثریا گر بپرد تا ثری ** نرم گردد چون ببیند او مرا

Though he (be able to) fly from the Pleiades to the earth, he will become meek when he sees me.”

گفت سلطانش برو فرمان تراست ** لیک شادش کن که نیکوگوی ماست 1220

The king said to him, “Go: ’tis for thee to command; but make him happy, for he is my eulogist.”

گفت او را و دو صد اومیدلیس ** تو به من بگذار این بر من نویس

He (the vizier) said, “Leave him and two hundred (other) lickers-up of hope to me, and write this (down) against me.”

پس فکندش صاحب اندر انتظار ** شد زمستان و دی و آمد بهار

Then the minister threw him into (the pains of) expectation: winter and December passed and spring came.

شاعر اندر انتظارش پیر شد ** پس زبون این غم و تدبیر شد

In expectation of it (the reward) the poet grew old; then he was crushed by this anxiety and making shift to provide (the means of livelihood),

گفت اگر زر نه که دشنامم دهی ** تا رهد جانم ترا باشم رهی

And said (to the vizier), “If there is no gold (for me), please give me abuse, so that my soul may be delivered (from expectation) (and that) I may be thy (devoted) slave.