اندر آن کفه‌ی ترازو ز اعتداد ** او به جای سنگ آن گل را نهاد

He (the druggist) placed the clay, because of its being ready (to his hand), in one scale of the balance instead of the (proper) weight;

پس برای کفه‌ی دیگر به دست ** هم به قدر آن شکر را می‌شکست 635

Then, for the other scale, he was breaking with his hand the equivalent amount of sugar.

چون نبودش تیشه‌ای او دیر ماند ** مشتری را منتظر آنجا نشاند

Since he had no pick-axe, he took a long time and made the customer sit waiting.

رویش آن سو بود گل‌خور ناشکفت ** گل ازو پوشیده دزدیدن گرفت

(Whilst) his face was (turned) towards that (sugar), the clay-eater, unable to restrain himself, began covertly to steal the clay from him,

ترس ترسان که نباید ناگهان ** چشم او بر من فتد از امتحان

Terribly frightened lest his (the druggist's) eye should fall upon him of a sudden for the purpose of testing (his honesty).

دید عطار آن و خود مشغول کرد ** که فزون‌تر دزد هین ای روی‌زرد

The druggist saw it, but made himself busy, saying, “Come, steal more, O pale-faced one!

گر بدزدی وز گل من می‌بری ** رو که هم از پهلوی خود می‌خوری 640

If you will be a thief and take some of my clay, go on (doing so), for you are eating out of your own side.

تو همی ترسی ز من لیک از خری ** من همی‌ترسم که تو کمتر خوری

You are afraid of me, but (only) because you are a (stupid) ass: I am afraid you will eat less (too little).

گرچه مشغولم چنان احمق نیم ** که شکر افزون کشی تو از نیم

Though I am occupied, I am not such a fool (as to suffer) that you should get too much of my sugar-cane.

چون ببینی مر شکر را ز آزمود ** پس بدانی احمق و غافل کی بود

When you see (find) by experience the (amount of) sugar (which you have bought), then you will know who was foolish and careless.”