کی توان او را فشردن یا زدن ** که چو شیشه گشته است او را بدن

کی توان او را فشردن یا زدن ** که چو شیشه گشته است او را بدن 1130

(He thought to himself), “How is it possible to torture or beat him, since his body has become as (fragile as) a glass?

لیک با او گویم از راه خوشی ** که چرا داری تو لاف سر کشی

But I will speak to him kindly and say, ‘Why dost thou boast of (this) high estate?’

که درشتی ناید اینجا هیچ کار ** هم به نرمی سر کند از غار مار

For here harshness is of no use: ’tis by gentleness that the snake puts forth its head (is induced to come forth) from the hole.”

مردمان را دور کرد از گرد وی ** شه لطیفی بود و نرمی ورد وی

He caused the people to withdraw from around him (the claimant): the king was a gracious man, and gentleness was his way.

پس نشاندش باز پرسیدش ز جا ** که کجا داری معاش و ملتجی

Then he bade him be seated, and asked him concerning his dwelling-place, saying, “Where hast thou thy means of livelihood and refuge?”

گفت ای شه هستم از دار السلام ** آمده از ره درین دار الملام 1135

He replied, “O king, I belong to the Abode of Peace: I have come from the road (after having journeyed) to this Abode of Blame.

نه مرا خانه‌ست و نه یک همنشین ** خانه کی کردست ماهی در زمین

I have neither home nor any companion: when has a fish made its home on the earth?”

باز شه از روی لاغش گفت باز ** که چه خوردی و چه داری چاشت‌ساز

Again the king answered him, saying by way of jest, “What (food) hast thou eaten and what provision hast thou (made) for the morning meal?

اشتهی داری چه خوردی بامداد ** که چنین سرمستی و پر لاف و باد

Hast thou appetite? What didst thou eat at daybreak that thou art so intoxicated and boastful and blustering?”

گفت اگر نانم بدی خشک و طری ** کی کنیمی دعوی پیغامبری

He replied, “If I had bread, (whether) dry or moist, how should I lay claim to prophecy?