And if thou tell the truth, I will set thee free: I will not violate the duty I owe to God, I will make thee glad.”
هفت مصحف آن زمان برهم نهاد ** خورد سوگند و چنین تقریر داد
At the same moment he placed seven Qur’áns one on the top of another and swore an oath and thus confirmed (his promise).
فاش کردن آن کنیزک آن راز را با خلیفه از زخم شمشیر و اکراه خلیفه کی راست گو سبب این خنده را و گر نه بکشمت
How the girl disclosed the secret to the Caliph in fear of (having her head cut off by) a blow of the sword, and how she was forced (to speak) by the Caliph (who said), “Give a true account of the cause of thy laughter or else I will kill thee.”
زن چو عاجز شد بگفت احوال را ** مردی آن رستم صد زال را 3965
When the woman became (found herself) helpless, she related what had happened (concerning) the manliness of that Rustam who was the son of a hundred Záls.
شرح آن گردک که اندر راه بود ** یک به یک با آن خلیفه وا نمود
She described to the Caliph, point by point, the bride-chamber that was (prepared for her) on the route (of the march),
شیر کشتن سوی خیمه آمدن ** وان ذکر قایم چو شاخ کرگدن
His killing the lion and returning to the tent pene erecto tanquam cornu rhinocerotis; [His killing the lion and returning to the tent with the penis erect like the horn of a rhinoceros;]
باز این سستی این ناموس‌کوش ** کو فرو مرد از یکی خش خشت موش
Contra, hujus (membri) ambitiosi debilatatem quod ob unum muris susurrum succidit. [(And) again, the weakness of the ambitious one (the male organ) that collapsed (as though) dead because of the rustling of a mouse.]
رازها را می‌کند حق آشکار ** چون بخواهد رست تخم بد مکار
God is ever making the hidden things manifest: since they will grow up, do not sow bad seed.
آب و ابر و آتش و این آفتاب ** رازها را می برآرد از تراب 3970
Rain and clouds and fire and this sun are ever bringing up the hidden things from the earth.