بس جوال زر کشیدندش به راه ** کز چنین شهری ابوبکری مخواه
They offered him many sacks of gold, saying, “Do not demand an Abú Bakr from a city like this.
کی بود بوبکر اندر سبزوار ** یا کلوخ خشک اندر جویبار
How should there be an Abú Bakr in Sabzawár, or a dry sod in the river?”
رو بتابید از زر و گفت ای مغان ** تا نیاریدم ابوبکر ارمغان 855
He averted his face from the gold and said, “O Magians (infidels), unless ye bring me an Abú Bakr as an offering,
هیچ سودی نیست کودک نیستم ** تا به زر و سیم حیران بیستم
’Tis of no avail. I am not a child that I should stand dumbfounded (fascinated) by gold and silver.”
تا نیاری سجده نرهی ای زبون ** گر بپیمایی تو مسجد را به کون
Unless thou prostrate thyself (in humble submission to God), thou wilt not escape (from punishment), O wretch, (even) if thou traverse the (whole) mosque on thy séant.
منهیان انگیختند از چپ و راست ** که اندرین ویرانه بوبکری کجاست
They (the inhabitants of Sabzawár) despatched emissaries, (to inquire) where in this desolate (corrupt) place an Abú Bakr was (to be found).
بعد سه روز و سه شب که اشتافتند ** یک ابوبکری نزاری یافتند
After three days and three nights, during which they made haste (in searching), they found an emaciated Abú Bakr.
ره گذر بود و بمانده از مرض ** در یکی گوشه‌ی خرابه پر حرض 860
He was a wayfarer and, on account of sickness, had remained in the corner of a ruin, in utter exhaustion.
خفته بود او در یکی کنجی خراب ** چون بدیدندش بگفتندش شتاب
He was lying in a ruined nook. When they espied him, they said to him hurriedly,
خیز که سلطان ترا طالب شدست ** کز تو خواهد شهر ما از قتل رست
“Arise! The Sultan has demanded thee: by thee our city will be saved from slaughter.”