سلسلهی زرین بدید و غره گشت ** ماند در سوراخ چاهی جان ز دشت
The spirit espied the golden chain and was beguiled: it remained in the hole of a dungeon (far) from the open country.
صورتش جنت به معنی دوزخی ** افعیی پر زهر و نقشش گل رخی 245
Its (the world's) appearance is (that of) Paradise, (but) in reality it is a hell; it is a viper full of venom, though its figure is (that of) a rose-cheeked (beauty).
گرچه مؤمن را سقر ندهد ضرر ** لیک هم بهتر بود زانجا گذر
Although Hell-fire does no injury to the true believer, yet ’tis still better to pass on from that place (and leave it behind).
گرچه دوزخ دور دارد زو نکال ** لیک جنت به ورا فی کل حال
Although Hell keeps its torment far from him, yet in any case Paradise is better for him.
الحذر ای ناقصان زین گلرخی ** که بگاه صحبت آمد دوزخی
O ye deficient (in understanding), beware of this rose-cheeked one who at the time of intercourse becomes (like) a hell.
حکایت غلام هندو کی به خداوندزادهی خود پنهان هوای آورده بود چون دختر را با مهتر زادهای عقد کردند غلام خبر یافت رنجور شد و میگداخت و هیچ طبیب علت او را در نمییافت و او را زهرهی گفتن نه
Story of the Hindú slave who had secretly fallen in love with his master's daughter. On learning that the girl was betrothed to the son of a nobleman, the slave sickened and began to waste away. No physician could diagnose his malady, and he (the slave) durst not tell.
خواجهای را بود هندو بندهای ** پروریده کرده او را زندهای
A certain Khwája had a Hindú slave whom he had educated and enlivened (with knowledge).
علم و آدابش تمام آموخته ** در دلش شمع هنر افروخته 250
He had taught him science and all polite accomplishments; he had lighted the candle of erudition in his heart.
پروریدش از طفولیت به ناز ** در کنار لطف آن اکرامساز
That beneficent man had brought him up indulgently from childhood in the lap of kindness.
بود هم این خواجه را خوش دختری ** سیماندامی گشی خوشگوهری
This Khwája had also a fair daughter, silver-limbed, lovely, and of excellent disposition.
چون مراهق گشت دختر طالبان ** بذل میکردند کابین گران
When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,