چون به جد تزویج دختر گشت فاش ** دست پیمان و نشانی و قماش

When it became known that the girl was going to be married in earnest, (as was proved by) the hand-promise, the tokens, and the wedding-outfit,

پس غلام خرد که اندر خانه بود ** گشت بیمار و ضعیف و زار زود

The little slave, who was in the house, immediately became ill and weak and poorly.

هم‌چو بیمار دقی او می‌گداخت ** علت او را طبیبی کم شناخت 270

He was wasting away like one suffering from phthisis: no physician could recognise his ailment.

عقل می‌گفتی که رنجش از دلست ** داروی تن در غم دل باطلست

Reason declared that the malady had its source in his heart (and that) medicine for the body is useless for heart-ache.

آن غلامک دم نزد از حال خویش ** کز چه می‌آید برو در سینه نیش

The little slave breathed no word of his (real) state and did not tell what was the cause of the pangs in his breast.

گفت خاتون را شبی شوهر که تو ** باز پرسش در خلا از حال او

One night the husband said to his wife, “Ask him privately what is the matter with him.

تو به جای مادری او را بود ** که غم خود پیش تو پیدا کند

You are in the place of a mother to him: maybe he will disclose his trouble to you.”

چونک خاتون در گوش این کلام ** روز دیگر رفت نزدیک غلام 275

When the mistress heard these words, next day she went to the slave.

پس سرش را شانه می‌کرد آن ستی ** با دو صد مهر و دلال و آشتی

Then the dame combed his head very fondly with many endearments and signs of friendliness.

آنچنان که مادران مهربان ** نرم کردش تا در آمد در بیان

In the fashion of fond mothers she soothed him until he began to explain,