او بهانه ساختی کامسال‌مان ** از فلان خطه بیامد میهمان

And he (the townsman) would make an excuse, saying, “This year we have a guest who has come from such and such a district;

سال دیگر گر توانم وا رهید ** از مهمات آن طرف خواهم دوید

(But) next year I will run (down) to that part (of the country), if I can escape from the pressing affairs (which keep me at home).”

گفت هستند آن عیالم منتظر ** بهر فرزندان تو ای اهل بر

He (the countryman) said, “My family are (anxiously) expecting your children, O benefactor.”

باز هر سالی چو لکلک آمدی ** تا مقیم قبه‌ی شهری شدی 250

Every year he was coming back, like the stork, to reside in the townsman's pavilion,

خواجه هر سالی ز زر و مال خویش ** خرج او کردی گشادی بال خویش

And every year the Khwája would expend his gold and wealth upon him and open his wings (wide).

آخرین کرت سه ماه آن پهلوان ** خوان نهادش بامدادان و شبان

On the last occasion, that paladin set dishes (of food) before him at morn and eve for three months.

از خجالت باز گفت او خواجه را ** چند وعده چند بفریبی مرا

From shame he again said to the Khwája, “How long (nothing but) promises? How long will you deceive me?”

گفت خواجه جسم و جانم وصل‌جوست ** لیک هر تحویل اندر حکم هوست

The Khwája said, “My body and soul are eager for the meeting, but every change depends on the decree of Him (God).

آدمی چون کشتی است و بادبان ** تا کی آرد باد را آن بادران 255

Man is like a ship or sail: (he must wait) to see when the Driver of the wind shall send the (favourable) breeze.”

باز سوگندان بدادش کای کریم ** گیر فرزندان بیا بنگر نعیم

Once more he (the countryman) adjured him, crying, “O generous man, take your children and come and behold the pleasures (of the country).”

دست او بگرفت سه کرت بعهد ** کالله الله زو بیا بنمای جهد

He took his hand three times in covenant, saying, “In God's name, come quickly, make the utmost effort!”

بعد ده سال و بهر سالی چنین ** لابه‌ها و وعده‌های شکرین

After ten years—and every year the same sugared entreaties and promises—

کودکان خواجه گفتند ای پدر ** ماه و ابر و سایه هم دارد سفر

The Khwája's children said, “O father, the moon and the clouds and the shadows too have their journeys.

حقها بر وی تو ثابت کرده‌ای ** رنجها در کار او بس برده‌ای 260

You have laid obligations on him, you have taken great pains on his account,

او همی‌خواهد که بعضی حق آن ** وا گزارد چون شوی تو میهمان

And he wishes to repay some part of that obligation when you become his guest.

بس وصیت کرد ما را او نهان ** که کشیدش سوی ده لابه‌کنان

He gave us many injunctions in secret: ‘Bring him to the country,’ said he, ‘coaxing (him to come).’”

گفت حقست این ولی ای سیبویه ** اتق من شر من احسنت الیه

He (the townsman) said, “This is true, but, O Síbawayh, be on thy guard against the malice of him to whom thou hast shown kindness.

دوستی تخم دم آخر بود ** ترسم از وحشت که آن فاسد شود

Love is the seed (that bears fruit at the moment) of the last breath: I fear that it may be corrupted by estrangement.”

صحبتی باشد چو شمشیر قطوع ** همچو دی در بوستان و در زروع 265

There is a friendship like a cutting sword, (destructive) as December in the gardens and cornfields;

صحبتی باشد چو فصل نوبهار ** زو عمارتها و دخل بی‌شمار

There is a friendship like the season of spring, whence (come) restorations and produce incalculable.

حزم آن باشد که ظن بد بری ** تا گریزی و شوی از بد بری

Prudence is this, that you think evil, so that you may flee and become quit of evil.

حزم س الظن گفتست آن رسول ** هر قدم را دام می‌دان ای فضول

The Prophet has said, “Prudence is (consists in) thinking evil”: know that for every footstep there is a snare, O fool!

روی صحرا هست هموار و فراخ ** هر قدم دامیست کم ران اوستاخ

The surface of the plateau is level and broad, (but at) every step there is a snare: do not advance boldly.

آن بز کوهی دود که دام کو ** چون بتازد دامش افتد در گلو 270

The mountain-goat runs on, saying, “Where is the snare?” As it speeds onward, the snare lights on its throat.

آنک می‌گفتی که کو اینک ببین ** دشت می‌دیدی نمی‌دیدی کمین

O thou who saidst “Where?” look and see! Thou sawest the plain, (but) thou didst not see the ambush.