نازنین شعری پر از در درست ** بر امید و بوی اکرام نخست

A charming poem full of flawless pearls, in hope and expectation of the first (former) munificence.

شاه هم بر خوی خود گفتش هزار ** چون چنین بد عادت آن شهریار

The Sháh indeed, according to his habit, ordered a thousand (dinars to be paid) to him, since such was the custom of that monarch;

لیک این بار آن وزیر پر ز جود ** بر براق عز ز دنیا رفته بود 1210

But, on this occasion, the bountiful vizier had departed from the present life, (mounted) on the Buráq of glory,

بر مقام او وزیر نو رئیس ** گشته لیکن سخت بی‌رحم و خسیس

And in his place a new vizier had assumed authority; but (he was) very pitiless and mean.

گفت ای شه خرجها داریم ما ** شاعری را نبود این بخشش جزا

He said, “O king, we have (great) outlays: this donation is not the (fitting) reward for a poet.

من به ربع عشر این ای مغتنم ** مرد شاعر را خوش و راضی کنم

With a fortieth part of this (sum), O thou (whose favour is) eagerly sought, I will make the poet man happy and content.”

خلق گفتندش که او از پیش‌دست ** ده هزاران زین دلاور برده است

The people said to him, “He carried away a sum of ten thousand (dinars) in ready money from this valiant (king).

بعد شکر کلک خایی چون کند ** بعد سلطانی گدایی چون کند 1215

After (having eaten) sugar, how should he chew (the empty) cane? After having been a sultan, how should he practise beggary?”

گفت بفشارم ورا اندر فشار ** تا شود زار و نزار از انتظار

He (the vizier) replied, “I will squeeze him in torment, that he may be made wretched and worn out by waiting;

آنگه ار خاکش دهم از راه من ** در رباید هم‌چو گلبرگ از چمن

Then, if I give him earth from the road, he will snatch it as (though it were) rose-leaves from the garden.

این به من بگذار که استادم درین ** گر تقاضاگر بود هر آتشین

Leave this to me, for I am expert in this, even if the claimant be fiery (hot and fierce).

از ثریا گر بپرد تا ثری ** نرم گردد چون ببیند او مرا

Though he (be able to) fly from the Pleiades to the earth, he will become meek when he sees me.”

گفت سلطانش برو فرمان تراست ** لیک شادش کن که نیکوگوی ماست 1220

The king said to him, “Go: ’tis for thee to command; but make him happy, for he is my eulogist.”

گفت او را و دو صد اومیدلیس ** تو به من بگذار این بر من نویس

He (the vizier) said, “Leave him and two hundred (other) lickers-up of hope to me, and write this (down) against me.”

پس فکندش صاحب اندر انتظار ** شد زمستان و دی و آمد بهار

Then the minister threw him into (the pains of) expectation: winter and December passed and spring came.

شاعر اندر انتظارش پیر شد ** پس زبون این غم و تدبیر شد

In expectation of it (the reward) the poet grew old; then he was crushed by this anxiety and making shift to provide (the means of livelihood),

گفت اگر زر نه که دشنامم دهی ** تا رهد جانم ترا باشم رهی

And said (to the vizier), “If there is no gold (for me), please give me abuse, so that my soul may be delivered (from expectation) (and that) I may be thy (devoted) slave.

انتظارم کشت باری گو برو ** تا رهد این جان مسکین از گرو 1225

Expectation has killed me: at least bid me go, that this wretched soul may be delivered from bondage.”

بعد از آنش داد ربع عشر آن ** ماند شاعر اندر اندیشه‌ی گران

After that, he (the vizier) gave him the fortieth part of that (gift): the poet remained in heavy thought,

کانچنان نقد و چنان بسیار بود ** این که دیر اشکفت دسته‌ی خار بود

(Thinking), “That (former gift) was so promptly paid and was so much: this one that blossomed late was (only) a handful of thorns.”

پس بگفتندش که آن دستور راد ** رفت از دنیا خدا مزدت دهاد

Then they (the courtiers) said to him, “That generous vizier has departed from this life: may God reward thee!

که مضاعف زو همی‌شد آن عطا ** کم همی‌افتاد بخشش را خطا

For those gifts were always multiplied (increased in amount) by him: there was no fault to be found with the donations (then);

این زمان او رفت و احسان را ببرد ** او نمرد الحق بلی احسان بمرد 1230

(But) now, he is gone and has taken beneficence away (with him): he is not dead, (but) beneficence is dead (in this world), yea, verily.

رفت از ما صاحب راد و رشید ** صاحب سلاخ درویشان رسید

The generous and upright minister is gone from us; the minister who is a flayer of the poor has arrived.

رو بگیر این را و زینجا شب گریز ** تا نگیرد با تو این صاحب‌ستیز

Go, take this (money) and flee from here by night, lest this minister pick a quarrel with thee.