در بن چاهی همی‌بودم زبون ** در همه عالم نمی‌گنجم کنون
(Formerly) I was lying in misery at the bottom of a well: now I am not contained in the whole world.
آفرینها بر تو بادا ای خدا ** ناگهان کردی مرا از غم جدا
Praises be unto Thee, O God! Thou didst suddenly put me afar from sorrow.
گر سر هر موی من یابد زبان ** شکرهای تو نیاید در بیان 2315
If the tip of every hair of me should gain a tongue (power to speak), (yet) the thanks due to Thee are inexpressible.
می‌زنم نعره درین روضه و عیون ** خلق را یا لیت قومی یعلمون
Amidst these gardens and fountains I am crying to the people, ‘Oh, would that my folk did but know!’”
باز خواندن شه‌زاده نصوح را از بهر دلاکی بعد از استحکام توبه و قبول توبه و بهانه کردن او و دفع گفتن
How the princess again invited Nasúh to shampoo her, after his repentance had taken firm hold and was accepted (by God), and how he made an excuse and refused to comply.
بعد از آن آمد کسی کز مرحمت ** دختر سلطان ما می‌خواندت
Afterwards some one came (to Nasúh), saying, “The daughter of our sovereign graciously invites thee.
دختر شاهت همی‌خواند بیا ** تا سرش شویی کنون ای پارسا
The King's daughter invites thee: come and wash her head now, O devout one.
جز تو دلاکی نمی‌خواهد دلش ** که بمالد یا بشوید با گلش
Her heart desires no shampooer except thee to massage her or wash her with clay.”
گفت رو رو دست من بی‌کار شد ** وین نصوح تو کنون بیمار شد 2320
He answered, “Begone, begone! My hand is not in practice, and thy (friend) Nasúh is now fallen sick.
رو کسی دیگر بجو اشتاب و تفت ** که مرا والله دست از کار رفت
Go, look for some one else hastily and speedily, for by God my hand has gone out of business.”
با دل خود گفت کز حد رفت جرم ** از دل من کی رود آن ترس و گرم
(Then) he said to himself, “My sin passed beyond (all) bounds: how should that terror and anguish (ever) go from my mind?
من بمردم یک ره و باز آمدم ** من چشیدم تلخی مرگ و عدم
I died (to self) once (and for all), and (then) I came back (to spiritual life): I tasted the bitterness of death and non-existence.
توبه‌ای کردم حقیقت با خدا ** نشکنم تا جان شدن از تن جدا
I have turned to God with real repentance: I will not break (that vow) till my soul shall be parted from my body.
بعد آن محنت کرا بار دگر ** پا رود سوی خطر الا که خر 2325
After such a tribulation, whose foot should move towards danger a second time, unless it be (the foot of) an ass?”
حکایت در بیان آنک کسی توبه کند و پشیمان شود و باز آن پشیمانیها را فراموش کند و آزموده را باز آزماید در خسارت ابد افتد چون توبه‌ی او را ثباتی و قوتی و حلاوتی و قبولی مدد نرسد چون درخت بی‌بیخ هر روز زردتر و خشک‌تر نعوذ بالله
Story demonstrating that (when) a person repents and feels remorse and then forgets his feelings of remorse and tries again what he has tried (before), he falls into everlasting perdition. Unless his repentance be reinforced by a (great) firmness and strength and by a (great) sweetness and acceptance (experienced inwardly), it is like a rootless tree, more faded and withered every day. We take refuge with God (from that).
گازری بود و مر او را یک خری ** پشت ریش اشکم تهی و لاغری
(Once) there was a washerman, who had an ass with a sore on its back and empty-bellied and lean.
در میان سنگ لاخ بی‌گیاه ** روز تا شب بی‌نوا و بی‌پناه
(He kept it) in ground covered with stones, where no grass grew: from morning till night it went without food and shelter.
بهر خوردن جز که آب آنجا نبود ** روز و شب بد خر در آن کور و کبود
Except water, there was nothing for it to eat or drink: the ass was in that miserable state by day and by night.
آن حوالی نیستان و بیشه بود ** شیر بود آنجا که صیدش پیشه بود
In the neighbourhood was a reed-bed and a jungle, where a lion lived whose occupation was hunting.
شیر را با پیل نر جنگ اوفتاد ** خسته شد آن شیر و ماند از اصطیاد 2330
A battle took place between the lion and a fierce elephant: the lion was wounded and disabled from going to hunt.
مدتی وا ماند زان ضعف از شکار ** بی‌نوا ماندند دد از چاشت‌خوار
On account of his weakness he was unable to hunt for some time, and the (smaller) wild animals were deprived of their morning-meal;
زانک باقی‌خوار شیر ایشان بدند ** شیر چون رنجور شد تنگ آمدند
For they used to eat the lion's leavings: when the lion became ill they suffered distress.
شیر یک روباه را فرمود رو ** مر خری را بهر من صیاد شو
The lion gave orders to a fox, saying, “Go and hunt an ass for me.
گر خری یابی به گرد مرغزار ** رو فسونش خوان فریبانش بیار
If you find an ass round about the meadow, go, charm him with specious talk, beguile him, and bring him (here).
چون بیابم قوتی از گوشت خر ** پس بگیرم بعد از آن صیدی دگر 2335
As soon as I gain some strength from (eating) the flesh of the ass, then afterwards I will seize another victim.
اندکی من می‌خورم باقی شما ** من سبب باشم شما را در نوا
I will eat (only) a little, ye (shall have) the rest: I am the means (appointed) for you as regards (your supply of) food.
یا خری یا گاو بهر من بجوی ** زان فسونهایی که می‌دانی بگوی
Procure for me either an ass or an ox: address (to them) some of the charming words that you know (how to use).