گفت قاضی سه درم تو خرج کن ** آن سه دیگر را به او ده بی‌سخن

Said the Cadi, “Spend three dirhems (on yourself) and give the other three to him without (any further) words.

زار و رنجورست و درویش و ضعیف ** سه درم در بایدش تره و رغیف

(For,” he thought to himself), “he (the defendant) is weak and ill and poor and infirm: he will need three dirhems for vegetables and loaves.”

بر قفای قاضی افتادش نظر ** از قفای صوفی آن بد خوب‌تر

His (the defendant’s) eye fall on the nape of the Cadi’s neck: it was better (more inviting) than the nape of the Súfi.

راست می‌کرد از پی سیلیش دست ** که قصاص سیلیم ارزان شدست 1565

He raised his hand to slap it, saying (to himself), “The retaliation (penalty) for my slap has been made cheap.”

سوی گوش قاضی آمد بهر راز ** سیلیی آورد قاضی را فراز

He approached the Cadi’s ear (as though) for the purpose of (whispering) a secret, and dealt the Cadi a (severe) blow with his palm.

گفت هر شش را بگیرید ای دو خصم ** من شوم آزاد بی خرخاش و وصم

“O my two enemies,” he cried, “take all the six dirhems: (then) I shall be free (from care and) without trouble and anxiety.”

طیره شدن قاضی از سیلی درویش و سرزنش کردن صوفی قاضی را

How the Cadi was incensed fry the slap of the poor (sick) man and how the Súfi taunted the Cadi.

گشت قاضی طیره صوفی گفت هی ** حکم تو عدلست لاشپک نیست غی

The Cadi was incensed. “Hey,” cried the Súfi, “your decision is just, no doubt (about it): there is no error.

آنچ نپسندی به خود ای شیخ دین ** چون پسندی بر برادر ای امین

O Shaykh of the (Mohammedan) religion, how can you approve for a brother (Moslem) what you disapprove for your self, O man of trust?

این ندانی که می من چه کنی ** هم در آن چه عاقبت خود افکنی 1570

Don’t you know this, that (if) you dig a pit for me you will at last let yourself fall into the same pit?

من حفر برا نخواندی از خبر ** آنچ خواندی کن عمل جان پدر

Haven’t you read in the Traditions (of the Prophet), ‘Whoever digs a pit (for his brother will fall into it)’? Practise what you have read, O soul of your father!

این یکی حکمت چنین بد در قضا ** که ترا آورد سیلی بر قفا

This one judicial decision of yours was like this, for it has brought you a slap on the nape.

وای بر احکام دیگرهای تو ** تا چه آرد بر سر و بر پای تو

Alas for your other (unjust) decisions! (Consider) what (penalty) they will bring upon your head and feet.

ظالمی را رحم آری از کرم ** که برای نفقه بادت سه درم

From kindness you take pity on a wrong-doer, saying, ‘Mayst thou have three dirhems to spend (on food)!’

دست ظالم را ببر چه جای آن ** که بدست او نهی حکم و عنان 1575

Cut off the wrong-doer’s hand: what occasion is there for you to put the control and reins in his hand?

تو بدان بز مانی ای مجهول‌داد ** که نژاد گرگ را او شیر داد

O you from whom justice is unknown, you resemble the goat that gave her milk to the wolf-cub.”

جواب دادن قاضی صوفی را

The Cadi’s reply to the Súfi.

گفت قاضی واجب آیدمان رضا ** هر قفا و هر جفا کارد قضا

The Cadi said, “It is our duty to acquiesce, whatever slap or cruelty the (Divine) destiny may bring to pass.

خوش‌دلم در باطن از حکم زبر ** گرچه شد رویم ترش کالحق مر

I am inwardly pleased with the decision (inscribed) in the (Heavenly) Scrolls, though my face has become sour—for Truth is bitter.

این دلم باغست و چشمم ابروش ** ابر گرید باغ خندد شاد و خوش

This heart of mine is an orchard, and my eye is like the cloud: (when) the cloud weeps the orchard laughs joyously and happily.

سال قحط از آفتاب خیره‌خند ** باغها در مرگ و جان کندن رسند 1580

In a year of drought the orchards are reduced to death and agony by the sun laughing unconscionably.

ز امر حق وابکوا کثیرا خوانده‌ای ** چون سر بریان چه خندان مانده‌ای

You have read in God’s Commandment (the words) and weep ye much: why have you remained grinning like a roast (sheep’s) head?

روشنی خانه باشی هم‌چو شمع ** گر فرو پاشی تو هم‌چون شمع دمع

You will be the light of the house, like the candle, if like the candle you shed showers of tears.

آن ترش‌رویی مادر یا پدر ** حافظ فرزند شد از هر ضرر

The mother’s or father’s sourness of face preserves the child from every harm.

ذوق خنده دیده‌ای ای خیره‌خند ** ذوق گریه بین که هست آن کان قند

You have experienced the pleasure of laughing, O inordinate laugher: (now) experience the pleasure of weeping (and recognise) that it is a mine of sugar.

چون جهنم گریه آرد یاد آن ** پس جهنم خوشتر آید از جنان 1585

Since thinking of Hell causes weeping, therefore Hell is better than Paradise.

خنده‌ها در گریه‌ها آمد کتیم ** گنج در ویرانه‌ها جو ای سلیم

In tears there are laughters concealed: seek treasure amidst ruins, O simple (sincere) man.