He replied, “You are the judge of (your) necessity: if you eat without necessity, you will commit a sin;
ور ضرورت هست هم پرهیز به ** ور خوری باری ضمان آن بده
And if the necessity exists, yet ’tis better to abstain; or if you do eat, at any rate give a guarantee for (payment of) it.”
مرغ پس در خود فرو رفت آن زمان ** توسنش سر بستد از جذب عنان
Thereupon the bird pondered deeply, (but) its restive steed took its head (recoiled) from the pull of the rein.
چون بخورد آن گندم اندر فخ بماند ** چند او یاسین و الانعام خواند
When it had eaten the wheat, it remained in the trap: it recited several times (the chapters of the Qur’án entitled) Yásín and al-An‘ám.
بعد در ماندن چه افسوس و چه آه ** پیش از آن بایست این دود سیاه
What is (the use of crying) “Alas” and “Ah me” after being left helpless? This black smoke ought to have been (exhaled) before that (calamity).
آن زمان که حرص جنبید و هوس ** آن زمان می‌گو کای فریادرس 535
At the time when greed and desire have stirred (in the heart), at that time keep saying, “(Help me), O Thou who comest at the cry for help!”
کان زمان پیش از خرابی بصره است ** بوک بصره وا رهد هم زان شکست
For that time is prior to the devastation of Basra, and it may be that Basra will still be saved from that overthrow.
ابک لی یا باکیی یا ثاکلی ** قبل هدم البصرة و الموصل
O thou that wilt weep for me, O thou that wilt be bereft of me, weep for me before the demolition of Basra and Mawsil (Mosul).
نح علی قبل موتی واغتفر ** لا تنح لی بعد موتی واصطبر
Mourn for me and smear thyself with dust before my death; do not mourn for me after my death, but bear (the loss of me) with patience.
ابک لی قبل ثبوری فی‌النوی ** بعد طوفان النوی خل البکا
Weep for me before my destruction in (the flood of) decease: after the flood of decease leave off weeping.
آن زمان که دیو می‌شد راه‌زن ** آن زمان بایست یاسین خواندن 540
At the time when the Devil was waylaying (you), at that time you ought to have recited (the Súra entitled) Yásín.
پیش از آنک اشکسته گردد کاروان ** آن زمان چوبک بزن ای پاسبان
O watchman, use your rattle before the caravan is ruined (by the robbers).
حکایت پاسبان کی خاموش کرد تا دزدان رخت تاجران بردند به کلی بعد از آن هیهای و پاسبانی می‌کرد
Story of the watchman who kept silence till the robbers had carried off the entire stock of the merchants, but afterwards made an outcry and did the duty of a watchman.
پاسبانی خفت و دزد اسباب برد ** رختها را زیر هر خاکی فشرد
A certain watchman fell asleep. The robbers carried off the goods and secreted the (various) articles under any piece of earth.
روز شد بیدار شد آن کاروان ** دید رفته رخت و سیم و اشتران
(When) it was day, the caravaneers awoke: they saw that stock and money and camels were gone.
پس بدو گفتند ای حارس بگو ** که چه شد این رخت و این اسباب کو
Then they said to him, “O watchman, tell (us) what has happened. Where are this stock and these goods?”
He replied, “The robbers came unexpectedly, and hastily carried off the stock from before me.”
قوم گفتندش که ای چو تل ریگ ** پس چه می‌کردی کیی ای مردریگ
The party (of merchants) said to him, “O man (weak) as a sandhill, what were you doing, then? Who are you, O recreant?”
گفت من یک کس بدم ایشان گروه ** با سلاح و با شجاعت با شکوه
“I was (only one,” said he, “and they were a band, armed and brave and formidable.”
گفت اگر در جنگ کم بودت امید ** نعره‌ای زن کای کریمان برجهید
He (the spokesman of the merchants) said, “If you had no hope (of overcoming them) in battle, (why didn't you) shout, ‘Gentlemen, spring up (from your beds)?’”
گفت آن دم کارد بنمودند و تیغ ** که خمش ورنه کشیمت بی‌دریغ
He replied, “At that moment they produced knives and swords, crying, ‘Silence! or we will kill you ruthlessly.’