- That jug of water is (an emblem of) our different sorts of knowledge, and the Caliph is the Tigris of God's knowledge.
- آن سبوی آب دانشهای ماست ** و آن خلیفه دجله‌‌ی علم خداست
- We are carrying jugs full (of water) to the Tigris: if we do not know ourselves to be asses, asses we are.
- ما سبوها پر به دجله می‌‌بریم ** گر نه خر دانیم خود را ما خریم
- After all, the Bedouin was excusable, for he was inattentive and very blind to the Tigris and of the (great) river. 2850
- باری اعرابی بدان معذور بود ** کو ز دجله بی‌‌خبر بود و ز رود
- If he had been acquainted with the Tigris, as we are, he would not have carried that jug from place to place;
- گر ز دجله با خبر بودی چو ما ** او نبردی آن سبو را جا به جا
- Nay, had he been aware of the Tigris, he would have dashed that jug against a stone.
- بلکه از دجله چو واقف آمدی ** آن سبو را بر سر سنگی زدی
- How the Caliph accepted the gift and bestowed largesse, notwithstanding that he was entirely without need of the gift (the water) and the jug.
- قبول کردن خلیفه هدیه را و عطا فرمودن با کمال بی‌‌نیازی از آن هدیه و از آن سبو
- When the Caliph saw (the gift) and heard his story, he filled the jug with gold and added (other presents).
- چون خلیفه دید و احوالش شنید ** آن سبو را پر ز زر کرد و مزید
- He delivered the Arab from penury, he bestowed donations and special robes of honour,
- آن عرب را کرد از فاقه خلاص ** داد بخششها و خلعتهای خاص
- Saying, “Give into his hand this jug full of gold. When he returns (home), take him to the Tigris. 2855
- کاین سبو پر زر به دست او دهید ** چون که واگردد سوی دجله‌‌ش برید
- He has come (hither) by way of the desert and by travelling (on land): it will be nearer for him (to return) by way of the Tigris.”
- از ره خشک آمده ست و از سفر ** از ره آبش بود نزدیکتر
- When he (the Arab) embarked in the boat and beheld the Tigris, he was prostrating himself in shame and bowing (his head),
- چون به کشتی درنشست و دجله دید ** سجده می‌‌کرد از حیا و می‌‌خمید