The deaf man said to himself, “Being hard of hearing, what shall I understand of the words spoken by that youth?—
گفت با خود کر که با گوش گران ** من چه دریابم ز گفت آن جوان
Especially (as) he is ill and his voice is weak; but I must go thither, there's no escape.
خاصه رنجور و ضعیف آواز شد ** لیک باید رفت آن جا نیست بد
When I see his lips moving, I will form a conjecture as to that (movement) from myself.
چون ببینم کان لبش جنبان شود ** من قیاسی گیرم آن را هم ز خود
When I say, ‘How are you, O my suffering (friend)?’ he will reply, ‘I am fine’ or ‘I am pretty well.’
چون بگویم چونی ای محنت کشم ** او بخواهد گفت نیکم یا خوشم
I will say, ‘Thanks (to God)! What posset have you had to drink?’ He will reply, ‘Some sherbet’ or ‘a decoction of kidney-beans.’3365
من بگویم شکر چه خوردی ابا ** او بگوید شربتی یا ماشبا
(Then) I will say, ‘May you enjoy health! Who is the doctor attending you?’ He will answer, ‘So-and-so.’
من بگویم صحه نوشت کیست آن ** از طبیبان پیش تو گوید فلان
‘He is one who brings great luck with him,’ I will remark; ‘since he has come, things will go well for you.
من بگویم بس مبارک پاست او ** چون که او آمد شود کارت نکو
I have experienced (the luck of) his foot: wherever he goes, the desired object is attained.’”
پای او را آزمودستیم ما ** هر کجا شد می‌‌شود حاجت روا
The good man made ready these conjectural answers, and went to see the invalid.
این جوابات قیاسی راست کرد ** پیش آن رنجور شد آن نیک مرد
“How are you?” he asked. “I am at the point of death,” said he. “Thanks (to God)!” cried the deaf man. At this, the patient became resentful and indignant,3370
گفت چونی گفت مردم گفت شکر ** شد از این رنجور پر آزار و نکر