- For a long while he promised (to dig it up) to-morrow and to-morrow; (meantime) his thorn bush became robust in constitution.
- مدتی فردا و فردا وعده داد ** شد درخت خار او محکم نهاد
- One day the Governor said to him, “O false promiser, go forward with my affair, do not creep back.”
- گفت روزی حاکمش ای وعده کژ** پیش آ در کار ما وا پس مغژ
- He replied, “O uncle, the days are between us.” “Make haste,” said he, “do not put off payment of my debt.”
- گفت الایام یا عم بیننا ** گفت عجل لا تماطل دیننا
- You who say “To-morrow,” be aware of this, that with every day that time is coming (and going), 1235
- تو که میگویی که فردا این بدان ** که به هر روزی که میآید زمان
- That evil tree is growing younger, while this digger is waxing old and sorely distressed.
- آن درخت بد جوانتر میشود ** وین کننده پیر و مضطر میشود
- The thorn bush (is) in (process of gaining) strength and (in) ascent; its digger (is) in (process of) aging and decline.
- خار بن در قوت و برخاستن ** خار کن در پیری و در کاستن
- The thorn bush every day and every moment is green and fresh; its digger is every day more sickly and withered.
- خار بن هر روز و هر دم سبز و تر ** خار کن هر روز زار و خشکتر
- It is growing younger, you older: be quick and do not waste your time!
- او جوانتر میشود تو پیرتر ** زود باش و روزگار خود مبر
- Know that every single bad habit of yours is a thorn bush: many a time, after all, have its thorns pierced your foot. 1240
- خار بن دان هر یکی خوی بدت ** بارها در پای خار آخر زدت
- Many a time have you been wounded by your own (evil) habits—you have no sense, you are very senseless.
- بارها از خوی خود خسته شدی ** حس نداری سخت بیحس آمدی