- Now listen to the outward form of the tale, but take heed to separate the grain from the chaff.
- بشنو اکنون صورت افسانه را ** لیک هین از که جدا کن دانه را
- When at last (the meditation of) that circle of Súfís who were seeking (spiritual) profit came to an end (culminated) in ecstasy and enthusiasm,
- حلقه‌ای آن صوفیان مستفید ** چون که در وجد و طرب آخر رسید
- They brought dishes of food for the guest, and he then bethought him of his beast.
- خوان بیاوردند بهر میهمان ** از بهیمه یاد آورد آن زمان
- He said to the famulus (the servant of the Súfís), “Go into the stable and make the straw and barley all right for the animal.” 205
- گفت خادم را که در آخر برو ** راست کن بهر بهیمه کاه و جو
- “Good gracious!” he replied, “why this saying overmuch? These things have been my care since long ago.”
- گفت لا حول این چه افزون گفتن است ** از قدیم این کارها کار من است
- The Súfí said, “First wet his barley, for ’tis an old ass, and his teeth are shaky.”
- گفت تر کن آن جوش را از نخست ** کان خر پیر است و دندانهاش سست
- “Good gracious!” said he, “why are you telling (me) this, Sir? They are taught by me (to make) these arrangements.”
- گفت لاحول این چه میگویی مها ** از من آموزند این ترتیبها
- The Súfí said, “First of all take off his saddle and (then) put the salve of manbal on his sore back.”
- گفت پالانش فرو نه پیش پیش ** داروی منبل بنه بر پشت ریش
- “Good gracious!” exclaimed the servant. “Why, O purveyor of wisdom, I have had a thousand guests of your sort, 210
- گفت لاحول آخر ای حکمت گزار ** جنس تو مهمانم آمد صد هزار
- And all have departed from us well-pleased: the guest is (dear to us as) our life and our kinsman.”
- جمله راضی رفتهاند از پیش ما ** هست مهمان جان ما و خویش ما