- This (behaviour of Iblís) is like that (which is told in the following story), how a certain man saw a thief in the house and ran after him.
- این بدان ماند که شخصی دزد دید ** در وثاق اندر پی او میدوید
- He ran after him (the length of) two or three fields, till the fatigue threw him into a sweat.
- تا دو سه میدان دوید اندر پیش ** تا در افگند آن تعب اندر خویش
- At the moment when, rushing on, he had come so near to him that he might spring upon him and seize him, 2795
- اندر آن حمله که نزدیک آمدش ** تا بدو اندر جهد دریابدش
- The second thief cried out to him, “Come, that you may see these signs of calamity.
- دزد دیگر بانگ کردش که بیا ** تا ببینی این علامات بلا
- Be quick and turn back, O man of (prompt) action, that you may see (how) very pitiable (is) the state of things here.”
- زود باش و باز گرد ای مرد کار ** تا ببینی حال اینجا زار زار
- He (the householder) said (to himself), “Maybe a thief is yonder: if I do not return at once, this (fate) will befall me.
- گفت باشد کان طرف دزدی بود ** گر نگردم زود این بر من رود
- He may lay hands upon my wife and child, (and in that case) how would it profit me to bind this thief (whom I am pursuing)?
- در زن و فرزند من دستی زند ** بستن این دزد سودم کی کند
- This Moslem is calling me in kindness: unless I return quickly, repentance will befall (me).” 2800
- این مسلمان از کرم میخواندم ** گر نگردم زود پیش آید ندم
- In (confident) hope of the compassion of that well-disposed (friend), he left the thief and again set off (in another direction).
- بر امید شفقت آن نیک خواه ** دزد را بگذاشت باز آمد به راه
- “O good friend,” said he, “what is the matter? By whose hand (violence) is this lamentation and outcry of yours (caused)?”
- گفت ای یار نکو احوال چیست ** این فغان و بانگ تو از دست کیست