When the second (slave) came before the King, he had a stinking mouth and black teeth.
چون بیامد آن دوم در پیش شاه ** بود او گنده دهان دندان سیاه
Although the King was displeased by his speech, still he made some inquiry concerning his hidden thoughts.
گر چه شه ناخوش شد از گفتار او ** جستجویی کرد هم ز اسرار او
He said, “With this aspect and this foul smell of the mouth, sit at a distance, but do not move too far off—
گفت با این شکل و این گند دهان ** دور بنشین لیک آن سو تر مران
For (hitherto) you have been (with regard to me in the position of) a writer of letters and notes; you have not been a companion and friend and comrade—
که تو اهل نامه و رقعه بدی ** نه جلیس و یار و هم بقعه بدی
That we may treat (and cure) that mouth of yours: you are (now) the beloved (patient), and we are the skilful physician.870
تا علاج آن دهان تو کنیم ** تو حبیب و ما طبیب پر فنیم
’Tis not fitting to burn a new blanket on account of one flea; (nor would it become me) to shut my eyes to (turn my back on) you (because of superficial faults).
بهر کیکی نو گلیمی سوختن ** نیست لایق از تو دیده دوختن
Notwithstanding all (this), sit down and talk on a few topics, that I may well see the form of your mind.”
با همه بنشین دو سه دستان بگو ** تا ببینم صورت عقلت نکو
Then he sent that keen-witted one away to do (his behest): (he sent him) to a bathhouse, saying, “Go, scrub yourself.”
آن ذکی را پس فرستاد او به کار ** سوی حمامی که رو خود را بخار
And to this other one he said, “Good! you are a clever lad: in truth you are a hundred slaves, not one.
وین دگر را گفت خه تو زیرکی ** صد غلامی در حقیقت نه یکی
You are not such as your fellow-servant declared: that envious one would (fain) have made me cold to (disgusted with) you,875
آن نهای که خواجهتاش تو نمود ** از تو ما را سرد میکرد آن حسود