He (the vizier) said, “Leave him and two hundred (other) lickers-up of hope to me, and write this (down) against me.”
گفت او را و دو صد اومیدلیس ** تو به من بگذار این بر من نویس
Then the minister threw him into (the pains of) expectation: winter and December passed and spring came.
پس فکندش صاحب اندر انتظار ** شد زمستان و دی و آمد بهار
In expectation of it (the reward) the poet grew old; then he was crushed by this anxiety and making shift to provide (the means of livelihood),
شاعر اندر انتظارش پیر شد ** پس زبون این غم و تدبیر شد
And said (to the vizier), “If there is no gold (for me), please give me abuse, so that my soul may be delivered (from expectation) (and that) I may be thy (devoted) slave.
گفت اگر زر نه که دشنامم دهی ** تا رهد جانم ترا باشم رهی
Expectation has killed me: at least bid me go, that this wretched soul may be delivered from bondage.”1225
انتظارم کشت باری گو برو ** تا رهد این جان مسکین از گرو