Leave the unworthy folk for the sake of the worthy: bring the tale to the end and conduct it to the issue.
ناکسان را ترک کن بهر کسان ** قصه را پایان بر و مخلص رسان
If this story was not finished there (in the Third Book), ’tis (now) the Fourth Volume: set it out in order.
این حکایت گر نشد آنجا تمام ** چارمین جلدست آرش در نظام
Conclusion of the story of the lover who fled from the night-patrol into an orchard unknown to him, and for joy at finding his beloved in the orchard called down blessings on the night-patrol and said, "It may be that ye loathe a thing although it is better for you."
تمامی حکایت آن عاشق که از عسس گریخت در باغی مجهول خود معشوق را در باغ یافت و عسس را از شادی دعای خیر می‌کرد و می‌گفت کی عسی ان تکرهوا شیا و هو خیر لکم
We were at the point (of the story) where that person (fled) in terror from the night-patrol (and) galloped into the orchard.40
اندر آن بودیم کان شخص از عسس ** راند اندر باغ از خوفی فرس
In the orchard was the beauteous one for love of whom this (youth) had been in tribulation eight years.
بود اندر باغ آن صاحب‌جمال ** کز غمش این در عنا بد هشت سال
He had no possibility of seeing (even) her shadow: he was (only) hearing the description of her, as (of) the ‘Anqá,
سایه‌ی او را نبود امکان دید ** هم‌چو عنقا وصف او را می‌شنید
Except (for) one meeting which happened to him by (Divine) destiny at the first and enravished his heart.
جز یکی لقیه که اول از قضا ** بر وی افتاد و شد او را دلربا
After that, however much effort he made, in sooth that cruel one would give him no opportunity.
بعد از آن چندان که می‌کوشید او ** خود مجالش می‌نداد آن تندخو
Neither entreaty nor wealth availed him: that (fresh) sapling was fully satisfied and without desire.45
نه بلا به چاره بودش نه به مال ** چشم پر و بی‌طمع بود آن نهال
(In the case of) the lover of any craft or object of pursuit, God has touched his lip (with honey or the like) at the beginning of the affair;
عاشق هر پیشه‌ای و مطلبی ** حق بیالود اول کارش لبی
(But) when at that contact they have entered upon the quest, He lays a snare before their feet every day.
چون بدان آسیب در جست آمدند ** پیش پاشان می‌نهد هر روز بند