- But I will speak to him kindly and say, ‘Why dost thou boast of (this) high estate?’
- لیک با او گویم از راه خوشی ** که چرا داری تو لاف سر کشی
- For here harshness is of no use: ’tis by gentleness that the snake puts forth its head (is induced to come forth) from the hole.”
- که درشتی ناید اینجا هیچ کار ** هم به نرمی سر کند از غار مار
- He caused the people to withdraw from around him (the claimant): the king was a gracious man, and gentleness was his way.
- مردمان را دور کرد از گرد وی ** شه لطیفی بود و نرمی ورد وی
- Then he bade him be seated, and asked him concerning his dwelling-place, saying, “Where hast thou thy means of livelihood and refuge?”
- پس نشاندش باز پرسیدش ز جا ** که کجا داری معاش و ملتجی
- He replied, “O king, I belong to the Abode of Peace: I have come from the road (after having journeyed) to this Abode of Blame. 1135
- گفت ای شه هستم از دار السلام ** آمده از ره درین دار الملام
- I have neither home nor any companion: when has a fish made its home on the earth?”
- نه مرا خانه‌ست و نه یک همنشین ** خانه کی کردست ماهی در زمین
- Again the king answered him, saying by way of jest, “What (food) hast thou eaten and what provision hast thou (made) for the morning meal?
- باز شه از روی لاغش گفت باز ** که چه خوردی و چه داری چاشت‌ساز
- Hast thou appetite? What didst thou eat at daybreak that thou art so intoxicated and boastful and blustering?”
- اشتهی داری چه خوردی بامداد ** که چنین سرمستی و پر لاف و باد
- He replied, “If I had bread, (whether) dry or moist, how should I lay claim to prophecy?
- گفت اگر نانم بدی خشک و طری ** کی کنیمی دعوی پیغامبری
- To claim to be a prophet amongst these people is like seeking a heart from a mountain. 1140
- دعوی پیغامبری با این گروه ** هم‌چنان باشد که دل جستن ز کوه