The ass was becoming lean, and his mistress remained helpless, saying, "Why has his ass become as (thin as) a hair?"
خر همی شد لاغر و خاتون او ** مانده عاجز کز چه شد این خر چو مو
She showed the ass to the shoeing smiths and asked, "What is his ailment of which the result is leanness?"
نعل‌بندان را نمود آن خر که چیست ** علت او که نتیجه‌ش لاغریست
No ailment was discerned in him, no one gave information concerning the secret (cause) thereof.1340
هیچ علت اندرو ظاهر نشد ** هیچ کس از سر او مخبر نشد
(Then) she began to investigate in earnest: she became prepared to investigate at every moment.
در تفحص اندر افتاد او به جد ** شد تفحص را دمادم مستعد
The soul must needs be devoted to earnest endeavour, for the earnest seeker will be a finder.
جد را باید که جان بنده بود ** زانک جد جوینده یابنده بود
Postquam rem asini perscrutata est, ancillulam narcisso similem vidit sub asino cubantem. [When she investigated the ass’s condition, she saw the little narcissus (the maidservant) lying under the ass.]
چون تفحص کرد از حال اشک ** دید خفته زیر خر آن نرگسک
Through a crack in the door she saw what was going on: the old woman marvelled greatly thereat.
از شکاف در بدید آن حال را ** بس عجب آمد از آن آن زال را
(Vidit) asinum futuentem ancillam sicut viri ratione et more (concumbunt) cum feminis. [(She saw) the ass copulating with the maidservant in the manner that men reasonably and customarily (do) with women.]1345
خر همی‌گاید کنیزک را چنان ** که به عقل و رسم مردان با زنان
She became envious and said, “Since this is possible, then I have the best right, for the ass is my property.
در حسد شد گفت چون این ممکنست ** پس نم اولیتر که خر ملک منست
The ass has been perfectly trained and instructed: the table is laid and the lamp is lighted.”
خر مهذب گشته و آموخته ** خوان نهادست و چراغ افروخته