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
Feigning to have seen nothing, she knocked at the door of the room (stable), saying, “How long will you be sweeping the room, O maid?”
کرد نادیده و در خانه بکوفت ** کای کنیزک چند خواهی خانه روفت
She spoke these words as a blind (and added), “I have come, O maid: open the door.”
از پی روپوش می‌گفت این سخن ** کای کنیزک آمدم در باز کن
(Then) she became silent and said no more to the maid: she concealed the secret for the sake of her own desire.1350
کرد خاموش و کنیزک را نگفت ** راز را از بهر طمع خود نهفت
Thereupon the maid hid all the apparatus of iniquity and came forward and opened the door.
پس کنیزک جمله آلات فساد ** کرد پنهان پیش شد در را گشاد