If the root is leafless and without sap, what (then) are (signify) the green leaves on the bough?
بیخ اگر بی‌برگ و از مایه تهیست ** برگهای سبز اندر شاخ چیست
The earth lays a seal on the root's tongue, (but) the bough, its hand and foot, is bearing witness.”2085
بر زبان بیخ گل مهری نهد ** شاخ دست و پا گواهی می‌دهد
All those trusted (officers) began to excuse themselves: they fell prostrate, like a shadow in the presence of the moon.
آن امینان جمله در عذر آمدند ** هم‌چو سایه پیش مه ساجد شدند
In excuse for that heat (hot-headedness) and boasting and egoism they went to the King with sword and winding-sheet,
عذر آن گرمی و لاف و ما و من ** پیش شه رفتند با تیغ و کفن
All of them biting their fingers from shame, and every one saying, “O King of the world,
از خجالت جمله انگشتان گزان ** هر یکی می‌گفت کای شاه جهان
If thou shed (our) blood, ’tis lawful, lawful (for thee to do so); and if thou forgive, ’tis (an act of) grace and bounty.
گر بریزی خون حلالستت حلال ** ور ببخشی هست انعام و نوال
We have done those deeds that were worthy of us: consider what thou wilt command, O glorious King.2090
کرده‌ایم آنها که از ما می‌سزید ** تا چه فرمایی تو ای شاه مجید
If thou forgive our crime, O thou who makest the heart radiant, the night will have shown the qualities of night, and the day (those of) day.
گر ببخشی جرم ما ای دل‌فروز ** شب شبیها کرده باشد روز روز
If thou forgive, despair will be removed; and if not, may a hundred like us be a sacrifice to the King!”
گر ببخشی یافت نومیدی گشاد ** ورنه صد چون ما فدای شاه باد
The King replied, “Nay, I will not show this clemency or deal this punishment: that (right) belongs to Ayáz.
گفت شه نه این نواز و این گداز ** من نخواهم کرد هست آن ایاز
[How the King referred to Ayáz the question of accepting the repentance of the ploiters who had opened his chamber or of punishing them, because he judged that the offence had been committed against his honour.]
حواله کردن پادشاه قبول و توبه‌ی نمامان و حجره گشایان و سزا دادن ایشان با ایاز کی یعنی این جنایت بر عرض او رفته است