The Turk implored him, crying, ‘For God's sake go on telling jokes, for they are meat to me.’
لابه کردش ترک کز بهر خدا ** لاغ می‌گو که مرا شد مغتذا
(Then) the rascal told such a ridiculous story that he (the Turk) fell on his back in an explosion of laughter.
گفت لاغی خندمینی آن دغا ** که فتاد از قهقهه او بر قفا
He (the tailor) swiftly clapped a shred of satin to the hem of his under-breeches, while the Turk was paying no attention and greedily sucking in (absorbing) the jests.1700
پاره‌ای اطلس سبک بر نیفه زد ** ترک غافل خوش مضاحک می‌مزد
Still (continuing his entreaties), the Turk of Khitá said for the third time, ‘Tell me a joke for God's sake!’
هم‌چنین بار سوم ترک خطا ** گفت لاغی گوی از بهر خدا
He (the tailor) told a story more laughable than (those which he had related) on the two previous occasions, and made this Turk entirely his prey.
گفت لاغی خندمین‌تر زان دو بار ** کرد او این ترک را کلی شکار
His eyes shut, his reason flown, bewildered, the boastful Turk was intoxicated with guffaws.
چشم بسته عقل جسته مولهه ** مست ترک مدعی از قهقهه
Then for the third time he (the tailor) filched a strip from the coat (which he was cutting), since the Turk's laughter gave him ample scope (for his dexterity).
پس سوم بار از قبا دزدید شاخ ** که ز خنده‌ش یافت میدان فراخ
When for the fourth time the Turk of Khitá was demanding a jest from the master(-tailor),1705
چون چهارم بار آن ترک خطا ** لاغ از آن استا همی‌کرد اقتضا
The master took pity on him and put aside (abandoned) artfulness and injustice.
رحم آمد بر وی آن استاد را ** کرد در باقی فن و بیداد را
He said (to himself), ‘This infatuated man has a great desire for these (facetious tales), not knowing what a loss and swindle they are (for him).’
گفت مولع گشت این مفتون درین ** بی‌خبر کین چه خسارست و غبین