(Saying), “Either a conquering enemy is about to attack us or a deadly calamity has emerged from the Unseen,
یا عدوی قاهری در قصد ماست ** یا بلایی مهلکی از غیب خاست
For Dalqak, riding hard from the country, has killed several Arab horses on the way.”
که ز ده دلقک به سیران درشت ** چند اسپی تازی اندر راه کشت
The people gathered at the king's palace, wondering why Dalqak had come in such a hurry.2520
جمع گشته بر سرای شاه خلق ** تا چرا آمد چنین اشتاب دلق
Because of his (hot) haste and the enormity of his exertions, tumult and commotion arose in Tirmid;
از شتاب او و فحش اجتهاد ** غلغل و تشویش در ترمد فتاد
One man (was) beating both hands against his knee, while another, from presentiment of evil, was uttering woeful cries.
آن یکی دو دست بر زانوزنان ** وآن دگر از وهم واویلی‌کنان
On account of the hubbub and distraction and the dread of punishment every heart went to (wander in) a hundred streets (haunts) of phantasy.
از نفیر و فتنه و خوف نکال ** هر دلی رفته به صد کوی خیال
Every one was taking an omen (predicting) by conjecture (and trying to guess) what had set the rug on fire.
هر کسی فالی همی‌زد از قیاس ** تا چه آتش اوفتاد اندر پلاس
He (Dalqak) sought admission and the king at once granted it to him. When he kissed the earth (in homage), the king said to him, “Hey, what's the matter?”2525
راه جست و راه دادش شاه زود ** چون زمین بوسید گفتش هی چه بود
Whenever any one asked that sour-faced man for some particulars, he laid his hand on his lips as though to say “Hush!”
هرکه می‌پرسید حالی زان ترش ** دست بر لب می‌نهاد او که خمش
(Their) apprehension was increased by his gravity: all were perplexed and dumbfounded by him.
وهم می‌افزود زین فرهنگ او ** جمله در تشویش گشته دنگ او