- For the king's heart was anxious and alarmed because the Khwárizmsháh was very bloodthirsty,
- که دل شه با غم و پرهیز بود ** زانک خوارمشاه بس خون‌ریز بود
- And that perverse (tyrant) had killed many kings in that region either by craft or violence.
- بس شهان آن طرف را کشته بود ** یا به حیله یا به سطوت آن عنود
- This King of Tirmid was apprehensive of (being attacked by) him, and his apprehension was increased by the artifice of Dalqak.
- این شه ترمد ازو در وهم بود ** وز فن دلقک خود آن وهمش فزود
- He said, “Be quick! Tell (me) what is the matter. Who is the cause of your being so perturbed and agitated?” 2540
- گفت زوتر بازگو تا حال چیست ** این چنین آشوب و شور تو ز کیست
- He replied, “I heard in the country that the king had proclaimed on every highway
- گفت من در ده شنیدم آنک شاه ** زد منادی بر سر هر شاه‌راه
- That he required some one to run to Samarcand in three days and would bestow (his) treasures (on the courier).
- که کسی خواهم که تازد در سه روز ** تا سمرقند و دهم او را کنوز
- I hurried to you in order to say that I am not able to do it.
- من شتابیدم بر تو بهر آن ** تا بگویم که ندارم آن توان
- For one like me such agility is impossible: at all events do not expect this of me.”
- این چنین چستی نیاید از چو من ** باری این اومید را بر من متن
- “Curse your hurry!” cried the king; “for (in consequence of it) a hundred confusions have arisen in the city. 2545
- گفت شه لعنت برین زودیت باد ** که دو صد تشویش در شهر اوفتاد
- (Is it only) for this trifle, O half-baked fool, (that) you have set fire to this meadow and hay?”
- از برای این قدر خام‌ریش ** آتش افکندی درین مرج و حشیش