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
(This is) like (the behaviour of) these raw (ignorant) persons (who come) with drum and banner, saying, “We are couriers (speeding) in (the path of spiritual) poverty and non-existence,”
هم‌چو این خامان با طبل و علم ** که الاقانیم در فقر و عدم