- Many a thought and fancy that is not real and true comes into the mind, O Prince.
- بس گمان و وهم آید در ضمیر ** کان نباشد حق و صادق ای امیر
- Verily, some suspicion is a sin, O Vizier: injustice is not right, especially (when it is done) to a poor man.
- ان بعض الظن اثم است ای وزیر ** نیست استم راست خاصه بر فقیر
- The king does not chastise one who vexes him: wherefore should he chastise one who makes him laugh?” 2570
- شه نگیرد آنک میرنجاندش ** از چه گیرد آنک میخنداندش
- The words of the Sáhib (vizier) impressed the king, and he resolved to clear up this deceit and imposture.
- گفت صاحب پیش شه جاگیر شد ** کاشف این مکر و این تزویر شد
- “Take Dalqak to prison,” he said, “and pay no attention to his wheedling and hypocrisy.
- گفت دلقک را سوی زندان برید ** چاپلوس و زرق او را کم خرید
- Beat him, empty-bellied like a drum (as he is), that like a drum he may give us information.
- میزنیدش چون دهل اشکمتهی ** تا دهلوار او دهدمان آگهی
- (Whether) the drum is wet or dry or full or empty, its sound informs us of everything.
- تر و خشک و پر و تی باشد دهل ** بانگ او آگه کند ما را ز کل
- (Beat him) in order that he may be compelled to declare the secret, so that these (apprehensive) hearts will be reassured. 2575
- تا بگوید سر خود از اضطرار ** آنچنان که گیرد این دلها قرار
- Since the shining truth is (a cause of) tranquillity, the heart will not be calmed by lying words.
- چون طمانینست صدق و با فروغ ** دل نیارامد به گفتار دروغ
- Falsehood is like a (piece of stick or) straw, and the heart like a mouth: a straw never becomes (quietly) hidden in the mouth.
- کذب چون خس باشد و دل چون دهان ** خس نگردد در دهان هرگز نهان