They were nights of alarm and disaster, and the police were searching for the thieves with all their might,
بود شب‌های مخوف و منتحس ** پس به جد می‌جست دزدان را عسس
(So much so) that the Khalífa said, “Cut off the hand of any one who roams about by night, even if he is a kinsman of mine.”
تا خلیفه گفت که ببرید دست ** هر که شب گردد وگر خویش منست
The king had terrified the police with threats, saying, “Why are you (so) merciful to the thieves?
بر عسس کرده ملک تهدید و بیم ** که چرا باشید بر دزدان رحیم
For what reason do you believe their blarney or why do you accept gold (bribes) from them?”4260
عشوه‌شان را از چه رو باور کنید ** یا چرا زیشان قبول زر کنید
To show mercy to thieves and any sinister-handed (noxious) person is to inflict blows and have no mercy on the weak.
رحم بر دزدان و هر منحوس‌دست ** بر ضعیفان ضربت و بی‌رحمیست
Beware, from sympathy with a particular (offender) do not let him go unpunished: do not consider his sufferings, consider the sufferings of the public.
هین ز رنج خاص مسکل ز انتقام ** رنج او کم بین ببین تو رنج عام
Amputate the snake-bitten finger to prevent (worse) mischief: keep in view the infection and (consequent) destruction of the (whole) body.
اصبع ملدوغ بر در دفع شر ** در تعدی و هلاک تن نگر
In those days, as it happened, the thieves, both expert and unskilled, had become numerous.
اتفاقا اندر آن ایام دزد ** گشته بود انبوه پخته و خام دزد
He (the night-patrol) saw him (in the street) at such a time and gave him a sound drubbing and blows without number.4265
در چنین وقتش بدید و سخت زد ** چوب‌ها و زخمهای بی‌عدد
Shrieks and cries for mercy arose from the poor wretch: “Don't strike! let me tell the truth about it all!”
نعره و فریاد زان درویش خاست ** که مزن تا من بگویم حال راست