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
He replied, “Look now, I will give you time: speak, that I may learn how you came out into the streets by night.
گفت اینک دادمت مهلت بگو ** تا به شب چون آمدی بیرون به کو
You do not belong to this place, you are a stranger and unknown (to me): tell me truly what you are plotting (here).
تو نهای زینجا غریب و منکری ** راستی گو تا بچه مکر اندری
The government officials have attacked the police, asking why there is now such a great number of thieves (in the city).
اهل دیوان بر عسس طعنه زدند ** که چرا دزدان کنون انبه شدند
It is owing to you and the likes of you that they are so numerous: first disclose (the names of) your wicked associates;4270
انبهی از تست و از امثال تست ** وا نما یاران زشتت را نخست