(He strolls about) continually asking, “How much is this?” and “How much is that?” for the sake of pastime and mockery.
پرس پرسان کین به چند و آن به چند ** از پی تعبیر وقت و ریشخند
(’Tis only) from boredom (that) he asks you (to show him) your goods: that person is not a buyer and customer.
از ملولی کاله میخواهد ز تو ** نیست آن کس مشتری و کالهجو
He inspects the article a hundred times and hands it back (to you): when did he (ever) measure a piece of cloth? He measured wind (and nothing else).835
کاله را صد بار دید و باز داد ** جامه کی پیمود او پیمود باد
What a distance between the approach and bargaining of a purchaser and the pleasantries of a silly joker?
کو قدوم و کر و فر مشتری ** کو مزاح گنگلی سرسری
Since there is not a mite in his possession, how should he seek (to buy) a coat except in jest?
چونک در ملکش نباشد حبهای ** جز پی گنگل چه جوید جبهای
He has no capital for trading: what, then, is the difference between his ill-favoured person and a shadow?
در تجارت نیستش سرمایهای ** پس چه شخص زشت او چه سایهای
The capital (required) for the market of this world is gold; there (in the next world) the capital is love and two eyes wet (with tears).
مایه در بازار این دنیا زرست ** مایه آنجا عشق و دو چشم ترست
Whoever went to market without any capital, his life passed and he speedily returned in disappointment.840
هر که او بیمایهی بازار رفت ** عمر رفت و بازگشت او خام تفت
“Oh, where hast thou been, brother?” “Nowhere.” “Oh, what hast thou cooked to eat?” “No (good) soup.”
هی کجا بودی برادر هیچ جا ** هی چه پختی بهر خوردن هیچ با
Become a buyer, that my hand may move (to sell to thee), and that my pregnant mine may bring forth the ruby.