The Inspector said to him, “Come now, say ‘Ah’”; (but) the drunken man, at the moment of utterance, said “Hú, Hú.”
گفت او را محتسب هین آه کن ** مست هو هو کرد هنگام سخن
“I told you to say ‘Ah’,” said he; “you are saying ‘Hú’.” “(Because) I am glad,” he replied, “while you are bent with grief.
گفت گفتم آه کن هو میکنی ** گفت من شاد و تو از غم دم زنی
‘Ah’ is (uttered) on account of pain and grief and injustice; the ‘Hú, Hú’ of the wine-drinkers is from joy.”
آه از درد و غم و بیدادی است ** هوی هوی می خوران از شادی است
The Inspector said, “I know nothing about this. Get up, get up! Don't retail mystic lore, and leave off this wrangling.”2395
محتسب گفت این ندانم خیز خیز ** معرفت متراش و بگذار این ستیز
“Go away,” said the man; “what have you to do with me?” “You are drunk,” the Inspector said. “Get up and come to prison.”
گفت رو تو از کجا من از کجا ** گفت مستی خیز تا زندان بیا
Said the drunken man, “O Inspector, let me alone and go away. How is it possible to carry off pledges from one that is naked?
گفت مست ای محتسب بگذار و رو ** از برهنه کی توان بردن گرو
If indeed I had had the power to walk, I should have gone to my house—and (then) how would this (affair between us) have occurred?
گر مرا خود قوت رفتن بدی ** خانهی خود رفتمی وین کی شدی
Were I (still) possessed of understanding and of contingent (unreal) existence, I should be on the bench, (giving instruction) like the Shaykhs.”
من اگر با عقل و با امکانمی ** همچو شیخان بر سر دکانمی
How the inquirer, for the second time, drew that eminent (saint) into conversation, in order that his condition might be made better known (to the inquirer).
دوم بار در سخن کشیدن سایل آن بزرگ را تا حال او معلوم تر گردد
That seeker said, “O thou mounted on the cane, pray, ride thy horse this way for one moment.”2400
گفت آن طالب که آخر یک نفس ** ای سواره بر نی این سو ران فرس
He rode towards him, crying, “Hark, say as quick as you can (what you want), for my horse is very restive and fierce-tempered.
راند سوی او که هین زوتر بگو ** کاسب من بس توسن است و تند خو
Be quick, lest he kick you: explain clearly what you are asking about.”
تا لگد بر تو نکوبد زود باش ** از چه میپرسی بیانش کن تو فاش
He (the inquirer) saw no opportunity to tell his heart's secret: he at once made an evasion and drew him into jesting talk.
او مجال راز دل گفتن ندید ** زو برون شو کرد و در لاغش کشید
He said, “I wish to marry a woman in this street: who is suitable for one like me?”
گفت میخواهم در این کوچه زنی ** کیست لایق از برای چون منی
“There are three kinds of women in the world,” said he: “two of those are a sorrow, and one is the soul's treasure.2405
گفت سه گونه زناند اندر جهان ** آن دو رنج و این یکی گنج روان
The first, when you marry her, is wholly yours; and the second is half yours and half separate (from you);
آن یکی را چون بخواهی کل تراست ** و آن دگر نیمی ترا نیمی جداست
And the third, know she is not yours at all. You have heard this. Away (with you)!—I start in a trice—
و آن سوم هیچ او ترا نبود بدان ** این شنودی دور شو رفتم روان
Lest my horse let fly a kick at you, so that you fall and never rise up (again).”
تا ترا اسبم نپراند لگد ** که بیفتی بر نخیزی تا ابد
The Shaykh rode off amongst the children, (but) the young man shouted to him once more,
شیخ راند اندر میان کودکان ** بانگ زد بار دگر او را جوان
“Come, prithee declare the exposition of this. Thou hast said that these women are of three kinds: pick (them) out.”2410
که بیا آخر بگو تفسیر این ** این زنان سه نوع گفتی بر گزین
He rode towards him and said to him, “The virgin of your choice will be wholly yours, and you will gain freedom from sorrow;
راند سوی او و گفتش بکر خاص ** کل ترا باشد ز غم یابی خلاص
And she that is half yours is the (childless) widow; and she that is nothing (to you) is the married woman with a child:
و انکه نیمی آن تو بیوه بود ** و انکه هیچست آن عیال با ولد
When she has a child by her first husband, her love and whole heart will go to that quarter.
چون ز شوی اولش کودک بود ** مهر و کل خاطرش آن سو رود
(Now) get away, lest my horse launch a kick, and the hoof of my restive horse land upon you.”
دور شو تا اسب نندازد لگد ** سم اسب توسنم بر تو رسد
The Shaykh gave a loud cry of jubilation and rode back: he again called the children to him.2415
های و هویی کرد شیخ و باز راند ** کودکان را باز سوی خویش خواند
That inquirer shouted to him once more, “Come (hither), I have one question left, O sovereign king.”
باز بانگش کرد آن سایل بیا ** یک سؤالم ماند ای شاه کیا