(With) the bow and arrow in his hand, he (was) seeking the wolf all night to and fro.645
آن کمان و تیر اندر دست او ** گرگ را جویان همه شب سو بسو
The wolf, in sooth, was given power over him, like sparks of fire: (he was) seeking the wolf (outside), and (was) unaware of the wolf (within himself).
گرگ بر وی خود مسلط چون شرر ** گرگ جویان و ز گرگ او بیخبر
Every gnat, every flea, had become as a wolf and inflicted a wound upon them in that ruined place.
هر پشه هر کیک چون گرگی شده ** اندر آن ویرانهشان زخمی زده
There was no opportunity even of driving away those gnats, because of (their) dread of an attack by the contumacious wolf,
فرصت آن پشه راندن هم نبود ** از نهیب حملهی گرگ عنود
Lest the wolf should inflict some damage, (and then) the countryman would tear out the Khwája's beard.
تا نباید گرگ آسیبی زند ** روستایی ریش خواجه بر کند
In this wise (they were) gnashing their teeth till midnight: their souls were coming (up) from the navel to the lip.650
این چنین دندانکنان تا نیمشب ** جانشان از ناف میآمد به لب
Suddenly the figure of a deserted (solitary) wolf raised its head (appeared) from the top of a hillock.
ناگهان تمثال گرگ هشتهای ** سر بر آورد از فراز پشتهای
The Khwája loosed the arrow from the thumbstall and shot at the animal, so that it fell to the ground.
تیر را بگشاد آن خواجه ز شست ** زد بر آن حیوان که تا افتاد پست
In falling, wind escaped from the animal: the countryman uttered a wail and beat his hands,
اندر افتادن ز حیوان باد جست ** روستایی های کرد و کوفت دست
(Crying), “O ungenerous (wretch), it is my ass-colt!” “Nay,” said he, “this is the devilish wolf.
ناجوامردا که خرکرهی منست ** گفت نه این گرگ چون آهرمنست
The features of wolfishness are apparent in it; its form makes (one) acquainted with its wolfishness.”655
اندرو اشکال گرگی ظاهرست ** شکل او از گرگی او مخبرست
“Nay,” he said, “I know the wind that escaped from its arse as well as (I know) water from wine.
گفت نه بادی که جست از فرج وی ** میشناسم همچنانک آبی ز می
Thou hast killed my ass-colt in the meadows—mayst thou never be released from anguish!”
کشتهای خرکرهام را در ریاض ** که مبادت بسط هرگز ز انقباض
“Make a better investigation,” he replied; “it is night, and at night material objects are screened from the beholder.