Thereupon the youth fetched a strongbow and let fly an arrow into the expanse of (aerial) space,
پس کمان سخت آورد آن فتی ** تیر پرانید در صحن فضا
And quickly and with great joy brought a pick-axe and mattock and dug up the spot where his arrow had fallen;
زو تبر آورد و بیل او شاد شاد ** کند آن موضع که تیرش اوفتاد
(But) both he and the mattock and pick-axe were worn out (in vain efforts), and he found not even a trace of the hidden treasure.1945
کند شد هم او و هم بیل و تبر ** خود ندید از گنج پنهانی اثر
Every day in like fashion he was shooting arrows, but never getting to know the situation of the treasure.
همچنین هر روز تیر انداختی ** لیک جای گنج را نشناختی
Since he made this his continual practice, a whispered rumour arose in the city and (among) the people.
چونک این را پیشه کرد او بر دوام ** فجفجی در شهر افتاد و عوام
How the news of this treasure became known and reached the ears of the king.
فاش شدن خبر این گنج و رسیدن به گوش پادشاه
Then the party (of informers) who lay in ambush gave information of this to the king,
پس خبر کردند سلطان را ازین ** آن گروهی که بدند اندر کمین
And submitted the matter (to him) secretly, saying that such-and-such an one had found a treasure-scroll.
عرضه کردند آن سخن را زیردست ** که فلانی گنجنامه یافتست
When this person (the fakir) heard that it had come to (the knowledge of) the king, he saw no remedy but resignation and acquiescence;1950
چون شنید این شخص کین با شه رسید ** جز که تسلیم و رضا چاره ندید
(So), ere he should suffer (torture on) the rack by order of the Emperor, that person laid the note (of the treasure) before him,
پیش از آنک اشکنجه بیند زان قباد ** رقعه را آن شخص پیش او نهاد
Saying, “(Ever) since I found this scroll, I have seen no treasure but (only) infinite trouble.
گفت تا این رقعه را یابیدهام ** گنج نه و رنج بیحد دیدهام
Not even a single mite of treasure has been discovered, but I have writhed very much, like a snake.
خود نشد یک حبه از گنج آشکار ** لیک پیچیدم بسی من همچو مار
During a (whole) month I have been in bitter distress like this, for loss or gain (accruing) from this (treasure-scroll) is forbidden to me.
مدت ماهی چنینم تلخکام ** که زیان و سود این بر من حرام
Maybe thy fortune will disclose (to thee) this mine (of riches), O king (who art) victorious in war and the conqueror of fortresses.”1955
بوک بختت بر کند زین کان غطا ** ای شه پیروزجنگ و دزگشا
For six long months and more the king shot arrows and dug pits (where the arrows fell).
مدت شش ماه و افزون پادشاه ** تیر میانداخت و برمیکند چاه
Wherever an energetic drawer of the strongbow was (to be found), he (the king) gave (him) arrows to shoot and searched for the treasure in every direction.
هرکجا سخته کمانی بود چست ** تیر داد انداخت و هر سو گنج جست
(The result was) nothing but vexation and grief and futilities: as (in the case of) the ‘Anqá, the name (of the treasure) was known to all, but the essence (reality) was non-existent.
غیر تشویش و غم و طامات نی ** همچو عنقا نام فاش و ذات نی
How the king despaired of finding the treasure and became weary of searching for it.
نومید شدن آن پادشاه از یافتن آن گنج و ملول شدن او از طلب آن
When he met with obstacles (to success) in (all) the breadth and length (of his enterprise), the king became sick at heart and weary.
چونک تعویق آمد اندر عرض و طول ** شاه شد زان گنج دل سیر و ملول
(After) the king (had) dug pits in the deserts, yard by yard, he threw the scroll wrathfully before him (the fakir).1960
دشتها را گز گز آن شه چاه کند ** رقعه را از خشم پیش او فکند
“Take this scroll,” said he, “which has no (good) effects; you are the fittest (owner) for it, since you have no work.
گفت گیر این رقعه کش آثار نیست ** تو بدین اولیتری کت کار نیست
It is no use for one who has work (to do) that he should burn the rose and go about (busy himself with) the thorn.
نیست این کار کسی کش هست کار ** که بسوزد گل بگردد گرد خار
’Tis singular (how) the victims of this melancholy madness expect grass to grow from iron.
نادر افتد اهل این ماخولیا ** منتظر که روید از آهن گیا
This specialty needs a man of stout heart like you: do you, who have a stout heart, search for this (treasure).
سخت جانی باید این فن را چو تو ** تو که داری جان سخت این را بجو
If you cannot find it, you will never weary (of seeking); and if you find it, I grant you the right of possession.”1965
گر نیابی نبودت هرگز ملال ** ور بیابی آن به تو کردم حلال
How should Reason wend the way of despair? ’Tis Love that runs on its head in that direction.
عقل راه ناامیدی کی رود ** عشق باشد کان طرف بر سر دود
Love is reckless, not Reason: Reason seeks that from which it may get some profit.
لاابالی عشق باشد نی خرد ** عقل آن جوید کز آن سودی برد