One night the husband said to his wife, “Ask him privately what is the matter with him.
گفت خاتون را شبی شوهر که تو ** باز پرسش در خلا از حال او
You are in the place of a mother to him: maybe he will disclose his trouble to you.”
تو به جای مادری او را بود ** که غم خود پیش تو پیدا کند
When the mistress heard these words, next day she went to the slave.275
چونک خاتون در گوش این کلام ** روز دیگر رفت نزدیک غلام
Then the dame combed his head very fondly with many endearments and signs of friendliness.
پس سرش را شانه می‌کرد آن ستی ** با دو صد مهر و دلال و آشتی
In the fashion of fond mothers she soothed him until he began to explain,
آنچنان که مادران مهربان ** نرم کردش تا در آمد در بیان
Saying, “I did not expect this from you—that you would give your daughter to a cross-grained stranger.
که مرا اومید از تو این نبود ** که دهی دختر به بیگانه‌ی عنود
She is my master's child, and I am heart-sick: is it not a shame that she should go elsewhere (as a bride)?”
خواجه‌زاده‌ی ما و ما خسته‌جگر ** حیف نبود که رود جای دگر
The mistress, (impelled) by the anger that rose in her, was about to strike him and hurl him down from the roof,280
خواست آن خاتون ز خشمی که آمدش ** که زند وز بام زیر اندازدش
Saying (to herself), “Who is he, a whoreson Hindú, that he should desire a Khwája's daughter?”
کو که باشد هندوی مادرغری ** که طمع دارد به خواجه دختری
(But) she said, “Patience is best,” and restrained herself; (afterwards) she said to the Khwája, “Listen to this wonderful thing!
گفت صبر اولی بود خود را گرفت ** گفت با خواجه که بشنو این شگفت
Such a wretched slave a traitor! (And) we thought he could be trusted!”
این چنین گراء کی خاین بود ** ما گمان برده که هست او معتمد
How the Khwája bade the girl's mother be patient, saying, “Don't scold the slave: without scolding him I will make him abandon this desire in such a way that neither will the spit be burnt nor the meat be left uncooked.
صبر فرمودن خواجه مادر دختر را کی غلام را زجر مکن من او را بی‌زجر ازین طمع باز آرم کی نه سیخ سوزد نه کباب خام ماند
“Have patience,” said the Khwája: “tell him, ‘We will break off (the match) with him (the prospective bridegroom) and give her to you,’
گفت خواجه صبر کن با او بگو ** که ازو ببریم و بدهیمش به تو
That perchance I may banish this (hope) from his mind: watch and see how I will thwart him.285
تا مگر این از دلش بیرون کنم ** تو تماشا کن که دفعش چون کنم
Gladden his heart and say, ‘Know for sure that our daughter is really your (destined) spouse.
تو دلش خوش کن بگو می‌دان درست ** که حقیقت دختر ما جفت تست
O goodly wooer, we didn't know (that you desired her): (now), since we know (that), you are the most worthy.
ما ندانستیم ای خوش مشتری ** چونک دانستیم تو اولیتری
Our fire is in our own hearth: Laylá (the bride) is ours, and you are our Majnún (bridegroom).’
آتش ما هم درین کانون ما ** لیلی آن ما و تو مجنون ما
(Tell him this) in order that happy fancies and thoughts may affect him: sweet thoughts make a man fat.
تا خیال و فکر خوش بر وی زند ** فکر شیرین مرد را فربه کند
An animal is made fat, but (only) by fodder; man is fattened by honour and eminence.290
جانور فربه شود لیک از علف ** آدمی فربه ز عزست و شرف
Man is fattened through his ear; an animal is fattened through its gullet and by eating and drinking.”
آدمی فربه شود از راه گوش ** جانور فربه شود از حلق و نوش
The mistress said, “Such a vile disgrace! How indeed shall my lips move in this matter?
گفت آن خاتون ازین ننگ مهین ** خود دهانم کی بجنبد اندرین
Why should I talk drivel like this for his sake? Let the devilish traitor die!”
این چنین ژاژی چه خایم بهر او ** گو بمیر آن خاین ابلیس‌خو
“Nay,” replied the Khwája, “have no fear, but wheedle him, in order that his illness may depart from him by virtue of this sweet flattery.
گفت خواجه نی مترس و دم دهش ** تا رود علت ازو زین لطف خوش
Charge me with the task of thwarting him, O beloved, and let that spinner of fine yarns regain his health.”295
دفع او را دلبرا بر من نویس ** هل که صحت یابد آن باریک‌ریس
When the mistress had spoken in this strain to the invalid, on account of his swagger there was no room for him on the earth.
چون بگفت آن خسته را خاتون چنین ** می‌نگنجید از تبختر بر زمین
He grew stout and fat and red(-cheeked), and bloomed like a red rose and gave a thousand thanks.
زفت گشت و فربه و سرخ و شکفت ** چون گل سرخ هزاران شکر گفت