At one moment shame and dignity prevented him (from begging), at another moment hunger said to him, “Beg!”
یک زمان مانع همی‌شد شرم و جاه ** یک زمانی جوع می‌گفتش بخواه
Till a third part of the night was gone, (he kept putting) one foot forward and one foot backward (hesitating and asking himself), “Shall I beg or shall I lie down to sleep with my lips dry?”
پای پیش و پای پس تا ثلث شب ** که بخواهم یا بخسپم خشک‌لب
How that person arrived at Cairo and at night came out into the street to play the mendicant and beg, and how he was arrested by the night-patrol and after having been soundly beaten succeeded through him in gaining his object. “And it may be that ye loathe a thing though it is better for you”; and as God most High hath (also) said, “God will surely vouchsafe after hardship ease”; and as God most High hath said, “Lo, with hardship goeth ease”; and as he (the Prophet), on whom be peace, hath said, “O year of drought, become severe, and then thou wilt pass away.” And the whole of the Qur’án and all the Revealed Books confirm this.
رسیدن آن شخص به مصر و شب بیرون آمدن به کوی از بهر شبکوکی و گدایی و گرفتن عسس او را و مراد اوحاصل شدن از عسس بعد از خوردن زخم بسیار و عسی ان تکرهوا شیا و هو خیر لکم و قوله تعالی سیجعل الله بعد عسر یسرا و قوله علیه‌السلام اشتدی ازمة تنفرجی و جمیع القرآن و الکتب المنزلة فی تقریر هذا
Suddenly the night-patrol seized him and, unable to restrain his anger, beat him with fist and cudgel.4255
ناگهانی خود عسس او را گرفت ** مشت و چوبش زد ز صفرا تا شکفت
As it happened, the people (of the city) had suffered losses in those dark nights from (the depredations of) night-thieves.
اتفاقا اندر آن شب‌های تار ** دیده بد مردم ز شب‌دزدان ضرار
They were nights of alarm and disaster, and the police were searching for the thieves with all their might,
بود شب‌های مخوف و منتحس ** پس به جد می‌جست دزدان را عسس
(So much so) that the Khalífa said, “Cut off the hand of any one who roams about by night, even if he is a kinsman of mine.”
تا خلیفه گفت که ببرید دست ** هر که شب گردد وگر خویش منست
The king had terrified the police with threats, saying, “Why are you (so) merciful to the thieves?
بر عسس کرده ملک تهدید و بیم ** که چرا باشید بر دزدان رحیم
For what reason do you believe their blarney or why do you accept gold (bribes) from them?”4260
عشوه‌شان را از چه رو باور کنید ** یا چرا زیشان قبول زر کنید
To show mercy to thieves and any sinister-handed (noxious) person is to inflict blows and have no mercy on the weak.
رحم بر دزدان و هر منحوس‌دست ** بر ضعیفان ضربت و بی‌رحمیست
Beware, from sympathy with a particular (offender) do not let him go unpunished: do not consider his sufferings, consider the sufferings of the public.
هین ز رنج خاص مسکل ز انتقام ** رنج او کم بین ببین تو رنج عام
Amputate the snake-bitten finger to prevent (worse) mischief: keep in view the infection and (consequent) destruction of the (whole) body.
اصبع ملدوغ بر در دفع شر ** در تعدی و هلاک تن نگر
In those days, as it happened, the thieves, both expert and unskilled, had become numerous.
اتفاقا اندر آن ایام دزد ** گشته بود انبوه پخته و خام دزد
He (the night-patrol) saw him (in the street) at such a time and gave him a sound drubbing and blows without number.4265
در چنین وقتش بدید و سخت زد ** چوب‌ها و زخمهای بی‌عدد
Shrieks and cries for mercy arose from the poor wretch: “Don't strike! let me tell the truth about it all!”
نعره و فریاد زان درویش خاست ** که مزن تا من بگویم حال راست
He replied, “Look now, I will give you time: speak, that I may learn how you came out into the streets by night.
گفت اینک دادمت مهلت بگو ** تا به شب چون آمدی بیرون به کو
You do not belong to this place, you are a stranger and unknown (to me): tell me truly what you are plotting (here).
تو نه‌ای زینجا غریب و منکری ** راستی گو تا بچه مکر اندری
The government officials have attacked the police, asking why there is now such a great number of thieves (in the city).
اهل دیوان بر عسس طعنه زدند ** که چرا دزدان کنون انبه شدند
It is owing to you and the likes of you that they are so numerous: first disclose (the names of) your wicked associates;4270
انبهی از تست و از امثال تست ** وا نما یاران زشتت را نخست
Otherwise I will exact from you the vengeance incurred by all of them, in order that every respectable person's money may be safe.”
ورنه کین جمله را از تو کشم ** تا شود آمن زر هر محتشم
After taking many oaths he replied, “I am not a housebreaker or cutpurse.
گفت او از بعد سوگندان پر ** که نیم من خانه‌سوز و کیسه‌بر
I am no thief and criminal: I am a stranger in Cairo, I belong to Baghdád.”
من نه مرد دزدی و بیدادیم ** من غریب مصرم و بغدادیم
Explaining the Tradition (of the Prophet), “Falsehood causes suspicion, while veracity inspires confidence.”
بیان این خبر کی الکذب ریبة والصدق طمانینة
He related the story of his dream and the treasure of gold, and from (under the influence of) his veracity the man's heart expanded (like a flower).
قصه‌ی آن خواب و گنج زر بگفت ** پس ز صدق او دل آن کس شکفت
From his (the treasure-seeker's) oaths (protestations) he scented the truth: in him (both) the combustion and the rue-seed were evident.4275
بوی صدقش آمد از سوگند او ** سوز او پیدا شد و اسپند او
The heart is comforted by true words, just as a thirsty man is comforted by water—
دل بیارامد به گفتار صواب ** آنچنان که تشنه آرامد به آب
Except the heart of one who is veiled (deprived of discernment) and suffers from a (spiritual) malady, (so that) he cannot distinguish between a prophet and a dolt;
جز دل محجوب کو را علتیست ** از نبیش تا غبی تمییز نیست