And if the necessity exists, yet ’tis better to abstain; or if you do eat, at any rate give a guarantee for (payment of) it.”
ور ضرورت هست هم پرهیز به ** ور خوری باری ضمان آن بده
Thereupon the bird pondered deeply, (but) its restive steed took its head (recoiled) from the pull of the rein.
مرغ پس در خود فرو رفت آن زمان ** توسنش سر بستد از جذب عنان
When it had eaten the wheat, it remained in the trap: it recited several times (the chapters of the Qur’án entitled) Yásín and al-An‘ám.
چون بخورد آن گندم اندر فخ بماند ** چند او یاسین و الانعام خواند
What is (the use of crying) “Alas” and “Ah me” after being left helpless? This black smoke ought to have been (exhaled) before that (calamity).
بعد در ماندن چه افسوس و چه آه ** پیش از آن بایست این دود سیاه
At the time when greed and desire have stirred (in the heart), at that time keep saying, “(Help me), O Thou who comest at the cry for help!”535
آن زمان که حرص جنبید و هوس ** آن زمان می‌گو کای فریادرس
For that time is prior to the devastation of Basra, and it may be that Basra will still be saved from that overthrow.
کان زمان پیش از خرابی بصره است ** بوک بصره وا رهد هم زان شکست
O thou that wilt weep for me, O thou that wilt be bereft of me, weep for me before the demolition of Basra and Mawsil (Mosul).
ابک لی یا باکیی یا ثاکلی ** قبل هدم البصرة و الموصل
Mourn for me and smear thyself with dust before my death; do not mourn for me after my death, but bear (the loss of me) with patience.
نح علی قبل موتی واغتفر ** لا تنح لی بعد موتی واصطبر
Weep for me before my destruction in (the flood of) decease: after the flood of decease leave off weeping.
ابک لی قبل ثبوری فی‌النوی ** بعد طوفان النوی خل البکا
At the time when the Devil was waylaying (you), at that time you ought to have recited (the Súra entitled) Yásín.540
آن زمان که دیو می‌شد راه‌زن ** آن زمان بایست یاسین خواندن
O watchman, use your rattle before the caravan is ruined (by the robbers).
پیش از آنک اشکسته گردد کاروان ** آن زمان چوبک بزن ای پاسبان
Story of the watchman who kept silence till the robbers had carried off the entire stock of the merchants, but afterwards made an outcry and did the duty of a watchman.
حکایت پاسبان کی خاموش کرد تا دزدان رخت تاجران بردند به کلی بعد از آن هیهای و پاسبانی می‌کرد
A certain watchman fell asleep. The robbers carried off the goods and secreted the (various) articles under any piece of earth.
پاسبانی خفت و دزد اسباب برد ** رختها را زیر هر خاکی فشرد
(When) it was day, the caravaneers awoke: they saw that stock and money and camels were gone.
روز شد بیدار شد آن کاروان ** دید رفته رخت و سیم و اشتران
Then they said to him, “O watchman, tell (us) what has happened. Where are this stock and these goods?”
پس بدو گفتند ای حارس بگو ** که چه شد این رخت و این اسباب کو
He replied, “The robbers came unexpectedly, and hastily carried off the stock from before me.”545
The party (of merchants) said to him, “O man (weak) as a sandhill, what were you doing, then? Who are you, O recreant?”
قوم گفتندش که ای چو تل ریگ ** پس چه می‌کردی کیی ای مردریگ
“I was (only one,” said he, “and they were a band, armed and brave and formidable.”
گفت من یک کس بدم ایشان گروه ** با سلاح و با شجاعت با شکوه
He (the spokesman of the merchants) said, “If you had no hope (of overcoming them) in battle, (why didn't you) shout, ‘Gentlemen, spring up (from your beds)?’”
گفت اگر در جنگ کم بودت امید ** نعره‌ای زن کای کریمان برجهید
He replied, “At that moment they produced knives and swords, crying, ‘Silence! or we will kill you ruthlessly.’
گفت آن دم کارد بنمودند و تیغ ** که خمش ورنه کشیمت بی‌دریغ
At that time I shut my mouth in terror; at this time (I can utter) screams and calls for help and cries of distress.550
آن زمان از ترس بستم من دهان ** این زمان هیهای و فریاد و فغان