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بعد ده سال و بهر سالی چنین ** لابه‌ها و وعده‌های شکرین
- After ten years—and every year the same sugared entreaties and promises—
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کودکان خواجه گفتند ای پدر ** ماه و ابر و سایه هم دارد سفر
- The Khwája's children said, “O father, the moon and the clouds and the shadows too have their journeys.
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حقها بر وی تو ثابت کرده‌ای ** رنجها در کار او بس برده‌ای 260
- You have laid obligations on him, you have taken great pains on his account,
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او همی‌خواهد که بعضی حق آن ** وا گزارد چون شوی تو میهمان
- And he wishes to repay some part of that obligation when you become his guest.
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بس وصیت کرد ما را او نهان ** که کشیدش سوی ده لابه‌کنان
- He gave us many injunctions in secret: ‘Bring him to the country,’ said he, ‘coaxing (him to come).’”
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گفت حقست این ولی ای سیبویه ** اتق من شر من احسنت الیه
- He (the townsman) said, “This is true, but, O Síbawayh, be on thy guard against the malice of him to whom thou hast shown kindness.
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دوستی تخم دم آخر بود ** ترسم از وحشت که آن فاسد شود
- Love is the seed (that bears fruit at the moment) of the last breath: I fear that it may be corrupted by estrangement.”
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صحبتی باشد چو شمشیر قطوع ** همچو دی در بوستان و در زروع 265
- There is a friendship like a cutting sword, (destructive) as December in the gardens and cornfields;
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صحبتی باشد چو فصل نوبهار ** زو عمارتها و دخل بی‌شمار
- There is a friendship like the season of spring, whence (come) restorations and produce incalculable.
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حزم آن باشد که ظن بد بری ** تا گریزی و شوی از بد بری
- Prudence is this, that you think evil, so that you may flee and become quit of evil.