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گفت دلقک را سوی زندان برید ** چاپلوس و زرق او را کم خرید
- “Take Dalqak to prison,” he said, “and pay no attention to his wheedling and hypocrisy.
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می‌زنیدش چون دهل اشکم‌تهی ** تا دهل‌وار او دهدمان آگهی
- Beat him, empty-bellied like a drum (as he is), that like a drum he may give us information.
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تر و خشک و پر و تی باشد دهل ** بانگ او آگه کند ما را ز کل
- (Whether) the drum is wet or dry or full or empty, its sound informs us of everything.
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تا بگوید سر خود از اضطرار ** آنچنان که گیرد این دلها قرار 2575
- (Beat him) in order that he may be compelled to declare the secret, so that these (apprehensive) hearts will be reassured.
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چون طمانینست صدق و با فروغ ** دل نیارامد به گفتار دروغ
- Since the shining truth is (a cause of) tranquillity, the heart will not be calmed by lying words.
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کذب چون خس باشد و دل چون دهان ** خس نگردد در دهان هرگز نهان
- Falsehood is like a (piece of stick or) straw, and the heart like a mouth: a straw never becomes (quietly) hidden in the mouth.
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تا درو باشد زبانی می‌زند ** تا به دانش از دهان بیرون کند
- So long as it is there, he (who is annoyed by it) keeps moving his tongue, in order that thereby he may eject it from his mouth.
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خاصه که در چشم افتد خس ز باد ** چشم افتد در نم و بند و گشاد
- Especially, when a straw (blown) by the wind falls into the eye, the eye begins to water and shut and open.
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ما پس این خس را زنیم اکنون لگد ** تا دهان و چشم ازین خس وا رهد 2580
- We, therefore, now kick (out) this (man of) straw, in order that our mouth and eye may be delivered from (the disquiet caused by) this straw.”
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گفت دلقک ای ملک آهسته باش ** روی حلم و مغفرت را کم‌خراش
- Dalqak said, “O King, be calm: do not scratch the face of clemency and forgiveness.