چون سماع آمد از اول تا کران ** مطرب آغازید یک ضرب گران535
When the samá‘ had come (run its course) from beginning to end, the minstrel struck up a heavy (deep-sounding) strain.
خر برفت و خر برفت آغاز کرد ** زین حراره جمله را انباز کرد
He commenced (to sing), "The ass is gone, and the ass is gone": he made the whole (company) sharers in this ditty.
زین حراره پای کوبان تا سحر ** کفزنان خر رفت و خر رفت ای پسر
From this enthusiasm (they continued) beating their feet (dancing) to this ditty till dawn, clapping their hands (and singing), "The ass is gone, the ass is gone!"
از ره تقلید آن صوفی همین ** خر برفت آغاز کرد اندر حنین
By way of imitation that Súfí began (to sing) in (tones of) impassioned feeling this same (phrase), “The ass is gone.”
چون گذشت آن نوش و جوش و آن سماع ** روز گشت و جمله گفتند الوداع
When the pleasure and excitement and music and dancing were over, day dawned and they all said, “Farewell!”
خانقه خالی شد و صوفی بماند ** گرد از رخت آن مسافر میفشاند540
The monastery was deserted, and the Súfí remained (alone): that traveller set about shaking the dust from his baggage.
رخت از حجره برون آورد او ** تا به خر بر بندد آن همراه جو
He brought out the baggage from his cell, in order that he might tie it on the ass, (for he was) desirous of (finding) people to travel with.
تا رسد در همرهان او میشتافت ** رفت در آخر خر خود را نیافت
He was hurrying that he might overtake his fellow-travellers; he went into the stable but did not find the ass.
گفت آن خادم به آبش برده است ** ز انکه خر دوش آب کمتر خورده است
He said, “The servant has taken it (the ass) to water, because it drank little water last night.”