عاشقی بودست در ایام پیش ** پاسبان عهد اندر عهد خویش

In the days of old there was a lover, one who kept troth in his time.

سالها در بند وصل ماه خود ** شاهمات و مات شاهنشاه خود

For years (he had been) checkmated (irretrievably caught) in the toils of (seeking) his fair one's favour and mated by his king.

عاقبت جوینده یابنده بود ** که فرج از صبر زاینده بود 595

In the end the seeker is a finder, for from patience joy is born.

گفت روزی یار او که امشب بیا ** که بپختم از پی تو لوبیا

One day his friend said, “Come to-night, for I have cooked haricot beans for thee.

در فلان حجره نشین تا نیم‌شب ** تا بیایم نیم‌شب من بی طلب

Sit in such and such a room till midnight, that at midnight I may come unsought.”

مرد قربان کرد و نانها بخش کرد ** چون پدید آمد مهش از زیر گرد

The man offered sacrifice and distributed loaves, since the moon (of good fortune) had appeared to him from beneath the dust (of ill-luck).

شب در آن حجره نشست آن گرمدار ** بر امید وعده‌ی آن یار غار

At night the passionate lover seated himself in the room in hope of the tryst promised by that loyal friend.

بعد نصف اللیل آمد یار او ** صادق الوعدانه آن دلدار او 600

(Just) after midnight his friend, the charmer of his heart, arrived (punctually) like those who are true to their promise.

عاشق خود را فتاده خفته دید ** اندکی از آستین او درید

He found his lover lying asleep; (thereupon) he tore off a little piece of his (the lover's) sleeve

گردگانی چندش اندر جیب کرد ** که تو طفلی گیر این می‌باز نرد

And put some walnuts in his lap, saying, “Thou art a child: take these and play a game of dice.”