Did it buy the house, or inherit it?”—Happy is he that sped towards the (real) meaning!
خانه را بخرید یا میراث یافت ** فرخ آن کس کاو سوی معنی شتافت
A grammarian said, “Zayd has struck ‘Amr.” Said (the fool), “How did he chastise him without any offence (on his part)?
گفت نحوی زید عمرا قد ضرب ** گفت چونش کرد بیجرمی ادب
What was ‘Amr's offence, that that rude Zayd struck him, innocent (though he was), as (if he were) a slave?”3630
عمرو را جرمش چه بد کان زید خام ** بیگنه او را بزد همچون غلام
He (the grammarian) replied, “This (form of words) is (only) the measure (container) of the meaning signified: take some wheat, for the measure is (to be) rejected.
گفت این پیمانهی معنی بود ** گندمی بستان که پیمانه است رد
Zayd and ‘Amr are for the purpose of (showing) the declension and (grammatical) construction: if that (statement that Zayd struck ‘Amr) is untrue, make up with the declension.”
زید و عمرو از بهر اعراب است و ساز ** گر دروغ است آن تو با اعراب ساز
“Nay,” said he, “I don't know about that. How did Zayd strike ‘Amr without (his committing any) crime or fault?”
گفت نه من آن ندانم عمرو را ** زید چون زد بیگناه و بیخطا
He (the grammarian) in desperation started a joke and said, “‘Amr had stolen a superfluous wáw.
گفت از ناچار و لاغی بر گشود ** عمرو یک واو فزون دزدیده بود
Zayd became aware, and struck the stealer of it: since he (‘Amr) carried it beyond bounds (transgressed the law), the punishment serves him right.”3635
زید واقف گشت دزدش را بزد ** چون که از حد برد او را حد سزد
How worthless sayings find acceptance in the minds of worthless folk.
پذیرا آمدن سخن باطل در دل باطلان
He (the fool) said, “Here you are, this is the truth! I accept (it) with (all) my soul.” Wrong seems right to the wrong-minded.
گفت اینک راست پذرفتم به جان ** کج نماید راست در پیش کجان
If you say to a squinting man, “The moon is one,” he will say to you, “These are two (moons); and there is a (great) doubt as to (the moon's) being one”;
گر بگویی احولی را مه یکی است ** گویدت این دوست و در وحدت شکی است