Then, again, they were blindfolding (hiding) this thought from their reflective faculty and banishing it from their memory,
باز این اندیشه را از فکر خویش ** کور میکردند و دفع از ذکر خویش
Saying, “This thought too has arisen from our ill-luck, (namely, the thought) that his being in the right should be perfectly established (proven beyond doubt) in our minds.
کین تفکرمان هم از ادبار رست ** که صواب او شود در دل درست
What, indeed, does it matter if he has prevailed (against us) several times? Time (Fortune) brings every one to predominance (now and then).
خود چه شد گر غالب آمد چند بار ** هر کسی را غالب آرد روزگار
We also were made successful by the Days (Fortune), and at times became victorious over him.”4495
ما هم از ایام بختآور شدیم ** بارها بر وی مظفر آمدیم
(But) again they were saying (to themselves), “Although he was defeated, it was not disgraceful and vile like our defeat,”
باز گفتندی که گرچه او شکست ** چون شکست ما نبود آن زشت و پست
Because in (the hour of) defeat (his) good fortune gave him underhand a hundred secret joys;
زانک بخت نیک او را در شکست ** داد صد شادی پنهان زیردست
For he did not at all resemble one defeated, as he felt no sorrow or distress thereat,
کو باشکسته نمیمانست هیچ ** که نه غم بودش در آن نه پیچ پیچ
Since to be vanquished is the mark of the true believers; yet in the true believer's defeat there is goodness.
چون نشان مومنان مغلوبیست ** لیک در اشکست ممن خوبیست
If you crush some musk or ambergris, you will fill a (whole) world with (a scent like) the exhalation of sweet herbs;4500
گر تو مشک و عنبری را بشکنی ** عالمی از فوح ریحان پر کنی
And if you suddenly crush the dung of an ass, the houses will be filled to the top with stench.
ور شکستی ناگهان سرگین خر ** خانهها پر گند گردد تا به سر