گر ترا تا زانو است ای پر هنر ** مر مرا صد گز گذشت از فرق سر
If it is (only) up to your knee, O excellent one, it is a hundred ells higher than the crown of my head.”
گفت گستاخی مکن بار دگر ** تا نسوزد جسم و جانت زین شرر
He (the camel) said, “Another time, do not behave (so) boldly, lest thy body and soul be consumed by these sparks.
تو مری با مثل خود موشان بکن ** با شتر مر موش را نبود سخن
Contend with mice like thyself: a mouse has nothing to say to a camel.”
گفت توبه کردم از بهر خدا ** بگذران زین آب مهلک مر مرا3450
He (the mouse) said, “I repent. For God's sake, get me across this deadly water!”
رحم آمد مر شتر را گفت هین ** برجه و بر کودبان من نشین
The camel took pity. “Hark,” said he, “jump up and sit on my hump.
این گذشتن شد مسلم مر مرا ** بگذرانم صد هزاران چون ترا
This passage has been vouchsafed to me: I would take across hundreds of thousands like thee.”
چون پیمبر نیستی پس رو به راه ** تا رسی از چاه روزی سوی جاه
Since you are not a prophet, go on the road (after the prophets), that one day you may come from the pit (of fleshliness) to (spiritual) place and power.
تو رعیت باش چون سلطان نهای ** خود مران چون مرد کشتیبان نهای
Be a vassal since you are not a lord: do not steer (the boat) yourself, since you are not the boatman.
چون نهای کامل دکان تنها مگیر ** دستخوش میباش تا گردی خمیر3455
Since you are not (spiritually) perfect, do not take a shop (by yourself) alone. Be pliant to the hand, in order that you may become leavened (like dough).
أنصتوا را گوش کن خاموش باش ** چون زبان حق نگشتی گوش باش
Give ear to (the Divine command), “Keep silence,” be mute; since you have not become the tongue (mouthpiece) of God, be an ear.