این چه نسبت این چه پیوندی بود ** تاکه در عقل و دماغی در رود
What resemblance is this, and what connexion is this, that it should enter into any mind and brain?
حکایت خرگوشان کی خرگوشی راپیش پیل فرستادند کی بگو کی من رسول ماه آسمانم پیش تو کی ازین چشمه آب حذر کن چنانک در کتاب کلیله تمام گفته است
Story of the hares who sent a hare as ambassador to the elephant, bidding him say, ‘I come to thee as the ambassador of the Moon in heaven to bid thee beware of (drinking from) this water-spring,’ as is told in full in the Book of Kalíla (and Dimna).
این بدان ماند که خرگوشی بگفت ** من رسول ماهم و با ماه جفت
This (claim made by you) resembles the saying of a certain hare—‘I am the ambassador of the Moon and companion to the Moon.’
کز رمه‌ی پیلان بر آن چشمه‌ی زلال ** جمله نخجیران بدند اندر وبال
For all the beasts of chase were in woe on account of a herd of elephants (dwelling) beside that limpid spring;
جمله محروم و ز خوف از چشمه دور ** حیله‌ای کردند چون کم بود زور2740
All were deprived (of water) and (were kept) far from the spring by dread: since (their) strength was inferior, they made a plot.
از سر که بانگ زد خرگوش زال ** سوی پیلان در شب غره‌ی هلال
From the mountain-top the old hare cried towards the elephants on the first night of the new-moon—
که بیا رابع عشر ای شاه‌پیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی این دلیل
‘Come on the fourteenth, O king elephant, that thou mayst find within the spring the proof of this (assertion).
شاه‌پیلا من رسولم پیش بیست ** بر رسولان بند و زجر و خشم نیست
O king elephant, I am the ambassador in thy presence. Stop! Ambassadors are not subjected to imprisonment and violence and wrath.
ماه می‌گوید که ای پیلان روید ** چشمه آن ماست زین یکسو شوید
The Moon says, “O elephants, depart! The spring is mine, turn aside from it;
And if (ye depart) not, I will make you blind. I have declared the wrong (which ye are doing) and have thrown off my neck (all responsibility for what will happen if ye trespass farther).
ترک این چشمه بگویید و روید ** تا ز زخم تیغ مه آمن شوید
Take leave of this spring and depart, that ye may be safe from the blows of the Moon's sword.”