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در میان سنگ لاخ بی‌گیاه ** روز تا شب بی‌نوا و بی‌پناه
- (He kept it) in ground covered with stones, where no grass grew: from morning till night it went without food and shelter.
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بهر خوردن جز که آب آنجا نبود ** روز و شب بد خر در آن کور و کبود
- Except water, there was nothing for it to eat or drink: the ass was in that miserable state by day and by night.
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آن حوالی نیستان و بیشه بود ** شیر بود آنجا که صیدش پیشه بود
- In the neighbourhood was a reed-bed and a jungle, where a lion lived whose occupation was hunting.
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شیر را با پیل نر جنگ اوفتاد ** خسته شد آن شیر و ماند از اصطیاد 2330
- A battle took place between the lion and a fierce elephant: the lion was wounded and disabled from going to hunt.
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مدتی وا ماند زان ضعف از شکار ** بی‌نوا ماندند دد از چاشت‌خوار
- On account of his weakness he was unable to hunt for some time, and the (smaller) wild animals were deprived of their morning-meal;
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زانک باقی‌خوار شیر ایشان بدند ** شیر چون رنجور شد تنگ آمدند
- For they used to eat the lion's leavings: when the lion became ill they suffered distress.
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شیر یک روباه را فرمود رو ** مر خری را بهر من صیاد شو
- The lion gave orders to a fox, saying, “Go and hunt an ass for me.
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گر خری یابی به گرد مرغزار ** رو فسونش خوان فریبانش بیار
- If you find an ass round about the meadow, go, charm him with specious talk, beguile him, and bring him (here).
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چون بیابم قوتی از گوشت خر ** پس بگیرم بعد از آن صیدی دگر 2335
- As soon as I gain some strength from (eating) the flesh of the ass, then afterwards I will seize another victim.
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اندکی من می‌خورم باقی شما ** من سبب باشم شما را در نوا
- I will eat (only) a little, ye (shall have) the rest: I am the means (appointed) for you as regards (your supply of) food.