هم‌چو روبه صید گیر و کن فداش ** تا عوض گیری هزاران صید بیش
Hunt like the fox and sacrifice your prey to him (the Qutb), that you may gain in return a thousand preys and more.
روبهانه باشد آن صید مرید ** مرده گیرد صید کفتار مرید
The prey caught by the (obedient) disciple is (presented alive) after the manner of the fox, (but) the froward hyena catches prey (that is already) dead.
مرده پیش او کشی زنده شود ** چرک در پالیز روینده شود 2350
If you present the dead (prey) to him (the Qutb), it will become living: filth (when placed) in the orchard will produce (fruit).
گفت روبه شیر را خدمت کنم ** حیله‌ها سازم ز عقلش بر کنم
The fox said to the lion, “I will serve thee (obediently): I will contrive expedients and rob him (the ass) of his wits.
حیله و افسونگری کار منست ** کار من دستان و از ره بردنست
Cunning and enchantment is my business: it is my business to beguile and lead astray.”
از سر که جانب جو می‌شتافت ** آن خر مسکین لاغر را بیافت
Hastening from the mountain-top towards the river, he found that miserable emaciated ass.
پس سلام گرم کرد و پیش رفت ** پیش آن ساده دل درویش رفت
Then he saluted him cordially and advanced: he advanced to meet that poor simpleton,
گفت چونی اندرین صحرای خشک ** در میان سنگ لاخ و جای خشک 2355
And said (to him), “How are you in this arid desert (where you live) amidst stones and on sterile ground?”
گفت خر گر در غمم گر در ارم ** قسمتم حق کرد من زان شاکرم
The ass replied, “Whether I am in pain or in Iram, God has made it my portion, and I am grateful for it.
شکر گویم دوست را در خیر و شر ** زانک هست اندر قضا از بد بتر
I give thanks to the Friend (God) in good and evil estate, because in (the Divine) destiny there is worse than (the present) ill.