هر که میرد خود تمنی باشدش ** که بدی زین پیش نقل مقصدش
In sooth every one that dies wishes that the departure to his destination had been earlier:
گر بود بد تا بدی کمتر بدی ** ور تقی تا خانه زوتر آمدی
If he be wicked, in order that his wickedness might have been less; and if devout, in order that he might have come home sooner.
گوید آن بد بی‌خبر می‌بوده‌ام ** دم به دم من پرده می‌افزوده‌ام
The wicked man says, ‘I have been heedless, moment by moment I have been adding to the veil (of sin).
گر ازین زودتر مرا معبر بدی ** این حجاب و پرده‌ام کمتر بدی
If my passing (from the world) had taken place sooner, this screen and veil of mine would have been less.’
از حریصی کم دران روی قنوع ** وز تکبر کم دران چهره‌ی خشوع 610
Do not in covetousness rend the face of contentment, and do not in pride rend the visage of humility.
هم‌چنین از بخل کم در روی جود ** وز بلیسی چهره‌ی خوب سجود
Likewise do not in avarice rend the face of munificence, and in devilishness the beauteous countenance of worship.
بر مکن آن پر خلد آرای را ** بر مکن آن پر ره‌پیمای را
Do not tear out those feathers which are an ornament to Paradise: do not tear out those feathers which (enable thee to) traverse the Way.”
چون شنید این پند در وی بنگریست ** بعد از آن در نوحه آمد می‌گریست
When he (the peacock) heard this counsel, he looked at him (the Sage) and, after that, began to lament and weep.
نوحه و گریه‌ی دراز دردمند ** هر که آنجا بود بر گریه‌ش فکند
The long lamentation and weeping of the sorrowful (peacock) caused every one who was there to fall a-weeping;
وآنک می‌پرسید پر کندن ز چیست ** بی‌جوابی شد پشیمان می‌گریست 615
And he who was asking the reason of (the peacock's) tearing out his feathers, (he too being left) without an answer repented (of having asked) and wept,