وآنک چون سگ ز اصل کهدانی بود ** کی مرورا حرص سلطانی بود
While he who, like a dog, is by nature attached to the kennel —how should he have the desire for (spiritual) sovereignty?
توبه او جوید که کردست او گناه ** آه او گوید که گم کردست راه
(Only) he that has sinned seeks to repent; (only) he that has lost the (right) way cries “Alas!”
قصه‌ی محبوس شدن آن آهوبچه در آخر خران و طعنه‌ی آن خران ببر آن غریب گاه به جنگ و گاه به تسخر و مبتلی گشتن او به کاه خشک کی غذای او نیست و این صفت بنده‌ی خاص خداست میان اهل دنیا و اهل هوا و شهوت کی الاسلام بدا غریبا و سیعود غریبا فطوبی للغرباء صدق رسول الله
Story of the young gazelle being confined in the donkey-stable, and how the donkey assailed the stranger, now with hostility and now with mockery, and how it was afflicted by (having to eat) dry straw which is not its (proper) food. And this is a description of the chosen servant of God amongst worldlings and those addicted to passion and sensuality; for “Islam (was) strange (when it first) appeared, and will become strange again, and blessed are the strangers.” The Messenger of Allah spake the truth.
آهوی را کرد صیادی شکار ** اندر آخر کردش آن بی‌زینهار
A hunter captured a gazelle: the merciless man put it into a stable.
آخری را پر ز گاوان و خران ** حبس آهو کرد چون استمگران
(Acting) like oppressors, he made a stable full of cows and donkeys the prison of the gazelle.
آهو از وحشت به هر سو می‌گریخت ** او به پیش آن خران شب کاه ریخت 835
The gazelle, wild with terror, was fleeing in every direction: at night he (the hunter) poured (pieces of chopped) straw before the donkeys.
از مجاعت و اشتها هر گاو و خر ** کاه را می‌خورد خوشتر از شکر
(Moved) by hunger and (ravenous) appetite, every cow and donkey was devouring the straw, (as though it were) sweeter than sugar.
گاه آهو می‌رمید از سو به سو ** گه ز دود و گرد که می‌تافت رو
Now the gazelle would run in fright from side to side, now it would turn its face away from the smoke and dust of the straw.
هرکرا با ضد خود بگذاشتند ** آن عقوبت را چو مرگ انگاشتند
Whosoever is left (in company) with his opposite, they (who are wise) have deemed that punishment (terrible) as death,
تا سلیمان گفت که آن هدهد اگر ** هجر را عذری نگوید معتبر
So that Solomon said, “Unless the hoopoe make a respectable excuse for his absence,
بکشمش یا خود دهم او را عذاب ** یک عذاب سخت بیرون از حساب 840
I will kill him or inflict upon him a torment, a torment severe beyond (all) calculation.”