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روزها آن آهوی خوش‌ناف نر ** در شکنجه بود در اصطبل خر
- During (many) days the sweet-navelled male gazelle was in torment in the donkey-stable,
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مضطرب در نزع چون ماهی ز خشک ** در یکی حقه معذب پشک و مشک
- Like a fish wriggling in the death-agony from (being kept on) dry ground, (or like) dung and musk tortured (by being kept) in the same box.
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یک خرش گفتی که ها این بوالوحوش ** طبع شاهان دارد و میران خموش 910
- One donkey would say to his neighbour, “Ha! this wild fellow has the nature of kings and princes. Hush!”
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وآن دگر تسخر زدی کز جر و مد ** گوهر آوردست کی ارزان دهد
- And the other would mock, saying, “By (constant) ebb and flow he has gained a pearl: how should he sell cheaply?”
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وآن خری گفتی که با این نازکی ** بر سریر شاه شو گو متکی
- And another donkey would say, “With this fastidiousness (of his), let him recline on the imperial throne!”
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آن خری شد تخمه وز خوردن بماند ** پس برسم دعوت آهو را بخواند
- A certain donkey became ill with indigestion and was unable to eat; therefore he gave the gazelle a formal invitation (to dine).
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سر چنین کرد او که نه رو ای فلان ** اشتهاام نیست هستم ناتوان
- He (the gazelle) shook his head, (as though to say), “Nay, begone, O such-and such: I have no appetite, I am unwell.”
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گفت می‌دانم که نازی می‌کنی ** یا ز ناموس احترازی می‌کنی 915
- He (the donkey) replied, “I know that you are showing disdain, or holding aloof in regard for your reputation.”
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گفت او با خود که آن طعمه‌ی توست ** که از آن اجزای تو زنده و نوست
- He (the gazelle) said to himself, “That (which you offer me) is your food, whereby your limbs are revived and renewed.
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من الیف مرغزاری بوده‌ام ** در زلال و روضه‌ها آسوده‌ام
- I have been familiar with a (beauteous) pasture, I have reposed amongst (rivulets of) clear water and meadows.