آن چه آن خر دید از رنج و عذاب ** مرغ خاکی بیند اندر سیل آب
What that ass suffered of pain and torment, the land-bird suffers (the same) in a flood of water.
بس به پهلو گشت آن شب تا سحر ** آن خر بیچاره از جوع البقر 240
(All) that night till dawn the wretched ass, from exceeding hunger, rolled frequently on his side.
روز شد خادم بیامد بامداد ** زود پالان جست بر پشتش نهاد
Day rose. The servant came at morn and at once laid the saddle firmly on the ass's back.
خر فروشانه دو سه زخمش بزد ** کرد با خر آن چه ز آن سگ میسزد
After the fashion of ass-dealers he gave him two or three blows (with a goad): he did to the ass what is befitting from such a cur (as he was).
خر جهنده گشت از تیزی نیش ** کو زبان تا خر بگوید حال خویش
The sharpness of the sting set the ass jumping; where is the tongue (has an ass such a tongue) that he may describe his own state (feelings)?
گمان بردن کاروانیان که بهمیه‌ای صوفی رنجور است
How the people of the caravan supposed the Sufi's beast was ill
چون که صوفی بر نشست و شد روان ** رو در افتادن گرفت او هر زمان
When the Súfí mounted and got going, he (the ass) began to fall on his face every time,
هر زمانش خلق بر میداشتند ** جمله رنجورش همیپنداشتند 245
(And) every time the people (the travellers) lifted him up: they all thought he was ill.
آن یکی گوشش همیپیچید سخت ** و آن دگر در زیر گامش جست لخت
One would twist his ears hard, while another sought for the (lacerated) part under his palate,
و آن دگر در نعل او میجست سنگ ** و آن دگر در چشم او میدید زنگ
And another searched for the stone in his shoe, and another looked at the dirt in his eye.
باز میگفتند ای شیخ این ز چیست ** دی نمیگفتی که شکر این خر قوی است
Also they were saying,“O Shaykh, what is the cause of this? Were not you saying yesterday, ‘Thanks (to God), this ass is strong’?”
گفت آن خر کاو به شب لاحول خورد ** جز بدین شیوه نداند راه کرد
He replied, “The ass that ate Lá hawl during the night cannot get along except in this manner.
چون که قوت خر به شب لاحول بود ** شب مسبح بود و روز اندر سجود 250
Inasmuch as the ass's food by night was Lá hawl, he was glorifying God by night and (is engaged) in prostrating himself by day.”
آدمی خوارند اغلب مردمان ** از سلام علیکشان کم جو امان
Most people are man-eaters: put no trust in their saying, “Peace to you.”
خانهی دیو است دلهای همه ** کم پذیر از دیو مردم دمدمه
The hearts of all are the Devil's house: do not accept (listen to) the palaver of devilish men.
از دم دیو آن که او لاحول خورد ** هم چو آن خر در سر آید در نبرد
He that swallows Lá hawl from the breath (mouth) of the Devil, like that ass falls headlong in the fight.
هر که در دنیا خورد تلبیس دیو ** و ز عدوی دوست رو تعظیم و ریو
Whoever swallows the Devil's imposture in this world and (swallows) veneration and deceit from the foe that has the face (semblance) of a friend,
در ره اسلام و بر پول صراط ** در سر آید همچو آن خر از خباط 255
In the Way of Islam and on the bridge Sirát he will fall upon his head from giddiness, like that ass.
عشوههای یار بد منیوش هین ** دام بین ایمن مرو تو بر زمین
Beware! Do not hearken to the blandishments of the bad friend: espy the snare, do not walk securely on the earth.
صد هزار ابلیس لاحول آر بین ** آدما ابلیس را در مار بین
See the hundred thousand devils who utter Lá hawl! O Adam, in the serpent behold Iblís!
دم دهد گوید ترا ای جان و دوست ** تا چو قصابی کشد از دوست پوست
He gives (you) vain words, he says to you, “O my soul and beloved,” that he may strip the skin off his beloved, like a butcher.
دم دهد تا پوستت بیرون کشد ** وای او کز دشمنان آفیون چشد
He gives vain words that he may strip off your skin: woe to him that tastes opium from (the mouth of) enemies.
سر نهد بر پای تو قصابوار ** دم دهد تا خونت ریزد زار زار 260
He lays his head at your feet (in flattery) and butcher-like gives (you) vain (wheedling) words, that he may shed your blood miserably.
همچو شیری صید خود را خویش کن ** ترک عشوهی اجنبی و خویش کن
Like a lion, hunt your prey yourself: leave (pay no heed to) the blandishment of stranger or kinsman.
همچو خادم دان مراعات خسان ** بیکسی بهتر ز عشوهی ناکسان
Know that the regard of the base is like that servant; ’tis better to have nobody (as your friend) than (to accept) the flattery of nobodies (worthless people).
در زمین مردمان خانه مکن ** کار خود کن کار بیگانه مکن
Do not make your home in (other) men's land: do your own work, don't do the work of a stranger.