جمله این سویی از آن سو کپ مزن ** چون نداری مرگ هرزه جان مکن
Thou art all on this side, (therefore) do not idly boast of that side: since thou hast not (died) the death (to self), do not agonise thyself in vain.
آن خضرجان کز اجل نهراسد او ** شاید ار مخلوق را نشناسد او
He with the soul of Khadir, (he) that does not shrink from death—if he know not the created (world), ’tis fitting.
کام از ذوق توهم خوش کنی ** در دمی در خیک خود پرش کنی
Thou sweetenest thy palate with the savour of false imagination; thou blowest into the bag of selfhood and fillest it:
پس به یک سوزن تهی گردی ز باد ** این چنین فربه تن عاقل مباد
Then, at one prick of a needle thou art emptied of wind— may no intelligent man's body be fat (swollen) like this!
کوزه‌ها سازی ز برف اندر شتا ** کی کند چون آب بیند آن وفا720
Thou makest pots of snow in winter: when they see the water how shall they maintain that (former) constancy?
افتادن شغال در خم رنگ و رنگین شدن و دعوی طاوسی کردن میان شغالان
How the jackal fell into the dyeing-vat and was dyed with many colours and pretended amongst the jackals that he was a peacock.
آن شغالی رفت اندر خم رنگ ** اندر آن خم کرد یک ساعت درنگ
A certain jackal went into the dyeing-vat, stayed in the vat for a while,
پس بر آمد پوستش رنگین شده ** که منم طاووس علیین شده
And then arose, his skin having become particoloured, saying, ‘I have become the Peacock of ‘Illiyyín.’’
پشم رنگین رونق خوش یافته ** آفتاب آن رنگها بر تافته
His coloured fur had gained a charming brilliance, and the sun shone upon those colours.
دید خود را سبز و سرخ و فور و زرد ** خویشتن را بر شغالان عرضه کرد
He beheld himself green and red and roan and yellow, (so) he presented himself (gleefully) to the jackals.
جمله گفتند ای شغالک حال چیست ** که ترا در سر نشاطی ملتویست725
They all said, “O little jackal, what is the matter, that thou hast in thy head manifold exultation?
از نشاط از ما کرانه کرده‌ای ** این تکبر از کجا آورده‌ای
Because of exultation thou hast turned aside from us (with disdain): whence hast thou brought this arrogance?”
یک شغالی پیش او شد کای فلان ** شید کردی یا شدی از خوش‌دلان
One of the jackals went to him and said, “O so-and-so, hast thou acted deceitfully or hast thou (really) become one of those whose hearts rejoice (in God)?
شید کردی تا به منبر بر جهی ** تا ز لاف این خلق را حسرت دهی
Thou hast acted deceitfully to the end that thou mayest jump on to the pulpit and by thy palaver give this folk (the feeling of) regret.
بس بکوشیدی ندیدی گرمیی ** پس ز شید آورده‌ای بی‌شرمیی
Thou hast striven much, (but) thou hast not felt any (spiritual) ardour; hence from deceit thou hast exhibited a piece of impudence.”
گرمی آن اولیا و انبیاست ** باز بی‌شرمی پناه هر دغاست730
(Spiritual) ardour belongs to the saints and prophets; on the other hand, impudence is the refuge of every impostor;
که التفات خلق سوی خود کشند ** که خوشیم و از درون بس ناخوشند
For they draw the people's attention to themselves, saying, “We are happy (with God),” though within (at heart) they are exceedingly unhappy.
چرب کردن مرد لافی لب و سبلت خود را هر بامداد به پوست دنبه و بیرون آمدن میان حریفان کی من چنین خورده‌ام و چنان
How a braggart greased his lips and moustache every morning with the skin of a fat sheep's tail and came amongst his companions, saying, “I have eaten such and such (viands).”
پوست دنبه یافت شخصی مستهان ** هر صباحی چرب کردی سبلتان
A person, who (on account of his poverty) was lightly esteemed, used to grease his moustaches every morning
در میان منعمان رفتی که من ** لوت چربی خورده‌ام در انجمن
And go amongst the munificent (the rich), saying, “I have eaten some wellgreased food at the party.”
دست بر سبلت نهادی در نوید ** رمز یعنی سوی سبلت بنگرید
He would gaily put his hand on his moustache as a sign, meaning, “Look at my moustache!
کین گواه صدق گفتار منست ** وین نشان چرب و شیرین خوردنست735
For this is the witness to the truth of my words, and this is the token of my eating greasy and delicious food.”
اشکمش گفتی جواب بی‌طنین ** که اباد الله کید الکاذبین
His belly would say in soundless (mute) response, “May God destroy the plots of the liars!
لاف تو ما را بر آتش بر نهاد ** کان سبال چرب تو بر کنده باد
Thy boasting hath set me on fire: may that greasy moustache of thine be torn out!
گر نبودی لاف زشتت ای گدا ** یک کریمی رحم افکندی به ما
Were it not for thy foul boasting, O beggar, some generous man would have taken pity on me;
ور نمودی عیب و کژ کم باختی ** یک طبیبی داروی او ساختی
And if thou hadst shown the ailment and hadst not played false, some physician would have prepared a remedy for it.”
گفت حق که کژ مجنبان گوش و دم ** ینفعن الصادقین صدقهم740
God hath said, “Do not move ear or tail crookedly:their veracity shall profit the veracious.”