روبه اندر حیله پای خود فشرد ** ریش خر بگرفت و آن خر را ببرد
The fox embarked on the plot: he seized the ass's beard and led him away.
مطرب آن خانقه کو تا که تفت ** دف زند که خر برفت و خر برفت
Where is the musician of that Súfí monastery, that he may quickly play the tambourine (and sing), “The ass is gone, the ass is gone”?
چونک خرگوشی برد شیری به چاه ** چون نیارد روبهی خر تا گیاه
Since a hare brings a lion to the well, how should not a fox lead an ass to the grass?
گوش را بر بند و افسونها مخور ** جز فسون آن ولی دادگر
Shut thine ear and do not swallow (beguiling) spells: (swallow naught) but the spell of the righteous saint—
آن فسون خوشتر از حلوای او ** آنک صد حلواست خاک پای او 2520
That spell of his, (which is) sweeter than halwá, that (spell) of whose feet a hundred halwá’s are (only) the dust.
خنبهای خسروانی پر ز می ** مایه برده از می لبهای وی
The imperial jars full of the wine (of mystical knowledge) have drawn their stock from the wine of his lips.
عاشق می باشد آن جان بعید ** کو می لبهای لعلش را ندید
(Only) that alien soul which has never seen the wine of his ruby lips is a lover of the wine (of conventional knowledge).
آب شیرین چون نبیند مرغ کور ** چون نگردد گرد چشمه‌ی آب شور
Since the blind bird does not see the sweet water, how should not it circle round the brackish water?
موسی جان سینه را سینا کند ** طوطیان کور را بینا کند
The spiritual Moses makes the breast a Sinai: he makes the blind parrots able to see.
خسرو شیرین جان نوبت زدست ** لاجرم در شهر قند ارزان شدست 2525
The Khusraw (who is the lover) of the spiritual Shírín has beaten the drum (of sovereignty); consequently sugar has become cheap in the city.
یوسفان غیب لشکر می‌کشند ** تنگهای قند و شکر می‌کشند
The Josephs of the unseen world are marching: they are bringing bales of candy and sugar.
اشتران مصر را رو سوی ما ** بشنوید ای طوطیان بانگ درا
The faces of the camels of Egypt are (turned) towards us: hearken, O parrots, to the sound of the (camel-)bell.
شهر ما فردا پر از شکر شود ** شکر ارزانست ارزان‌تر شود
To-morrow our city will be filled with sugar; sugar is cheap (to-day): (tomorrow) it will be cheaper.
در شکر غلطید ای حلواییان ** هم‌چو طوطی کوری صفراییان
O confectioners, wallow in sugar, like the parrot, in despite of the bilious ones.
نیشکر کوبید کار اینست و بس ** جان بر افشانید یار اینست و بس 2530
Pound the sugar-cane: this is the only work (of importance); lavish your souls (on him): this is the only Beloved.
یک ترش در شهر ما اکنون نماند ** چونکه شیرین خسروان را بر نشاند
Now not a single sour one is left in our city, since Shírín has seated the Khusraws on the throne (of Love).
نقل بر نقلست و می بر می هلا ** بر مناره رو بزن بانگ صلا
’Tis dessert on dessert and wine on wine! Ho, go up on the minaret and proclaim that all are welcome (to the feast).
سرکه‌ی نه ساله شیرین می‌شود ** سنگ و مرمر لعل و زرین می‌شود
The nine years old vinegar is becoming sweet; the stone and marble are becoming ruby(-like) and golden.
آفتاب اندر فلک دستک‌زنان ** ذره‌ها چون عاشقان بازی‌کنان
The sun in heaven is clapping his hands: the motes are dancing like lovers.
چشمها مخمور شد از سبزه‌زار ** گل شکوفه می‌کند بر شاخسار 2535
(All) eyes are intoxicated with the orchard abounding in greenery, (where) the blossoms are budding on the boughs.
چشم دولت سحر مطلق می‌کند ** روح شد منصور انا الحق می‌زند
The eye of blessedness works absolute magic: the spirit is made victorious (mansúr), crying “I am God.”
گر خری را می‌برد روبه ز سر ** گو ببر تو خر مباش و غم مخور
If the fox is seducing an ass, let him seduce (him)! Do not thou be an ass, and be not troubled.
حکایت آن شخص کی از ترس خویشتن را در خانه‌ای انداخت رخها زرد چون زعفران لبها کبود چون نیل دست لرزان چون برگ درخت خداوند خانه پرسید کی خیرست چه واقعه است گفت بیرون خر می‌گیرند به سخره گفت مبارک خر می‌گیرند تو خر نیستی چه می‌ترسی گفت خر به جد می‌گیرند تمییز برخاسته است امروز ترسم کی مرا خر گیرند
Story of the person who rushed into a house in terror, with cheeks yellow (pale) as saffron, lips blue as indigo, and hands trembling like the leaves of a tree. The master of the house asked, “Is all well (with you)? What is the matter?” He replied, “Outside they are taking asses by force.” “Bless you!” cried the other; “they are taking asses, (but) you are not an ass: what are you afraid of?” He said, “They are taking (them) in a great hurry: (all) discrimination has ceased. To-day I am afraid they will take me for an ass.”
آن یکی در خانه‌ای در می‌گریخت ** زرد رو و لب کبود و رنگ ریخت
A certain man took refuge in a house: his face was yellow, his lips blue, and his colour had ebbed away.
صاحب خانه بگفتش خیر هست ** که همی لرزد ترا چون پیر دست
The master of the house said to him, “Is it well (with you)? for your hand is trembling like (that of) an old man.
واقعه چونست چون بگریختی ** رنگ رخساره چنین چون ریختی 2540
What has happened? Why have you taken refuge (here)? How have you lost the colour of your face so (entirely)?”