تا امان یابد به مکرم جانتان ** ماند این میراث فرزندانتان‌‌

That by my cunning your lives may be saved and this (safety) remain as a heritage to your children.”

هر پیمبر امتان را در جهان ** همچنین تا مخلصی می‌‌خواندشان‌‌

After this manner every prophet in the world used to call the peoples to a place of deliverance,

کز فلک راه برون شو دیده بود ** در نظر چون مردمک پیچیده بود

For he had seen from Heaven the way of escape, (though) in (their) sight he was contracted (despicable) like the pupil of the eye.

مردمش چون مردمک دیدند خرد ** در بزرگی مردمک کس ره نبرد

Men regarded him as small like the pupil: none attained to (understanding of) the (real) greatness (worth) of the pupil.

اعتراض نخجیران بر سخن خرگوش‌‌

How the beasts objected to the proposal of the hare.

قوم گفتندش که ای خر گوش دار ** خویش را اندازه‌‌ی خرگوش دار 1005

The company (of beasts) said to him: “O donkey, listen (to us)! Keep thyself within the measure of a hare!

هین چه لاف است این که از تو بهتران ** در نیاوردند اندر خاطر آن‌‌

Eh, what brag is this—(an idea) which thy betters never brought into their minds?

معجبی یا خود قضامان در پی است ** ور نه این دم لایق چون تو کی است‌‌

Thou art self-conceited, or Destiny is pursuing us; else, how is this speech suitable to one like thee?

جواب خرگوش نخجیران را

How the hare again answered the beasts.

گفت ای یاران حقم الهام داد ** مر ضعیفی را قوی رایی فتاد

He said: “O friends, God gave me inspiration: to a weakling there came a strong judgement (wise counsel).”

آن چه حق آموخت مر زنبور را ** آن نباشد شیر را و گور را

That which God taught to the bees is not (belonging) to the lion and the wild ass.

خانه‌‌ها سازد پر از حلوای تر ** حق بر او آن علم را بگشاد در 1010

It (the bee) makes houses of juicy halwá (sweetmeat): God opened to it the door of that knowledge;