غیر نطق و غیر ایما و سجل ** صد هزاران ترجمان خیزد ز دل‌‌

Without speech and without sign or scroll, hundreds of thousands of interpreters arise from the heart.

جمله مرغان هر یکی اسرار خود ** از هنر وز دانش و از کار خود

The birds, all and each, their secrets of skill and knowledge and practice

با سلیمان یک به یک وامی‌‌نمود ** از برای عرضه خود را می‌‌ستود 1210

Were revealing, one by one, to Solomon, and were praising themselves by way of submitting a request (for his consideration),

از تکبر نی و از هستی خویش ** بهر آن تا ره دهد او را به پیش‌‌

Not from pride and self-conceit, (but) in order that he might give them access to him.

چون بباید برده‌‌ای را خواجه‌‌ای ** عرضه دارد از هنر دیباجه‌‌ای‌‌

When a captive wants a lord (to buy him as a slave), he offers a preface (summary account) of his talent;

چون که دارد از خریداریش ننگ ** خود کند بیمار و کر و شل و لنگ‌‌

(But) when he is ashamed (disgusted) at his buying him, he makes himself out to be sick and deaf and palsied and lame.

نوبت هدهد رسید و پیشه‌‌اش ** و آن بیان صنعت و اندیشه‌‌اش‌‌

The turn came for the hoopoe and his craft and the explanation of his skill and thoughtfulness.

گفت ای شه یک هنر کان کهتر است ** باز گویم گفت کوته بهتر است‌‌ 1215

“O king,” said he, “I will declare (only) one talent, which is an inferior one; ’tis better to speak briefly.”

گفت بر گو تا کدام است آن هنر ** گفت من آن گه که باشم اوج بر

“Tell on,” said Solomon; “let me hear what talent that is.” The hoopoe said, “At the time when I am at the zenith,

بنگرم از اوج با چشم یقین ** من ببینم آب در قعر زمین‌‌

I gaze from the zenith with the eye of certainty and I see the water at the bottom of the earth,