گر مر او را این نظر بودی مدام ** چون ندیدی زیر مشتی خاک دام
If he had always had this (keen) sight, how would not he have seen the snare beneath a handful of earth?
چون گرفتار آمدی در دام او ** چون قفس اندر شدی ناکام او
How would he have been caught in the snare? How would he have gone into the cage willy-nilly?”
پس سلیمان گفت ای هدهد رواست ** کز تو در اول قدح این درد خاست1225
Then Solomon said: “O hoopoe, is it right that these dregs have risen from thee at the first cup?
چون نمایی مستی ای خورده تو دوغ ** پیش من لافی زنی آن گه دروغ
O thou who hast drunk buttermilk, how dost thou pretend intoxication and brag in my presence and tell lies besides?”
جواب گفتن هدهد طعنه‌‌ی زاغ را
The hoopoe's answer to the attack of the crow.
گفت ای شه بر من عور گدای ** قول دشمن مشنو از بهر خدای
He said, “O king, for God's sake do not listen to the enemy's words against me, bare beggar as I am.
گر به بطلان است دعوی کردنم ** من نهادم سر ببر این گردنم
If my claim is (made) with falsehood, I lay my head (before thee): sever this neck of mine.
زاغ کاو حکم قضا را منکر است ** گر هزاران عقل دارد کافر است
The crow, who disbelieves in the (absolute) authority of the Divine destiny, is an infidel, though he have thousands of wits.
در تو تا کافی بود از کافران ** جای گند و شهوتی چون کاف ران1230
Whilst there is in you a single k (derived) from the káfirán (infidels), you are the seat of stench and lust, velut rima femoris. [Whilst there is in you a single k (derived) from the káfirán (infidels), you are the seat of stench and lust, like the slit (vulva) between the thighs (of a woman).]
من ببینم دام را اندر هوا ** گر نپوشد چشم عقلم را قضا
I see the snare (when I am) in the air, if the Divine destiny do not muffle the eye of my intelligence.
چون قضا آید شود دانش به خواب ** مه سیه گردد بگیرد آفتاب
When the Divine destiny comes, wisdom goes to sleep, the moon becomes black, the sun is stopped (from shining).