مرغ کاو اندر قفس زندانی است ** می‌‌نجوید رستن از نادانی است‌‌

The bird that is a prisoner in a cage, (if it) is not seeking to escape, ’tis from ignorance.

روحهایی کز قفسها رسته‌‌اند ** انبیای رهبر شایسته‌‌اند

The spirits which have escaped from their cages are the prophets, (those) worthy guides.

از برون آوازشان آید ز دین ** که ره رستن ترا این است این‌‌

From without comes their voice, (telling) of religion, (and crying), “This, this is the way of escape for thee.

ما به دین رستیم زین ننگین قفس ** جز که این ره نیست چاره‌‌ی این قفس‌‌

By this we escaped from this narrow cage: there is no means of escape from this cage but this way,

خویش را رنجور سازی زار زار ** تا ترا بیرون کنند از اشتهار 1545

(That) thou shouldst make thyself ill, exceedingly wretched, in order that thou mayst be let out from (the cage of) reputation.”

که اشتهار خلق بند محکم است ** در ره این از بند آهن کی کم است‌‌

Worldly reputation is a strong chain: in the Way how is this less than a chain of iron?

قصه‌‌ی بازرگان که طوطی محبوس او او را پیغام داد به طوطیان هندوستان هنگام رفتن به تجارت‌‌

The story of the merchant to whom the captive parrot gave a message for the parrots of India on the occasion of his going (thither) to trade.

بود بازرگانی او را طوطیی ** در قفس محبوس زیبا طوطیی‌‌

There was a merchant, and he had a parrot imprisoned in a cage, a pretty parrot.

چون که بازرگان سفر را ساز کرد ** سوی هندستان شدن آغاز کرد

When the merchant made ready for travel and was about to depart to India,

هر غلام و هر کنیزک را ز جود ** گفت بهر تو چه آرم گوی زود

Because of his generosity he said to each male slave and each handmaid, “What shall I bring (home) for you? Tell (me) quickly.”

هر یکی از وی مرادی خواست کرد ** جمله را وعده بداد آن نیک مرد 1550

Each one asked him for some object of desire: that good man gave his promise to them all.