زاید از لقمه‌‌ی حلال اندر دهان ** میل خدمت عزم رفتن آن جهان‌‌

From the lawful morsel in the mouth is born the inclination to serve (God) and the resolve to go to yonder world.

باز گفتن بازرگان با طوطی آن چه دید از طوطیان هندوستان‌‌

How the merchant related to the parrot what he had witnessed on the part of the parrots of India.

کرد بازرگان تجارت را تمام ** باز آمد سوی منزل دوست کام‌‌

The merchant finished his trading and returned home (prosperously) to the joy of his friends.

هر غلامی را بیاورد ارمغان ** هر کنیزک را ببخشید او نشان‌‌ 1650

He brought a present for every male slave, he gave a token to every slave-girl.

گفت طوطی ارمغان بنده کو ** آن چه دیدی و آن چه گفتی باز گو

“Where is my present?” asked the parrot. “Relate what thou hast seen and said.”

گفت نی من خود پشیمانم از آن ** دست خود خایان و انگشتان گزان‌‌

“Nay,” said he, “indeed I am repenting of that (which I said), gnawing my hand and biting my fingers (in remorse).

من چرا پیغام خامی از گزاف ** بردم از بی‌‌دانشی و از نشاف‌‌

Why, from ignorance and folly, did I idly bear (such) an inconsiderate message?”

گفت ای خواجه پشیمانی ز چیست ** چیست آن کاین خشم و غم را مقتضی است‌‌

“O master,” said the parrot, “what is thy repentance for? What is it that causes this anger and grief?”

گفت گفتم آن شکایتهای تو ** با گروهی طوطیان همتای تو 1655

“I told thy complaints,” said he, “to a company of parrots resembling thee.

آن یکی طوطی ز دردت بوی برد ** زهره‌‌اش بدرید و لرزید و بمرد

One parrot got scent of (understood) thy pain: her heart broke, and she trembled and died.

من پشیمان گشتم این گفتن چه بود ** لیک چون گفتم پشیمانی چه سود

I became sorry, (thinking) ‘why did I say this?’ but what was the use of repenting after I had said it?”