ای من آن پیلی که زخم پیل بان ** ریخت خونم از برای استخوان‌‌

Oh, I am the elephant whose blood was shed by the blow of the mahout for the sake of the bone (ivory).

آن که کشتستم پی مادون من ** می‌‌نداند که نخسبد خون من‌‌

He who hath slain me for that which is other than I, does not he know that my blood sleepeth not (will not rest unavenged)?

بر من است امروز و فردا بر وی است ** خون چون من کس چنین ضایع کی است‌‌

To-day it lies on me and to-morrow it lies on him: when does the blood of one such as I am go to waste like this?

گر چه دیوار افکند سایه‌‌ی دراز ** باز گردد سوی او آن سایه باز

Although the wall casts a long shadow, (yet at last) the shadow turns back again towards it.

این جهان کوه است و فعل ما ندا ** سوی ما آید نداها را صدا 215

This world is the mountain, and our action the shout: the echo of the shouts comes (back) to us.”

این بگفت و رفت در دم زیر خاک ** آن کنیزک شد ز عشق و رنج پاک‌‌

He said this and at the (same) moment went under the earth (gave up the ghost). The handmaiden was purged of love and pain,

ز انکه عشق مردگان پاینده نیست ** ز انکه مرده سوی ما آینده نیست‌‌

Because love of the dead is not enduring, because the dead one is never coming (back) to us;

عشق زنده در روان و در بصر ** هر دمی باشد ز غنچه تازه‌‌تر

(But) love of the living is every moment fresher than a bud in the spirit and in the sight.

عشق آن زنده گزین کاو باقی است ** کز شراب جان فزایت ساقی است‌‌

Choose the love of that Living One who is everlasting, who gives thee to drink of the wine that increases life.

عشق آن بگزین که جمله انبیا ** یافتند از عشق او کار و کیا 220

Choose the love of Him from whose love all the prophets gained power and glory.