شیر و گرگ و روبهی بهر شکار ** رفته بودند از طلب در کوهسار

A lion, wolf, and fox had gone to hunt in the mountains in quest (of food),

تا به پشت همدگر بر صیدها ** سخت بر بندند بار قیدها

That by supporting each other they might tie fast the burden of the fetters (of captivity) on the hunted animals,

هر سه با هم اندر آن صحرای ژرف ** صیدها گیرند بسیار و شگرف‌‌ 3015

And all three together might seize much and great quarry in that deep wilderness.

گر چه ز یشان شیر نر را ننگ بود ** لیک کرد اکرام و همراهی نمود

Although the fierce lion was ashamed of them (the wolf and fox), yet he did them honour and gave them his company on the way.

این چنین شه را ز لشکر زحمت است ** لیک همره شد جماعت رحمت است‌‌

To a king like this the (escort of) soldiers are an annoyance, but he accompanied them: a united party is a mercy (from God).

این چنین مه را ز اختر ننگهاست ** او میان اختران بهر سخاست‌‌

A moon like this is disgraced by the stars: it is amongst the stars for generosity's sake.

امر شاورهم پیمبر را رسید ** گر چه رایی نیست رایش را ندید

The (Divine) command, Consult them, came to the Prophet, though no counsel is to be compared with his own.

در ترازو جو رفیق زر شده ست ** نی از آن که جو چو زر گوهر شده ست‌‌ 3020

In the scales barley has become the companion of gold, (but that is) not because barley has become a substance like gold.

روح قالب را کنون همره شده ست ** مدتی سگ حارس درگه شده ست‌‌

The spirit has now become the body's fellow-traveller: the dog has become for a time the guardian of the palace-gate.

چون که رفتند این جماعت سوی کوه ** در رکاب شیر با فر و شکوه‌‌

When this party (the wolf and fox) went to the mountains at the stirrup (side) of the lion majestic and grand,