گاو کوهی و بز و خرگوش زفت ** یافتند و کار ایشان پیش رفت
They found a mountain-ox and goat and fat hare, and their business went forward (prosperously).
هر که باشد در پی شیر حراب ** کم نیاید روز و شب او را کباب
Whoever is on the heels of him that is a lion in combat, roast-meat does not fail him by day or by night.
چون ز که در بیشه آوردندشان ** کشته و مجروح و اندر خون کشان3025
When they brought them (the animals which they had caught) from the mountains to the jungle, killed and wounded and dragging along in (streams of) blood,
گرگ و روبه را طمع بود اندر آن ** که رود قسمت به عدل خسروان
The wolf and fox hoped that a division (of the prey) would be made according to the justice of emperors.
عکس طمع هر دوشان بر شیر زد ** شیر دانست آن طمعها را سند
The reflexion of the hope of both of them struck the lion: the lion knew (what was) the ground for those hopes.
هر که باشد شیر اسرار و امیر ** او بداند هر چه اندیشد ضمیر
Any one that is the lion and prince of (spiritual) mysteries, he will know all that the conscience thinks.
هین نگه دار ای دل اندیشه جو ** دل ز اندیشه‌‌ی بدی در پیش او
Beware! Guard thyself, O heart disposed to thinking, from any evil thought in his presence.
داند و خر را همی‌‌راند خموش ** در رخت خندد برای روی‌‌پوش3030
He knows and keeps riding on silently: he smiles in thy face in order to mask (his feelings).
شیر چون دانست آن وسواسشان ** وانگفت و داشت آن دم پاسشان
When the lion perceived their bad ideas, he did not declare (his knowledge), and paid (courteous) regard (to them) at the time,
لیک با خود گفت بنمایم سزا ** مر شما را ای خسیسان گدا
But he said to himself, “I will show you what (chastisement) ye deserve, O beggarly villains!