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 روی‌‌پوش‌‌ 3030

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!

مر شما را بس نیامد رای من ** ظنتان این است در اعطای من‌‌

Was my judgement not enough for you? Is this your opinion of my bounty,

ای عقول و رایتان از رای من ** از عطاهای جهان آرای من‌‌

O ye whose understanding and judgement are (derived) from my judgement and from my world-adorning gifts?

نقش با نقاش چه سگالد دگر ** چون سگالش اوش بخشید و خبر 3035

What else (but good) should the picture think of the painter, since he bestowed thought and knowledge upon it?

این چنین ظن خسیسانه به من ** مر شما را بود ننگان زمن‌‌

Had ye such a vile opinion of me, O ye who are a scandal to the world?