نایب من باش در قسمت‌‌گری ** تا پدید آید که تو چه گوهری
Be my deputy in the office of distributor, that it may be seen of what substance thou art.”
گفت ای شه گاو وحشی بخش تست ** آن بزرگ و تو بزرگ و زفت و چست
“O King,” said he, “the wild ox is thy share: he is big, and thou art big and strong and active.
بز مرا که بز میانه ست و وسط ** روبها خرگوش بستان بی‌‌غلط3045
The goat is mine, for the goat is middle and intermediate; do thou, O fox, receive the hare, and no mistake!”
شیر گفت ای گرگ چون گفتی بگو ** چون که من باشم تو گویی ما و تو
The lion said, “O wolf, how hast thou spoken? Say! When I am here, dost thou speak of ‘I’ and ‘thou’?
گرگ خود چه سگ بود کاو خویش دید ** پیش چون من شیر بی‌‌مثل و ندید
Truly, what a cur the wolf must be, that he regarded himself in the presence of a lion like me who am peerless and unrivalled!”
گفت پیش آ ای خری کاو خود بدید ** پیشش آمد پنجه زد او را درید
(Then) he said, “Come forward, O thou self-esteeming ass!” He approached him, the lion seized him with his claws and rent him.
چون ندیدش مغز و تدبیر رشید ** در سیاست پوستش از سر کشید
Inasmuch as he (the lion) did not see in him the kernel (real understanding) and right consideration of right conduct, he tore the skin off his head as a punishment.
گفت چون دید منت از خود نبرد ** این چنین جان را بباید زار مرد3050
He said, “Since the sight of me did not transport thee out of thyself, a spirit like this (thine) must needs die miserably.
چون نبودی فانی اندر پیش من ** فضل آمد مر ترا گردن زدن
Since thou wert not passing away (from thyself) in my presence, ’twas an act of grace to smite thy neck (behead thee).”
کل شی‌‌ء هالک جز وجه او ** چون نه‌‌ای در وجه او هستی مجو
Everything is perishing except His face: unless thou art in His face (essence), do not seek to exist.