قصه‌‌ی عاد و ثمود از بهر چیست ** تا بدانی کانبیا را نازکی است‌‌

For what purpose is the tale of ‘Ád and Thamúd? That you may know that the prophets have disdain (for the wicked).

این نشان خسف و قذف و صاعقه ** شد بیان عز نفس ناطقه‌‌

These signs—the (earth's) swallowing up (sinners), the hurling of stones (upon them), and the thunderbolts—were evidence of the might of the Rational Soul.

جمله حیوان را پی انسان بکش ** جمله انسان را بکش از بهر هش‌‌

Kill all animals for the sake of man, kill all mankind for the sake of Reason.

هش چه باشد عقل کل هوشمند ** هوش جزوی هش بود اما نژند 3310

What is Reason? The Universal Intelligence of the man (prophet or saint) endowed with reason. Partial reason is reason (too), but it is infirm.

جمله حیوانات وحشی ز آدمی ** باشد از حیوان انسی در کمی‌‌

All the animals that are wild (unfriendly) to man are inferior to the human animal.

خون آنها خلق را باشد سبیل ** ز انکه وحشی‌‌اند از عقل جلیل‌‌

Their blood is free to mankind, since they are estranged from the august Reason.

عزت وحشی بدین افتاد پست ** که مر انسان را مخالف آمده ست‌‌

The honour of the wild animals is fallen low (has come to be of no account) because they have grown hostile to man.

پس چه عزت باشدت ای نادره ** چون شدی تو حمر مستنفرة

What honour, then, will be thine, O marvel (of folly), since thou hast become (like) timorous wild asses?

خر نشاید کشت از بهر صلاح ** چون شود وحشی شود خونش مباح‌‌ 3315

Because of his usefulness, the (domesticated) ass ought not to be killed; (but) when he turns wild, his blood becomes lawful.

گر چه خر را دانش زاجر نبود ** هیچ معذورش نمی‌‌دارد ودود

Although the ass had no knowledge to restrain him (from becoming wild), the Loving One is not excusing him at all.