جمله محروم و ز خوف از چشمه دور ** حیله‌ای کردند چون کم بود زور

جمله محروم و ز خوف از چشمه دور ** حیله‌ای کردند چون کم بود زور 2740

All were deprived (of water) and (were kept) far from the spring by dread: since (their) strength was inferior, they made a plot.

از سر که بانگ زد خرگوش زال ** سوی پیلان در شب غره‌ی هلال

From the mountain-top the old hare cried towards the elephants on the first night of the new-moon—

که بیا رابع عشر ای شاه‌پیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی این دلیل

‘Come on the fourteenth, O king elephant, that thou mayst find within the spring the proof of this (assertion).

شاه‌پیلا من رسولم پیش بیست ** بر رسولان بند و زجر و خشم نیست

O king elephant, I am the ambassador in thy presence. Stop! Ambassadors are not subjected to imprisonment and violence and wrath.

ماه می‌گوید که ای پیلان روید ** چشمه آن ماست زین یکسو شوید

The Moon says, “O elephants, depart! The spring is mine, turn aside from it;

ورنه منتان کور گردانم ستم ** گفتم از گردن برون انداختم 2745

And if (ye depart) not, I will make you blind. I have declared the wrong (which ye are doing) and have thrown off my neck (all responsibility for what will happen if ye trespass farther).

ترک این چشمه بگویید و روید ** تا ز زخم تیغ مه آمن شوید

Take leave of this spring and depart, that ye may be safe from the blows of the Moon's sword.”

نک نشان آنست کاندر چشمه ماه ** مضطرب گردد ز پیل آب‌خواه

Lo, the token (of my veracity) is that the Moon (reflected) in the spring will be disturbed by the water-craving elephant.

آن فلان شب حاضر آ ای شاه‌پیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی زین دلیل

Come and be present on the such-and-such a night, O king elephant, in order that within the spring thou mayst find the proof of this (assertion).’

چونک هفت و هشت از مه بگذرید ** شاه‌پیل آمد ز چشمه می‌چرید

When seven and eight (fifteen nights) of the month had passed, the king elephant came to drink from the spring.