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محرم آن آه کم‌یابست بس ** شب رو و پنهان‌روی کن چون عسس
- Very seldom is there found a fit confidant for that sigh: go by night and let thy movement be hidden, like (that of) the night-patrol.
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سوی دریا عزم کن زین آب‌گیر ** بحر جو و ترک این گرداب گیر
- Set out from this lake towards the sea: seek the sea and take leave of this whirlpool.
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سینه را پا ساخت می‌رفت آن حذور ** از مقام با خطر تا بحر نور 2235
- That wary (fish) made its breast o afoot (swam away) and was going from its perilous abode to the sea of light,
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هم‌چو آهو کز پی او سگ بود ** می‌دود تا در تنش یک رگ بود
- Like the deer of which a dog is in pursuit and which keeps running so long as there is a single nerve in its body.
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خواب خرگوش و سگ اندر پی خطاست ** خواب خود در چشم ترسنده کجاست
- Hare’s sleep (heedlessness) with the dog in pursuit is a sin: how indeed is sleep (dwelling) in the eye of him who hath fear?
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رفت آن ماهی ره دریا گرفت ** راه دور و پهنه‌ی پهنا گرفت
- That fish departed and took the way to the sea: it took the far way and the vast expanse.
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رنجها بسیار دید و عاقبت ** رفت آخر سوی امن و عافیت
- It suffered many afflictions, and in the end it went after all towards safety and welfare.
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خویشتن افکند در دریای ژرف ** که نیابد حد آن را هیچ طرف 2240
- It cast itself into the deep Sea whose bound no eye can reach.
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پس چو صیادان بیاوردند دام ** نیم‌عاقل را از آن شد تلخ کام
- So when the fishermen brought their net (to the lake), the half-intelligent (fish) was bitterly grieved thereat.
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گفت اه من فوت کردم فرصه را ** چون نگشتم همره آن رهنما
- And said, “Alas, I have lost the opportunity: how did not I accompany that guide?