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.

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,

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

ناگهان رفت او ولیکن چونک رفت ** می‌ببایستم شدن در پی بتفت

He went off suddenly, but seeing that he went I ought to have gone after him in hot haste.”