که ازین شاگردی و زین افتقار ** سوزنی باشی شوی تو ذوالفقار
For through this pupilage and this poverty (of spirit), (though) thou be (as) a needle, thou wilt become (a trenchant sword like) Dhu ’l-faqár.
سرمه کن تو خاک هر بگزیده را ** هم بسوزد هم بسازد دیده را3375
Use the dust of every elect one as collyrium: it will both burn the eye and do it good.
چشم اشتر زان بود بس نوربار ** کو خورد از بهر نور چشم خار
The eye of the camel is very luminous because he (the camel) eats thorns for the sake of (increasing) the light of his eye.
قصه‌ی شکایت استر با شتر کی من بسیار در رو می‌افتم در راه رفتن تو کم در روی می‌آیی این چراست و جواب گفتن شتر او را
Story of the mule's complaining to the camel (and saying), "I often fall on my face when going along, while you seldom do so: why is this?" and the camel's answer to him.
اشتری را دید روزی استری ** چونک با او جمع شد در آخری
One day a mule saw a camel, since he had been put into a stable with him.
گفت من بسیار می‌افتم برو ** در گریوه و راه و در بازار و کو
He (the mule) said, “I often fall on my face in hill and road and in market and street.
خاصه از بالای که تا زیر کوه ** در سر آیم هر زمانی از شکوه
Particularly (in descending) from the top of the mountain to the bottom I come down on my head every moment from terror.
کم همی‌افتی تو در رو بهر چیست ** یا مگر خود جان پاکت دولتیست3380
Thou dost not fall on thy face: why is it? Or maybe in sooth thy pure spirit is destined to felicity.
در سر آیم هر دم و زانو زنم ** پوز و زانو زان خطا پر خون کنم
I come down on my head every instant and strike my knees (on the ground): by that slipping I make muzzle and knees all bloody.
کژ شود پالان و رختم بر سرم ** وز مکاری هر زمان زخمی خورم
My pack-saddle and trappings become awry (lie in disorder) on my head, and I always get a beating from the muleteer;
هم‌چو کم عقلی که از عقل تباه ** بشکند توبه بهر دم در گناه
Like the unintelligent man who, from corrupt understanding, in (the case of his committing) sin continually breaks (his vow of) penitence.