می‌خورد از غیب بر سر زخم او ** از شکست توبه آن ادبارخو

He is always getting blows on his head from the Unseen, that man of luckless nature, from breaking (his vows of) penitence.

باز توبه می‌کند با رای سست ** دیو یک تف کرد و توبه‌ش را سکست

Then again he repents with infirm resolution: the Devil spits (in scorn) and shatters his penitence.

ضعف اندر ضعف و کبرش آنچنان ** که به خواری بنگرد در واصلان

Weakness on weakness! (Yet) his arrogance is such that he regards with contempt those that attain (to God).

ای شتر که تو مثال مومنی ** کم فتی در رو و کم بینی زنی

O camel, thou who art a type of the true believer dost not fall on thy face, nor dost thou turn up thy nose (in disdain).

تو چه داری که چنین بی‌آفتی ** بی‌عثاری و کم اندر رو فتی 3390

What hast thou that thou art so untouched by bane and free from stumbling and dost not fall on thy face?”

گفت گر چه هر سعادت از خداست ** در میان ما و تو بس فرقهاست

He (the camel) said, “Though every felicity is from God, there are many differences between me and thee.

سر بلندم من دو چشم من بلند ** بینش عالی امانست از گزند

I have a high head, my eyes are high: lofty vision is a protection against injury.

از سر که من ببینم پای کوه ** هر گو و هموار را من توه توه

From the top of the mountain I see the mountain-foot, I see every hollow and level, fold by fold,

هم‌چنانک دید آن صدر اجل ** پیش کار خویش تا روز اجل

Just as that most noble prince (the perfect saint) saw his future destiny till the day of death.

آنچ خواهد بود بعد بیست سال ** داند اندر حال آن نیکو خصال 3395

That person of goodly qualities knows at the present time what will happen after twenty years.