بی‌خبر بود او که آن عقل و فاد ** بی ز تقلیب خدا باشد جماد

He (the wise ant) was unaware that without the controlling influence of God that intellect and heart (mind) would be inert.

یک زمان از وی عنایت بر کند ** عقل زیرک ابلهیها می‌کند

If He withdraw His favour from it for a single moment, the acute intellect will commit (many) follies.

چونش گویا یافت ذوالقرنین گفت ** چونک کوه قاف در نطق سفت 3730

When Dhu ’l-Qarnayn found it (Mount Qáf) speaking, he said, after Mount Qáf had bored the pearls of speech,

کای سخن‌گوی خبیر رازدان ** از صفات حق بکن با من بیان

“O eloquent one, who art wise and knowest the mystery, expound to me the Attributes of God.”

گفت رو کان وصف از آن هایل‌ترست ** که بیان بر وی تواند برد دست

It answered, “Go, for those qualities are too terrible for (oral) exposition to put its hand on them,

یا قلم را زهره باشد که به سر ** بر نویسد بر صحایف زان خبر

Or for the pen to dare inscribe with its point information concerning them on the pages (of books).”

گفت کمتر داستانی باز گو ** از عجبهای حق ای حبر نکو

He said, “Relate a lesser tale concerning the wonders of God, O goodly divine.”

گفت اینک دشت سیصدساله راه ** کوههای برف پر کردست شاه 3735

It said, “Look, the King (God) hath made a plain full of snow-mountains, for the distance of a three hundred years' journey—

کوه بر که بی‌شمار و بی‌عدد ** می‌رسد در هر زمان برفش مدد

Mountain on mountain, beyond count and number: the snow comes continually to replenish them.

کوه برفی می‌زند بر دیگری ** می‌رساند برف سردی تا ثری

One snow-mountain is being piled on another: the snow brings coldness to the earth.