این زنانی کز همه مشفق‌تراند ** از حسد دو ضره خود را می‌خورند

These women, who are kinder than all (other creatures)—(even amongst them) two fellow-wives devour each other from envy,

تا که مردانی که خود سنگین‌دلند ** از حسد تا در کدامین منزلند

So that (you may judge) in what degree of envy are the men who indeed are stony-hearted.

گر نکردی شرع افسونی لطیف ** بر دریدی هر کسی جسم حریف 1210

If the Law had not exercised a gracious spell (over them), every one would have torn the body of his rival to pieces.

شرع بهر دفع شر رایی زند ** دیو را در شیشه‌ی حجت کند

The Law makes a plan for repelling evil: it puts the demon into the bottle of (legal) proof—

از گواه و از یمین و از نکول ** تا به شیشه در رود دیو فضول

Witness and oath and shrinking (from the oath)—till (at last) the insolent demon goes into the bottle (prison).

مثل میزانی که خشنودی دو ضد ** جمع می‌آید یقین در هزل و جد

(The Law is) like the balance whereby the two adversaries are surely united in contentment, (whether) in jest or earnest.

شرع چون کیله و ترازو دان یقین ** که بدو خصمان رهند از جنگ و کین

Know for sure that the Law is like the measure and scales by means of which the litigants are saved from wrangling and enmity.

گر ترازو نبود آن خصم از جدال ** کی رهد از وهم حیف و احتیال 1215

If there be no pair of scales, how shall the litigant escape from disputing when he suspects fraud and deceit?

پس درین مردار زشت بی‌وفا ** این همه رشکست و خصمست و جفا

(If), then, there is all this jealousy and litigation and injustice in respect of this foul faithless carcase,

پس در اقبال و دولت چون بود ** چون شود جنی و انسی در حسد

How, then, must it be when genies and men become envious in respect of that fortune and felicity (hereafter)?