خر بدو بسپرد و آن رحمت‌پرست ** در میان آخر سلطانش بست
He handed the ass over to him, and that merciful man tethered him in the Sultan's stable.
خر ز هر سو مرکب تازی بدید ** با نوا و فربه و خوب و جدید
The ass saw on every side (of him) Arab horses, well-fed and fat and handsome and glossy;
زیر پاشان روفته آبی زده ** که به وقت وجو به هنگام آمده 2370
(He saw the ground) swept (clean) under their feet and sprinkled with water; the straw coming at the (proper) time, and the barley at the hour (when it was expected).
خارش و مالش مر اسپان را بدید ** پوز بالا کرد کای رب مجید
He saw the horses curry-combed and rubbed down. (Then) he lifted up his muzzle, crying, “O glorious Lord,
نه که مخلوق توم گیرم خرم ** از چه زار و پشت ریش و لاغرم
Am not I Thy creature? I grant that I am an ass, (but) wherefore am I wretched, with sores on my back, and lean?
شب ز درد پشت و از جوع شکم ** آرزومندم به مردن دم به دم
At night, because of the pain in my back and the (pangs of) hunger in my belly, I am always wishing to die.
حال این اسپان چنین خوش با نوا ** من چه مخصوصم به تعذیب و بلا
These horses are so happy and prosperous: why am I singled out for torment and tribulation?”
ناگهان آوازه‌ی پیگار شد ** تازیان را وقت زین و کار شد 2375
Suddenly came the rumour of war: ’twas the time for the Arab horses to be saddled and brought into action.
زخمهای تیر خوردند از عدو ** رفت پیکانها دریشان سو به سو
They were wounded with arrows by the foe: the barbs entered them on every side.
از غزا باز آمدند آن تازیان ** اندر آخر جمله افتاده ستان
(When) those Arab horses returned from the campaign, they all fell down and lay on their backs in the stable.