چون به نزد دانه آید پیش و پس ** چند گرداند سر و رو آن نفس
When it approaches the grain (bait), at that moment it turns its head and face several times to front and rear,
کای عجب پیش و پسم صیاد هست ** تا کشم از بیم او زین لقمه دست 755
(As though to say), ‘Oh, I wonder whether there is a fowler in front of me or behind, so that for fear of him I should abstain from this food.’
تو ببین پس قصه‌ی فجار را ** پیش بنگر مرگ یار و جار را
Do thou see behind (thee) the story of (what happened to) the wicked; see before (thee) the death of (many a) friend and neighbour,
که هلاکت دادشان بی‌آلتی ** او قرین تست در هر حالتی
Whom He (God) destroyed without (using) any instrument: He is close to thee in every circumstance.
حق شکنجه کرد و گرز و دست نیست ** پس بدان بی‌دست حق داورکنیست
God inflicted torment (on them), and there is no mace or hand (employed): know, then, that God is one who deals justice (inflicts chastisement) without hands.
آنک می‌گفتی اگر حق هست کو ** در شکنجه او مقر می‌شد که هو
He who was saying, ‘If God exists, where is He?’ was confessing on the rack (of pain) that ’tis He (God).
آنک می‌گفت این بعیدست و عجیب ** اشک می‌راند و همی گفت ای قریب 760
He who was saying, ‘This is far-fetched and marvellous’ was shedding tears and crying, ‘O Thou who art nigh!’
چون فرار از دام واجب دیده است ** دام تو خود بر پرت چفسیده است
Since he has deemed it necessary to flee from the trap, (’tis strange that) the trap for thee is in fact stuck fast to thy (gaudy) feathers.
بر کنم من میخ این منحوس دام ** از پی کامی نباشم طلخ‌کام
I will tear out the pin of this ill-fated trap: I will not suffer bitter grief for the sake of (indulging) a desire.
درخور عقل تو گفتم این جواب ** فهم کن وز جست و جو رو بر متاب
I have given thee this answer (which is) suitable to thy understanding: apprehend (its meaning) and do not avert thy face from seeking.