کف همی‌مالید بر پشت و سرش ** می‌نواخت از مهر هم‌چون مادرش

And stroked its back and head with his hand, fondling it lovingly like a mother.

نیم ذره طیرگی و خشم نی ** غیر مهر و رحم و آب چشم نی 3285

Not (even) half a mite of irritation and anger, nothing but love and pity and tears!

گفت گیرم بر منت رحمی نبود ** طبع تو بر خود چرا استم نمود

He said (to the sheep), “I grant you (naturally) had no pity on me, (but) why did your nature show (such) cruelty to itself?”

با ملایک گفت یزدان آن زمان ** که نبوت را نمی‌زیبد فلان

At that moment God said to the angels, “So-and-so is suitable for prophethood.”

مصطفی فرمود خود که هر نبی ** کرد چوپانیش برنا یا صبی

Mustafá (Mohammed) himself has said that every prophet herded sheep as a young man or boy,

بی‌شبانی کردن و آن امتحان ** حق ندادش پیشوایی جهان

(And that) without his having been a shepherd and (having undergone) that trial, God did not bestow on him the leadership of the world.

گفت سایل هم تو نیز ای پهلوان ** گفت من هم بوده‌ام دهری شبان 3290

A questioner said, “Even thou, O man of might?” “I too,” he replied, “was a shepherd for a long while.”

تا شود پیدا وقار و صبرشان ** کردشان پیش از نبوت حق شبان

In order that their (the prophets') calmness and fortitude should be displayed, God made them shepherds before (investing them with) prophethood.

هر امیری کو شبانی بشر ** آن‌چنان آرد که باشد متمر

Every prince who performs the task of shepherding mankind in such wise that he obeys the Commandments (of God),

حلم موسی‌وار اندر رعی خود ** او به جا آرد به تدبیر و خرد

(And) in tending them with foresight and understanding shows a forbearance like that of Moses,