کرده تمساحی دهان خویش باز ** گرد دندانهاش کرمان دراز
A crocodile opens its mouth: its teeth are surrounded by long worms.
از بقیه‌ی خور که در دندانش ماند ** کرم‌ها رویید و بر دندان نشاند
The worms were produced by the residue of food left in its teeth; and it gave them lodging there.
مرغکان بینند کرم و قوت را ** مرج پندارند آن تابوت را
The little birds see the worms and the food and imagine that coffin to be a meadow.
چون دهان پر شد ز مرغ او ناگهان ** در کشدشان و فرو بندد دهان 4085
When its mouth is filled with birds, it suddenly swallows them and closes its mouth (again).
این جهان پر ز نقل و پر ز نان ** چون دهان باز آن تمساح دان
Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.
بهر کرم و طعمه ای روزی‌تراش ** از فن تمساح دهر آمن مباش
O thou who scrapest together the means of livelihood, (in thy desire) for worms and morsels do not feel secure from the artfulness of the crocodile, (which is) Time.
روبه افتد پهن اندر زیر خاک ** بر سر خاکش حبوب مکرناک
A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,
تا بیاید زاغ غافل سوی آن ** پای او گیرد به مکر آن مکردان
In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.
صدهزاران مکر در حیوان چو هست ** چون بود مکر بشر کو مهترست 4090
Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)!
مصحفی در کف چو زین‌العابدین ** خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین
In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.