چون رسید او پیشتر نزدیک صف ** بانگ بر زد شیرهای ای ناخلف‌‌

When he came further on, near to the “shoe-row,” the lion shouted—“Ha, villain!

من که گاوان را ز هم بدریده‌‌ام ** من که گوش پیل نر مالیده‌‌ام‌‌

I who have torn elephants limb from limb, I who have rubbed the ear of (chastised and vanquished) the ferocious lion—

نیم خرگوشی که باشد که چنین ** امر ما را افکند او بر زمین‌‌ 1155

Who (what) is a half-witted (feeble) hare, that he should thus throw on the ground (disregard) my behest?”

ترک خواب غفلت خرگوش کن ** غره‌‌ی این شیر ای خر گوش کن‌‌

Abandon the hare's sleep of heedlessness! Give ear, O donkey, to the roaring of this lion!

عذر گفتن خرگوش‌‌

The hare's apology.

گفت خرگوش الامان عذریم هست ** گر دهد عفو خداوندیت دست‌‌

“Mercy!” cried the hare, “I have an excuse, if thy Lordship's pardon come to my aid.”

گفت چه عذر ای قصور ابلهان ** این زمان آیند در پیش شهان‌‌

“What excuse?” said he. “Oh, the shortsightedness of fools! Is this the time for them to come into the presence of kings?

مرغ بی‌‌وقتی سرت باید برید ** عذر احمق را نمی شاید شنید

Thou art an untimely bird: thy head must be cut off. One ought not to hear the excuse of a fool.

عذر احمق بدتر از جرمش بود ** عذر نادان زهر هر دانش بود 1160

The fool's excuse is worse than his crime; the excuse of the ignorant is the poison of every knowledge.

عذرت ای خرگوش از دانش تهی ** من چه خرگوشم که در گوشم نهی‌‌

Thy excuse, O hare, is devoid of wisdom: what hare am I that thou shouldst put it in my ear?”

گفت ای شه ناکسی را کس شمار ** عذر استم دیده‌‌ای را گوش دار

“O king,” he replied, “account a worthless one to be worthy: hearken to the excuse of one who has suffered oppression.

خاص از بهر زکات جاه خود ** گمرهی را تو مران از راه خود

In particular, as an alms (thank-offering) for thy high estate, do not drive out of thy way one whose way is lost.

بحر کاو آبی به هر جو می‌‌دهد ** هر خسی را بر سر و رو می‌‌نهد

The ocean, which gives some water to every stream, lays on its head and face (surface) every piece of rubbish.

کم نخواهد گشت دریا زین کرم ** از کرم دریا نگردد بیش و کم‌‌ 1165

By this bounty the sea will not become less: the sea is neither increased nor diminished by its bounty.”

گفت دارم من کرم بر جای او ** جامه‌‌ی هر کس برم بالای او

The lion said, “I will bestow bounty in its (proper) place, I will cut every one's clothes according to his stature.”

گفت بشنو گر نباشم جای لطف ** سر نهادم پیش اژدرهای عنف‌‌

“Listen,” cried the hare, “if I am not a fit object for (thy) grace, I lay my head before the dragon of (thy) violence.

من به وقت چاشت در راه آمدم ** با رفیق خود سوی شاه آمدم‌‌

At breakfast-time I set out on the way, I came towards the king with my comrade.

با من از بهر تو خرگوشی دگر ** جفت و همره کرده بودند آن نفر

That party (of beasts) had appointed, for thy sake, another hare to go along with me as consort and companion.

شیری اندر راه قصد بنده کرد ** قصد هر دو همره آینده کرد 1170

On the road a lion attacked thy humble slave, attacked both the companions in travel who were coming (to thee).

گفتمش ما بنده‌‌ی شاهنشه‌‌ایم ** خواجه‌‌تاشان که آن درگه‌‌ایم‌‌

I said to him, ‘We are the slaves of the King of kings, the lowly fellow-servants of that (exalted) court.’

گفت شاهنشه که باشد شرم دار ** پیش من تو یاد هر ناکس میار

He said, ‘The King of kings! Who is he? Be ashamed! Do not make mention of every base loon in my presence.

هم ترا و هم شهت را بر درم ** گر تو با یارت بگردید از درم‌‌

Both thee and thy king I will tear to pieces, if thou and thy friend turn back from my door.’

گفتمش بگذار تا بار دگر ** روی شه بینم برم از تو خبر

I said to him, ‘Let me behold once more the face of the king and bear the news of thee (to him).’

گفت همره را گرو نه پیش من ** ور نه قربانی تو اندر کیش من‌‌ 1175

He said, ‘Place thy comrade with me (in my keeping) as a pledge; otherwise, thou art a sacrifice (thy life is forfeit) according to my law.’

لابه کردیمش بسی سودی نکرد ** یار من بستد مرا بگذاشت فرد

We entreated him much: it was no use. He seized my friend and left me to go alone.

یارم از زفتی دو چندان بد که من ** هم به لطف و هم به خوبی هم به تن‌‌

My friend, from his plumpness, made two of me both in comeliness and beauty and (size of) body.