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هم زبان و محرم خود یافتند ** پیش او یک یک به جان بشتافتند
- They found (him) speaking the same tongue (as themselves) and familiar with them: one by one they sped with (eager) soul into his presence.
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جمله مرغان ترک کرده جیک جیک ** با سلیمان گشته افصح من اخیک
- All the birds, having ceased from twittering, (in converse) with Solomon became more distinct (spoke more articulately) than your own brother.
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هم زبانی خویشی و پیوندی است ** مرد با نامحرمان چون بندی است 1205
- To speak the same tongue is a kinship and affinity: a man, (when he is) with those in whom he cannot confide, is like a prisoner in chains.
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ای بسا هندو و ترک هم زبان ** ای بسا دو ترک چون بیگانگان
- Oh, many are the Indians and Turks that speak the same tongue; oh, many the pair of Turks that are as strangers (to each other).
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پس زبان محرمی خود دیگر است ** هم دلی از هم زبانی بهتر است
- Therefore the tongue of mutual understanding is different indeed: to be one in heart is better than to be one in tongue.
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غیر نطق و غیر ایما و سجل ** صد هزاران ترجمان خیزد ز دل
- Without speech and without sign or scroll, hundreds of thousands of interpreters arise from the heart.
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جمله مرغان هر یکی اسرار خود ** از هنر وز دانش و از کار خود
- The birds, all and each, their secrets of skill and knowledge and practice
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با سلیمان یک به یک وامینمود ** از برای عرضه خود را میستود 1210
- Were revealing, one by one, to Solomon, and were praising themselves by way of submitting a request (for his consideration),
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از تکبر نی و از هستی خویش ** بهر آن تا ره دهد او را به پیش
- Not from pride and self-conceit, (but) in order that he might give them access to him.
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چون بباید بردهای را خواجهای ** عرضه دارد از هنر دیباجهای
- When a captive wants a lord (to buy him as a slave), he offers a preface (summary account) of his talent;
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چون که دارد از خریداریش ننگ ** خود کند بیمار و کر و شل و لنگ
- (But) when he is ashamed (disgusted) at his buying him, he makes himself out to be sick and deaf and palsied and lame.
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نوبت هدهد رسید و پیشهاش ** و آن بیان صنعت و اندیشهاش
- The turn came for the hoopoe and his craft and the explanation of his skill and thoughtfulness.
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گفت ای شه یک هنر کان کهتر است ** باز گویم گفت کوته بهتر است 1215
- “O king,” said he, “I will declare (only) one talent, which is an inferior one; ’tis better to speak briefly.”
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گفت بر گو تا کدام است آن هنر ** گفت من آن گه که باشم اوج بر
- “Tell on,” said Solomon; “let me hear what talent that is.” The hoopoe said, “At the time when I am at the zenith,
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بنگرم از اوج با چشم یقین ** من ببینم آب در قعر زمین
- I gaze from the zenith with the eye of certainty and I see the water at the bottom of the earth,
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تا کجایست و چه عمق استش چه رنگ ** از چه میجوشد ز خاکی یا ز سنگ
- So that (I know) where it is and what is its depth; what its colour is, whence it gushes forth—from clay or from rock.
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ای سلیمان بهر لشکرگاه را ** در سفر میدار این آگاه را
- O Solomon, for the sake of thine army's camping-place keep this wise one (beside thee) on thy expeditions.”
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پس سلیمان گفت ای نیکو رفیق ** در بیابانهای بیآب عمیق 1220
- Then said Solomon, “O good companion in waterless far-stretching wastes!”
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طعنهی زاغ در دعوی هدهد
- How the crow impugned the claim of the hoopoe.
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زاغ چون بشنود آمد از حسد ** با سلیمان گفت کاو کژ گفت و بد
- When the crow heard (this), from envy he came and said to Solomon, “He has spoken false and ill.
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از ادب نبود به پیش شه مقال ** خاصه خود لاف دروغین و محال
- It is not respectful to speak in the king's presence, in particular (to utter) lying and absurd self-praise.
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گر مر او را این نظر بودی مدام ** چون ندیدی زیر مشتی خاک دام
- If he had always had this (keen) sight, how would not he have seen the snare beneath a handful of earth?
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چون گرفتار آمدی در دام او ** چون قفس اندر شدی ناکام او
- How would he have been caught in the snare? How would he have gone into the cage willy-nilly?”
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پس سلیمان گفت ای هدهد رواست ** کز تو در اول قدح این درد خاست 1225
- Then Solomon said: “O hoopoe, is it right that these dregs have risen from thee at the first cup?
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چون نمایی مستی ای خورده تو دوغ ** پیش من لافی زنی آن گه دروغ
- O thou who hast drunk buttermilk, how dost thou pretend intoxication and brag in my presence and tell lies besides?”
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جواب گفتن هدهد طعنهی زاغ را
- The hoopoe's answer to the attack of the crow.
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گفت ای شه بر من عور گدای ** قول دشمن مشنو از بهر خدای
- He said, “O king, for God's sake do not listen to the enemy's words against me, bare beggar as I am.