هم زبانی خویشی و پیوندی است ** مرد با نامحرمان چون بندی است‌‌

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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),

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.”

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,

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,

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.

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.”

پس سلیمان گفت ای نیکو رفیق ** در بیابانهای بی‌‌آب عمیق‌‌ 1220

Then said Solomon, “O good companion in waterless far-stretching wastes!”

طعنه‌‌ی زاغ در دعوی هدهد

How the crow impugned the claim of the hoopoe.

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.

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.

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?

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?”

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?

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?”

جواب گفتن هدهد طعنه‌‌ی زاغ را

The hoopoe's answer to the attack of the crow.

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.

گر به بطلان است دعوی کردنم ** من نهادم سر ببر این گردنم‌‌

If my claim is (made) with falsehood, I lay my head (before thee): sever this neck of mine.

زاغ کاو حکم قضا را منکر است ** گر هزاران عقل دارد کافر است‌‌

The crow, who disbelieves in the (absolute) authority of the Divine destiny, is an infidel, though he have thousands of wits.