And if (ye depart) not, I will make you blind. I have declared the wrong (which ye are doing) and have thrown off my neck (all responsibility for what will happen if ye trespass farther).
ترک این چشمه بگویید و روید ** تا ز زخم تیغ مه آمن شوید
Take leave of this spring and depart, that ye may be safe from the blows of the Moon's sword.”
نک نشان آنست کاندر چشمه ماه ** مضطرب گردد ز پیل آب‌خواه
Lo, the token (of my veracity) is that the Moon (reflected) in the spring will be disturbed by the water-craving elephant.
آن فلان شب حاضر آ ای شاه‌پیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی زین دلیل
Come and be present on the such-and-such a night, O king elephant, in order that within the spring thou mayst find the proof of this (assertion).’
چونک هفت و هشت از مه بگذرید ** شاه‌پیل آمد ز چشمه می‌چرید
When seven and eight (fifteen nights) of the month had passed, the king elephant came to drink from the spring.
چونک زد خرطوم پیل آن شب درآب ** مضطرب شد آب ومه کرد اضطراب2750
When on that night the elephant put his trunk in the water, the water was disturbed, and the Moon showed disturbance.
پیل باور کرد از وی آن خطاب ** چون درون چشمه مه کرد اضطراب
The elephant believed that speech of his (the hare's), when the Moon in the spring showed disturbance.
مانه زان پیلان گولیم ای گروه ** که اضطراب ماه آردمان شکوه
O company (of prophets), we are not (to be reckoned) among those stupid elephants who are terrified by the disturbance of the Moon.”
انبیا گفتند آوه پند جان ** سخت‌تر کرد ای سفیهان بندتان
The prophets said, “Ah, (our) spiritual admonition has (only) made your (carnal) bondage more grievous, O ye fools!
جواب گفتن انبیا طعن ایشان را و مثل زدن ایشان را
How the prophets answered their sneers and uttered parables unto them.
ای دریغا که دوا در رنجتان ** گشت زهر قهر جان آهنجتان
Oh, alas that in (the case of) your disease the remedy has become for you the poison of soul-wringing (Divine) vengeance.
ظلمت افزود این چراغ آن چشم را ** چون خدا بگماشت پرده‌ی خشم را2755
This lamp (of spiritual admonition) has increased the darkness of that (diseased) eye, since God has set (over it) the veil of wrath.
چه رئیسی جست خواهیم از شما ** که ریاستمان فزونست از سما
What dominion shall we crave from you? for our dominion is greater than the sky.”
چه شرف یابد ز کشتی بحر در ** خاصه کشتیی ز سرگین گشته پر
What glory should the sea of pearls acquire from the ship— especially a ship that has been filled with dung?
ای دریغ آن دیده‌ی کور و کبود ** آفتابی اندرو ذره نمود
Oh, alas for that eye blind and blear! Therein a sun seemed as (insignificant as) a mote.
ز آدمی که بود بی مثل و ندید ** دیده ابلیس جز طینی ندید
In an Adam who was without like or equal the eye of Iblís discerned naught but a piece of clay.
چشم دیوانه بهارش دی نمود ** زان طرف جنبید کو را خانه بود2760
The devilish eye showed (saw) his (Adam's) spring as winter: it moved in the direction where its (original) home was.
ای بسا دولت که آید گاه گاه ** پیش بی‌دولت بگردد او ز راه
Oh, many a fortune that comes now and then to the unfortunate one, and he turns away (from it)!
ای بسا معشوق کاید ناشناخت ** پیش بدبختی نداند عشق باخت
Oh, many a beloved who comes unbeknown to an ill-starred one, and he knows not how to make love!
این غلط‌ده دیده را حرمان ماست ** وین مقلب قلب را س القضاست
This that misleads the eye is our (original) damnation, and this that turns the heart (from seeing the truth) is (our) evil destiny.
چون بت سنگین شما را قبله شد ** لعنت و کوری شما را ظله شد
Since to you the idol of stone has become an object of adoration, the curse (of God) and blindness have o’ershadowed you.
چون بشاید سنگتان انباز حق ** چون نشاید عقل و جان همراز حق2765
When your stone is a fitting partner for God, how are not intellect and spirit fitting confidants of God?
پشه‌ی مرده هما را شد شریک ** چون نشاید زنده همراز ملیک
The dead gnat has become the consort of the humá: how (then) is the living one not fit to be the confidant of the King?
یا مگر مرده تراشیده‌ی شماست ** پشه‌ی زنده تراشیده‌ی خداست
Or, maybe, (’tis because) the dead one is fashioned by you, (whereas) the living gnat is fashioned by God.
عاشق خویشید و صنعت‌کرد خویش ** دم ماران را سر مارست کیش
Ye are in love with yourselves and the thing manufactured by yourselves: to serpents' tails the serpent's head is a law.
نه در آن دم دولتی و نعمتی ** نه در آن سر راحتی و لذتی
In that tail there is no fortune or happiness; in that head there is no pleasure or delight.