گرگ بر وی خود مسلط چون شرر ** گرگ جویان و ز گرگ او بی‌خبر
The wolf, in sooth, was given power over him, like sparks of fire: (he was) seeking the wolf (outside), and (was) unaware of the wolf (within himself).
هر پشه هر کیک چون گرگی شده ** اندر آن ویرانه‌شان زخمی زده
Every gnat, every flea, had become as a wolf and inflicted a wound upon them in that ruined place.
فرصت آن پشه راندن هم نبود ** از نهیب حمله‌ی گرگ عنود
There was no opportunity even of driving away those gnats, because of (their) dread of an attack by the contumacious wolf,
تا نباید گرگ آسیبی زند ** روستایی ریش خواجه بر کند
Lest the wolf should inflict some damage, (and then) the countryman would tear out the Khwája's beard.
این چنین دندان‌کنان تا نیمشب ** جانشان از ناف می‌آمد به لب650
In this wise (they were) gnashing their teeth till midnight: their souls were coming (up) from the navel to the lip.
ناگهان تمثال گرگ هشته‌ای ** سر بر آورد از فراز پشته‌ای
Suddenly the figure of a deserted (solitary) wolf raised its head (appeared) from the top of a hillock.
تیر را بگشاد آن خواجه ز شست ** زد بر آن حیوان که تا افتاد پست
The Khwája loosed the arrow from the thumbstall and shot at the animal, so that it fell to the ground.
اندر افتادن ز حیوان باد جست ** روستایی های کرد و کوفت دست
In falling, wind escaped from the animal: the countryman uttered a wail and beat his hands,
ناجوامردا که خرکره‌ی منست ** گفت نه این گرگ چون آهرمنست
(Crying), “O ungenerous (wretch), it is my ass-colt!” “Nay,” said he, “this is the devilish wolf.
اندرو اشکال گرگی ظاهرست ** شکل او از گرگی او مخبرست655
The features of wolfishness are apparent in it; its form makes (one) acquainted with its wolfishness.”
گفت نه بادی که جست از فرج وی ** می‌شناسم همچنانک آبی ز می
“Nay,” he said, “I know the wind that escaped from its arse as well as (I know) water from wine.
کشته‌ای خرکره‌ام را در ریاض ** که مبادت بسط هرگز ز انقباض
Thou hast killed my ass-colt in the meadows—mayst thou never be released from anguish!”