(Thereupon) a person said, “You have used a good formula, but you have missed the (proper) hole for the prayer.
این دعا چون ورد بینی بود چون ** ورد بینی را تو آوردی به کون
Since this prayer was the formula applicable to the nose, why have you applied the nose-formula to the arse?
رایحه‌ی جنت ز بینی یافت حر ** رایحه‌ی جنت کم آید از دبر
One free (from sensuality) gets the odour of Paradise from his nose: how should the odour of Paradise come from the rump?”
ای تواضع برده پیش ابلهان ** وی تکبر برده تو پیش شهان2225
O thou who hast brought humility into the presence of fools, and O thou who hast brought pride into the presence of (spiritual) kings,
آن تکبر بر خسان خوبست و چست ** هین مرو معکوس عکسش بند تست
The pride shown to the base is goodly and fitting. Take heed, do not behave in the reverse manner: the reverse thereof is (the cause of) thy bondage.
از پی سوراخ بینی رست گل ** بو وظیفه‌ی بینی آمد ای عتل
The rose grew for the sake of the nostrils: sweet scent is the stipend of the nose, O churl.
بوی گل بهر مشامست ای دلیر ** جای آن بو نیست این سوراخ زیر
The scent of the rose is for organs of smell, O bold man: this hole below is not the place for that scent.
کی ازین جا بوی خلد آید ترا ** بو ز موضع جو اگر باید ترا
How should the scent of Paradise come to thee from this place? If thou requirest the (sweet) scent, seek it from its (proper) place.
هم‌چنین حب الوطن باشد درست ** تو وطن بشناس ای خواجه نخست2230
Likewise, “love of country” is right, (but) first, O master, know (what really is) thy country.
گفت آن ماهی زیرک ره کنم ** دل ز رای و مشورتشان بر کنم
That sagacious fish said, “I will journey, I will withdraw my heart from their advice and counsel.”
نیست وقت مشورت هین راه کن ** چون علی تو آه اندر چاه کن
’Tis no time for counsel. Hark, journey! Like ‘Alí, sigh (the secret) into the well.
محرم آن آه کم‌یابست بس ** شب رو و پنهان‌روی کن چون عسس
Very seldom is there found a fit confidant for that sigh: go by night and let thy movement be hidden, like (that of) the night-patrol.
سوی دریا عزم کن زین آب‌گیر ** بحر جو و ترک این گرداب گیر
Set out from this lake towards the sea: seek the sea and take leave of this whirlpool.
سینه را پا ساخت می‌رفت آن حذور ** از مقام با خطر تا بحر نور2235
That wary (fish) made its breast o afoot (swam away) and was going from its perilous abode to the sea of light,
هم‌چو آهو کز پی او سگ بود ** می‌دود تا در تنش یک رگ بود
Like the deer of which a dog is in pursuit and which keeps running so long as there is a single nerve in its body.
خواب خرگوش و سگ اندر پی خطاست ** خواب خود در چشم ترسنده کجاست
Hare’s sleep (heedlessness) with the dog in pursuit is a sin: how indeed is sleep (dwelling) in the eye of him who hath fear?
رفت آن ماهی ره دریا گرفت ** راه دور و پهنه‌ی پهنا گرفت
That fish departed and took the way to the sea: it took the far way and the vast expanse.
رنجها بسیار دید و عاقبت ** رفت آخر سوی امن و عافیت
It suffered many afflictions, and in the end it went after all towards safety and welfare.
خویشتن افکند در دریای ژرف ** که نیابد حد آن را هیچ طرف2240
It cast itself into the deep Sea whose bound no eye can reach.
پس چو صیادان بیاوردند دام ** نیم‌عاقل را از آن شد تلخ کام
So when the fishermen brought their net (to the lake), the half-intelligent (fish) was bitterly grieved thereat.
گفت اه من فوت کردم فرصه را ** چون نگشتم همره آن رهنما
And said, “Alas, I have lost the opportunity: how did not I accompany that guide?
ناگهان رفت او ولیکن چونک رفت ** می‌ببایستم شدن در پی بتفت
He went off suddenly, but seeing that he went I ought to have gone after him in hot haste.”
بر گذشته حسرت آوردن خطاست ** باز ناید رفته یاد آن هباست
‘Tis wrong to regret the past: what is gone will not come back: to remember it is of no avail.
قصه‌ی آن مرغ گرفته کی وصیت کرد کی بر گذشته پشیمانی مخور تدارک وقت اندیش و روزگار مبر در پشیمانی
Story of the captive bird which gave the (following) injunctions: do not feel sorrow for what is past, think about taking precaution for the present (need), and do not spend time in repenting.
آن یکی مرغی گرفت از مکر و دام ** مرغ او را گفت ای خواجه‌ی همام2245
A certain man caught a bird by guile and trap: the bird said to him, “O noble sire,
به تو بسی گاوان و میشان خورده‌ای ** تو بسی اشتر به قربان کرده‌ای
Thou hast eaten many oxen and sheep, thou hast sacrificed many camels;