اشتری را دید روزی استری ** چونک با او جمع شد در آخری

One day a mule saw a camel, since he had been put into a stable with him.

گفت من بسیار می‌افتم برو ** در گریوه و راه و در بازار و کو

He (the mule) said, “I often fall on my face in hill and road and in market and street.

خاصه از بالای که تا زیر کوه ** در سر آیم هر زمانی از شکوه

Particularly (in descending) from the top of the mountain to the bottom I come down on my head every moment from terror.

کم همی‌افتی تو در رو بهر چیست ** یا مگر خود جان پاکت دولتیست 3380

Thou dost not fall on thy face: why is it? Or maybe in sooth thy pure spirit is destined to felicity.

در سر آیم هر دم و زانو زنم ** پوز و زانو زان خطا پر خون کنم

I come down on my head every instant and strike my knees (on the ground): by that slipping I make muzzle and knees all bloody.

کژ شود پالان و رختم بر سرم ** وز مکاری هر زمان زخمی خورم

My pack-saddle and trappings become awry (lie in disorder) on my head, and I always get a beating from the muleteer;

هم‌چو کم عقلی که از عقل تباه ** بشکند توبه بهر دم در گناه

Like the unintelligent man who, from corrupt understanding, in (the case of his committing) sin continually breaks (his vow of) penitence.

مسخره‌ی ابلیس گردد در زمن ** از ضعیفی رای آن توبه‌شکن

Through weakness of resolution that breaker of (vows of) penitence becomes the laughing-stock of Iblís in the world.

در سر آید هر زمان چون اسپ لنگ ** که بود بارش گران و راه سنگ 3385

He constantly comes down on his head, like a lame horse, for his load is heavy and the road is (full of) stones.

می‌خورد از غیب بر سر زخم او ** از شکست توبه آن ادبارخو

He is always getting blows on his head from the Unseen, that man of luckless nature, from breaking (his vows of) penitence.

باز توبه می‌کند با رای سست ** دیو یک تف کرد و توبه‌ش را سکست

Then again he repents with infirm resolution: the Devil spits (in scorn) and shatters his penitence.

ضعف اندر ضعف و کبرش آنچنان ** که به خواری بنگرد در واصلان

Weakness on weakness! (Yet) his arrogance is such that he regards with contempt those that attain (to God).

ای شتر که تو مثال مومنی ** کم فتی در رو و کم بینی زنی

O camel, thou who art a type of the true believer dost not fall on thy face, nor dost thou turn up thy nose (in disdain).

تو چه داری که چنین بی‌آفتی ** بی‌عثاری و کم اندر رو فتی 3390

What hast thou that thou art so untouched by bane and free from stumbling and dost not fall on thy face?”

گفت گر چه هر سعادت از خداست ** در میان ما و تو بس فرقهاست

He (the camel) said, “Though every felicity is from God, there are many differences between me and thee.

سر بلندم من دو چشم من بلند ** بینش عالی امانست از گزند

I have a high head, my eyes are high: lofty vision is a protection against injury.

از سر که من ببینم پای کوه ** هر گو و هموار را من توه توه

From the top of the mountain I see the mountain-foot, I see every hollow and level, fold by fold,

هم‌چنانک دید آن صدر اجل ** پیش کار خویش تا روز اجل

Just as that most noble prince (the perfect saint) saw his future destiny till the day of death.

آنچ خواهد بود بعد بیست سال ** داند اندر حال آن نیکو خصال 3395

That person of goodly qualities knows at the present time what will happen after twenty years.

حال خود تنها ندید آن متقی ** بلک حال مغربی و مشرقی

That God-fearing man did not see his own destiny only; nay, the destiny of (every) inhabitant of the West and East.

نور در چشم و دلش سازد سکن ** بهر چه سازد پی حب الوطن

The Light makes its abode in his eye and heart. Wherefore does it make (its abode there)? For love of home.

هم‌چو یوسف کو بدید اول به خواب ** که سجودش کرد ماه و آفتاب

(He is) like Joseph, who at first dreamed that the sun and moon bowed in worship before him:

از پس ده سال بلک بیشتر ** آنچ یوسف دید بد بر کرد سر

After ten years, nay, more, that which Joseph had seen came to pass.

نیست آن ینظر به نور الله گزاف ** نور ربانی بود گردون شکاف 3400

That (saying), ‘he sees by the Light of God,’ is not vain: the Divine Light rives the sky asunder.

نیست اندر چشم تو آن نور رو ** هستی اندر حس حیوانی گرو

In thine eye that Light is not. Go! Thou art in pawn to the animal senses.