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.

تو ز ضعف چشم بینی پیش پا ** تو ضعیف و هم ضعیفت پیشوا

From weakness of eye thou seest (only) in front of thy foot: thou art weak and thy guide, too, is weak.

پیشوا چشمست دست و پای را ** کو ببیند جای را ناجای را

The eye is the guide for hand and foot, for it sees (both) the right and the wrong place.

دیگر آنک چشم من روشن‌ترست ** دیگر آنک خلقت من اطهرست

Another thing is that my eye is clearer; another, that my nature is purer,

زانک هستم من ز اولاد حلال ** نه ز اولاد زنا و اهل ضلال 3405

Because I am one of the lawfully begotten, not one of the children of adultery and the people of perdition.