عالمی در دام می‌بین از هوا ** وز جراحت‌های هم‌رنگ دوا
See a whole world ensnared by self-will and by wounds (harmful things) that look like remedies (beneficial things).
مار استادست بر سینه چو مرگ ** در دهانش بهر صید اشگرف برگ
The snake, (terrible) as death, stands (raises itself) on its breast, with a big leaf in its mouth in order to catch its prey.
در حشایش چون حشیشی او بپاست ** مرغ پندارد که او شاخ گیاست 4080
It stands erect, like a herb, amidst the herbage, (so that) the bird thinks it is the stalk of a plant.
چون نشیند بهر خور بر روی برگ ** در فتد اندر دهان مار و مرگ
When it (the bird) settles on the leaf for the purpose of eating, it falls into the mouth of the snake and (into the jaws of) death.
کرده تمساحی دهان خویش باز ** گرد دندانهاش کرمان دراز
A crocodile opens its mouth: its teeth are surrounded by long worms.
از بقیه‌ی خور که در دندانش ماند ** کرم‌ها رویید و بر دندان نشاند
The worms were produced by the residue of food left in its teeth; and it gave them lodging there.
مرغکان بینند کرم و قوت را ** مرج پندارند آن تابوت را
The little birds see the worms and the food and imagine that coffin to be a meadow.
چون دهان پر شد ز مرغ او ناگهان ** در کشدشان و فرو بندد دهان 4085
When its mouth is filled with birds, it suddenly swallows them and closes its mouth (again).
این جهان پر ز نقل و پر ز نان ** چون دهان باز آن تمساح دان
Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.
بهر کرم و طعمه ای روزی‌تراش ** از فن تمساح دهر آمن مباش
O thou who scrapest together the means of livelihood, (in thy desire) for worms and morsels do not feel secure from the artfulness of the crocodile, (which is) Time.
روبه افتد پهن اندر زیر خاک ** بر سر خاکش حبوب مکرناک
A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,
تا بیاید زاغ غافل سوی آن ** پای او گیرد به مکر آن مکردان
In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.
صدهزاران مکر در حیوان چو هست ** چون بود مکر بشر کو مهترست 4090
Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)!
مصحفی در کف چو زین‌العابدین ** خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین
In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.
گویدت خندان کای مولای من ** در دل او بابلی پر سحر و فن
He addresses thee smilingly—“O my lord,” (while) in his heart there is a Babylon of sorcery and guileful spells.