آنک تنها خوش رود اندر رصد ** با رفیقان بی‌گمان خوشتر رود
Beyond doubt he who cheerfully goes alone into the custom-house will go more cheerfully (when he is) with companions.
هر نبیی اندرین راه درست ** معجزه بنمود و همراهان بجست
Every prophet (that walked) on this straight road produced evidentiary miracles and sought fellow-travellers.
گر نباشد یاری دیوارها ** کی برآید خانه و انبارها
Were it not for the help given by the walls, how should houses and magazines arise?
هر یکی دیوار اگر باشد جدا ** سقف چون باشد معلق در هوا 520
If each wall be separated (from the others), how shall the roof remain suspended in the air?
گر نباشد یاری حبر و قلم ** کی فتد بر روی کاغذها رقم
If no help be given by ink and pen, how shall the writing come on to the surface of the paper?
این حصیری که کسی می‌گسترد ** گر نپیوندد به هم بادش برد
If this rush-mat which some one is spreading were not joined together (interwoven), the wind would carry it away.
حق ز هر جنسی چو زوجین آفرید ** پس نتایج شد ز جمعیت پدید
Since God created pairs of every kind, therefore (all) results are produced by means of union.”
او بگفت و او بگفت از اهتزاز ** بحثشان شد اندرین معنی دراز
He (the fowler) spoke (on one side) and it (the bird) spoke (on the other side): their debate on this subject was prolonged by the vehemence (with which they argued).
مثنوی را چابک و دلخواه کن ** ماجرا را موجز و کوتاه کن 525
Make the Mathnawí nimble and pleasing to the heart: abridge and shorten (their) controversy.
بعد از آن گفتش که گندم آن کیست ** گفت امانت از یتیم بی وصیست
Afterwards, it (the bird) said to him, “Whose is the wheat?” He replied, “It is the deposit of an orphan who has no guardian.
مال ایتام است امانت پیش من ** زانک پندارند ما را متمن
It is orphans' property, deposited with me because people deem me trustworthy.”
گفت من مضطرم و مجروح‌حال ** هست مردار این زمان بر من حلال
The bird said, “I am driven by necessity and in a sore plight: (even) carrion is lawful to me at this moment.
هین به دستوری ازین گندم خورم ** ای امین و پارسا و محترم
Hark, with your permission I will eat of this wheat, O trusty and devout and venerable one.”
He replied, “You are the judge of (your) necessity: if you eat without necessity, you will commit a sin;
ور ضرورت هست هم پرهیز به ** ور خوری باری ضمان آن بده
And if the necessity exists, yet ’tis better to abstain; or if you do eat, at any rate give a guarantee for (payment of) it.”
مرغ پس در خود فرو رفت آن زمان ** توسنش سر بستد از جذب عنان
Thereupon the bird pondered deeply, (but) its restive steed took its head (recoiled) from the pull of the rein.
چون بخورد آن گندم اندر فخ بماند ** چند او یاسین و الانعام خواند
When it had eaten the wheat, it remained in the trap: it recited several times (the chapters of the Qur’án entitled) Yásín and al-An‘ám.
بعد در ماندن چه افسوس و چه آه ** پیش از آن بایست این دود سیاه
What is (the use of crying) “Alas” and “Ah me” after being left helpless? This black smoke ought to have been (exhaled) before that (calamity).
آن زمان که حرص جنبید و هوس ** آن زمان می‌گو کای فریادرس 535
At the time when greed and desire have stirred (in the heart), at that time keep saying, “(Help me), O Thou who comest at the cry for help!”
کان زمان پیش از خرابی بصره است ** بوک بصره وا رهد هم زان شکست
For that time is prior to the devastation of Basra, and it may be that Basra will still be saved from that overthrow.
ابک لی یا باکیی یا ثاکلی ** قبل هدم البصرة و الموصل
O thou that wilt weep for me, O thou that wilt be bereft of me, weep for me before the demolition of Basra and Mawsil (Mosul).
نح علی قبل موتی واغتفر ** لا تنح لی بعد موتی واصطبر
Mourn for me and smear thyself with dust before my death; do not mourn for me after my death, but bear (the loss of me) with patience.
ابک لی قبل ثبوری فی‌النوی ** بعد طوفان النوی خل البکا
Weep for me before my destruction in (the flood of) decease: after the flood of decease leave off weeping.
آن زمان که دیو می‌شد راه‌زن ** آن زمان بایست یاسین خواندن 540
At the time when the Devil was waylaying (you), at that time you ought to have recited (the Súra entitled) Yásín.
پیش از آنک اشکسته گردد کاروان ** آن زمان چوبک بزن ای پاسبان
O watchman, use your rattle before the caravan is ruined (by the robbers).
حکایت پاسبان کی خاموش کرد تا دزدان رخت تاجران بردند به کلی بعد از آن هیهای و پاسبانی می‌کرد
Story of the watchman who kept silence till the robbers had carried off the entire stock of the merchants, but afterwards made an outcry and did the duty of a watchman.