می‌‌دود بی‌‌دهشت و گستاخ او ** خشمگین و تند و تیز و ترش رو

Running undismayed and confidently, looking angry and fierce and fell and sour,

کز شکسته آمدن تهمت بود ** وز دلیری دفع هر ریبت بود

For by coming humbly (he thought) suspicion would be (excited), while by boldness every cause of doubt would be removed.

چون رسید او پیشتر نزدیک صف ** بانگ بر زد شیرهای ای ناخلف‌‌

When he came further on, near to the “shoe-row,” the lion shouted—“Ha, villain!

من که گاوان را ز هم بدریده‌‌ام ** من که گوش پیل نر مالیده‌‌ام‌‌

I who have torn elephants limb from limb, I who have rubbed the ear of (chastised and vanquished) the ferocious lion—

نیم خرگوشی که باشد که چنین ** امر ما را افکند او بر زمین‌‌ 1155

Who (what) is a half-witted (feeble) hare, that he should thus throw on the ground (disregard) my behest?”

ترک خواب غفلت خرگوش کن ** غره‌‌ی این شیر ای خر گوش کن‌‌

Abandon the hare's sleep of heedlessness! Give ear, O donkey, to the roaring of this lion!

عذر گفتن خرگوش‌‌

The hare's apology.

گفت خرگوش الامان عذریم هست ** گر دهد عفو خداوندیت دست‌‌

“Mercy!” cried the hare, “I have an excuse, if thy Lordship's pardon come to my aid.”

گفت چه عذر ای قصور ابلهان ** این زمان آیند در پیش شهان‌‌

“What excuse?” said he. “Oh, the shortsightedness of fools! Is this the time for them to come into the presence of kings?

مرغ بی‌‌وقتی سرت باید برید ** عذر احمق را نمی شاید شنید

Thou art an untimely bird: thy head must be cut off. One ought not to hear the excuse of a fool.

عذر احمق بدتر از جرمش بود ** عذر نادان زهر هر دانش بود 1160

The fool's excuse is worse than his crime; the excuse of the ignorant is the poison of every knowledge.

عذرت ای خرگوش از دانش تهی ** من چه خرگوشم که در گوشم نهی‌‌

Thy excuse, O hare, is devoid of wisdom: what hare am I that thou shouldst put it in my ear?”

گفت ای شه ناکسی را کس شمار ** عذر استم دیده‌‌ای را گوش دار

“O king,” he replied, “account a worthless one to be worthy: hearken to the excuse of one who has suffered oppression.

خاص از بهر زکات جاه خود ** گمرهی را تو مران از راه خود

In particular, as an alms (thank-offering) for thy high estate, do not drive out of thy way one whose way is lost.

بحر کاو آبی به هر جو می‌‌دهد ** هر خسی را بر سر و رو می‌‌نهد

The ocean, which gives some water to every stream, lays on its head and face (surface) every piece of rubbish.

کم نخواهد گشت دریا زین کرم ** از کرم دریا نگردد بیش و کم‌‌ 1165

By this bounty the sea will not become less: the sea is neither increased nor diminished by its bounty.”

گفت دارم من کرم بر جای او ** جامه‌‌ی هر کس برم بالای او

The lion said, “I will bestow bounty in its (proper) place, I will cut every one's clothes according to his stature.”

گفت بشنو گر نباشم جای لطف ** سر نهادم پیش اژدرهای عنف‌‌

“Listen,” cried the hare, “if I am not a fit object for (thy) grace, I lay my head before the dragon of (thy) violence.

من به وقت چاشت در راه آمدم ** با رفیق خود سوی شاه آمدم‌‌

At breakfast-time I set out on the way, I came towards the king with my comrade.

با من از بهر تو خرگوشی دگر ** جفت و همره کرده بودند آن نفر

That party (of beasts) had appointed, for thy sake, another hare to go along with me as consort and companion.

شیری اندر راه قصد بنده کرد ** قصد هر دو همره آینده کرد 1170

On the road a lion attacked thy humble slave, attacked both the companions in travel who were coming (to thee).

گفتمش ما بنده‌‌ی شاهنشه‌‌ایم ** خواجه‌‌تاشان که آن درگه‌‌ایم‌‌

I said to him, ‘We are the slaves of the King of kings, the lowly fellow-servants of that (exalted) court.’

گفت شاهنشه که باشد شرم دار ** پیش من تو یاد هر ناکس میار

He said, ‘The King of kings! Who is he? Be ashamed! Do not make mention of every base loon in my presence.

هم ترا و هم شهت را بر درم ** گر تو با یارت بگردید از درم‌‌

Both thee and thy king I will tear to pieces, if thou and thy friend turn back from my door.’

گفتمش بگذار تا بار دگر ** روی شه بینم برم از تو خبر

I said to him, ‘Let me behold once more the face of the king and bear the news of thee (to him).’

گفت همره را گرو نه پیش من ** ور نه قربانی تو اندر کیش من‌‌ 1175

He said, ‘Place thy comrade with me (in my keeping) as a pledge; otherwise, thou art a sacrifice (thy life is forfeit) according to my law.’

لابه کردیمش بسی سودی نکرد ** یار من بستد مرا بگذاشت فرد

We entreated him much: it was no use. He seized my friend and left me to go alone.

یارم از زفتی دو چندان بد که من ** هم به لطف و هم به خوبی هم به تن‌‌

My friend, from his plumpness, made two of me both in comeliness and beauty and (size of) body.

بعد از این ز آن شیر این ره بسته شد ** رشته‌‌ی ایمان ما بگسسته شد

Henceforth this road is barred by that lion: this is what happened to me, and it has been told to thee (just as it happened).

از وظیفه بعد از این اومید بر ** حق همی‌‌گویم ترا و الحق مر

Cut off (abandon) hope of the allowance henceforth; I am telling thee the truth, and truth is bitter.

گر وظیفه بایدت ره پاک کن ** هین بیا و دفع آن بی‌‌باک کن‌‌ 1180

If thou want the allowance, clear the way! hey, come on and repel that irreverent one!”

جواب گفتن شیر خرگوش را و روان شدن با او

How the lion answered the hare and set off with him.

گفت بسم الله بیا تا او کجاست ** پیش در شو گر همی‌‌گویی تو راست‌‌

“Come on in God's name,” said he, “let me see where he is! Go thou in front, if thou art speaking truth,

تا سزای او و صد چون او دهم ** ور دروغ است این سزای تو دهم‌‌

That I may give him and a hundred like him the punishment they deserve, or if this is a lie, that I may give thy deserts to thee.”

اندر آمد چون قلاووزی به پیش ** تا برد او را به سوی دام خویش‌‌

The hare set out on the way, (going) in front like a guide, that he might lead him towards his snare,

سوی چاهی کاو نشانش کرده بود ** چاه مغ را دام جانش کرده بود

Towards the well which he had designated: he had made the deep well a snare for his (the lion's) life.

می‌‌شدند این هر دو تا نزدیک چاه ** اینت خرگوشی چو آبی زیر کاه‌‌ 1185

(Thus) were these twain going till (they arrived) near the well. Look, you, (this was) a hare (deceitful) as a (pool of) water (hidden) under straw.

آب کاهی را به هامون می‌‌برد ** آب کوهی را عجب چون می‌‌برد

The water bears a blade of straw (down) to the plain: how, I wonder, will the water bear away a mountain?

دام مکر او کمند شیر بود ** طرفه خرگوشی که شیری می‌‌ربود

The snare of his (the hare's) guile was a noose for the lion: a marvellous hare (he), who was carrying off a lion (as his prey)!

موسیی فرعون را با رود نیل ** می‌‌کشد با لشکر و جمع ثقیل‌‌

A Moses kills Pharaoh, with his army and mighty host, by means of (a sea like) the river Nile.

پشه‌‌ای نمرود را با نیم پر ** می‌‌شکافد بی‌‌محابا درز سر

A single gnat with half a wing cleaves intrepidly the suture of Nimrod's skull.

حال آن کاو قول دشمن را شنود ** بین جزای آن که شد یار حسود 1190

Behold the state of him who hearkened to the words of his enemy, and the retribution of him who became the friend of the envious one—

حال فرعونی که هامان را شنود ** حال نمرودی که شیطان را شنود

The state of a Pharaoh who hearkened to Haman, and the state of a Nimrod who hearkened to Satan.

دشمن ار چه دوستانه گویدت ** دام دان گر چه ز دانه گویدت‌‌

Albeit the enemy speak to thee in friendly wise, know (his words to be) the snare, though he speak to thee of the grain (bait).

گر ترا قندی دهد آن زهر دان ** گر به تن لطفی کند آن قهر دان‌‌

If he give thee some candy, regard it as poison; if he do a kindness to thy body, regard it as cruelty.

چون قضا آید نبینی غیر پوست ** دشمنان را باز نشناسی ز دوست‌‌

When the (Divine) destiny comes to pass, you see naught but the skin (outward appearance): you do not distinguish enemies from friends.

چون چنین شد ابتهال آغاز کن ** ناله و تسبیح و روزه ساز کن‌‌ 1195

Since the case is thus, begin humble supplication; set about lamenting and glorifying (God) and fasting.

ناله می‌‌کن کای تو علام الغیوب ** زیر سنگ مکر بد ما را مکوب‌‌

Lament continually, crying, “O Thou who well knowest the hidden things, do not crush us beneath the stone of evil contrivance.

گر سگی کردیم ای شیر آفرین ** شیر را مگمار بر ما زین کمین‌‌

O Creator of the lion, if we have wrought currishness, do not set the lion (to spring) on us from this covert.

آب خوش را صورت آتش مده ** اندر آتش صورت آبی منه‌‌

Do not give to sweet water the form of fire, do not put upon fire the form of water.

از شراب قهر چون مستی دهی ** نیستها را صورت هستی دهی‌‌

When Thou makest (us) drunken with the wine of Thy wrath, Thou givest to things non-existent the form of existence.”

چیست مستی بند چشم از دید چشم ** تا نماید سنگ گوهر پشم یشم‌‌ 1200

What is (this) drunkenness? That which binds (prevents) the eye from (true) eyesight, so that a (common) stone appears a jewel, and wool (pashm) a jasper (yashm).