And if you tell (only) one or two (a few people), farewell (to your secret): every secret that goes beyond the twain (who share it) is published abroad.
ور بگویی با یکی دو الوداع ** کل سر جاوز الاثنین شاع
If you tie two or three birds together, they will remain on the ground, imprisoned by grief;1050
گر دو سه پرنده را بندی به هم ** بر زمین مانند محبوس از الم
(But in truth) they hold a consultation well-disguised and mingled, in its (apparent) significance, with that which casts error (into the mind of any one who observes them).
مشورت دارند سرپوشیده خوب ** در کنایت با غلط افکن مشوب
(Similarly) the Prophet used to take counsel, (speaking) cryptically, and they (his companions) would answer him and (would be) without knowledge (of his real meaning).
مشورت کردی پیمبر بسته سر ** گفته ایشانش جواب و بیخبر
He would speak his opinion in a covert parable, in order that the adversary might not know foot from head.
در مثالی بسته گفتی رای را ** تا نداند خصم از سر پای را
He (the Prophet) would receive his answer from him (the adversary), while the other would not catch the smell (drift) of his question.
او جواب خویش بگرفتی از او ** وز سؤالش مینبردی غیر بو
The story of the hare's stratagem.
قصهی مکر خرگوش
He delayed awhile in going, then he went before the lion who rends (his prey) with claws.1055
ساعتی تاخیر کرد اندر شدن ** بعد از آن شد پیش شیر پنجه زن
Because he tarried late in going, the lion was tearing up the earth and roaring.
ز آن سبب کاندر شدن او ماند دیر ** خاک را میکند و میغرید شیر
“I said,” cried the lion, “that the promise of those vile ones would be vain—vain and frail and unfulfilled.
گفت من گفتم که عهد آن خسان ** خام باشد خام و سست و نارسان
Their palaver has duped me: how long will this Time deceive me, how long?”
دمدمهی ایشان مرا از خر فگند ** چند بفریبد مرا این دهر چند