(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
The prince that hath no strength in his beard is left sorely in the lurch when by reason of his folly he looks neither backwards nor forwards.
سخت درماند امیر سست ریش ** چون نه پس بیند نه پیش از احمقیش
The road is smooth, and under it are pitfalls: amidst the names there is a dearth of meaning.1060
راه هموار است و زیرش دامها ** قحط معنی در میان نامها
Words and names are like pitfalls: the sweet (flattering) word is the sand for (the sand that sucks up) the water of our life.
لفظها و نامها چون دامهاست ** لفظ شیرین ریگ آب عمر ماست