The hare made much delay in going; he rehearsed to himself the tricks (which he was about to play).
در شدن خرگوش بس تاخیر کرد ** مکر را با خویشتن تقریر کرد
After long delay he came on (took) the road, that he might say one or two secrets into the ear of the lion.
در ره آمد بعد تاخیر دراز ** تا به گوش شیر گوید یک دو راز
Think what words are in the core (inmost consciousness) of Reason.
تا چه عالمهاست در سودای عقل ** تا چه با پهناست این دریای عقل
In this sweet ocean our forms are moving fast, like cups on the surface of water:1110
صورت ما اندر این بحر عذاب ** میدود چون کاسهها بر روی آب
Until they become full, (they float) like bowls on the top of the sea, (but) when the bowl is filled it sinks therein.
تا نشد پر بر سر دریا چو طشت ** چون که پر شد طشت در وی غرق گشت
Reason is hidden, and (only) a world (of phenomena) is visible: our forms are the waves or a spray of it (of that hidden ocean).
عقل پنهان است و ظاهر عالمی ** صورت ما موج یا از وی نمی
Whatsoever (thing) the form makes (uses as) a means of approach to It (to Reason), by that (same) means the ocean (of Reason) casts it (the form) far away.
هر چه صورت می وسیلت سازدش ** ز آن وسیلت بحر دور اندازدش
So long as the heart does not see the Giver of (its) conscience, so long as the arrow does not see the far-shooting Archer,
تا نبیند دل دهندهی راز را ** تا نبیند تیر دور انداز را
He (who is thus blind) thinks his horse is lost, though (all the while) he is obstinately speeding his horse on the road.1115
اسب خود را یاوه داند وز ستیز ** میدواند اسب خود در راه تیز
That fine fellow thinks his horse is lost, while the horse in truth is sweeping him onward like the wind.
اسب خود را یاوه داند آن جواد ** و اسب خود او را کشان کرده چو باد