Rumi's Masnavi - Not from pride and self-conceit, (but) in order that he might give them access to him.

Not from pride and self-conceit, (but) in order that he might give them access to him.

از تکبر نی و از هستی خویش ** بهر آن تا ره دهد او را به پیش‌‌

When a captive wants a lord (to buy him as a slave), he offers a preface (summary account) of his talent;

چون بباید برده‌‌ای را خواجه‌‌ای ** عرضه دارد از هنر دیباجه‌‌ای‌‌

(But) when he is ashamed (disgusted) at his buying him, he makes himself out to be sick and deaf and palsied and lame.

چون که دارد از خریداریش ننگ ** خود کند بیمار و کر و شل و لنگ‌‌

The turn came for the hoopoe and his craft and the explanation of his skill and thoughtfulness.

نوبت هدهد رسید و پیشه‌‌اش ** و آن بیان صنعت و اندیشه‌‌اش‌‌

“O king,” said he, “I will declare (only) one talent, which is an inferior one; ’tis better to speak briefly.” 1215

گفت ای شه یک هنر کان کهتر است ** باز گویم گفت کوته بهتر است‌‌

“Tell on,” said Solomon; “let me hear what talent that is.” The hoopoe said, “At the time when I am at the zenith,

گفت بر گو تا کدام است آن هنر ** گفت من آن گه که باشم اوج بر

I gaze from the zenith with the eye of certainty and I see the water at the bottom of the earth,

بنگرم از اوج با چشم یقین ** من ببینم آب در قعر زمین‌‌

So that (I know) where it is and what is its depth; what its colour is, whence it gushes forth—from clay or from rock.

تا کجایست و چه عمق استش چه رنگ ** از چه می‌‌جوشد ز خاکی یا ز سنگ‌‌

O Solomon, for the sake of thine army's camping-place keep this wise one (beside thee) on thy expeditions.”

ای سلیمان بهر لشکرگاه را ** در سفر می‌‌دار این آگاه را

Then said Solomon, “O good companion in waterless far-stretching wastes!” 1220

پس سلیمان گفت ای نیکو رفیق ** در بیابانهای بی‌‌آب عمیق‌‌

How the crow impugned the claim of the hoopoe.

طعنه‌‌ی زاغ در دعوی هدهد