- 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