It is not respectful to speak in the king's presence, in particular (to utter) lying and absurd self-praise.
از ادب نبود به پیش شه مقال ** خاصه خود لاف دروغین و محال
If he had always had this (keen) sight, how would not he have seen the snare beneath a handful of earth?
گر مر او را این نظر بودی مدام ** چون ندیدی زیر مشتی خاک دام
How would he have been caught in the snare? How would he have gone into the cage willy-nilly?”
چون گرفتار آمدی در دام او ** چون قفس اندر شدی ناکام او
Then Solomon said: “O hoopoe, is it right that these dregs have risen from thee at the first cup?1225
پس سلیمان گفت ای هدهد رواست ** کز تو در اول قدح این درد خاست
O thou who hast drunk buttermilk, how dost thou pretend intoxication and brag in my presence and tell lies besides?”
چون نمایی مستی ای خورده تو دوغ ** پیش من لافی زنی آن گه دروغ
The hoopoe's answer to the attack of the crow.
جواب گفتن هدهد طعنه‌‌ی زاغ را
He said, “O king, for God's sake do not listen to the enemy's words against me, bare beggar as I am.
گفت ای شه بر من عور گدای ** قول دشمن مشنو از بهر خدای
If my claim is (made) with falsehood, I lay my head (before thee): sever this neck of mine.
گر به بطلان است دعوی کردنم ** من نهادم سر ببر این گردنم
The crow, who disbelieves in the (absolute) authority of the Divine destiny, is an infidel, though he have thousands of wits.
زاغ کاو حکم قضا را منکر است ** گر هزاران عقل دارد کافر است
Whilst there is in you a single k (derived) from the káfirán (infidels), you are the seat of stench and lust, velut rima femoris. [Whilst there is in you a single k (derived) from the káfirán (infidels), you are the seat of stench and lust, like the slit (vulva) between the thighs (of a woman).]1230
در تو تا کافی بود از کافران ** جای گند و شهوتی چون کاف ران
I see the snare (when I am) in the air, if the Divine destiny do not muffle the eye of my intelligence.
من ببینم دام را اندر هوا ** گر نپوشد چشم عقلم را قضا