When this party (the wolf and fox) went to the mountains at the stirrup (side) of the lion majestic and grand,
چون که رفتند این جماعت سوی کوه ** در رکاب شیر با فر و شکوه
They found a mountain-ox and goat and fat hare, and their business went forward (prosperously).
گاو کوهی و بز و خرگوش زفت ** یافتند و کار ایشان پیش رفت
Whoever is on the heels of him that is a lion in combat, roast-meat does not fail him by day or by night.
هر که باشد در پی شیر حراب ** کم نیاید روز و شب او را کباب
When they brought them (the animals which they had caught) from the mountains to the jungle, killed and wounded and dragging along in (streams of) blood,3025
چون ز که در بیشه آوردندشان ** کشته و مجروح و اندر خون کشان
The wolf and fox hoped that a division (of the prey) would be made according to the justice of emperors.
گرگ و روبه را طمع بود اندر آن ** که رود قسمت به عدل خسروان
The reflexion of the hope of both of them struck the lion: the lion knew (what was) the ground for those hopes.
عکس طمع هر دوشان بر شیر زد ** شیر دانست آن طمعها را سند
Any one that is the lion and prince of (spiritual) mysteries, he will know all that the conscience thinks.
هر که باشد شیر اسرار و امیر ** او بداند هر چه اندیشد ضمیر
Beware! Guard thyself, O heart disposed to thinking, from any evil thought in his presence.
هین نگه دار ای دل اندیشه جو ** دل ز اندیشه‌‌ی بدی در پیش او
He knows and keeps riding on silently: he smiles in thy face in order to mask (his feelings).3030
داند و خر را همی‌‌راند خموش ** در رخت خندد برای روی‌‌پوش
When the lion perceived their bad ideas, he did not declare (his knowledge), and paid (courteous) regard (to them) at the time,
شیر چون دانست آن وسواسشان ** وانگفت و داشت آن دم پاسشان