The goat is mine, for the goat is middle and intermediate; do thou, O fox, receive the hare, and no mistake!”3045
بز مرا که بز میانه ست و وسط ** روبها خرگوش بستان بی‌‌غلط
The lion said, “O wolf, how hast thou spoken? Say! When I am here, dost thou speak of ‘I’ and ‘thou’?
شیر گفت ای گرگ چون گفتی بگو ** چون که من باشم تو گویی ما و تو
Truly, what a cur the wolf must be, that he regarded himself in the presence of a lion like me who am peerless and unrivalled!”
گرگ خود چه سگ بود کاو خویش دید ** پیش چون من شیر بی‌‌مثل و ندید
(Then) he said, “Come forward, O thou self-esteeming ass!” He approached him, the lion seized him with his claws and rent him.
گفت پیش آ ای خری کاو خود بدید ** پیشش آمد پنجه زد او را درید
Inasmuch as he (the lion) did not see in him the kernel (real understanding) and right consideration of right conduct, he tore the skin off his head as a punishment.
چون ندیدش مغز و تدبیر رشید ** در سیاست پوستش از سر کشید
He said, “Since the sight of me did not transport thee out of thyself, a spirit like this (thine) must needs die miserably.3050
گفت چون دید منت از خود نبرد ** این چنین جان را بباید زار مرد
Since thou wert not passing away (from thyself) in my presence, ’twas an act of grace to smite thy neck (behead thee).”
چون نبودی فانی اندر پیش من ** فضل آمد مر ترا گردن زدن
Everything is perishing except His face: unless thou art in His face (essence), do not seek to exist.
کل شی‌‌ء هالک جز وجه او ** چون نه‌‌ای در وجه او هستی مجو
When any one has passed away (from himself) in my face (essence), (the words) everything is perishing are not applicable (to him),
هر که اندر وجه ما باشد فنا ** کل شيء هالک نبود جزا
Because he is in except, he has transcended not (nonentity): whosoever is in except has not passed away (perished).
ز آن که در الاست او از لا گذشت ** هر که در الاست او فانی نگشت