Like the dog of the Men of the Cave, that poor bear became an attendant at the heels of him that bore the burden (of the fight with the dragon).
چون سگ اصحاب کهف آن خرس زار ** شد ملازم در پی آن بردبار
That Moslem, from fatigue, laid down his head (to rest); the bear, from devotion (to him), became (his) guard.
آن مسلمان سر نهاد از خستگی ** خرس حارس گشت از دل بستگی
A certain man passed by and said to him, “What has happened? O brother, who is this bear (in relation) to you?”
آن یکی بگذشت و گفتش حال چیست ** ای برادر مر ترا این خرس کیست
He recounted the adventure, and the story of the dragon. The other said, “Do not set your heart on a bear, O fool!
قصه واگفت و حدیث اژدها ** گفت بر خرسی منه دل ابلها
The friendship of a fool is worse than (his) enmity: it (the bear) ought to be driven away by every means you know.”2015
دوستی ابله بتر از دشمنی است ** او بهر حیله که دانی راندنی است
He (the man with the bear) said (to himself), “By God, he has said this from envy; otherwise,” (he said aloud), “why do you look at the bearishness (of the bear)? Behold this affection (which it has for me)!”
گفت و الله از حسودی گفت این ** ور نه خرسی چه نگری این مهر بین
“The affection of fools,” said the other, “is beguiling; this envy of mine is better than its (the bear's) affection.
گفت مهر ابلهان عشوهده است ** این حسودی من از مهرش به است
Hey, come with me and drive away this bear: do not choose the bear (as your friend), do not forsake one of your own kind!”
هی بیا با من بران این خرس را ** خرس را مگزین مهل هم جنس را
“Go, go,” said he, “mind your own business, O envious man!” Said the other, “This was my business, and it was not your fortune (to follow my advice).
گفت رو رو کار خود کن ای حسود ** گفت کارم این بد و رزقت نبود
I am not less than a bear, O noble sir: abandon it, in order that I may be your comrade.2020
من کم از خرسی نباشم ای شریف ** ترک او کن تا منت باشم حریف