Contend with mice like thyself: a mouse has nothing to say to a camel.”
تو مری با مثل خود موشان بکن ** با شتر مر موش را نبود سخن
He (the mouse) said, “I repent. For God's sake, get me across this deadly water!”3450
گفت توبه کردم از بهر خدا ** بگذران زین آب مهلک مر مرا
The camel took pity. “Hark,” said he, “jump up and sit on my hump.
رحم آمد مر شتر را گفت هین ** برجه و بر کودبان من نشین
This passage has been vouchsafed to me: I would take across hundreds of thousands like thee.”
این گذشتن شد مسلم مر مرا ** بگذرانم صد هزاران چون ترا
Since you are not a prophet, go on the road (after the prophets), that one day you may come from the pit (of fleshliness) to (spiritual) place and power.
چون پیمبر نیستی پس رو به راه ** تا رسی از چاه روزی سوی جاه
Be a vassal since you are not a lord: do not steer (the boat) yourself, since you are not the boatman.
تو رعیت باش چون سلطان نهای ** خود مران چون مرد کشتیبان نهای
Since you are not (spiritually) perfect, do not take a shop (by yourself) alone. Be pliant to the hand, in order that you may become leavened (like dough).3455
چون نهای کامل دکان تنها مگیر ** دستخوش میباش تا گردی خمیر
Give ear to (the Divine command), “Keep silence,” be mute; since you have not become the tongue (mouthpiece) of God, be an ear.
أنصتوا را گوش کن خاموش باش ** چون زبان حق نگشتی گوش باش
And if you speak, speak in the form of a request for explanation: speak to the (spiritual) emperors as a lowly beggar.
ور بگویی شکل استفسار گو ** با شهنشاهان تو مسکینوار گو
The beginning of pride and hatred is in (worldly) lust, and the rootedness of your lust is from habit.
ابتدای کبر و کین از شهوت است ** راسخی شهوتت از عادت است