In autumn, when it sees (meets with) a repugnant companion, it withdraws its face and head under the coverlet35
در خزان چون دید او یار خلاف ** در کشید او رو و سر زیر لحاف
And says, “A bad comrade is (the means of) stirring up trouble: since he has come, my (best) course is to sleep.
گفت یار بد بلا آشفتن است ** چون که او آمد طریقم خفتن است
Therefore I will sleep, I will be (like) one of the Men of the Cave (the Seven Sleepers): that prisoner of woe (that sorely distressed one) is better than Decianus.”
پس بخسپم باشم اصحاب کهف ** به ز دقیانوس آن محبوس لهف
Their time of waking was expended by (was at the disposal of) Decianus; their sleep was the capital (fundamental source) of their renown.
یقظه شان مصروف دقیانوس بود ** خوابشان سرمایهی ناموس بود
Sleep, when it is accompanied by wisdom, is (spiritual) wakefulness; (but) alas for the man awake who consorts with the ignorant!
خواب بیداری ست چون با دانش است ** وای بیداری که با نادان نشست
When the crows pitch their tents on Bahman (January), the nightingales hide themselves and are mute,40
چون که زاغان خیمه بر بهمن زدند ** بلبلان پنهان شدند و تن زدند
Because the nightingale is silent without the rose-garden: the absence of the sun kills (the nightingale's) wakefulness.