What resemblance is this, and what connexion is this, that it should enter into any mind and brain?
این چه نسبت این چه پیوندی بود ** تاکه در عقل و دماغی در رود
Story of the hares who sent a hare as ambassador to the elephant, bidding him say, ‘I come to thee as the ambassador of the Moon in heaven to bid thee beware of (drinking from) this water-spring,’ as is told in full in the Book of Kalíla (and Dimna).
حکایت خرگوشان کی خرگوشی راپیش پیل فرستادند کی بگو کی من رسول ماه آسمانم پیش تو کی ازین چشمه آب حذر کن چنانک در کتاب کلیله تمام گفته است
This (claim made by you) resembles the saying of a certain hare—‘I am the ambassador of the Moon and companion to the Moon.’
این بدان ماند که خرگوشی بگفت ** من رسول ماهم و با ماه جفت
For all the beasts of chase were in woe on account of a herd of elephants (dwelling) beside that limpid spring;
کز رمه‌ی پیلان بر آن چشمه‌ی زلال ** جمله نخجیران بدند اندر وبال
All were deprived (of water) and (were kept) far from the spring by dread: since (their) strength was inferior, they made a plot.2740
جمله محروم و ز خوف از چشمه دور ** حیله‌ای کردند چون کم بود زور
From the mountain-top the old hare cried towards the elephants on the first night of the new-moon—
از سر که بانگ زد خرگوش زال ** سوی پیلان در شب غره‌ی هلال
‘Come on the fourteenth, O king elephant, that thou mayst find within the spring the proof of this (assertion).
که بیا رابع عشر ای شاه‌پیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی این دلیل
O king elephant, I am the ambassador in thy presence. Stop! Ambassadors are not subjected to imprisonment and violence and wrath.
شاه‌پیلا من رسولم پیش بیست ** بر رسولان بند و زجر و خشم نیست
The Moon says, “O elephants, depart! The spring is mine, turn aside from it;
ماه می‌گوید که ای پیلان روید ** چشمه آن ماست زین یکسو شوید
And if (ye depart) not, I will make you blind. I have declared the wrong (which ye are doing) and have thrown off my neck (all responsibility for what will happen if ye trespass farther).2745