Eight times did that prince make it awry, and (as many times) did it become straight on the crown of his head.
هشت کرت کژ بکرد آن مهترش ** راست می‌شد تاج بر فرق سرش
The tiara began to speak, saying, “O king, (now) display pride (proud independence): since thou hast shaken thy wings free from the clay, take flight (soar aloft).1910
تاج ناطق گشت کای شه ناز کن ** چون فشاندی پر ز گل پرواز کن
I have no permission to pass beyond this (point) and tear to pieces the veils of the mystery of this (matter).
نیست دستوری کزین من بگذرم ** پرده‌های غیب این برهم درم
Lay thy hand on my mouth: shut my mouth (so as to restrain me) from unacceptable speech.”
بر دهانم نه تو دست خود ببند ** مر دهانم را ز گفت ناپسند
Do not you, then, whatsoever grief befall you, resentfully accuse any one: turn upon yourself.
پس ترا هر غم که پیش آید ز درد ** بر کسی تهمت منه بر خویش گرد
Do not think evil of another, O you who gratify the desire of your friend: do not do that which that slave was meditating—
ظن مبر بر دیگری ای دوستکام ** آن مکن که می‌سگالید آن غلام
Now his quarrel (was) with the messenger and the steward, now his anger (was directed) against the generous emperor.1915
گاه جنگش با رسول و مطبخی ** گاه خشمش با شهنشاه سخی
You are like Pharaoh, who had left Moses (alone) and was taking off the heads of the people's babes:
هم‌چو فرعونی که موسی هشته بود ** طفلکان خلق را سر می‌ربود
The enemy (Moses) was in the house of that blind-hearted man, (while) he (outside) was cutting the necks of the children.
آن عدو در خانه‌ی آن کور دل ** او شده اطفال را گردن گسل
You also are bad (malign) to others outside, while you have become complaisant to the grievous self (carnal soul) within.
تو هم از بیرون بدی با دیگران ** واندرون خوش گشته با نفس گران