The bird looks pleased at the bait; still, the bait, (though) at a distance (from it), is waylaying it.
مرغ زان دانه نظر خوش می‌کند ** دانه هم از دور راهش می‌زند
If you are deriving some pleasure from the eye's cupidity, are not you eating roast-meat from your own side?645
کز زنای چشم حظی می‌بری ** نه کباب از پهلوی خود می‌خوری
This looking from a distance is like arrows and poison: your fond passion is increased (thereby) and your self-restraint diminished.
این نظر از دور چون تیرست و سم ** عشقت افزون می‌شود صبر تو کم
Worldly riches are a trap for the weak birds; the kingdom of the next world is a trap for the noble birds,
مال دنیا دام مرغان ضعیف ** ملک عقبی دام مرغان شریف
To the end that by means of this kingdom, which is a deep trap, the great birds may be ensnared.
تا بدین ملکی که او دامست ژرف ** در شکار آرند مرغان شگرف
“I, Solomon, do not desire your kingdom; nay, but I will deliver you from every destruction;
من سلیمان می‌نخواهم ملکتان ** بلک من برهانم از هر هلکتان
For at this time ye are indeed slaves to the kingdom; the owner of the kingdom is he that escaped from destruction.”650
کین زمان هستید خود مملوک ملک ** مالک ملک آنک بجهید او ز هلک
Preposterously, O prisoner of this world, thou hast named thyself prince of this world.
بازگونه ای اسیر این جهان ** نام خود کردی امیر این جهان
O thou slave of this world, thou whose spirit is imprisoned, how long wilt thou call thyself lord of the world?
ای تو بنده‌ی این جهان محبوس جان ** چند گویی خویش را خواجه‌ی جهان
How Solomon, on whom be peace, showed affection and kindness to the envoys and removed (feelings of) resentment and injury from their hearts and explained to them the reason for declining the gift.
دلداری کردن و نواختن سلیمان علیه‌السلام مر آن رسولان را و دفع وحشت و آزار از دل ایشان و عذر قبول ناکردن هدیه شرح کردن با ایشان
“O envoys, I will send you as envoys (to Bilqís): my refusal (of the gift) is better for you than acceptance.
ای رسولان می‌فرستمتان رسول ** رد من بهتر شما را از قبول