So that you may eat the grain and (yet) not fall into the trap. Knowledge and contentment effect this. And (now) farewell.
تا خوری دانه نیفتی تو به دام ** این کند علم و قناعت والسلام
The wise man gets happiness from the present life, not sorrow, (while) the ignorant are left in disappointment and regret.
نعمت از دنیا خورد عاقل نه غم ** جاهلان محروم مانده در ندم
When the trap-cord (of sensuality) falls on their throats, it becomes unlawful (forbidden) to them all to eat the grain.1410
چون در افتد در گلوشان حبل دام ** دانه خوردن گشت بر جمله حرام
How should the bird in the trap eat (enjoy) the grain? The grain in the trap is like poison (to him), if he feed (on it).
مرغ اندر دام دانه کی خورد ** دانه چون زهرست در دام ار چرد
(Only) the heedless bird will eat grain from the trap, as these common folk do in the trap of the present world.
مرغ غافل می‌خورد دانه ز دام ** هم‌چو اندر دام دنیا این عوام
Again, the knowing and prudent birds have debarred themselves from the grain;
باز مرغان خبیر هوشمند ** کرده‌اند از دانه خود را خشک‌بند
For the grain in the trap is poisonous food: blind is the bird that desires the grain in the trap.
که اندرون دام دانه زهرباست ** کور آن مرغی که در فخ دانه خواست
The Owner of the trap cut off the heads of the foolish ones, and conducted the clever ones to the (exalted) assembly-places;1415
صاحب دام ابلهان را سر برید ** وآن ظریفان را به مجلسها کشید
For in the former (only) the flesh is serviceable, but in the clever ones (their) song and warble soft and low.
که از آنها گوشت می‌آید به کار ** وز ظریفان بانگ و ناله‌ی زیر و زار
Deinde venit ancilla perque rimam januae heram videt sub asino mortuam. [Then, the maidservant arrived. Through a crack in the door, she saw the lady dead under the ass.]
پس کنیزک آمد از اشکاف در ** دید خاتون را به مرده زیر خر