- When he (the fox) brought him (the ass) up the hill towards the meadow, in order that the lion might pulverise him with a (sudden) charge,
- چونک بر کوهش بسوی مرج برد ** تا کند شیرش به حمله خرد و مرد
- He (the ass) was (still) far from the lion, but the lion would not wait for him to come near before attacking. 2565
- دور بود از شیر و آن شیر از نبرد ** تا به نزدیک آمدن صبری نکرد
- The terrible lion made a spring from an eminence, (though) indeed he had not the strength and power to move (effectively).
- گنبدی کرد از بلندی شیر هول ** خود نبودش قوت و امکان حول
- The ass saw him from afar and turned and fled to the bottom of the hill, dropping his shoes as he ran.
- خر ز دورش دید و برگشت و گریز ** تا به زیر کوه تازان نعل ریز
- “O king of us (all),” said the fox to the lion, “why didst not thou restrain thyself in the hour of battle,
- گفت روبه شیر را ای شاه ما ** چون نکردی صبر در وقت وغا
- In order that that misguided (creature) might come near thee and that thou might’st vanquish him with a small attack?
- تا به نزدیک تو آید آن غوی ** تا باندک حمله‌ای غالب شوی
- Precipitation and haste is the Devil's wile; patience and calculation is God's grace. 2570
- مکر شیطانست تعجیل و شتاب ** لطف رحمانست صبر و احتساب
- He (the ass) was far off and saw the attack and fled: thy weakness is made manifest and thy prestige is destroyed.”
- دور بود و حمله را دید و گریخت ** ضعف تو ظاهر شد و آب تو ریخت
- He (the lion) replied, “I thought my strength was restored: I did not know my feebleness was so great.
- گفت من پنداشتم بر جاست زور ** تا بدین حد می‌ندانستم فتور
- Moreover, my hunger and need had passed beyond bounds: through starvation my patience and understanding had been lost.
- نیز جوع و حاجتم از حد گذشت ** صبر و عقلم از تجوع یاوه گشت