- 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
- If by (using) your wits you can reclaim him and bring him back once more,
- گر توانی بار دیگر از خرد ** باز آوردن مر او را مسترد
- I shall be much obliged to you: try hard, maybe you will fetch him by cunning.” 2575
- منت بسیار دارم از تو من ** جهد کن باشد بیاری‌اش به فن
- “Yes,” said the fox, “if God should give (me) help and set a seal of blindness on his heart
- گفت آری گر خدا یاری دهد ** بر دل او از عمی مهری نهد