When he sees bread and apples and water-melons, his relish and his fear of injury (to himself) come into conflict.
چون ببیند نان و سیب و خربزه ** در مصاف آید مزه و خوف بزه
If he be very self-restrained, the sight (of the food) is a benefit to him: that stimulation (of appetite) is good for his enfeebled constitution;
گر بود صبار دیدن سود اوست ** آن تهیج طبع سستش را نکوست
But if he have not self-restraint, then it were better he had not seen (the food): ’tis better the arrow should be far from the man who is without a coat of mail.640
ور نباشد صبر پس نادیده به ** تیر دور اولی ز مرد بی‌زره
The answer of the peacock to his interrogator.
جواب گفتن طاوس آن سایل را
When he (the peacock) had finished weeping, he said, “Begone, for thou art in pawn (bondage) to colour and perfume.
چون ز گریه فارغ آمد گفت رو ** که تو رنگ و بوی را هستی گرو
Dost not thou perceive that on account of these feathers a hundred afflictions approach me on every side?
آن نمی‌بینی که هر سو صد بلا ** سوی من آید پی این بالها
Oh, many a pitiless fowler always lays a trap for me everywhere for the sake of these feathers.
ای بسا صیاد بی‌رحمت مدام ** بهر این پرها نهد هر سوم دام
How many an archer, for the sake of my plumage, shoots arrows at me (when I am) in the air!
چند تیرانداز بهر بالها ** تیر سوی من کشد اندر هوا
Since I have not strength and self-control (to preserve me) from this destiny and this affliction and these tribulations,645
چون ندارم زور و ضبط خویشتن ** زین قضا و زین بلا و زین فتن
’Tis better I should be ugly and hideous, that I may be safe amidst these mountains and deserts.
آن به آید که شوم زشت و کریه ** تا بوم آمن درین کهسار و تیه
These (feathers) are the weapons of my pride, O noble sir: pride brings a hundred afflictions on the proud.
این سلاح عجب من شد ای فتی ** عجب آرد معجبان را صد بلا
Explaining that accomplishments and intellectual abilities and worldly wealth are enemies to (spiritual) life, like the peacock's feathers.
بیان آنک هنرها و زیرکیها و مال دنیا هم‌چون پرهای طاوس عدو جانست