A crocodile opens its mouth: its teeth are surrounded by long worms.
کرده تمساحی دهان خویش باز ** گرد دندانهاش کرمان دراز
The worms were produced by the residue of food left in its teeth; and it gave them lodging there.
از بقیه‌ی خور که در دندانش ماند ** کرم‌ها رویید و بر دندان نشاند
The little birds see the worms and the food and imagine that coffin to be a meadow.
مرغکان بینند کرم و قوت را ** مرج پندارند آن تابوت را
When its mouth is filled with birds, it suddenly swallows them and closes its mouth (again).4085
چون دهان پر شد ز مرغ او ناگهان ** در کشدشان و فرو بندد دهان
Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.
این جهان پر ز نقل و پر ز نان ** چون دهان باز آن تمساح دان
O thou who scrapest together the means of livelihood, (in thy desire) for worms and morsels do not feel secure from the artfulness of the crocodile, (which is) Time.
بهر کرم و طعمه ای روزی‌تراش ** از فن تمساح دهر آمن مباش
A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,
روبه افتد پهن اندر زیر خاک ** بر سر خاکش حبوب مکرناک
In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.
تا بیاید زاغ غافل سوی آن ** پای او گیرد به مکر آن مکردان
Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)!4090
صدهزاران مکر در حیوان چو هست ** چون بود مکر بشر کو مهترست
In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.
مصحفی در کف چو زین‌العابدین ** خنجری پر قهر اندر آستین