- When he came further on, near to the “shoe-row,” the lion shouted—“Ha, villain!
- چون رسید او پیشتر نزدیک صف ** بانگ بر زد شیرهای ای ناخلف
- I who have torn elephants limb from limb, I who have rubbed the ear of (chastised and vanquished) the ferocious lion—
- من که گاوان را ز هم بدریدهام ** من که گوش پیل نر مالیدهام
- Who (what) is a half-witted (feeble) hare, that he should thus throw on the ground (disregard) my behest?” 1155
- نیم خرگوشی که باشد که چنین ** امر ما را افکند او بر زمین
- Abandon the hare's sleep of heedlessness! Give ear, O donkey, to the roaring of this lion!
- ترک خواب غفلت خرگوش کن ** غرهی این شیر ای خر گوش کن
- The hare's apology.
- عذر گفتن خرگوش
- “Mercy!” cried the hare, “I have an excuse, if thy Lordship's pardon come to my aid.”
- گفت خرگوش الامان عذریم هست ** گر دهد عفو خداوندیت دست
- “What excuse?” said he. “Oh, the shortsightedness of fools! Is this the time for them to come into the presence of kings?
- گفت چه عذر ای قصور ابلهان ** این زمان آیند در پیش شهان
- Thou art an untimely bird: thy head must be cut off. One ought not to hear the excuse of a fool.
- مرغ بیوقتی سرت باید برید ** عذر احمق را نمی شاید شنید
- The fool's excuse is worse than his crime; the excuse of the ignorant is the poison of every knowledge. 1160
- عذر احمق بدتر از جرمش بود ** عذر نادان زهر هر دانش بود
- Thy excuse, O hare, is devoid of wisdom: what hare am I that thou shouldst put it in my ear?”
- عذرت ای خرگوش از دانش تهی ** من چه خرگوشم که در گوشم نهی
- “O king,” he replied, “account a worthless one to be worthy: hearken to the excuse of one who has suffered oppression.
- گفت ای شه ناکسی را کس شمار ** عذر استم دیدهای را گوش دار
- In particular, as an alms (thank-offering) for thy high estate, do not drive out of thy way one whose way is lost.
- خاص از بهر زکات جاه خود ** گمرهی را تو مران از راه خود
- The ocean, which gives some water to every stream, lays on its head and face (surface) every piece of rubbish.
- بحر کاو آبی به هر جو میدهد ** هر خسی را بر سر و رو مینهد
- By this bounty the sea will not become less: the sea is neither increased nor diminished by its bounty.” 1165
- کم نخواهد گشت دریا زین کرم ** از کرم دریا نگردد بیش و کم
- The lion said, “I will bestow bounty in its (proper) place, I will cut every one's clothes according to his stature.”
- گفت دارم من کرم بر جای او ** جامهی هر کس برم بالای او
- “Listen,” cried the hare, “if I am not a fit object for (thy) grace, I lay my head before the dragon of (thy) violence.
- گفت بشنو گر نباشم جای لطف ** سر نهادم پیش اژدرهای عنف
- At breakfast-time I set out on the way, I came towards the king with my comrade.
- من به وقت چاشت در راه آمدم ** با رفیق خود سوی شاه آمدم
- That party (of beasts) had appointed, for thy sake, another hare to go along with me as consort and companion.
- با من از بهر تو خرگوشی دگر ** جفت و همره کرده بودند آن نفر
- On the road a lion attacked thy humble slave, attacked both the companions in travel who were coming (to thee). 1170
- شیری اندر راه قصد بنده کرد ** قصد هر دو همره آینده کرد
- I said to him, ‘We are the slaves of the King of kings, the lowly fellow-servants of that (exalted) court.’
- گفتمش ما بندهی شاهنشهایم ** خواجهتاشان که آن درگهایم
- He said, ‘The King of kings! Who is he? Be ashamed! Do not make mention of every base loon in my presence.
- گفت شاهنشه که باشد شرم دار ** پیش من تو یاد هر ناکس میار
- Both thee and thy king I will tear to pieces, if thou and thy friend turn back from my door.’
- هم ترا و هم شهت را بر درم ** گر تو با یارت بگردید از درم
- I said to him, ‘Let me behold once more the face of the king and bear the news of thee (to him).’
- گفتمش بگذار تا بار دگر ** روی شه بینم برم از تو خبر
- He said, ‘Place thy comrade with me (in my keeping) as a pledge; otherwise, thou art a sacrifice (thy life is forfeit) according to my law.’ 1175
- گفت همره را گرو نه پیش من ** ور نه قربانی تو اندر کیش من
- We entreated him much: it was no use. He seized my friend and left me to go alone.
- لابه کردیمش بسی سودی نکرد ** یار من بستد مرا بگذاشت فرد
- My friend, from his plumpness, made two of me both in comeliness and beauty and (size of) body.
- یارم از زفتی دو چندان بد که من ** هم به لطف و هم به خوبی هم به تن