- All the birds, having ceased from twittering, (in converse) with Solomon became more distinct (spoke more articulately) than your own brother.
- جمله مرغان ترک کرده جیک جیک ** با سلیمان گشته افصح من اخیک
- To speak the same tongue is a kinship and affinity: a man, (when he is) with those in whom he cannot confide, is like a prisoner in chains. 1205
- هم زبانی خویشی و پیوندی است ** مرد با نامحرمان چون بندی است
- Oh, many are the Indians and Turks that speak the same tongue; oh, many the pair of Turks that are as strangers (to each other).
- ای بسا هندو و ترک هم زبان ** ای بسا دو ترک چون بیگانگان
- Therefore the tongue of mutual understanding is different indeed: to be one in heart is better than to be one in tongue.
- پس زبان محرمی خود دیگر است ** هم دلی از هم زبانی بهتر است
- Without speech and without sign or scroll, hundreds of thousands of interpreters arise from the heart.
- غیر نطق و غیر ایما و سجل ** صد هزاران ترجمان خیزد ز دل
- The birds, all and each, their secrets of skill and knowledge and practice
- جمله مرغان هر یکی اسرار خود ** از هنر وز دانش و از کار خود
- Were revealing, one by one, to Solomon, and were praising themselves by way of submitting a request (for his consideration), 1210
- با سلیمان یک به یک وامینمود ** از برای عرضه خود را میستود
- Not from pride and self-conceit, (but) in order that he might give them access to him.
- از تکبر نی و از هستی خویش ** بهر آن تا ره دهد او را به پیش
- When a captive wants a lord (to buy him as a slave), he offers a preface (summary account) of his talent;
- چون بباید بردهای را خواجهای ** عرضه دارد از هنر دیباجهای
- (But) when he is ashamed (disgusted) at his buying him, he makes himself out to be sick and deaf and palsied and lame.
- چون که دارد از خریداریش ننگ ** خود کند بیمار و کر و شل و لنگ
- The turn came for the hoopoe and his craft and the explanation of his skill and thoughtfulness.
- نوبت هدهد رسید و پیشهاش ** و آن بیان صنعت و اندیشهاش
- “O king,” said he, “I will declare (only) one talent, which is an inferior one; ’tis better to speak briefly.” 1215
- گفت ای شه یک هنر کان کهتر است ** باز گویم گفت کوته بهتر است
- “Tell on,” said Solomon; “let me hear what talent that is.” The hoopoe said, “At the time when I am at the zenith,
- گفت بر گو تا کدام است آن هنر ** گفت من آن گه که باشم اوج بر
- I gaze from the zenith with the eye of certainty and I see the water at the bottom of the earth,
- بنگرم از اوج با چشم یقین ** من ببینم آب در قعر زمین
- So that (I know) where it is and what is its depth; what its colour is, whence it gushes forth—from clay or from rock.
- تا کجایست و چه عمق استش چه رنگ ** از چه میجوشد ز خاکی یا ز سنگ
- O Solomon, for the sake of thine army's camping-place keep this wise one (beside thee) on thy expeditions.”
- ای سلیمان بهر لشکرگاه را ** در سفر میدار این آگاه را
- Then said Solomon, “O good companion in waterless far-stretching wastes!” 1220
- پس سلیمان گفت ای نیکو رفیق ** در بیابانهای بیآب عمیق
- How the crow impugned the claim of the hoopoe.
- طعنهی زاغ در دعوی هدهد
- When the crow heard (this), from envy he came and said to Solomon, “He has spoken false and ill.
- زاغ چون بشنود آمد از حسد ** با سلیمان گفت کاو کژ گفت و بد
- It is not respectful to speak in the king's presence, in particular (to utter) lying and absurd self-praise.
- از ادب نبود به پیش شه مقال ** خاصه خود لاف دروغین و محال
- If he had always had this (keen) sight, how would not he have seen the snare beneath a handful of earth?
- گر مر او را این نظر بودی مدام ** چون ندیدی زیر مشتی خاک دام
- How would he have been caught in the snare? How would he have gone into the cage willy-nilly?”
- چون گرفتار آمدی در دام او ** چون قفس اندر شدی ناکام او
- Then Solomon said: “O hoopoe, is it right that these dregs have risen from thee at the first cup? 1225
- پس سلیمان گفت ای هدهد رواست ** کز تو در اول قدح این درد خاست
- O thou who hast drunk buttermilk, how dost thou pretend intoxication and brag in my presence and tell lies besides?”
- چون نمایی مستی ای خورده تو دوغ ** پیش من لافی زنی آن گه دروغ
- The hoopoe's answer to the attack of the crow.
- جواب گفتن هدهد طعنهی زاغ را
- He said, “O king, for God's sake do not listen to the enemy's words against me, bare beggar as I am.
- گفت ای شه بر من عور گدای ** قول دشمن مشنو از بهر خدای
- If my claim is (made) with falsehood, I lay my head (before thee): sever this neck of mine.
- گر به بطلان است دعوی کردنم ** من نهادم سر ببر این گردنم