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1
1206-1230

  • 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

  • The crow, who disbelieves in the (absolute) authority of the Divine destiny, is an infidel, though he have thousands of wits.
  • زاغ کاو حکم قضا را منکر است ** گر هزاران عقل دارد کافر است‌‌

  • Whilst there is in you a single k (derived) from the káfirán (infidels), you are the seat of stench and lust, velut rima femoris. [Whilst there is in you a single k (derived) from the káfirán (infidels), you are the seat of stench and lust, like the slit (vulva) between the thighs (of a woman).] 1230
  • در تو تا کافی بود از کافران ** جای گند و شهوتی چون کاف ران‌‌