- The moon, which excels the stars in beauty, becomes like a phantom from the malady of a phthisis. 1280
- ماه کاو افزود ز اختر در جمال ** شد ز رنج دق او همچون خیال
- This earth, quiet and controlled, is thrown by earthquakes into feverish tremors.
- این زمین با سکون با ادب ** اندر آرد زلزلهش در لرز تب
- Oh, from this inherited woe many a mountain in the world has become tiny fragments and (grains of) sand.
- ای بسا که زین بلای مردهریگ ** گشته است اندر جهان او خرد و ریگ
- This air is conjoined with the (vital) spirit, (but) when the Divine destiny comes, it turns pestilential and stinking.
- این هوا با روح آمد مقترن ** چون قضا آید وبا گشت و عفن
- The sweet water that was a sister (congenial) to the spirit, (after standing) in a pool, became yellow and bitter and turbid.
- آب خوش کاو روح را همشیره شد ** در غدیری زرد و تلخ و تیره شد
- The fire that has wind in its moustache—a single puff of wind calls death upon it. 1285
- آتشی کاو باد دارد در بروت ** هم یکی بادی بر او خواند یموت
- The state of the sea (is such that) from its agitation and commotion (you may) perceive the changes of its mind.
- حال دریا ز اضطراب و جوش او ** فهم کن تبدیلهای هوش او
- The whirling heaven, which is (ever engaged) in seeking and searching—its state is like the state of its children;
- چرخ سر گردان که اندر جستجوست ** حال او چون حال فرزندان اوست
- Now nadir, now middle, now zenith: therein are host on host of stars fortunate and unlucky.
- گه حضیض و گه میانه گاه اوج ** اندر او از سعد و نحسی فوج فوج
- From thyself, O part made up of wholes, apprehend the state of every simple (uncompounded) thing.
- از خود ای جزوی ز کلها مختلط ** فهم میکن حالت هر منبسط
- Inasmuch as wholes suffer grief and pain, how should their part not be pale-faced (sick and subject to decay)? 1290
- چون که کلیات را رنج است و درد ** جزو ایشان چون نباشد روی زرد
- Especially a part which is composed of contraries—of water and earth and fire and air.
- خاصه جزوی کاو ز اضداد است جمع ** ز آب و خاک و آتش و باد است جمع
- It is no wonder that the sheep recoiled from the wolf; the wonder is that this sheep set its heart on (became friendly with) the wolf.
- این عجب نبود که میش از گرگ جست ** این عجب کاین میش دل در گرگ بست
- Life is the peace (harmony) of contraries; death is the fact that war arose between them.
- زندگانی آشتی ضدهاست ** مرگ آن کاندر میانشان جنگ خاست
- The grace of God has given amity to this lion and wild-ass— these two far distant contraries.
- لطف حق این شیر را و گور را ** الف داده ست این دو ضد دور را
- Since the world is sick and a prisoner, what wonder if the sick one is passing away?” 1295
- چون جهان رنجور و زندانی بود ** چه عجب رنجور اگر فانی بود
- From this point of view he (the hare) recited counsels to the lion. “I have lagged behind,” said he, “because of these bonds.”
- خواند بر شیر او از این رو پندها ** گفت من پس ماندهام زین بندها
- How the lion asked the reason of the hare's drawing back.
- پرسیدن شیر از سبب پای واپس کشیدن خرگوش
- The lion said to him, “Amongst (all) the causes of your malady tell (me) the special cause, for this is my object.”
- شیر گفتش تو ز اسباب مرض ** این سبب گو خاص کاین استم غرض
- “That lion,” he said, “lives in this well: within this fortress he is safe from harms.”
- گفت آن شیر اندر این چه ساکن است ** اندر این قلعه ز آفات ایمن است
- Every one who is wise chose the bottom of the well (to live in), because spiritual joys are (to be attained only) in solitude.
- قعر چه بگزید هر کی عاقل است ** ز آن که در خلوت صفاهای دل است
- The darkness of the well is better than the dark shades of the world: he that followed at the heels of the world never saved his head. 1300
- ظلمت چه به که ظلمتهای خلق ** سر نبرد آن کس که گیرد پای خلق
- “Come on,” said the lion; “my blow subdues him: see thou whether that lion is in the well at present.”
- گفت پیش آ زخمم او را قاهر است ** تو ببین کان شیر در چه حاضر است
- The hare answered, “I am consumed with (dread of) that fieriness (wrath): perhaps thou wilt take me beside thee,
- گفت من سوزیدهام ز آن آتشی ** تو مگر اندر بر خویشم کشی
- That with thy support, O mine of generosity, I may open my eyes and look into the well.”
- تا بپشت تو من ای کان کرم ** چشم بگشایم به چه در بنگرم
- How the lion looked into the well and saw the reflexion of himself and the hare.
- نظر کردن شیر در چاه و دیدن عکس خود را و آن خرگوش را
- When the lion took him to his side, under the lion's protection he began to run towards the well.
- چون که شیر اندر بر خویشش کشید ** در پناه شیر تا چه میدوید