A lion, wolf, and fox had gone to hunt in the mountains in quest (of food),
شیر و گرگ و روبهی بهر شکار ** رفته بودند از طلب در کوهسار
That by supporting each other they might tie fast the burden of the fetters (of captivity) on the hunted animals,
تا به پشت همدگر بر صیدها ** سخت بر بندند بار قیدها
And all three together might seize much and great quarry in that deep wilderness.3015
هر سه با هم اندر آن صحرای ژرف ** صیدها گیرند بسیار و شگرف
Although the fierce lion was ashamed of them (the wolf and fox), yet he did them honour and gave them his company on the way.
گر چه ز یشان شیر نر را ننگ بود ** لیک کرد اکرام و همراهی نمود
To a king like this the (escort of) soldiers are an annoyance, but he accompanied them: a united party is a mercy (from God).
این چنین شه را ز لشکر زحمت است ** لیک همره شد جماعت رحمت است
A moon like this is disgraced by the stars: it is amongst the stars for generosity's sake.
این چنین مه را ز اختر ننگهاست ** او میان اختران بهر سخاست
The (Divine) command, Consult them, came to the Prophet, though no counsel is to be compared with his own.
امر شاورهم پیمبر را رسید ** گر چه رایی نیست رایش را ندید
In the scales barley has become the companion of gold, (but that is) not because barley has become a substance like gold.3020
در ترازو جو رفیق زر شده ست ** نی از آن که جو چو زر گوهر شده ست
The spirit has now become the body's fellow-traveller: the dog has become for a time the guardian of the palace-gate.
روح قالب را کنون همره شده ست ** مدتی سگ حارس درگه شده ست
When this party (the wolf and fox) went to the mountains at the stirrup (side) of the lion majestic and grand,
چون که رفتند این جماعت سوی کوه ** در رکاب شیر با فر و شکوه
They found a mountain-ox and goat and fat hare, and their business went forward (prosperously).
گاو کوهی و بز و خرگوش زفت ** یافتند و کار ایشان پیش رفت
Whoever is on the heels of him that is a lion in combat, roast-meat does not fail him by day or by night.
هر که باشد در پی شیر حراب ** کم نیاید روز و شب او را کباب
When they brought them (the animals which they had caught) from the mountains to the jungle, killed and wounded and dragging along in (streams of) blood,3025
چون ز که در بیشه آوردندشان ** کشته و مجروح و اندر خون کشان
The wolf and fox hoped that a division (of the prey) would be made according to the justice of emperors.
گرگ و روبه را طمع بود اندر آن ** که رود قسمت به عدل خسروان
The reflexion of the hope of both of them struck the lion: the lion knew (what was) the ground for those hopes.
عکس طمع هر دوشان بر شیر زد ** شیر دانست آن طمعها را سند
Any one that is the lion and prince of (spiritual) mysteries, he will know all that the conscience thinks.
هر که باشد شیر اسرار و امیر ** او بداند هر چه اندیشد ضمیر
Beware! Guard thyself, O heart disposed to thinking, from any evil thought in his presence.
هین نگه دار ای دل اندیشه جو ** دل ز اندیشه‌‌ی بدی در پیش او
He knows and keeps riding on silently: he smiles in thy face in order to mask (his feelings).3030
داند و خر را همی‌‌راند خموش ** در رخت خندد برای روی‌‌پوش
When the lion perceived their bad ideas, he did not declare (his knowledge), and paid (courteous) regard (to them) at the time,
شیر چون دانست آن وسواسشان ** وانگفت و داشت آن دم پاسشان
But he said to himself, “I will show you what (chastisement) ye deserve, O beggarly villains!
لیک با خود گفت بنمایم سزا ** مر شما را ای خسیسان گدا
Was my judgement not enough for you? Is this your opinion of my bounty,
مر شما را بس نیامد رای من ** ظنتان این است در اعطای من
O ye whose understanding and judgement are (derived) from my judgement and from my world-adorning gifts?
ای عقول و رایتان از رای من ** از عطاهای جهان آرای من
What else (but good) should the picture think of the painter, since he bestowed thought and knowledge upon it?3035
نقش با نقاش چه سگالد دگر ** چون سگالش اوش بخشید و خبر
Had ye such a vile opinion of me, O ye who are a scandal to the world?
این چنین ظن خسیسانه به من ** مر شما را بود ننگان زمن
If I should not behead them that think ill of God, it would be the essence of wrong.