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.
ظانین بالله ظن السوء را ** گر نبرم سر بود عین خطا
I will deliver the Sphere (of Time) from your disgrace, so that this tale shall remain in the world (as a warning).”
وارهانم چرخ را از ننگتان ** تا بماند بر جهان این داستان
While thus meditating, the lion continued to smile visibly: do not trust the smiles of the lion!
شیر با این فکر می‌‌زد خنده فاش ** بر تبسمهای شیر ایمن مباش
Worldly wealth is (like) the smiles of God: it has made us drunken and vainglorious and threadbare (deprived of the means of salvation).3040
مال دنیا شد تبسمهای حق ** کرد ما را مست و مغرور و خلق
Poverty and distress are better for thee, O lord, for (then) that smile will remove its lure.
فقر و رنجوری به استت ای سند ** کان تبسم دام خود را بر کند
How the lion made trial of the wolf and said, “Come forward, O wolf, and divide the prey amongst us.”
امتحان کردن شیر گرگ را و گفتن که پیش آی ای گرگ بخش کن صیدها را میان ما
The lion said, “O wolf, divide this (prey): O old wolf, make justice new (give it new life by thy example).
گفت شیر ای گرگ این را بخش کن ** معدلت را نو کن ای گرگ کهن
Be my deputy in the office of distributor, that it may be seen of what substance thou art.”
نایب من باش در قسمت‌‌گری ** تا پدید آید که تو چه گوهری
“O King,” said he, “the wild ox is thy share: he is big, and thou art big and strong and active.
گفت ای شه گاو وحشی بخش تست ** آن بزرگ و تو بزرگ و زفت و چست
The goat is mine, for the goat is middle and intermediate; do thou, O fox, receive the hare, and no mistake!”3045
بز مرا که بز میانه ست و وسط ** روبها خرگوش بستان بی‌‌غلط
The lion said, “O wolf, how hast thou spoken? Say! When I am here, dost thou speak of ‘I’ and ‘thou’?
شیر گفت ای گرگ چون گفتی بگو ** چون که من باشم تو گویی ما و تو