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
Truly, what a cur the wolf must be, that he regarded himself in the presence of a lion like me who am peerless and unrivalled!”
گرگ خود چه سگ بود کاو خویش دید ** پیش چون من شیر بیمثل و ندید
(Then) he said, “Come forward, O thou self-esteeming ass!” He approached him, the lion seized him with his claws and rent him.
گفت پیش آ ای خری کاو خود بدید ** پیشش آمد پنجه زد او را درید
Inasmuch as he (the lion) did not see in him the kernel (real understanding) and right consideration of right conduct, he tore the skin off his head as a punishment.
چون ندیدش مغز و تدبیر رشید ** در سیاست پوستش از سر کشید
He said, “Since the sight of me did not transport thee out of thyself, a spirit like this (thine) must needs die miserably.3050
گفت چون دید منت از خود نبرد ** این چنین جان را بباید زار مرد
Since thou wert not passing away (from thyself) in my presence, ’twas an act of grace to smite thy neck (behead thee).”
چون نبودی فانی اندر پیش من ** فضل آمد مر ترا گردن زدن
Everything is perishing except His face: unless thou art in His face (essence), do not seek to exist.
کل شیء هالک جز وجه او ** چون نهای در وجه او هستی مجو
When any one has passed away (from himself) in my face (essence), (the words) everything is perishing are not applicable (to him),
هر که اندر وجه ما باشد فنا ** کل شيء هالک نبود جزا
Because he is in except, he has transcended not (nonentity): whosoever is in except has not passed away (perished).
ز آن که در الاست او از لا گذشت ** هر که در الاست او فانی نگشت