The eye of the camel is very luminous because he (the camel) eats thorns for the sake of (increasing) the light of his eye.
چشم اشتر زان بود بس نوربار ** کو خورد از بهر نور چشم خار
Story of the mule's complaining to the camel (and saying), "I often fall on my face when going along, while you seldom do so: why is this?" and the camel's answer to him.
قصه‌ی شکایت استر با شتر کی من بسیار در رو می‌افتم در راه رفتن تو کم در روی می‌آیی این چراست و جواب گفتن شتر او را
One day a mule saw a camel, since he had been put into a stable with him.
اشتری را دید روزی استری ** چونک با او جمع شد در آخری
He (the mule) said, “I often fall on my face in hill and road and in market and street.
گفت من بسیار می‌افتم برو ** در گریوه و راه و در بازار و کو
Particularly (in descending) from the top of the mountain to the bottom I come down on my head every moment from terror.
خاصه از بالای که تا زیر کوه ** در سر آیم هر زمانی از شکوه
Thou dost not fall on thy face: why is it? Or maybe in sooth thy pure spirit is destined to felicity.3380
کم همی‌افتی تو در رو بهر چیست ** یا مگر خود جان پاکت دولتیست
I come down on my head every instant and strike my knees (on the ground): by that slipping I make muzzle and knees all bloody.
در سر آیم هر دم و زانو زنم ** پوز و زانو زان خطا پر خون کنم
My pack-saddle and trappings become awry (lie in disorder) on my head, and I always get a beating from the muleteer;
کژ شود پالان و رختم بر سرم ** وز مکاری هر زمان زخمی خورم
Like the unintelligent man who, from corrupt understanding, in (the case of his committing) sin continually breaks (his vow of) penitence.
هم‌چو کم عقلی که از عقل تباه ** بشکند توبه بهر دم در گناه
Through weakness of resolution that breaker of (vows of) penitence becomes the laughing-stock of Iblís in the world.
مسخره‌ی ابلیس گردد در زمن ** از ضعیفی رای آن توبه‌شکن
He constantly comes down on his head, like a lame horse, for his load is heavy and the road is (full of) stones.3385
در سر آید هر زمان چون اسپ لنگ ** که بود بارش گران و راه سنگ
He is always getting blows on his head from the Unseen, that man of luckless nature, from breaking (his vows of) penitence.
می‌خورد از غیب بر سر زخم او ** از شکست توبه آن ادبارخو
Then again he repents with infirm resolution: the Devil spits (in scorn) and shatters his penitence.
باز توبه می‌کند با رای سست ** دیو یک تف کرد و توبه‌ش را سکست
Weakness on weakness! (Yet) his arrogance is such that he regards with contempt those that attain (to God).
ضعف اندر ضعف و کبرش آنچنان ** که به خواری بنگرد در واصلان
O camel, thou who art a type of the true believer dost not fall on thy face, nor dost thou turn up thy nose (in disdain).
ای شتر که تو مثال مومنی ** کم فتی در رو و کم بینی زنی
What hast thou that thou art so untouched by bane and free from stumbling and dost not fall on thy face?”3390
تو چه داری که چنین بی‌آفتی ** بی‌عثاری و کم اندر رو فتی
He (the camel) said, “Though every felicity is from God, there are many differences between me and thee.
گفت گر چه هر سعادت از خداست ** در میان ما و تو بس فرقهاست
I have a high head, my eyes are high: lofty vision is a protection against injury.
سر بلندم من دو چشم من بلند ** بینش عالی امانست از گزند
From the top of the mountain I see the mountain-foot, I see every hollow and level, fold by fold,
از سر که من ببینم پای کوه ** هر گو و هموار را من توه توه
Just as that most noble prince (the perfect saint) saw his future destiny till the day of death.
هم‌چنانک دید آن صدر اجل ** پیش کار خویش تا روز اجل
That person of goodly qualities knows at the present time what will happen after twenty years.3395
آنچ خواهد بود بعد بیست سال ** داند اندر حال آن نیکو خصال
That God-fearing man did not see his own destiny only; nay, the destiny of (every) inhabitant of the West and East.
حال خود تنها ندید آن متقی ** بلک حال مغربی و مشرقی
The Light makes its abode in his eye and heart. Wherefore does it make (its abode there)? For love of home.
نور در چشم و دلش سازد سکن ** بهر چه سازد پی حب الوطن
(He is) like Joseph, who at first dreamed that the sun and moon bowed in worship before him:
هم‌چو یوسف کو بدید اول به خواب ** که سجودش کرد ماه و آفتاب
After ten years, nay, more, that which Joseph had seen came to pass.
از پس ده سال بلک بیشتر ** آنچ یوسف دید بد بر کرد سر
That (saying), ‘he sees by the Light of God,’ is not vain: the Divine Light rives the sky asunder.3400
نیست آن ینظر به نور الله گزاف ** نور ربانی بود گردون شکاف