hoop by affliction. Its back was galled by the heavy load in a hundred places: it was passionately desiring the day of its death.
پشتش از بار گران صد جای ریش ** عاشق و جویان روز مرگ خویش
What of barley? It never got its fill (even) of dry straw: at its heels a (cruel) blow and an iron goad.
جو کجا از کاه خشک او سیر نی ** در عقب زخمی و سیخی آهنی
The Master of the (royal) stable saw it and took pity—for the man was acquainted with the owner of the ass—
میر آخر دید او را رحم کرد ** که آشنای صاحب خر بود مرد
So he saluted him and asked him what had happened, saying, “What is the cause of this ass being bent double like a dál?”2365
پس سلامش کرد و پرسیدش ز حال ** کز چه این خر گشت دوتا همچو دال
He replied, “On account of my poverty and destitution this dumb animal is not getting even straw.”
گفت از درویشی و تقصیر من ** که نمییابد خود این بستهدهن
“Hand him over to me,” said the other, “for a few days, that in the King's stable he may grow strong.”
گفت بسپارش به من تو روز چند ** تا شود در آخر شه زورمند
He handed the ass over to him, and that merciful man tethered him in the Sultan's stable.
خر بدو بسپرد و آن رحمتپرست ** در میان آخر سلطانش بست
The ass saw on every side (of him) Arab horses, well-fed and fat and handsome and glossy;
خر ز هر سو مرکب تازی بدید ** با نوا و فربه و خوب و جدید
(He saw the ground) swept (clean) under their feet and sprinkled with water; the straw coming at the (proper) time, and the barley at the hour (when it was expected).2370
زیر پاشان روفته آبی زده ** که به وقت وجو به هنگام آمده
He saw the horses curry-combed and rubbed down. (Then) he lifted up his muzzle, crying, “O glorious Lord,
خارش و مالش مر اسپان را بدید ** پوز بالا کرد کای رب مجید
Am not I Thy creature? I grant that I am an ass, (but) wherefore am I wretched, with sores on my back, and lean?
نه که مخلوق توم گیرم خرم ** از چه زار و پشت ریش و لاغرم
At night, because of the pain in my back and the (pangs of) hunger in my belly, I am always wishing to die.
شب ز درد پشت و از جوع شکم ** آرزومندم به مردن دم به دم
These horses are so happy and prosperous: why am I singled out for torment and tribulation?”
حال این اسپان چنین خوش با نوا ** من چه مخصوصم به تعذیب و بلا
Suddenly came the rumour of war: ’twas the time for the Arab horses to be saddled and brought into action.2375
ناگهان آوازهی پیگار شد ** تازیان را وقت زین و کار شد
They were wounded with arrows by the foe: the barbs entered them on every side.
زخمهای تیر خوردند از عدو ** رفت پیکانها دریشان سو به سو
(When) those Arab horses returned from the campaign, they all fell down and lay on their backs in the stable.
از غزا باز آمدند آن تازیان ** اندر آخر جمله افتاده ستان
Their legs were tightly bandaged with (strips of) canvas: the farriers were standing in file,
پایهاشان بسته محکم با نوار ** نعلبندان ایستاده بر قطار
Piercing their bodies with the scalpel in order to extract the barbs from their wounds.
میشکافیدند تنهاشان بنیش ** تا برون آرند پیکانها ز ریش
The ass saw (all) that, and was saying, “O God, I am satisfied with poverty and health.2380
آن خر آن را دید و میگفت ای خدا ** من به فقر و عافیت دادم رضا
I have no taste for that (plentiful) food and those hideous wounds.” Every one who desires (spiritual) health abandons the world.
زان نوا بیزارم و زان زخم زشت ** هرکه خواهد عافیت دنیا بهشت
How the fox disapproved of the saying of the ass, “I am satisfied with my lot.”
ناپسندیدن روباه گفتن خر را کی من راضیم به قسمت
The fox said, “It is an (indispensable) obligation to seek lawful provision in obedience (to the Divine command).
گفت روبه جستن رزق حلال ** فرض باشد از برای امتثال
(This) is the world of means: nothing is obtained without a means: therefore it is important (necessary) to seek (provision).
عالم اسباب و چیزی بیسبب ** مینباید پس مهم باشد طلب
‘And seek ye of the bounty of God’ is (a Divine) command, lest they (men) should seize (the property of others) by violence, like the leopard.
وابتغوا من فضل الله است امر ** تا نباید غصب کردن همچو نمر
The Prophet hath said, ‘The door is shut against (the arrival of) provision, O youth; and on the door there are locks.’2385
گفت پیغامبر که بر رزق ای فتی ** در فرو بستهست و بر در قفلها
Our movement (exertion) and our going to and fro (in search) and our acquisition is a key to that lock and barrier.
جنبش و آمد شد ما و اکتساب ** هست مفتاحی بر آن قفل و حجاب