Thy brain (organ of smell) is corrupted by sensual indulgence: to thy (olfactory) sense musk and ambergris are unsalable.
از هوارانی دماغت فاسدست ** مشک و عنبر پیش مغزت کاسدست
This discourse hath no bound, and (meanwhile) our gazelle is running to and fro in flight in the stable.
حد ندارد این سخن و آهوی ما ** می‌گریزد اندر آخر جابجا
The remainder of the Story of the gazelle in the donkey-stable.
بقیه‌ی قصه‌ی آهو و آخر خران
During (many) days the sweet-navelled male gazelle was in torment in the donkey-stable,
روزها آن آهوی خوش‌ناف نر ** در شکنجه بود در اصطبل خر
Like a fish wriggling in the death-agony from (being kept on) dry ground, (or like) dung and musk tortured (by being kept) in the same box.
مضطرب در نزع چون ماهی ز خشک ** در یکی حقه معذب پشک و مشک
One donkey would say to his neighbour, “Ha! this wild fellow has the nature of kings and princes. Hush!”910
یک خرش گفتی که ها این بوالوحوش ** طبع شاهان دارد و میران خموش
And the other would mock, saying, “By (constant) ebb and flow he has gained a pearl: how should he sell cheaply?”
وآن دگر تسخر زدی کز جر و مد ** گوهر آوردست کی ارزان دهد
And another donkey would say, “With this fastidiousness (of his), let him recline on the imperial throne!”
وآن خری گفتی که با این نازکی ** بر سریر شاه شو گو متکی
A certain donkey became ill with indigestion and was unable to eat; therefore he gave the gazelle a formal invitation (to dine).
آن خری شد تخمه وز خوردن بماند ** پس برسم دعوت آهو را بخواند
He (the gazelle) shook his head, (as though to say), “Nay, begone, O such-and such: I have no appetite, I am unwell.”
سر چنین کرد او که نه رو ای فلان ** اشتهاام نیست هستم ناتوان
He (the donkey) replied, “I know that you are showing disdain, or holding aloof in regard for your reputation.”915
گفت می‌دانم که نازی می‌کنی ** یا ز ناموس احترازی می‌کنی
He (the gazelle) said to himself, “That (which you offer me) is your food, whereby your limbs are revived and renewed.
گفت او با خود که آن طعمه‌ی توست ** که از آن اجزای تو زنده و نوست
I have been familiar with a (beauteous) pasture, I have reposed amongst (rivulets of) clear water and meadows.
من الیف مرغزاری بوده‌ام ** در زلال و روضه‌ها آسوده‌ام
If Destiny has cast me into torment, (yet) how should that goodly disposition and nature depart (from me)?
گر قضا انداخت ما را در عذاب ** کی رود آن خو و طبع مستطاب
If I have become a beggar, (yet) how should I have the face (impudence and greed) of a beggar? And if my (bodily) raiment become old, (yet) I am (spiritually) new.
گر گدا گشتم گدارو کی شوم ** ور لباسم کهنه گردد من نوم
I have eaten hyacinth and anemone and sweet basil too with a thousand disdains and disgusts.”920
سنبل و لاله و سپرغم نیز هم ** با هزاران ناز و نفرت خورده‌ام
He (the donkey) said, “Yes; boast and boast and boast away! In a strange country one can utter many an idle brag.”