- He had wrapped himself in leaves and grass, that the wretched prey might slip off from the path (of safety).
- خویشتن پیچیده در برگ و گیاه ** تا در افتد صید بیچاره ز راه
- A little bird approached him in ignorance (of his disguise): then it hopped round and ran up to the man,
- مرغک آمد سوی او از ناشناخت ** پس طوافی کرد و پیش مرد تاخت
- And said to him, “Who are you, clad in green in the desert amidst (all) these wild animals?”
- گفت او را کیستی تو سبزپوش ** در بیابان در میان این وحوش
- He replied, “I am an ascetic severed (from mankind): I have become content (to live) here with some grass. 440
- گفت مرد زاهدم من منقطع ** با گیاهی گشتم اینجا مقتنع
- I adopted asceticism and piety as my religion and practice because I saw before me the appointed end of my life.
- زهد و تقوی را گزیدم دین و کیش ** زانک میدیدم اجل را پیش خویش
- My neighbour's death had given me warning and upset my (worldly) business and shop.
- مرگ همسایه مرا واعظ شده ** کسب و دکان مرا برهم زده
- Since I shall be left alone at the last, it behoves me not to become friendly with every man and woman.
- چون به آخر فرد خواهم ماندن ** خو نباید کرد با هر مرد و زن
- I shall turn my face to the grave at the last: ’tis better that I should make friends with the One (God).
- رو بخواهم کرد آخر در لحد ** آن به آید که کنم خو با احد
- Since my jaw will (ultimately) be bound up, O worshipful one, ’tis better that I should jaw little (now). 445
- چو زنخ را بست خواهند ای صنم ** آن به آید که زنخ کمتر زنم
- O thou who hast learned to wear a gold-embroidered robe and a belt, at the last there is (only) the unsewn garment for thee (to wear).
- ای بزربفت و کمر آموخته ** آخرستت جامهی نادوخته
- We shall turn our faces to the earth whence we have sprung: why (then) have we fixed our hearts on creatures devoid of constancy (permanence)?
- رو به خاک آریم کز وی رستهایم ** دل چرا در بیوفایان بستهایم
- The four ‘natures’ are our ancestors and kinsfolk from of old, (yet) we have fixed our hopes on a borrowed (temporary) kinship.
- جد و خویشانمان قدیمی چار طبع ** ما به خویشی عاریت بستیم طمع
- During (many) years the body of Man had companionship and intimacy with the elements.
- سالها همصحبتی و همدمی ** با عناصر داشت جسم آدمی
- His spirit, indeed, is from the (world of) souls and intelligences, (but) the spirit has forsaken its origins. 450
- روح او خود از نفوس و از عقول ** روح اصول خویش را کرده نکول
- From the pure souls and intelligences there is coming to the spirit a letter, saying, ‘O faithless one,
- از عقول و از نفوس پر صفا ** نامه میآید به جان کای بیوفا
- Thou hast found (some) miserable five-day friends and hast turned thy face away from thy friends of old.’
- یارکان پنج روزه یافتی ** رو ز یاران کهن بر تافتی
- Although the children are happy in their play, (yet) at nightfall they are dragged off and taken home.
- کودکان گرچه که در بازی خوشند ** شب کشانشان سوی خانه میکشند
- At play-time the little child strips: suddenly the thief carries off his coat and shoes.
- شد برهنه وقت بازی طفل خرد ** دزد از ناگه قبا و کفش برد
- He is so hotly engaged in play that his cap and shirt are forgotten. 455
- آن چنان گرم او به بازی در فتاد ** کان کلاه و پیرهن رفتش ز یاد
- Night falls, and his play becomes helpless (impossible): he has not the face to go home.
- شد شب و بازی او شد بیمدد ** رو ندارد کو سوی خانه رود
- Have not you heard (the Verse) the present life is only a play? You have squandered your goods and have become afraid.
- نی شنیدی انما الدنیا لعب ** باد دادی رخت و گشتی مرتعب
- Look for your clothes ere night comes on: do not waste the day in (idle) talk.
- پیش از آنک شب شود جامه بجو ** روز را ضایع مکن در گفت و گو
- I have chosen a (place of) seclusion in the desert: I have perceived that manking are stealers of clothes.
- من به صحرا خلوتی بگزیدهام ** خلق را من دزد جامه دیدهام
- Half of life (is lost) in desire for a charming friend; (the other) half of life (is lost) in anxieties caused by foes. 460
- نیم عمر از آرزوی دلستان ** نیم عمر از غصههای دشمنان
- That (desire) has carried off (our) cloak, this (anxiety) has carried off (our) cap, (while) we have become absorbed in play, like a little child.
- جبه را برد آن کله را این ببرد ** غرق بازی گشته ما چون طفل خرد