هر عداوت را سبب باید سند ** ور نه جنسیت وفا تلقین کند

Every enmity must rest on some cause; otherwise, our common humanity would dictate faithfulness (in friendship).”

باز می‏گفت آدم با لطف وجود ** کی بر آن ابلیس جوری کرده بود

Then he would say again, “When had Adam, the kind and generous, done an injury to Iblís?

آدمی مر مار و کژدم را چه کرد ** کاو همی‏خواهد مر او را مرگ و درد 230

What was done by man to snake and scorpion that they wish (to inflict) death and pain upon him?

گرگ را خود خاصیت بدریدن است ** این حسد در خلق آخر روشن است‏

To rend is the instinct of the wolf: after all, this envy is conspicuous in mankind.”

باز می‏گفت این گمان بد خطاست ** بر برادر این چنین ظنم چراست‏

Again he would say, “It is wrong thus to think evil: why have I such thoughts against my brother?”

باز گفتی حزم سوء الظن تست ** هر که بد ظن نیست کی ماند درست‏

Then he would say, “Prudence consists in your thinking evil: how shall he that thinks no evil remain unhurt?”

صوفی اندر وسوسه و آن خر چنان ** که چنین بادا جز ای دشمنان‏

The Súfí was in (this) anxiety, and (meanwhile) the ass was in such a plight that—may it befall our enemies!

آن خر مسکین میان خاک و سنگ ** کژ شده پالان دریده پالهنگ‏ 235

That poor ass was amidst earth and stones, with his saddle crooked and his halter torn,

خسته از ره جمله‏ی شب بی‏علف ** گاه در جان کندن و گه در تلف‏

Killed (exhausted) by the journey, without fodder all the night long, now at the last gasp and now perishing.

خر همه شب ذکر می‏کرد ای اله ** جو رها کردم کم از یک مشت کاه‏

All night the ass was repeating, “O God, I give up the barley; (but am I to have) less than one handful of straw?”