چون ترا ذکر و دعا دستور شد ** ز آن دعاکردن دلت مغرور شد

Forasmuch as praise and prayer were vouchsafed to you, through making that prayer your heart became vainglorious.

هم سخن دیدی تو خود را با خدا ** ای بسا کاو زین گمان افتد جدا 340

You regarded yourself as speaking (confidentially) with God. Oh, (there is) many a one that becomes separated (from God) by this opinion.

گر چه با تو شه نشیند بر زمین ** خویشتن بشناس و نیکوتر نشین‏

Although the King sit with you on the ground, know yourself and sit better (with more decorum and reverence).

باز گفت ای شه پشیمان می‏شوم ** توبه کردم نو مسلمان می‏شوم‏

The falcon said, “O King, I am penitent, I am converted, I am embracing Islam anew.

آن که تو مستش کنی و شیر گیر ** گر ز مستی کج رود عذرش پذیر

He whom Thou makest drunken and pot-valiant—if from drunkenness he walk crookedly, do Thou accept his excuse.

گر چه ناخن رفت چون باشی مرا ** بر کنم من پرچم خورشید را

Though my talons are gone, when thou art mine I tear off the forelock of the sun;

ور چه پرم رفت چون بنوازیم ** چرخ بازی گم کند در بازیم‏ 345

And though my wings are gone, when Thou art kind to me the heavenly sphere loses its play (ceases to revolve).

گر کمر بخشیم که را بر کنم ** گر دهی کلکی علمها بشکنم‏

If Thou bestow a belt on me, I will uproot the mountain; if Thou give me a pen, I will break the banners.

آخر از پشه نه کم باشد تنم ** ملک نمرودی به پر بر هم زنم‏

After all, my body is not inferior to (that of) a gnat: with my wings I confound the kingdom of Nimrod.

در ضعیفی تو مرا بابیل گیر ** هر یکی خصم مرا چون پیل گیر

Suppose me to be (as) the flocks of (small) birds in weakness, suppose every one of my enemies to be as the elephant,