بحث کردند اندرین کار آن دو یار ** آخر آن بحث آن آمد قرار

The two friends debated on this (matter): at the close of the debate it was settled

که به دست آرند یک رشته‌ی دراز ** تا ز جذب رشته گردد کشف راز

That they should procure a long string, in order that by pulling the string the secret should be revealed.

یک سری بر پای این بنده‌ی دوتو ** بست باید دیگرش بر پای تو

(The mouse said), “One end must be tied to the foot of this slave (who is bent) double, and the other (end) to thy foot,

تا به هم آییم زین فن ما دو تن ** اندر آمیزیم چون جان با بدن

That by this device we two persons may come together and mingle as the soul with the body.”

هست تن چون ریسمان بر پای جان ** می‌کشاند بر زمینش ز آسمان 2735

The body is like a string (tied) on the foot of the soul, drawing it (down) from Heaven to earth.

چغز جان در آب خواب بیهشی ** رسته از موش تن آید در خوشی

When the frog-like soul escapes from the mouse-like body into the water, (which is) the sleep of unconsciousness, it enters into a happy state;

موش تن زان ریسمان بازش کشد ** چند تلخی زین کشش جان می‌چشد

(But) the mouse-like body pulls it back with that string: how much bitterness does the soul taste from this pulling!

گر نبودی جذب موش گنده‌مغز ** عیش‌ها کردی درون آب چغز

Were it not for the pulling of the scatter-brained mouse, the frog would have enjoyed himself in the water.

باقیش چون روز برخیزی ز خواب ** بشنوی از نوربخش آفتاب

You will hear the rest of it from the light-giving (illumination) of the Sun when you rise from slumber on the Day (of Resurrection).

یک سر رشته گره بر پای من ** زان سر دیگر تو پا بر عقده زن 2740

(The mouse said), “Knot one end of the string on my foot and the other end on thine,