From the mountain-top the old hare cried towards the elephants on the first night of the new-moon—
از سر که بانگ زد خرگوش زال ** سوی پیلان در شب غرهی هلال
‘Come on the fourteenth, O king elephant, that thou mayst find within the spring the proof of this (assertion).
که بیا رابع عشر ای شاهپیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی این دلیل
O king elephant, I am the ambassador in thy presence. Stop! Ambassadors are not subjected to imprisonment and violence and wrath.
شاهپیلا من رسولم پیش بیست ** بر رسولان بند و زجر و خشم نیست
The Moon says, “O elephants, depart! The spring is mine, turn aside from it;
ماه میگوید که ای پیلان روید ** چشمه آن ماست زین یکسو شوید
And if (ye depart) not, I will make you blind. I have declared the wrong (which ye are doing) and have thrown off my neck (all responsibility for what will happen if ye trespass farther). 2745
ورنه منتان کور گردانم ستم ** گفتم از گردن برون انداختم
Take leave of this spring and depart, that ye may be safe from the blows of the Moon's sword.”
ترک این چشمه بگویید و روید ** تا ز زخم تیغ مه آمن شوید
Lo, the token (of my veracity) is that the Moon (reflected) in the spring will be disturbed by the water-craving elephant.
نک نشان آنست کاندر چشمه ماه ** مضطرب گردد ز پیل آبخواه
Come and be present on the such-and-such a night, O king elephant, in order that within the spring thou mayst find the proof of this (assertion).’
آن فلان شب حاضر آ ای شاهپیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی زین دلیل
When seven and eight (fifteen nights) of the month had passed, the king elephant came to drink from the spring.
چونک هفت و هشت از مه بگذرید ** شاهپیل آمد ز چشمه میچرید
When on that night the elephant put his trunk in the water, the water was disturbed, and the Moon showed disturbance. 2750
چونک زد خرطوم پیل آن شب درآب ** مضطرب شد آب ومه کرد اضطراب
The elephant believed that speech of his (the hare's), when the Moon in the spring showed disturbance.
پیل باور کرد از وی آن خطاب ** چون درون چشمه مه کرد اضطراب
O company (of prophets), we are not (to be reckoned) among those stupid elephants who are terrified by the disturbance of the Moon.”
مانه زان پیلان گولیم ای گروه ** که اضطراب ماه آردمان شکوه
The prophets said, “Ah, (our) spiritual admonition has (only) made your (carnal) bondage more grievous, O ye fools!
انبیا گفتند آوه پند جان ** سختتر کرد ای سفیهان بندتان
How the prophets answered their sneers and uttered parables unto them.
جواب گفتن انبیا طعن ایشان را و مثل زدن ایشان را
Oh, alas that in (the case of) your disease the remedy has become for you the poison of soul-wringing (Divine) vengeance.
ای دریغا که دوا در رنجتان ** گشت زهر قهر جان آهنجتان
This lamp (of spiritual admonition) has increased the darkness of that (diseased) eye, since God has set (over it) the veil of wrath. 2755
ظلمت افزود این چراغ آن چشم را ** چون خدا بگماشت پردهی خشم را
What dominion shall we crave from you? for our dominion is greater than the sky.”
چه رئیسی جست خواهیم از شما ** که ریاستمان فزونست از سما
What glory should the sea of pearls acquire from the ship— especially a ship that has been filled with dung?
چه شرف یابد ز کشتی بحر در ** خاصه کشتیی ز سرگین گشته پر
Oh, alas for that eye blind and blear! Therein a sun seemed as (insignificant as) a mote.
ای دریغ آن دیدهی کور و کبود ** آفتابی اندرو ذره نمود
In an Adam who was without like or equal the eye of Iblís discerned naught but a piece of clay.
ز آدمی که بود بی مثل و ندید ** دیده ابلیس جز طینی ندید
The devilish eye showed (saw) his (Adam's) spring as winter: it moved in the direction where its (original) home was. 2760
چشم دیوانه بهارش دی نمود ** زان طرف جنبید کو را خانه بود
Oh, many a fortune that comes now and then to the unfortunate one, and he turns away (from it)!
ای بسا دولت که آید گاه گاه ** پیش بیدولت بگردد او ز راه
Oh, many a beloved who comes unbeknown to an ill-starred one, and he knows not how to make love!
ای بسا معشوق کاید ناشناخت ** پیش بدبختی نداند عشق باخت
This that misleads the eye is our (original) damnation, and this that turns the heart (from seeing the truth) is (our) evil destiny.
این غلطده دیده را حرمان ماست ** وین مقلب قلب را س القضاست
Since to you the idol of stone has become an object of adoration, the curse (of God) and blindness have o’ershadowed you.
چون بت سنگین شما را قبله شد ** لعنت و کوری شما را ظله شد
When your stone is a fitting partner for God, how are not intellect and spirit fitting confidants of God? 2765
چون بشاید سنگتان انباز حق ** چون نشاید عقل و جان همراز حق