بخش 106 - غالب شدن حیلهٔ روباه بر استعصام و تعفف خر و کشیدن روبه خر را سوی شیر به بیشه

The fox embarked on the plot: he seized the ass's beard and led him away.

Where is the musician of that Súfí monastery, that he may quickly play the tambourine (and sing), “The ass is gone, the ass is gone”?

Since a hare brings a lion to the well, how should not a fox lead an ass to the grass?

Shut thine ear and do not swallow (beguiling) spells: (swallow naught) but the spell of the righteous saint—

That spell of his, (which is) sweeter than halwá, that (spell) of whose feet a hundred halwá’s are (only) the dust.

(Only) that alien soul which has never seen the wine of his ruby lips is a lover of the wine (of conventional knowledge).

Since the blind bird does not see the sweet water, how should not it circle round the brackish water?

The spiritual Moses makes the breast a Sinai: he makes the blind parrots able to see.

The Khusraw (who is the lover) of the spiritual Shírín has beaten the drum (of sovereignty); consequently sugar has become cheap in the city.

The Josephs of the unseen world are marching: they are bringing bales of candy and sugar.

The faces of the camels of Egypt are (turned) towards us: hearken, O parrots, to the sound of the (camel- )bell.

To-morrow our city will be filled with sugar; sugar is cheap (to-day): (tomorrow) it will be cheaper.

The nine years old vinegar is becoming sweet; the stone and marble are becoming ruby(-like) and golden.

The sun in heaven is clapping his hands: the motes are dancing like lovers.

(All) eyes are intoxicated with the orchard abounding in greenery, (where) the blossoms are budding on the boughs.

The eye of blessedness works absolute magic: the spirit is made victorious (mansúr), crying “I am God.”

If the fox is seducing an ass, let him seduce (him)! Do not thou be an ass, and be not troubled.