pursīdan-e-sher az sabab-e-pā vāpas kashīdan-e-kHargosh
How the lion asked the reason of the hare's drawing back.
sher guftash tu za asbāb-e-maraz
iiñ sabab go kHaas ki-īñstam ġharaz
The lion said to him, Amongst (all) the causes of your
malady tell (me) the special cause, for this is my object.
guft aañ sher andarīñ che sākinast
andar iiñ qila’ za āfāt aimanast
That lion, he said, lives in this well:
within this fortress he is safe from harms.
qaa’r che ba-guzīd har ki 'āqilast
zaañ ki dar ḳhalvat safā-hā-e-dilast
Every one who is wise chose the bottom of the well (to live in),
because spiritual joys are (to be attained only) in solitude.
zulmat-e-che ba ki zulmat-hā-e-ḳhalq
sar na-burd aañ kas ki gīrad pā-e-ḳhalq
The darkness of the well is better than the dark shades of the world:
he that followed at the heels of the world never saved his head.
guft pesh aa zaḳhmam uu rā qāhirast
tū ba-bīñ kaañ sher dar che hāzirast
Come on, said the lion; my blow subdues him:
see thou whether that lion is in the well at present.
guft man sozīda-am zaañ ātishī
tū magar andar bar-e-ḳhvesham kashī
The hare answered, I am consumed with (dread of) that
fieriness (wrath):
perhaps thou wilt take me beside thee,
tā ba-pusht-e-tū man ai kān-e-karam
chashm ba-gushāyam ba che dar bañgaram
That with thy support, O mine of generosity,
I may open my eyes and look into the well.
pursidan-e-sher az sabab-e-pa wapas kashidan-e-kHargosh
How the lion asked the reason of the hare's drawing back.
sher guftash tu za asbab-e-maraz
in sabab go kHas ki-instam gharaz
The lion said to him, Amongst (all) the causes of your
malady tell (me) the special cause, for this is my object.
guft aan sher andarin che sakinast
andar in qila’ za aafat aimanast
That lion, he said, lives in this well:
within this fortress he is safe from harms.
qa’r che ba-guzid har ki 'aqilast
zan ki dar KHalwat safa-ha-e-dilast
Every one who is wise chose the bottom of the well (to live in),
because spiritual joys are (to be attained only) in solitude.
zulmat-e-che ba ki zulmat-ha-e-KHalq
sar na-burd aan kas ki girad pa-e-KHalq
The darkness of the well is better than the dark shades of the world:
he that followed at the heels of the world never saved his head.
guft pesh aa zaKHmam u ra qahirast
tu ba-bin kan sher dar che hazirast
Come on, said the lion; my blow subdues him:
see thou whether that lion is in the well at present.
guft man sozida-am zan aatishi
tu magar andar bar-e-KHwesham kashi
The hare answered, I am consumed with (dread of) that
fieriness (wrath):
perhaps thou wilt take me beside thee,
ta ba-pusht-e-tu man ai kan-e-karam
chashm ba-gushayam ba che dar bangaram
That with thy support, O mine of generosity,
I may open my eyes and look into the well.
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