اول او را خواست جستن در نبرد ** بهر حرمت داشتش تاخیر کرد
At first she wished to search him forcibly, (but) from respect for his reputation she delayed,
تا بود کان را بیندازد به جا ** اندرین مهلت رهاند خویش را
In the hope that he might drop it (the pearl) somewhere and (thus) save himself during the respite.”
این حلالیها ازو می‌خواستند ** وز برای عذر برمی‌خاستند
They were begging him to grant these absolutions and were rising up to excuse themselves.
گفت بد فضل خدای دادگر ** ورنه زآنچم گفته شد هستم بتر 2300
He replied, “’Twas the grace of God, who deals justice; else I am worse than what has been said (of me).
چه حلالی خواست می‌باید ز من ** که منم مجرم‌تر اهل زمن
Why should absolution be begged of me? for I am the most sinful of (all) the people in the world.
آنچ گفتندم ز بد از صد یکیست ** بر من این کشفست ار کس را شکیست
The evil they spoke of me is (but) a hundredth part (of that which I have committed): this is clearly known to me, if any one has a doubt (concerning it).
کس چه می‌داند ز من جز اندکی ** از هزاران جرم و بد فعلم یکی
What does any one know of me but a little—(what but) one of my thousand sins and evil deeds?
من همی دانم و آن ستار من ** جرمها و زشتی کردار من
I know, and He who draws a veil (of concealment) over me (knows) my sins and the wickedness of my conduct.
اول ابلیسی مرا استاد بود ** بعد از آن ابلیس پیشم باد بود 2305
At first an Iblís was my teacher; afterwards Iblís was (mere) wind in comparison with me.
حق بدید آن جمله را نادیده کرد ** تا نگردم در فضیحت روی‌زرد
God saw all that (iniquity), (but) made as though He saw it not, lest I should be openly dishonoured by its exposure.