نیست پیدا سر گفت و گوی من ** جز که زردی و نزاری روی من
The inmost meaning of my words is not apparent, except (in) the pallor and haggardness of my face.
اشک و خون بر رخ روانه می‌دود ** حجت حسن و جمالش می‌شود
Tears and blood roll on my cheeks and become the proof of His (the Beloved's) comeliness and beauty.’
گفت من اینها ندانم حجتی ** که بود در پیش عامه آیتی2855
He (the philosopher) replied, ‘I do not deem these things to be such a proof as would be a manifest sign to the vulgar.’
گفت چون قلبی و نقدی دم زنند ** که تو قلبی من تکویم ارجمند
He (the other) said, ‘When a base and a genuine coin boast, saying (to each other), “Thou art base; I am good and valuable,”
هست آتش امتحان آخرین ** کاندر آتش در فتند این دو قرین
Fire is the final test: (the test is) that these two rivals should be dropped into the fire.
عام و خاص از حالشان عالم شوند ** از گمان و شک سوی ایقان روند
(Then) the vulgar and the elect will become acquainted with their (real) state and will advance from opinion and doubt to certain knowledge.
آب و آتش آمد ای جان امتحان ** نقد و قلبی را که آن باشد نهان
Water and fire, O (dear) soul, are the test for the pure and the base coin that is hidden.
تا من و تو هر دو در آتش رویم ** حجت باقی حیرانان شویم2860
Let me and thee, both of us, go into the fire and become a lasting proof for the perplexed.
تا من و تو هر دو در بحر اوفتیم ** که من و تو این کره را آیتیم
Let me and thee, both of us, fall into the sea, for thou and I are a sign unto this multitude.’
هم‌چنان کردند و در آتش شدند ** هر دو خود را بر تف آتش زدند
Even so they did and entered the fire: both cast themselves upon the heat of the fire.
از خدا گوینده مرد مدعی ** رست و سوزید اندر آتش آن دعی
The God-proclaiming man who engaged in controversy was saved, while that bastard (impostor) was burnt in the fire.
از مذن بشنو این اعلام را ** کوری افزون‌روان خام را
Hear from the muezzin this announcement, to the confusion of the foolish transgressors,
که نسوزیدست این نام از اجل ** کش مسمی صدر بودست و اجل2865
That this name (Mohammed) has not been burnt (destroyed) by Death, since its bearer was a prince and most noble.
صد هزاران زین رهان اندر قران ** بر دریده پرده‌های منکران
In the course of time hundreds of thousands of the veils of the unbelievers have been rent by this laying down of stakes.
چون گرو بستند غالب شد صواب ** در دوام و معجزات و در جواب
When they (the devout men and the philosopher) made the wager, the truth prevailed as regards immortality and evidentiary miracles and the answer (given to unbelievers).
فهم کردم کانک دم زد از سبق ** وز حدوث چرخ پیروزست و حق
I perceived that he who spoke (in support) of the priority (of non-existence) and of the temporal origin of the celestial sphere was victorious and in the right.”
حجت منکر هماره زردرو ** یک نشان بر صدق آن انکار کو
The unbeliever's argument is always shamefaced: where is a single sign that indicates the truth of that unbelief?
یک مناره در ثنای منکران ** کو درین عالم که تا باشد نشان2870
Where in this world is (to be found) a single minaret in praise (honour) of the unbelievers, so that it should be a sign (of their veracity)?
منبری کو که بر آنجا مخبری ** یاد آرد روزگار منکری
Where is (to be found) a single pulpit where a preacher commemorates the life of an unbeliever?
روی دینار و درم از نامشان ** تا قیامت می‌دهد زین حق نشان
The face of gold and silver coins, from (bearing) their (the prophets') names, is giving a token of this truth till the Resurrection.
سکه‌ی شاهان همی گردد دگر ** سکه‌ی احمد ببین تا مستقر
The dies of the kings are ever being changed: behold the die of Ahmad (Mohammed) till the end of the world.
بر رخ نقره و یا روی زری ** وا نما بر سکه نام منکری
Show (me) the name of a single unbeliever on the design (stamped) on the face of any piece of silver or gold!
خود مگیر این معجز چون آفتاب ** صد زبان بین نام او ام‌الکتاب2875
Even (supposing that you) do not admit (arguments), behold this Miracle, (manifest) like the sun, hundred-tongued, whereof the name is Ummu ’l-Kitáb.
زهره نی کس را که یک حرفی از آن ** یا بدزدد یا فزاید در بیان
None dares either steal (take away) a single letter thereof or add to the plain Word.
یار غالب شو که تا غالب شوی ** یار مغلوبان مشو هین ای غوی
Become a friend to the conqueror, that thou mayst conquer: beware, do not become a friend to the vanquished, O misguided man!