اسپر خود کرده حق آن سنگ را ** بر گشاده آب مینارنگ را
(For) God made that rock a shield (veil) for Himself and opened (a way for) the blue crystalline water,
هم‌چنانک از چشمه‌ی چشم تو نور ** او روان کردست بی‌بخل و فتور
Even as He hath caused the light to flow from the fountain of your eye without stint or abatement:
نه ز پیه آن مایه دارد نه ز پوست ** روی‌پوشی کرد در ایجاد دوست 1020
It has no source of supply either in the fat (the white of the eye) or in the coating (retina); (but) the Beloved made (these) a veil (for Himself) when bringing (the light) into existence.
در خلای گوش باد جاذبش ** مدرک صدق کلام و کاذبش
The attracting air in the cavity of the ear apprehends that which is spoken, (whether) true or false.
آن چه بادست اندر آن خرد استخوان ** کو پذیرد حرف و صوت قصه‌خوان
What is that air within that little bone, (that air) which receives the words and sounds uttered by the story-teller?
استخوان و باد روپوشست و بس ** در دو عالم غیر یزدان نیست کس
The bone and the air are only a veil: in the two worlds there is none except God.
مستمع او قایل او بی‌احتجاب ** زانک الاذنان من الراس ای مثاب
He is the hearer, He is the speaker, (whom mystics behold) unveiled; for the ears belong to the head, O you who have merited the Divine recompense.
He (the Jew) said, “If thou art feeling pity for him, give (me) gold and take him (in exchange), O man of generous disposition.
از منش وا خر چو می‌سوزد دلت ** بی‌منت حل نگردد مشکلت
Since thy heart is burning (with sympathy), ransom him from me: thy difficulty will not be solved without expense.”
گفت صد خدمت کنم پانصد سجود ** بنده‌ای دارم تن اسپید و جهود
He replied, “I will perform a hundred services (on his behalf) and five hundred prostrations (in thanksgiving for success). I have a handsome slave, but (he is) a Jew;
تن سپید و دل سیاهستش بگیر ** در عوض ده تن سیاه و دل منیر
He has a white body, but a black heart: take (him), and give (me) in exchange that one whose body is black but whose heart is illumined.”
پس فرستاد و بیاورد آن همام ** بود الحق سخت زیبا آن غلام
Then the chieftain (Abú Bakr) sent (a messenger) to fetch him: in sooth that slave was exceedingly comely,
آنچنان که ماند حیران آن جهود ** آن دل چون سنگش از جا رفت زود 1030
So that the Jew was dumbfounded: at once his stony heart inclined (towards him).
حالت صورت‌پرستان این بود ** سنگشان از صورتی مومین بود
This is what happens to form-worshippers: their stone is (made) waxen by a (beauteous) form.
باز کرد استیزه و راضی نشد ** که برین افزون بده بی‌هیچ بد
(Then) again he wrangled and would not be satisfied, saying, “Without any evasion, (thou must) give more than this.”
یک نصاب نقره هم بر وی فزود ** تا که راضی گشت حرص آن جهود
He offered him in addition a nisáb (two hundred dirhems) of silver, so that the Jew's cupidity was satisfied.
خندیدن جهود و پنداشتن کی صدیق مغبونست درین عقد
How the Jew laughed and imagined that the Siddíq had been swindled in this bargain.
قهقهه زد آن جهود سنگ‌دل ** از سر افسوس و طنز و غش و غل
The stony-hearted Jew guffawed jeeringly and mockingly in malice and spite.
گفت صدیقش که این خنده چه بود ** در جواب پرسش او خنده فزود 1035
The Siddíq said to him, “Why this laughter?” In reply to the question he laughed more loudly,
گفت اگر جدت نبودی و غرام ** در خریداری این اسود غلام
And said, “Had it not been for the (extraordinary) earnestness and ardour shown by thee in the purchase of this black slave,
من ز استیزه نمی‌جوشیدمی ** خود به عشر اینش بفروشیدمی
I would not have wrangled excitedly: indeed I would have sold him for a tenth of this (sum),
کو به نزد من نیرزد نیم دانگ ** تو گران کردی بهایش را به بانگ
For in my opinion he is not worth half a dáng; (but) thou mad’st his price heavy by (thy) clamour.”
پس جوابش داد صدیق ای غبی ** گوهری دادی به جوزی چون صبی
Then the Siddíq answered him, “O simpleton, thou hast given away a pearl in exchange for a walnut, like a (silly) boy;
کو به نزد من همی‌ارزد دو کون ** من به جانش ناظرستم تو بلون 1040
For in my opinion he is worth the two worlds: I am regarding his spirit, thou his colour.
زر سرخست او سیه‌تاب آمده ** از برای رشک این احمق‌کده
He is red gold that has been made (like) black polished iron on account of the enviousness of this abode of fools.
دیده‌ی این هفت رنگ جسمها ** در نیابد زین نقاب آن روح را
The eye that sees these seven bodily colours cannot perceive the spirit because of this veil.