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.
گر مکیسی کردیی در بیع بیش ** دادمی من جمله ملک و مال خویش
If thou hadst haggled in the sale more (excessively than thou didst), I would have given the whole of my property and riches;
ور مکاس افزودیی من ز اهتمام ** دامنی زر کردمی از غیر وام
And if thou hadst (then) increased thy demands, I would have borrowed a skirtful of gold in my anxiety (to purchase him).
سهل دادی زانک ارزان یافتی ** در ندیدی حقه را نشکافتی 1045
Thou gavest (him) up easily because thou gottest (him) cheap: thou didst not see the pearl, thou didst not split the casket.
حقه سربسته جهل تو بداد ** زود بینی که چه غبنت اوفتاد
Thy folly gave (me) a sealed casket: thou wilt soon see what a swindle has befallen thee.
حقهی پر لعل را دادی به باد ** همچو زنگی در سیهرویی تو شاد
Thou hast given away a casket full of rubies and, like the negro, thou art rejoicing in thy blackness of face (disastrous plight).
عاقبت وا حسرتا گویی بسی ** بخت ودولت را فروشد خود کسی
In the end thou wilt utter many a ‘woe is me!’ Does any one, forsooth, sell (his) fortune and felicity?
بخت با جامهی غلامانه رسید ** چشم بدبختت به جز ظاهر ندید
Fortune came (to thee) in the garb of a slave, (but) thy unlucky eye saw only the surface.
او نمودت بندگی خویشتن ** خوی زشتت کرد با او مکر و فن 1050
He showed unto thee his slavery (alone): thy wicked nature practiced cunning and deceit with him.
این سیهاسرار تناسپید را ** بتپرستانه بگیر ای ژاژخا
(Now), O driveller, take idolatrously this (slave) whose secret thoughts are black though his body is white.
این ترا و آن مرا بردیم سود ** هین لکم دین ولی دین ای جهود
This one for thee, that one for me: we (both) have profited. Hark, unto you (your) religion and unto me (my) religion, O Jew.”
خود سزای بتپرستان این بود ** جلش اطلس اسپ او چوبین بود
Truly this is meet for idolaters: his (the idolater's) horse-cloth is (of) satin (while) his horse is made of wood.
همچو گور کافران پر دود و نار ** وز برون بر بسته صد نقش و نگار
It (the object of his worship) is like the tomb of infidels—full of smoke and fire (within), (while) on the outside it is decked with a hundred (beautiful) designs and ornaments;
همچو مال ظالمان بیرون جمال ** وز درونش خون مظلوم و وبال 1055
(Or) like the wealth of tyrants—fair externally, (but) within it (intrinsically) the blood of the oppressed and (future) woe;
چون منافق از برون صوم و صلات ** وز درون خاک سیاه بینبات
(Or) like the hypocrite (who) externally (is engaged in) fasting and prayer, (while) inwardly (he resembles) black loam without vegetation;
همچو ابری خالیی پر قر و قر ** نه درو نفع زمین نه قوت بر
(Or) like a cloud empty (of rain), full of thunderclaps, wherein is neither benefit to the earth nor nourishment for the wheat;
همچو وعدهی مکر و گفتار دروغ ** آخرش رسوا و اول با فروغ
(Or) like a promise (full) of guile and lying words, of which the end is shameful though its beginning is splendid.
بعد از آن بگرفت او دست بلال ** آن ز زخم ضرس محنت چون خلال
Afterwards he (the Siddíq) took the hand of Bilál, who was (thin) as a toothpick from the blows inflicted by the tooth of tribulation.