بینی اندر دل علوم انبیا ** بی‌‌کتاب و بی‌‌معید و اوستا

And behold within thy heart (all) the sciences of the prophets, without book and without preceptor and master.

گفت پیغمبر که هست از امتم ** کاو بود هم گوهر و هم همتم‌‌

The Prophet said, “Amongst my people are some who are one with me in nature and aspiration:

مر مرا ز آن نور بیند جانشان ** که من ایشان را همی‌‌بینم بدان‌‌

Their spirits behold me by the same light by which I am beholding them.”

بی‌‌صحیحین و احادیث و رواه ** بلکه اندر مشرب آب حیات‌‌

Without the two Sahíhs and Traditions and Traditionists; nay, (they behold him) in the place where they drink the Water of Life.

سر امسینا لکردیا بدان ** راز اصبحنا عرابیا بخوان‌‌ 3465

Know the secret of “In the evening I was a Kurd”; read the mystery of “In the morning I was an Arab.”

ور مثالی خواهی از علم نهان ** قصه گو از رومیان و چینیان‌‌

And if you desire a parable of the hidden knowledge, relate the story of the Greeks and the Chinese.

قصه‌‌ی مری کردن رومیان و چینیان در علم نقاشی و صورتگری‌‌

The story of the contention between the Greeks and the Chinese in the art of painting and picturing.

چینیان گفتند ما نقاش‌‌تر ** رومیان گفتند ما را کر و فر

The Chinese said, “We are the better artists”; the Greeks said, “The (superiority in) power and excellence belongs to us.”

گفت سلطان امتحان خواهم در این ** کز شماها کیست در دعوی گزین‌‌

“I will put you to the test in this matter,” said the Sultan, “(and see) which of you are approved in your claim.”

اهل چین و روم چون حاضر شدند ** رومیان از بحث در مکث آمدند

When the Chinese and the Greeks presented themselves, the Greeks were more skilled in the knowledge (of the art of painting).

چینیان گفتند یک خانه به ما ** خاص بسپارید و یک آن شما 3470

(Then) the Chinese said, “Hand over to us a particular room, and (let there be) one for you (as well).”