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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.”
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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).
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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).”
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بود دو خانه مقابل دربدر ** ز آن یکی چینی ستد رومی دگر
- There were two rooms with door facing door: the Chinese took one, the Greeks the other.
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چینیان صد رنگ از شه خواستند ** پس خزینه باز کرد آن ارجمند
- The Chinese requested the King to give them a hundred colours: then that excellent (king) opened the treasury.
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هر صباحی از خزینه رنگها ** چینیان را راتبه بود از عطا
- Every morning, by (his) bounty, the colours were dispensed from the treasury to the Chinese.
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رومیان گفتند نی نقش و نه رنگ ** در خور آید کار را جز دفع زنگ
- The Greeks said, “No tints and pictures are proper for our work, (nothing is needed) except to remove the rust.”
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در فرو بستند و صیقل می‌‌زدند ** همچو گردون ساده و صافی شدند 3475
- They shut the door and went on burnishing: they became clear and pure like the sky.
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از دو صد رنگی به بی‌‌رنگی رهی است ** رنگ چون ابر است و بی‌‌رنگی مهی است
- There is a way from many-colouredness to colourlessness: colour is like the clouds, and colourlessness is a moon.
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هر چه اندر ابر ضو بینی و تاب ** آن ز اختر دان و ماه و آفتاب
- Whatsoever light and splendour you see in the clouds, know that it comes from the stars and the moon and the sun.