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).”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

چینیان چون از عمل فارغ شدند ** از پی شادی دهلها می‌‌زدند

When the Chinese had finished their work, they were beating drums for joy.