بد گمان بردیم و کن ما را حلال ** گوشت تو خوردیم اندر قیل و قال
(They said), “We had evil thoughts (of thee), and (we pray thee to) exonerate us. We were backbiting thee in our talk”;
زانک ظن جمله بر وی بیش بود ** زانک در قربت ز جمله پیش بود
For the suspicion of all (the women) against him had been increased by the fact that he was in higher favour (with the princess) than all (the rest of them).
خاص دلاکش بد و محرم نصوح ** بلک هم‌چون دو تنی یک گشته روح 2295
Nasúh was her private shampooer and confidant; nay (they were) as two bodies with one soul.
گوهر ار بردست او بردست و بس ** زو ملازم‌تر به خاتون نیست کس
(Hence the women had said), “If (any one) has taken the pearl, only he can have taken it: none is more closely attached to the Lady than he.
اول او را خواست جستن در نبرد ** بهر حرمت داشتش تاخیر کرد
At first she wished to search him forcibly, (but) from respect for his reputation she delayed,
تا بود کان را بیندازد به جا ** اندرین مهلت رهاند خویش را
In the hope that he might drop it (the pearl) somewhere and (thus) save himself during the respite.”
این حلالیها ازو می‌خواستند ** وز برای عذر برمی‌خاستند
They were begging him to grant these absolutions and were rising up to excuse themselves.
گفت بد فضل خدای دادگر ** ورنه زآنچم گفته شد هستم بتر 2300
He replied, “’Twas the grace of God, who deals justice; else I am worse than what has been said (of me).
چه حلالی خواست می‌باید ز من ** که منم مجرم‌تر اهل زمن
Why should absolution be begged of me? for I am the most sinful of (all) the people in the world.
آنچ گفتندم ز بد از صد یکیست ** بر من این کشفست ار کس را شکیست
The evil they spoke of me is (but) a hundredth part (of that which I have committed): this is clearly known to me, if any one has a doubt (concerning it).