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تاج شیخ اسلام دار الملک بلخ ** بود کوتهقد و کوچک همچو فرخ
- Táj, the Shaykhu ’l-Islám of the imperial city of Balkh, was short of stature and small as a chick.
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گرچه فاضل بود و فحل و ذو فنون ** این ضیا اندر ظرافت بد فزون
- Though he was learned and eminent and accomplished, (his brother) this Ziyá was superior in wit.
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او بسی کوته ضیا بیحد دراز ** بود شیخ اسلام را صد کبر و ناز 3475
- He (Táj) was very short, while Ziyá was tall beyond measure: the Shaykh of Islam had a hundred arrogances and haughty airs.
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زین برادر عار و ننگش آمدی ** آن ضیا هم واعظی بد با هدی
- He felt ashamed of this brother and disgraced (by him); yet Ziyá was a preacher in the way of salvation.
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روز محفل اندر آمد آن ضیا ** بارگه پر قاضیان و اصفیا
- On the day of congregation Ziyá came in: the hall was filled with cadis and men distinguished (for piety).
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کرد شیخ اسلام از کبر تمام ** این برادر را چنین نصف القیام
- In his complete arrogance the Shaykh of Islam (only) half rose (from his seat), in such a (careless) fashion, to (salute) his brother.
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گفت او را بس درازی بهر مزد ** اندکی زان قد سروت هم بدزد
- He (Ziyá) said to him, “Thou art very tall: take a little off thy cypress-like stature in order to gain the (Divine) reward.”
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پس ترا خود هوش کو یا عقل کو ** تا خوری می ای تو دانش را عدو 3480
- (The ascetic said), “How, then, have you the intelligence, how have you the (necessary) understanding to drink wine, O enemy of knowledge?
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روت بس زیباست نیلی هم بکش ** ضحکه باشد نیل بر روی حبش
- (If) your face is very beautiful, put some indigo on it (as an ornament); (but) indigo on the face of an Abyssinian (negro) would be a laughing-stock.
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در تو نوری کی درآمد ای غوی ** تا تو بیهوشی و ظلمتجو شوی
- When did any (spiritual) light enter into you, O misguided man, that you should become a seeker of unconsciousness and darkness?