- Their spirits behold me by the same light by which I am beholding them.”
- مر مرا ز آن نور بیند جانشان ** که من ایشان را همی‌‌بینم بدان
- Without the two Sahíhs and Traditions and Traditionists; nay, (they behold him) in the place where they drink the Water of Life.
- بی‌‌صحیحین و احادیث و رواه ** بلکه اندر مشرب آب حیات
- Know the secret of “In the evening I was a Kurd”; read the mystery of “In the morning I was an Arab.” 3465
- سر امسینا لکردیا بدان ** راز اصبحنا عرابیا بخوان
- And if you desire a parable of the hidden knowledge, relate the story of the Greeks and the Chinese.
- ور مثالی خواهی از علم نهان ** قصه گو از رومیان و چینیان
- The story of the contention between the Greeks and the Chinese in the art of painting and picturing.
- قصه‌‌ی مری کردن رومیان و چینیان در علم نقاشی و صورتگری
- The Chinese said, “We are the better artists”; the Greeks said, “The (superiority in) power and excellence belongs to us.”
- چینیان گفتند ما نقاش‌‌تر ** رومیان گفتند ما را کر و فر
- “I will put you to the test in this matter,” said the Sultan, “(and see) which of you are approved in your claim.”
- گفت سلطان امتحان خواهم در این ** کز شماها کیست در دعوی گزین
- When the Chinese and the Greeks presented themselves, the Greeks were more skilled in the knowledge (of the art of painting).
- اهل چین و روم چون حاضر شدند ** رومیان از بحث در مکث آمدند
- (Then) the Chinese said, “Hand over to us a particular room, and (let there be) one for you (as well).” 3470
- چینیان گفتند یک خانه به ما ** خاص بسپارید و یک آن شما
- There were two rooms with door facing door: the Chinese took one, the Greeks the other.
- بود دو خانه مقابل دربدر ** ز آن یکی چینی ستد رومی دگر
- The Chinese requested the King to give them a hundred colours: then that excellent (king) opened the treasury.
- چینیان صد رنگ از شه خواستند ** پس خزینه باز کرد آن ارجمند