- 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
- Every morning, by (his) bounty, the colours were dispensed from the treasury to the Chinese.
- هر صباحی از خزینه رنگها ** چینیان را راتبه بود از عطا
- The Greeks said, “No tints and pictures are proper for our work, (nothing is needed) except to remove the rust.”
- رومیان گفتند نی نقش و نه رنگ ** در خور آید کار را جز دفع زنگ
- They shut the door and went on burnishing: they became clear and pure like the sky. 3475
- در فرو بستند و صیقل می‌‌زدند ** همچو گردون ساده و صافی شدند
- There is a way from many-colouredness to colourlessness: colour is like the clouds, and colourlessness is a moon.
- از دو صد رنگی به بی‌‌رنگی رهی است ** رنگ چون ابر است و بی‌‌رنگی مهی است