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