It has no source of supply either in the fat (the white of the eye) or in the coating (retina); (but) the Beloved made (these) a veil (for Himself) when bringing (the light) into existence.1020
نه ز پیه آن مایه دارد نه ز پوست ** روی‌پوشی کرد در ایجاد دوست
The attracting air in the cavity of the ear apprehends that which is spoken, (whether) true or false.
در خلای گوش باد جاذبش ** مدرک صدق کلام و کاذبش
What is that air within that little bone, (that air) which receives the words and sounds uttered by the story-teller?
آن چه بادست اندر آن خرد استخوان ** کو پذیرد حرف و صوت قصه‌خوان
The bone and the air are only a veil: in the two worlds there is none except God.
استخوان و باد روپوشست و بس ** در دو عالم غیر یزدان نیست کس
He is the hearer, He is the speaker, (whom mystics behold) unveiled; for the ears belong to the head, O you who have merited the Divine recompense.
مستمع او قایل او بی‌احتجاب ** زانک الاذنان من الراس ای مثاب
He (the Jew) said, “If thou art feeling pity for him, give (me) gold and take him (in exchange), O man of generous disposition.1025
Since thy heart is burning (with sympathy), ransom him from me: thy difficulty will not be solved without expense.”
از منش وا خر چو می‌سوزد دلت ** بی‌منت حل نگردد مشکلت
He replied, “I will perform a hundred services (on his behalf) and five hundred prostrations (in thanksgiving for success). I have a handsome slave, but (he is) a Jew;
گفت صد خدمت کنم پانصد سجود ** بنده‌ای دارم تن اسپید و جهود
He has a white body, but a black heart: take (him), and give (me) in exchange that one whose body is black but whose heart is illumined.”
تن سپید و دل سیاهستش بگیر ** در عوض ده تن سیاه و دل منیر
Then the chieftain (Abú Bakr) sent (a messenger) to fetch him: in sooth that slave was exceedingly comely,
پس فرستاد و بیاورد آن همام ** بود الحق سخت زیبا آن غلام