Rumi's Masnavi - 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.”

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

So that the Jew was dumbfounded: at once his stony heart inclined (towards him). 1030

آنچنان که ماند حیران آن جهود ** آن دل چون سنگش از جا رفت زود

This is what happens to form-worshippers: their stone is (made) waxen by a (beauteous) form.

حالت صورت‌پرستان این بود ** سنگشان از صورتی مومین بود

(Then) again he wrangled and would not be satisfied, saying, “Without any evasion, (thou must) give more than this.”

باز کرد استیزه و راضی نشد ** که برین افزون بده بی‌هیچ بد

He offered him in addition a nisáb (two hundred dirhems) of silver, so that the Jew's cupidity was satisfied.

یک نصاب نقره هم بر وی فزود ** تا که راضی گشت حرص آن جهود

How the Jew laughed and imagined that the Siddíq had been swindled in this bargain.

خندیدن جهود و پنداشتن کی صدیق مغبونست درین عقد

The stony-hearted Jew guffawed jeeringly and mockingly in malice and spite.

قهقهه زد آن جهود سنگ‌دل ** از سر افسوس و طنز و غش و غل

The Siddíq said to him, “Why this laughter?” In reply to the question he laughed more loudly, 1035

گفت صدیقش که این خنده چه بود ** در جواب پرسش او خنده فزود

And said, “Had it not been for the (extraordinary) earnestness and ardour shown by thee in the purchase of this black slave,

گفت اگر جدت نبودی و غرام ** در خریداری این اسود غلام

I would not have wrangled excitedly: indeed I would have sold him for a tenth of this (sum),

من ز استیزه نمی‌جوشیدمی ** خود به عشر اینش بفروشیدمی

For in my opinion he is not worth half a dáng; (but) thou mad’st his price heavy by (thy) clamour.”

کو به نزد من نیرزد نیم دانگ ** تو گران کردی بهایش را به بانگ

Then the Siddíq answered him, “O simpleton, thou hast given away a pearl in exchange for a walnut, like a (silly) boy;

پس جوابش داد صدیق ای غبی ** گوهری دادی به جوزی چون صبی

For in my opinion he is worth the two worlds: I am regarding his spirit, thou his colour. 1040

کو به نزد من همی‌ارزد دو کون ** من به جانش ناظرستم تو بلون

He is red gold that has been made (like) black polished iron on account of the enviousness of this abode of fools.

زر سرخست او سیه‌تاب آمده ** از برای رشک این احمق‌کده

The eye that sees these seven bodily colours cannot perceive the spirit because of this veil.

دیده‌ی این هفت رنگ جسمها ** در نیابد زین نقاب آن روح را

If thou hadst haggled in the sale more (excessively than thou didst), I would have given the whole of my property and riches;

گر مکیسی کردیی در بیع بیش ** دادمی من جمله ملک و مال خویش

And if thou hadst (then) increased thy demands, I would have borrowed a skirtful of gold in my anxiety (to purchase him).

ور مکاس افزودیی من ز اهتمام ** دامنی زر کردمی از غیر وام

Thou gavest (him) up easily because thou gottest (him) cheap: thou didst not see the pearl, thou didst not split the casket. 1045

سهل دادی زانک ارزان یافتی ** در ندیدی حقه را نشکافتی

Thy folly gave (me) a sealed casket: thou wilt soon see what a swindle has befallen thee.

حقه سربسته جهل تو بداد ** زود بینی که چه غبنت اوفتاد

Thou hast given away a casket full of rubies and, like the negro, thou art rejoicing in thy blackness of face (disastrous plight).

حقه‌ی پر لعل را دادی به باد ** هم‌چو زنگی در سیه‌رویی تو شاد

In the end thou wilt utter many a ‘woe is me!’ Does any one, forsooth, sell (his) fortune and felicity?

عاقبت وا حسرتا گویی بسی ** بخت ودولت را فروشد خود کسی

Fortune came (to thee) in the garb of a slave, (but) thy unlucky eye saw only the surface.

بخت با جامه‌ی غلامانه رسید ** چشم بدبختت به جز ظاهر ندید

He showed unto thee his slavery (alone): thy wicked nature practiced cunning and deceit with him. 1050

او نمودت بندگی خویشتن ** خوی زشتت کرد با او مکر و فن

(Now), O driveller, take idolatrously this (slave) whose secret thoughts are black though his body is white.

این سیه‌اسرار تن‌اسپید را ** بت‌پرستانه بگیر ای ژاژخا

This one for thee, that one for me: we (both) have profited. Hark, unto you (your) religion and unto me (my) religion, O Jew.”

این ترا و آن مرا بردیم سود ** هین لکم دین ولی دین ای جهود