A certain Khwája had a Hindú slave whom he had educated and enlivened (with knowledge).
خواجه‌ای را بود هندو بنده‌ای ** پروریده کرده او را زنده‌ای
He had taught him science and all polite accomplishments; he had lighted the candle of erudition in his heart.250
علم و آدابش تمام آموخته ** در دلش شمع هنر افروخته
That beneficent man had brought him up indulgently from childhood in the lap of kindness.
پروریدش از طفولیت به ناز ** در کنار لطف آن اکرام‌ساز
This Khwája had also a fair daughter, silver-limbed, lovely, and of excellent disposition.
بود هم این خواجه را خوش دختری ** سیم‌اندامی گشی خوش‌گوهری
When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,
چون مراهق گشت دختر طالبان ** بذل می‌کردند کابین گران
And there was continually coming to him (the Khwája) from every nobleman a wooer to ask for the girl (in marriage).
می‌رسیدش از سوی هر مهتری ** بهر دختر دم به دم خوزه‌گری
The Khwája said (to himself), “Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it goes in all directions (is scattered to the winds).255
گفت خواجه مال را نبود ثبات ** روز آید شب رود اندر جهات
Physical beauty too has no importance, for a (rosy) face is made yellow (pale) by a single thorn-scratch.
حسن صورت هم ندارد اعتبار ** که شود رخ زرد از یک زخم خار
Noble birth also is of small account, for he (such an one) is befooled by money and horses.”
سهل باشد نیز مهترزادگی ** که بود غره به مال و بارگی
Oh, there is many a nobleman's son who in riot and mischief has disgraced his father by his wicked deeds.
ای بسا مهتربچه کز شور و شر ** شد ز فعل زشت خود ننگ پدر
Do not court a man full of talent either, (even) if he be exquisite (in that respect), and take a warning from (the example of) Iblís.
پر هنر را نیز اگر باشد نفیس ** کم پرست و عبرتی گیر از بلیس
He (Iblís) had knowledge, (but) since he had not religious love, he beheld in Adam nothing but a figure of clay.260
علم بودش چون نبودش عشق دین ** او ندید از آدم الا نقش طین
Though you may know (all) the minutiae of knowledge, O trustworthy (scholar), not by that (means) will your two (inward) eyes that discern the invisible be opened.
گرچه دانی دقت علم ای امین ** زانت نگشاید دو دیده‌ی غیب‌بین
He (the scholar) sees nothing but a turban and beard: he asks the announcer (for information) about his (the stranger's) merits and demerits.
او نبیند غیر دستاری و ریش ** از معرف پرسد از بیش و کمیش
(But) you, O knower (of God), have no need of the announcer: you see for yourself, for you are the rising light.
عارفا تو از معرف فارغی ** خود همی‌بینی که نور بازغی
The (only) thing that matters is fear of God and religion and piety, of which the result is happiness in both worlds.
کار تقوی دارد و دین و صلاح ** که ازو باشد بدو عالم فلاح
He (the Khwája) chose a pious son-in-law who was the pride of the whole clan and stock.265
کرد یک داماد صالح اختیار ** که بد او فخر همه خیل و تبار
Then the women said, “He has no riches, he has neither nobility nor beauty nor independence.”
پس زنان گفتند او را مال نیست ** مهتری و حسن و استقلال نیست
He replied, “Those things are secondary to asceticism and religion: he (the pious man), (though) without gold, is a treasure on the face of the earth.”
گفت آنها تابع زهدند و دین ** بی‌زر او گنجیست بر روی زمین
When it became known that the girl was going to be married in earnest, (as was proved by) the hand-promise, the tokens, and the wedding-outfit,
چون به جد تزویج دختر گشت فاش ** دست پیمان و نشانی و قماش
The little slave, who was in the house, immediately became ill and weak and poorly.
پس غلام خرد که اندر خانه بود ** گشت بیمار و ضعیف و زار زود
He was wasting away like one suffering from phthisis: no physician could recognise his ailment.270
هم‌چو بیمار دقی او می‌گداخت ** علت او را طبیبی کم شناخت
Reason declared that the malady had its source in his heart (and that) medicine for the body is useless for heart-ache.
عقل می‌گفتی که رنجش از دلست ** داروی تن در غم دل باطلست
The little slave breathed no word of his (real) state and did not tell what was the cause of the pangs in his breast.
آن غلامک دم نزد از حال خویش ** کز چه می‌آید برو در سینه نیش
One night the husband said to his wife, “Ask him privately what is the matter with him.
گفت خاتون را شبی شوهر که تو ** باز پرسش در خلا از حال او