(Hence the women had said), “If (any one) has taken the pearl, only he can have taken it: none is more closely attached to the Lady than he.
گوهر ار بردست او بردست و بس ** زو ملازم‌تر به خاتون نیست کس
At first she wished to search him forcibly, (but) from respect for his reputation she delayed,
اول او را خواست جستن در نبرد ** بهر حرمت داشتش تاخیر کرد
In the hope that he might drop it (the pearl) somewhere and (thus) save himself during the respite.”
تا بود کان را بیندازد به جا ** اندرین مهلت رهاند خویش را
They were begging him to grant these absolutions and were rising up to excuse themselves.
این حلالیها ازو می‌خواستند ** وز برای عذر برمی‌خاستند
He replied, “’Twas the grace of God, who deals justice; else I am worse than what has been said (of me).2300
گفت بد فضل خدای دادگر ** ورنه زآنچم گفته شد هستم بتر
Why should absolution be begged of me? for I am the most sinful of (all) the people in the world.
چه حلالی خواست می‌باید ز من ** که منم مجرم‌تر اهل زمن
The evil they spoke of me is (but) a hundredth part (of that which I have committed): this is clearly known to me, if any one has a doubt (concerning it).
آنچ گفتندم ز بد از صد یکیست ** بر من این کشفست ار کس را شکیست
What does any one know of me but a little—(what but) one of my thousand sins and evil deeds?
کس چه می‌داند ز من جز اندکی ** از هزاران جرم و بد فعلم یکی
I know, and He who draws a veil (of concealment) over me (knows) my sins and the wickedness of my conduct.
من همی دانم و آن ستار من ** جرمها و زشتی کردار من
At first an Iblís was my teacher; afterwards Iblís was (mere) wind in comparison with me.2305
اول ابلیسی مرا استاد بود ** بعد از آن ابلیس پیشم باد بود