How noble is that yellow one, whose yellowness is pure, Which traverses the regions, and whose journeying is afar. Told abroad are its fame and repute: Its lines are set as the secret sign of wealth; Its march is coupled with the success of endeavors; Its bright look is loved by mankind; As though its ore had been molten of their hearts. By its aid whoever has gotten it in his purse assails boldly, Though kindred be perished, or tardy to help. Oh charming are its purity and brightness; Charming are its sufficiency and help. How many a ruler is there whose rule has been perfected by it! How many a sumptuous one is there whose grief, but for it, would be endless! How many a host of cares has one charge of it put to flight! How many a full moon has a sum of it brought down! How many a one burning with rage, whose coal is flaming, Has it been secretly whispered to, and then his anger has softened. How many a prisoner, whom his kin had yielded, Has it delivered, so that his gladness has been unmingled, Now by the Truth of the Lord whose creation brought it forth, Were it not for his fear, I should say its power is supreme. Then he stretched forth his hand after his recitation, and said, "The honorable man performs what he promises, and the rain-cloud pours if it has thundered." So I threw him the denar, and said, "Take it; no grudging goes with it." And he put it in his mouth and said, "God bless it." Then he girt up his skirts for departure, after that he had paid his thanks. But there arose in me, through his pleasantry, a giddiness of desire which made me ready to incur indebtedness. So I bared another denar, and said, "Does it suit thee to blame this, and then gather it?" And he recited impromptu, and sang with speed: Ruin on it for a deceiver and insincere, The yellow one with two faces like a hypocrite! It shows forth with two qualities to the eye of him that looks on it, The adornment of the loved one, the color of the lover. Affection for it, think they who judge truly, Tempts men to commit that which shall anger their Maker. But for it no thief's right hand were cut off; Nor would tyranny be displayed by the impious; Nor would the niggard shrink from the night-farer; Nor would the delayed claimant mourn the delay of him that withholds; Nor would men call to God from the envious who casts at them. Moreover, the worst quality that it possesses Is that it helps thee not in straits, Save by fleeing from thee like a runaway slave. Well done he who casts it away from a hill-top, And who, when it whispers to him with the whispering of a lover, Says to it in the words of the truth-speaking, the veracious, "I have no mind for intimacy with thee—begone!"