#1
وزانجا سوی پارس اندر کشید
✦
که در پارس بد گنجها را کلید
“From there he marched onward toward Pars, for in Pars lay the key to all royal treasures.”
#2
نشستنگه آن گه به اسطخر بود
✦
کیان را بدان جایگه فخر بود
“Istakhr was then the seat of his realm, a place in which the Kianian kings took immense pride.”
#3
جهانی سوی او نهادند روی
✦
که او بود سالار دیهیم جوی
“The entire world turned its face toward him, for he was the sovereign ruler seeking the crown of justice.”
#4
به تخت کیان اندر آورد پای
✦
به داد و به آیین فرخنده‌رای
“He set his foot upon the Kianian throne, governing with equity, tradition, and auspicious wisdom.”
#5
چنین گفت با نامور مهتران
✦
که گیتی مرا از کران تا کران
“Thus he spoke to the renowned nobles: 'The world, from border to border, belongs to me.'”
#6
اگر پیل با پشه کین آورد
✦
همه رخنه در داد و دین آورد
“'If an elephant harbors malice toward a gnat, it tears a breach in both justice and faith.'”
#7
نخواهم به گیتی جز از راستی
✦
که خشم خدا آورد کاستی
“'I desire naught in this world but truth, for divine wrath brings ruin and decline.'”
#8
تن آسانی از درد و رنج منست
✦
کجا خاک و آبست گنج منست
“'The comfort of the people comes through my toil and hardship; wherever there is land and water, there lies my treasure.'”
#9
سپاهی و شهری همه یکسرند
✦
همه پادشاهی مرا لشکرند
“'Soldiers and citizens are as one to me; the entire kingdom forms my unified army.'”
#10
همه در پناه جهاندار بید
✦
خردمند بید و بی‌آزار بید
“'May all dwell in the shelter of the Ruler of the World, remaining wise and free from malice.'”
#11
هر آنکس که دارد خورید و دهید
✦
سپاسی ز خوردن به من برنهید
“'Whoever possesses wealth, eat and bestow upon others, giving thanks for your sustenance under my reign.'”
#12
هرآنکس کجا بازماند ز خورد
✦
ندارد همی توشهٔ کارکرد
“'And whosoever is destitute and lacks sustenance, having no provision earned by toil—'”
#13
چراگاهشان بارگاه منست
✦
هرآنکس که اندر سپاه منست
“'—My royal court shall be their pasture and sanctuary, as it is for every soul within my army.'”
#14
وزان رفته نام‌آوران یاد کرد
✦
به داد و دهش گیتی آباد کرد
“He honored the memory of illustrious kings of old, and prospered the world through justice and bounty.”
#15
برین گونه صدسال شادان بزیست
✦
نگر تا چنین در جهان شاه کیست
“In this wise he lived joyfully for a hundred years; behold if ever there was such a king in the world!”
#16
پسر بد مر او را خردمند چار
✦
که بودند زو در جهان یادگار
“Four wise sons were born unto him, left as his enduring legacy in the world.”
#17
نخستین چو کاووس باآفرین
✦
کی آرش دوم و دگر کی پشین
“The first was praised Kavus; the second Kay Arash, and the third Kay Pashin.”
#18
چهارم کجا آرشش بود نام
✦
سپردند گیتی به آرام و کام
“The fourth was named Kay Arash; together they passed their days in peace and prosperity.”
#19
چو صد سال بگذشت با تاج و تخت
✦
سرانجام تاب اندر آمد به بخت
“When a hundred years passed upon the crown and throne, at last fortune began to wane.”
#20
چو دانست کامد به نزدیک مرگ
✦
بپژمرد خواهد همی سبز برگ
“When he knew that death was drawing near, and that his green leaf was destined to wither—”
#21
سر ماه کاووس کی را بخواند
✦
ز داد و دهش چند با او براند
“At the turn of the month he summoned Kay Kavus, imparting to him deep discourses on justice and generosity.”
#22
بدو گفت ما بر نهادیم رخت
✦
تو بسپار تابوت و بردار تخت
“He said to him: 'We have packed our burdens for the journey; prepare for me the coffin, and ascend thou the throne.'”
#23
چنانم که گویی ز البرز کوه
✦
کنون آمدم شادمان با گروه
“'It feels to me as though I have only just descended in joy from Mount Alborz with my companion group!'”
#24
چو بختی که بی‌آگهی بگذرد
✦
پرستندهٔ او ندارد خرد
“'For fortune that passes unawares—whosoever worships it lacks true wisdom.'”
#25
تو گر دادگر باشی و پاک دین
✦
ز هر کس نیابی به جز آفرین
“'If thou art just and pure of faith, thou shalt receive naught from anyone but praise.'”
#26
و گر آز گیرد سرت را به دام
✦
برآری یکی تیغ تیز از نیام
“'But if greed ensnareth thy heart, thou wilt draw a sharp sword of ruin against thine own head.'”
#27
بگفت این و شد زین جهان فراخ
✦
گزین کرد صندوق بر جای کاخ
“Speaking these words, he departed this vast world, choosing a wooden chest in place of a palace.”
#28
بسر شد کنون قصهٔ کیقباد
✦
ز کاووس باید سخن کرد یاد
“Now the tale of Keyqobad has reached its end; it is time to recount the saga of Kavus.”