#1
چو زال سپهبد ز پهلو برفت
✦
دمادم سپه روی بنهاد و تفت
“When Zal the commander departed from Pahlav, the army swiftly set forth without delay.”
#2
به طوس و به گودرز فرمود شاه
✦
کشیدن سپه سر نهادن به راه
“The King commanded Tus and Goudarz to draw up the army and take to the road.”
#3
چو شب روز شد شاه و جنگ‌آوران
✦
نهادند سر سوی مازندران
“As night gave way to day, the King and his warriors turned their faces toward Mazandaran.”
#4
به میلاد بسپرد ایران زمین
✦
کلید در گنج و تاج و نگین
“He entrusted the land of Iran to Milad, alongside the keys to the treasure vaults, the crown, and the royal signet.”
#5
بدو گفت گر دشمن آید پدید
✦
ترا تیغ کینه بباید کشید
“He said to him: 'If an enemy should appear, you must unsheathe the sword of vengeance.'”
#6
ز هر بد به زال و به رستم پناه
✦
که پشت سپاهند و زیبای گاه
“'In every evil plight, seek refuge in Zal and Rostam, for they are the pillars of the host and the glory of the throne.'”
#7
دگر روز برخاست آوای کوس
✦
سپه را همی راند گودرز و طوس
“On the next day, the roar of the war-drum echoed, as Goudarz and Tus drove the army onward.”
#8
همی رفت کاووس لشکر فروز
✦
بزد گاه بر پیش کوه اسپروز
“Kavus, illuminator of hosts, marched onward and pitched his royal throne before Mount Esparuz.”
#9
به جایی که پنهان شود آفتاب
✦
بدان جایگه ساخت آرام و خواب
“At the place where the sun sets into darkness, there he established his rest and sleep.”
#10
کجا جای دیوان دژخیم بود
✦
بدان جایگه پیل را بیم بود
“A place that was the lair of ruthless demons, where even the war-elephant was filled with dread.”
#11
بگسترد زربفت بر میش سار
✦
هوا پر ز بوی از می خوشگوار
“They spread gold-brocade upon the grassy field, and the air grew sweet with the scent of delicious wine.”
#12
همه پهلوانان فرخنده پی
✦
نشستند بر تخت کاووس کی
“All the auspicious heroes took their seats beside the throne of Kay Kavus.”
#13
همه شب می و مجلس آراستند
✦
به شبگیر کز خواب برخاستند
“All night long they held feast and revelry, until they awoke from slumber at dawn.”
#14
پراگنده نزدیک شاه آمدند
✦
کمر بسته و با کلاه آمدند
“Gathered from all around, they came before the King, girded for battle and wearing their helmets.”
#15
بفرمود پس گیو را شهریار
✦
دوباره ز لشکر گزیدن هزار
“The monarch then commanded Gev to choose two thousand brave warriors from the army.”
#16
کسی کاو گراید به گرز گران
✦
گشایندهٔ شهر مازندران
“Men who could wield the heavy mace and conquer the city of Mazandaran.”
#17
هر آنکس که بینی ز پیر و جوان
✦
تنی کن که با او نباشد روان
“'Whomever you see, whether old or young, strike them so their body is left without a soul.'”
#18
وزو هرچ آباد بینی بسوز
✦
شب آور به جایی که باشی به روز
“'And burn whatever prosperous thing you see; bring night upon the places where day now shines.'”
#19
چنین تا به دیوان رسد آگهی
✦
جهان کن سراسر ز دیوان تهی
“'Before news can reach the demons, empty the entire world of their blight.'”
#20
کمر بست و رفت از بر شاه گیو
✦
ز لشکر گزین کرد گردان نیو
“Gev girded his waist and left the King's presence, selecting valiant heroes from the army.”
#21
بشد تا در شهر مازندران
✦
ببارید شمشیر و گرز گران
“He marched unto the gates of Mazandaran, raining down heavy maces and swords.”
#22
زن و کودک و مرد با دستوار
✦
نیافت از سر تیغ او زینهار
“Woman, child, and nobleman alike found no mercy from the edge of his blade.”
#23
همی کرد غارت همی سوخت شهر
✦
بپالود بر جای تریاک زهر
“He plundered and burned the city, pouring bitter poison where sweet remedy once dwelt.”
#24
یکی چون بهشت برین شهر دید
✦
پر از خرمی بر درش بهر دید
“He beheld a city like the highest heaven, overflowing with joy and blessed prosperity at its gates.”
#25
به هر برزنی بر فزون از هزار
✦
پرستار با طوق و با گوشوار
“In every street were more than a thousand maidens, adorned with golden collars and earrings.”
#26
پرستنده زین بیشتر با کلاه
✦
به چهره به کردار تابنده ماه
“And even more attendants wearing diadems, their faces radiant like the shining moon.”
#27
به هر جای گنجی پراگنده زر
✦
به یک جای دینار سرخ و گهر
“In every quarter lay scattered treasures of gold, red dinars, and precious gems in heap.”
#28
بی‌اندازه گرد اندرش چارپای
✦
بهشتیست گفتی همیدون به جای
“Boundless herds of livestock roamed all around; you would say it was paradise itself incarnate.”
#29
به کاووس بردند از او آگهی
✦
ازان خرمی جای و آن فرهی
“News was brought to Kavus of that glorious, prosperous, and splendid land.”
#30
همی گفت خرم زیاد آنک گفت
✦
که مازندران را بهشتست جفت
“He remarked: 'Blessed be the one who said that Mazandaran is the twin of paradise!'”
#31
همه شهر گویی مگر بتکده‌ست
✦
ز دیبای چین بر گل آذین زدست
“'The entire city resembles an idol-temple, adorned with Chinese silk upon rose gardens.'”
#32
بتان بهشتند گویی درست
✦
به گلنارشان روی رضوان بشست
“'Verily, their maidens seem like paradise houris, whose faces the gatekeeper of heaven washed with pomegranate blossoms.'”
#33
چو یک هفته بگذشت ایرانیان
✦
ز غارت گشادند یکسر میان
“When a week had passed, the Iranians finally unbuckled their belts from pillaging.”
#34
خبر شد سوی شاه مازندران
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر شد گران
“News reached the King of Mazandaran; his heart filled with grief and his head grew heavy.”
#35
ز دیوان به پیش اندرون سنجه بود
✦
که جان و تنش زان سخن رنجه بود
“Among the demons, Sanjeh stood foremost, his soul and body tormented by these tidings.”
#36
بدو گفت رو نزد دیو سپید
✦
چنان رو که بر چرخ گردنده شید
“The King said to him: 'Go to the White Demon! Fly as swiftly as the sun across the turning sky!'”
#37
بگویش که آمد به مازندران
✦
بغارت از ایران سپاهی گران
“'Tell him that a vast army from Iran has entered Mazandaran to plunder.'”
#38
جهانجوی کاووس شان پیش رو
✦
یکی لشگری جنگ سازان نو
“'Led by the world-conquering Kavus, leading an army of fresh, eager warriors.'”
#39
کنون گر نباشی تو فریادرس
✦
نبینی بمازندران زنده کس
“'Now, if you do not come to our rescue, you will not see a single living soul left in Mazandaran!'”
#40
چو بشنید پیغام سنجه نهفت
✦
بر دیو پیغام شه بازگفت
“When Sanjeh heard the message, he sped in secret and delivered the King's words to the demon.”
#41
چنین پاسخش داد دیو سپید
✦
که از روزگاران مشو ناامید
“The White Demon answered him: 'Do not lose heart in the turns of fortune.'”
#42
بیایم کنون با سپاهی گران
✦
ببرم پی او ز مازندران
“'I shall come now with a mighty host, and sever his tracks from Mazandaran forever!'”
#43
شب آمد یکی ابر شد با سپاه
✦
جهان کرد چون روی زنگی سیاه
“Night came, and a cloud descended with his host, turning the world black as an Ethiopian's face.”
#44
چو دریای قارست گفتی جهان
✦
همه روشناییش گشته نهان
“You would say the world became a sea of pitch, all its light hidden away.”
#45
یکی خیمه زد بر سر او دود و قیر
✦
سیه شد جهان چشمها خیره خیر
“A pavilion of smoke and tar pitched above them; the world turned black, blinding all eyes in astonishment.”
#46
چو بگذشت شب روز نزدیک شد
✦
جهانجوی را چشم تاریک شد
“As night passed and daylight drew near, darkness fell upon the world-seeker's eyes.”
#47
ز لشکر دو بهره شده تیره چشم
✦
سر نامداران ازو پر ز خشم
“Two-thirds of the army grew blind in sight, and the minds of the chieftains were filled with wrath.”
#48
از ایشان فراوان تبه کرد نیز
✦
نبود از بدبخت ماننده چیز
“Many of them were slain as well, for nothing remains intact when fortune turns ill.”
#49
چو تاریک شد چشم کاووس شاه
✦
بد آمد ز کردار او بر سپاه
“When King Kavus's eyes turned dark, disaster befell the army due to his ill-considered deeds.”
#50
همه گنج تاراج و لشکر اسیر
✦
جوان دولت و بخت برگشت پیر
“All treasures were plundered and the army enslaved; the young king's fortune withered and grew old.”
#51
همه داستان یاد باید گرفت
✦
که خیره نماید شگفت از شگفت
“One must remember all such tales of lore, for wondrous marvels reveal themselves time and again.”
#52
سپهبد چنین گفت چون دید رنج
✦
که دستور بیدار بهتر ز گنج
“When the commander saw this agony, he spoke thus: 'A wise counselor is far better than treasures.'”
#53
به سختی چو یک هفته اندر کشید
✦
به دیده ز ایرانیان کس ندید
“When a full week passed in hardship, not one of the Iranians could see anything with their eyes.”
#54
بهشتم بغرید دیو سپید
✦
که ای شاه بی‌بر به کردار بید
“On the eighth day, the White Demon roared aloud: 'O unfruitful king, barren like a willow tree!”
#55
همی برتری را بیاراستی
✦
چراگاه مازندران خواستی
“You sought to magnify your realm, and coveted the rich pastures of Mazandaran!”
#56
همی نیروی خویش چون پیل مست
✦
بدیدی و کس را ندادی تو دست
“You saw your own might like a drunken elephant, refusing to lend a hand to anyone!”
#57
چو با تاج و با تخت نشکیفتی
✦
خرد را بدین‌گونه بفریفتی
“Since you could not rest content with crown and throne, you deceived wisdom in such a manner!”
#58
کنون آنچ اندر خور کار تست
✦
دلت یافت آن آرزوها که جست
“Now that which fits your worthy deserts has come to pass; your heart has reaped the very desires it sought!'”
#59
ازان نره دیوان خنجرگذار
✦
گزین کرد جنگی ده و دوهزار
“From among those fierce, dagger-wielding demons, he selected twelve thousand battle-tested warriors.”
#60
بر ایرانیان بر نگهدار کرد
✦
سر سرکشان پر ز تیمار کرد
“He set them as guards over the captive Iranians, leaving the hearts of the noble leaders heavy with grief.”
#61
سران را همه بندها ساختند
✦
چو از بند و بستن بپرداختند
“They forged fetters for all the chieftains, and when they finished binding them in chains...”
#62
خورش دادشان اندکی جان سپوز
✦
بدان تا گذارند روزی به روز
“They fed them just enough meager sustenance to barely preserve life day by day.”
#63
ازان پس همه گنج شاه جهان
✦
چه از تاج یاقوت و گرز گران
“Thereafter, all the world-king's treasures—from ruby-studded crowns to heavy maces—”
#64
سپرد آنچ دید از کران تا کران
✦
به ارژنگ سالار مازندران
“He surrendered all he saw from edge to edge to Arzhang, the lord of Mazandaran.”
#65
بر شاه رو گفت و او را بگوی
✦
که ز آهرمن اکنون بهانه مجوی
“He commanded: 'Go to the King of Mazandaran and say to him, "Seek no further excuse from Ahriman!”
#66
همه پهلوانان ایران و شاه
✦
نه خورشید بینند روشن نه ماه
“For all the heroes of Iran, along with their king, can see neither bright sun nor moon!”
#67
به کشتن نکردم برو بر نهیب
✦
بدان تا بداند فراز و نشیب
“I refrained from putting him to the sword at once, so that he might learn the highs and lows of fate!”
#68
به زاری و سختی برآیدش هوش
✦
کسی نیز ننهد برین کار گوش
“His soul shall perish in torment and misery, so that none shall ever dare listen to such rash folly again!"'”
#69
چو ارژنگ بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
سوی شاه مازندران کرد روی
“When Arzhang heard his words, he turned his face toward the King of Mazandaran.”
#70
همی رفت با لشکر و خواسته
✦
اسیران و اسپان آراسته
“He set forth with the army, the plundered wealth, the captives, and the finely equipped horses.”
#71
سپرد او به شاه و سبک بازگشت
✦
بدان برز کوه آمد از پهن دشت
“He delivered all to the king and swiftly returned, coming back to that lofty mountain from the vast plain.”