#1
بدین نامه چون دست کردم دراز
✦
یکی مهتری بود گردن‌فراز
“When I stretched forth my hand to begin this book, there was an exalted and high-minded lord.”
#2
جوان بود و از گوهر پهلوان
✦
خردمند و بیدار و روشن روان
“He was young, of noble heroic lineage, wise, alert, and radiant of spirit.”
#3
خداوند رای و خداوند شرم
✦
سخن گفتن خوب و آوای نرم
“A master of wise counsel and modesty, gracious in speech and soft of voice.”
#4
مرا گفت کز من چه باید همی
✦
که جانت سخن برگراید همی
“He asked me: 'What do you require of me, now that your soul is drawn toward verse?'”
#5
به چیزی که باشد مرا دسترس
✦
بکوشم نیازت نیارم به کس
“'Whatever lies within my power I shall provide, so that you need never turn to anyone else.'”
#6
همی داشتم چون یکی تازه سیب
✦
که از باد نامد به من بر نهیب
“He cherished me like a fresh apple, protecting me so no cold wind might harm me.”
#7
به کیوان رسیدم ز خاک نژند
✦
از آن نیک‌دل نامدار ارجمند
“Through that benevolent and illustrious lord, I reached Saturn from the humble earth.”
#8
به چشمش همان خاک و هم سیم و زر
✦
کریمی بدو یافته زیب و فر
“In his eyes, dust, silver, and gold were one; generosity gained grace and splendor through him.”
#9
سراسر جهان پیش او خوار بود
✦
جوانمرد بود و وفادار بود
“The entire world was trivial before him; he was chivalrous, gallant, and loyal.”
#10
چنان نامور گم شد از انجمن
✦
چو در باغ سرو سهی از چمن
“Yet alas, such a renowned hero vanished from among men, like a tall cypress disappearing from the garden lawn.”
#11
نه ز او زنده بینم نه مرده نشان
✦
به دست نهنگان مردم کشان
“I see no trace of him, alive or dead, fallen into the grasp of man-slaying monsters.”
#12
دریغ آن کمربند و آن گِردگاه
✦
دریغ آن کِیی برز و بالای شاه
“Alas for that noble waist and frame, alas for that royal stature and high height of the lord!”
#13
گرفتار ز او دل شده نا‌امید
✦
نوان لرز لرزان به کردار بید
“Entangled in sorrow for him, my heart grew hopeless, trembling constantly like a willow in the wind.”
#14
یکی پند آن شاه یاد آوریم
✦
ز کژی روان سوی داد آوریم
“Let us recall a piece of advice from that ruler, and turn our soul away from deceit toward justice.”
#15
مرا گفت کاین نامهٔ شهریار
✦
گرت گفته آید به شاهان سپار
“He told me: 'When this chronicle of kings is composed by you, hand it over to the monarchs of the realm.'”
#16
بدین نامه من دست بردم فراز
✦
به نام شهنشاه گردن‌فراز
“Thus I reached out to compose this book, in the name of the high-minded King of Kings.”