#1
ازان پس به کاووس گوینده گفت
✦
که او دختری دارد اندر نهفت
“Thereafter, a speaker said to Kavus that the Lord of Hamavaran has a hidden daughter,”
#2
که از سرو بالاش زیباترست
✦
ز مشک سیه بر سرش افسرست
“Whose stature is statelier than the cypress, and upon her head rests a crown of black musk,”
#3
به بالا بلند و به گیسو کمند
✦
زبانش چو خنجر لبانش چو قند
“Tall in height and her hair a captivating lasso; her tongue like a dagger, her lips sweeter than sugar,”
#4
بهشتیست آراسته پرنگار
✦
چو خورشید تابان به خرم بهار
“She is an adorned, colorful paradise, bright like the glowing sun in a joyful spring,”
#5
نشاید که باشد به جز جفت شاه
✦
چه نیکو بود شاه را جفت ماه
“It is not fitting for her to be anyone's spouse but the King's; how wondrous for the King to wed the moon!”
#6
بجنبید کاووس را دل ز جای
✦
چنین داد پاسخ که اینست رای
“Kavus's heart stirred within his chest; he replied: 'This is indeed a brilliant counsel.'”
#7
گزین کرد شاه از میان گروه
✦
یکی مرد بیدار دانش‌پژوه
“The King chose from among his assembly a vigilant, wisdom-seeking noble,”
#8
گرانمایه و گرد و مغزش گران
✦
بفرمود تا شد به هاماوران
“Precious, heroic, and deep in wisdom, commanding him to journey to Hamavaran.”
#9
چنین گفت رایش به من تازه کن
✦
بیارای مغزش به شیرین سخن
“He said to him: 'Refresh my intent before him, adorn his brain with sweet words,”
#10
بگویش که پیوند ما در جهان
✦
بجویند کار آزموده مهان
“Tell him that experienced grandees of the world seek kinship with us,”
#11
که خورشید روشن ز تاج منست
✦
زمین پایهٔ تخت عاج منست
“For the radiant sun gains light from my crown, and the earth is but the footstool of my ivory throne.”
#12
هرانکس که در سایهٔ من پناه
✦
نیابد ازو کم شود پایگاه
“Whosoever finds no shelter under my shadow, his status and power shall surely wane.”
#13
کنون با تو پیوند جویم همی
✦
رخ آشتی را بشویم همی
“Now I seek alliance with you, washing clean the face of peace,”
#14
پس پردهٔ تو یکی دخترست
✦
شنیدم که گاه مرا درخورست
“Behind your curtain is a daughter; I have heard she is fitting for my royal court,”
#15
که پاکیزه تخم‌ست و پاکیزه تن
✦
ستوده به هر شهر و هر انجمن
“Pure of lineage and pure of body, praised in every city and every assembly.”
#16
چو داماد یابی چو پور قباد
✦
چنان دان که خورشید داد تو داد
“If you gain such a son-in-law as the son of Qobad, know that the sun itself has granted you justice.'”
#17
بشد مرد بیدار روشن روان
✦
به نزدیک سالار هاماوران
“The alert and bright-souled envoy departed, reaching the ruler of Hamavaran.”
#18
زبان کرد گویا و دل کرد گرم
✦
بیاراست لب را به گفتار نرم
“He loosened his tongue, warmed his heart, and decorated his lips with soft speech.”
#19
ز کاووس دادش فروان سلام
✦
ازان پس بگفت آنچ بود از پیام
“He delivered abundant greetings from Kavus, and then recited all that was in the royal message.”
#20
چو بشنید ازو شاه هاماوران
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر شد گران
“When the King of Hamavaran heard it, his heart filled with pain and his head grew heavy with sorrow.”
#21
همی گفت هرچند کاو پادشاست
✦
جهاندار و پیروز و فرمان رواست
“He mused: 'Though he is the sovereign king, world-ruler, victorious, and commanding,”
#22
مرا در جهان این یکی دخترست
✦
که از جان شیرین گرامی‌ترست
“I have only this one daughter in the world, who is dearer to me than sweet life itself.”
#23
فرستاده را گر کنم سرد و خوار
✦
ندارم پی و مایهٔ کارزار
“Yet if I send the messenger away cold and insulted, I lack the wealth and army for warfare.”
#24
همان به که این درد را نیز چشم
✦
بپوشم و بر دل بخوابیم خشم
“It is better that I close my eyes to this pain and lull anger to sleep in my heart.'”
#25
چنین گفت با مرد شیرین سخن
✦
که سر نیست این آرزو را نه بن
“Thus he spoke to the sweet-tongued envoy: 'This desire has neither head nor base,”
#26
همی خواهد از من گرامی دو چیز
✦
که آن را سه دیگر ندانیم نیز
“He demands from me two precious things, beyond which I know no third treasure:”
#27
مرا پشت گرمی بد از خواسته
✦
به فرزند بودم دل آراسته
“My security was in my wealth, and my heart was illuminated by my child.”
#28
به من زین سپس جان نماند همی
✦
وگر شاه ایران ستاند همی
“No life shall remain within me after this, if the King of Iran takes her away.”
#29
سپارم کنون هرچ خواهد بدوی
✦
نتابم سر از رای و فرمان اوی
“Yet I surrender all he demands to him; I shall not turn my head from his decree.'”
#30
غمی گشت و سودابه را پیش خواند
✦
ز کاووس با او سخنها براند
“He became sorrowful and called Sudabeh before him, speaking to her of Kavus's words.”
#31
بدو گفت کز مهتر سرفراز
✦
که هست از مهی و بهی بی‌نیاز
“He said to her: 'From that exalted monarch, who is free from all need of greatness and virtue,”
#32
فرستاده‌ای چرپ‌گوی آمدست
✦
یکی نامه چون زند و استا به دست
“A smooth-spoken messenger has arrived, bearing a letter like Zand and Avesta in his hands,”
#33
همی خواهد از من که بی‌کام من
✦
ببرد دل و خواب و آرام من
“Demanding you against my will, stealing my heart, sleep, and tranquility.”
#34
چه گویی تو اکنون هوای تو چیست
✦
بدین کار بیدار رای تو چیست
“What do you say now, what is your desire? What is your alert counsel in this matter?'”
#35
بدو گفت سودابه زین چاره نیست
✦
ازو بهتر امروز غمخواره نیست
“Sudabeh said to him: 'There is no alternative to this; today there is no better guardian than him.”
#36
کسی کاو بود شهریار جهان
✦
بروبوم خواهد همی از مهان
“One who is the monarch of the world desires land and alliance with the noble.”
#37
ز پیوند با او چرایی دژم
✦
کسی نشمرد شادمانی به غم
“Why be gloomy over an alliance with him? No wise person exchanges joy for sorrow.'”
#38
بدانست سالار هاماوران
✦
که سودابه را آن نیامد گران
“The Lord of Hamavaran realized that Sudabeh did not view the proposal with distress.”
#39
فرستاده شاه را پیش خواند
✦
وزان نامدارانش برتر نشاند
“He called the King's messenger forward and seated him above his noble chiefs.”
#40
ببستند بندی بر آیین خویش
✦
بران سان که بود آن زمان دین خویش
“They bound a covenant according to their rites, in the manner of their religion of that era.”
#41
به یک هفته سالار هاماوران
✦
همی ساخت آن کار با مهتران
“For a whole week, the Lord of Hamavaran arranged the wedding preparations with his nobles.”
#42
بیاورد پس خسرو خسته دل
✦
پرستنده سیصد عماری چهل
“Then he brought forth the grieved princess, with three hundred handmaidens and forty litters,”
#43
هزار استر و اسپ و اشتر هزار
✦
ز دیبا و دینار کردند بار
“A thousand mules, horses, and camels were laden with silk, brocade, and golden coins.”
#44
عماری به ماه نو آراسته
✦
پس پشت و پیش اندرون خواسته
“Litters decorated like the new moon, with treasures moving before and behind them.”
#45
یکی لشکر آراسته چون بهشت
✦
تو گفتی که روی زمین لاله کشت
“An army arranged like paradise, as if the entire face of the earth grew tulips.”
#46
چو آمد به نزدیک کاووس شاه
✦
دل آرام با زیب و با فر و جاه
“When she arrived before King Kavus, a comfort to the heart adorned with grace, splendor, and majesty,”
#47
دو یاقوت خندان دو نرگس دژم
✦
ستون دو ابرو چو سیمین قلم
“With two smiling rubies, two gloomy narcissi, and eyebrows like two silver pens,”
#48
نگه کرد کاووس و خیره بماند
✦
به سودابه بر نام یزدان بخواند
“Kavus looked and was left spellbound, reciting the name of Yazdan over Sudabeh.”
#49
یکی انجمن ساخت از بخردان
✦
ز بیداردل پیر سر موبدان
“He formed an assembly of the wise, white-haired ancient Mobads,”
#50
سزا دید سودابه را جفت خویش
✦
ببستند عهدی بر آیین و کیش
“He deemed Sudabeh worthy to be his spouse, binding a covenant according to their custom and creed.”