#1
غمی بد دل شاه هاماوران
✦
ز هرگونه‌ای چاره جست اندران
“Sorrow weighed heavily upon the heart of Hamavaran's king, as he sought every manner of scheme to escape his plight.”
#2
چو یک هفته بگذشت هشتم پگاه
✦
فرستاده آمد به نزدیک شاه
“When a week had elapsed, on the dawn of the eighth day, an envoy arrived before King Kavus.”
#3
که گر شاه بیند که مهمان خویش
✦
بیاید خرامان به ایوان خویش
“Saying: 'If it pleases the King, let him come gracefully as a guest unto his servant's palace.'”
#4
شود شهر هاماوران ارجمند
✦
چو بینند رخشنده‌گاه بلند
“'The city of Hamavaran shall be exalted when they behold your radiant and lofty throne.'”
#5
بدین‌گونه با او همی چاره جست
✦
نهان بند او بود رایش درست
“Thus did he seek to entrap him with deceit, for his true intent was to shackle him secretly.”
#6
مگر شهر و دختر بماند بدوی
✦
نباشدش بر سر یکی باژجوی
“Thinking perhaps to retain his realm and daughter, and no longer suffer a tribute-gatherer over his head.”
#7
بدانست سودابه رای پدر
✦
که با سور پرخاش دارد به سر
“Sudabeh perceived her father's true design—that beneath the disguise of a feast lay a plot for war.”
#8
به کاووس کی گفت کاین رای نیست
✦
ترا خود به هاماوران جای نیست
“She said to Kay Kavus: 'This is no wise counsel; it is not fitting for you to go into Hamavaran.'”
#9
ترا بی‌بهانه به چنگ آورند
✦
نباید که با سور جنگ آورند
“'They seek to catch you without a cause; let them not bring battle under the guise of a banquet.'”
#10
ز بهر منست این همه گفت‌وگوی
✦
ترا زین شدن انده آید به‌روی
“'All this talk is merely on my account; your going thither will bring only sorrow upon you.'”
#11
ز سودابه گفتار باور نکرد
✦
نیامدش زیشان کسی را بمرد
“Yet Kavus heeded not Sudabeh's words, believing that none among them possessed the courage to challenge him.”
#12
بشد با دلیران و کندآوران
✦
به مهمانی شاه هاماوران
“He set forth with his brave and mighty champions to be the guests of the King of Hamavaran.”
#13
یکی شهر بد شاه را شاهه نام
✦
همه از در جشن و سور و خرام
“There was a royal city named Shaheh, renowned as a haven for celebration, feasting, and pleasure.”
#14
بدان شهر بودش سرای و نشست
✦
همه شهر سرتاسر آذین ببست
“In that city stood his palace and residence, and the entire town was fully decorated for the feast.”
#15
چو در شاهه شد شاه گردن‌فراز
✦
همه شهر بردند پیشش نماز
“When the haughty king entered Shaheh, all the people of the city bowed low before him in reverence.”
#16
همه گوهر و زعفران ریختند
✦
به دینار و عنبر برآمیختند
“They scattered jewels and saffron, mixing dinars with fragrant ambergris beneath his feet.”
#17
به شهر اندر آوای رود و سرود
✦
به هم برکشیدند چون تار و پود
“Throughout the city, the sound of lutes and songs intertwined seamlessly like warp and weft.”
#18
چو دیدش سپهدار هاماوران
✦
پیاده شدش پیش با مهتران
“When the ruler of Hamavaran beheld him, he dismounted and advanced on foot alongside his nobles.”
#19
ز ایوان سالار تا پیش در
✦
همه در و یاقوت بارید و زر
“From the chieftain's palace to the outer gate, pearls, rubies, and gold rained down.”
#20
به زرین طبق‌ها فروریختند
✦
به سر مشک و عنبر همی بیختند
“They poured precious gifts from golden trays and sifted musk and ambergris upon his head.”
#21
به کاخ اندرون تخت زرین نهاد
✦
نشست از بر تخت کاووس شاد
“Inside the palace, they set a throne of gold, and Kay Kavus sat upon it in joy.”
#22
همی بود یک هفته با می به دست
✦
خوش و خرم آمدش جای نشست
“For a whole week he remained with wineglass in hand, well pleased with his place of banquet.”
#23
شب و روز بر پیش چون کهتران
✦
میان بسته بد شاه هاماوران
“Day and night, the King of Hamavaran stood girt for service before him like a humble servant.”
#24
ببسته همه لشکرش را میان
✦
پرستنده بر پیش ایرانیان
“His entire army stood obediently girt, serving before the Iranian lords.”
#25
بدین‌گونه تا یکسر ایمن شدند
✦
ز چون و چرا و نهیب و گزند
“In this manner, the Iranians felt completely secure against any doubt, fear, or impending harm.”
#26
همه گفته بودند و آراسته
✦
سگالیده از جای برخاسته
“Yet all had been secretly arranged and plotted beforehand, and now the plot was set in motion.”
#27
ز بربر برین‌گونه آگه شدند
✦
سگالش چنین بود همره شدند
“The forces of Barbaristan were informed of the plot and joined them according to the prearranged conspiracy.”
#28
شبی بانگ بوق آمد و تاختن
✦
کسی را نبد آرزو ساختن
“One night came the sudden sound of warhorns and a sudden surprise attack, leaving no time to prepare.”
#29
ز بربرستان چون بیامد سپاه
✦
به هاماوران شاددل گشت شاه
“When the army from Barbaristan arrived, the King of Hamavaran rejoiced in his heart.”
#30
گرفتند ناگاه کاووس را
✦
چو گودرز و چون گیو و چون طوس را
“They suddenly ambushed and seized Kay Kavus, along with Goudarz, Giv, and Tous.”
#31
چو گوید درین مردم پیش‌بین
✦
چه دانی تو ای کاردان اندرین
“What will a wise and far-seeing person say of this? What do you, O man of experience, make of such turns of fate?”
#32
چو پیوستهٔ خون نباشد کسی
✦
نباید برو بودن ایمن بسی
“When one is not bound to you by kin and blood, you should never put great trust in him.”
#33
بود نیز پیوسته خونی که مهر
✦
ببرد ز تو تا بگرددت چهر
“Even a blood relative may turn away his love from you when fortune shifts its face.”
#34
چو مهر کسی را بخواهی ستود
✦
بباید به سود و زیان آزمود
“If you wish to praise anyone's love, you must first test him through both gain and loss.”
#35
پسر گر به جاه از تو برتر شود
✦
هم از رشک مهر تو لاغر شود
“Should a son surpass you in stature, envy may cause his love for you to wither.”
#36
چنین است گیهان ناپاک رای
✦
به هر باد خیره بجنبد ز جای
“Such is this treacherous world: it shifts blindly with every passing wind.”
#37
چو کاووس بر خیرگی بسته شد
✦
به هاماوران رای پیوسته شد
“When Kavus was thus recklessly bound in fetters, the mind of Hamavaran's king was set at ease.”
#38
یکی کوه بودش سر اندر سحاب
✦
برآوردهٔ ایزد از قعر آب
“There was a lofty mountain whose summit reached into the clouds, raised by the Almighty from the depths of the waters.”
#39
یکی دژ برآورده از کوهسار
✦
تو گفتی سپهرستش اندر کنار
“A fortress was raised upon that mountain, so high you would say the heavens embraced it.”
#40
بدان دژ فرستاد کاووس را
✦
همان گیو و گودرز و هم طوس را
“To that fortress he dispatched Kay Kavus, as well as Giv, Goudarz, and Tous.”
#41
همان مهتران دگر را به بند
✦
ابا شاه کاووس در دژ فگند
“He cast the other Iranian chieftains into bonds inside that stronghold alongside King Kavus.”
#42
ز گردان نگهبان دژ شد هزار
✦
همه نامداران خنجر‌گذار
“A thousand warrior guards were stationed at the fort, all renowned and sword-wielding champions.”
#43
سراپردهٔ او به تاراج داد
✦
به پرمایگان بدره و تاج داد
“He plundered Kavus's royal pavilion and distributed his treasure sacks and crown among his nobles.”
#44
برفتند پوشیده رویان دو خیل
✦
عماری یکی درمیانش جلیل
“Two troops of veiled women rode forth, carrying a magnificent palanquin in their midst.”
#45
که سودابه را باز جای آورند
✦
سراپرده را زیر پای آورند
“Sent to bring Sudabeh back and trample her royal pavilion underfoot.”
#46
چو سودابه پوشیدگان را بدید
✦
ز بر جامهٔ خسروی بردرید
“When Sudabeh saw the veiled ladies of the court, she tore off her royal garments in grief.”
#47
به مشکین کمند اندرآویخت چنگ
✦
به فندق گلان را به خون داد رنگ
“She clutched at her musk-scented tresses with her hands, and with ruby fingertips clawed her rosy cheeks until they ran red with blood.”
#48
بدیشان چنین گفت کاین کارکرد
✦
ستوده ندارند مردان مرد
“She spoke to them, saying: 'Such a treacherous deed is never held praiseworthy by true and valiant men!'”
#49
چرا روز جنگش نکردند بند
✦
که جامه‌اش زره بود و تختش سمند
“'Why did they not bind him on the day of battle, when his garment was armor and his throne a steed?'”
#50
سپهدار چون گیو و گودرز و طوس
✦
بدرید دلتان ز آوای کوس
“'With commanders such as Giv, Goudarz, and Tous, did your hearts rend in terror at the mere sound of the war-drums?'”
#51
همی تخت زرین کمینگه کنید
✦
ز پیوستگی دست کوته کنید
“'Now you make a golden throne your place of ambush, and cut short the bonds of kinship and hospitality!'”
#52
فرستادگان را سگان کرد نام
✦
همی ریخت خونابه بر گل مدام
“She branded the deceitful envoys as dogs, while tears of blood rained down incessantly upon her rosy cheeks.”
#53
جدایی نخواهم ز کاووس گفت
✦
وگرچه لحد باشد او را نهفت
“She declared: 'I shall never seek separation from Kavus, even if the dark grave be his final hiding place!'”
#54
چو کاووس را بند باید کشید
✦
مرا بی‌گنه سر بباید برید
“'If Kavus must endure chains and captivity, then let my innocent head be severed as well!'”
#55
بگفتند گفتار او با پدر
✦
پر از کین شدش سر پر از خون جگر
“They reported her passionate words to her father; his head filled with malice, and his heart burned with rage and grief.”
#56
به حصنش فرستاد نزدیک شوی
✦
جگر خسته از غم به خون شسته روی
“So he dispatched her to the fortress to join her husband, her heart wounded with sorrow and her face washed in blood-red tears.”
#57
نشستن به یک خانه با شهریار
✦
پرستنده او بود و هم غمگسار
“She dwelt in the same prison cell with the king, serving as both his devoted attendant and his loyal comforter.”
#58
چو بسته شد آن شاه دیهیم‌جوی
✦
سپاهش به ایران نهادند روی
“Once that crown-seeking monarch was bound in chains, the remnants of his army turned back toward Iran.”
#59
پراگنده شد در جهان آگهی
✦
که گم شد ز پالیز سرو سهی
“News spread across the lands that the tall, straight cypress had vanished from the royal garden.”
#60
چو بر تخت زرین ندیدند شاه
✦
بجستن گرفتند هر کس کلاه
“Seeing the golden throne bereft of its king, every rival chief began to covet the crown for himself.”
#61
ز ترکان و از دشت نیزه‌وران
✦
ز هر سو بیامد سپاهی گران
“From the Turks and from the Plain of Spearsmen, vast hordes came marching from every direction.”
#62
گران لشکری ساخت افراسیاب
✦
برآمد سر از خورد و آرام و خواب
“Afrasiab assembled a massive host, foreswearing all food, rest, and sleep in his ambition.”
#63
از ایران برآمد ز هر سو خروش
✦
شد آرام گیتی پر از جنگ‌وجوش
“From every corner of Iran an uproar arose; the tranquil world became consumed by tumult and warfare.”
#64
برآشفت افراسیاب آن زمان
✦
برآویخت با لشکر تازیان
“Afrasiab then flared with fury and clashed in battle against the army of the Arabs.”
#65
به جنگ اندرون بود لشکر سه ماه
✦
بدادند سرها ز بهر کلاه
“For three months the armies locked in fierce combat, sacrificing countless lives for the sake of the crown.”
#66
چنین است رسم سرای سپنج
✦
گهی ناز و نوش و گهی درد و رنج
“Such is the way of this transitory world: at times delight and ease, at times sorrow and pain.”
#67
سرانجام نیک و بدش بگذرد
✦
شکارست مرگش همی بشکرد
“In the end, both good and evil will pass; man is but prey, and Death relentlessly hunts him down.”
#68
شکست آمد از ترک بر تازیان
✦
ز بهر فزونی سرآمد زیان
“Defeat befell the Arab forces at the hands of the Turks; seeking conquest and gain, they reaped only ruin.”
#69
سپاه اندر ایران پراگنده شد
✦
زن و مرد و کودک همه بنده شد
“The Iranian defenders scattered in disarray, and women, men, and children alike were forced into captivity.”
#70
همه در گرفتند ز ایران پناه
✦
به ایرانیان گشت گیتی سیاه
“They all sought refuge throughout Iran, as darkness fell upon the world of the Iranians.”
#71
دو بهره سوی زاولستان شدند
✦
به خواهش بر پور دستان شدند
“Two parts of the populace fled toward Zabulistan, entreating the son of Dastan with desperate pleas.”
#72
که ما را ز بدها تو باشی پناه
✦
چو گم شد سر تاج کاووس شاه
“Saying: 'Be our refuge against all evils, now that King Kavus, the head of the realm, is lost!'”
#73
دریغ‌ست ایران که ویران شود
✦
کنام پلنگان و شیران شود
“'Alas for Iran, if it be laid waste and become a lair for leopards and lions!'”
#74
همه جای جنگی سواران بدی
✦
نشستنگه شهریاران بدی
“'It was once the realm of valiant warriors, the royal seat of mighty kings!'”
#75
کنون جای سختی و رنج و بلاست
✦
نشستنگه تیزچنگ اژدهاست
“'Now it has become a place of hardship, suffering, and woe—a dwelling place for sharp-clawed dragons!'”
#76
کسی کز پلنگان بخوردست شیر
✦
بدین رنج ما را بود دستگیر
“'Only one who has nursed on leopards' milk can come to our rescue in this dire affliction!'”
#77
کنون چاره‌ای باید انداختن
✦
دل خویش ازین رنج پرداختن
“'Now a remedy must be found, to free our hearts from this agonizing burden.'”
#78
ببارید رستم ز چشم آب زرد
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و جان پر ز درد
“Rustam shed pale, bitter tears from his eyes; his heart swelled with blood and his soul filled with grief.”
#79
چنین داد پاسخ که من با سپاه
✦
میان بسته‌ام جنگ را کینه خواه
“He replied: 'I, with my host, have girt my loins for war, seeking vengeance!'”
#80
چو یابم ز کاووس شاه آگهی
✦
کنم شهر ایران ز ترکان تهی
“'As soon as I receive news of King Kavus, I shall purge the land of Iran of all Turks!'”
#81
پس آگاهی آمد ز کاووس شاه
✦
ز بند کمین‌گاه و کار سپاه
“Then tidings arrived concerning King Kay Kavus, of the treacherous ambush that entrapped him and the fate of his host.”
#82
سپه را یکایک ز کابل بخواند
✦
میان بسته بر جنگ و لشکر براند
“He summoned the warriors one by one from Kabul, and girding his loins for battle, he led the army forth.”