#1
سخن‌گوی دهقان چه گوید نخست
✦
که نام بزرگی به گیتی که جست
“What says the ancient storyteller first, of who sought the crown of greatness in the world?”
#2
که بود آن که دیهیم بر سر نهاد
✦
ندارد کس آن روزگاران به یاد
“Who was he that first placed the diadem upon his head? None holds those ancient ages in living memory,”
#3
مگر کز پدر یاد دارد پسر
✦
بگوید تو را یک به یک در به در
“Save what the son remembers from the father, recounting it to you step by step.”
#4
که نام بزرگی که آورد پیش
✦
که را بود از آن برتران پایه بیش
“Who brought forth the majesty of high renown? Who among those exalted lords held the paramount place?”
#5
پژوهندهٔ نامهٔ باستان
✦
که از پهلوانان زند داستان
“The seeker of the ancient chronicles, who recites the legends of legendary champions—”
#6
چنین گفت کآیین تخت و کلاه
✦
کیومرث آورد و او بود شاه
“Spake thus: that the tradition of throne and crown was established by Kyumars, who was king.”
#7
چو آمد به برج حَمَل آفتاب
✦
جهان گشت با فرَ و آیین و آب
“When the sun entered the sign of Aries, the world turned bright with glory, order, and freshness.”
#8
بتابید از آن سان ز برج بره
✦
که گیتی جوان گشت از آن یک‌سره
“It shone so radiantly from the sign of the Lamb that the whole earth became youthful once more.”
#9
کیومرث شد بر جهان کدخدای
✦
نخستین به کوه اندرون ساخت جای
“Kyumars became ruler of the world, making his first dwelling within the mountain heights.”
#10
سر بخت و تختش بر آمد به کوه
✦
پلنگینه پوشید خود با گروه
“Upon the mountain peak arose his throne and destiny; he and his people arrayed themselves in leopard skins.”
#11
از او اندر آمد همی پرورش
✦
که پوشیدنی نو بُد و نو خورش
“From him began the culture of mankind, introducing novel attire and new foods to eat.”
#12
به گیتی درون سال سی شاه بود
✦
به خوبی چو خورشید بر گاه بود
“For thirty years he reigned over the earth, sitting upon his royal seat as splendidly as the sun.”
#13
همی تافت زو فرّ شاهنشهی
✦
چو ماه دو هفته ز سرو سهی
“The royal glory radiated from him like the full moon beaming over a lofty cypress.”
#14
دد و دام و هر جانور کش بدید
✦
ز گیتی به نزدیک او آرمید
“Wild beasts, cattle, and every creature he beheld came from all the world to rest near him.”
#15
دوتا می‌شدندی بر تخت او
✦
از آن بر شده فرّه و بخت او
“They bowed low before his supreme throne, humbled by his exalted glory and auspicious fortune.”
#16
به رسم نماز آمدندیش پیش
✦
و ز او برگرفتند آیین خویش
“In manner of worship they approached his presence, taking their natural order from his guidance.”
#17
پسر بد مر او را یکی خوب‌روی
✦
هنرمند و همچون پدر نامجوی
“He had a handsome son, accomplished and accomplished, seeking glory just like his father.”
#18
سیامک بُدش نام و فرخنده بود
✦
کیومرث را دل بدو زنده بود
“Siamak was his blessed name; by his life alone was Kyumars' heart kept vivid and joyful.”
#19
به جانش بر از مهر گریان بدی
✦
ز بیم جداییش بریان بدی
“Through tender love the king wept for him; from constant fear of separation his heart burned.”
#20
بر آمد بر این کار یک روزگار
✦
فروزنده شد دولت شهریار
“A long age passed in this peaceful state, and the monarch's reign grew ever more radiant.”
#21
به گیتی نبودش کسی دشمنا
✦
مگر بدکنش ریمن آهرمنا
“He had no enemy in all the world, save for the malicious, deceitful Ahriman.”
#22
به رشک اندر آهرمن بدسگال
✦
همی رای زد تا ببالید بال
“In malignant envy evil-minded Ahriman plotted continuously until his strength expanded.”
#23
یکی بچه بودش چو گرگ سترگ
✦
دلاور شده با سپاه بزرگ
“He had a child like a monstrous wolf, grown bold and commanding a vast demon army.”
#24
جهان شد بر آن دیو بچّه سیاه
✦
ز بخت سیامک و زان پایگاه
“The world turned dark to that demon-child out of envy for Siamak’s rank and supreme fortune.”
#25
سپه کرد و نزدیک او راه جست
✦
همی تخت و دیهیم کی شاه جست
“He mustered a host and sought a path against him, hungering for the King's throne and royal crown.”
#26
همی گفت با هر کسی رای خویش
✦
جهان کرد یک‌سر پر آوای خویش
“He voiced his dark designs to all around, filling the whole world with his menacing clamor.”
#27
کیومرث زین خود کی آگاه بود
✦
که تخت مهی را جز او شاه بود
“Yet how could Kyumars have known of this, that another claimed sovereignty over the great throne?”
#28
یکایک بیامد خجسته سروش
✦
به سان پری پلنگینه پوش
“Suddenly, blessed Soroush arrived, appearing like a celestial angel clad in leopard skin.”
#29
بگفتش ورا زین سخن در به در
✦
که دشمن چه سازد همی با پدر
“He revealed the plot to him line by line: what the enemy was preparing against his father.”
#30
سخن چون به گوش سیامک رسید
✦
ز کردار بدخواه دیو پلید
“When word of the treacherous demon's deeds reached the ears of prince Siamak—”
#31
دل شاه بچّه بر آمد به جوش
✦
سپاه انجمن کرد و بگشاد گوش
“The prince's heart boiled with noble rage; he assembled an army and hearkened to battle.”
#32
بپوشید تن را به چرم پلنگ
✦
که جوشن نبود و نه آیین جنگ
“He clad his body in leopard hide, for armor was not yet known, nor the gear of war.”
#33
پذیره شدش دیو را جنگجوی
✦
سپه را چو روی اندر آمد به روی
“The warrior prince advanced to encounter the demon, as the two armies stood face to face.”
#34
سیامک بیامد برهنه تنا
✦
بر آویخت با پور آهرمنا
“Siamak stepped forward unarmored, grappling directly with the spawn of Ahriman.”
#35
بزد چنگ وارونه دیو سیاه
✦
دوتا اندر آورد بالای شاه
“The sinister Black Demon struck with reverse claws, bending double the prince's tall stature.”
#36
فکند آن تن شاهزاده به خاک
✦
به چنگال کردش کمرگاه چاک
“He dashed the prince's body to the dust, ripping open his waist with savage claws.”
#37
سیامک به دست خروزان دیو
✦
تبه گشت و ماند انجمن بی‌خدیو
“Siamak perished at the hands of the roaring demon, leaving the gathering without a lord.”
#38
چو آگه شد از مرگ فرزند شاه
✦
ز تیمار گیتی بر او شد سیاه
“When news reached the king of his son's fall, the world turned black to him in grief.”
#39
فرود آمد از تخت ویله کنان
✦
زنان بر سر و موی و رخ را کَنان
“Wailing, he stepped down from his throne, striking his head, tearing hair and scoring cheeks.”
#40
دو رخساره پر خون و دل سوگوار
✦
دو دیده پر از نم چو ابر بهار
“With bloody cheeks and mourning heart, his eyes streamed tears like spring clouds.”
#41
خروشی بر آمد ز لشکر به زار
✦
کشیدند صف بر در شهریار
“A woeful lament arose from the army, as they stood in solemn ranks before the king’s court.”
#42
همه جامه‌ها کرده پیروزه رنگ
✦
دو چشم ابر خونین و رخ بادرنگ
“All arrayed their garments in turquoise blue, eyes weeping bloody tears and faces pale as citrus.”
#43
دد و مرغ و نخچیر گشته گروه
✦
برفتند ویله کنان سوی کوه
“Beasts, birds, and game assembled in wild flocks, journeying toward the mountain with mournful cries.”
#44
برفتند با سوگواری و درد
✦
ز درگاه کی شاه برخاست گرد
“They marched in anguish and grief, as clouds of sorrow arose from the monarch's threshold.”
#45
نشستند سالی چنین سوگوار
✦
پیام آمد از داور کردگار
“For a full year they sat thus in sorrow, until a holy message came from the Lord Creator.”
#46
درود آوریدش خجسته سروش
✦
کز این بیش مخروش و باز آر هوش
“The blessed angel Soroush brought him divine greetings, saying: 'Lament no more, and regain your wits.'”
#47
سپه ساز و برکش به فرمان من
✦
بر آور یکی گرد از آن انجمن
“'Assemble an army and march forth at my command; raise a swirling cloud of dust from that demon host!'”
#48
از آن بد کنش دیو روی زمین
✦
بپرداز و پردخته کن دل ز کین
“'Purge the face of the earth of that evil-doing demon, and thereby cleanse your heart of vengeance.'”
#49
کی نامور سر سوی آسمان
✦
بر آورد و بدخواست بر بدگمان
“That renowned king raised his head toward the heavens, wishing ill upon his treacherous, malicious foe.”
#50
بر آن برترین نام یزدانش را
✦
بخواند و بپالود مژگانش را
“He invoked the supreme name of God Almighty, as tears washed down from his eyelashes.”
#51
و زان پس به کین سیامک شتافت
✦
شب و روز آرام و خفتن نیافت
“Thereafter, he hastened to seek vengeance for Siamak, finding neither rest nor sleep by day or night.”