#1
کنون ای سخن‌گوی بیدارمغز
✦
یکی داستانی بیارای نغز
“Now, O vigilant master of eloquent speech, fashion a tale exquisite and rare.”
#2
سخن چون برابر شود با خرد
✦
روان سراینده رامش برد
“When speech is matched in true measure with wisdom, the singer’s soul attains tranquility and joy.”
#3
کسی را که اندیشه ناخوش بود
✦
بدان ناخوشی رای او گُش بود
“Whosoever harbors ill-formed and unseemly thoughts will find his judgment corrupted by that very unpleasantness.”
#4
همی خویشتن را چلیپا کند
✦
به پیش خردمند رسوا کند
“He brings disgrace and ruin upon himself, exposing his flaws before the eyes of the wise.”
#5
ولیکن نبیند کس آهوی خویش
✦
ترا روشن آید همه خوی خویش
“Yet no man readily beholds his own defects, for his own character ever appears bright and flawless to him.”
#6
اگر داد باید که ماند بجای
✦
بیارای ازین پس بدانا نمای
“If justice is to endure, adorn thy discourse hereafter and offer it before the wise.”
#7
چو دانا پسندد پسندیده گشت
✦
به جوی تو در، آب چون دیده گشت
“When the enlightened approve of it, it becomes truly worthy, flowing like clear water into the stream of sight.”
#8
ز گفتار دهقان کنون داستان
✦
تو برخوان و برگوی با راستان
“Recite now this epic tale from the oral lore of the Dehqan, and recount it faithfully to the truthful.”
#9
کهن‌گشته این داستانها ز من
✦
همی نو شود بر سر انجمن
“These legends had grown worn with time, yet through my verse they are made young once more before every assembly.”
#10
اگر زندگانی بود دیریاز
✦
برین دین خرم بمانم دراز
“Should long life be granted to me, I shall abide enduringly upon this joyous path of faith.”
#11
یکی میوه‌داری بماند ز من
✦
که بارد همی بار او بر چمن
“A fruit-bearing tree shall remain after me, scattering its rich harvest across the worldly meadow.”
#12
ازان پس که بنمود پنچاه و هشت
✦
بسر بر فراوان شگفتی گذشت
“Now that fifty and eight years have passed over me, many a marvel and trial has swept across my head.”
#13
همی آز کمتر نگردد بسال
✦
همی روز جوید بتقویم و فال
“Greed lessens not with the passing of years; man still scans calendars and omens seeking better days.”
#14
چه گفته‌ست آن موبد پیش‌رو
✦
که هرگز نگردد کهن‌گشته نو
“How wisely spake that ancient priest of old: that which hath grown aged shall never become young again!”
#15
تو چندان که گویی سخن‌گوی باش
✦
خردمند باش و جهانجوی باش
“So long as thou canst speak, be a master of eloquence; remain wise and seek knowledge of the realm.”
#16
چو رفتی سر و کار با ایزدست
✦
اگر نیک باشدت جای ار بَدَست
“When thou departest this life, thy ultimate account rests with God—whether thy abiding place be fair or ill.”
#17
نگر تا چه کاری، همان بدروی
✦
سخن هرچه گویی، همان بشنوی
“Behold what thou sowest, for the same shalt thou reap; whatever words thou utterest, the same shalt thou hear returned.”
#18
درشتی ز کس نشنود نرم‌گوی
✦
به جز نیکوی در زمانه مجوی
“He who speaks softly shall hear no harshness from others; seek nothing in this world save goodness.”
#19
به گفتار دهقان کنون بازگرد
✦
نگر تا چه گوید سراینده مرد
“Turn back now to the recitations of the Dehqan; behold what that ancient storyteller unfolds.”