Let the vigilant master of speech fashion a tale of radiant splendor; for when words align perfectly with Wisdom, the soul of the speaker finds sublime serenity. Yet he whose mind is warped by ill intent brings disgrace upon himself, exposing his folly before the wise—for no mortal readily perceives his own shortcomings, seeing only beauty in his nature. If cosmic justice is to endure, let speech be polished and presented to the truly enlightened; for when the wise approve, clarity flows like crystal water through the stream of time.
Now, through the venerable lore of the ancient Dehqan, these age-old legends—dusted by centuries—are reborn anew before every assembly. If life be granted at length to walk this joyful path, an everlasting fruit-bearing tree shall remain behind, dropping its bountiful treasures upon the world's meadows. Fifty-eight winters have now passed over head, fraught with countless wonders and worldly trials; yet human greed wanes not with the passage of years, ever seeking auspicious days through calendars and omens. Yet how truthful was the ancient Zoroastrian Mobad who proclaimed: that which has grown old can never truly become young again. Speak then with eloquence while life remains, cling to Wisdom, and seek understanding; for when thy earthly journey ends, thy reckoning rests solely with God—whether thy place be blessed or doomed. As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap; every word thou utterest shall echo back to thee. Speak gently, and no harshness shall touch thy ears; seek nothing in this fleeting realm save goodness. Turn now once more to the recitations of the Dehqan, and hear what that noble chronicler unveils.
#1
کنون ای سخن‌گوی بیدارمغز
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یکی داستانی بیارای نغز
“Now, O vigilant master of eloquent speech, fashion a tale exquisite and rare.”
#2
سخن چون برابر شود با خرد
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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نگر تا چه گوید سراینده مرد
“Turn back now to the recitations of the Dehqan; behold what that ancient storyteller unfolds.”