#1
به پالیز چون برکشد سرو شاخ
✦
سر شاخ سبزش برآید ز کاخ
“When in the orchard a cypress raises its bough, its green crest rises above the palace hall.”
#2
به بالای او شاد باشد درخت
✦
چو بیندش بینادل و نیک‌بخت
“The tree rejoices in its height when seen by the clear-sighted and the fortunate.”
#3
سزد گر گمانی برد بر سه چیز
✦
کزین سه گذشتی چه چیزست نیز
“It is fitting to ponder three things: what else exists once you pass beyond these three?”
#4
هنر با نژادست و با گوهر است
✦
سه چیزست و هر سه به‌بنداندرست
“Virtue, noble lineage, and innate essence—these three exist, and all three are bound together.”
#5
هنر کی بود تا نباشد گهر
✦
نژاده بسی دیده‌ای بی‌هنر
“How can virtue exist without innate essence? Yet you have seen many of noble birth lacking virtue.”
#6
گهر آنک از فر یزدان بود
✦
نیازد به بد دست و بد نشنود
“True essence comes from God's divine glory; it extends no hand to evil nor lends an ear to badness.”
#7
نژاد آنک باشد ز تخم پدر
✦
سزد کاید از تخم پاکیزه بر
“Lineage comes from the father's seed; it is fitting that pure seed yields noble fruit.”
#8
هنر گر بیاموزی از هر کسی
✦
بکوشی و پیچی ز رنجش بسی
“If you learn virtue from anyone, you must strive hard and endure much toil for it.”
#9
ازین هر سه گوهر بود مایه‌دار
✦
که زیبا بود خلعت کردگار
“From these three comes true substance, forming the beautiful robe bestowed by the Creator.”
#10
چو هر سه بیابی خرد بایدت
✦
شناسندهٔ نیک و بد بایدت
“When all three are granted to you, Wisdom is needed—the discerning judge of good and evil.”
#11
چو این چار با یک تن آید بهم
✦
براساید از آز وز رنج و غم
“When these four unite in one person, he finds rest from greed, pain, and sorrow.”
#12
مگر مرگ کز مرگ خود چاره نیست
✦
وزین بدتر از بخت پتیاره نیست
“Except for death, for there is no remedy against death, nor is there worse than this stroke of malicious fate.”
#13
جهانجوی از این چار بد بی‌نیاز
✦
همش بخت سازنده بود از فراز
“The world-seeker lacked none of these four, aided by fortunate destiny from above.”
#14
سخن راند گویا بدین داستان
✦
دگر گوید از گفتهٔ باستان
“The eloquent speaker tells this story, recounting the lore of ancient times.”
#15
کنون بازگردم به آغاز کار
✦
که چون بود کردار آن شهریار
“Now I return to the beginning of the matter, to tell how that monarch conducted his rule.”
#16
چو تاج بزرگی بسر برنهاد
✦
ازو شاد شد تاج و او نیز شاد
“When he placed the crown of greatness on his head, the crown was gladdened by him, and he by the crown.”
#17
به هر جای ویرانی آباد کرد
✦
دل غمگنان از غم آزاد کرد
“He turned every ruined place into prosperity, and freed the hearts of the sorrowful from grief.”
#18
از ابر بهاران ببارید نم
✦
ز روی زمین زنگ بزدود غم
“Moisture rained down from spring clouds, and sorrow washed away the rust from the face of the earth.”
#19
جهان گشت پر سبزه و رود آب
✦
سر غمگنان اندر آمد به خواب
“The world became filled with greenery and flowing streams, and the troubled heads found restful sleep.”
#20
زمین چون بهشتی شد آراسته
✦
ز داد و ز بخشش پر از خواسته
“The earth became adorned like paradise, overflowing with wealth through justice and bounty.”
#21
چو جم و فریدون بیاراست گاه
✦
ز داد و ز بخشش نیاسود شاه
“Like Jamshid and Fereydun he adorned the throne; the king never rested from justice and generosity.”
#22
جهان شد پر از خوبی و ایمنی
✦
ز بد بسته شد دست اهریمنی
“The world grew full of goodness and security, and Ahriman's hands were bound from working evil.”
#23
فرستادگان آمد از هر سوی
✦
ز هر نامداری و هر پهلوی
“Envoys arrived from every direction, sent by every renowned figure and chieftain.”
#24
پس آگاهی آمد سوی نیمروز
✦
بنزد سپهدار گیتی‌فروز
“Then news came to Nimruz, to the world-illuminating commander of armies.”
#25
که خسرو ز توران به ایران رسید
✦
نشست از بر تخت کو را سزید
“That Khosrow had arrived from Turan to Iran and sat upon the throne worthy of him.”
#26
بیاراست رستم به دیدار شاه
✦
ببیند که تا هست زیبای گاه
“Rostam prepared to go meet the king, to behold the one who adorns the royal throne.”
#27
ابا زالِ سامِ نریمان بهم
✦
بزرگان کابل همه بیش و کم
“Together with Zal son of Sam son of Nariman, and all the nobles of Kabul, great and small.”
#28
سپاهی که شد دشت چون آبنوس
✦
بدرید هر گوش ز اوای کوس
“An army so vast that the plain became dark as ebony, and every ear rang with the sound of drums.”
#29
سوی شهر ایران گرفتند راه
✦
زواره فرامرز و پیل و سپاه
“They took the road toward the realm of Iran—Zavareh, Faramarz, war elephants, and troops.”
#30
به پیش اندرون زال با انجمن
✦
درفش بنفش از پس پیلتن
“In front rode Zal with the council, while behind the Elephant-bodied champion fluttered the violet banner.”
#31
پس آگاهی آمد بر شهریار
✦
که آمد ز ره پهلوان سوار
“Then news reached the monarch that the champion rider was approaching from the road.”
#32
زواره فرامرز و دستان سام
✦
بزرگان که هستند با جاه و نام
“Zavareh, Faramarz, and Dastan son of Sam, along with all the famed and noble lords.”
#33
دل شاه شد زان سخن شادمان
✦
سراینده را گفت کاباد مان
“The king's heart gladdened at those words; he said to the news-bearer, 'May you prosper!'”
#34
که اویست پروردگار پدر
✦
وزویست پیدا به گیتی هنر
“'For he is the foster-father of my sire, and through him virtue shines visible in the world.'”
#35
بفرمود تا گیو و گودرز و طوس
✦
برفتند با نای رویین و کوس
“He commanded Giv, Gudarz, and Tus to march out with brass flutes and royal kettle-drums.”
#36
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
همه برنهادند گردان کلاه
“Drums resounded from the king's threshold, and all the warriors put on their helmets.”
#37
یکی لشکر از جای برخاستند
✦
پذیره شدن را بیاراستند
“A vast army arose from their quarters and made ready to welcome the champions.”
#38
ز پهلو به پهلو پذیره شدند
✦
همه با درفش و تبیره شدند
“Side by side they rode in reception, all bearing banners and beating drums.”
#39
برفتند پیشش به دو روزه راه
✦
چنین پهلوانان و چندین سپاه
“They journeyed two days out to meet him—such mighty paladins and so vast a host.”
#40
درفش تهمتن چو آمد پدید
✦
به خورشید گرد سپه بردمید
“When Tahamtan's banner came into view, the dust of the army reached the sun.”
#41
خروش آمد و نالهٔ بوق و کوس
✦
ز قلب سپه گیو و گودرز و طوس
“Shouting arose with the wail of horns and drums from the center where Giv, Gudarz, and Tus rode.”
#42
به پیش گو پیلتن راندند
✦
به شادی برو آفرین خواندند
“They rode up to the Elephant-bodied hero and joyfully showered praise and blessings upon him.”
#43
گرفتند هر سه ورا در کنار
✦
بپرسید شیراوژن از شهریار
“All three took him in their embrace, and the lion-slayer asked after the welfare of the monarch.”
#44
ز رستم سوی زال سام آمدند
✦
گشاده دل و شادکام آمدند
“From Rostam they turned to Zal son of Sam, coming with open hearts and joyful minds.”
#45
نهادند سوی فرامرز روی
✦
گرفتند شادی به دیدار اوی
“Then they turned toward Faramarz and took great delight in meeting him.”
#46
وزان جایگه سوی شاه آمدند
✦
به دیدار فرخ کلاه آمدند
“And from that place they journeyed toward the King, coming to behold the royal wearer of the auspicious crown.”
#47
چو خسرو گو پیلتن را بدید
✦
سرشکش ز مژگان به رخ بر چکید
“When Khosrow beheld the elephant-bodied hero, tears trickled down his cheeks from his lashes.”
#48
فرود آمد از تخت و کرد آفرین
✦
تهمتن ببوسید روی زمین
“He descended from his throne to utter blessings, while Tahamtan kissed the ground before him.”
#49
به رستم چنین گفت کای پهلوان
✦
همیشه بدی شاد و روشن‌روان
“Spake he to Rostam: 'O noble knight, mayest thou ever dwell in joy and remain enlightened of soul.'”
#50
به گیتی خردمند و خامش تویی
✦
که پروردگار سیاوش تویی
“'In all the world thou art the wise and circumspect hero, for thou wert the mentor and fosterer of Siyavash.'”
#51
سر زال زان پس به بر در گرفت
✦
ز بهر پدر دست بر سر گرفت
“Thereafter he embraced the aged Zal, lifting his hand unto his head in deep homage to his father.”
#52
گوان را به تخت مهی برنشاند
✦
بریشان همی نام یزدان بخواند
“He seated the noble champions upon the grand throne and invoked the holy name of God over them.”
#53
نگه کرد رستم سرو پای اوی
✦
نشست و سخن گفتن و رای اوی
“Rostam observed his entire stature, his courtly seat, his words, and his noble judgment.”
#54
رخش گشت پرخون و دل پر ز درد
✦
زکار سیاوش بسی یاد کرد
“His face flushed crimson with tears and his heart filled with grief, as he remembered much of Siyavash's fate.”
#55
به شاه جهان گفت کای شهریار
✦
جهان را تویی از پدر یادگار
“He said to the Lord of the World: 'O Monarch, thou art the sole living legacy of thy father unto this earth.'”
#56
ندیدم من اندر جهان تاج‌ور
✦
بدین فر و مانندگی پدر
“'Never have I seen among the crowned kings of the earth one with such divine glory, bearing such likeness to his sire.'”
#57
وزان پس چو از تخت برخاستند
✦
نهادند خوان و می آراستند
“And when they arose from the throne thereafter, they spread the royal banquet and prepared the wine.”
#58
جهاندار تا نیمی از شب نخفت
✦
گذشته سخنها همه بازگفت
“The World-Ruler slept not until the middle of the night, recounting all the stories of the bygone past.”