#1
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود چهر
✦
خرامان برآمد بخم سپهر
“As the radiant sun unveiled its face, ascending gracefully along the curve of the heavens,”
#2
ز هر سو برآمد خروش سران
✦
گراییدن گرزهای گران
“From every side arose the battle-cries of chieftains, and the swinging of heavy maces began.”
#3
غو کوس با نالهٔ کرنای
✦
دم نای سرغین و هندی درای
“The clamor of kettle-drums mingled with the wailing of war-horns, the drone of pipes, and Indian bells.”
#4
برون آمد از بارهٔ دژ فرود
✦
دلیران ترکان هرآنکس که بود
“Farud emerged from the fortress walls, accompanied by all the brave warriors of the Turks.”
#5
ز گرد سواران و ز گرز و تیر
✦
سر کوه شد همچو دریای قیر
“From the dust of horsemen, maces, and arrows, the mountain crest turned black like a sea of pitch.”
#6
نبد هیچ هامون و جای نبرد
✦
همی کوه و سنگ اسپ را خیره کرد
“There was no open plain for battle; the rugged mountain and stones stumbled the chargers.”
#7
ازین گونه تا گشت خورشید راست
✦
سپاه فرود دلاور بکاست
“Thus it continued until the sun reached zenith, as the host of brave Farud dwindled away.”
#8
فراز و نشیبش همه کشته شد
✦
سربخت مرد جوان گشته شد
“High and low, his men lay slain, and the fortune of the young prince turned to darkness.”
#9
بدو خیره ماندند ایرانیان
✦
که چون او ندیدند شیر ژیان
“The Iranians stood astonished at him, for they had never seen a fierce lion like unto him.”
#10
ز ترکان نماند ایچ با او سوار
✦
ندید ایچ تنها رخ کارزار
“No rider of the Turks remained with him; yet he shunned not the battle-front alone.”
#11
عنان را بپیچید و تنها برفت
✦
ز بالا سوی دژ خرامید تفت
“He turned his reins and rode away alone, hastening swiftly from the heights toward the citadel.”
#12
چو رهام و بیژن کمین ساختند
✦
فراز و نشیبش همی تاختند
“When Rohham and Bizhan set their ambush, scouring the crests and hollows of the mountain,”
#13
چو بیژن پدید آمد اندر نشیب
✦
سبک شد عنان و گران شد رکیب
“As Bizhan appeared from the slope below, he loosed his reins and pressed hard into the stirrups.”
#14
فرود جوان ترگ بیژن بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“Young Farud saw Bizhan's helmet; he laid hand upon his sword and drew it from his belt.”
#15
چو رهام گرد اندر آمد به پشت
✦
خروشان یکی تیغ هندی به مشت
“Then Rohham the warrior stole behind his back, roaring with an Indian blade held fast in hand,”
#16
بزد بر سر کتف مرد دلیر
✦
فرود آمد از دوش دستش به زیر
“He struck the valiant man upon the shoulder, severing his hand and shoulder down from his arm.”
#17
چو از وی جدا گشت بازوی و دوش
✦
همی تاخت اسپ و همی زد خروش
“Though arm and shoulder were severed from him, he galloped his steed onward, crying aloud in pain.”
#18
بنزدیک دژ بیژن اندر رسید
✦
بزخمی پی بارهٔ او برید
“Near the fortress Bizhan overtook him, and with a single stroke severed his charger's leg.”
#19
پیاده خود و چند زان چاکران
✦
تبه گشته از چنگ کنداوران
“On foot, with a few of his servants, broken and ruined by the hands of the mighty champions,”
#20
بدژ در شد و در ببستند زود
✦
شد آن نامور شیر جنگی فرود
“He entered the citadel and barred the gate swiftly—that illustrious, warlike lion, Farud.”
#21
بشد با پرستندگان مادرش
✦
گرفتند پوشیدگان در برش
“He went to his mother with her attendants; the veiled maidens gathered him into their arms.”
#22
بزاری فگندند بر تخت عاج
✦
نبد شاه را روز هنگام تاج
“Piteously they laid him upon an ivory throne; it was no day for a king to wear a crown.”
#23
همه غالیه موی و مشکین کمند
✦
پرستنده و مادر از بن بکند
“All the maidens and his mother tore out their musk-scented locks and tresses from the root.”
#24
همی کند جان آن گرامی فرود
✦
همه تخت مویه همه حصن رود
“The noble Farud was yielding up his soul; the throne was filled with lamentation, the citadel with tears.”
#25
چنین گفت چون لب ز هم برگرفت
✦
که این موی کندن نباشد شگفت
“Thus he spoke as his lips parted: 'Wonder not at this tearing of hair;'”
#26
کنون اندر آیند ایرانیان
✦
به تاراج دژ پاک بسته میان
“'Now the Iranians will enter, girded to plunder the fortress clean;'”
#27
پرستندگان را اسیران کنند
✦
دژ وباره کوه ویران کنند
“'They will make captives of the maidens, and lay waste the mountain citadel.'”
#28
دل هرک بر من بسوزد همی
✦
ز جانم رخش برفروزد همی
“'Whoever among you burns with grief for me, let her face glow with the passion of my soul:'”
#29
همه پاک بر باره باید شدن
✦
تن خویش را بر زمین بر زدن
“'You must all go up onto the ramparts and cast your bodies down to the earth below,'”
#30
کجا بهر بیژن نماند یکی
✦
نمانم من ایدر مگر اندکی
“'So that not one captive remains for Bizhan; for I myself shall remain here but a little while.'”
#31
کشنده تن و جان من درد اوست
✦
پرستار و گنجم چه در خورد اوست
“'The grief of my slayers burns my body and soul; of what worth to them are servants and treasure?'”
#32
بگفت این و رخسارگان کرد زرد
✦
برآمد روانش بتیمار و درد
“He spoke, his cheeks turned pale, and his spirit departed in sorrow and agony.”
#33
ببازیگری ماند این چرخ مست
✦
که بازی برآرد به هفتاد دست
“This drunken sphere resembles a juggler who performs his tricks with seventy hands:”
#34
زمانی بخنجر زمانی بتیغ
✦
زمانی بباد و زمانی بمیغ
“One moment with dagger, one moment with sword; one moment with wind, one moment with cloud;”
#35
زمانی بدست یکی ناسزا
✦
زمانی خود از درد و سختی رها
“One moment at the mercy of the unworthy; one moment delivered from pain and hardship;”
#36
زمانی دهد تخت و گنج و کلاه
✦
زمانی غم و رنج و خواری و چاه
“One moment granting throne, treasure, and crown; another bringing sorrow, toil, humiliation, and the pit.”
#37
همی خورد باید کسی را که هست
✦
منم تنگدل تا شدم تنگدست
“Man must enjoy whatever he possesses; my heart is heavy since my hands have become empty.”
#38
اگر خود نزادی خردمند مرد
✦
ندیدی ز گیتی چنین گرم و سرد
“Had a wise man never been born into the world, he would not have tasted such hot and cold from fortune.”
#39
بباید به کوری و ناکام زیست
✦
برین زندگانی بباید گریست
“One must live in blindness and against desire; over such a life one ought to weep.”
#40
سرانجام خاکست بالین اوی
✦
دریغ آن دل و رای و آیین اوی
“In the end, dust is his pillow—alas for that noble heart, judgment, and wisdom!”
#41
پرستندگان بر سر دژ شدند
✦
همه خویشتن بر زمین برزدند
“The maidservants ascended the citadel walls and cast themselves down upon the earth.”
#42
یکی آتشی خود جریره فروخت
✦
همه گنجها را به آتش بسوخت
“Then Jarireh kindled a great fire and burned all the treasures in the flames.”
#43
یکی تیغ بگرفت زان پس بدست
✦
در خانهٔ تازی اسپان ببست
“Thereafter she took a sword in hand, entered the stable of the Arabian chargers, and barred the door.”
#44
شکمشان بدرید و ببرید پی
✦
همی ریخت از دیده خوناب و خوی
“She ripped open their bellies and severed their legs, weeping tears of blood and sweat.”
#45
بیامد ببالین فرخ فرود
✦
یکی دشنه با او چو آب کبود
“She returned to the pillow of blessed Farud, holding a dagger of bluish hue like water.”
#46
دو رخ را بروی پسر بر نهاد
✦
شکم بردرید و برش جان بداد
“She laid her cheeks upon her son’s face, ripped open her stomach, and surrendered her life beside him.”
#47
در دژ بکندند ایرانیان
✦
بغارت ببستند یکسر میان
“The Iranians broke down the fortress gates and all bound their loins to plunder it entirely.”
#48
چو بهرام نزدیک آن باره شد
✦
از اندوه یکسر دلش پاره شد
“When Bahram drew near to that rampart, his heart was completely torn apart by grief.”
#49
بایرانیان گفت کین از پدر
✦
بسی خوارتر مرد و هم زارتر
“He said to the Iranians: 'This youth died far more wretchedly and lamentably than his father!'”
#50
کشنده سیاوش چاکر نبود
✦
ببالینش بر کشته مادر نبود
“'Siyavash’s slayer was no mere servant, nor did his mother die slain at his bedside.'”
#51
همه دژ سراسر برافروخته
✦
همه خان و مان کنده و سوخته
“The entire fortress was set ablaze; every home and hearth was upturned and consumed by fire.”
#52
بایرانیان گفت کز کردگار
✦
بترسید وز گردش روزگار
“He said to the Iranians: 'Fear the Creator, and beware the turnings of Fortune!'”
#53
ببد بس درازست چنگ سپهر
✦
به بیدادگر برنگردد بمهر
“'The hand of the heavens reaches far into evil, and it never turns with love toward the unjust.'”
#54
زکیخسرو اکنون ندارید شرم
✦
که چندان سخن گفت با طوس نرم
“'Do you feel no shame now before Kay Khosrow, who spoke so gently to Tus?'”
#55
بکین سیاوش فرستادتان
✦
بسی پند و اندرزها دادتان
“'He sent you forth to avenge Siyavash, loading you with many counsels and warnings!'”
#56
ز خون برادر چو آگه شود
✦
همه شرم و آزرم کوته شود
“'When he hears the news of his brother’s blood, all respect and modesty will come to an end.'”
#57
ز رهام وز بیژن تیز مغز
✦
نیاید بگیتی یکی کار نغز
“'From Rohham and hot-headed Bizhan, no good or noble deed shall ever come to pass in this world!'”
#58
همانگه بیامد سپهدار طوس
✦
براه کلات اندر آورد کوس
“At that moment came Tus, the commander, sounding his drums on the path toward Kalat.”
#59
چو گودرز و چون گیو کنداوران
✦
ز گردان ایران سپاهی گران
“Along with valiant heroes like Goudarz and Giv, leading a mighty host of Iranian warriors.”
#60
سپهبد بسوی سپدکوه شد
✦
وزانجا بنزدیکی انبوه شد
“The commander marched toward Speyd-Kuh, and from there approached the gathered army.”
#61
چو آمد ببالین آن کشته زار
✦
بران تخت با مادر افگنده خوار
“When he came to the bedside of that woeful slain prince, lying humbled on that bed beside his mother,”
#62
بیک دست بهرام پر آب چشم
✦
نشسته ببالین او پر ز خشم
“On one side sat tearful Bahram, seated at his pillow filled with rage,”
#63
بدست دگر زنگهٔ شاوران
✦
برو انجمن گشته کنداوران
“On the other side stood Zangeh-ye Shavaran, with all the brave warriors gathered around.”
#64
گوی چون درختی بران تخت عاج
✦
بدیدار ماه و ببالای ساج
“A hero like a tree upon that ivory throne, radiant as the moon and tall as a teak-wood tree.”
#65
سیاوش بد خفته بر تخت زر
✦
ابا جوشن و تیغ و گرز و کمر
“He lay like Siyavash sleeping upon a throne of gold, clad in coat of mail, sword, mace, and belt.”
#66
برو زار بگریست گودرز و گیو
✦
بزرگان چو گرگین و بهرام نیو
“Bitterly did Goudarz and Giv weep over him, as did nobles like Gorgin and the brave Bahram.”
#67
رخ طوس شد پر ز خون جگر
✦
ز درد فرود و ز درد پسر
“Tus’s face was soaked with his heart's blood, grieving for Forud and for his own lost son.”
#68
که تندی پشیمانی آردت بار
✦
تو در بوستان تخم تندی مکار
“For rash violence yields only regret; plant not the seeds of hasty anger in your garden.”
#69
چنین گفت گودرز با طوس و گیو
✦
همان نامداران و گردان نیو
“Thus spoke Goudarz to Tus and Giv, and to all the famous and valiant heroes:”
#70
که تندی نه کار سپهبد بود
✦
سپهبد که تندی کند بد بود
“'Rash violence is not the mark of a commander; a commander who acts with hasty rage is ill-fated.'”
#71
جوانی بدین سان ز تخم کیان
✦
بدین فر و این برز و یال و میان
“'A youth of such royal Kayanid lineage, with such divine glory, height, stature, and strength,'”
#72
بدادی بتیزی و تندی بباد
✦
زرسپ آن سپهدار نوذرنژاد
“'You gave over to the wind through your quick wrath—as you did Zarasp, that commander of Naudar's blood!'”
#73
ز تیزی گرفتار شد ریونیز
✦
نبود از بد بخت ما مانده چیز
“'Through rashness Rivniz was caught; nothing remained to spare us from our ill destiny!'”
#74
هنر بی‌خرد در دل مرد تند
✦
چو تیغی که گردد ز زنگار کند
“'Skill without wisdom in a rash man's heart is like a sword dulled and ruined by rust.'”
#75
چو چندین بگفتند آب از دو چشم
✦
ببارید و آمد ز تندی بخشم
“When they had spoken thus, tears fell from their eyes, and their hasty anger turned to grief.”
#76
چنین پاسخ آورد کز بخت بد
✦
بسی رنج وسختی بمردم رسد
“He answered thus: 'From ill fate, much suffering and hardship comes upon mankind.'”
#77
بفرمود تا دخمهٔ شاهوار
✦
بکردند بر تیغ آن کوهسار
“He commanded a royal tomb to be constructed upon the sharp peak of that mountain range.”
#78
نهادند زیراندرش تخت زر
✦
بدیبای زربفت و زرین کمر
“Beneath him they placed a golden throne, adorned with golden brocade and a jeweled belt.”
#79
تن شاهوارش بیاراستند
✦
گل و مشک و کافور و می خواستند
“They adorned his royal body, requesting rose-petals, musk, camphor, and wine.”
#80
سرش را بکافور کردند خشک
✦
رخش را بعطر و گلاب و بمشک
“They dried his head with camphor, and anointed his face with perfume, rosewater, and musk.”
#81
نهادند بر تخت و گشتند باز
✦
شد آن شیردل شاه گردن‌فراز
“They laid him upon the royal bier and turned back; thus passed away that lion-hearted, exalted king.”
#82
زراسپ سرافراز با ریونیز
✦
نهادند در پهلوی شاه نیز
“The proud Zarasp, together with Rivniz, were laid at the side of the king as well.”
#83
سپهبد بران ریش کافورگون
✦
ببارید از دیدگان جوی خون
“Upon his camphor-white beard, the commander wept streams of blood from his eyes.”
#84
چنینست هرچند مانیم دیر
✦
نه پیل سرافراز ماند نه شیر
“Such is the way of fate: however long we endure, neither the exalted elephant nor the mighty lion abides.”
#85
دل سنگ و سندان بترسد ز مرگ
✦
رهایی نیابد ازو بار و برگ
“Even the heart of stone and anvil dreads death; no fruit or leaf can ever escape its grasp.”