#1
چو ابلیس پیوسته دید آن سخن
✦
یکی بند بد را نو افگند بن
“When Iblis saw that his scheme had taken hold, he laid the foundation for a new and evil trap.”
#2
بدو گفت گر سوی من تافتی
✦
ز گیتی همه کام دل یافتی
“He said to him, 'Since you turned toward me, you have obtained all the heart's desires of the world.'”
#3
اگر همچنین نیز پیمان کنی
✦
نپیچی ز گفتار و فرمان کنی
“'If you keep this covenant likewise, and do not turn away from my words and commands...'”
#4
جهان سربه‌سر پادشاهی تو راست
✦
دد و مردم و مرغ و ماهی تو راست
“'...the world entirely shall be your realm; beasts, humans, birds, and fish shall all belong to you.'”
#5
چو این کرده شد ساز دیگر گرفت
✦
یکی چاره کرد از شگفتی شگفت
“When this covenant was sealed, he devised another trick—a wondrous and marvelously insidious plan.”
#6
جوانی برآراست از خویشتن
✦
سخنگوی و بینا دل و رایزن
“He disguised himself in the guise of a youth—eloquent, insightful, and wise in counsel.”
#7
همیدون به ضحاک بنهاد روی
✦
نبودش به جز آفرین گفت و گوی
“Thus he presented himself before Zahhak, speaking nothing but praise and admiration.”
#8
بدو گفت اگر شاه را در خورم
✦
یکی نامور پاک خوالیگرم
“He said to him, 'If I am worthy of the King, I am a renowned and spotless cook.'”
#9
چو بشنید ضحاک بنواختش
✦
ز بهر خورش جایگه ساختش
“When Zahhak heard this, he welcomed him and granted him a place to prepare food.”
#10
کلید خورش خانهٔ پادشا
✦
بدو داد دستور فرمانروا
“The ruler's minister handed him the key to the royal kitchen.”
#11
فراوان نبود آن زمان پرورش
✦
که کمتر بد از خوردنی‌ها خورش
“In those days, culinary arts were simple, and cooked dishes were few.”
#12
ز هر گوشت از مرغ و از چارپای
✦
خورشگر بیاورد یک یک به جای
“From the flesh of birds and beasts of four legs, the cook prepared dishes one by one.”
#13
به خونش بپرورد بر سان شیر
✦
بدان تا کند پادشا را دلیر
“He nourished the king with meat and blood like a fierce lion, to make him bold and ferocious.”
#14
سخن هر چه گویدش فرمان کند
✦
به فرمان او دل گروگان کند
“So that whatever Iblis commanded, Zahhak would obey, surrendering his heart completely to his will.”
#15
خورش زردهٔ خایه دادش نخست
✦
بدان داشتش یک زمان تندرست
“First he served him dishes made of egg yolks, maintaining his strength for a time.”
#16
بخورد و بر او آفرین کرد سخت
✦
مزه یافت خواندش ورا نیک‌بخت
“Zahhak ate and praised him fervently; delighting in the flavor, he called him fortunate.”
#17
چنین گفت ابلیس نیرنگ‌ساز
✦
که شادان زی ای شاه گردنفراز
“The deceitful Iblis replied, 'Live joyfully, O exalted king!'”
#18
که فردات از آن گونه سازم خورش
✦
کز او باشدت سربه‌سر پرورش
“'For tomorrow I shall prepare such a feast that will nourish you entirely.'”
#19
برفت و همه شب سگالش گرفت
✦
که فردا ز خوردن چه سازد شگفت
“He departed and pondered all night long what wondrous dish to prepare for the morning.”
#20
خورش‌ها ز کبک و تذرو سپید
✦
بسازید و آمد دلی پر امید
“He crafted delicacies from partridge and white pheasant, returning with a hopeful heart.”
#21
شه تازیان چون به نان دست برد
✦
سر کم خرد مهر او را سپرد
“As the Arab king reached for the food, his foolish head surrendered its affection entirely to him.”
#22
سیم روز خوان را به مرغ و بره
✦
بیاراستش گونه گون یک‌سره
“On the third day, he adorned the table with various dishes of fowl and lamb.”
#23
به روز چهارم چو بنهاد خوان
✦
خورش ساخت از پشت گاو جوان
“On the fourth day, as he laid the table, he served a dish made from the loin of a young bull.”
#24
بدو اندرون زعفران و گلاب
✦
همان سالخورده می و مشک ناب
“In it were saffron, rosewater, aged wine, and pure musk.”
#25
چو ضحاک دست اندر آورد و خورد
✦
شگفت آمدش زان هشیوار مرد
“When Zahhak tasted it, he marvelled at the wisdom and skill of that man.”
#26
بدو گفت بنگر که از آرزوی
✦
چه خواهی بگو با من ای نیک‌خوی
“He said to him, 'Consider what wish you hold in your heart, and speak it to me, O good-natured man!'”
#27
خورشگر بدو گفت کای پادشا
✦
همیشه بزی شاد و فرمانروا
“The cook replied, 'O King, live forever happy and ruling!'”
#28
مرا دل سراسر پر از مهر تو است
✦
همه توشهٔ جانم از چهر تو است
“'My heart is filled entirely with love for you, and all my soul's sustenance comes from seeing your face.'”
#29
یکی حاجتستم به نزدیک شاه
✦
و گرچه مرا نیست این پایگاه
“'I have a single plea before the King, though I am not worthy of such a rank.'”
#30
که فرمان دهد تا سر کتف اوی
✦
ببوسم بدو بر نهم چشم و روی
“'That he permit me to kiss the top of his shoulders, and lay my eyes and face upon them.'”
#31
چو ضحاک بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
نهانی ندانست بازار اوی
“When Zahhak heard his words, he did not discern the secret evil behind his display.”
#32
بدو گفت دارم من این کام تو
✦
بلندی بگیرد از این نام تو
“He said, 'I grant your request; your name shall be exalted by this.'”
#33
بفرمود تا دیو چون جفت او
✦
همی بوسه داد از بر سفت او
“He allowed the demon, like a companion, to plant kisses upon both his shoulders.”
#34
ببوسید و شد بر زمین ناپدید
✦
کس اندر جهان این شگفتی ندید
“He kissed them and vanished into the earth; no one in the world had ever seen such a marvel.”
#35
دو مار سیه از دو کتفش برست
✦
غمی گشت و از هر سویی چاره جست
“Two black serpents sprouted from his two shoulders; he grew distraught and sought remedies from every side.”
#36
سرانجام ببرید هر دو ز کفت
✦
سزد گر بمانی بدین در شگفت
“At last, he cut them both from his shoulders—a sight that leaves one frozen in wonder.”
#37
چو شاخ درخت آن دو مار سیاه
✦
برآمد دگر باره از کتف شاه
“Like tree branches, those two black serpents grew forth once again from the king's shoulders.”
#38
پزشکان فرزانه گرد آمدند
✦
همه یک به یک داستان‌ها زدند
“Wise physicians assembled from all around, discussing every remedy and ancient tale.”
#39
ز هر گونه نیرنگ‌ها ساختند
✦
مر آن درد را چاره نشناختند
“They devised potions and spells of every kind, yet found no cure for his agony.”
#40
به سان پزشکی پس ابلیس تفت
✦
به فرزانگی نزد ضحاک رفت
“Then Iblis swiftly returned in the guise of a wise physician and approached Zahhak.”
#41
بدو گفت کاین بودنی کار بود
✦
بمان تا چه گردد نباید درود
“He said to him, 'This was destined to happen; let it be and do not cut them down.'”
#42
خورش ساز و آرامشان ده به خورد
✦
نباید جز این چاره‌ای نیز کرد
“'Prepare food for them and soothe them by feeding; no other remedy will avail.'”
#43
به جز مغز مردم مده‌شان خورش
✦
مگر خود بمیرند از این پرورش
“'Feed them with nothing other than human brains; perchance they may die from such nourishment.'”
#44
نگر تا که ابلیس از این گفت‌وگوی
✦
چه کرد و چه خواست اندر این جستجوی
“Behold what Iblis intended by this advice, and what aim he pursued in this quest!”
#45
مگر تا یکی چاره سازد نهان
✦
که پردخته گردد ز مردم جهان
“He sought a hidden scheme so that the world might be emptied of humankind.”