#1
از آن پس برآمد ز ایران خروش
✦
پدید آمد از هر سویی جنگ و جوش
“Thereafter, a great clamor arose throughout Iran, and war and turmoil erupted from every side.”
#2
سیه گشت رخشنده روز سپید
✦
گسستند پیوند از جمّشید
“The shining white day turned to dark night, and the people severed their bonds of loyalty to Jamshid.”
#3
بر او تیره شد فرّهٔ ایزدی
✦
به کژی گرایید و نابخردی
“The Divine Glory grew dim upon him, as he inclined toward deceit and foolishness.”
#4
پدید آمد از هر سویی خسروی
✦
یکی نامجویی ز هر پهلُوی
“From every corner a new ruler emerged, a seeker of fame from every marches and marchland.”
#5
سپه کرده و جنگ را ساخته
✦
دل از مهر جمشید پرداخته
“They raised armies and prepared for war, their hearts completely emptied of love for Jamshid.”
#6
یکایک ز ایران برآمد سپاه
✦
سوی تازیان برگرفتند راه
“One by one, troops marched out from Iran, taking the road toward the realm of the Arabs.”
#7
شنودند کان‌جا یکی مهتر است
✦
پر از هول شاه اژدها پیکر است
“For they had heard that a formidable chieftain ruled there—a terrifying king with the body of a dragon.”
#8
سواران ایران همه شاه‌جوی
✦
نهادند یک‌سر به ضحاک روی
“All the horsemen of Iran, seeking a true king, turned their faces as one toward Zahhak.”
#9
به شاهی بر او آفرین خواندند
✦
ورا شاه ایران زمین خواندند
“They praised him as their sovereign and hailed him as the king of the land of Iran.”
#10
کی اژدهافش بیامد چو باد
✦
به ایران زمین تاج بر سر نهاد
“That dragon-like monarch arrived swift as the wind and placed the crown upon his head in the land of Iran.”
#11
از ایران و از تازیان لشکری
✦
گزین کرد گرد از همه کشوری
“He selected a host of chosen warriors from Iran and Arabia, drawing brave men from every realm.”
#12
سوی تخت جمشید بنهاد روی
✦
چو انگشتری کرد گیتی بروی
“He set his face toward the throne of Jamshid, enclosing the world around him like a signet ring.”
#13
چو جمشید را بخت شد کندرو
✦
به تنگ اندر آمد جهاندار نو
“When Jamshid's fortune grew slow and sluggish, the new ruler pressed him into dire straits.”
#14
برفت و بدو داد تخت و کلاه
✦
بزرگی و دیهیم و گنج و سپاه
“Jamshid fled, surrendering throne and crown, greatness and diadem, treasure and army.”
#15
چو صد سالش اندر جهان کس ندید
✦
بر او نام شاهی و او ناپدید
“For a hundred years no man beheld him in the world; his royal title remained, yet he was nowhere to be seen.”
#16
صدم سال روزی به دریای چین
✦
پدید آمد آن شاه ناپاک دین
“On a day in the hundredth year, by the Sea of China, that monarch of compromised faith reappeared.”
#17
نهان گشته بود از بد اژدها
✦
نیامد به فرجام هم ز او رها
“He had hidden long from the dragon's malice, yet in the end he could not escape his clutches.”
#18
چو ضحاکش آورد ناگه به چنگ
✦
یکایک ندادش زمانی درنگ
“When Zahhak suddenly snared him in his grasp, he granted him not a single moment's respite.”
#19
به ارّه‌ش سراسر به دو نیم کرد
✦
جهان را از او پاک بی‌بیم کرد
“With a saw he severed him completely in two, purging the world of his presence without dread.”
#20
شد آن تخت شاهی و آن دستگاه
✦
زمانه ربودش چو بیجاده کاه
“Gone was that royal throne and magnificent splendor; Time swept it away like straw before amber.”
#21
از او بیش بر تخت شاهی که بود
✦
بر آن رنج بردن چه آمدش سود
“Who sat longer upon the throne of kingship than he? Yet what profit came from all that toil?”
#22
گذشته بر او سالیان هفتصد
✦
پدید آوریده همه نیک و بد
“Seven hundred years passed over him, wherein he brought forth all manner of good and evil.”
#23
چه باید همه زندگانی دراز
✦
چو گیتی نخواهد گشادنت راز
“What avails a long and extended life, when the world refuses to unlock its hidden secret to thee?”
#24
همی پروراندت با شهد و نوش
✦
جز آواز نرمت نیاید به گوش
“It nurtures thee with honey and sweet nectar, letting naught but soft lullabies reach thine ear.”
#25
یکایک چو گوئی که گسترد مهر
✦
نخواهد نمودن به بد نیز چهر
“Just as thou thinkest it has spread its love for thee, promising never to show a bitter face,”
#26
بدو شاد باشی و نازی بدوی
✦
همان راز دل را گشایی بدوی
“Thou art joyful and proud of its favor, opening the innermost secrets of thy heart unto it,”
#27
یکی نغز بازی برون آورد
✦
به دلت اندرون درد و خون آورد
“It suddenly plays a wondrous, cruel trick upon thee, bringing grief and blood into thy heart.”
#28
دلم سیر شد زین سرای سپنج
✦
خدایا مرا زود بِرْهان ز رنج
“My heart is sated and weary of this transient hostelry; O God, deliver me swiftly from this suffering!”