#1
ببخشود یزدان جوانیش را
✦
بهم برشکست آن گمانیش را
“God pitied his youth and shattered the dark suspicion that hovered over him.”
#2
کننده همی کند جای درخت
✦
پدید آمد از دور پیران ز بخت
“As the woodcutter was preparing the place for the gallows tree, Piran appeared from afar by good fortune.”
#3
چو پیران ویسه بدانجا رسید
✦
همه راه ترک کمربسته دید
“When Piran-e Veyse arrived at that spot, he saw the road lined with armed Turanian guards.”
#4
یکی دار برپای کرده بلند
✦
کمندی برو بسته چون پای بند
“A tall gallows was set up, with a noose tied to it like a fetter.”
#5
ز ترکان بپرسید کین دار چیست
✦
در شاه را از در دار کیست
“He asked the Turks: 'What is this gallows for? Who is being brought to the gallows from the King's door?'”
#6
بدو گفت گرسیوز این بیژنست
✦
از ایران کجا شاه را دشمنست
“Garsivaz said to him: 'This is Bizhan, an enemy of the King from the land of Iran.'”
#7
بزد اسب و آمد بر بیژنا
✦
جگر خسته دیدش برهنه تنا
“Piran spurred his horse and came up to Bizhan; he saw him heart-wounded and naked of body.”
#8
دو دست از پس پشت بسته چو سنگ
✦
دهن خشک و رفته ز رخساره رنگ
“His two hands bound behind his back like stone, his mouth dry and the color drained from his face.”
#9
بپرسید و گفتش که چون آمدی
✦
از ایران همانا بخون آمدی
“Piran questioned him and said: 'How came you here? Surely you came from Iran seeking your own blood!'”
#10
همه داستان بیژن او را بگفت
✦
چنانچون رسیدش ز بدخواه جفت
“Bizhan told him his entire story, just as misfortune had befallen him through his ill-willed companion.”
#11
ببخشود پیران ویسه بروی
✦
ز مژگان سرشکش فرو شد بروی
“Piran-e Veyse took pity on him, and tears streamed from his eyelashes down his face.”
#12
بفرمود تا یک زمانش بدار
✦
نکردند و گفتا هم ایدر بدار
“He commanded them not to execute him for a while, saying: 'Hold him right here for a moment.'”
#13
بدان تا ببینم یکی روی شاه
✦
نمایم بدو اختر نیک راه
“'Until I see the King's face and show him the righteous path revealed by the stars.'”
#14
بکاخ اندر آمد پرستارفش
✦
بر شاه با دست کرده بکش
“He entered the palace respectfully, coming before the King with hands crossed over his chest.”
#15
بیامد دمان تا بنزدیک تخت
✦
بر افراسیاب آفرین کرد سخت
“Swiftly he approached the throne and offered magnificent praise to Afrasiab.”
#16
همی بود در پیش تختش بپای
✦
چو دستور پاکیزه و رهنمای
“He stood waiting before his throne, like a pure advisor and righteous guide.”
#17
سپهبد بدانست کز آرزوی
✦
بپایست پیران آزاده خوی
“The commander knew that noble Piran stood there with a heart full of request.”
#18
بخندید و گفتش چه خواهی بگوی
✦
ترا بیشتر نزد من آبروی
“Afrasiab smiled and said to him: 'Speak what you wish, for you hold high honor in my eyes.'”
#19
اگر زر خواهی و گر گوهرا
✦
و گر پادشاهی هر کشورا
“'Whether you desire gold, gems, or kingship over any realm...'”
#20
ندارم دریغ از تو من گنج خویش
✦
چرا برگزینی همی رنج خویش
“'I will not withhold my treasure from you; why do you choose hardship for yourself?'”
#21
چو بشنید پیران خسرو پرست
✦
زمین را ببوسید و بر پای جست
“When Piran, devoted servant of the King, heard this, he kissed the ground and sprang to his feet.”
#22
که جاوید بادا ترا بخت و جای
✦
مبادا ز تخت تو پردخته جای
“Saying: 'May your fortune and throne endure forever; may your realm never be empty of your rule!'”
#23
ز شاهان گیتی ستایش تراست
✦
ز خورشید برتر نمایش تراست
“'Praise from all the world's kings belongs to you; your splendor shines higher than the sun.'”
#24
مرا هرچ باید ببخت تو هست
✦
ز مردان وز گنج و نیروی دست
“'Whatever I require I possess through your fortune—men, treasure, and physical power.'”
#25
مرا این نیاز از در خویش نیست
✦
کس از کهتران تو درویش نیست
“'I have no personal need at your door, for none of your servants are poor.'”
#26
بداند شهنشاه برترمنش
✦
ستوده بهر کار بی‌سرزنش
“'Let the exalted King know, praised in every deed and free of fault...'”
#27
که من شاه را پیش ازین چند بار
✦
همی دادمی پند بر چند کار
“'That several times before, I offered counsel to the King on various matters.'”
#28
بفرمان من هیچ نامد فراز
✦
ازو داشتم کارها دست باز
“'My advice was not heeded, and so I washed my hands of those affairs.'”
#29
مکش گفتمت پور کاوس را
✦
که دشمن کنی رستم و طوس را
“'I told you: Do not kill the son of Kavus (Siyavash), lest you make bitter enemies of Rostam and Tus!'”
#30
کز ایران بپیلان بکوبندمان
✦
ز هم بگسلانند پیوندمان
“'For they will march from Iran with war-elephants to crush us and sever our ties forever!'”
#31
سیاوش که بود از نژاد کیان
✦
ز بهر تو بسته کمر بر میان
“'Siyavash was of noble Kianid blood, who had girded his loins in service to you.'”
#32
بکشتی بخیره سیاوش را
✦
بزهر اندر آمیختی نوش را
“'Yet you foolishly slew Siyavash; you mixed deadly poison into sweet elixir!'”
#33
بدیدی بدیهای ایرانیان
✦
که کردند با شهر تورانیان
“'You saw the calamities the Iranians inflicted upon the realm of Turan.'”
#34
ز ترکان دو بهره بپای ستور
✦
سپردند و شد بخت را آب شور
“'Two-thirds of the Turks were trampled under war-horses, and our good fortune turned bitter!'”
#35
هنوز آن سر تیغ دستان سام
✦
همانا نیاسود اندر نیام
“'The edge of the sword of Dastan-e Sam (Zal and Rostam) has surely not yet rested in its scabbard,'”
#36
که رستم همی سرفشاند ازوی
✦
بخورشید بر خون چکاند ازوی
“'For Rostam still shakes his head with fury, dripping blood upon the very sun!'”
#37
بآرام بر کینه جویی همی
✦
گل زهر خیره ببویی همی
“'Will you seek vengeance while seeking peace? Foolishly smelling the toxic blossom?'”
#38
اگر خون بیژن بریزی برین
✦
ز توران برآید همان گرد کین
“'If you shed Bizhan's blood now, the same dust of vengeance will rise from Turan!'”
#39
خردمند شاهی و ما کهترا
✦
تو چشم خرد باز کن بنگرا
“'You are a wise king and we are your servants; open the eye of wisdom and observe!'”
#40
نگه کن ازان کین که گستردیا
✦
ابا شاه ایران چه بر خوردیا
“'Look at the hatred you sowed before—what fruit did you reap from war with the King of Iran?'”
#41
هم آنرا همی خواستار آوری
✦
درخت بلا را ببار آوری
“'Will you seek the same mistake again, bringing the tree of calamity to bear fruit?'”
#42
چو کینه دو گردد نداریم پای
✦
ایا پهلوان جهان کدخدای
“'When vengeance doubles, we cannot withstand it, O lord-champion of the world!'”
#43
به از تو نداند کسی گیو را
✦
نهنگ بلا رستم نیو را
“'No one knows Gev better than you, or Rostam the brave dragon of calamity!'”
#44
چو گودرز کشواد پولادچنگ
✦
که آید ز بهر نبیره بجنگ
“'Or Gudarz-e Kashvad of iron claws, who will wage war for the sake of his grandson!'”
#45
چو برزد بران آتش تیز آب
✦
چنین داد پاسخ پس افراسیاب
“When Piran poured water on that fierce fire, Afrasiab answered him thus...”
#46
که بیژن نبینی که با من چه کرد
✦
بایران و توران شدم روی زرد
“Do you not see what Bijan hath done to me, making me pale with shame before Iran and Turan?”
#47
نبینی کزین بدهنر دخترم
✦
چه رسوایی آمد بپیران سرم
“Dost thou not behold what disgrace this vile daughter of mine hath brought upon my aged head?”
#48
همان نام پوشیده رویان من
✦
ز پرده بگسترد بر انجمن
“She hath laid bare the names of my veiled ladies of the harem, unveiling their secrets before the whole assembly.”
#49
کزین ننگ تا جاودان بر سرم
✦
بخندد همی کشور و لشکرم
“Because of this shame, my kingdom and my host shall mock me forevermore.”
#50
چنو یابد از من رهایی بجان
✦
گشایند بر من ز هر سو زبان
“If he escapeth from my hands with his life, tongues will wag against me from every side.”
#51
برسوایی اندر بمانم بدرد
✦
بپالایم از دیدگان آب زرد
“I shall remain bound in painful disgrace, shedding bitter, sallow tears from mine eyes.”
#52
دگر آفرین کرد پیران بدوی
✦
که ای شاه نیک اختر راست‌گوی
“Then Piran praised him once more, saying, 'O fortunate and truthful King,”
#53
چنینست کین شاه گوید همی
✦
جز از نیک نامی نجوید همی
“It is indeed as the King sayeth; he seeketh naught save a goodly name.”
#54
ولیکن بدین رای هشیار من
✦
یکی بنگرد ژرف سالار من
“Yet let my lord look deeply into this prudent counsel of mine:'”
#55
ببندد مر او را ببند گران
✦
کجا دار و کشتن گزیند بران
“Bind him in heavy fetters, choosing this over the gallows and execution.”
#56
هر آنکو بزندان تو بسته ماند
✦
ز دیوانها نام او کس نخواند
“Whoever remaineth imprisoned in thy dungeon shall have his name erased from all royal records.”
#57
ازو پند گیرند ایرانیان
✦
نبندند ازین پس بدی را میان
“Thus shall the Iranians take warning, and never again gird themselves for evil deeds.”
#58
چنان کرد سالار کو رای دید
✦
دلش با زبان شاه بر جای دید
“The sovereign acted as he deemed best, for he found the wisdom of his heart matched by the words of the kingly minister.”
#59
ز دستور پاکیزهٔ راهبر
✦
درفشان شود شاه بر گاه بر
“Through a pure and guiding minister, a monarch shines resplendent upon his throne.”
#60
بگرسیوز آنگه بفرمود شاه
✦
که بند گران ساز و تاریک چاه
“Then the King commanded Garsivaz, 'Prepare heavy chains and a pit of pitch darkness.”
#61
دو دستش بزنجیر و گردن بغل
✦
یکی بند رومی بکردار مل
“Bind both his hands in chains and his neck in a wooden collar, securing him with Roman bonds like liquid pitch.”
#62
ببندش به مسمار آهنگران
✦
ز سر تا بپایش ببند اندران
“Fasten him with iron nails; bind him tightly from head to foot.”
#63
چو بستی نگون اندر افگن بچاه
✦
چو بی‌بهره گردد ز خورشید و ماه
“When thou hast bound him, cast him upside down into the pit, so that he may be bereft of the sun and moon.”
#64
ببر پیل و آن سنگ اکوان دیو
✦
که از ژرف دریای گیهان خدیو
“Take elephants and bring that boulder of Akvan Div, which the sovereign of the world cast from the deep ocean,”
#65
فگندست در بیشهٔ چین ستان
✦
بیاور ز بیژن بدان کین ستان
“And dropped into the forest of China; fetch it to take vengeance upon Bijan.”
#66
بپیلان گردون کش آن سنگ را
✦
که پوشد سر چاه ارژنگ را
“Drag that stone with heavy-laden elephants, that it may seal the opening of Arzhang's pit.”
#67
بیاور سر چاه او را بپوش
✦
بدان تا بزاری برآیدش هوش
“Bring it and cover the top of his pit, so that his soul may depart in utter misery.”
#68
وز آنجا بایوان آن بی‌هنر
✦
منیژه کزو ننگ یابد گهر
“And from there go to the palace of that unworthy girl, Manijeh, through whom our lineage hath suffered shame.”
#69
برو با سواران و تاراج کن
✦
نگون‌بخت را بی سر و تاج کن
“Go with horsemen and plunder it completely; render that ill-fated girl crownless and headstrong.”
#70
بگو ای بنفرین شوریده بخت
✦
که بر تو نزیبد همی تاج و تخت
“Say unto her, 'O accursed and wretched one, neither crown nor throne befitteth thee!”
#71
به ننگ از کیان پست کردی سرم
✦
بخاک اندر انداختی افسرم
“With shame thou hast humbled my royal head, and cast my crown into the dust.'”
#72
برهنه کشانش ببر تا بچاه
✦
که در چاه بین آنک دیدی بگاه
“Drag her bare and lead her to the pit, that in the dungeon she may behold him whom she once saw upon the throne.”
#73
بهارش توی غمگسارش توی
✦
درین تنگ زندان زوارش توی
“Thou art his spring and his comforter; now be his visitor in this narrow prison!”
#74
خرامید گرسیوز از پیش اوی
✦
بکردند کام بداندیش اوی
“Garsivaz departed from his presence, and they carried out the malicious desire of the King.”
#75
کشان بیژن گیو از پیش دار
✦
ببردند بسته بران چاهسار
“Dragging Bijan, son of Giv, from before the gallows, they led him bound toward that dark pit.”
#76
ز سر تا به پایش به آهن ببست
✦
بر و بازوی و گردن و پای و دست
“They bound him in iron from head to foot—his chest, arms, neck, feet, and hands.”
#77
بپولاد خایسک آهنگران
✦
فروبرد مسمارهای گران
“With steel sledgehammers, the blacksmiths drove heavy iron nails into his fetters.”
#78
نگونش بچاه اندر انداختند
✦
سر چاه را بند بر ساختند
“They cast him headlong into the pit, and firmly secured the mouth of the well.”
#79
وز آنجا بایوان آن دخترش
✦
بیاورد گرسیوز آن لشکرش
“From there, Garsivaz led his host unto the palace of the King's daughter.”
#80
همه گنج و گوهر بتاراج داد
✦
ازین بدره بستد بدان تاج داد
“He gave all her treasure and jewels to plunder, taking from this purse and bestowing upon that crown.”
#81
منیژه برهنه بیک چادرا
✦
برهنه دو پای و گشاده سرا
“Manizheh was driven forth clad in a single veil, bare of foot and with her head unveiled.”
#82
کشیدش دوان تا بدان چاهسار
✦
دو دیده پر از خون و رخ جویبار
“They dragged her weeping swiftly to the pit, her eyes filled with blood and her cheeks streaming like rivers.”
#83
بدو گفت اینک ترا خان و مان
✦
زواری برین بسته تا جاودان
“They said to her: 'Behold now your home and abode; here shall you remain bound in grief forever.'”
#84
غریوان همی گشت بر گرد دشت
✦
چو یک روز و یک شب برو بر گذشت
“When a day and a night had passed over her, she wandered around the plain, weeping and wailing in misery.”
#85
خروشان بیامد بنزدیک چاه
✦
یکی دست را اندرو کرد راه
“Loudly lamenting, she came near the pit and reached her hand inside through the opening.”
#86
چو از کوه خورشید سر برزدی
✦
منیژه ز هر در همی نان چدی
“Whenever the sun crested the mountain peak, Manizheh would beg for bread from door to door.”
#87
همی گرد کردی بروز دراز
✦
بسوراخ چاه آوریدی فراز
“Throughout the long day she would gather morsels, and bring them up to the opening of the pit.”
#88
ببیژن سپردی و بگریستی
✦
بران شوربختی همی زیستی
“She would hand the bread to Bizhan and weep, enduring her life in such wretched misfortune.”