#1
چو از روزگارش چهل سال ماند
✦
نگر تا به سر برش یزدان چه راند
“When forty years remained of his allotted reign, behold what God brought down upon his head.”
#2
در ایوان شاهی شبی دیر یاز
✦
به خواب اندرون بود با ارنواز
“In the royal palace on a prolonged night, he lay asleep beside Arnavaz.”
#3
چنان دید کز کاخ شاهنشهان
✦
سه جنگی پدید آمدی ناگهان
“He saw in a dream that from the palace of kings, three noble warriors suddenly appeared.”
#4
دو مهتر یکی کهتر اندر میان
✦
به بالای سرو و به فرّ کیان
“Two elders with a younger one in their midst, towering like cypresses and possessing royal grace.”
#5
کمر بستن و رفتن شاهوار
✦
به چنگ اندرون گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“Girded for battle, walking with kingly strides, holding in his grip a bull-headed mace.”
#6
دمان پیش ضحاک رفتی به جنگ
✦
نهادی به گردن برش پالهنگ
“Fiercely he advanced to battle against Zahhak, and bound a heavy halter around his neck.”
#7
همی تاختی تا دماوند کوه
✦
کشان و دوان از پس اندر گروه
“He drove him along as far as Mount Damavand, dragging him bound while a crowd followed behind.”
#8
بپیچید ضحاک بیدادگر
✦
بدرّیدش از هول گفتی جگر
“The unjust Zahhak writhed in terror, so filled with dread that his heart seemed torn asunder.”
#9
یکی بانگ بر زد به خواب اندرون
✦
که لرزان شد آن خانهٔ صدستون
“He uttered such a shriek in his slumber that the hundred-columned palace trembled.”
#10
بجَستند خورشیدرویان ز جای
✦
از آن غلغل نامور کدخدای
“The sun-faced maidens leapt from their places at the terrifying clamor of the renowned master.”
#11
چنین گفت ضحاک را ارنواز
✦
که شاها چه بودت نگویی به راز
“Arnavaz spoke thus to Zahhak: 'O King! What has befallen thee that thou wilt not share thy secret?'”
#12
که خفته به آرام در خان خویش
✦
بر این سان بترسیدی از جان خویش
“'Thou who wert resting peacefully in thine own abode, why hast thou feared for thy life in this manner?'”
#13
زمین هفت کشور به فرمان تو است
✦
دد و دام و مردم به پیمان تو است
“'The earth's seven climes are under thy command; beast, wild animal, and man are bound to thy covenant.'”
#14
به خورشیدرویان جهاندار گفت
✦
که چونین شگفتی بشاید نهفت
“The ruler of the world said to those sun-faced ones: 'Such a wonder cannot remain hidden.'”
#15
که گر از من این داستان بشنوید
✦
شودتان دل از جان من ناامید
“'For if ye hear this tale from me, thy hearts will despair of my life.'”
#16
به شاه گرانمایه گفت ارنواز
✦
که بر ما بباید گشادنت راز
“Arnavaz said to the exalted king: 'Thou must reveal this secret unto us.'”
#17
توانیم کردن مگر چاره‌ای
✦
که بی‌چاره‌ای نیست پتیاره‌ای
“'Perchance we can devise a remedy, for no calamity exists without a cure.'”
#18
سپهبد گشاد آن نهان از نهفت
✦
همه خواب یک یک بدیشان بگفت
“The leader revealed that which was hidden, telling them his nightmare word by word.”
#19
چنین گفت با نامور ماهروی
✦
که مگذار این را ره چاره جوی
“The moon-faced lady spoke to the renowned king: 'Leave not this matter without seeking a remedy.'”
#20
نگین زمانه سر تخت تو است
✦
جهان روشن از نامور بخت تو است
“'The ring of the age is the head of thy throne, and the world is illuminated by thy glorious fortune.'”
#21
تو داری جهان زیر انگشتری
✦
دد و مردم و مرغ و دیو و پری
“'Thou holdest the world beneath thy signet—beast, man, bird, demon, and fairy.'”
#22
ز هر کشوری گِرد کن مهتران
✦
از اخترشناسان و افسونگران
“'Gather the leaders from every land, including astrologers and sorcerers.'”
#23
سخن سربه‌سر موبدان را بگوی
✦
پژوهش کن و راستی بازجوی
“'Tell the tale in full to the Mobads; investigate and seek out the truth.'”
#24
نگه کن که هوش تو بر دست کیست
✦
ز مردم شمار ار ز دیو و پریست
“'Look and see by whose hand thy doom shall be—whether from among mortals, demons, or fairies.'”
#25
چو دانسته شد چاره ساز آن زمان
✦
به خیره مترس از بد بدگمان
“'Once it is known, apply the cure; fear not in vain the evil of bad omens.'”
#26
شه پر منش را خوش آمد سخن
✦
که آن سرو سیمین برافگند بن
“The ambitious king was pleased by her words, for that silver-stemmed cypress had guided him well.”
#27
جهان از شب تیره چون پرّ زاغ
✦
همانگه سر از کوه بر زد چراغ
“When the dark night was like a raven's wing, the lamp of morning raised its head from the mountain.”
#28
تو گفتی که بر گنبد لاژورد
✦
بگسترد خورشید یاقوت زرد
“Thou wouldst say the sun spread yellow rubies over the dome of lapis lazuli.”
#29
سپهبد به هر جا که بد موبدی
✦
سخن دان و بیداردل بخردی
“The leader summoned every Mobad from across the realm—eloquent, vigilant, and wise.”
#30
ز کشور به نزدیک خویش آورید
✦
بگفت آن جگرخسته خوابی که دید
“Brought them to his presence from every country, and told them, with a wounded heart, the dream he had seen.”
#31
نهانی سخن کردشان آشکار
✦
ز نیک و بد و گردش روزگار
“He made public his hidden thoughts, speaking of good and evil and the turn of fate.”
#32
که بر من زمانه کی آید بسر
✦
که را باشد این تاج و تخت و کمر
“'When will my time come to an end? Who shall possess this crown, throne, and belt?'”
#33
گر این راز با من بباید گشاد
✦
و گر سر به خواری بباید نهاد
“'Whether this secret must be revealed to me, or if my head must be laid low in ignominy.'”
#34
لب موبدان خشک و رخساره تر
✦
زبان پر ز گفتار با یکدگر
“The Mobads' lips turned dry and their faces wet with sweat; they spoke to one another in whispers.”
#35
که گر بودنی باز گوییم راست
✦
به جانست پیکار و جان بی‌بهاست
“'For if we tell the truth of what must be, our fight is with life, and life is precious.'”
#36
و گر نشنود بودنی‌ها درست
✦
بباید هم اکنون ز جان دست شست
“'And if he hears not the truth of what is destined, one must at once wash one's hands of life.'”
#37
سه روز اندر این کار شد روزگار
✦
سخن کس نیارست کرد آشکار
“Three days passed in this predicament; no one dared to speak the secret aloud.”
#38
به روز چهارم برآشفت شاه
✦
بر آن موبدان نماینده راه
“On the fourth day, the king grew enraged at those guide-mobads.”
#39
که گر زنده‌تان دار باید بسود
✦
و گر بودنی‌ها بباید نمود
“'Saying: If ye wish to remain alive, ye must reveal what is destined to be!'”
#40
همه موبدان سرفگنده نگون
✦
پر از هول دل، دیدگان پر ز خون
“All the Mobads hung their heads low, their hearts filled with terror, their eyes filled with blood.”
#41
از آن نامداران بسیار هوش
✦
یکی بود بینادل و تیزگوش
“Among those renowned men of great intelligence, there was one insightful and sharp-eared.”
#42
خردمند و بیدار و زیرک به نام
✦
کز آن موبدان او زدی پیش گام
“Wise, vigilant, and clever by nature, who stepped forward ahead of the other Mobads.”
#43
دلش تنگ‌تر گشت و ناباک شد
✦
گشاده زبان پیش ضحاک شد
“His heart grew resolute and fearless; he opened his tongue before Zahhak.”
#44
بدو گفت پردخته کن سر ز باد
✦
که جز مرگ را کس ز مادر نزاد
“He said to him: 'Empty thy head of pride, for no one born of mother has escaped death.'”
#45
جهاندار پیش از تو بسیار بود
✦
که تخت مهی را سزاوار بود
“'There were many rulers of the world before thee who were worthy of the grand throne.'”
#46
فراوان غم و شادمانی شمرد
✦
برفت و جهان دیگری را سپرد
“He recounted many a sorrow and joy of time past, then passed away and left the world to another.”
#47
اگر بارهٔ آهنینی به پای
✦
سپهرت بساید نمانی به جای
“Though you should build a stronghold of iron, when fate grinds against you, you shall not endure.”
#48
کسی را بود زین سپس تخت تو
✦
به خاک اندر آرد سر و بخت تو
“Hereafter, another shall claim your throne, casting your head and your fortune down into the dust.”
#49
کجا نام او آفریدون بود
✦
زمین را سپهری همایون بود
“His name shall be Fereydun, and he shall be an auspicious heaven unto the earth.”
#50
هنوز آن سپهبد ز مادر نزاد
✦
نیامد گه پرسش و سرد باد
“That noble commander is not yet born of his mother; the hour for questioning him and exhaling cold sighs has not yet come.”
#51
چو او زاید از مادر پرهنر
✦
به سان درختی شود بارور
“When he is born from his virtuous mother, he shall grow and flourish like a fruit-bearing tree.”
#52
به مردی رسد بر کشد سر به ماه
✦
کمر جوید و تاج و تخت و کلاه
“Reaching manhood, his head shall touch the moon; he will lay claim to belt, crown, throne, and royal helmet.”
#53
به بالا شود چون یکی سرو بُرز
✦
به گردن برآرد ز پولاد گُرز
“He will grow tall as a towering cypress, resting a mace of hardened steel upon his shoulder.”
#54
زند بر سرت گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
بگیردت زار و ببنددت خوار
“He shall strike your head with his ox-headed mace; he will capture you miserably and bind you in disgrace.”
#55
بدو گفت ضحاک ناپاک دین
✦
چرا بنددم از منش چیست کین
“Then Zahhak of evil faith asked him: "Why should he bind me? What grudge does he hold against me?"”
#56
دلاور بدو گفت گر بخردی
✦
کسی بی‌بهانه نسازد بدی
“The brave seer replied to him: "If thou art wise, know that no man commits evil without a cause."”
#57
برآید به دست تو هوش پدرش
✦
از آن درد گردد پر از کینه سرش
“His father's death shall come at your hands, and from that pain, his mind will burn with vengeance.”
#58
یکی گاو برمایه خواهد بدن
✦
جهانجوی را دایه خواهد بدن
“There shall be a wondrous cow named Barmayeh, who will serve as a nurse to that world-conquering hero.”
#59
تبه گردد آن هم به دست تو بر
✦
بدین کین کِشد گُرزهٔ گاوسر
“She too shall be slain by your hand; and in revenge for this, he will raise his ox-headed mace against you.”
#60
چو بشنید ضحاک بگشاد گوش
✦
ز تخت اندر افتاد و زو رفت هوش
“When Zahhak heard this and took it in, he collapsed from his throne and lost his senses.”
#61
گرانمایه از پیش تخت بلند
✦
بتابید روی از نهیب گزند
“The noble mobad turned his face from the high throne, fleeing in fear of coming harm.”
#62
چو آمد دل نامور باز جای
✦
به تخت کیان اندر آورد پای
“When the famous king regained his senses, he once more mounted the royal throne of Kayanid kings.”
#63
نشان فریدون به گرد جهان
✦
همی باز جست آشکار و نهان
“He searched throughout the world for traces of Fereydun, both openly and in secret.”
#64
نه آرام بودش نه خواب و نه خورد
✦
شده روز روشن بر او لاژورد
“He knew no rest, no sleep, nor food; the bright day turned dark as lapis lazuli for him.”