#1
برآمد برین روزگار دراز
✦
کشید اژدهافش به تنگی فراز
“Long times passed away, as the dragon-like Zahhak brought hardship and constriction upon the world.”
#2
خجسته فریدون ز مادر بزاد
✦
جهان را یکی دیگر آمد نهاد
“Auspicious Fereydun was born of his mother, giving the world a new nature and hope.”
#3
ببالید برسان سرو سهی
✦
همی تافت زو فر شاهنشهی
“He grew tall like an upright cypress, and from him gleamed the divine radiant glory of kingship.”
#4
جهانجوی با فر جمشید بود
✦
به کردار تابنده خورشید بود
“The seeker of the world possessed the glory of Jamshid, shining brightly like the resplendent sun.”
#5
جهان را چو باران به بایستگی
✦
روان را چو دانش به شایستگی
“He was as vital to the world as rain, and as worthy to the soul as wisdom itself.”
#6
بسر بر همی گشت گردان سپهر
✦
شده رام با آفریدون به مهر
“The revolving heavens turned above him, yielded in affection and harmony to Fereydun.”
#7
همان گاو کش نام برمایه بود
✦
ز گاوان ورا برترین پایه بود
“There was also a wondrous cow named Barmayeh, holding the highest rank among all cattle.”
#8
ز مادر جدا شد چو طاووس نر
✦
بهر موی بر تازه رنگی دگر
“She was born like a peacock cock, with a unique, fresh color upon every single hair.”
#9
شده انجمن بر سرش بخردان
✦
ستاره‌شناسان و هم موبدان
“Wise men, astrologers, and Zoroastrian priests gathered around her in marvel.”
#10
که کس در جهان گاو چونان ندید
✦
نه از پیرسر کاردانان شنید
“For none in the world had ever seen such a cow, nor had the wise elders ever heard of its equal.”
#11
زمین کرده ضحاک پر گفت و گوی
✦
به گرد جهان هم بدین جست و جوی
“Meanwhile, Zahhak filled the earth with dread chatter, searching the entire world in relentless pursuit.”
#12
فریدون که بودش پدر آبتین
✦
شده تنگ بر آبتین بر زمین
“The father of Fereydun was Aptin, for whom the earth had become narrow and dire.”
#13
گریزان و از خویشتن گشته سیر
✦
برآویخت ناگاه بر کام شیر
“Fleeing and weary of his life, he suddenly fell straight into the jaws of the lion.”
#14
از آن روزبانان ناپاک مرد
✦
تنی چند روزی بدو باز خورد
“A few wicked guards of the realm crossed his path one day.”
#15
گرفتند و بردند بسته چو یوز
✦
برو بر سر آورد ضحاک روز
“They seized him and bound him like a hunting cheetah, and Zahhak brought an end to his life.”
#16
خردمند مام فریدون چو دید
✦
که بر جفت او بر چنان بد رسید
“When Fereydun’s wise mother saw that such evil misfortune had befallen her spouse,”
#17
فرانک بدش نام و فرخنده بود
✦
به مهر فریدون دل آگنده بود
“Her name was Faranak, blessed and noble, her heart overflowing with love for Fereydun.”
#18
پر از داغ دل خستهٔ روزگار
✦
همی رفت پویان بدان مرغزار
“With a wounded heart grieved by fate, she journeyed swiftly toward that lush meadow.”
#19
کجا نامور گاو برمایه بود
✦
که بایسته بر تنش پیرایه بود
“Where the renowned cow Barmayeh grazed, adorned naturally with beauty fit for her body.”
#20
به پیش نگهبان آن مرغزار
✦
خروشید و بارید خون بر کنار
“Before the keeper of that meadow she wept aloud, shedding tears of grief upon her lap.”
#21
بدو گفت کاین کودک شیرخوار
✦
ز من روزگاری بزنهار دار
“She said to him, 'Take this suckling child into your protection for a time.'”
#22
پدروارش از مادر اندر پذیر
✦
وزین گاو نغزش بپرور به شیر
“'Receive him like a father from his mother, and nourish him with the milk of this wondrous cow.'”
#23
و گر باره خواهی روانم تراست
✦
گروگان کنم جان بدان کت هواست
“'And if you require a recompense, my soul is yours; I shall pledge my very life for whatever you desire.'”
#24
پرستندهٔ بیشه و گاو نغز
✦
چنین داد پاسخ بدان پاک مغز
“The keeper of the meadow and the splendid cow thus gave answer to that pure-minded lady:”
#25
که چون بنده در پیش فرزند تو
✦
بباشم پرستندهٔ پند تو
“'I shall serve before your child like a humble bondman, executing your counsel with all devotion.'”
#26
سه سالش همی داد زان گاو شیر
✦
هشیوار بیدار زنهارگیر
“For three years he nourished him with the milk of that cow, acting as a watchful, vigilant guardian.”