#1
نشد سیر ضحاک از آن جست جوی
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شد از گاو گیتی پر از گفت‌گوی
“Zahhak grew not sated with his relentless search, and the whole world was filled with talk of the miraculous cow.”
#2
دوان مادر آمد سوی مرغزار
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چنین گفت با مرد زنهاردار
“Running swiftly, the mother came unto the meadow, and thus addressed the trustworthy guardian:”
#3
که اندیشه‌ای در دلم ایزدی
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فراز آمده‌ست از ره بخردی
“"A divine thought born of true wisdom hath entered my heart,”
#4
همی کرد باید کزین چاره نیست
✦
که فرزند و شیرین روانم یکیست
“"Which I must fulfill, for there is no other path—since my child and my sweet soul are as one.”
#5
ببرّم پی از خاک جادوستان
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شوم تا سر مرز هندوستان
“"I shall withdraw my steps from this realm of sorcery, and journey to the distant borders of Hindustan.”
#6
شوم ناپدید از میان گروه
✦
برم خوب‌رخ را به البرز کوه
“"I shall vanish from among the people, and bear my fair-faced child to the heights of Mount Alborz."”
#7
بیاورد فرزند را چون نوند
✦
چو مرغان بر آن تیغ کوه بلند
“Fleet as a courier steed she carried her son, flying like birds up to the lofty mountain peak.”
#8
یکی مرد دینی بر آن کوه بود
✦
که از کار گیتی بی‌اندوه بود
“Upon that mountain dwelt a holy man of faith, free from the griefs and cares of this mortal world.”
#9
فرانک بدو گفت کای پاکدین
✦
منم سوگواری ز ایران زمین
“Faranak spoke to him, saying: "O pure-hearted sage! I am a sorrowing mourner from the land of Iran.”
#10
بدان کاین گرانمایه فرزند من
✦
همی بود خواهد سر انجمن
“"Know thou that this noble child of mine is fated to become the supreme leader of the council.”
#11
تو را بود باید نگهبان او
✦
پدروار لرزنده بر جان او
“"Thou must become his protector, trembling for his soul with all the devotion of a loving father."”
#12
پذیرفت فرزند او نیکمرد
✦
نیاورد هرگز بدو باد سرد
“The righteous man accepted her child, and never let a harsh wind blow upon him.”
#13
خبر شد به ضحاک بدروزگار
✦
از آن گاو برمایه و مرغزار
“Word came to the evil-starred Zahhak of that blessed cow Barmaye and the verdant meadow.”
#14
بیامد از آن کینه چون پیل مست
✦
مر آن گاو برمایه را کرد پست
“In fierce vengeance he came like a mad elephant, and brought low the glorious cow Barmaye.”
#15
همه هر چه دید اندر او چارپای
✦
بیفگند و زیشان بپرداخت جای
“Every four-footed beast he found therein he slaughtered, emptying the place completely of life.”
#16
سبک سوی خان فریدون شتافت
✦
فراوان پژوهید و کس را نیافت
“Swiftly he rushed toward Fereydoun's dwelling; he searched exceeding long, but found no soul.”
#17
به ایوان او آتش اندر فگند
✦
ز پای اندر آورد کاخ بلند
“He cast fire into his lofty halls, and razed the magnificent palace to the ground.”