#1
ز یزدان بر آن شاه باد آفرین
✦
که نازد بدو تاج و تخت و نگین
“May praise from God attend that king by whom the crown, the throne, and the signet ring take pride!”
#2
که گنجش ز بخشش بنالد همی
✦
بزرگی ز نامش ببالد همی
“Whose treasury groans beneath his endless bounty, while greatness itself flourishes through his glorious name.”
#3
ز دریا به دریا سپاه وی است
✦
جهان زیر فر کلاه وی است
“His host stretches from sea to sea, and the wide world abides beneath the shadow of his crown's royal glory.”
#4
خداوند نام و خداوند گنج
✦
خداوند شمشیر و خفتان و رنج
“Master of renown and master of treasure, master of the sword, mail-coat, and battle-toil.”
#5
ز گیتی به کان اندرون زر نماند
✦
که منشور جود ورا بر نخواند
“No gold remained within the mines of the world that had not read the decree of his munificence.”
#6
به بزم اندرون گنج پیدا کند
✦
چو رزم آیدش رنج بینا کند
“In banquet he lays open treasures, and when battle comes, his eye is keen to every hardship.”
#7
به بار آورد شاخ دین و خرد
✦
گمانش به دانش خرد پرورد
“He brings the branch of faith and wisdom to fruit; his intellect nurtures deep knowledge.”
#8
به اندیشه از بی گزندان بود
✦
همیشه پناهش به یزدان بود
“Through holy contemplation he remains safe from harm, and his refuge is ever in God.”
#9
چو او مرز گیرد به شمشیر تیز
✦
بر انگیزد اندر جهان رستخیز
“When he seizes a realm with his sharp blade, he raises a resurrection throughout the world.”
#10
ز دشمن ستاند ببخشد به دوست
✦
خداوند پیروزگر یار اوست
“He strips wealth from the enemy to grant to his friend, and the victorious Lord is his ally.”
#11
بدان تیغزن دست گوهرفشان
✦
ز گیتی نجوید همی جز نشان
“From the jewel-scattering hand of that swordsman, the world seeks nothing but his noble mark.”
#12
که در بزم دریاش خواند سپهر
✦
به رزم اندرون شیر خورشید چهر
“In feast, the heavens call him an ocean; in fight, a lion with the sun's radiant face.”
#13
گواهی دهد بر زمین خاک و آب
✦
همان بر فلک چشمه آفتاب
“Earth, dust, and water bear witness below, as does the fountain of the sun in the heavens above,”
#14
که چون او ندیدست شاهی به جنگ
✦
نه در بخشش و کوشش و نام و ننگ
“That no king like him was ever seen in battle, nor in granting bounties, striving, or seeking honor.”
#15
اگر مهر با کین برآمیزدی
✦
ستاره ز خشمش بپرهیزدی
“If his favor were to mix with vengeance, even the stars would flee from his wrath.”
#16
تنش زورمندست و چندان سپاه
✦
که اندر میان باد را نیست راه
“His body is mighty and his host so dense that even the wind cannot find passage through them.”
#17
پس لشکرش هفتصد ژنده پیل
✦
خدای جهان یارش و جبرییل
“Behind his army march seven hundred giant war-elephants, with the God of the world and Gabriel as his helpers.”
#18
همی باژ خواهد ز هر مهتری
✦
ز هر نامداری و هر کشوری
“He exacts tribute from every prince, every famed chieftain, and every realm.”
#19
اگر باژ ندهند کشور دهند
✦
همان گنج و هم تخت و افسر دهند
“If they yield not tribute, they must yield their country, their treasures, throne, and crown.”
#20
که یارد گذشتن ز پیمان اوی
✦
و گر سر کشیدن ز فرمان اوی
“Who would dare break a covenant with him, or turn his head from his supreme command?”
#21
که در بزم گیتی بدو روشن است
✦
به رزم اندرون کوه در جوشن است
“The world's feast is brightened by him; in battle, he is a mountain clad in mail.”
#22
ابوالقاسم آن شهریار دلیر
✦
کجا گور بستاند از چنگ شیر
“Abul-Qasim, that courageous monarch who snatches the wild ass from the lion's very claws!”
#23
جهاندار محمود کاندر نبرد
✦
سر سرکشان اندر آرد به گرد
“Mahmud, master of the world, who in combat brings the heads of the defiant down to the dust.”
#24
جهان تا جهان باشد او شاه باد
✦
بلند اخترش افسر ماه باد
“As long as the world endures, may he reign king; may his exalted star be the crown of the moon!”
#25
که آرایش چرخ گردنده اوست
✦
به بزم اندرون ابر بخشنده اوست
“He is the ornament of the revolving sphere; in banquet, he is the rain-giving cloud of bounty.”
#26
خرد هستش و نیکنامی و داد
✦
جهان بی سر و افسر او مباد
“Wisdom is his, good name, and justice; may the world never be deprived of his royal head and crown!”
#27
سپاه و دل و گنج و دستور هست
✦
همان رزم و بزم و می و سور هست
“He possesses army, heart, treasure, and wise vizier; he holds both battle and feast, wine and celebration.”
#28
یکی فرش گسترده شد در جهان
✦
که هرگز نشانش نگردد نهان
“A carpet has been spread across the realm whose trace shall never vanish from the world,”
#29
کجا فرش را مسند و مرقد است
✦
نشستنگه نصر بن احمد است
“Where that carpet finds its throne and resting place—the seat of Nasr ibn Ahmad.”
#30
که این گونه آرام شاهی بدوست
✦
خرد در سر نامداران نکوست
“For through him the stability of kingship shines; wisdom is beautiful in the heads of the renowned.”
#31
نبد خسروان را چنو کدخدای
✦
بپرهیز دین و به رادی و رای
“No ancient king possessed such a grand vizier in piety of faith, generosity, and sound judgment.”
#32
گشاده زبان و دل و پاک دست
✦
پرستندهٔ شاه یزدان پرست
“Eloquent of speech, pure of heart, and open-handed—a worshipper of the God-fearing king.”
#33
ز دستور فرزانه و دادگر
✦
پراگنده رنج من آمد به بر
“Through that wise and just minister, my long effort has finally borne fruit.”
#34
بپیوستم این نامهٔ باستان
✦
پسندیده از دفتر راستان
“I composed this ancient chronicle, approved and chosen from the scroll of the truthful,”
#35
که تا روز پیری مرا بر دهد
✦
بزرگی و دینار و افسر دهد
“So that in my old age it may grant me yield—bestowing greatness, treasure, and honor.”
#36
ندیدم جهاندار بخشنده‌ای
✦
به تخت کیان بر درخشنده‌ای
“I saw no world-ruler so generous, shining upon the throne of the ancient Kianians.”
#37
همی داشتم تا کی آید پدید
✦
جوادی که جودش نخواهد کلید
“I waited long until such a liberal lord appeared, whose generosity requires no key.”
#38
نگهبان دین و نگهبان تاج
✦
فروزندهٔ افسر و تخت عاج
“Guardian of faith and guardian of the crown, illuminating the ivory throne and royal diadem.”
#39
به رزم دلیران توانا بود
✦
به چون و چرا نیز دانا بود
“Mighty in the battle of braves, and versed in every question of why and wherefore.”
#40
چنین سال بگذاشتم شست و پنج
✦
به درویشی و زندگانی به رنج
“Thus I spent sixty and five years in poverty and living in toil.”
#41
چو پنج از سر سال شستم نشست
✦
من اندر نشیب و سرم سوی پست
“When five years beyond sixty settled upon me, I was in decline and my head bent low.”
#42
رخ لاله گون گشت بر سان کاه
✦
چو کافور شد رنگ مشک سیاه
“My tulip-hued cheek turned pale as straw, and the black musk of my hair became white like camphor.”
#43
بدان گه که بد سال پنجاه و هفت
✦
نوانتر شدم چون جوانی برفت
“When my age was fifty-seven, I grew weaker as youth departed.”
#44
فریدون بیدار دل زنده شد
✦
زمان و زمین پیش او بنده شد
“Awakened Fereydun came back to life; time and earth became servants before him.”
#45
بداد و به بخشش گرفت این جهان
✦
سرش برتر آمد ز شاهنشهان
“Through justice and bounty he seized this world, his head rising higher than all emperors.”
#46
فروزان شد آثار تاریخ اوی
✦
که جاوید بادا بن و بیخ اوی
“The traces of his history shone bright; may his root and foundation endure forever.”
#47
از آن پس که گوشم شنید آن خروش
✦
نهادم بر آن تیز آواز گوش
“Ever since my ear caught that ringing call, I listened intently to that resonant voice.”
#48
بپیوستم این نامه بر نام اوی
✦
همه مهتری باد فرجام اوی
“I composed this epic book in his royal name; may grand majesty be his ultimate destiny.”
#49
از آن پس تن جانور خاک راست
✦
روان روان معدن پاک راست
“Thereafter, the body of living creatures belongs to the dust, while the soul belongs to the source of pure spirits.”
#50
همان نیزه بخشندهٔ دادگر
✦
کز اوی است پیدا به گیتی هنر
“Likewise, he is the just and generous ruler through whom virtue and art are revealed to the world.”
#51
که باشد به پیری مرا دستگیر
✦
خداوند شمشیر و تاج و سریر
“May he be my supporter in my old age—the lord of the sword, crown, and throne.”
#52
خداوند هند و خداوند چین
✦
خداوند ایران و توران زمین
“Sovereign of India, ruler of China, lord over the realms of Iran and Turan!”
#53
خداوند زیبای برترمنش
✦
از او دور پیغاره و سرزنش
“A handsome sovereign of lofty character, forever far from reproach and blame.”
#54
بدرد ز آواز او کوه سنگ
✦
به دریا نهنگ و به خشکی پلنگ
“At his roaring voice, mountains crumble; whales tremble in the sea, and panthers on dry land.”
#55
چه دینار در پیش بزمش چه خاک
✦
ز بخشش ندارد دلش هیچ باک
“In his feast, gold coins are as dust; his heart knows no fear of depletion in giving.”
#56
جهاندار محمود خورشیدفش
✦
به رزم اندرون شیر شمشیرکش
“The world-ruler Mahmud, bright as the sun, a sword-wielding lion in the heat of battle!”
#57
مرا از جهان بی‌نیازی دهد
✦
میان گوان سرفرازی دهد
“He grants me freedom from worldly want and exalts my stature among mighty heroes.”
#58
که جاوید بادا سر و تخت اوی
✦
به کام دلش گردش بخت اوی
“May his head and throne endure eternally, and may fortune's movement fulfill his heart's desire.”
#59
که داند ورا در جهان خود ستود
✦
کسی کش ستاید که یارد شنود
“Who in this world can truly praise him? Who could even dare listen to all his praises?”
#60
که شاه از گمان و توان برتر است
✦
چو بر تارک مشتری افسر است
“For the King rises beyond imagination and power, as though his crown rests upon the star Jupiter.”
#61
یکی بندگی کردم ای شهریار
✦
که ماند ز من در جهان یادگار
“I have offered a devotion, O King, that shall endure in the world as my eternal legacy.”
#62
بناهای آباد گردد خراب
✦
ز باران وز تابش آفتاب
“Prosperous edifices fall into ruin over time from the pouring rain and the sun's burning rays.”
#63
پی افگندم از نظم کاخی بلند
✦
که از باد و بارانش نآید گزند
“Yet I have founded a lofty palace of verse, safe from all harm of wind and rain.”
#64
بر این نامه بر سالها بگذرد
✦
همی خواند آن کس که دارد خرد
“Centuries shall pass over this book, and every person endowed with wisdom shall read it.”
#65
کند آفرین بر جهاندار شاه
✦
که بی او مبیناد کس پیشگاه
“They shall shower blessings upon the world-ruling King; may no court exist without his glorious presence!”
#66
مر او را ستاینده کردار اوست
✦
جهان سر به سر زیر آثار اوست
“His own deeds are his truest eulogist, and the whole world lies beneath the shadow of his achievements.”
#67
چو مایه ندارم ثنای ورا
✦
نیایش کنم خاک پای ورا
“Since I lack the wealth of words to praise him fully, I bow down and pay homage to the dust of his feet.”
#68
زمانه سراسر بدو زنده باد
✦
خرد تخت او را فروزنده باد
“May the whole age be vibrant through him, and may wisdom forever illuminate his throne!”
#69
دلش شادمانه چو خرم بهار
✦
همیشه بر این گردش روزگار
“May his heart remain joyful like lush springtime, ever amidst the ceaseless turns of time.”
#70
از او شادمانه دل انجمن
✦
به هر کار پیروز و چیره سخن
“May the heart of the assembly be gladdened by him—victorious in every endeavor, master of speech!”
#71
همی تا بگردد فلک چرخ‌وار
✦
بود اندر او مشتری را گذار
“As long as the heavens revolve like a wheel, and Jupiter continues its course across the skies...”
#72
شهنشاه ما باد با جاه و ناز
✦
از او دور چشم بد و بی نیاز
“May our King of Kings abide in glory and majesty, far from the evil eye and free from all need!”
#73
کنون ز این سپس نامه باستان
✦
بپیوندم از گفتهٔ راستان
“Henceforth, I shall weave the ancient book from the traditional lore of truthful men.”
#74
چو پیش آورم گردش روزگار
✦
نباید مرا پند آموزگار
“As I present the turnings of destiny, I need no teacher to instruct me in wisdom.”
#75
چو پیکار کیخسرو آمد پدید
✦
ز من جادویها بباید شنید
“Now that the battle of Kay Khosrow unfolds, expect to hear magical wonders of verse from me.”
#76
بدین داستان در ببارم همی
✦
به سنگ اندرون لاله کارم همی
“In telling this tale, I rain down poetry, causing tulips to bloom even from solid rock.”
#77
کنون خامه‌ای یافتم بیش از آن
✦
که مغز سخن بافتم پیش از آن
“Now I have acquired a pen far mightier than before, when I wove the very essence of eloquence.”
#78
ایا آزمون را نهاده دو چشم
✦
گهی شادمانی گهی درد و خشم
“O man, who hast opened both eyes to trial—experiencing now joy, and now pain and anger!”
#79
شگفت اندر این گنبد لاژورد
✦
بماند چنین دل پر از داغ و درد
“Wondering beneath this azure dome, the heart remains thus filled with sorrow and anguish.”
#80
چنین بود تا بود دور زمان
✦
به نوی تو اندر شگفتی ممان
“Such has been the way of time since time began; do not remain in wonder as if it were something new.”
#81
یکی را همه بهره شهد است و قند
✦
تن آسانی و ناز و بخت بلند
“To one person, Fate grants sweet honey and sugar—an abundance of ease, luxury, and exalted fortune.”
#82
یکی ز او همه ساله با درد و رنج
✦
شده تنگدل در سرای سپنج
“To another, life brings endless grief and anguish, leaving them sorrowful and heavy-hearted in this fleeting world.”
#83
یکی را همه رفتن اندر نهیب
✦
گهی در فراز و گهی در نشیب
“Another must walk constantly amidst peril and terror, caught in the endless shifts of life's highs and lows.”
#84
چنین پروراند همی روزگار
✦
فزون آمد از رنگ گل رنج خار
“Such is the manner of Time's nurturing: the torment of the thorn always exceeds the delight of the rose.”
#85
هر آنگه که سال اندر آمد به شست
✦
بباید کشیدن ز بیشیت دست
“When a man's years reach sixty, he ought to withdraw his hand from excess and greed.”
#86
ز هفتاد برنگذرد بس کسی
✦
ز دوران چرخ آزمودم بسی
“Few are those who surpass seventy years; from my long testing of the turning sky, I know this well.”
#87
وگر بگذرد آن همه بتریست
✦
بر آن زندگانی بباید گریست
“And should one pass beyond, it brings only frailty and decline; upon such a life, one can only weep.”
#88
اگر دام ماهی بدی سال شست
✦
خردمند از او یافتی راه جست
“Were sixty years a net to catch a fish, the wise man would still seek a path of escape from it.”
#89
نیابیم بر چرخ گردنده راه
✦
نه بر کار دادار خورشید و ماه
“We can never unravel the secrets of the revolving heavens, nor comprehend the work of the Creator of the sun and moon.”
#90
جهاندار اگر چند کوشد به رنج
✦
بتازد به کین و بنازد به گنج
“Though the ruler of the world strives in hardship, rushes to avenge, and prides himself on treasure,”
#91
همش رفت باید به دیگر سرای
✦
بماند همه کوشش ایدر به جای
“He too must depart for the other abode, leaving all his striving behind in this realm.”
#92
تو از کار کیخسرو اندازه گیر
✦
کهن گشته کار جهان تازه گیر
“Take lesson from the fate of Kay Khosrow, and view anew the ancient workings of the world:”
#93
که کین پدر باز جست از نیا
✦
به شمشیر و هم چاره و کیمیا
“Who sought vengeance for his father from his maternal grandfather, through sword, stratagem, and masterly wisdom.”
#94
نیا را بکشت و خود ایدر نماند
✦
جهان نیز منشور او را نخواند
“He slew his grandfather, yet he himself remained not here; nor did the world read his royal decree forever.”
#95
چنین است رسم سرای سپنج
✦
بدان کوش تا دور مانی ز رنج
“Such is the way of this transient home; strive ever to keep yourself free from sorrow and harm.”