#1
چنان بد که گودرز کشوادگان
✦
همی رفت با گیو و آزادگان
“It came to pass that Goudarz, son of Kashvad, went forth with Giv and the noble lords.”
#2
گرازان و پویان به نزدیک شاه
✦
به دریا درون کرد چندی نگاه
“Striding proudly and hastening toward the King, he cast several glances into the sea.”
#3
به چشم آمدش هوم با آن کمند
✦
نوان بر لب آب بر مستمند
“His eyes fell upon Hom holding a lasso, trembling and sorrowful on the water's brink.”
#4
همان گونه آب را تیره دید
✦
پرستنده را دیدگان خیره دید
“He saw the water of the sea turned murky, and the worshipper's eyes fixed in amazement.”
#5
به دل گفت کاین مرد پرهیزگار
✦
ز دریای چیچست گیرد شکار
“He said to his heart: 'Can this pious man be hunting in Lake Chichast?'”
#6
نهنگی مگر دم ماهی گرفت
✦
به دیدار از او مانده اندر شگفت
“'Perhaps a crocodile has caught a fish's tail, leaving him spellbound by the sight.'”
#7
بدو گفت کای مرد پرهیزگار
✦
نهانی چه داری بکن آشکار
“He said to him: 'O pious man, reveal what secret you keep hidden!'”
#8
از این آب دریا چه جویی همی
✦
مگر تیره تن را بشویی همی
“'What do you seek from this lake? Or do you seek to wash your dark body?'”
#9
بدو گفت هوم ای سرافراز مرد
✦
نگه کن یکی اندر این کارکرد
“Hom answered him: 'O exalted hero, look closely into this matter!'”
#10
یکی جای دارم بدین تیغ کوه
✦
پرستشگه بنده دور از گروه
“'I have a abode upon this mountain cliff, a sanctuary for a servant far from the crowd.'”
#11
شب تیره بر پیش یزدان بدم
✦
همه شب ز یزدان پرستان بدم
“'In the dark night I was before God; all night long I was among the worshippers of the Almighty.'”
#12
بدان گه که خیزد ز مرغان خروش
✦
یکی ناله زارم آمد به گوش
“'At the hour when birds raise their cries, a mournful lament reached my ear.'”
#13
همانگه گمان برد روشن دلم
✦
که من بیخ کین از جهان بگسلم
“'At once my radiant heart divined that I might root out vengeance from the world.'”
#14
بدین گونه آواز هنگام خواب
✦
نشاید که باشد جز افراسیاب
“'Such a voice at the time of rest could belong to none other than Afrasiab.'”
#15
به جستن گرفتم همه کوه و غار
✦
بدیدم در هنگ آن سوگوار
“'I searched all the mountain and cavern, and found that tragic king in his cave.'”
#16
دو دستش به زنار بستم چو سنگ
✦
بدان سان که خونریز بودش دو چنگ
“'I bound both his hands like stone with my sacred girdle, hands that were steeped in blood.'”
#17
ز کوه اندر آوردمش تازیان
✦
خروشان و نوحه‌زنان چون زنان
“'I brought him down from the mountain under my whip, as he shrieked and wailed like women.'”
#18
ز بس ناله و بانگ و سوگند اوی
✦
یکی سست کردم همی بند اوی
“'From his abundant lamentation, cries, and oaths, I somewhat loosened his bond.'”
#19
بدین جایگه در ز چنگم بجست
✦
دل و جانم از رستن او بخست
“'At this very spot he slipped from my grasp, leaving my heart and soul wounded by his escape.'”
#20
بدین آب چیچست پنهان شدست
✦
بگفتم ترا راست چونان که هست
“'He has hidden within this Lake Chichast; I have told you the truth just as it is.'”
#21
چو گودرز بشنید این داستان
✦
بیاد آمدش گفته راستان
“When Goudarz heard this story, he recalled the words of the truthful ones.”
#22
از آنجا بشد سوی آتشکده
✦
چنانچون بود مردم دلشده
“From there he went toward the fire temple, as hastens one whose heart is inflamed.”
#23
نخستین بر آتش ستایش گرفت
✦
جهان‌آفرین را نیایش گرفت
“First he offered praise unto the Sacred Fire, and adored the Creator of the World.”
#24
بپردخت و بگشاد راز از نهفت
✦
همان دیده بر شهریاران بگفت
“Having finished, he revealed the secret and told the kings what his eyes had witnessed.”
#25
همانگه نشستند شاهان بر اسب
✦
برفتند ز ایوان آذر گشسب
“Instantly the kings mounted their steeds and rode forth from the hall of Azar Goshasp.”
#26
پراندیشه شد زآن سخن شهریار
✦
بیامد به نزدیک پرهیزگار
“The King came near the holy ascetic, his mind filled with deep reflection.”
#27
چو هوم آن سر و تاج شاهان بدید
✦
بر ایشان به داد آفرین گسترید
“When Hom saw the head and crown of the kings, he spread blessings of justice upon them.”
#28
همه شهریاران بر او آفرین
✦
همی خواندند از جهان‌آفرین
“All the monarchs chanted praises upon him in the name of the Creator of the World.”
#29
چنین گفت با هوم کاووس شاه
✦
به یزدان سپاس و بدویم پناه
“Thus spoke King Kavus to Hom: 'Thanks be to God, and in Him is our refuge,'”
#30
که دیدم رخ مرد یزدان‌پرست
✦
توانا و با دانش و زور دست
“'That I have seen the face of a God-fearing man, powerful, knowledgeable, and strong of hand.'”
#31
چنین داد پاسخ پرستنده هوم
✦
که آباد بادا به داد تو بوم
“The worshipper Hom answered: 'May your realm flourish through your justice!'”
#32
بدین شاه نوروز فرخنده باد
✦
دل بدسگالان او کنده باد
“'May this Nowruz be blessed for the King, and may the hearts of his ill-wishers be rooted out!'”
#33
پرستنده بودم بدین کوهسار
✦
که بگذشت بر گنگ دژ شهریار
“'I was a worshipper upon this mountain when the King passed over Gang-Dezh.'”
#34
همی خواستم تا جهان‌آفرین
✦
بدو دارد آباد روی زمین
“'I ever prayed that the World-Creator would keep the face of the earth prosperous through him.'”
#35
چو باز آمد او شاد و خندان شدم
✦
نیایش کنان پیش یزدان شدم
“'When he returned joyful and smiling, I offered praise before the Lord.'”
#36
سروش خجسته شبی ناگهان
✦
بکرد آشکارا به من بر نهان
“'One night, the blessed Sarosh suddenly revealed to me that which was hidden.'”
#37
از این غار بی‌بن برآمد خروش
✦
شنیدم نهادم به آواز گوش
“'From this bottomless cave a shriek arose; I heard it and gave ear to the sound.'”
#38
کسی زار بگریست بر تخت عاج
✦
چه بر کشور و لشکر و تیغ و تاج
“'Someone wept bitterly over the ivory throne, over realm, army, sword, and crown.'”
#39
ز تیغ آمدم سوی آن غار تنگ
✦
کمندی که زنار بودم به چنگ
“'From the cliff I descended into that narrow cave, holding a lasso that served as my girdle.'”
#40
بدیدم سر و گوش افراسیاب
✦
در او ساخته جای آرام و خواب
“'I saw the head and ears of Afrasiab, who had made that place his refuge and sleep.'”
#41
به بند کمندش ببستم چو سنگ
✦
کشیدمش بیچاره زآن جای تنگ
“'I bound him with the lasso like stone and pulled him helpless from that narrow spot.'”
#42
به خواهش بدو سست کردم کمند
✦
چو آمد بر آب بگشاد بند
“'At his pleading I loosened the lasso, but when he reached the water he broke free.'”
#43
به آب اندرست این زمان ناپدید
✦
پی او ز گیتی بباید برید
“'He is now hidden beneath the water; his trace must be severed from the world.'”
#44
ورا گر برد باز گیرد سپهر
✦
بجنبد به گرسیوزش خون و مهر
“'If the heavens take him back, his blood and love for Garsivaz will stir.'”
#45
چو فرمان دهد شهریار بلند
✦
برادرش را پای کرده به بند
“'If the high King commands, let his brother's feet be put in fetters.'”
#46
بیارند بر کتف او خام گاو
✦
بدوزند تا گم کند زور و تاو
“They shall wrap raw cowhide tightly upon his shoulders and stitch it fast, so that he loses all his strength and power.”
#47
چو آواز او یابد افراسیاب
✦
همانا برآید ز دریای آب
“When Afrasiyab catches the sound of his agonizing cries, he will surely emerge from the depths of the sea.”
#48
بفرمود تا روزبانان در
✦
برفتند با تیغ و گیلی سپر
“He commanded the royal guards at the gate to advance with drawn swords and shields of Gilan.”
#49
ببردند گرسیوز شوم را
✦
که آشوب از او بد بر و بوم را
“They led away the ill-omened Garsivaz, he who had brought chaos and misery upon the land.”
#50
به دژخیم فرمود تا برکشید
✦
ز رخ پرده شوم را بردرید
“He ordered the executioner to draw his blade and tear away the veil from that wretched villain's face.”
#51
همی دوخت بر کتف او خام گاو
✦
چنین تا نماندش به تن هیچ تاو
“He stitched the shrinking raw hide upon his shoulders, binding him until no strength remained in his frame.”
#52
بر او پوست بدرید و زنهار خواست
✦
جهان آفرین را همی یار خواست
“His flesh tore beneath the hide and he begged for mercy, crying out to the Creator of the world for help.”
#53
چو بشنید آوازش افراسیاب
✦
پر از درد گریان برآمد ز آب
“When Afrasiyab heard his sorrowful wail, he emerged weeping from the water in bitter pain.”
#54
به دریا همی کرد پای آشناه
✦
بیامد به جایی که بد پایگاه
“He swam through the sea waters until he reached a spot where he could find a foothold.”
#55
ز خشکی چو بانگ برادر شنید
✦
بر او بدتر آمد ز مرگ آنچه دید
“When from dry land he heard his brother's voice, what he beheld was worse to him than death itself.”
#56
چو گرسیوز او را بدید اندر آب
✦
دو دیده پر از خون و دل پر شتاب
“When Garsivaz saw him in the water, his eyes filled with bloody tears and his heart throbbed with anguish.”
#57
فغان کرد کای شهریار جهان
✦
سر نامداران و تاج مهان
“He cried out, 'O Sovereign of the world, chieftain of the renowned, and crown of the great!'”
#58
کجات آن همه رسم و آیین و گاه
✦
کجات آن سر تاج و چندان سپاه
“'Where now are all your royal customs, throne, and pomp? Where is your crowned head and your vast army?'”
#59
کجات آن همه دانش و زور دست
✦
کجات آن بزرگان خسروپرست
“'Where is all your wisdom and powerful arm? Where are those noble lords who worshipped your royal majesty?'”
#60
کجات آن به رزم اندرون فر و نام
✦
کجات آن به بزم اندرون کام و جام
“'Where is your glory and renown in battle? Where is your pleasure and golden cup in the feast?'”
#61
که اکنون به دریا نیاز آمدت
✦
چنین اختر دیرساز آمدت
“'That now you are driven to seek refuge in the sea—such a cruel, ill-omened star has befallen you!'”
#62
چو بشنید بگریست افراسیاب
✦
همی ریخت خونین سرشک اندر آب
“Hearing these laments, Afrasiyab wept bitterly, shedding tears of blood into the waters.”
#63
چنین داد پاسخ که گرد جهان
✦
بگشتم همی آشکار و نهان
“He answered thus: 'I roamed the wide world, both in secret and in the open,'”
#64
کز این بخشش بد مگر بگذرم
✦
ز بد بدتر آمد کنون بر سرم
“'Hoping I might flee this evil destiny; yet now a fate far worse than bad has overtaken me.'”
#65
مرا زندگانی کنون خوار گشت
✦
روانم پر از درد و تیمار گشت
“'Life has now become wretched and vile in my eyes, and my soul is overwhelmed with grief and pain.'”
#66
نبیرهٔ فریدون و پور پشنگ
✦
برآویخته سر به کام نهنگ
“'The scion of Fereydoun and son of Pashang now hangs his head into the jaws of the sea monster!'”
#67
همی پوست درند بر وی به چرم
✦
کسی را نبینم به چشم آب شرم
“'They tear his skin with raw leather, and I see no water of shame in anyone's eye.'”
#68
زبان دو مهتر پر از گفتگوی
✦
روان پرستنده پر جستجوی
“While the tongues of the two leaders overflowed with mournful words, the soul of the holy worshipper was focused on his search.”
#69
چو یزدان پرستنده او را بدید
✦
چنان نوحهٔ زار ایشان شنید
“When the worshipper of God beheld him and heard their wretched lamentation,”
#70
ز راه جزیره برآمد یکی
✦
چو دیدش مر او را ز دور اندکی
“He came forth along the island's path, catching sight of him from a short distance.”
#71
گشاد آن کیانی کمند از میان
✦
دو تایی بیامد چو شیر ژیان
“He unfastened his royal lasso from his waist and advanced swiftly like a raging lion.”
#72
بینداخت آن گرد کرده کمند
✦
سر شهریار اندر آمد به بند
“He cast that coiled lasso, and the monarch's head was trapped within the snare.”
#73
به خشکی کشیدش ز دریای آب
✦
بشد توش و هوش از رد افراسیاب
“He dragged him to dry land out of the sea; all strength and senses departed from noble Afrasiyab.”
#74
گرفته ورا مرد دین‌دار دست
✦
به خواری ز دریا کشید و ببست
“The devout man seized his hands, pulled him ignominiously from the waters, and bound him tight.”
#75
سپردش بدیشان و خود بازگشت
✦
تو گفتی که با باد انباز گشت
“He delivered him into their hands and turned back; you would say he had become a companion to the wind.”