#1
جهاندار شد پیش برتر خدای
✦
همی خواست تا باشدش رهنمای
“The ruler of the world stood before the Supreme God, seeking only that He might be his guide.”
#2
همی گفت کای کردگار سپهر
✦
فروزندهٔ نیکی و داد و مهر
“He prayed, 'O Creator of the heavens, Illuminator of goodness, justice, and love!”
#3
از این شهریاری مرا سود نیست
✦
گر از من خداوند خشنود نیست
“This sovereignty brings me no gain if the Lord is not well pleased with me.”
#4
ز من نیکوی گر پذیرفت و زشت
✦
نشستن مرا جای ده در بهشت
“Whether He has accepted my deeds as good or evil, grant me an abode in Paradise.'”
#5
چنین پنج هفته خروشان به پای
✦
همی بود بر پیش گیهان خدای
“For five full weeks he remained standing in tearful prayer before the Lord of the world.”
#6
شب تیره از رنج نغنود شاه
✦
بدانگه که برزد سر از برج ماه
“Through the dark night the King did not slumber from his anguish, until the moon arose from its constellation.”
#7
بخفت او و روشن روانش نخفت
✦
که اندر جهان با خرد بود جفت
“He finally fell asleep, yet his luminous soul slept not, for in this world it was partnered with wisdom.”
#8
چنان دید در خواب کاو را به گوش
✦
نهفته بگفتی خجسته سروش
“In his dream he saw that blessed Soroush secretly spoke into his ear,”
#9
که ای شاه نیک‌اختر و نیک‌بخت
✦
بسودی بسی یاره و تاج و تخت
“Saying, 'O fortunate and blessed King, long have you worn the royal armlet, crown, and throne.”
#10
اگر ز این جهان تیز بشتافتی
✦
کنون آنچه جستی همه یافتی
“If you hasten swiftly from this world, you have now attained all that you sought.”
#11
به همسیایگی داور پاک جای
✦
بیابی بدین تیرگی در مپای
“You shall find a abode in the neighborhood of the Pure Judge; tarry no longer in this darkness.”
#12
چو بخشی به ارزانیان بخش گنج
✦
کسی را سپار این سرای سپنج
“When you distribute your treasures, give them to the worthy, and hand over this transient inn to another.”
#13
توانگر شوی گر تو درویش را
✦
کنی شادمان مردم خویش را
“You shall become truly rich if you make the needy and your own people joyful.”
#14
کسی گردد ایمن ز چنگ بلا
✦
که یابد رها ز این دم اژدها
“Only he becomes safe from the clutch of calamity who finds deliverance from the breath of this dragon world.”
#15
هرآنکس که از بهر تو رنج برد
✦
چنان دان که آن از پی گنج برد
“Whoever has borne pain for your sake, know that he bore it in expectation of treasure; reward him.”
#16
چو بخشی به ارزانیان بخش چیز
✦
که ایدر نمانی تو بسیار نیز
“Bestow wealth upon the deserving, for you shall not remain here much longer.”
#17
سر تخت را پادشاهی گزین
✦
که ایمن بود مور از او بر زمین
“For the head of the throne choose a monarch under whose rule even an ant on the earth would dwell in safety.”
#18
چو گیتی ببخشی میاسای هیچ
✦
که آمد ترا روزگار بسیچ
“Once you have divided the world, rest not at all, for the time of your departure has arrived.'”
#19
چو بیدار شد رنج دیده ز خواب
✦
ز خوی دید جای پرستش پر آب
“When the afflicted King awoke from his sleep, he saw his place of worship soaked with sweat.”
#20
همی بود گریان و رخ بر زمین
✦
همی خواند بر کردگار آفرین
“He remained weeping with his face upon the ground, pouring praises upon the Creator.”
#21
همی گفت گر تیز بشتافتم
✦
ز یزدان همه کام دل یافتم
“He said, 'If I hurry swiftly now, I have received all my heart's desire from God.'”
#22
بیامد بر تخت شاهی نشست
✦
یکی جامهٔ نابسوده به دست
“He came and sat upon the royal throne, holding an unsewn, simple garment in his hand.”
#23
بپوشید و بنشست بر تخت عاج
✦
جهاندار بی‌یاره و گرز و تاج
“He clothed himself in it and sat upon the ivory throne—the ruler of the world, without armlets, mace, or crown.”