#1
طلسمی که ضحاک سازیده بود
✦
سرش به آسمان بر فرازیده بود
“The magic talisman that Zahhak had forged, its head reached high into the heavens.”
#2
فریدون ز بالا فرود آورید
✦
که آن جز به نام جهاندار دید
“Fereydun brought it down from on high, seeing that it could be shattered only in the name of the Sovereign of the World.”
#3
و زآن جادوان کاندر ایوان بدند
✦
همه نامور نرّه دیوان بدند
“And as for the sorcerers who were in the hall, all of them renowned and mighty demon-men,”
#4
سرانشان به گُرز گران کرد پست
✦
نشست از بر گاه جادوپرست
“He crushed their heads with his heavy mace, and took his seat upon the throne of the demon-worshipper.”
#5
نهاد از بر تخت ضحاک پای
✦
کلاه کئی جست و بگرفت جای
“He set his foot upon the throne of Zahhak, sought the crown of kingship, and claimed his place.”
#6
برون آورید از شبستان اوی
✦
بتان سیه‌موی و خورشید‌روی
“He brought forth from Zahhak's harem the sun-faced, dark-haired beauties.”
#7
بفرمود شستن سرانشان نخست
✦
روانشان از آن تیرگی‌ها بشست
“He first commanded that their heads be washed, and cleansed their souls from those dark sorceries.”
#8
ره داور پاک بنمودشان
✦
ز آلودگی پس بپالودشان
“He showed them the path of the Holy Judge, and purified them from all contamination.”
#9
که پروردهٔ بت‌پرستان بدند
✦
سرآسیمه بر سان مستان بدند
“For they had been reared among idol-worshippers, bewildered and dazed as though intoxicated.”
#10
پس آن دختران جهاندار جم
✦
به نرگس گل سرخ را داده نم
“Then those daughters of King Jamshid, moistening the roses of their cheeks with tear-dew from their narcissus eyes,”
#11
گشادند بر آفریدون سخن
✦
که تو باش تا هست گیتی کهن
“Opened their lips in speech to Fereydun, saying: 'Mayest thou endure so long as the ancient world endures!”
#12
چه اختر بد این از تو ای نیک‌بخت؟
✦
چه باری؟ ز شاخ کدامین درخت؟
“What star brought thee hither, O blest of fortune? What fruit art thou, and from the branch of which tree?”
#13
که ایدون به بالین شیر آمدی
✦
ستمکاره مرد دلیر آمدی
“That thou hast come thus unto the lair of the lion—a bold hero confronting the oppressor!”
#14
چه مایه جهان گشت بر ما به بد
✦
ز کردار این جادوی بی‌خرد
“How grievously has the world turned to evil for us through the deeds of this foolish sorcerer!”
#15
ندیدیم کس کاین چنین زهره داشت
✦
بدین پایگه از هنر بهره داشت
“Never have we seen anyone possessed of such courage, or blessed with such virtue and prowess at this height,”
#16
کش اندیشهٔ گاه او آمدی
✦
و گرش آرزو جاه او آمدی
“That he should conceive the thought of his throne, or harbor a desire for his high station.'”
#17
چنین داد پاسخ فریدون که تخت
✦
نماند به کس جاودانه نه بخت
“Fereydun thus answered them: 'Neither throne nor fortune remains forever to any man.”
#18
منم پور آن نیک‌بخت آبتین
✦
که بگرفت ضحاک ز ایران زمین
“I am the son of noble Abtin, whom Zahhak seized from the land of Iran,”
#19
بکشتش به زاریّ و من کینه جوی
✦
نهادم سوی تخت ضحاک روی
“And cruelly slew him; and I, seeking vengeance, have turned my face toward Zahhak’s throne.”
#20
همان گاو برمایه که‌م دایه بود
✦
ز پیکر تنش همچو پیرایه بود
“Likewise for the cow Barmayeh who was my nurse, whose body shone like a radiant ornament,”
#21
ز خون چنان بی‌زبان چارپای
✦
چه آمد بر آن مرد ناپاک‌رای
“For spilling the blood of that harmless beast, what doom shall now befall that villainous man!”
#22
کمر بسته‌ام لاجرم جنگجوی
✦
از ایران به کین اندر آورده روی
“Therefore, warlike, I have girded my loins and marched from Iran seeking revenge.”
#23
سرش را بدین گُرزهٔ گاو چهر
✦
بکوبم، نه بخشایش آرم نه مهر
“With this ox-headed mace I shall shatter his head, showing him neither mercy nor compassion!'”
#24
چو بشنید از او این سخن ارنواز
✦
گشاده شدش بر دل پاک راز
“When Arnavaz heard these words from him, the secret burden was lifted from her pure heart.”
#25
بدو گفت شاه آفریدون تویی
✦
که ویران کنی تنبل و جادویی
“She said to him: 'Thou art King Fereydun, destined to destroy deceit and sorcery!”
#26
کجا هوش ضحاک بر دست تست
✦
گشاد جهان بر کمربست تست
“For the death of Zahhak lies in thy hand, and the liberation of the world is bound to thy belt!”
#27
ز تخم کیان ما دو پوشیده پاک
✦
شده رام با او ز بیم هلاک
“We two chaste maidens of the royal line of Kians became submissive to him only from fear of death.”
#28
همی جفتمان خواند او جفت مار
✦
چگونه توان بودن ای شهریار
“He called us his brides and the mates of his serpents; how could any human endure such a fate, O King?'”
#29
فریدون چنین پاسخ آورد باز
✦
که گر چرخ دادم دهد از فراز
“Fereydun gave answer once more: 'If the turning heavens grant me justice from above,”
#30
ببرّم پی اژدها را ز خاک
✦
بشویم جهان را ز ناپاک پاک
“I shall sever the dragon's footprint from the earth, and cleanse the world completely of all evil!”
#31
بباید شما را کنون گفت راست
✦
که آن بی‌بها اژدهافش کجاست
“Now ye must tell me the truth: where has that worthless dragon-like creature gone?'”
#32
بر او خوب‌رویان گشادند راز
✦
مگر کاژدها را سر آید به گاز
“Thereupon the fair maidens revealed the secret to him, hoping that the dragon's head might be brought to the shears.”
#33
بگفتند کاو سوی هندوستان
✦
بشد تا کند بند جادوستان
“They said: 'He hath gone toward Hindustan, to weave sorcerous spells and incantations.”
#34
ببرّد سر بی‌گناهان هزار
✦
هراسان شده‌ست از بد روزگار
“He slaughters the heads of a thousand innocents, for he hath become terrified of evil fate.”
#35
کجا گفته بودش یکی پیشبین
✦
که پردختگی گردد از تو زمین
“For a seer had foretold unto him: "The earth shall be emptied of thy rule!”
#36
که آید که گیرد سر تخت تو
✦
چگونه فرو پژمرد بخت تو
“Who it is that shall come to take thy throne, and how thy fortune shall wither away."”
#37
دلش زآن زده فال پر آتش است
✦
همه زندگانی بر او ناخوش است
“Because of that fiery omen, his heart burns; all life hath become bitter and unpleasant unto him.”
#38
همی خون دام و دد و مرد و زن
✦
بریزد کند در یکی آبدن
“He spills the blood of beasts, wild creatures, men, and women alike, filling a pool therewith,”
#39
مگر کاو سر و تن بشوید به خون
✦
شود فال اخترشناسان نگون
“Hoping to wash his head and body in blood, that the omen of the astrologers might be overturned!”
#40
همان نیز از آن مارها بر دو کفت
✦
به رنج دراز است مانده شگفت
“Likewise, because of those serpents upon his shoulders, he remains in wondrous, endless agony.”
#41
از این کشور آید به دیگر شود
✦
ز رنج دو مار سیه نغنود
“He wanders from one realm to another; he finds no rest from the torment of those two black snakes.”
#42
بیامد کنون گاه بازآمدنش
✦
که جایی نباید فراوان بدنش
“Now the hour of his return has arrived, for he cannot tarry long in any single place.'”
#43
گشاد آن نگار جگر خسته راز
✦
نهاده بدو گوش گردن‌فراز
“Thus that heart-stricken beauty revealed the secret, while the exalted prince listened attentively.”