#1
و زآن پس بخوردند چیزی که بود
✦
ز خوردن سوی خواب رفتند زود
“Thereafter, they consumed whatever food remained, and soon after eating, fell into deep slumber.”
#2
هم آنگه برآمد یکی باد و ابر
✦
هوا گشت بر سان چشم هژبر
“In that very moment, a tempest arose with dark clouds, and the sky turned as fierce and gloomy as a raging lion's eye.”
#3
چو برف از زمین بادبان برکشید
✦
نبد نیزهٔ نامداران پدید
“As the snow unfurled its icy sails across the land, even the tall lances of the renown champions were hidden from view.”
#4
یکایک به برف اندرون ماندند
✦
ندانم بدان جای چون ماندند
“One by one, they were buried deep within the snow; none can tell how they endured trapped in that icy grave.”
#5
زمانی تپیدند در زیر برف
✦
یکی چاه شد کنده هر جای ژرف
“For a while they struggled beneath the white shroud, as deep abysses formed in every direction.”
#6
نماند ایچ کس را از ایشان توان
✦
برآمد به فرجام شیرین روان
“Strength deserted every single one of them, until at last their sweet souls departed from their freezing frames.”
#7
همی بود رستم بر آن کوهسار
✦
همان زال و گودرز و چندی سوار
“Meanwhile, Rostam remained upon the mountaintop, together with Zal, Gudarz, and a few accompanying horsemen.”
#8
بدان کوه بودند یکسر سه روز
✦
چهارم چو بفروخت گیتی فروز
“They stayed upon that high mountain for three whole days; on the fourth day, when the sun illuminated the realm...”
#9
بگفتند کاین کار شد با درنگ
✦
چنین چند باشیم بر کوه و سنگ
“They spoke to one another, saying: 'This search has been delayed too long; how long shall we linger amidst these barren rocks?'”
#10
اگر شاه شد از جهان ناپدید
✦
چو باد هوا از میان بردمید
“'If the King has vanished from the world, swept away like a sudden mountain breeze...'”
#11
دگر نامداران کجا رفته‌اند
✦
مگر پند خسرو نپذرفته‌اند
“'Where then have the other champions gone? Did they fail to heed Khosrow's solemn counsel?'”
#12
ببودند یک هفته بر پشت کوه
✦
سر هفته گشتند یکسر ستوه
“For a whole week they tarried upon the ridge, until at week's end they were completely overwhelmed by despair and weariness.”
#13
بدیشان همه زار و گریان شدند
✦
بر آن آتش درد بریان شدند
“They wept bitterly for their lost companions, their hearts roasting upon the burning coals of anguish.”
#14
همی کند گودرز کشواد موی
✦
همی ریخت آب و همی خست روی
“Gudarz, son of Kashvad, tore his hair in agony, shedding bitter tears and scratching his aged cheeks.”
#15
همی گفت گودرز کاین کس ندید
✦
که از تخم کاووس بر من رسید
“Gudarz cried out: 'No mortal has ever endured the agony that Kay Kavus's lineage has brought upon me!'”
#16
نبیره پسر داشتم لشکری
✦
جهاندار و بر هر سری افسری
“'I had sons and grandsons enough to form a mighty army—rulers and chieftains with crowns upon their brows!'”
#17
به کین سیاوش همه کشته شد
✦
همه دوده زیر و زبر گشته شد
“'All were slain in vengeance for Siyavash; my entire noble bloodline has been utterly destroyed and upturned!'”
#18
کنون دیگر از چشم شد ناپدید
✦
که دید این شگفتی که بر من رسید
“'And now the rest have vanished before my eyes! Who has ever witnessed such a tragedy as this which has fallen upon me?'”
#19
سخنهای دیرینه دستان بگفت
✦
که با داد یزدان خرد باد جفت
“Then Dastan (Zal) uttered ancient words of wisdom, saying: 'May human intellect ever be paired with the justice of God.'”
#20
چو از برف پیدا شود راه شاه
✦
مگر بازگردند و یابند راه
“'When the path of the King clears from snow, perhaps the lost warriors will turn back and find their way.'”
#21
نشاید بدین کوه سر بر بدن
✦
خورش نیست ز ایدر بباید شدن
“'We cannot remain atop this frozen mountain peak; we have no food, and we must depart from here.'”
#22
پیاده فرستیم چندی به راه
✦
بیابند روزی نشان سپاه
“'Let us send a few scouts on foot along the trail; perchance one day they will find news of our lost host.'”
#23
برفتند زان کوه گریان به درد
✦
همی هر کسی از کسی یاد کرد
“They departed from that mountain weeping in sorrow, each warrior remembering loved ones who were lost.”
#24
ز فرزند و خویشان وز دوستان
✦
و زآن شاه چون سرو در بوستان
“Remembering children, kin, and beloved companions, and that noble King who was like a tall cypress in the garden.”
#25
جهان را چنین است آیین و دین
✦
نماندست همواره در به گزین
“Such is the way and law of this world: it never abides in constant favor toward the chosen ones.”
#26
یکی را ز خاک سیه برکشد
✦
یکی را ز تخت کیان درکشد
“One it raises up high out of the dark dust, while another it drags down from the royal throne of the Kiani.”
#27
نه ز این شاد باشد نه ز آن دردمند
✦
چنین است رسم سرای گزند
“It rejoices not for the elevated, nor mourns for the fallen; such is the way of this abode of affliction.”
#28
کجا آن یلان و کیان جهان
✦
از اندیشه دل دور کن تا توان
“Where now are those heroes and kings of the earth? Drive such sorrowful thoughts from thy heart as much as thou art able!”