#1
چو کشور ز ضحاک بودی تهی
✦
یکی مایه‌ور بد به سان رهی
“When the realm was left empty of Zahhak, there was a man of great worth acting as his steward.”
#2
که او داشتی گنج و تخت و سرای
✦
شگفتی به دلسوزگی کدخدای
“He held custody of the treasury, throne, and palace, managing the royal household with remarkable devotion.”
#3
ورا کندرو خواندندی بنام
✦
به کندی زدی پیش بیداد گام
“They called him Kondrow by name, for he walked with slow and deliberate steps before injustice.”
#4
به کاخ اندر آمد دوان کندرو
✦
در ایوان یکی تاجور دید نو
“Kondrow came running into the palace and saw a new crown-wearer sitting in the hall.”
#5
نشسته به آرام در پیشگاه
✦
چو سرو بلند از برش گرد ماه
“He sat in tranquil majesty upon the throne, like a tall cypress rising above the full moon.”
#6
ز یک دست سرو سهی شهرناز
✦
به دست دگر ماه‌روی ارنواز
“On one side sat Shahrnaz, grace like a straight cypress, and on the other sat Arnavaz, moon-faced and radiant.”
#7
همه شهر یک‌سر پر از لشکرش
✦
کمربستگان صف زده بر درش
“The entire city was filled with his army, all belt-girt and arrayed in ranks at his gate.”
#8
نه آسیمه گشت و نه پرسید راز
✦
نیایش‌کنان رفت و بردش نماز
“Kondrow neither panicked nor probed the mystery; he stepped forward with praises and offered deep homage.”
#9
بر او آفرین کرد کای شهریار
✦
همیشه بزی تا بود روزگار
“He blessed him, saying: 'O King! May you live forever as long as time endures!'”
#10
خجسته نشست تو با فرهی
✦
که هستی سزاوار شاهنشهی
“'Blessed is your seating with royal glory, for you are truly worthy of supreme kingship.'”
#11
جهان هفت کشور تو را بنده باد
✦
سرت برتر از ابر بارنده باد
“'May the seven climes of the earth be your servant, and may your head rise higher than the rain-bearing clouds!'”
#12
فریدونش فرمود تا رفت پیش
✦
بکرد آشکارا همه راز خویش
“Fereydun commanded him to step forward, whereupon Kondrow disclosed all his inner secrets.”
#13
بفرمود شاه دلاور بدوی
✦
که رو آلت تخت شاهی بجوی
“The brave king commanded him: 'Go and seek out the royal accoutrements of the royal throne!'”
#14
نبیذ آر و رامشگران را بخوان
✦
بپیمای جام و بیارای خوان
“'Bring clear wine, summon the minstrels, fill the goblets, and adorn the banquet table!'”
#15
کسی کاو به رامش سزای من است
✦
به دانش همان دلزدای من است
“'Gather those who are fit for my revelry and whose wisdom can dispel sorrow from my heart.'”
#16
بیار انجمن کن بر تخت من
✦
چنان چون بود در خور بخت من
“'Assemble a noble court before my throne, such as befits my high fortune and destiny.'”
#17
چو بشنید از او این سخن کدخدای
✦
بکرد آنچه گفتش بدو رهنمای
“When the steward heard these words from him, he executed all that his new guide had commanded.”
#18
می روشن آورد و رامشگران
✦
همان در خورش با گهر مهتران
“He brought sparkling wine, musicians, and noble lords adorned with jewels fit for the court.”
#19
فریدون غم افکند و رامش گزید
✦
شبی کرد جشنی چنان چون سزید
“Fereydun cast away sorrow and chose revelry; he held a grand night feast as was truly fitting.”
#20
چو شد رام گیتی دوان کندرو
✦
برون آمد از پیش سالار نو
“When the realm grew quiet, Kondrow ran swiftly and slipped away from the presence of the new ruler.”
#21
نشست از بر بارهٔ راه‌جوی
✦
سوی شاه ضحاک بنهاد روی
“He mounted a swift, road-seeking steed and set out in the direction of King Zahhak.”
#22
بیآمد چو پیش سپهبد رسید
✦
سراسر بگفت آنچه دید و شنید
“When he came before the warlord, he recounted in full everything he had seen and heard.”
#23
بدو گفت کای شاه گردنکشان
✦
به برگشتن کارت آمد نشان
“He said to him: 'O King of the arrogant! Signs have appeared that your fortune has turned!'”
#24
سه مرد سرافراز با لشکری
✦
فراز آمدند از دگر کشوری
“'Three exalted men with a great army have arrived from another country.'”
#25
از آن سه یکی کهتر اندر میان
✦
به بالای سرو و به چهر کیان
“'Of the three, the youngest is in the middle, tall as a cypress and bearing the face of kings.'”
#26
به سال است کهتر فزونیش بیش
✦
از آن مهتران او نهد پای پیش
“'Though younger in years, his greatness is superior; he steps forward ahead of those elders.'”
#27
یکی گُرز دارد چو یک لخت کوه
✦
همی تابد اندر میان گروه
“'He wields a heavy mace like a fragment of a mountain, which shines brightly amidst the throng.'”
#28
به اسپ اندر آمد به ایوان شاه
✦
دو پرمایه با او همیدون براه
“'He rode his horse straight into the King's palace, accompanied by those two noble companions.'”
#29
بیآمد به تخت کئی بر نشست
✦
همه بند و نیرنگ تو کرد پست
“'He came and sat upon the Kayanid throne, shattering all your spells and sorceries into dust.'”
#30
هر آن کس که بود اندر ایوان تو
✦
ز مردان مرد و ز دیوان تو
“'Whoever was present in your palace, whether of brave men or powerful divs—'”
#31
سر از پای یک‌سر فرو ریختشان
✦
همه مغز با خون برآمیختشان
“'He struck off their heads from their feet and mixed all their brains with blood upon the ground!'”
#32
بدو گفت ضحاک شاید بدن
✦
که مهمان بود شاد باید بدن
“Zahhak replied to him: 'It may well be that he is a guest; one must be cheerful toward a guest.'”
#33
چنین داد پاسخ ورا پیشکار
✦
که مهمان ابا گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“The steward answered him: 'A guest who comes wielding a heavy, bull-headed mace?!'”
#34
به مردی نشیند به آرام تو
✦
ز تاج و کمر بسترد نام تو
“'He sits in your place of power with manhood, wiping your name off from crown and girdle!'”
#35
به آیین خویش آورد ناسپاس
✦
چنین گر تو مهمان شناسی شناس
“'He establishes his own customs, ungrateful for yours; if you consider such a one a guest, then so be it!'”
#36
بدو گفت ضحاک چندین منال
✦
که مهمان گستاخ بهتر به فال
“Zahhak said to him: 'Lament not so much; an audacious guest is a omen of better fortune.'”
#37
چنین داد پاسخ بدو کندرو
✦
که آری شنیدم تو پاسخ شنو
“Kondrow answered him: 'Yes, I heard your words; now listen to my response!'”
#38
گر این نامور هست مهمان تو
✦
چه کارستش اندر شبستان تو
“'If this famous conqueror is indeed your guest, what business has he inside your private harem?'”
#39
که با دختران جهاندار جم
✦
نشیند زند رای بر بیش و کم
“'Where he sits with the daughters of the world-ruler Jam, counseling with them on every matter?'”
#40
به یک دست گیرد رخ شهرناز
✦
به دیگر عقیق لب ارنواز
“'With one hand he caresses the cheek of Shahrnaz, and with the other he holds the ruby lip of Arnavaz!'”
#41
شب تیره‌گون خود بتر زین کند
✦
به زیر سر از مشک بالین کند
“'In the dark night he does worse than this: he makes a musky pillow beneath his head out of their hair!'”
#42
چو مشک آن دو گیسوی دو ماه تو
✦
که بودند همواره دلخواه تو
“'Those two musky tresses of your two moon-like lovers, which were ever the desire of your heart!'”
#43
بگیرد به برشان چو شد نیم مست
✦
بدین گونه مهمان نباید به دست
“'He holds them in his embrace when half-intoxicated! Such a guest should not be tolerated!'”
#44
برآشفت ضحاک برسان کرگ
✦
شنید آن سخن کآرزو کرد مرگ
“Zahhak raged like a furious rhinoceros; he heard words that made him long for death.”
#45
به دشنام زشت و به آواز سخت
✦
شگفتی بشورید با شور بخت
“With foul curses and a harsh voice, he flew into a wild fury against his ill-omened steward.”
#46
بدو گفت هرگز تو در خان من
✦
از این پس نباشی نگهبان من
“He said to him: 'Never again within my house shalt thou remain as the guardian of my realm.'”
#47
چنین داد پاسخ ورا پیشکار
✦
که ایدون گمانم من ای شهریار
“Thus did the steward make reply to him: 'I too deem it even so, O sovereign King!'”
#48
کز آن بخت هرگز نباشدت بهر
✦
به من چون دهی کدخدایی شهر
“'For thou shalt have no share of good fortune anymore; how then couldst thou confer on me the stewardship of the city?'”
#49
چو بی‌بهره باشی ز گاه مهی
✦
مرا کارسازندگی چون دهی
“'When thou art deprived of the throne of majesty, how canst thou bestow authority upon me?'”
#50
چرا تو نسازی همی کار خویش
✦
که هرگز نیامدت از این کار پیش
“'Why dost thou not attend to thine own desperate cause? For never before hath such a plight confronted thee.'”
#51
ز تاج بزرگی چو موی از خمیر
✦
برون آمدی مهترا چاره گیر
“'Like a hair drawn from dough, thou art cast out from the crown of grandeur; seek a remedy now, O master!'”
#52
تو را دشمن آمد به گه برنشست
✦
یکی گُرزهٔ گاوپیکر به دست
“'Thine enemy hath come and seated himself upon thy throne, bearing in his hand a bull-headed mace.'”
#53
همه بند و نیرنگت از رنگ برد
✦
دلارام بگرفت و گاهت سپرد
“'He hath stripped all thy spells and sorcery of their power; he hath taken thy beloveds and usurped thy kingdom.'”