#1
همی رفت گشتاسپ پرتاب و خشم
✦
دلی پر ز کین و پر از آب چشم
“Goshtasp departed in haste and fury, his heart heavy with malice and his eyes brimmed with tears.”
#2
همی تاخت تا پیش کابل رسید
✦
درخت و گل و سبزه و آب دید
“He rode hard until he reached the bounds of Kabul, where he beheld lush trees, blooming flowers, and flowing waters.”
#3
بدان جای خرم فرود آمدند
✦
ببودند یک روز و دم بر زدند
“They dismounted in that pleasant haven, dwelling there for a day to rest and draw breath.”
#4
همه کوهسارانش نخچیر بود
✦
به جوی آبها چون می و شیر بود
“All its mountain slopes were rich with game, and its running streams were pure as milk and wine.”
#5
شب تیره می خواست از میگسار
✦
ببردند شمع از بر جویبار
“As dark night fell, he called for the wine-bearer, and tapers were lit alongside the streaming brook.”
#6
چو بفروخت از کوه گیتی فروز
✦
برفتند ازآن بیشه با باز و یوز
“When the world-illuming sun flared above the mountains, they set out from the grove with falcons and hunting leopards.”
#7
همی تاخت اسپ از پی او زریر
✦
زمانی به جایی نیاسود دیر
“Meanwhile Zarir spurred his steed in pursuit, never resting anywhere for even a fleeting moment.”
#8
چو آواز اسپان برآمد ز راه
✦
برفتند گردان ز نخچیرگاه
“When the thunder of approaching horses echoed along the path, the brave warriors rode back from the hunting grounds.”
#9
چو بنهاد گشتاسپ گوش اندر آن
✦
چنین گفت با نامور مهتران
“As Goshtasp bent his ear to the sound, he turned and spoke thus to his renowned chieftains:”
#10
که این جز به آواز اسپ زریر
✦
نماند که او راست آواز شیر
“"This sound can be none other than Zarir's horse, for his steed roars with the might of a lion.”
#11
نه تنها بیامد گر او آمدست
✦
که با لشکری جنگجو آمدست
“He comes not alone if indeed he has arrived, but rides accompanied by a battle-eager host."”
#12
هنوز اندرین بد که گردی بنفش
✦
پدید آمد و پیل پیکر درفش
“Even as he spoke, a cloud of violet dust arose, and an elephant-emblazoned banner appeared.”
#13
زریر سپهبد به پیش سپاه
✦
چو باد دمان اندر آمد ز راه
“Commander Zarir rode at the head of the host, sweeping in swift as a roaring wind.”
#14
چو گشتاسپ را دید گریان برفت
✦
پیاده بدو روی بنهاد تفت
“When he beheld Goshtasp, he rushed toward him on foot weeping, filled with deep emotion.”
#15
جهان‌آفرین را ستایش گرفت
✦
به پیش برادر نیایش گرفت
“He offered praises to the Creator of the World, and bowed down in reverent love before his brother.”
#16
گرفتند مر یکدگر را کنار
✦
نشستند شادان در آن مرغزار
“They clasped one another in embrace and sat down joyfully in that lush meadow.”
#17
ز لشکر هر آنکس که بد پیشرو
✦
ورا خواندی شاه گشتاسپ گو
“Whosoever among the host was a leader and champion, Prince Goshtasp summoned to his side.”
#18
بخواندند و نزدیک بنشاندند
✦
ز هر جایگاهی سخن راندند
“They invited them to sit close by, and spoke of matters touching every land.”
#19
چنین گفت زیشان یکی نامور
✦
به گشتاسپ کای گرد زرین کمر
“Then spoke a famous warrior among them to Goshtasp: "O golden-girdled champion,”
#20
ستاره‌شناسان ایران گروه
✦
هرانکس که دانیم دانش پژوه
“The astrologers of Iran, every man of learning whom we know,”
#21
به اخترت گویند کیخسروی
✦
به شاهی به تخت مهی بر شوی
“Declare that thy horoscope matches Kay Khosrow's, destined for sovereign monarchy and high dominion.”
#22
کنون افسر شاه هندوستان
✦
بپوشی نباشیم همداستان
“Shouldst thou now wear the crown of the King of Hindustan, we shall not stand in agreement with thee.”
#23
ازیشان کسی نیست یزدان پرست
✦
یکی هم ندارند با شاه دست
“None among them worships God, nor can any match hands with our Shah.”
#24
نگر تا پسند آید اندر خرد
✦
کجا رای را شاه فرمان برد
“Consider well what wisdom approves, for a king must govern by sound judgment.”
#25
ترا از پدر سربسر نیکویست
✦
ندانم که آزردن از بهر چیست
“Thou hast received total goodness from thy father; I know not why this grievance burns within thee."”
#26
بدو گفت گشتاسپ کای نامجوی
✦
ندارم به پیش پدر آبروی
“Goshtasp answered him: "O noble seeker of renown! I possess no honor in my father's sight.”
#27
به کاوسیان خواهد او نیکوی
✦
بزرگی و هم افسر خسروی
“He desires every honor for the Kavian house—all grandeur and the royal diadem for them.”
#28
اگر تاج ایران سپارد به من
✦
پرستش کنم چون بتان را شمن
“If he entrusts the crown of Iran to me, I shall serve him as idolaters worship their idols.”
#29
وگرنه نباشم به درگاه اوی
✦
ندارم دل روشن از ماه اوی
“Otherwise I shall not abide at his court, nor is my heart bright beneath his moon.”
#30
به جایی شوم کم نیابند نیز
✦
به لهراسپ مانم همه مرز و چیز
“I shall go to a place where none can find me, leaving all lands and treasures to Lohrasp."”
#31
بگفت این و برگشت زان مرغزار
✦
بیامد بر نامور شهریار
“Spaking thus, he turned away from that meadow and journeyed back toward the noble King.”
#32
چو بشنید لهراسپ با مهتران
✦
پذیره شدش با سپاهی گران
“When Lohrasp heard of his return, he rode out with his nobles and a grand army to welcome him.”
#33
جهانجوی روی پدر دید باز
✦
فرود آمد از باره بردش نماز
“When the world-seeking prince beheld his father's face, he dismounted from his steed and bowed down in homage.”
#34
ورا تنگ لهراسپ در برگرفت
✦
بدان پوزش آرایش اندر گرفت
“Lohrasp embraced him tightly, adorning his welcome with gracious apologies:”
#35
که تاج تو تاج سر ماه باد
✦
ز تو دیو را دست کوتاه باد
“"May thy crown be the crown upon the moon's head! Through thee, may the hand of demons be cut short!”
#36
که هرگز نیاموزدت راه بد
✦
چو دستور بد بر در شاه بد
“May no evil counsel ever teach thee wrong, like an evil minister at a king's court.”
#37
ز شاهی مرا نام تاجست و تخت
✦
ترا مهر و فرمان و پیمان و بخت
“From kingship, mine is but the name of throne and crown; to thee belong love, command, covenant, and fortune!"”
#38
ورا گفت گشتاسپ کای شهریار
✦
منم بر درت بر یکی پیشکار
“Goshtasp answered him: "O Sovereign! I am but a humble servant at thy gate.”
#39
اگر کم کنی جاه فرمان کنم
✦
به پیمان روان را گروگان کنم
“Shouldst thou lessen my rank, I shall still obey thy command and pledge my soul to thy covenant."”
#40
بزرگان برفتند با او به راه
✦
گرازان و پویان به ایوان شاه
“The nobles accompanied them along the road, proudly marching toward the royal palace.”
#41
بیاراست ایوان گوهرنگار
✦
نهادند خوان و می خوشگوار
“They adorned the jewel-embroidered palace, laying out rich tables and savory wine.”
#42
یکی جشن کردند کز چرخ ماه
✦
ستاره ببارید بر جشنگاه
“They held a celebration so splendid that stars seemed to shower from the lunar sphere upon the festivity.”
#43
چنان بد ز مستی که هر مهتری
✦
برفتند بر سر ز زر افسری
“Such was the merry drunkenness that every chieftain wore a golden crown upon his head.”
#44
به کاوسیان بود لهراسپ شاد
✦
همیشه ز کیخسروش بود یاد
“Yet Lohrasp's heart remained glad in the Kavians, and his memory forever lingered upon Kay Khosrow.”
#45
همی ریخت زان درد گشتاسپ خون
✦
همی گفت هرگونه با رهنمون
“Goshtasp shed bloody tears from that sorrow, conferring in secrecy with his confidants.”
#46
همی گفت هرچند کوشم به رای
✦
نیارم همی چارهٔ این به جای
“He pondered deeply, saying, "However much I strive in thought and counsel, I cannot find a fitting remedy for this plight."”
#47
اگر با سواران شوم مهتری
✦
فرستد پسم نیز با لشکری
“"If I depart as a leader with a band of horsemen, he will surely send a whole army in pursuit of me."”
#48
به چاره ز ره بازگرداندم
✦
بسی خواهش و پندها راندم
“"Through clever schemes he will turn me back from the road, pouring out endless entreaties and admonitions."”
#49
چو تنها شوم ننگ دارم همی
✦
ز لهراسپ دل تنگ دارم همی
“"Though I feel shame to journey utterly alone, my heart remains bitterly aggrieved by Lohrasp."”
#50
دل او به کاوسیانست شاد
✦
نیاید گذر مهر او بر نژاد
“"His heart rejoices only in the royal legacy of Kay Kavus; no trace of fatherly love reaches his own kin."”
#51
چو یک تن بود کم کند خواستار
✦
چه داند که من چون شدم شهریار
“"When I am just a single traveler, he will seek me less; how could he know that I shall yet become a sovereign king?"”