#1
همی بود گشتاسپ دل مستمند
✦
خروشان و جوشان ز چرخ بلند
“Goshtasp remained with a heartbroken soul, weeping and boiling against the high heavens.”
#2
نیامد ز گیتیش جز زهر بهر
✦
یکی روستا دید نزدیک شهر
“From the world he had received naught but poison; near the city, he caught sight of a village.”
#3
درخت و گل و آبهای روان
✦
نشستنگه شاد مرد جوان
“There were trees, blossoms, and flowing streams—a place of joyful rest for a youth.”
#4
درختی گشن سایه بر پیش آب
✦
نهان گشته زو چشمهٔ آفتاب
“A tree of thick foliage cast its shade over the water, completely veiling the fountain of the sun.”
#5
بران سایه بنشست مرد جوان
✦
پر از درد پیچان و تیره‌روان
“Beneath that shadow sat the young prince, writhing in anguish with a darkened soul.”
#6
همی گفت کای داور کردگار
✦
غم آمد مرا بهره زین روزگار
“He cried out: 'O Sovereign Creator! Sorrow alone has become my portion from this life!”
#7
نبینم همی اختر خویش بد
✦
ندانم چرا بر سرم بد رسد
“I do not see my star as evil; I know not why such misfortune falls upon my head!'”
#8
یکی نامور زان پسندیده ده
✦
گذر کرد بر وی که او بود مه
“A chieftain from that praised village chanced to pass by, for he was the leader of that place.”
#9
ورا دید با دیدگان پر ز خون
✦
به زیر زنخ دست کرده ستون
“He saw him weeping tears of blood, resting his chin upon his hand.”
#10
بدو گفت کای پاک مرد جوان
✦
چرایی پر از درد و تیره‌روان
“He said to him: 'O pure-hearted youth! Why art thou so full of pain and darkened in spirit?”
#11
اگر آیدت رای ایوان من
✦
بوی شاد یکچند مهمان من
“If it pleases thy mind to come to my dwelling, be my joyful guest for a little while,”
#12
مگر کین غمان بر دلت کم شود
✦
سر تیر مژگانت بی نم شود
“So that perchance these sorrows lighten upon thy heart, and thy weeping eyelashes dry.'”
#13
بدو گفت گشتاسپ کای نامجوی
✦
نژاد تو از کیست با من بگوی
“Goshtasp said to him: 'O noble seeker! Tell me, of what lineage art thou?'”
#14
چنین داد پاسخ ورا کدخدای
✦
کزین پرسش اکنون ترا چیست رای
“The chieftain answered him thus: 'What is thy purpose in asking this question now?”
#15
من از تخم شاه آفریدون گرد
✦
کزان تخمه کس در جهان نیست خرد
“I am of the seed of King Fereydun the Valiant, of whose lineage none is small in this world.'”
#16
چو بشنید گشتاسپ برداشت پای
✦
همی رفت با نامور کدخدای
“When Goshtasp heard this, he arose and walked beside that renowned village chieftain.”
#17
چو آن مهتر آمد سوی خان خویش
✦
به مهمان بیاراست ایوان خویش
“When that noble came to his house, he adorned his hall to welcome his guest.”
#18
بسان برادر همی داشتش
✦
زمانی به ناکام نگذاشتش
“He treated him as a brother and left him not in discomfort for a single moment.”
#19
زمانه برین نیز چندی بگشت
✦
برین کار بر ماهیان برگذشت
“Thus time rolled on for a while, and months passed over this affair.”