#1
چنان بود قیصر بدانگه برای
✦
که چون دختر او رسیدی بجای
“The custom of Caesar in those days was such that when a daughter of his reached maidenhood,”
#2
چو گشتی بلند اختر و جفت جوی
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بدیدی که آمدش هنگام شوی
“When her star rose high and she sought a match, seeing that her time for marriage had arrived,”
#3
یکی گرد کردی به کاخ انجمن
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بزرگان فرزانه و رای زن
“He would gather a great assembly in the palace of wise nobles and counselors,”
#4
هرانکس که بودی مر او را همال
✦
ازان نامدارن برآورده یال
“And all those who were of worthy rank among the renowned, exalted chieftains.”
#5
ز کاخ پدر دختر ماه‌روی
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بگشتی بران انجمن جفت جوی
“From her father's palace, the moon-faced maiden would walk through that gathering, seeking her spouse,”
#6
پرستنده بودی به گرد اندرش
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ز مردم نبودی پدید افسرش
“Surrounded by maidservants, her crown shining distinct above all the crowd.”
#7
پس پردهٔ قیصر آن روزگار
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سه بد دختر اندر جهان نامدار
“Behind Caesar's curtains in those days dwelt three daughters, renowned throughout the world,”
#8
به بالا و دیدار و آهستگی
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به بایستگی هم به شایستگی
“Peerless in stature, beauty, and grace, equally suited and magnificent in virtue.”
#9
یکی بود مهتر کتایون به نام
✦
خردمند و روشن‌دل و شادکام
“The eldest among them was named Katayoun, wise, bright-hearted, and joyful.”
#10
کتایون چنان دید یک شب به خواب
✦
که روشن شدی کشور از آفتاب
“One night, Katayoun beheld a vision in her sleep: the entire realm shone as if illuminated by the sun.”
#11
یکی انجمن مرد پیدا شدی
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از انبوه مردم ثریا شدی
“A vast assembly of men appeared, dense as the constellation of the Pleiades.”
#12
سر انجمن بود بیگانه‌ای
✦
غریبی دل آزار و فرزانه‌ای
“At the head of that gathering stood a stranger—a sorrowful, noble, and wise wanderer.”
#13
به بالای سرو و به دیدار ماه
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نشستنش چون بر سر گاه شاه
“Cypress-tall and fair as the moon, his posture was that of a king sitting upon his throne.”
#14
یکی دسته دادی کتایون بدوی
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وزو بستدی دستهٔ رنگ و بوی
“Katayoun offered him a bouquet of flowers, and received from his hand a garland of sweet scents and colors.”
#15
یکی انجمن کرد قیصر بزرگ
✦
هر آن کس که بودند گرد و سترگ
“The next morn, Caesar summoned a grand assembly of all the mighty heroes and chieftains.”
#16
به شبگیر چون بردمید آفتاب
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سر نامداران برآمد ز خواب
“As the morning sun broke forth and the heads of the illustrious woke from slumber,”
#17
بران انجمن شاد بنشاندند
✦
ازان پس پری‌چهره را خواندند
“They were seated joyfully in the assembly, and the fairy-faced princess was called forth.”
#18
کتایون بشد با پرستار شست
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یکی دسته گل هر یکی را به دست
“Katayoun walked in with sixty handmaidens, each carrying a cluster of blossoms.”
#19
همی گشت چندان کش آمد ستوه
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پسندش نیامد کسی زان گروه
“She paced through the ranks until she grew weary, yet not a single man among them pleased her heart.”
#20
از ایوان سوی پرده بنهاد روی
✦
خرامان و پویان و دل جفت‌جوی
“She turned her face from the hall back toward her chambers, walking gracefully, still yearning for her true match.”
#21
هم آنگه زمین گشت چون پر زاغ
✦
چنین تا سر از کوه بر زد چراغ
“Night descended till the earth grew dark as a raven's wing, until the sun lamp pitched above the mountain crest once more.”
#22
بفرمود قیصر که از کهتران
✦
به روم اندرون مایه‌ور مهتران
“Then Caesar decreed that all men, from the humblest to the most exalted lords of Rum,”
#23
بیارند یکسر به کاخ بلند
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بدان تا که باشد به خوبی پسند
“Should be gathered together at the high palace, so that a fitting choice might yet be made.”
#24
چو آگاهی آمد به هر مهتری
✦
بهر نامداری و کنداوری
“When word reached every chieftain, every renowned warrior and noble hero,”
#25
خردمند مهتر به گشتاسپ گفت
✦
که چندین چه باشی تو اندر نهفت
“The wise host said to Goshtasp: "Why do you remain hidden in shadows like this?”
#26
برو تا مگر تاج و گاه مهی
✦
ببینی دلت گردد از غم تهی
“Go forth, so that you may behold the crowns and majesty of the court, and perhaps your heart will be freed from grief."”
#27
چو بشنید گشتاسپ با او برفت
✦
به ایوان قیصر خرامید تفت
“Hearing this, Goshtasp accompanied him, walking swiftly to Caesar's palace hall.”
#28
به پیغوله‌ای شد فرود از مهان
✦
پر از درد بنشست خسته نهان
“He withdrew into a dark corner, away from the grandees, sitting hidden, weary, and filled with sorrow.”
#29
برفتند بیدار دل بندگان
✦
کتایون و گل رخ پرستندگان
“The vigilant attendants stepped forth again, alongside Katayoun and her rose-cheeked maidens.”
#30
همی گشت بر گرد ایوان خویش
✦
پسش بخردان و پرستار پیش
“She paced around her father's grand palace hall, the wise men following behind her and handmaids preceding her.”
#31
چو از دور گشتاسپ را دید گفت
✦
که آن خواب سر برکشید از نهفت
“When she caught sight of Goshtasp from afar, she exclaimed: "Behold, my dream has emerged from the veil of secrets!"”
#32
بدان مایه‌ور نامدار افسرش
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هم‌آنگه بیاراست خرم سرش
“She straightway placed that precious, glorious flower-crown upon his head, adorning him joyfully.”
#33
چو دستور آموزگار آن بدید
✦
هم اندر زمان پیش قیصر دوید
“When the court advisor and mentor saw this, he ran immediately to Caesar:”
#34
که مردی گزین کرد از انجمن
✦
به بالای سرو سهی در چمن
“"She has chosen a man from the assembly, tall as a upright cypress in a blooming meadow!”
#35
به رخ چون گلستان و با یال و کفت
✦
که هرکش ببیند بماند شگفت
“His face is like a garden, his shoulders and chest so mighty that anyone who beholds him stands amazed!”
#36
بد آنست کو را ندانیم کیست
✦
تو گویی همه فره ایزدیست
“The only trouble is we know not who he is, though he seems filled with the divine Farrah!"”
#37
چنین داد پاسخ که دختر مباد
✦
که از پرده عیب آورد بر نژاد
“Caesar answered in rage: "May a father never have a daughter! She brings disgrace from behind the veil upon our lineage!”
#38
اگر من سپارم بدو دخترم
✦
به ننگ اندرون پست گردد سرم
“If I surrender my daughter to a nobody, my head will bow low in shame.”
#39
هم او را و آنرا که او برگزید
✦
به کاخ اندرون سر بباید برید
“Both she and the man she has chosen must have their heads severed here within this palace!"”
#40
سقف گفت کاین نیست کاری گران
✦
که پیش از تو بودند چندی سران
“The Bishop (Soghof) spoke: "This is not a matter for such harshness! Chieftains ruled before your time.”
#41
تو با دخترت گفتی انباز جوی
✦
نگفتی که رومی سرافراز جوی
“You told your daughter to seek a partner; you did not command her to choose specifically an exalted Roman.”
#42
کنون جست آنرا که آمدش خوش
✦
تو از راه یزدان سرت را مکش
“She has now found the one who pleased her heart; do not turn your head away from the path of Yazdan!”
#43
چنین بود رسم نیاکان تو
✦
سرافراز و دین‌دار و پاکان تو
“Such was the custom of your ancestors—exalted, devout, and pure-hearted.”
#44
به آیین این شد پی افگنده روم
✦
تو راهی مگیر اندر آباد بوم
“Upon this very law the realm of Rum was founded; do not forge an untrodden path in this prosperous land!”
#45
همایون نباشد چنین خود مگوی
✦
به راهی که هرگز نرفتی مپوی
“Such a deed is unblessed; speak not thus, nor tread a path where none have ever walked before!"”