#1
جهاندار ضحاک از آن گفت‌گوی
✦
به جوش آمد و زود بنهاد روی
“Zahhak, ruler of the world, boiled with rage at the news and swiftly set forth.”
#2
چو شب گردش روز پرگار زد
✦
فروزنده را مهره در قار زد
“When night cast its compass over the day, and set the bright sun's piece into pitch-black blackness,”
#3
بفرمود تا برنهادند زین
✦
بر آن بادپایان باریک بین
“He commanded saddles to be strapped upon those keen-sighted, swift steeds.”
#4
بیامد دمان با سپاهی گران
✦
همه نره دیوان جنگاوران
“He arrived furious with a heavy host—all fierce, warlike male demons.”
#5
ز بی‌راه مر کاخ را بام و در
✦
گرفت و به کین اندر آورد سر
“Through secret paths he seized the roof and doors of the palace, his mind set on vengeance.”
#6
سپاه فریدون چو آگه شدند
✦
همه سوی آن راه بی‌ره شدند
“When Fereydun's army became aware, they all surged toward that narrow path.”
#7
ز اسپان جنگی فرو ریختند
✦
در آن جای تنگی برآویختند
“Dismounting from their warhorses, they engaged in fierce combat in that tight space.”
#8
همه بام و در مردم شهر بود
✦
کسی کش ز جنگاوری بهر بود
“Every roof and doorway was filled with townsfolk—anyone who possessed a heart for battle.”
#9
همه در هوای فریدون بدند
✦
که از درد ضحاک پرخون بدند
“They were all in favor of Fereydun, for their hearts bled from the agony caused by Zahhak.”
#10
ز دیوارها خشت وز بام سنگ
✦
به کوی اندرون تیغ و تیر و خدنگ
“Bricks from the walls and stones from the roofs rained down, while swords, arrows, and javelins filled the streets.”
#11
ببارید چون ژاله ز ابر سیاه
✦
پئی را نبد بر زمین جایگاه
“It rained down like hail from a dark cloud, so dense that no foot had a place upon the earth.”
#12
به شهر اندرون هر که برنا بدند
✦
چه پیران که در جنگ دانا بدند
“All the youths in the city, and even the elders skilled in war,”
#13
سوی لشکر آفریدون شدند
✦
ز نیرنگ ضحاک بیرون شدند
“Joined the host of Fereydun, breaking free from the sorcery of Zahhak.”
#14
خروشی برآمد ز آتشکده
✦
که بر تخت اگر شاه باشد دده
“A roar arose from the fire temple: 'Even if a wild beast were seated upon the throne,”
#15
همه پیر و برناش فرمان بریم
✦
یکایک ز گفتار او نگذریم
“'We, old and young, will obey his command and not stray a whit from his word!”
#16
نخواهیم بر گاه ضحاک را
✦
مر آن اژدهادوش ناپاک را
“'We desire no longer Zahhak upon the throne—that impious dragon-shouldered tyrant!'”
#17
سپاهی و شهری به کردار کوه
✦
سراسر به جنگ اندر آمد گروه
“Soldiers and citizens alike, massive as a mountain, entered the conflict in unison.”
#18
از آن شهر روشن یکی تیره گرد
✦
برآمد که خورشید شد لاجورد
“From that bright city a cloud of dark dust arose, such that the bright sun turned lapis blue.”
#19
پس آنگاه ضحاک شد چاره‌جوی
✦
ز لشکر سوی کاخ بنهاد روی
“Then Zahhak sought a remedy; leaving his army, he turned toward the palace.”
#20
به آهن سراسر بپوشید تن
✦
بدان تا نداند کسش ز انجمن
“He covered his body completely in iron so that no one in the assembly might recognize him.”
#21
به چنگ اندرون شست‌یازی کمند
✦
برآمد بر بام کاخ بلند
“Holding a sixty-cubit lasso in his grip, he climbed atop the high palace roof.”
#22
بدید آن سیه نرگس شهرناز
✦
پر از جادویی با فریدون به راز
“There he saw black-eyed Shahrnaz, full of enchantment, sharing secrets with Fereydun.”
#23
دو رخساره روز و دو زلفش چو شب
✦
گشاده به نفرین ضحاک لب
“Her cheeks like bright day and her tresses like night, her lips open in curses upon Zahhak.”
#24
به مغز اندرش آتش رشک خاست
✦
به ایوان کمند اندر افگند راست
“A fire of jealousy flared in his brain; he cast his lasso down into the palace hall.”
#25
نه از تخت یاد و نه جان ارجمند
✦
فرود آمد از بام کاخ بلند
“Mindless of his throne and precious life, he descended from the high palace roof.”
#26
به دست اندرش آبگون دشنه بود
✦
به خون پریچهرگان تشنه بود
“In his hand was a water-tempered dagger, thirsty for the blood of fair-faced maidens.”
#27
ز بالا چو پی بر زمین برنهاد
✦
بیآمد فریدون به کردار باد
“As his feet touched the floor from above, Fereydun swooped down upon him like the wind.”
#28
بر آن گُرزهٔ گاوسر دست برد
✦
بزد بر سرش، ترگ بشکست خرد
“He raised the ox-headed mace and struck him on the head, shattering his helmet into pieces.”
#29
بیآمد سروش خجسته دمان
✦
مزن گفت کاو را نیامد زمان
“Swiftly arrived blessed Sarosh and said: 'Strike not, for his time has not yet come!'”
#30
همیدون شکسته ببندش چو سنگ
✦
ببر تا دو کوه آیدت پیش تنگ
“'Bind him fast like a rock in his broken state, and bear him to the narrow gorge between two mountains.”
#31
به کوه اندرون به بود بند او
✦
نیاید برش خویش و پیوند او
“'Within the mountain is the proper place for his bonds, where neither kin nor bond can reach him.'”
#32
فریدون چو بشنید نآسود دیر
✦
کمندی بیاراست از چرم شیر
“When Fereydun heard this, he delayed no longer; he prepared a lasso of lion's hide.”
#33
به تندی ببستش دو دست و میان
✦
که نگشاید آن بند پیل ژیان
“He bound Zahhak's hands and waist so tightly that even a fierce elephant could not snap those bonds.”
#34
نشست از بر تخت زرین او
✦
بیفگند ناخوب آیین او
“He sat upon Zahhak's golden throne and cast away his evil customs.”
#35
بفرمود کردن به در بر خروش
✦
که هر کس که دارید بیدار هوش
“He commanded a proclamation at the gate: 'O all who possess an awakened mind,”
#36
نباید که باشید با ساز جنگ
✦
نه زین گونه جوید کسی نام و ننگ
“'You must no longer bear the gear of war; none should seek fame and honor in this manner.”
#37
سپاهی نباید که با پیشه‌ور
✦
به یک روی جویند هر دو هنر
“'A soldier and an artisan must not seek the same craft together in one way.”
#38
یکی کارورز و یکی گُرزدار
✦
سزاوار هر کس پدید است کار
“'One is a worker and one a mace-bearer; the task suitable for each is distinct.”
#39
چو این کار آن جوید آن کار این
✦
پرآشوب گردد سراسر زمین
“'If this one seeks that task, and that one seeks this, the entire earth will become filled with turmoil.”
#40
به بند اندر است آن که ناپاک بود
✦
جهان را ز کردار او باک بود
“'The impious one whose deeds terrified the world is now bound in chains.”
#41
شما دیر مانید و خرم بوید
✦
به رامش سوی ورزش خود شوید
“'May you endure long and remain joyous; return in cheer to your own callings.'”
#42
شنیدند یکسر سخنهای شاه
✦
از آن مرد پرهیز با دستگاه
“They all heard the words of the king—that chaste and powerful sovereign.”
#43
وز آن پس همه نامداران شهر
✦
کسی کش بد از تاج وز گنج بهر
“Thereupon, all the notables of the city, whoever possessed a share of crowns and treasures,”
#44
برفتند با رامش و خواسته
✦
همه دل به فرمانش آراسته
“Approached with joy and offerings, their hearts wholly devoted to his command.”
#45
فریدون فرزانه بنواختشان
✦
بر اندازه بر پایگه ساختشان
“The wise Fereydun received them kindly, granting to each a rank according to his station.”
#46
همی پندشان داد و کرد آفرین
✦
همی یاد کرد از جهان‌آفرین
“He imparted counsel to them and offered praise, while reverently invoking the Creator of the World.”
#47
همی گفت کاین جایگاه من است
✦
به نیک اختر بومتان روشن است
“He said, "Though this is my royal seat, your land shines brightly beneath a fortunate star."”
#48
که یزدان پاک از میان گروه
✦
برانگیخت ما را ز البرز کوه
“"For the pure God raised us up from among the people, bringing us forth from Mount Alborz,"”
#49
بدان تا جهان از بد اژدها
✦
به فرمان گُرز من آید رها
“"So that the world might be delivered from the dragon’s evil by the command of my mace."”
#50
چو بخشایش آورد نیکی‌دهش
✦
به نیکی بباید سپردن رهش
“"Since the Bestower of Good has granted His mercy, one must walk His path with righteousness."”
#51
منم کدخدای جهان سر به سر
✦
نشاید نشستن به یک جای بر
“"I am the ruler of the world from end to end; it behoves me not to remain anchored in a single place."”
#52
وگر نه من ایدر همی بودمی
✦
بسی با شما روز پیمودمی
“"Otherwise, I would have tarried here and spent many a day in your company."”
#53
مهان پیش او خاک دادند بوس
✦
ز درگاه برخاست آوای کوس
“The nobles kissed the dust before his feet, as the resonant roar of drums echoed from the palace gate.”
#54
دمادم برون رفت لشکر ز شهر
✦
وز آن شهر نایافته هیچ بهر
“Forthwith the host marched out from the city, having drawn no worldly gain from its riches.”
#55
ببردند ضحاک را بسته خوار
✦
به پشت هیونی برافگنده زار
“They led Zahhak away, bound and humiliated, cast wretchedly upon the back of a riding camel.”
#56
همی راند از این گونه تا شیرخوان
✦
جهان را چو این بشنوی پیر خوان
“Thus he drove him onward unto Shirkhwan—when thou dost hear of this world, call it old and fleeting.”
#57
بسا روزگارا که بر کوه و دشت
✦
گذشته‌ست و بسیار خواهد گذشت
“How many an age has passed over mountain and plain, and how many more shall pass away!”
#58
بر آن گونه ضحاک را بسته سخت
✦
سوی شیرخوان برد بیداربخت
“Bound fast in this manner, the vigilant Fereydun carried Zahhak toward Shirkhwan.”
#59
همی راند او را به کوه اندرون
✦
همی خواست کآرد سرش را نگون
“He led him deep into the mountains, intending to bring his wicked head down in death.”
#60
بیآمد هم آن گه خجسته سروش
✦
به خوبی یکی راز گفتش به گوش
“Thereupon blessed Soroush appeared, softly whispering a divine secret into his ear.”
#61
که این بسته را تا دماوند کوه
✦
ببر همچنان تازیان بی‌گروه
“Saying, "Take this captive unto Mount Damavand, driving him swiftly without a crowd."”
#62
مبر جز کسی را که نگزیردت
✦
به هنگام سختی به بر گیردت
“"Take none with thee save him who is indispensable, who will stand beside thee in times of hardship."”
#63
بیآورد ضحاک را چون نوند
✦
به کوه دماوند کردش به بند
“He brought Zahhak like a swift courser, and bound him fast upon Mount Damavand.”
#64
به کوه اندرون تنگ جایش گزید
✦
نگه کرد غاری بنش ناپدید
“Deep within the mountain he chose a narrow space, discovering a cave whose bottom was lost to sight.”
#65
بیآورد مسمارهای گران
✦
به جایی که مغزش نبود اندران
“He brought heavy iron spikes, driving them in where no brain would be pierced.”
#66
فرو بست دستش بر آن کوه باز
✦
بدان تا بماند به سختی دراز
“He bound his hands upon the mountain wall, so that he might endure long agony.”
#67
ببستش بر آن گونه آویخته
✦
وز او خون دل بر زمین ریخته
“Thus he chained him hanging high, with his heart's blood spilling upon the ground.”
#68
از او نام ضحاک چون خاک شد
✦
جهان از بد او همه پاک شد
“Through him, the name of Zahhak turned to dust, and the world was cleansed of his evil.”
#69
گسسته شد از خویش و پیوند او
✦
بمانده بدان گونه در بند او
“Cut off from his kin and all his ties, he remained trapped forever in those chains.”