#1
چو برخاست قیصر به گشتاسپ گفت
✦
که پاسخ چرا ماندی در نهفت
“When Caesar arose, he spoke to Goshtasp, saying: 'Why did you leave your answer hidden in secrecy?'”
#2
بدو گفت گشتاسپ من پیش ازین
✦
ببودم بر شاه ایران زمین
“Goshtasp replied to him: 'Before this, I was at the court of the King of the land of Iran.'”
#3
همه لشکر شاه و آن انجمن
✦
همه آگهند از هنرهای من
“'The entire army of the King and that assembly are all fully aware of my martial skills.'”
#4
همان به که من سوی ایشان شوم
✦
بگویم همه گفته‌ها بشنوم
“'It is best that I go to them, speak all that needs to be said, and hear their response.'”
#5
برآرم ازیشان همه کام تو
✦
درفشان کنم در جهان نام تو
“'I shall fulfill every desire of yours through them, and make your name renowned across the world.'”
#6
بدو گفت قیصر تو داناتری
✦
برین آرزو بر تواناتری
“Caesar said to him: 'You are wiser, and fully capable of achieving this desire.'”
#7
چو بشنید گشتاسپ گفتار اوی
✦
نشست از بر بارهٔ راه جوی
“When Goshtasp heard his words, he mounted upon his swift, path-seeking charger.”
#8
بیامد به جای نشست زریر
✦
به سر افسر و بادپایی به زیر
“He came to the quarters of Zarir, with a crown upon his head and a swift steed beneath him.”
#9
چو لشکر بدیدند گشتاسپ را
✦
سرافرازتر پور لهراسپ را
“When the army beheld Goshtasp, the most exalted son of Lohrasp,”
#10
پیاده همه پیش اوی آمدند
✦
پر از درد و پر آب روی آمدند
“They all came before him on foot, filled with emotion and tears flowing down their faces.”
#11
همه پاک بردند پیشش نماز
✦
که کوتاه شد رنجهای دراز
“They all prostrated themselves pure-heartedly before him, for their long hardship had come to an end.”
#12
همانگه چو آمد به پیشش زریر
✦
پیاده ببود و شد از رزم سیر
“At that moment, when Zarir came before him, he dismounted, satiated with battle.”
#13
گرامیش را تنگ در بر گرفت
✦
چو بگشاد لب پرسش اندر گرفت
“He held his beloved brother tightly in his embrace, and as he opened his lips, he began inquiring after him.”
#14
نشستند بر تخت با مهتران
✦
بزرگان ایران و کنداوران
“They sat upon the throne alongside the grandees, the noble men of Iran and the mighty champions.”
#15
زریر خجسته به گشتاسپ گفت
✦
که بادی همه ساله با بخت جفت
“The auspicious Zarir said to Goshtasp: 'May you forever be joined with good fortune!'”
#16
پدر پیر سر شد تو برنادلی
✦
ز دیدار پیران چرا بگسلی
“'Our father has grown aged, while you are young of heart; why do you sever yourself from seeing elders?'”
#17
به پیری ورا بخت خندان شدست
✦
پرستندهٔ پاک یزدان شدست
“'In his old age, fortune has smiled upon him, and he has become a devoted worshipper of pure God.'”
#18
فرستاد نزدیک تو تاج و گنج
✦
سزد گر نداری کنون دل به رنج
“'He has sent the crown and treasure to you; it is fitting now that you no longer keep sorrow in your heart.'”
#19
چنین گفت کایران سراسر تراست
✦
سر تخت با تاج کشور تراست
“'He declared: Iran belongs entirely to you; the head of the throne with the crown of the country is yours.'”
#20
ز گیتی یکی کنج ما را بس است
✦
که تخت مهی را جز از من کس است
“'A single corner of the world is enough for us, for none other than you is suited for the throne of greatness.'”
#21
برادر بیاورد پرمایه تاج
✦
همان یاره و طوق و هم تخت عاج
“The brother brought forth the precious crown, as well as armlets, torque, and the ivory throne.”
#22
چو گشتاسپ تخت پدر دید شاد
✦
نشست از برش تاج بر سر نهاد
“When Goshtasp joyously saw his father's throne, he sat upon it and placed the crown on his head.”
#23
نبیرهٔ جهانجوی کاوس کی
✦
ز گودرزیان هرک بد نیک‌پی
“The descendants of the world-conquering Kay Kavus, and whoever among the house of Goudarz was noble,”
#24
چو بهرام و چون ساوه و ریونیز
✦
کسی کو سرافراز بودند نیز
“Such as Bahram, Saveh, and Rivniz, and all those who held their heads high in honor,”
#25
به شاهی برو آفرین خواندند
✦
ورا شهریار زمین خواندند
“Chanted blessings upon his kingship and hailed him as the sovereign ruler of the Earth.”
#26
ببودند بر پای بسته کمر
✦
هرانکس که بودند پرخاشخر
“All those who were fierce warriors stood bound at the waist in obedience before him.”
#27
چو گشتاسپ دید آن دلارای کام
✦
فرستاد نزدیک قیصر پیام
“When Goshtasp saw that heart-delighting fulfillment, he sent a message to Caesar,”
#28
کز ایران همه کام تو راست گشت
✦
سخنها ز اندازه اندر گذشت
“Saying: 'All your desires from Iran have been fulfilled, and events have exceeded expectations.'”
#29
همی چشم دارد زریر و سپاه
✦
که آیی خرامان بدین رزمگاه
“'Zarir and the army eagerly await for you to come gracefully to this battlefield.'”
#30
همه سربسر با تو پیمان کنند
✦
روان را به مهرت گروگان کنند
“'They will all make a covenant with you, pledging their souls to your affection.'”
#31
گرت رنج ناید خرامی به دشت
✦
که کار زمانه به کام تو گشت
“'If it causes you no trouble, ride out to the plain, for the turn of fate has bent to your desire.'”
#32
فرستاده چون نزد قیصر رسید
✦
به دشت آمد و ساز لشکر بدید
“When the messenger reached Caesar, he came out to the plain and beheld the array of the host.”
#33
چو گشتاسپ را دید بر تخت عاج
✦
نهاده به سر بر ز پیروزه تاج
“When he saw Goshtasp upon the ivory throne, bearing a turquoise crown upon his head,”
#34
بیامد ورا تنگ در برگرفت
✦
سخنهای دیرینه اندر گرفت
“He came and embraced him tightly, and recalled the bygone matters.”
#35
بدانست قیصر که گشتاسپ اوست
✦
فروزندهٔ جان لهراسپ اوست
“Caesar realized that he was indeed Goshtasp, the illuminating soul of Lohrasp.”
#36
فراوانش بستود و بردش نماز
✦
وزانجا سوی تخت رفتند باز
“He praised him greatly and bowed down before him, and from there they returned to the throne.”
#37
ازان کردهٔ خویش پوزش گرفت
✦
بپیچید زان روزگار شگفت
“He apologized for his past deeds, deeply regretful of that wondrous period.”
#38
بپذرفت گفتار او شهریار
✦
سرش را گرفت آنگهی برکنار
“The King accepted his words and embraced him closely.”
#39
بدو گفت چون تیره گردد هوا
✦
فروزیدن شمع باشد روا
“He said to him: 'When the air grows dark, it is proper for a candle to shine.'”
#40
بر ما فرست آنک ما را گزید
✦
که او درد و رنج فراوان کشید
“'Send to us her who chose me, for she has endured abundant pain and hardship.'”
#41
بشد قیصر و رنج و تشویر برد
✦
بسی نیز بر خوی بد برشمرد
“Caesar departed, bearing hardship and shame, and repented for his ill temperament.”
#42
به سوی کتایون فرستاد گنج
✦
یکی افسر و سرخ یاقوت پنج
“He sent treasures to Katayun: a crown and five red rubies,”
#43
غلام و پرستار رومی هزار
✦
یکی طوق پر گوهر شاهوار
“A thousand Roman youths and maidservants, and a torque studded with royal gems,”
#44
ز دینار رومی شتروار پنج
✦
یکی فیلسوفی نگهبان گنج
“Five camel-loads of Roman gold dinars, and a wise philosopher to safeguard the treasure,”
#45
سلیح و درم داد لشکرش را
✦
همان نامداران کشورش را
“Weapons and silver coins he bestowed upon his army, as well as upon the notables of his realm.”
#46
هرانکس که بود او ز تخم بزرگ
✦
وگر تیغ زن نامداری سترگ
“Everyone who was of noble lineage, or a renowned, mighty swordsman,”
#47
بیاراست خلعت سزاوارشان
✦
برافرخت پژمرده بازارشان
“He adorned them with robes of honor worthy of their rank, and revived their faded fortunes.”
#48
از اسپان تازی و برگستوان
✦
ز خفتان وز جامهٔ هندوان
“From Arabian steeds and mail armor, to breastplates and garments of India,”
#49
ز دیبا و دینار و تاج و نگین
✦
ز تخت و ز هرگونه دیبای چین
“Of brocade, gold coins, crowns, and signet rings, of thrones and every manner of Chinese silk,”
#50
فرستاده نزدیک گشتاسپ برد
✦
یکایک به گنجور او برشمرد
“The envoy brought these before Goshtasp, and itemized them all to his treasurer.”
#51
ابا این بسی آفرین گسترید
✦
بران کو زمان و زمین آفرید
“Along with these gifts, he lavished praise upon the Creator of time and earth.”
#52
کتایون چو آمد به نزدیک شاه
✦
غو کوس برخاست از بارگاه
“When Katayun drew near to the king, the thunder of drums echoed from the royal court.”
#53
سپه سوی ایران برفتن گرفت
✦
هوا گرد اسپان نهفتن گرفت
“The host began its march toward Iran, as the dust raised by horses shrouded the sky.”
#54
چو قیصر دو منزل بیامد به راه
✦
عنان تگاور بپیچید شاه
“When the Caesar had traveled two stages upon the road, the king turned his charger's rein.”
#55
به سوگند ازان مرز برگاشتش
✦
به خواهش سوی روم بگذاشتش
“With solemn oaths he turned him back from the border, permitting him with courtesy to return to Rum.”
#56
وزان جایگه شد سوی روم باز
✦
چو گشتاسپ شد سوی راه دراز
“And from that place Caesar returned to Rum, as Goshtasp pressed forward on his long journey.”
#57
همی راند تا سوی ایران رسید
✦
به نزد دلیران و شیران رسید
“He rode until he reached the land of Iran, arriving amongst its lions and valiant heroes.”
#58
چو بشنید لهراسپ کامد زریر
✦
برادرش گشتاسپ آن نره شیر
“When Lohrasp heard that Zarir had returned, bringing his brother Goshtasp, that fierce lion,”
#59
پذیره شدش با همه مهتران
✦
بزرگان ایران و نام‌آوران
“He went forth to welcome him with all his nobles, the great ones of Iran and men of renown.”
#60
چو دید او پسر را به بر درگرفت
✦
ز جور فلک دست بر سر گرفت
“When he beheld his son, he clasped him to his breast, striking his head in awe of Fate's cruelty.”
#61
فرود آمد از باره گشتاسپ زود
✦
بدو آفرین کرد و زاری نمود
“Goshtasp swiftly dismounted from his steed, offered praise to his father, and wept with remorse.”
#62
ز ره چو به ایوان شاهی شدند
✦
چو خورشید در برج ماهی شدند
“Coming off the road, when they entered the royal palace, they shone like the sun in the Pisces constellation.”
#63
بدو گفت لهراسپ کز من مبین
✦
چنین بود رای جهان آفرین
“Lohrasp said to him: "Hold no grudge against me; such was the will of the World-Creator.”
#64
نوشته چنین بد مگر بر سرت
✦
که پردخت ماند ز تو کشورت
“Perhaps it was written upon your destiny that your realm should for a time remain bereft of you."”
#65
بدو شادمان گشت لهراسپ شاه
✦
مر او را نشاند از بر تخت و گاه
“King Lohrasp rejoiced over him and seated him upon the throne and royal seat.”
#66
ببوسید و تاجش به سر بر نهاد
✦
همی آفرین کرد با تاج یاد
“He kissed him, placed the crown upon his head, and recited blessings as he bestowed the royal diadem.”
#67
بدو گفت گشتاسپ کای شهریار
✦
ابی تو مبیناد کس روزگار
“Goshtasp said to him: "O Sovereign! May no one ever behold the world without thee!”
#68
چو مهتر کنی من ترا کهترم
✦
بکوشم که گرد ترا نسپرم
“Though thou makest me king, I remain thy servant; I shall strive never to tread upon thy shadow."”
#69
همه نیک بادا سرانجام تو
✦
مبادا که باشیم بی‌نام تو
“May thy end be blessed in every way, and may we never be bereft of thy glorious name!"”
#70
که گیتی نماند همی بر کسی
✦
چو ماند به تن رنج ماند بسی
“For this world endures not for anyone; when it passes, only toil remains for the body.”
#71
چنین است گیهان ناپایدار
✦
برو تخم بد تا توانی مکار
“Such is this transient world; sow not the seed of evil as long as thou art able.”
#72
همی خواهم از دادگر یک خدای
✦
که چندان بمانم به گیتی به جای
“I pray to the one Just God that I may abide in this world so long...”
#73
که این نامهٔ شهریاران پیش
✦
بپیوندم از خوب گفتار خویش
“That I may weave together this chronicle of ancient kings with my own fair verses.”
#74
ازان پس تن جانور خاک راست
✦
سخن گوی جان معدن پاک راست
“Thereafter, the mortal body belongs to the dust, while the speaking soul belongs to the pure realm above.”