#1
بپیچید و نامه بکردش نشان
✦
بدادش بدان هر دو گردنکشان
“He rolled up the letter, sealed it, and handed it to those two proud champions.”
#2
بفرمودشان گفت بخرد بوید
✦
به ایوان او با هم اندر شوید
“He instructed them: 'Be wise and enter his royal palace together.'”
#3
چو او را ببینید بر تخت و گاه
✦
کنید آن زمان خویشتن را دو تاه
“'When you behold him upon the throne and high seat, bow your bodies low before him.'”
#4
بر آیین شاهان نمازش برید
✦
بر تاج و بر تخت او مگذرید
“'Pay homage according to the custom of kings, and do not show disrespect to his crown and throne.'”
#5
چو هر دو نشینید در پیش اوی
✦
سوی تاج تابنده‌ش آرید روی
“'When you both sit before him, turn your faces toward his resplendent crown.'”
#6
گزارید پیغام فرخش را
✦
ازو گوش دارید پاسخش را
“'Deliver the auspicious message to him, and listen carefully to his response.'”
#7
چو پاسخ ازو سر بسر بشنوید
✦
زمین را ببوسید و بیرون شوید
“'Once you have heard his answer in full, kiss the ground and depart.'”
#8
چو از پیش او کینه‌ور بیدرفش
✦
سوی بلخ بامی کشیدش درفش
“Then the vengeful Bidarafsh advanced his banner toward the radiant city of Balkh.”
#9
ابا یار خود خیره سر نام خواست
✦
که او بفگند آن نکو راه راست
“Accompanied by his companion Namkhwast, who in his headstrong folly turned away from the righteous path.”
#10
چو از شهر توران به بلخ آمدند
✦
به درگاه او بر پیاده شدند
“When they arrived in Balkh from the land of Turan, they dismounted at the palace gates.”
#11
پیاده برفتند تا پیش اوی
✦
براین آستانه نهادند روی
“They walked on foot until they reached his presence, placing their faces upon the threshold.”
#12
چو رویش بدیدند بر گاه بر
✦
چو خورشید و تیر از بر ماه بر
“When they saw his face upon the throne, radiant as the Sun and Mercury above the Moon,”
#13
نیایش نمودند چون بندگان
✦
به پیش گزین شاه فرخندگان
“They offered homage like servants before the chosen king of the blessed.”
#14
بدادندش آن نامهٔ خسروی
✦
نوشته درو بر خط یبغوی
“They delivered to him that royal letter, written in the Yabghu script.”
#15
چو شاه جهان نامه را باز کرد
✦
برآشفت و پیچیدن آغاز کرد
“When the Sovereign of the World opened the letter, he flared with rage and began to writhe in anger.”
#16
بخواند آن زمان پیر جاماسپ را
✦
کجا راهبر بود گشتاسپ را
“He summoned old Jamasp, who was the wise guide to King Goshtasp.”
#17
گزینان ایران و اسپهبدان
✦
گوان جهان دیده و موبدان
“He called the elites of Iran, the military commanders, the battle-tested nobles, and the Mobads.”
#18
بخواند آن همه آذران پیش خویش
✦
بیاورد استا و بنهاد پیش
“He called all the fire-priests before him, brought forth the Avesta and set it down.”
#19
پیمبرش را خواند و موبدش را
✦
زریر گزیده سپهبدش را
“He called his prophet, his high priest, and Zarir, his elite army commander.”
#20
زریر سپهبد برادرش بود
✦
که سالار گردان لشکرش بود
“General Zarir was his brother, the commander of his brave warriors.”
#21
جهان پهلوان بود آن روزگار
✦
که کودک بد اسفندیار سوار
“He was the supreme world-champion in those days, while warrior Esfandiyar was still but a child.”
#22
پناه سپه بود و پشت سپاه
✦
سپهدار لشکر نگهدار گاه
“He was the refuge of the host, the pillar of the army, the commander of forces, and guardian of the throne.”
#23
جهان از بدی ویژه او داشتی
✦
به رزم اندرون نیژه او داشتی
“He kept the world clear of evil, and held high his spear in battle.”
#24
جهانجوی گفتا به فرخ زریر
✦
به فرخنده جاماسپ و پور دلیر
“The seeker of the world spoke to blessed Zarir, to auspicious Jamasp, and to his valiant prince:”
#25
که ارجاسپ سالار ترکان چین
✦
یکی نامه کردست زی من چنین
“'Arjasp, ruler of the Turks of China, has written such a letter unto me.'”
#26
بدیشان نمود آن سخنهای زشت
✦
که نزدیک او شاه ترکان نوشت
“He revealed to them those ugly words that the King of the Turks had written to him.”
#27
چه بینید گفتا بدین اندرون
✦
چه گویید کاین را سرانجام چون
“'What do you see in this matter?' he asked. 'What do you say, and what will be the end of this?'”
#28
که ناخوش بود دوستی با کسی
✦
که مایه ندارد ز دانش بسی
“'For it is unpleasant to have friendship with one who lacks substantial wisdom.'”
#29
من از تخمهٔ ایرج پاک زاد
✦
وی از تخمهٔ تور جادو نژاد
“'I am of the seed of pure-born Iraj, while he is of the line of sorcerous Tur.'”
#30
چگونه بود در میان آشتی
✦
ولیکن مرا بود پنداشتی
“'How can there be peace between us? Yet I had imagined otherwise.'”
#31
کسی کَش بود نام و ماند بسی
✦
سخن گفت بایدش با هرکسی
“'He who possesses a great name and lasting legacy must speak thoughtfully with everyone.'”