#1
یکی روز بنشست کی شهریار
✦
به رامش بخورد او می خوش‌گوار
“One day the Kayanid monarch sat in joy, savoring delicious wine in delight.”
#2
یکی سرکشی بود نامش گُرَزم
✦
گوی نامجو آزموده به رزم
“There was a proud noble named Gorazm, a fame-seeking warrior proven in battle.”
#3
به دل کین همی داشت ز اسفندیار
✦
ندانم چه شان بود از آغاز کار
“He harbored malice in his heart against Esfandiyar, though I know not what transpired between them at first.”
#4
به هر جای کاواز او آمدی
✦
ازو زشت گفتی و طعنه زدی
“Wherever Esfandiyar's name was mentioned, Gorazm would speak ill of him and cast taunts.”
#5
نشسته بد او پیش فرخنده شاه
✦
رخ از درد زرد و دل از کین تباه
“He sat before the blessed king, his face pale with anguish and his heart ruined by rancor.”
#6
فراز آمد از شاهزاده سخن
✦
نگر تا چه بد آهو افگند بن
“The conversation turned toward the prince; behold how Gorazm sowed the seeds of evil.”
#7
هوازی یکی دست بر دست زد
✦
چو دشمن بود گفت فرزند بد
“Cunningly he clapped his hands together and said: 'When a son is wicked, he is an enemy.'”
#8
فرازش نباید کشیدن به پیش
✦
چنین گفت آن موبد راست کیش
“'He should not be raised to high prominence; thus spoke that righteous-minded priest—'”
#9
که چون پور با سهم و مهتر شود
✦
ازو باب را روز بتر شود
“'For when a son grows mighty and formidable, his father's days turn to bitter woe.'”
#10
رهی کز خداوند سر برکشید
✦
از اندازه‌اش سر بباید برید
“'A subject who rebels against his master must have his head severed beyond measure.'”
#11
چو از رازدار این شنیدم نخست
✦
نیامد مرا این گمانی درست
“'When I first heard this from a confidant, I did not think this suspicion was true.'”
#12
جهانجوی گفت این سخن چیست باز
✦
خداوند این راز که وین چه راز
“The world-conquering monarch said: 'What talk is this? Who holds this secret, and what is it?'”
#13
کیان شاه را گفت کای راست گوی
✦
چنین راز گفتن کنون نیست روی
“Gorazm said to the Kayanid king: 'O truthful ruler, it is not fitting to reveal such a secret right now.'”
#14
سر شهریاران تهی کرد جای
✦
فریبنده را گفت نزد من آی
“The sovereign cleared the hall of all nobles and commanded the deceiver, 'Come close to me.'”
#15
بگوی این همه سر بسر پیش من
✦
نهان چیست زان اژدها کیش من
“'Tell me everything completely; what is hidden from me by that dragon-natured son?'”
#16
گُرَزم بد آهوش گفت از خرد
✦
نباید جز آن چیز کاندر خورد
“Evil-flawed Gorazm said: 'Out of wisdom, one should only speak what is fitting.'”
#17
مرا شاه کرد از جهان بی‌نیاز
✦
سزد گر ندارم بد از شاه باز
“'The king has made me independent of the world; it is fitting that I withhold no warning from him.'”
#18
ندارم من از شاه خود باز پند
✦
وگرچه مر او را نیاید پسند
“'I shall not hold back good counsel from my king, even though it may not please his heart.'”
#19
که گر راز گویمش و او نشنود
✦
به از راز کردنش پنهان شود
“'For if I reveal the secret and he heeds it not, it is still better than keeping it concealed.'”
#20
بدان ای شهنشاه کاسفندیار
✦
بسیچد همی رزم را روی کار
“'Know this, O King of kings: Esfandiyar is openly preparing for war!'”
#21
بسی لشکر آمد به نزدیک اوی
✦
جهانی سوی او نهادست روی
“'A vast host has assembled near him, and the entire world is turning toward his cause.'”
#22
بر آنست اکنون که بندد ترا
✦
به شاهی همی بد پسندد ترا
“'He intends now to put you in chains; he harbors evil intent against your royal throne!'”
#23
تراگر به دست آورید و ببست
✦
کند مر جهان را همه زیردست
“'If he captures and binds you, he will bring the entire world beneath his sway.'”
#24
تو دانی که آنست اسفندیار
✦
که اورا به رزم اندرون نیست یار
“'You know well what manner of hero Esfandiyar is; he has no equal in battle!'”
#25
چنو حلقه کرد آن کمند بتاب
✦
پذیره نیارد شدن آفتاب
“'When he coils that twisted lasso, even the sun dare not come forth against him!'”
#26
کنون از شنیده بگفتمت راست
✦
تو به دان کنون رای و فرمان تراست
“'Now I have told you truly what I heard; you know best now, and yours is the command.'”
#27
چو با شاه ایران گُرَزم این براند
✦
گو نامبردار خیره بماند
“When Gorazm spoke thus to the King of Iran, that famous champion was left utterly amazed.”
#28
چنین گفت هرگز که دید این شگفت
✦
دژم گشت وز پور کینه گرفت
“He said: 'Who has ever seen such a wonder?' He grew dark-visaged and filled with hatred for his son.”
#29
نخورد ایچ می نیز و رامش نکرد
✦
ابی بزم بنشست با باد سرد
“He drank wine no more nor engaged in revelry; he sat without feast, sighing with a cold heart.”
#30
از اندیشگان نامد آن شبش خواب
✦
ز اسفندیارش گرفته شتاب
“Troubled by anxiety, sleep came not to him that night, as grief over Esfandiyar consumed him.”
#31
چو از کوهساران سپیده دمید
✦
فروغ ستاره ببد ناپدید
“When dawn gleamed from the mountainsides and the radiance of the stars vanished—”
#32
بخواند آن جهاندیده جاماسپ را
✦
کجا بیش دیدست لهراسپ را
“He summoned world-wise Jamasp, who had served King Lohrasp long before.”
#33
بدو گفت شو پیش اسفندیار
✦
بخوان و مر او را به ره باش یار
“He said to him: 'Go unto Esfandiyar, summon him, and accompany him on the journey.'”
#34
بگویش که برخیز و نزد من آی
✦
چو نامه بخوانی به ره بر مپای
“'Tell him: "Arise and come to me; as soon as you read this letter, delay not on the road."'”
#35
که کاری بزرگست پیش اندرا
✦
تو پایی همی این همه کشورا
“'"For a momentous task lies ahead, and it is you who protect and uphold this entire realm."'”
#36
یکی کار اکنون همی بایدا
✦
که بی‌تو چنین کار برنایدا
“A vital task now urgently demands to be done, one that cannot be accomplished without your presence.”
#37
نوشته نوشتش یکی استوار
✦
که ای نامور فرخ اسفندیار
“He wrote a firm and decisive letter to him, saying: 'O renowned and glorious Esfandiyar...'”
#38
فرستادم این پیر جاماسپ را
✦
که دستور بد شاه لهراسپ را
“'I have dispatched this aged Jamasp to you, he who was the trusted minister to King Lohrasp.'”
#39
چو او را ببینی میان را ببند
✦
ابا او بیا بر ستور نوند
“'The moment you see him, gird your loins for travel and ride back with him swiftly upon a fleet steed.'”
#40
اگر خفته‌ای زود برجه به پای
✦
وگر خود بپایی زمانی مپای
“'If you are sleeping, spring quickly to your feet; and if you are already standing, delay not even a moment.'”
#41
خردمند شد نامهٔ شاه برد
✦
به تازنده کوه و بیابان سپرد
“The wise counselor departed, carrying the King's letter, swiftly traversing mountains and deserts on his way.”