#1
برآمد بسی روزگاری بدوی
✦
که خسرو سوی سیستان کرد روی
“A long period of time passed by, until the King set his face toward Sistan.”
#2
که آنجا کند زند و استا روا
✦
کند موبدان را بدانجا گوا
“He went to make the Zand and Avesta prevalent there, and to take the Mobads as witnesses.”
#3
جو آنجا رسید آن گرانمایه شاه
✦
پذیره شدش پهلوان سپاه
“When that noble King arrived there, the champion of the host came forth to welcome him.”
#4
شه نیمروز آنک رستمش نام
✦
سوار جهاندیده همتای سام
“The ruler of Nimruz, whose name was Rostam—a battle-tested knight equal to Sam.”
#5
ابا پیر دستان که بودش پدر
✦
ابا مهتران و گزینان در
“Together with old Dastan who was his father, and with the leaders and elite of the court.”
#6
به شادی پذیره شدندش به راه
✦
ازو شادمان گشت فرخنده شاه
“They welcomed him on the road with joy, and the blessed King was gladdened by them.”
#7
به زاولش بردند مهمان خویش
✦
همه بنده‌وار ایستادند پیش
“They took him to Zabul as their guest, and all stood before him like servants.”
#8
وزو زند و کشتی بیاموختند
✦
ببستند و آذر برافروختند
“From him they learned the Zand and tied the Kusti; they bound the girdle and rekindled the fires.”
#9
برآمد برین میهمانی دو سال
✦
همی خورد گشتاسپ با پور زال
“For two years this hospitality continued, while Goshtasp feasted alongside the son of Zal.”
#10
به هرجا کجا شهریاران بدند
✦
ازان کار گشتاسپ آگه شدند
“Everywhere that rulers held sway, they became aware of Goshtasp's deeds.”
#11
که او مر سر پهلوان را ببست
✦
تن پیل وارش به آهن بخست
“That he had bound the head of his paladin, wounding his elephant-like body with iron chains.”
#12
به زاولستان شد به پیغمبری
✦
که نفرین کند بر بت آزری
“And that he had gone to Zabulistan on a mission of faith, cursing the idol-worshipping idols.”
#13
بگشتند یکسر ز فرمان شاه
✦
بهم برشکستند پیمان شاه
“They all turned away from the king's command and shattered their pacts with him.”
#14
چو آگاهی آمد به بهمن که شاه
✦
ببستست آن شیر را بی‌گناه
“When word reached Bahman that the king had bound that guiltless lion,”
#15
نبرده گزینان اسفندیار
✦
ازانجا برفتند تیماردار
“The chosen warriors of Esfandiyar departed from there full of grief.”
#16
همی داشتند از سپه دست باز
✦
پس اندر گرفتند راه دراز
“They withdrew their hands from the army and took to the long road.”
#17
به پیش گو اسفندیار آمدند
✦
کیان‌زادگان شیروار آمدند
“They came before the hero Esfandiyar; the lion-like princes of Kianian blood arrived.”
#18
پدر را به رامش همی داشتند
✦
به زندانش تنها بنگذاشتند
“They comforted their father and would not leave him alone in prison.”
#19
پس آگاهی آمد به سالار چین
✦
که شاه از گمان اندرآمد به کین
“Then news came to the Lord of Chin that the King, out of suspicion, had moved to vengeance,”
#20
برآشفت خسرو به اسفندیار
✦
به زندان و بندش فرستاد خوار
“The monarch had raged against Esfandiyar and sent him ignominiously into chains and prison.”
#21
خود از بلخ زی زابلستان کشید
✦
بیابان گذارید و سیحون بدید
“And that the King himself had traveled from Balkh to Zabulistan, crossing the desert and seeing the Jaxartes.”
#22
به زاول نشستست مهمان زال
✦
برین روزگاران برآمد دو سال
“He sits in Zabul as the guest of Zal, and two years have elapsed in this fashion.”
#23
به بلخ اندرونست لهراسپ شاه
✦
نماندست از ایرانیان و سپاه
“King Luhrasp remains in Balkh, but no army or Iranian force is left there with him,”
#24
مگر هفتصد مرد آتش پرست
✦
هه پیش آذر برآورده دست
“Save for seven hundred fire-worshippers, all with hands raised before the sacred flame.”
#25
جز ایشان به بلخ اندرون نیست کس
✦
از آهنگ‌داران همینند بس
“Besides these, there is no one in Balkh; of defenders, these are all there are,”
#26
مگر پاسبانان کاخ همای
✦
هلا زود برخیز و چندین مپای
“Save for the guards of the palace of Homay; so rise quickly and delay no longer!”
#27
مهان را همه خواند شاه چگل
✦
ابر جنگ لهراسپشان داد دل
“The King of Chegel summoned all his nobles and heartened them for war against Luhrasp.”
#28
بدانید گفتا که گشتاسپ شاه
✦
سوی نیمروز او سپردست راه
“He said: 'Know that King Goshtasp has taken the road toward Nimruz,'”
#29
به زاول نشستست با لشکرش
✦
سواری نه اندر همه کشورش
“'He sits in Zabul with his army, and not a single rider is left in all his realm.'”
#30
کنونست هنگام کین خواستن
✦
بباید بسیچید و آراستن
“'Now is the time to seek vengeance; we must prepare and set things in order.'”
#31
پسرش آن گرانمایه اسفندیار
✦
به بند گران‌اندرست استوار
“'His son, the noble Esfandiyar, is bound fast in heavy chains.'”
#32
کدامست مردی پژوهنده راز
✦
که پیماید این ژرف راه دراز
“'Who is the man who searches out secrets, that can traverse this long and deep path?'”
#33
نراند به راه ایچ و بی‌ره رود
✦
ز ایران هراسان و آگه رود
“'Who can ride off-road and unnoticed, and bring back news of Iran undetected?'”
#34
یکی جادوی بود نامش ستوه
✦
گذارنده راه و نهفته پژوه
“There was a sorcerer named Sutuh—a traverser of paths and a seeker of hidden things.”
#35
منم گفت آهسته و نامجوی
✦
چه باید ترا هرچ باید بگوی
“He said quietly and ambitiously: 'I am the one! Tell me whatever you require.'”
#36
شه چینش گفتا به ایران خرام
✦
نگهبان آتش ببین تا کدام
“The Shah of Chin told him: 'Hasten to Iran, and see who is guarding the sacred fire.'”
#37
پژوهندهٔ راز پیمود راه
✦
به بلخ گزین شد که بد گاه شاه
“The seeker of secrets traversed the path and arrived in glorious Balkh, the royal seat.”
#38
ندید اندرون شاه گشتاسپ را
✦
پرستنده‌ای دید و لهراسپ را
“Inside he did not see King Goshtasp; he saw only worshippers and Luhrasp.”
#39
بشد همچنان پیش خاقان بگفت
✦
به رخ پیش او بر زمین را برفت
“He returned to the Khaqan and reported, bowing his face low to the earth before him.”
#40
چو ارجاسپ آگاه شد شاد گشت
✦
از اندوه دیرینه آزاد گشت
“When Arjasp learned of this, he rejoiced and was freed from his ancient grief.”
#41
سران را همه خواند و گفتا روید
✦
سپاه پراگنده گرد آورید
“He summoned all his chieftains and said: 'Go, gather the scattered army!'”
#42
برفتند گردان لشکر همه
✦
به کوه و بیابان و جای رمه
“All the warriors of the army went forth into the mountains, deserts, and pastures.”
#43
بدو باز خواندند لشکرش را
✦
گزیده سواران کشورش را
“They recalled his forces back to him—the chosen horsemen of his realm.”