#1
یکی مایه‌ور پور اسفندیار
✦
که نوش آذرش خواندی شهریار
“There was a noble son of Esfandiyar, whom the prince had named Nush-Azar.”
#2
بران بام دژ بود و چشمش به راه
✦
بدان تا کی آید ز ایران سپاه
“He stood upon the fortress roof, gazing down the road to see when the host of Iran might arrive.”
#3
پدر را بگوید چو بیند کسی
✦
به بالای دژ درنمانده بسی
“Whenever he caught sight of anyone, he would hasten to inform his father, lingering little upon the height.”
#4
چو جاماسپ را دید پویان به راه
✦
به سربر یکی نغز توزی کلاه
“When he saw Jamasp speeding along the path, wearing a fine plumed helmet upon his head,”
#5
چنین گفت کامد ز توران سوار
✦
بپویم بگویم به اسفندیار
“He said to himself, 'A rider comes from the direction of Turan; I shall hasten to inform Esfandiyar.'”
#6
فرود آمد از بارهٔ دژ دوان
✦
چنین گفت کای نامور پهلوان
“He ran down from the fortress wall and spoke to the renowned champion:”
#7
سواری همی بینم از دیدگاه
✦
کلاهی به سر بر نهاده سیاه
“'From the lookout post I behold a horseman wearing a dark helmet upon his head.”
#8
شوم باز بینم که گشتاسپیست
✦
وگر کینه‌جویست و ارجاسپیست
“I shall go back to see if he is of Goshtasp's house, or a seeker of vengeance from Arjasp.”
#9
اگر ترک باشد ببرم سرش
✦
به خاک افگنم نابسوده برش
“If he be a Turk, I shall sever his head and strike his unblemished breast to the dust.'”
#10
چنین گفت پرمایه اسفندیار
✦
که راه گذر کی بوده بی‌سوار
“The noble Esfandiyar replied, 'When has a traveled highway ever been devoid of riders?”
#11
همانا کز ایران یکی لشکری
✦
سوی ما بیامد به پیغمبری
“Surely an envoy from Iran hath come bearing a message unto us,”
#12
کلاهی به سر بر نهاده دوپر
✦
ز بیم سواران پرخاشخر
“Wearing a helmet with two plumes upon his head out of dread for fierce warring horsemen.'”
#13
چو بشنید نوش آذر از پهلوان
✦
بیامد بران بارهٔ دژ دوان
“When Nush-Azar heard this from the champion, he ran back to the fortress wall.”
#14
چو جاماسپ تنگ اندر آمد ز راه
✦
هم از باره دانست فرزند شاه
“As Jamasp drew close along the path, the prince's son recognized him from the ramparts.”
#15
بیامد به نزدیک فرخ پدر
✦
که فرخنده جاماسپ آمد به در
“He came unto his blessed father and said, 'The fortunate Jamasp hath arrived at the gate.'”
#16
بفرمود تا دژ گشادند باز
✦
درآمد خردمند و بردش نماز
“He commanded the gates of the fortress to be opened; the wise counselor entered and bowed low in homage.”
#17
بدادش درود پدر سربسر
✦
پیامی که آورده بد در بدر
“He delivered the greetings of the Shahanshah in full, and conveyed the message brought door to door.”
#18
چنین پاسخ آورد اسفندیار
✦
که ای از خرد در جهان یادگار
“Esfandiyar answered him thus: 'O lingering monument of wisdom in this world,”
#19
خردمند و کنداور و سرفراز
✦
چرا بسته را برد باید نماز
“O wise, valiant, and exalted chieftain! Why should one render homage to a captive bound in fetters?”
#20
کسی را که بر دست و پای آهنست
✦
نه مردم نژادست کهرمنست
“One whose hands and feet are bound in iron is no longer of human stock, but a prisoner of wretchedness.”
#21
درود شهنشاه ایران دهی
✦
ز دانش ندارد دلت آگهی
“Thou bringest the greetings of the Shahanshah of Iran, yet thy heart is devoid of true knowledge.”
#22
درودم از ارجاسپ آمد کنون
✦
کز ایران همی دست شوید به خون
“To me, his greeting feels like Arjasp's insult, while he washes his hands of Iran in blood!”
#23
مرا بند کردند بر بی‌گناه
✦
همانا گه رزم فرزند شاه
“They bound me in chains without guilt—verily, in the hour of battle, I, the King's own son!”
#24
چنین بود پاداش رنج مرا
✦
به آهن بیاراست گنج مرا
“Such was the recompense for all my toil; he adorned my treasury with heavy iron chains.”
#25
کنون همچنین بسته باید تنم
✦
به یزدان گوای منست آهنم
“Now let my body remain thus imprisoned; my iron chains are witness before God,”
#26
که بر من ز گشتاسپ بیداد بود
✦
ز گفت گُرَزم اهرمن شاد بود
“That Goshtasp treated me with cruelty, and through Gorazm's slanderous words, Ahriman rejoiced.”
#27
مبادا که این بد فرامش کنم
✦
روان را به گفتار بیهش کنم
“May I never forget this evil deed, nor dull my soul with meaningless talk!'”
#28
بدو گفت جاماسپ کای راست‌گوی
✦
جهانگیر و کنداور و نیک‌خوی
“Jamasp said to him, 'O truthful warrior, conqueror of the world, valiant and noble of heart!”
#29
دلت گر چنین از پدر خیره گشت
✦
نگر بخت این پادشا تیره گشت
“If thy heart hath turned so bitter against thy father, consider how the fortune of this kingdom hath darkened.”
#30
چو لهراسپ شاه آن پرستنده مرد
✦
که ترکان بکشتندش اندر نبرد
“King Lohrasp, that devout worshiper of God, was slain by the Turks in the midst of battle.”
#31
همان هیربد نیز یزدان‌پرست
✦
که بودند با زند و استا به دست
“Likewise the high priest, the godly master, who held the sacred Zand and Avesta in hand,”
#32
بکشتند هشتاد از موبدان
✦
پرستنده و پاک‌دل بخردان
“Eighty holy Mobads were slain—pious, pure-hearted, and wise souls.”
#33
ز خونشان به نوش‌آذر آذر بمرد
✦
چنین بدکنش خوار نتوان شمرد
“From their blood, the sacred fire at Nush-Azar died; such evil foes cannot be lightly dismissed.”
#34
ز بهر نیا دل پر از درد کن
✦
برآشوب و رخسارگان زرد کن
“For the sake of thy grandsire, fill thy heart with grief; arise in anger and let thy cheeks turn pale with anguish.”
#35
ز کین یا ز دین گر نجنبی ز جای
✦
نباشی پسندیدهٔ رهنمای
“If neither vengeance nor faith stir thee to rise, thou shalt not be praised by the Divine Guide.'”
#36
چنین داد پاسخ که ای نیک‌نام
✦
بلنداختر و گرد و جوینده کام
“Esfandiyar answered him, 'O renowned traveler of bright fortune, brave and seeker of noble aims!”
#37
براندیش کان پیر لهراسپ را
✦
پرستنده و باب گشتاسپ را
“Consider that old Lohrasp was Goshtasp's devout father and worshiper of God.”
#38
پسر به که جوید همی کین اوی
✦
که تخت پدر داشت و ایین اوی
“Who better than his own son to seek vengeance for him, he who inherited his father's throne and laws?'”
#39
بدو گفت ار ایدونک کین نیا
✦
نجویی نداری به دل کیمیا
“Jamasp said to him, 'Even if thou seekest not vengeance for thy grandsire, hast thou no alchemy of noble empathy in thy heart?”
#40
همای خردمند و به آفرید
✦
که باد هوا روی ایشان ندید
“The wise Homay and Beh-Afarid, whose faces even the open wind had never beheld,”
#41
به ترکان اسیراند با درد و داغ
✦
پیاده دوان رنگ رخ چون چراغ
“Are now captives of the Turks, bound in sorrow, running barefoot with faces pale as lamps.'”
#42
چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که من بسته بودم چنین زار و خوار
“Esfandiyar replied to him, 'When I was fettered here so wretched and low,”
#43
نکردند زیشان ز من هیچ یاد
✦
نه برزد کس از بهر من سردباد
“They remembered me not at all, nor did anyone breathe a cold sigh on my behalf.”
#44
چه گویی به پاسخ که روزی همای
✦
ز من کرد یاد اندرین تنگ جای
“What answer hast thou if I say that Homay never remembered me in this narrow prison?”
#45
دگر نیز پرمایه به آفرید
✦
که گفتی مرا در جهان خود ندید
“And likewise the precious Beh-Afarid, who spoke as though she saw me not in all the world!'”
#46
بدو گفت جاماسپ کای پهلوان
✦
پدرت از جهان تیره دارد روان
“Jamasp said to him, 'O hero, your father's soul is darkened by the troubles of the world.'”
#47
به کوه اندرست این زمان با سران
✦
دو دیده پر از آب و لب ناچران
“'He is now stranded on the mountain with his nobles, his eyes filled with tears and his lips without food.'”
#48
سپاهی ز ترکان بگرد اندرش
✦
همانا نبینی سر و افسرش
“'An army of Turks surrounds him; in truth, you may never see his head and crown again.'”
#49
نیاید پسند جهان‌آفرین
✦
که تو دل بپیچی ز مهر و ز دین
“'It is not pleasing to the Creator of the world that you should turn your heart away from love and faith.'”
#50
برادر که بد مر ترا سی و هشت
✦
ازان پنج ماند و دگر درگذشت
“'Of the thirty-eight brothers you once had, only five remain, and all the rest have perished.'”
#51
چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که چندین برادر بدم نامدار
“Esfandiyar gave him such an answer: 'I had so many renowned brothers,'”
#52
همه شاد با رامش و من به بند
✦
نکردند یاد از من مستمند
“'All were joyful in delight while I was in chains, and not one remembered me in my misery.'”
#53
اگر من کنون کین بسیچم چه سود
✦
کزیشان برآورد بدخواه دود
“'If I now prepare for vengeance, what boots it, since the enemy has already raised smoke from them?'”
#54
چو جاماسپ زین گونه پاسخ شنود
✦
دلش گشت از درد پر داغ و دود
“When Jamasp heard such an answer, his heart became filled with painful scars and smoke.”
#55
همی بود بر پای و دل پر ز خشم
✦
به زاری همی راند آب از دو چشم
“He stood there with a heart full of anger, mournfully shedding tears from both his eyes.”
#56
بدو گفت کای پهلوان جهان
✦
اگر تیره گردد دلت با روان
“He said to him, 'O champion of the world, even if your heart and soul are darkened with resentment,'”
#57
چه گویی کنون کار فرشیدورد
✦
که بود از تو همواره با داغ و درد
“'What say you now of the plight of Farshidvard, who was ever grieving and suffering for your sake?'”
#58
به هر سو که بودی به رزم و به بزم
✦
پر از درد و نفرین بدی بر گُرَزم
“'Wherever he was, in battle or in feast, he was full of grief and curses against Gorazm.'”
#59
پر از زخم شمشیر دیدم تنش
✦
دریده برو مغفر و جوشنش
“'I saw his body covered with sword wounds, his helmet and mail torn upon him.'”
#60
همی زار می بگسلد جان اوی
✦
ببخشای بر چشم گریان اوی
“'His soul is mournfully leaving his body; have pity upon his weeping eyes!'”
#61
چو آواز دادش ز فرشیدورد
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و جان پر ز درد
“When he spoke to him of Farshidvard, Esfandiyar's heart turned to blood and his soul filled with pain.”
#62
چو باز آمدش دل به جاماسپ گفت
✦
که این بد چرا داشتی در نهفت
“When he recovered himself, he said to Jamasp, 'Why did you keep this tragedy concealed?'”
#63
بفرمای کاهنگران آورند
✦
چو سوهان و پتک گران آورند
“'Order blacksmiths to be brought, bearing files and heavy hammers!'”
#64
بیاورد جاماسپ آهنگران
✦
چو سندان پولاد و پتک گران
“Jamasp brought the blacksmiths, equipped with steel anvils and heavy hammers.”
#65
بسودند زنجیر و مسمار و غل
✦
همان بند رومی به کردار پل
“They filed at the chains, nails, and shackles, as well as the Roman fetters strong as a bridge.”
#66
چو شد دیر بر سودن بستگی
✦
به بد تنگدل بسته از خستگی
“As the filing of the fetters took too long, the captive grew distressed and weary from delay.”
#67
به آهنگران گفت کای شوربخت
✦
ببندی و بسته ندانی گسخت
“He cried to the blacksmiths, 'O wretched ones! You know how to bind, but not how to break the bond!'”
#68
همی گفت من بند آن شهریار
✦
نکردم به پیش خردمند خوار
“He said, 'Until now, I did not despise the King's fetters before the wise.'”
#69
بپیچید تن را و بر پای جست
✦
غمی شد به پابند یازید دست
“He wrung his body and sprang to his feet; in his wrath, he reached out his hands to the leg-irons.”
#70
بیاهیخت پای و بپیچید دست
✦
همه بند و زنجیر بر هم شکست
“He pulled back his legs and twisted his arms, shattering all the bonds and chains into pieces.”
#71
چو بگسست زنجیر بی‌توش گشت
✦
بیفتاد از درد و بیهوش گشت
“When he snapped the chains, he grew strengthless; he fell from agony and fainted away.”
#72
ستاره شمرکان شگفتی بدید
✦
بران تاجدار آفرین گسترید
“When the astrologer saw this wonder, he bestowed blessings upon that crowned prince.”
#73
چو آمد به هوش آن گو زورمند
✦
همی پیش بنهاد زنجیر و بند
“When that mighty hero regained consciousness, he placed the broken chains and bonds before him.”
#74
چنین گفت کاین هدیه‌های گُرَزم
✦
منش پست بادش به بزم و به رزم
“He spoke thus: 'These are the gifts of Gorazm; may his state be brought low in feast and fight!'”
#75
به گرمابه شد با تن دردمند
✦
ز زنجیر فرسوده و مستمند
“He entered the bathhouse with his aching body, worn out and distressed from the heavy chains.”
#76
چو آمد به در پس گو نامدار
✦
رخش بود همچون گل اندر بهار
“When the renowned hero emerged, his face blossomed like a rose in springtime.”
#77
یکی جوشن خسروانی بخواست
✦
همان جامهٔ پهلوانی بخواست
“He called for royal armor and noble heroic garments.”
#78
بفرمود کان بارهٔ گام زن
✦
بیارید و آن ترگ و شمشیر من
“He commanded, 'Bring forth my swift steed, my helmet, and my sword!'”
#79
چو چشمش بران تیزرو برفتاد
✦
ز یزدان نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“As his eyes fell upon his swift-running steed, he remembered God, the Bestower of Good.”
#80
همی گفت گر من گنه کرده‌ام
✦
ازینسان به بند اندر آزرده‌ام
“He said, 'If I had committed any sin, I have already been tormented enough in chains like this.'”
#81
چه کرد این چمان بارهٔ بربری
✦
چه بایست کردن بدین لاغری
“What has befallen this swift Barbary steed? What has caused it to grow so thin and weak?”
#82
بشویید و او را بی‌آهو کنید
✦
به خوردن تنش را به نیرو کنید
“Wash him well and free him of any flaw; restore his body's strength through goodly feed.”
#83
فرستاد کس نزد آهنگران
✦
هرانکس که استاد بود اندران
“He dispatched messengers unto the smiths, seeking out every master of that trade.”
#84
برفتند و چندی زره خواستند
✦
سلیحش یکایک بپیراستند
“They went and brought forth several suits of mail, preparing and polishing his weapons one by one.”