#1
جهانجوی پیش جهان‌آفرین
✦
بمالید چندی رخ اندر زمین
“The world-seeker rubbed his face upon the earth before the Creator of the World.”
#2
بر آن بیشه اندر سراپرده زد
✦
نهادند خوانی چنان چون سزد
“In that woodland he pitched his royal pavilion, and a grand feast was laid out as befitted a prince.”
#3
به دژخیم فرمود پس شهریار
✦
که آرند بدبخت را بسته خوار
“Then the prince commanded the executioner to bring forth the ill-fated captive in wretched bonds.”
#4
ببردند پیش یل اسفندیار
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چو دیدار او دید پس شهریار
“They brought him before the brave Esfandiyar, and when the prince looked upon him...”
#5
سه جام می خسروانیش داد
✦
ببد گرگسار از می لعل شاد
“He granted him three goblets of royal wine, and Gurgsar grew merry from the ruby liquor.”
#6
بدو گفت کای ترک برگشته بخت
✦
سر پیر جادو ببین از درخت
“He said to him: 'O ill-starred Turk, behold the head of the old sorceress hanging from the tree!'”
#7
که گفتی که لشکر به دریا برد
✦
سر خویش را بر ثریا برد
“'You said she would drag my army into the sea and raise her head unto the Pleiades!'”
#8
دگر منزل اکنون چه بینم شگفت
✦
کز این جادو اندازه باید گرفت
“'Now tell me what marvel awaits at the next stage, that I may take measure of it from this slain witch.'”
#9
چنین داد پاسخ ورا گرگسار
✦
که ای پیل جنگی گه کارزار
“Gurgsar answered him thus: 'O war-elephant in the hour of battle!'”
#10
بدین منزلت کار دشوارتر
✦
گراینده‌تر باش و بیدارتر
“'At this stage the trial is far grimmer; be more vigilant and prepared than ever.'”
#11
یکی کوه بینی سر اندر هوا
✦
بر او بر یکی مرغ فرمانروا
“'You shall behold a mountain touching the skies, whereupon dwells a sovereign bird.'”
#12
که سیمرغ گوید ورا کارجوی
✦
چو پرنده کوهیست پیکارجوی
“'The seeker calls it the Simorgh; it is like a flying, battle-eager mountain.'”
#13
اگر پیل بیند برآرد به ابر
✦
ز دریا نهنگ و به خشکی هژبر
“'If it sees an elephant, it lifts it to the clouds, pulling whales from the sea and lions from the dry land.'”
#14
نبیند ز برداشتن هیچ رنج
✦
تو او را چو گرگ و چو جادو مسنج
“'It feels no toil in lifting such burdens; do not compare it to a wolf or a witch.'”
#15
دو بچه است با او به بالای او
✦
همان رای پیوسته با رای او
“'It has two chicks as immense as itself, sharing its fierce will and strength.'”
#16
چو او بر هوا رفت و گسترد پر
✦
ندارد زمین هوش و خورشید فر
“'When it mounts the sky and spreads its wings, the earth loses its wits and the sun its brilliance.'”
#17
اگر بازگردی بود سودمند
✦
نیازی به سیمرغ و کوه بلند
“'If you turn back, it will be to your profit; you have no need for the Simorgh and its high peak.'”
#18
از او در بخندید و گفت ای شگفت
✦
به پیکان بدوزم من او را دو کفت
“Esfandiyar laughed at his words and said: 'O wondrous tale! With my arrowheads I shall pin both its shoulder-blades!'”
#19
ببرم به شمشیر هندی برش
✦
به خاک اندر آرم ز بالا سرش
“'With my Indian sword I shall cleave its chest and bring its head down from the heights into the dust!'”
#20
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود پشت
✦
دل خاور از پشت او شد درشت
“As the radiant sun turned its back and the heart of the East grew dark...”
#21
سر جنگجویان سپه برگرفت
✦
سخنهای سیمرغ در سر گرفت
“The leader of warriors gathered his host, pondering the tales of the Simorgh.”
#22
همه شب همی راند با خود گروه
✦
چو خورشید تابان برآمد ز کوه
“All night he marched his troops until the shining sun arose from behind the mountain.”
#23
چراغ زمان و زمین تازه کرد
✦
در و دشت بر دیگر اندازه کرد
“The lamp of time refreshed the earth, casting a new measure over valley and plain.”
#24
همان اسپ و گردون و صندوق برد
✦
سپه را به سالار لشکر سپرد
“He brought along his horse, the chariot, and the spiked box, entrusting the army to his commander.”
#25
همی رفت چون باد فرمانروا
✦
یکی کوه دیدش سر اندر هوا
“The prince sped forth like the wind until he beheld a mountain reaching into the heavens.”
#26
بر آن سایه بر اسپ و گردون بداشت
✦
روان را به اندیشه اندر گماشت
“Beneath its shadow he halted his horse and chariot, engaging his mind in deep reflection.”
#27
همی آفرین خواند بر یک خدای
✦
که گیتی به فرمان او شد به پای
“He offered praises to the One God, by Whose command the world stands established.”
#28
چو سیمرغ از دور صندوق دید
✦
پسش لشکر و نالهٔ بوق دید
“When the Simorgh saw the chariot-box from afar, with the army behind it and the blare of horns...”
#29
ز کوه اندر آمد چو ابری سیاه
✦
نه خورشید بد نیز روشن نه ماه
“It descended from the mountain like a black cloud, obscuring both the radiant sun and the moon.”
#30
بدان بد که گردون بگیرد به چنگ
✦
بر آن سان که نخچیر گیرد پلنگ
“Intending to seize the chariot with its talons as a leopard pounces upon its prey...”
#31
بر آن تیغها زد دو پا و دو پر
✦
نماند ایچ سیمرغ را زیب و فر
“It struck its feet and wings against the sharp blades embedded in the box, stripping away all its majestic splendour.”
#32
به چنگ و به منقار چندی تپید
✦
چو تنگ اندر آمد فرو آرمید
“It writhed for a while with talons and beak; but as its strength waned, it collapsed helpless.”
#33
چو دیدند سیمرغ را بچگان
✦
خروشان و خون از دو دیده چکان
“When the chicks saw the Simorgh wailing, with blood dripping from its eyes...”
#34
چنان بردمیدند از آن جایگاه
✦
که از سهمشان دیده گم کرد راه
“They flew off from that realm so swiftly that sight itself lost track of them in terror.”
#35
چو سیمرغ زان تیغها گشت سست
✦
به خوناب صندوق و گردون بشست
“As the Simorgh grew weak from the blade wounds, it washed the box and chariot in streams of its own blood.”
#36
ز صندوق بیرون شد اسفندیار
✦
بغرید با آلت کارزار
“Esfandiyar emerged from within the box, roaring aloud with his weapons of war ready.”
#37
زره در بر و تیغ هندی به چنگ
✦
چه زور آورد مرغ پیش نهنگ
“Armored and holding his Indian sword—what power could a wounded bird summon against such a sea-monster of a warrior?”
#38
همی زد بر او تیغ تا پاره گشت
✦
چنان چاره گر مرغ بیچاره گشت
“He struck it repeatedly with his sword until it was dismembered; thus did the resourceful bird become helpless and undone.”
#39
بیامد به پیش خداوند ماه
✦
که او داد بر هر ددی دستگاه
“Then he came before the Lord of the Moon, Who gave humankind dominion over all wild beasts.”
#40
چنین گفت کای داور دادگر
✦
خداوند پاکی و زور و هنر
“He spoke thus: 'O Just Judge, Lord of purity, strength, and valor!'”
#41
تو بردی پی جادوان را ز جای
✦
تو بودی بدین نیکیم رهنمای
“'You have uprooted the trace of sorcerers; You were my guide unto this noble victory.'”
#42
هم‌آنگه خروش آمد از کرنای
✦
پشوتن بیاورد پرده‌سرای
“Instantly the call of trumpets sounded, and Peshotan brought forward the royal pavilion.”
#43
سلیح برادر سپاه و پسر
✦
بزرگان ایران و تاج و کمر
“The weapons of his brother, the army, his sons, and the grandees of Iran with their crowns and waistbands arrived.”
#44
از آن کشته کس روی هامون ندید
✦
جز اندام جنگاور و خون ندید
“None could see the surface of the plain beneath the slain monster, seeing naught but the warrior's limbs and streams of blood.”
#45
زمین کوه تا کوه پر پر بود
✦
ز پرش همه دشت پر فر بود
“From mountain to mountain the earth was covered in feathers, and from its plumage the entire plain shone with splendor.”
#46
بدیدند پر خون تن شاه را
✦
کجا خیره کردی به رخ ماه را
“They saw the prince's body drenched in blood—he whose radiant face outshone the moon.”
#47
همی آفرین خواندندش سران
✦
سواران جنگی و کنداوران
“The chieftains, battle-riders, and champions showered him with praise and blessings.”
#48
شنید آن سخن در زمان گرگسار
✦
که پیروز شد نامور شهریار
“Gurgsar instantly heard the news that the renowned prince had emerged victorious.”
#49
تنش گشت لرزان و رخساره زرد
✦
همی رفت پویان و دل پر ز درد
“His body trembled and his face turned pale; he walked forward hastily with a heart burdened by grief.”
#50
سراپرده زد شهریار جوان
✦
به گردش دلیران روشن‌روان
“The young prince pitched his grand pavilion, surrounded by enlightened and brave heroes.”
#51
زمین را به دیبا بیاراستند
✦
نشستند بر خوان و می خواستند
“They adorned the ground with luxurious brocade, sat at the banquet table, and called for wine.”