#1
چو آن نامه برخواند اسفندیار
✦
ببخشید دینار و برساخت کار
“When Esfandiyar had read the letter through, he bestowed wealth and prepared for departure.”
#2
جز از گنج ارجاسپ چیزی نماند
✦
همه گنج خویشان او برفشاند
“Naught remained of Arjasp's hoard; he scattered all the treasures of his kin to the winds.”
#3
سپاهش همه زو توانگر شدند
✦
از اندازهٔ کار برتر شدند
“His entire host became wealthy through him, rising far beyond the standard of their former state.”
#4
شتر بود و اسپان به دشت و به کوه
✦
به داغ سپهدار توران گروه
“Camels and horses covered plain and hill, bearing the mark of the Turanian commander's herds.”
#5
هیون خواست از هر دری ده‌هزار
✦
پراگنده از دشت وز کوهسار
“He requested swift camels from every side by tens of thousands, gathered from mountain and plain.”
#6
همه گنج ارجاسپ در باز کرد
✦
به کپان درم سختن آغاز کرد
“He threw open all the doors of Arjasp's hoard and began weighing the coins upon the scales.”
#7
هزار اشتر از گنج دینار شاه
✦
چو سیصد ز دیبا و تخت و کلاه
“A thousand camel-loads of the king's gold coins, and three hundred of brocade, thrones, and crowns;”
#8
صد از مشک و ز عنبر و گوهران
✦
صد از تاج وز نامدار افسران
“A hundred loads of musk, amber, and jewels, and a hundred of crowns and noble diadems;”
#9
از افگندنیهای دیبا هزار
✦
بفرمود تا برنهادند بار
“A thousand loads of rich silk carpets and coverings he commanded to be laden on the beasts.”
#10
چو سیصد شتر جامهٔ چینیان
✦
ز منسوج و زربفت وز پرنیان
“Three hundred camels bore the garments of the Chinese, woven of gold thread, silk, and brocade.”
#11
عماری بسیچید و دیبا جلیل
✦
کنیزک ببردند چینی دو خیل
“Litters were readied with glorious silk, and two troops of Chinese maidens were led forth;”
#12
به رخ چون بهار و به بالا چو سرو
✦
میانها چو غرو و به رفتن تذرو
“Their faces like spring, their stature like the cypress, their waists slender as reeds, moving like pheasants.”
#13
ابا خواهران یل اسفندیار
✦
برفتند بت روی صد نامدار
“Along with the sisters of the hero Esfandiyar, a hundred idol-faced, renowned noblewomen departed.”
#14
ز پوشیده رویان ارجاسپ پنج
✦
ببردند بامویه و درد و رنج
“Five veiled ladies of Arjasp's own house were led away in lamentation, pain, and grief;”
#15
دو خواهر دو دختر یکی مادرش
✦
پر از درد و با سوک و خسته برش
“His two sisters, two daughters, and his mother—their hearts filled with sorrow and wounded with mourning.”
#16
چو آتش به رویین دژ اندر فگند
✦
زبانه برآمد به چرخ بلند
“When he cast fire into the heart of Ruin-Dezh, blazing tongues of flame rose up to the high heaven.”
#17
همه بارهٔ شهر زد بر زمین
✦
برآورد گرد از بر و بوم چین
“He razed the city's ramparts to the ground, casting dust over all the soil and realm of Chin.”
#18
سه پور جوان را سپهدار گفت
✦
پراگنده باشید با گنج جفت
“The commander said to his three young sons: 'Depart ye, accompanying the great treasure.”
#19
به راه ار کسی سر بپیچد ز داد
✦
سرانشان به خنجر ببرید شاد
“If anyone along the path turns his head from justice, sever their heads joyfully with your daggers.”
#20
شما راه سوی بیابان برید
✦
سنانها چو خورشید تابان برید
“Make your way through the desert, bearing your spear-heads glittering like the sun.”
#21
سوی هفتخوان من به نخجیر شیر
✦
بیابم شما ره مپویید دیر
“I shall return by way of my Seven Trials as though hunting lions; do not linger upon the path.”
#22
نخستین بگیرم سر راه را
✦
ببینم شما را سر ماه را
“I shall take the lead path first, and I will see you at the head of the month.'”
#23
سوی هفتخوان آمد اسفندیار
✦
به نخجیر با لشکری نامدار
“Esfandiyar came toward the Seven Trials, hunting upon the way with a renowned army.”
#24
چو نزدیک آن جای سرما رسید
✦
همه خواسته گرد بر جای دید
“When he drew near to the place of bitter cold, he found all the treasures gathered at that spot.”
#25
هوا خوش‌گوار و زمین پرنگار
✦
تو گفتی به تیر اندر آمد بهار
“The air was pleasant, the earth full of vibrant colors—thou wouldst say spring had arrived in the month of Tir.”
#26
وزان جایگه خواسته برگرفت
✦
همی ماند از کار اختر شگفت
“From that place he gathered the wealth, Marveling in wonder at the working of the stars.”
#27
چو نزدیکی شهر ایران رسید
✦
به جای دلیران و شیران رسید
“When he drew near the borders of Iran, he reached the domain of brave men and lions.”
#28
دو هفته همی بود با یوز و باز
✦
غمی بود از رنج راه دراز
“For two weeks he spent his time with cheetahs and falcons, weary from the hardships of the long journey.”
#29
سه فرزند پرمایه را چشم داشت
✦
ز دیر آمدنشان به دل خشم داشت
“He awaited his three glorious sons, and his heart grew wrathful at their delay.”
#30
به نزد پدر چو بیامد پسر
✦
بخندید با هر یکی تاجور
“When the sons arrived before their father, the crowned hero smiled upon each of them.”
#31
که راهی درشت این که من کوفتم
✦
ز دیر آمدنتان برآشوفتم
“He said: 'Hard was this path I have trodden; I was angered by your long delay.'”
#32
زمین بوسه دادند هر سه پسر
✦
که چون تو که باشد به گیتی پدر
“All three sons kissed the ground, saying: 'Who in all the world is a father such as thou?'”
#33
وزان جایگه سوی ایران کشید
✦
همه گنج سوی دلیران کشید
“From that place he marched toward Iran, carrying all the treasures toward the brave champions.”
#34
همه شهر ایران بیاراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“They decorated all the cities of Iran, calling for wine, harps, and sweet musicians.”
#35
ز دیوارها جامه آویختند
✦
زبر مشک و عنبر همی بیختند
“They hung rich tapestries upon the walls and scattered musk and amber overhead.”
#36
هوا پر ز آوای رامشگران
✦
زمین پر سواران نیزه‌وران
“The air was filled with the song of musicians, and the earth was crowded with spear-bearing horsemen.”
#37
چو گشتاسپ بشنید رامش گزید
✦
به آواز او جام می درکشید
“When Goshtasp heard the sound of revelry, he chose joy and raised the goblet of wine to its music.”
#38
ز لشکر بفرمود تا هرک بود
✦
ز کشور کسی کو بزرگی نمود
“He commanded every man of the army and everyone in the realm who held greatness;”
#39
همه با درفش و تبیره شدند
✦
بزرگان لشکر پذیره شدند
“All to advance with banners and drums; and the grandees of the army went out to welcome him.”
#40
پدر رفت با نامور بخردان
✦
بزرگان فرزانه و موبدان
“The royal father went forth alongside wise counselors, noble sages, and high mobads.”
#41
بیامد به پیش پسر تازه‌روی
✦
همه شهر ایران پر از گفت و گوی
“He came before his son with a radiant face, while all the realm of Iran echoed with praise.”
#42
چو روی پدر دید شاه جوان
✦
دلش گشت شادان و روشن‌روان
“When the young prince beheld his father's face, his heart grew joyful and his soul turned bright.”
#43
برانگیخت از جای شبرنگ را
✦
فروزندهٔ آتش جنگ را
“He spurred Shabrang, his black steed—that bright igniter of the fires of war.”
#44
بیامد پدر را به بر در گرفت
✦
پدر ماند از کار او در شگفت
“He rode forward and embraced his father, and the father marvelled at his heroic deeds.”
#45
بسی خواند بر فر او آفرین
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا زمان و زمین
“He bestowed countless blessings upon his divine glory, saying: 'May time and earth never be without thee!'”
#46
وزانجا به ایوان شاه آمدند
✦
جهانی ورا نیکخواه آمدند
“From there they journeyed to the royal court, while the whole world came forth to wish the king well.”
#47
بیاراست گشتاسپ ایوان و تخت
✦
دلش گشت خرم بدان نیک‌بخت
“Goshtasp adorned the royal throne and palace halls, his heart overjoyed by his fortunate son's return.”
#48
به ایوانها در نهادند خوان
✦
به سالار گفتا مهان را بخوان
“Sumptuous feasts were spread throughout the halls, and he charged the master of ceremonies to invite the grandees.”
#49
بیامد ز هر گنبدی میگسار
✦
به نزدیک آن نامور شهریار
“From under every domed pavilion arrived cupbearers, approaching that renowned and glorious monarch.”
#50
می خسروانی به جام بلور
✦
گسارنده می داد رخشان چو هور
“Royal wine was served in crystal goblets by wine-pourers radiant as the shining sun.”
#51
همه چهرهٔ دوستان برفروخت
✦
دل دشمنان را به آتش بسوخت
“The faces of all friends brightened with gladness, while the hearts of enemies burned in bitter fire.”
#52
پسر خورد با شرم یاد پدر
✦
پدر همچنان نیز یاد پسر
“In respectful modest silence, the son toasted his father, and the father likewise drank in honor of his son.”
#53
بپرسید گشتاسپ از هفتخوان
✦
پدر را پسر گفت نامه بخوان
“Goshtasp inquired about the Seven Labors, but the son replied, 'Read of it in the written chronicle.'”
#54
سخنهای دیرینه یاد آوریم
✦
به گفتار لب را به داد آوریم
“'Let us recall ancient tales and memories, and speak with truth and equity upon our lips.'”
#55
چو فردا به هشیاری آن بشنوی
✦
به پیروزی دادگر بگروی
“'When tomorrow you listen in full sobriety, you shall give praise to the victory granted by the Just Lord.'”
#56
برفتند هرکس که گشتند مست
✦
یکی ماه‌رخ دست ایشان به دست
“As the guests grew merry and intoxicated, each retired, guided hand in hand by a moon-faced beauty.”
#57
سرآمد کنون قصهٔ هفتخوان
✦
به نام جهان داور این را بخوان
“Thus ends the tale of the Seven Labors; recite it now in the name of the World's Sovereign Judge.”
#58
که او داد بر نیک و بد دستگاه
✦
خداوند خورشید و تابنده ماه
“For He has ordained power over good and evil, the Master of the sun and the glowing moon.”
#59
اگر شاه پیروز بپسندد این
✦
نهادیم بر چرخ گردنده زین
“If the victorious monarch approves this work, we have placed our saddle upon the revolving sphere of heaven itself!”