#1
برآمد برین روزگار دراز
✦
زمانه به دل در همی داشت راز
“Time passed over this long stretch of years, while fortune hid its secrets deep within its heart.”
#2
فریدون فرزانه شد سالخورد
✦
به باغ بهار اندر آورد گرد
“The wise Fereydun grew advanced in years, and autumn dust settled upon the spring garden of his life.”
#3
برین گونه گردد سراسر سخن
✦
شود سست نیرو چو گردد کهن
“Such is the way of the world in every tale: strength grows feeble when old age arrives.”
#4
چو آمد به کاراندرون تیرگی
✦
گرفتند پرمایگان خیرگی
“As darkness and confusion entered into affairs, the noble ones fell into bewilderment and distress.”
#5
بجنبید مر سلم را دل ز جای
✦
دگرگونه‌تر شد به آیین و رای
“Salm’s heart stirred from its rightful place, and his counsel and custom transformed into evil.”
#6
دلش گشت غرقه به آزاندرون
✦
به اندیشه بنشست با رهنمون
“His heart drowned in the depths of greed; he sat in dark deliberation with his advisor.”
#7
نبودش پسندیده بخش پدر
✦
که داد او به کهتر پسر تخت زر
“He disapproved of his father’s division, who had bestowed the golden throne upon the youngest son.”
#8
به دل پر ز کین شد به رخ پر ز چین
✦
فرسته فرستاد زی شاه چین
“With a heart filled with malice and a face furrowed in anger, he dispatched an envoy to the Ruler of China.”
#9
فرستاد نزد برادر پیام
✦
که جاوید زی خرم و شادکام
“He sent word to his brother: 'May you live forever joyful, prosperous, and triumphant!'”
#10
بدان ای شهنشاه ترکان و چین
✦
گسسته دل روشن از به گزین
“'Know this, O Emperor of the Turks and China, your bright mind has turned away from choosing goodness.'”
#11
ز نیکی زیان کرده گویی پسند
✦
منش پست و بالا چو سرو بلند
“'You seem to prefer harm over benefit; your mind is low while your stature is tall as a cypress.'”
#12
کنون بشنو ازمن یکی داستان
✦
کزین گونه نشنیدی از باستان
“'Now listen to a tale from me, the likes of which you have never heard from ancient lore.'”
#13
سه فرزند بودیم زیبای تخت
✦
یکی کهتر از ما برآمد به بخت
“'We were three sons worthy of the throne, yet the youngest of us was elevated by fate to total fortune.'”
#14
اگر مهترم من به سال و خرد
✦
زمانه به مهر من اندر خورد
“'If I am older in years and wisdom, time should naturally align with my love and rule.'”
#15
گذشته ز من تاج و تخت و کلاه
✦
نزیبد مگر بر تو ای پادشاه
“'Since crown and throne have passed me by, they suit none better than you, O King!'”
#16
سزد گر بمانیم هر دو دژم
✦
کزین سان پدر کرد بر ما ستم
“'It is fitting that we both remain bitter, for our father has committed such injustice against us.'”
#17
چو ایران و دشت یلان و یمن
✦
به ایرج دهد روم و خاور به من
“'He gave Iran, the plain of heroes, and Yemen to Iraj, leaving Rum and the West for me.'”
#18
سپارد ترا مرز ترکان و چین
✦
که از تو سپهدار ایران زمین
“'He committed the realm of the Turks and China to you, making the Lord of Iran ruler over you.'”
#19
بدین بخشش اندر مرا پای نیست
✦
به مغز پدر اندرون رای نیست
“'I have no standing in this division; there is no wisdom left in our father's brain.'”
#20
هیون فرستاده بگزارد پای
✦
بیامد به نزدیک توران خدای
“The swift coursing messenger spurred his dromedary and came unto the ruler of Turan.”
#21
به خوبی شنیده همه یاد کرد
✦
سر تور بی‌مغز پرباد کرد
“He recounted gracefully all he had heard, filling the brainless head of Tur with arrogance.”
#22
چو این راز بشنید تور دلیر
✦
برآشفت ناگاه برسان شیر
“When brave Tur heard this secret, he flared up instantly like a raging lion.”
#23
چنین داد پاسخ که با شهریار
✦
بگو این سخن هم چنین یاد دار
“He answered thus: 'Tell the King, and keep this message firmly in your memory:'”
#24
که ما را به گاه جوانی پدر
✦
بدین گونه بفریفت ای دادگر
“'In our youth, our father deceived us in this manner, O just ruler!'”
#25
درختیست این خود نشانده بدست
✦
کجا آب او خون و برگش کبست
“'This is a tree he planted with his own hand, whose water is blood and whose leaf is bitter colocynth.'”
#26
ترا با من اکنون بدین گفت‌گوی
✦
بباید بروی اندر آورد روی
“'Now regarding this counsel, you and I must meet face to face.'”
#27
زدن رای هشیار و کردن نگاه
✦
هیونی فگندن به نزدیک شاه
“'We must deliberate wisely, examine the matter, and send a swift messenger to the King.'”
#28
زبان‌آوری چرب گوی از میان
✦
فرستاد باید به شاه جهان
“'An eloquent and sweet-talking speaker from among us must be sent to the King of the World.'”
#29
به جای زبونی و جای فریب
✦
نباید که یابد دلاور شکیب
“'Where there is weakness or deceit, a brave heart must not remain patient or quiet.'”
#30
نشاید درنگ اندرین کار هیچ
✦
کجا آید آسایش اندر بسیچ
“'Delay in this matter is not permissible; how can rest come when preparation is required?'”
#31
فرستاده چون پاسخ آورد باز
✦
برهنه شد آن روی پوشیده‌راز
“When the envoy brought back the response, the hidden secret was stripped bare.”
#32
برفت این برادر ز روم آن ز چین
✦
به زهر اندر آمیخته انگبین
“One brother marched from Rum and the other from China, mixing honey with deadly poison.”
#33
رسیدند پس یک به دیگر فراز
✦
سخن راندند آشکارا و راز
“They met each other in person and discussed matters both openly and in secret.”
#34
گزیدند پس موبدی تیزویر
✦
سخن گوی و بینادل و یادگیر
“They chose a sharp-witted Mobad—an eloquent, wise, and highly perceptive sage.”
#35
ز بیگانه پردخته کردند جای
✦
سگالش گرفتند هر گونه رای
“They cleared the council of strangers and engaged in all manner of counsel.”
#36
سخن سلم پیوند کرد از نخست
✦
ز شرم پدر دیدگان را بشست
“Salm began the speech first, washing his eyes clean of all shame toward his father.”
#37
فرستاده را گفت ره برنورد
✦
نباید که یابد ترا باد و گرد
“He said to the messenger: 'Traverse the road so fast that neither wind nor dust can catch you!'”
#38
چو آیی به کاخ فریدون فرود
✦
نخستین ز هر دو پسر ده درود
“'When you descend at Fereydun’s palace, first give greetings from both his sons.'”
#39
پس آنگه بگویش که ترس خدای
✦
بباید که باشد به هر دو سرای
“'Then tell him: "Fear of God must abide in the hearts of both worlds."'”
#40
جوان را بود روز پیری امید
✦
نگردد سیه ، مویِ گشته سپید
“'The youth hopes for old age; white hair does not turn black again.'”
#41
چه سازی درنگ اندرین جای تنگ
✦
که شد تنگ بر تو سرای درنگ
“'Why do you tarry in this narrow, fleeting place, when the house of delay has grown tight for you?'”
#42
جهان مرترا داد یزدان پاک
✦
ز تابنده خورشید تا تیره خاک
“'Holy God gave the world to you, from the shining sun down to the dark earth.'”
#43
همه بآرزو ساختی رسم و راه
✦
نکردی به فرمان یزدان نگاه
“'Yet you fashioned custom and law according to your own desires, paying no heed to God’s command!'”
#44
نجستی به جز کژی و کاستی
✦
نکردی به بخشش درون راستی
“'You sought nothing but crookedness and flaw, bringing no justice into your division.'”
#45
سه فرزند بودت خردمند و گرد
✦
بزرگ آمدت تیره بیدار خرد
“'You had three sons, all wise and brave, yet your darkened wisdom treated them with injustice.'”
#46
ندیدی هنر با یکی بیشتر
✦
کجا دیگری زو فرو برد سر
“Did you not see greater virtue in one, such that another had to bow his head before him?”
#47
یکی را دم اژدها ساختی
✦
یکی را به ابر اندر افراختی
“You made the breath of one a dragon's breath, and raised another up into the clouds.”
#48
یکی تاج بر سر ببالین تو
✦
برو شاد گشته جهان‌بین تو
“One wears a crown upon his head by your pillow, and your sight is delighted by him.”
#49
نه ما زو به مام و پدر کمتریم
✦
نه بر تخت شاهی نه اندر خوریم
“We are neither inferior to him in lineage, nor unfit for the royal throne.”
#50
ایا دادگر شهریار زمین
✦
برین داد هرگز مباد آفرین
“O just ruler of the earth, may praise never be given to such justice!”
#51
اگر تاج از آن تارک بی‌بها
✦
شود دور و یابد جهان زو رها
“Unless the crown is removed from that worthless head, and the world is freed from him,”
#52
سپاری بدو گوشه‌ای از جهان
✦
نشیند چو ما از تو خسته نهان
“And you assign him just a corner of the world, so he may sit hidden, wounded by you as we are,”
#53
و گرنه سواران ترکان و چین
✦
هم از روم گردان جوینده کین
“Otherwise, the horsemen of Turan and China, as well as the vengeance-seeking warriors of Rome,”
#54
فراز آورم لشگر گرزدار
✦
از ایران و ایرج برآرم دمار
“I shall bring forth an army wielding maces, and bring ruin upon Iran and Iraj!”
#55
چو بشنید موبد پیام درشت
✦
زمین را ببوسید و بنمود پشت
“When the priest heard the harsh message, he kissed the ground and turned his back.”
#56
بر آنسان به زین اندر آورد پای
✦
که از باد آتش بجنبد ز جای
“He mounted his saddle in such haste, as fire sparks and moves swiftly with the wind.”
#57
به درگاه شاه آفریدون رسید
✦
برآورده‌ای دید سر ناپدید
“He reached King Fereydun's court, and saw a towering palace whose summit was lost in the sky.”
#58
به ابر اندر آورده بالای او
✦
زمین کوه تا کوه پهنای او
“Its height reached into the clouds, and its width stretched from mountain to mountain.”
#59
نشسته به در بر گرانمایگان
✦
به پرده درون جای پرمایگان
“Noble lords were seated at the gate, while men of high merit dwelt within the inner curtains.”
#60
به یک دست بربسته شیر و پلنگ
✦
به دست دگر ژنده پیلان جنگ
“On one side lions and leopards were bound, and on the other stood fierce war elephants.”
#61
ز چندان گرانمایه گرد دلیر
✦
خروشی برآمد چو آوای شیر
“From so many noble and brave warriors, a shout arose like the roar of a lion.”
#62
سپهریست پنداشت ایوان به جای
✦
گران لشگری گرد او بر به پای
“He thought the palace was the celestial sphere itself, surrounded by a mighty, standing army.”
#63
برفتند بیدار کارآگهان
✦
بگفتند با شهریار جهان
“Vigilant heralds went in and informed the ruler of the world,”
#64
که آمد فرستاده‌ای نزد شاه
✦
یکی پرمنش مرد با دستگاه
“That an envoy had arrived before the king, a proud man of grand stature and dignity.”
#65
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
بر اسپش ز درگاه بگذاشتند
“He commanded the curtain to be raised and permitted him to enter from the gate on horseback.”
#66
چو چشمش به روی فریدون رسید
✦
همه دیده و دل پر از شاه دید
“When his eyes fell upon Fereydun's face, his eyes and heart were filled with awe of the king.”
#67
به بالای سرو و چو خورشید روی
✦
چو کافور گرد گل سرخ موی
“With stature like a cypress, a face like the sun, and hair like white camphor surrounding a red rose.”
#68
دولب پر ز خنده دو رخ پر ز شرم
✦
کیانی زبان پر ز گفتار نرم
“His lips filled with smiles, his cheeks with modesty, his royal tongue filled with gentle speech.”
#69
نشاندش هم آنگه فریدون ز پای
✦
سزاوار کردش بر خویش جای
“Fereydun immediately asked him to dismount and granted him a place worthy of his rank near himself.”
#70
بپرسیدش از دو گرامی نخست
✦
که هستند شادان دل و تن‌درست
“First, he inquired of him about his two dear sons, asking if their hearts were happy and their bodies healthy.”
#71
دگر گفت کز راه دور و دراز
✦
شدی رنجه اندر نشیب و فراز
“Then he said, 'You must have suffered much hardship across ups and downs on this long journey.'”
#72
فرستاده گفت ای گرانمایه شاه
✦
ابی تو مبیناد کس پیش‌گاه
“The envoy replied, 'O noble King! May no one ever see the royal court without your presence!'”
#73
ز هر کس که پرسی به کام تواند
✦
همه پاک زنده به نام تواند
“Everyone you inquire about lives according to your desire; they all exist solely through your name.”
#74
منم بنده‌ای شاه را ناسزا
✦
چنین بر تن خویش ناپارسا
“I am an unworthy servant to the king, forced to bring a message unworthy of my own self.”
#75
پیامی درشت آوریده به شاه
✦
فرستنده پر خشم و من بیگناه
“I have brought a harsh message to the king; the sender is filled with wrath, while I am guiltless.”
#76
بگویم چو فرمایدم شهریار
✦
پیام جوانان ناهوشیار
“I shall deliver it if the ruler commands me—the message of foolish young men.”
#77
بفرمود پس تا زبان برگشاد
✦
شنیده سخن سر به سر کرد یاد
“The King then ordered him to speak, and he recounted everything he had heard from start to finish.”
#78
فریدون بدو پهن بگشاد گوش
✦
چو بشنید مغزش برآمد به جوش
“Fereydun listened intently to him; when he heard the message, his mind boiled with rage.”
#79
فرستاده را گفت کای هوشیار
✦
بباید ترا پوزش اکنون به کار
“He said to the messenger, 'O wise man, you need not offer apologies now;'”
#80
که من چشم از ایشان چنین داشتم
✦
همی بر دل خویش بگذاشتم
“'For I expected nothing else from them, and I have prepared my heart for this.'”
#81
که از گوهر بد نیاید مهی
✦
مرا دل همی داد این آگهی
“For greatness comes not from an evil nature; my own heart gave me this warning.”
#82
بگوی آن دو ناپاک بیهوده را
✦
دو اهریمن مغز پالوده را
“Say to those two impure, foolish men, those two Ahrimans devoid of wisdom:”
#83
انوشه که کردید گوهر پدید
✦
درود از شما خود بدین سان سزید
“Blessed be you for revealing your true nature! Truly, such greetings are most fitting from you.”
#84
ز پند من ار مغزتان شد تهی
✦
همی از خردتان نبود آگهی
“If your minds have become empty of my counsel, it is because you were devoid of wisdom's awareness.”
#85
ندارید شرم و نه بیم از خدای
✦
شما را همانا همین‌ست رای
“You feel neither shame nor fear of God; truly, this seems to be your sole disposition.”
#86
مرا پیشتر قیرگون بود موی
✦
چو سرو سهی قد و چون ماه روی
“In earlier days, my hair was pitch-black, my stature upright like a cypress, and my face like the bright moon.”
#87
سپهری که پشت مرا کرد کوز
✦
نشد پست و گردان بجایست نوز
“The revolving sphere that bent my back has not fallen low; it turns still in its eternal place.”
#88
خماند شما را هم این روزگار
✦
نماند برین گونه بس پایدار
“This same time will also bend your backs; it will not remain long in this present state.”
#89
بدان برترین نام یزدان پاک
✦
به رخشنده خورشید و بر تیره خاک
“By the supreme name of pure God, by the radiant sun, and by the dark earth,”
#90
به تخت و کلاه و به ناهید و ماه
✦
که من بد نکردم شما را نگاه
“By crown and throne, by Venus and the moon, I have never looked upon you with ill intent!”
#91
یکی انجمن کردم از بخردان
✦
ستاره شناسان و هم موبدان
“I assembled a council of the wise—astrologers and priests alike—”
#92
بسی روزگاران شدست اندرین
✦
نکردیم بر باد بخشش زمین
“Much time was spent in this deliberation; we did not divide the earth upon mere wind!”
#93
همه راستی خواستم زین سخن
✦
به کژی نه سر بود پیدا نه بن
“I sought nothing but truth in this matter; no trace of deceit was present, head or tail.”
#94
همه ترس یزدان بد اندر میان
✦
همه راستی خواستم در جهان
“The fear of God alone was central to my mind; I desired righteousness throughout the world.”
#95
چو آباد دادند گیتی به من
✦
نجستم پراگندن انجمن
“When the world was given to me flourishing, I did not seek to scatter its unity.”
#96
مگر همچنان گفتم آباد تخت
✦
سپارم به سه دیدهٔ نیک بخت
“Rather, I wished to pass this prosperous throne to my three fortunate eyes [sons].”
#97
شما را کنون گر دل از راه من
✦
به کژی و تاری کشید اهرمن
“If Ahriman has now led your hearts astray from my path into darkness and crookedness,”
#98
ببینید تا کردگار بلند
✦
چنین از شما کرد خواهد پسند
“Wait and see whether the Supreme Creator will approve of such deeds from you!”
#99
یکی داستان گویم ار بشنوید
✦
همان بر که کارید خود بدروید
“I shall tell a tale, if you will listen: whatever seed you sow, that very fruit you shall reap.”
#100
چنین گفت باما سخن رهنمای
✦
جزین است جاوید ما را سرای
“Thus spoke our guide to us: 'Our eternal dwelling lies beyond this transitory world.'”
#101
به تخت خرد بر نشست آزتان
✦
چرا شد چنین دیو انبازتان
“Your greed has usurped the throne of wisdom; why has the demon become your associate?”
#102
بترسم که در چنگ این اژدها
✦
روان یابد از کالبدتان رها
“I fear that in the clutches of this dragon, your souls will be freed from your bodies!”
#103
مرا خود ز گیتی گه رفتن است
✦
نه هنگام تندی و آشفتن است
“For me, the time has come to depart this world; it is no longer the hour for fury and agitation.”
#104
ولیکن چنین گوید آن سالخورد
✦
که بودش سه فرزند آزاد مرد
“Yet thus speaks that aged man who had three noble sons:”
#105
که چون آز گردد ز دلها تهی
✦
چه آن خاک و آن تاج شاهنشهی
“'When the heart is emptied of greed, pure dust and the royal crown become one and the same.'”
#106
کسی کو برادر فروشد به خاک
✦
سزد گر نخوانندش از آب پاک
“'Whoever trades his brother for dust deserves not to be called of pure origin.'”
#107
جهان چون شما دید و بیند بسی
✦
نخواهد شدن رام با هر کسی
“'The world has seen many like you and will see more; it will never yield submissively to anyone.'”
#108
کزین هر چه دانید از کردگار
✦
بود رستگاری به روز شمار
“'Of all you know of the Creator, only righteous deeds bring salvation on the Day of Reckoning.'”
#109
بجویید و آن توشهٔ ره کنید
✦
بکوشید تا رنج کوته کنید
“'Seek righteousness and make it your provision for the journey; strive to lessen grief and hardship.'”
#110
فرستاده بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
زمین را ببوسید و برگاشت روی
“The messenger heard his words, kissed the ground, and turned to depart.”
#111
ز پیش فریدون چنان بازگشت
✦
که گفتی که با باد انباز گشت
“He returned from Fereydoun's presence so swiftly that one would say he had partnered with the wind.”