#1
به شبگیر هنگام بانگ خروس
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ز درگاه برخاست آوای کوس
“At dawn's early light, when the rooster crowed, the thunder of war drums echoed from the threshold.”
#2
چو پیلی به اسپ اندر آورد پای
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بیاورد چون باد لشکر ز جای
“Like a mighty elephant he mounted his horse, setting the army into motion swift as the wind.”
#3
همی رفت تا پیشش آمد دو راه
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فرو ماند بر جای پیل و سپاه
“They marched until two roads appeared before them; there both the war elephant and the army halted.”
#4
دژ گنبدان بود راهش یکی
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دگر سوی زاول کشید اندکی
“One path led toward the Fortress of Gonbadan, while the other turned slightly toward Zabol.”
#5
شتر انک در پیش بودش بخفت
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تو گفتی که گشتست با خاک جفت
“The lead camel knelt down in its tracks, as though it had become fused with the earth.”
#6
همی چوب زد بر سرش ساروان
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ز رفتن بماند آن زمان کاروان
“The driver repeatedly struck its head with a stick, yet the caravan remained stranded.”
#7
جهان‌جوی را آن بد آمد به فال
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بفرمود کش سر ببرند و یال
“The world-seeker took this as a sinister omen and commanded that its head and mane be severed,”
#8
بدان تا بدو بازگردد بدی
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نباشد به جز فره ایزدی
“So that the ill evil might return upon the beast, leaving nothing behind save the Divine Glory.”
#9
بریدند پرخاشجویان سرش
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بدو بازگشت آن زمان اخترش
“The fierce warriors severed its head, and in that moment its fateful star turned away.”
#10
غمی گشت زان اشتر اسفندیار
✦
گرفت آن زمان اختر شوم خوار
“Esfandiyar grew sorrowful because of the camel, yet he scorned that evil omen in his heart.”
#11
چنین گفت کآن کس که پیروز گشت
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سر بخت او گیتی افروز گشت
“He said: 'Whoever triumphs in the end, the head of his fortune illuminates the world.”
#12
بد و نیک هر دو ز یزدان بود
✦
لب مرد باید که خندان بود
“Both good and evil come from God; a man's lips should always remain smiling.'”
#13
وزانجا بیامد سوی هیرمند
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همی بود ترسان ز بیم گزند
“From there he marched onward to the Helmand, ever fearful of potential disaster.”
#14
بر آیین ببستند پرده‌سرای
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بزرگان لشگر گزیدند جای
“They pitched the royal enclosure according to custom, and the leaders of the army took their places.”
#15
شراعی بزد زود و بنهاد تخت
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بر آن تخت بر شد گو نیک‌بخت
“He quickly set up a pavilion and placed a throne, and the fortunate hero ascended upon it.”
#16
می آورد و رامشگران را بخواند
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بسی زر و گوهر بر ایشان فشاند
“He brought wine and summoned the minstrels, scattering much gold and jewels upon them.”
#17
به رامش دل خویشتن شاد کرد
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دل راد مردان پر از یاد کرد
“With music he made his own heart glad, and filled the hearts of noble men with remembrance.”
#18
چو گل بشکفید از می سالخورد
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رخ نامداران و شاه نبرد
“As aged wine bloomed like roses upon the cheeks of the nobles and the king of battle,”
#19
به یاران چنین گفت کز رای شاه
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نپیچیدم و دور گشتم ز راه
“He said to his companions: 'I did not turn away from the King's counsel, though I strayed far on this path.”
#20
مرا گفت بر کار رستم بسیچ
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ز بند و ز خواری میاسای هیچ
“He told me to prepare against Rostam, and never rest from binding him and bringing him low.”
#21
به کردن برفتم برای پدر
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کنون این گزین پیر پرخاشخر
“I set forth to act according to my father's order; yet this noble, battle-seasoned elder,”
#22
بسی رنج دارد به جای سران
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جهان راست کرده به گرز گران
“Has endured endless toil for the realm's leaders, restoring peace to the world with his heavy mace.”
#23
همه شهر ایران بدو زنده‌اند
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اگر شهریارند و گر بنده‌اند
“All the cities of Iran live through him, whether they be sovereigns or servants.”
#24
فرستاده باید یکی تیزویر
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سخن‌گوی و داننده و یادگیر
“We must send a swift-minded messenger—eloquent, wise, and receptive to knowledge—”
#25
سواری که باشد ورا فر و زیب
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نگیرد ورا رستم اندر فریب
“A knight possessing divine grace and majesty, whom Rostam cannot catch in deception.”
#26
گر ایدون که آید به نزدیک ما
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درفشان کند رای تاریک ما
“If he comes to us in peace, he will brighten our dark counsel.”
#27
به خوبی دهد دست بند مرا
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به دانش ببندد گزند مرا
“If he willingly yields to my chains, he binds all harm to me through wisdom.”
#28
نخواهم من او را به جز نیکویی
✦
اگر دور دارد سر از بدخویی
“I wish nothing for him but good, so long as he turns his head away from stubbornness.'”
#29
پشوتن بدو گفت اینست راه
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بر این باش و آزرم مردان بخواه
“Pashotan said to him: 'This indeed is the right path; remain upon this and honor noble men.'”