#1
چو رستم بدر شد ز پرده‌سرای
✦
زمانی همی بود بر در به پای
“When Rostam emerged from the royal pavilion, he stood for a moment by the threshold.”
#2
به کریاس گفت ای سرای امید
✦
خنک روز کاندر تو بد جمشید
“He addressed the gateway, saying: 'O hall of hope! Fortunate was the day when Jamshid resided within you.'”
#3
همایون بدی گاه کاوس کی
✦
همان روز کیخسرو نیک‌پی
“Blessed was the era of Kay Kavus, and likewise the days of the noble Kay Khosrow.”
#4
در فرهی بر تو اکنون ببست
✦
که بر تخت تو ناسزایی نشست
“Now the door of Royal Glory is closed to you, for an unworthy king sits upon your throne.”
#5
شنید این سخنها یل اسفندیار
✦
پیاده بیامد بر نامدار
“The heroic Esfandiyar heard these words and came out on foot toward the famous champion.”
#6
به رستم چنین گفت کای سرگرای
✦
چرا تیز گشتی به پرده‌سرای
“He said to Rostam: 'O proud warrior, why have you become so sharp-tongued at the entrance of the pavilion?'”
#7
سزد گر برین بوم زابلستان
✦
نهد دانشی نام غلغلستان
“It would be fitting if a wise man were to name this land of Zabulistan the 'Land of Clamor'.”
#8
که مهمان چو سیر آید از میزبان
✦
به زشتی برد نام پالیزبان
“For when a guest is sated by the host, it is foul for him to speak ill of the gardener.”
#9
سراپرده را گفت بد روزگار
✦
که جمشید را داشتی بر کنار
“You spoke evil of the pavilion for having once held Jamshid by its side,”
#10
همان روز کز بهر کاوس شاه
✦
بدی پرده و سایهٔ بارگاه
“And likewise the days when it served as the royal tent and shade for King Kavus,”
#11
کجا راه یزدان همی بازجست
✦
همی خواستی اختران را درست
“Who sought the path of God yet sought to discern the stars directly.”
#12
زمین زو سراسر پرآشوب بود
✦
پر از خنجر و غارت و چوب بود
“In those times, the earth was filled with turmoil, brimming with daggers, plunder, and violence.”
#13
کنون مایه‌دار تو گشتاسپ است
✦
به پیش وی اندر چو جاماسپ است
“Now Goshtasp is your sovereign, and before him stands Jamasp,”
#14
نشسته به یک دست او زردهشت
✦
که با زند واست آمدست از بهشت
“Seated on one side is Zoroaster, who brought the Zand and Avesta from paradise.”
#15
به دیگر پشوتن گو نیک مرد
✦
چشیده ز گیتی بسی گرم و سرد
“On the other side is the good knight Peshotan, who has experienced much of the world's hot and cold.”
#16
به پیش اندرون فرخ اسفندیار
✦
کزو شاد شد گردش روزگار
“And in the vanguard stands auspicious Esfandiyar, through whom the turn of fortune was made joyful.”
#17
دل نیک‌مردان بدو زنده شد
✦
بد از بیم شمشیر او بنده شد
“The hearts of righteous men were quickened through him, and evil was brought into servitude through fear of his sword.'”
#18
بیامد بدر پهلوان سوار
✦
پس‌اندر همی دیدش اسفندیار
“The mounted champion (Rostam) departed from the gate, while Esfandiyar watched him from behind.”
#19
چو برگشت ازو با پشوتن بگفت
✦
که مردی و گردی نشاید نهفت
“When he turned back, he said to Peshotan: 'Valor and heroic knightliness cannot be concealed.”
#20
ندیدم بدین گونه اسپ و سوار
✦
ندانم که چون خیزد از کارزار
“I have never seen a steed and rider of such stature; I know not how he will fare in battle.”
#21
یکی ژنده پیل است بر کوه گنگ
✦
اگر با سلیح اندر آید به جنگ
“He is like a furious war-elephant upon Mount Gong if he enters battle fully armed.”
#22
اگر با سلیح نبردی بود
✦
همانا که آیین مردی بود
“If it comes to a contest of arms, his martial spirit surely embodies the true way of chivalry.”
#23
به بالا همی بگذرد فر و زیب
✦
بترسم که فردا ببیند نشیب
“His height, glory, and splendor rise to the heavens; I fear that tomorrow he will suffer a downfall.”
#24
همی سوزد از مهر فرش دلم
✦
ز فرمان دادار دل نگسلم
“My heart burns with love for his royal splendor, yet I cannot sever my heart from the Creator's command.”
#25
چو فردا بیاید به آوردگاه
✦
کنم روز روشن بروبر سیاه
“When tomorrow arrives at the battlefield, I shall turn his bright day into dark night.'”
#26
پشوتن بدو گفت بشنو سخن
✦
همی گویمت ای برادر مکن
“Peshotan said to him: 'Hear my counsel! I tell you, O brother, do not do this!”
#27
ترا گفتم و بیش گویم همی
✦
که از راستی دل نشویم همی
“I have told you before and say it again: I will not wash my heart of righteousness.”
#28
میازار کس را که آزاد مرد
✦
سر اندر نیارد به آزار و درد
“Do not injure anyone, for a noble man does not lower his head to inflict pain and torment.”
#29
بخسب امشب و بامداد پگاه
✦
برو تا به ایوان او بی‌سپاه
“Sleep tonight, and early at dawn, go to his palace without an army.”
#30
بایوان او روز فرخ کنیم
✦
سخن هرچ گویند پاسخ کنیم
“Let us make it an auspicious day at his hall, answering whatever is spoken with reason.”
#31
همه کار نیکوست زو در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“All his deeds in the world are noble, whether among the humble or the great.”
#32
همی سر نپیچد ز فرمان تو
✦
دلش راست بینم به پیمان تو
“He does not turn his head from your command; I see his heart is faithful to your pact.”
#33
تو با او چه گویی به کین و به خشم
✦
بشوی از دلت کین وز خشم چشم
“Why do you speak to him with malice and anger? Wash malice from your heart and anger from your eyes!'”
#34
یکی پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که بر گوشهٔ گلستان رست خار
“Esfandiyar gave him an answer: 'A thorn has grown on the edge of the rose garden!'”
#35
چنین گفت کز مردم پاک‌دین
✦
همانا نزیبد که گوید چنین
“He said: 'It ill fits a pure-hearted religious man to utter such things.”
#36
گر ایدونک دستور ایران توی
✦
دل و گوش و چشم دلیران توی
“If you are indeed the chief counselor of Iran, the heart, ear, and eye of its brave men,”
#37
همی خوب داری چنین راه را
✦
خرد را و آزردن شاه را
“How can you deem such a path good—abandoning wisdom and tormenting the King?”
#38
همه رنج و تیمار ما باد گشت
✦
همان دین زردشت بیداد گشت
“All our toil and hardship would turn to wind, and the faith of Zoroaster would become unjust!”
#39
که گوید که هر کو ز فرمان شاه
✦
بپیچد به دوزخ بود جایگاه
“For it is said that whoever turns from the King's command, his place shall be in hell.”
#40
مرا چند گویی گنهکار شو
✦
ز گفتار گشتاسپ بیزار شو
“How often will you tell me to become a sinner and turn away from Goshtasp's decree?”
#41
تو گویی و من خود چنین کی کنم
✦
که از رای و فرمان او پی کنم
“You speak thus, but how could I ever do such a thing—to break away from his counsel and order?”
#42
گر ایدونک ترسی همی از تنم
✦
من امروز ترس ترا بشکنم
“If it is for my life that you fear, today I shall shatter your fear.”
#43
کسی بی‌زمانه به گیتی نمرد
✦
نمرد آنک نام بزرگی ببرد
“No one dies in this world before their appointed time, nor does he die who leaves behind a great name.”
#44
تو فردا ببینی که بر دشت جنگ
✦
چه کار آورم پیش چنگی پلنگ
“Tomorrow you shall see what deeds I accomplish on the battlefield before that clawing leopard.'”
#45
پشوتن بدو گفت کای نامدار
✦
چنین چند گویی تو از کارزار
“Peshotan said to him: 'O renowned prince! How long will you speak thus of battle?”
#46
که تا تو رسیدی به تیر و کمان
✦
نبد بر تو ابلیس را این گمان
“Until you took up the bow and arrow, Ahriman himself never dreamed he could ensnare your soul.”
#47
به دل دیو را راه دادی کنون
✦
همی نشنوی پند این رهنمون
“Yet now you have granted passage to the demon in your heart, refusing to heed the counsel of this wise guide.”
#48
دلت خیره بینم همی پر ستیز
✦
کنون هرچ گفتم همه ریزریز
“I see your heart obstinately set on conflict; all the counsel I gave is now shattered and discarded.”
#49
چگونه کنم ترس را از دلم
✦
بدین سان کز اندیشه‌ها بگسلم
“How may I cast this haunting terror from my heart, so that I might sever myself from these grim forebodings?”
#50
دو جنگی دو شیر و دو مرد دلیر
✦
چه دانم که پشت که آید به زیر
“Two mighty warriors, two fierce lions, two valiant men—how can I foretell whose back shall be brought down to the earth?”
#51
ورا نامور هیچ پاسخ نداد
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر پر ز باد
“The renowned prince offered him no response; his heart was weighed down with pain, yet his mind remained filled with stubborn arrogance.”