#1
چو رستم بیامد به ایوان خویش
✦
نگه کرد چندی به دیوان خویش
“When Rostam entered his lofty palace hall, he gazed long and anxiously upon his armor and battle records.”
#2
زواره بیامد به نزدیک اوی
✦
ورا دید پژمرده و زردروی
“Zovareh came close to his side and saw him pale-faced and withered by grief.”
#3
بدو گفت رو تیغ هندی بیار
✦
یکی جوشن و مغفری نامدار
“Rostam said to him, 'Go, bring forth my Indian blade, along with my renowned chainmail and helmet.”
#4
کمان آر و برگستوان آر و ببر
✦
کمند آر و گرز گران آر و گبر
“Bring my bow, the horse armor, my tiger-skin mantle, my lasso, my heavy mace, and my battle coat.'”
#5
زواره بفرمود تا هرچ گفت
✦
بیاورد گنجور او از نهفت
“Zovareh ordered all that he asked to be brought forth from the secret treasure-vaults.”
#6
چو رستم سلیح نبردش بدید
✦
سرافشاند و باد از جگر برکشید
“When Rostam looked upon his battle armaments, he shook his head and let out a cold sigh from his chest.”
#7
چنین گفت کای جوشن کارزار
✦
برآسودی از جنگ یک روزگار
“He spoke thus: 'O coat of mail, for a long season you rested from the harshness of war.”
#8
کنون کار پیش آمدت سخت باش
✦
به هر جای پیراهن بخت باش
“Now a dire struggle faces you; be strong, and stand anywhere as the cloak of my good fortune.'”
#9
چنین رزمگاهی که غران دو شیر
✦
به جنگ اندر آیند هر دو دلیر
“Such a battlefield lies ahead, where two roaring lions shall enter into fierce fight.”
#10
کنون تا چه پیش آرد اسفندیار
✦
چه بازی کند در دم کارزار
“Let us see now what game Esfandiyar will bring into the heat of battle.'”
#11
چو بشنید دستان ز رستم سخن
✦
پراندیشه شد جان مرد کهن
“When Zal heard these words from Rostam, his aged soul was filled with deep anxiety.”
#12
بدو گفت کای نامور پهلوان
✦
چه گفتی کزان تیره گشتم روان
“He said to him, 'O illustrious hero, what have you said that has darkened my spirit?”
#13
تو تا بر نشستی بزین نبرد
✦
نبودی مگر نیک دل رادمرد
“Ever since you first mounted the war-saddle, you were nothing but a noble and valiant warrior,”
#14
همیشه دل از رنج پرداخته
✦
به فرمان شاهان سرافراخته
“Always keeping your heart free from malice, raising your head only in obedience to kings.”
#15
بترسم که روزت سرآید همی
✦
گر اختر به خواب اندر آید همی
“I fear your day of life is coming to an end, if your star of fortune has fallen asleep.”
#16
همی تخم دستان ز بن برکنند
✦
زن و کودکان را به خاک افگنند
“They will uproot the seed of Zal from its very foundation, casting women and children to the dust.”
#17
به دست جوانی چو اسفندیار
✦
اگر تو شوی کشته در کارزار
“If you are slain in battle at the hands of a prince as young and mighty as Esfandiyar,”
#18
نماند به زاولستان آب و خاک
✦
بلندی بر و بوم گردد مغاک
“Neither earth nor water will remain in Zabulistan, and the height of our land will turn to a pit.”
#19
ور ایدونک او را رسد زین گزند
✦
نباشد ترا نیز نام بلند
“And if harm should come to him by your hand, your name shall no longer be held high in glory.”
#20
همی هرکسی داستانها زنند
✦
برآورده نام ترا بشکرند
“Everyone will tell tales of this deed, tearing to shreds the great name you have earned,”
#21
که او شهریاری ز ایران بکشت
✦
بدان کو سخن گفت با وی درشت
“Saying: 'He killed an imperial prince of Iran simply because the prince spoke harsh words to him.'”
#22
همی باش در پیش او بر به پای
✦
وگرنه هم‌اکنون بپرداز جای
“Remain standing in submission before him; or if not, yield your position and leave this realm right now.”
#23
به بیغوله‌ای شو فرود از مهان
✦
که کس نشنود نامت اندر جهان
“Retire to a secluded corner far from the great, so that no one in the world hears your name again.”
#24
کزین بد ترا تیره گردد روان
✦
بپرهیز ازین شهریار جوان
“For your soul will be darkened by this evil; refrain from conflict with this young monarch.”
#25
به گنج و به رنج این روان بازخر
✦
مبر پیش دیبای چینی تبر
“Buy back your soul through riches and toil; do not bring an axe against Chinese silk.”
#26
سپاه ورا خلعت آرای نیز
✦
ازو باز خر خویشتن را به چیز
“Adorn his army with robings of honor; buy yourself back from him with precious gifts.”
#27
چو برگردد او از لب هیرمند
✦
تو پای اندر آور به رخش بلند
“When he turns back from the banks of the Hirmand river, place your foot upon lofty Rakhsh,”
#28
چو ایمن شدی بندگی کن به راه
✦
بدان تا ببینی یکی روی شاه
“When you are safe, offer service along the path, so that you may behold the face of the King.”
#29
چو بیند ترا کی کند شاه بد
✦
خود از شاه کردار بد کی سزد
“When the King sees you, how could he work evil? Indeed, how could evil deeds fit a monarch?'”
#30
بدو گفت رستم که ای مرد پیر
✦
سخنها برین گونه آسان مگیر
“Rostam said to him, 'O venerable old man, do not take these matters so lightly!”
#31
به مردی مرا سال بسیار گشت
✦
بد و نیک چندی بسر بر گذشت
“Through valor my years have grown long, and many good and evil fortunes have passed over my head.”
#32
رسیدم به دیوان مازندران
✦
به رزم سواران هاماوران
“I went against the demons of Mazandaran and fought the valiant horsemen of Hamavaran,”
#33
همان رزم کاموس و خاقان چین
✦
که لرزان بدی زیر ایشان زمین
“And faced the battle of Kamus and the Khaqan of China, under whom the very earth trembled.”
#34
اگر من گریزم ز اسفندیار
✦
تو در سیستان کاخ و گلشن مدار
“If I were to flee from Esfandiyar, hold no palace or garden in Sistan for yourself!”
#35
چو من ببر پوشم به روز نبرد
✦
سر هور و ماه اندرآرم به گرد
“When I don the tiger-skin mantle on the day of fight, I bring down the heads of the sun and moon into the dust.”
#36
ز خواهش که گفتی بسی رانده‌ام
✦
بدو دفتر کهتری خوانده‌ام
“As for humble pleading, I have done much; I have recited the book of submission before him.”
#37
همی خوار گیرد سخنهای من
✦
بپیچد سر از دانش و رای من
“Yet he holds my words in contempt, turning his head away from wisdom and my counsel.”
#38
گر او سر ز کیوان فرود آردی
✦
روانش بر من درود آردی
“If he were to bring his head down from the Saturnian height and offer a blessing to my soul,”
#39
ازو نیستی گنج و گوهر دریغ
✦
نه برگستوان و نه گوپال و تیغ
“I would withhold neither treasures nor jewels, nor horse armor, nor heavy maces, nor swords.”
#40
سخن چند گفتم به چندین نشست
✦
ز گفتار باد است ما را به دست
“I spoke many words across several meetings, but from all that speech we hold only wind in our hands.”
#41
گر ایدونک فردا کند کارزار
✦
دل از جان او هیچ رنجه مدار
“If tomorrow he chooses to do battle, do not let your heart be grieved for his life.”
#42
نپیچم به آورد با او عنان
✦
نه گوپال بیند نه زخم سنان
“I will not turn my reins in deadly combat with him; he shall see neither heavy mace nor lance strike.”
#43
نبندم به آوردگاه راه اوی
✦
بنیرو نگیرم کمرگاه اوی
“I will not block his way upon the field of combat, nor shall I seize his waist with brute force.”
#44
ز باره به آغوش بردارمش
✦
به شاهی ز گشتاسپ بگذارمش
“I shall lift him bodily from his charger into my arms, and bypass Goshtasp to confer kingship upon him!”
#45
بیارم نشانم بر تخت ناز
✦
ازان پس گشایم در گنج باز
“I shall bring him and place him upon the throne of delights, and thereafter open wide the doors of my treasures.”
#46
چو مهمان من بوده باشد سه روز
✦
چهارم چو از چرخ گیتی فروز
“When he has been my honored guest for three full days, then on the fourth, when the world-illuminating sun...”
#47
بیندازد آن چادر لاژورد
✦
پدید آید از جام یاقوت زرد
“Casts off its azure veil of night, and the golden-ruby sun shines forth from the heavenly goblet...”
#48
سبک باز با او ببندم کمر
✦
وز ایدر نهم سوی گشتاسپ سر
“Swiftly shall I gird my loins beside him, and together from this realm we shall set out toward King Goshtasp.”
#49
نشانمش بر نامور تخت عاج
✦
نهم بر سرش بر دل‌افروز تاج
“I shall seat him upon the famed throne of ivory, and place upon his head the heart-delighting crown.”
#50
ببندم کمر پیش او بنده‌وار
✦
نجویم جدایی ز اسفندیار
“I will gird my belt before him like a humble servant, never seeking to be parted from Esfandiyar.”
#51
تو دانی که من پیش تخت قباد
✦
چه کردم به مردی تو داری به یاد
“You well recall what deeds of valor I performed before the throne of Qobad; it lives within your memory.”
#52
بخندید از گفت او زال زر
✦
زمانی بجنبید ز اندیشه سر
“Zal of the Golden Hair laughed at his words, shaking his head in deep and anxious contemplation for a while.”
#53
بدو گفت زال ای پسر این سخن
✦
مگوی و جدا کن سرش را ز بن
“Zal spoke to him: 'O my son, utter no such words! Sever such foolish thoughts entirely from their root!'”
#54
که دیوانگان این سخن بشنوند
✦
بدین خام گفتار تو نگروند
“For even madmen, were they to hear such talk, would never lend faith to your ungrounded words.”
#55
قبادی به جایی نشسته دُژَن
✦
نه تخت و کلاه و نه گنج کهن
“Qobad was sitting forlorn in a distant place, possessing neither throne nor crown nor ancient treasure!”
#56
چو اسفندیاری که فعفور چین
✦
نویسد همی نام او بر نگین
“How compare him to Esfandiyar, whose mighty name the Emperor of China engraves upon his seal?”
#57
تو گویی که از باره بردارمش
✦
به بر بر سوی خان زال آرمش
“Yet you say: "I shall lift him off his steed and carry him in my arms to the house of Zal!"”
#58
نگوید چنین مردم سالخورد
✦
به گرد در ناسپاسی مگرد
“A wise elder of many years would never speak thus; do not wander around the court of arrogance and foolishness!”
#59
بگفت این و بنهاد سر بر زمین
✦
همی خواند بر کردگار آفرین
“He spoke these words and laid his head upon the dust, offering earnest praises to the Almighty Creator.”
#60
همی گفت کای داور کردگار
✦
بگردان تو از ما بد روزگار
“He kept praying: 'O Sovereign Judge and Lord, avert from us the evil of calamity and ill fortune!'”
#61
برین گونه تا خور برآمد ز کوه
✦
نیامد زبانش ز گفتن ستوه
“In this manner, until the sun arose above the mountains, his tongue grew never weary of supplication.”