#1
ببودند هر دو بران رای مند
✦
سپهبد برآمد به بالا بلند
“They both agreed upon that counsel; the commander ascended to the high summit.”
#2
از ایوان سه مجمر پر آتش ببرد
✦
برفتند با او سه هشیار و گرد
“He took three braziers filled with fire from the hall, accompanied by three wise and brave men.”
#3
فسونگر چو بر تیغ بالا رسید
✦
ز دیبا یکی پر بیرون کشید
“When the sorcerer reached the crest of the height, he brought out a feather from a piece of brocade.”
#4
ز مجمر یکی آتشی برفروخت
✦
به بالای آن پر لختی بسوخت
“He kindled a fire in one of the braziers and burned a portion of that feather above it.”
#5
چو پاسی ازان تیره شب درگذشت
✦
تو گفتی چو آهن سیاه ابر گشت
“When a watch of that dark night had passed, you would say a cloud as dark as iron overcast the sky.”
#6
همانگه چو مرغ از هوا بنگرید
✦
درخشیدن آتش تیز دید
“At once, as the Bird looked down from the sky, she perceived the gleaming of the sharp fire.”
#7
نشسته برش زال با درد و غم
✦
ز پرواز مرغ اندر آمد دژم
“Zal sat before it in sorrow and grief; at the bird's flight, he came down downcast.”
#8
بشد پیش با عود زال از فراز
✦
ستودش فراوان و بردش نماز
“He stepped forward with aloe-wood, praised her exceedingly, and offered his reverent prayer.”
#9
به پیشش سه مجمر پر از بوی کرد
✦
ز خون جگر بر دو رخ جوی کرد
“He placed three incense-burners full of fragrance before her, while streams of heart-blood flowed down his cheeks.”
#10
بدو گفت سیمرغ شاها چه بود
✦
که آمد ازین سان نیازت به دود
“The Simorgh said to him: 'O King, what has transpired that you stood in such dire need of smoke?'”
#11
چنین گفت کاین بد به دشمن رساد
✦
که بر من رسید از بد بدنژاد
“He spoke thus: 'May this evil befall the enemy—the harm that has reached me from an evil-born foe!'”
#12
تن رستم شیردل خسته شد
✦
ازان خستگی جان من بسته شد
“'The body of lion-hearted Rostam is grievously wounded, and by those wounds my soul is bound in anguish.'”
#13
کزان خستگی بیم جانست و بس
✦
بران گونه خسته ندیدست کس
“'From those wounds there is fear for his life; none has ever seen one wounded in such a manner.'”
#14
همان رخش گویی که بیجان شدست
✦
ز پیکان تنش زار و بیجان شدست
“'And Rakhsh, you would say, is lifeless—his body rendered wretched and spent by arrowheads.'”
#15
بیامد برین کشور اسفندیار
✦
نکوبد همی جز در کارزار
“'Esfandiyar has come to this realm, and he seeks nothing except battle and slaughter.'”
#16
نجوید همی کشور و تاج و تخت
✦
برو بار خواهد همی با درخت
“'He seeks neither realm nor crown nor throne; he wishes to cut down tree, fruit, and leaves together.'”
#17
بدو گفت سیمرغ کای پهلوان
✦
مباش اندرین کار خسته‌روان
“The Simorgh said to him: 'O Champion, do not let your soul be crushed in this plight.'”
#18
سزد گر نمایی به من رخش را
✦
همان سرفراز جهان‌بخش را
“'It is fitting that you present Rakhsh to me, as well as that exalted ruler of the world.'”
#19
کسی سوی رستم فرستاد زال
✦
که لختی به چاره برافراز یال
“Zal dispatched someone to Rostam, saying: 'Raise your courage for a moment to seek a remedy.'”
#20
بفرمای تا رخش را همچنان
✦
بیارند پیش من اندر زمان
“'Command that they bring Rakhsh immediately before me as well.'”
#21
چو رستم بران تند بالا رسید
✦
همان مرغ روشن‌دل او را بدید
“When Rostam reached that steep height, the radiant-hearted bird beheld him.”
#22
بدو گفت کای ژنده پیل بلند
✦
ز دست که گشتی بدین سان نژند
“She said to him: 'O massive elephant of war, at whose hand have you become so wretched?'”
#23
چرا رزم جستی ز اسفندیار
✦
چرا آتش افگندی اندر کنار
“'Why did you seek battle with Esfandiyar? Why did you cast fire into your own lap?'”
#24
بدو گفت زال ای خداوند مهر
✦
چو اکنون نمودی بما پاک چهر
“Zal said to her: 'O lord of loving-kindness, since you have now shown us your pure countenance,'”
#25
گر ایدونک رستم نگردد درست
✦
کجا خواهم اندر جهان جای جست
“'If Rostam does not become whole again, where in the world shall I find a dwelling place?'”
#26
همه سیستان پاک ویران کنند
✦
به کام دلیران ایران کنند
“'They will completely lay waste to all Sistan to fulfill the desire of Iran's warriors.'”
#27
شود کنده این تخمهٔ ما ز بن
✦
کنون بر چه رانیم یکسر سخن
“'Our lineage will be uprooted from its base; of what then shall we speak?'”
#28
نگه کرد مرغ اندران خستگی
✦
بدید اندرو راه پیوستگی
“The Bird examined those wounds and saw within them the means of restoration.”
#29
ازو چار پیکان به بیرون کشید
✦
به منقار از ان خستگی خون کشید
“She extracted four arrowheads with her beak and drew blood from those wounds.”
#30
بران خستگیها بمالید پر
✦
هم اندر زمان گشت با زیب و فر
“She rubbed her feather over those wounds, and instantly he regained his grace and glory.”
#31
بدو گفت کاین خستگیها ببند
✦
همی باش یکچند دور از گزند
“She said to him: 'Bind up these wounds and remain a short while away from harm.'”
#32
یکی پر من تر بگردان به شیر
✦
بمال اندران خستگیهای تیر
“'Soak one of my feathers in milk and stroke it over the arrow-wounds.'”
#33
بران همنشان رخش را پیش خواست
✦
فرو کرد منقار بر دست راست
“In like manner she summoned Rakhsh before her, and inserted her beak into his right shoulder.”
#34
برون کرد پیکان شش از گردنش
✦
نبد خسته گر بسته جایی تنش
“She pulled six arrowheads out from his neck; he was no longer wounded, though his body had been bound with pain.”
#35
همانگه خروشی برآورد رخش
✦
بخندید شادان دل تاج‌بخش
“Instantly Rakhsh let out a loud whinny, and the heart of the crown-bestower rejoiced.”
#36
بدو گفت مرغ ای گو پیلتن
✦
توی نامبردار هر انجمن
“The Bird said to him: 'O elephant-bodied hero, you are famous in every assembly.'”
#37
چرا رزم جستی ز اسفندیار
✦
که او هست رویین‌تن و نامدار
“'Why did you seek battle with Esfandiyar, who is bronze-bodied and renowned?'”
#38
بدو گفت رستم گر او را ز بند
✦
نبودی دل من نگشتی نژند
“Rostam answered: 'If he had not demanded to chain me, my heart would not have turned gloomy.'”
#39
مرا کشتن آسان‌تر آید ز ننگ
✦
وگر بازمانم به جایی ز جنگ
“'To me, being slain is easier than shame, should I withdraw from battle anywhere.'”
#40
چنین داد پاسخ کز اسفندیار
✦
اگر سر بجا آوری نیست عار
“She replied: 'To yield your head before Esfandiyar is no shame,'”
#41
که اندر زمانه چنویی نخاست
✦
بدو دارد ایران همی پشت راست
“'For in this age no one like him has arisen, and Iran leans her back upon him.'”
#42
بپرهیزی از وی نباشد شگفت
✦
مرا از خود اندازه باید گرفت
“'It is no wonder if you refrain from fighting him; I must measure my own mate by him.'”
#43
که آن جفت من مرغ با دستگاه
✦
به دستان و شمشیر کردش تباه
“'For my powerful bird-mate was destroyed by his guile and sword.'”
#44
اگر با من اکنون تو پیمان کنی
✦
سر از جنگ جستن پشمان کنی
“'If you now make a covenant with me to regret seeking further battle,'”
#45
نجویی فزونی به اسفندیار
✦
گه کوشش و جستن کارزار
“'And seek no superiority over Esfandiyar in the hour of effort and striving in war,'”
#46
ور ایدونک او را بیامد زمان
✦
نیندیشی از پوزش بی‌گمان
“And if his appointed time of fate has indeed arrived, do not doubt that he will heed no apology.”
#47
پس‌انگه یکی چاره سازم ترا
✦
به خورشید سر برفرازم ترا
“I shall then devise a remedy for thee, and elevate thy head unto the very sun.”
#48
چو بشنید رستم دلش شاد شد
✦
از اندیشهٔ بستن آزاد شد
“When Rustam heard this, his heart rejoiced, and he was freed from the dread of being bound in chains.”
#49
بدو گفت کز گفت تو نگذرم
✦
وگر تیغ بارد هوا بر سرم
“He said to the Simurgh: 'I shall not stray from thy command, even though the heavens rain swords upon my head.'”
#50
چنین گفت سیمرغ کز راه مهر
✦
بگویم کنون باتو راز سپهر
“Thus spoke the Simurgh: 'Out of love and affection, I shall now reveal to thee the secret of the heavens:'”
#51
که هرکس که او خون اسفندیار
✦
بریزد ورا بشکرد روزگار
“'Whoever sheds the blood of Esfandiyar shall be hunted down and destroyed by Fate.”
#52
همان نیز تا زنده باشد ز رنج
✦
رهایی نیابد نماندش گنج
“As long as he lives, he shall find no release from hardship, nor shall any treasure remain unto him.”
#53
بدین گیتیش شوربختی بود
✦
وگر بگذرد رنج و سختی بود
“In this world, ill fortune shall be his lot; and when he passes, misery and torment await him.'”
#54
شگفتی نمایم هم امشب ترا
✦
ببندم ز گفتار بد لب ترا
“'Yet tonight I shall show thee a wonder, and seal thy lips from mournful or harmful speech.”
#55
برو رخش رخشنده را برنشین
✦
یکی خنجر آبگون برگزین
“Go now, mount the radiant Rakhsh, and choose a tempered blade of radiant steel.'”
#56
چو بشنید رستم میان را ببست
✦
وزان جایگه رخش را برنشست
“Hearing this, Rustam girded his loins, and mounted Rakhsh from that place.”
#57
به سیمرغ گفت ای گزین جهان
✦
چه خواهد برین مرگ ما ناگهان
“He spoke to the Simurgh: 'O chosen one of the world, what matters a sudden death to us?”
#58
جهان یادگارست و ما رفتنی
✦
به گیتی نماند به جز مردمی
“The world is but a memory and we must depart; in this realm, naught endures save noble manhood and virtue.”
#59
به نام نکو گر بمیرم رواست
✦
مرا نام باید که تن مرگ راست
“If I die with a good name, it is meet; a good name is what I seek, for the mortal frame is destined for death.”
#60
کجا شد فریدون و هوشنگ شاه
✦
که بودند با گنج و تخت و کلاه
“Whither are gone King Fereydoun and Houshang, who possessed treasure, crown, and throne?”
#61
برفتند و ما را سپردند جای
✦
جهان را چنین است آیین و رای
“They departed and surrendered their place to us; such is the way and law of the world.”
#62
همی راند تا پیش دریا رسید
✦
ز سیمرغ روی هوا تیره دید
“He rode on until he reached the shore of the sea, seeing the sky darkened by the Simurgh's wings.”
#63
چو آمد به نزدیک دریا فراز
✦
فرود آمد آن مرغ گردنفراز
“When he drew near to the sea, that proud, exalted bird descended from above.”
#64
به رستم نمود آن زمان راه خشک
✦
همی آمد از باد او بوی مشک
“It revealed a dry path to Rustam at that moment, while the fragrance of musk wafted on its breeze.”
#65
بمالید بر تارکش پر خویش
✦
بفرمود تا رستم آمدش پیش
“It stroked his head with its wing, and commanded Rustam to step forward.”
#66
گزی دید بر خاک سر بر هوا
✦
نشست از برش مرغ فرمانروا
“There stood a tamarisk tree rooted in earth and reaching to the sky, and atop it perched the sovereign bird.”
#67
بدو گفت شاخی گزین راست‌تر
✦
سرش برترین و تنش کاست‌تر
“The Simurgh said to him: 'Choose a branch that is straightest, its top finest, and its body slender.”
#68
بدان گز بود هوش اسفندیار
✦
تو این چوب را خوار مایه مدار
“For in that tamarisk lies the doom of Esfandiyar; do not hold this wood in light esteem.”
#69
بر آتش مرین چوب را راست کن
✦
نگه کن یکی نغز پیکان کهن
“Straighten this wood over a flame, and seek out a fine, ancient arrowhead.”
#70
بنه پر و پیکان و برو بر نشان
✦
نمودم ترا از گزندش نشان
“Attach feathers and the arrowhead, and aim it true; I have now shown thee the way to his harm.'”
#71
چو ببرید رستم تن شاخ گز
✦
بیامد ز دریا به ایوان و رز
“When Rustam severed the trunk of the tamarisk branch, he returned from the sea to his palace and vineyard.”
#72
بران کار سیمرغ بد رهنمای
✦
همی بود بر تارک او به پای
“In that task, the Simurgh was his guide, hovering right above his head.”
#73
بدو گفت اکنون چو اسفندیار
✦
بیاید بجوید ز تو کارزار
“The Simurgh said to him: 'Now, when Esfandiyar comes and seeks battle with thee,”
#74
تو خواهش کن و لابه و راستی
✦
مکوب ایچ گونه در کاستی
“Entreat him, plead with him, and speak with utter truth; do not enter into any deceit or fault.”
#75
مگر بازگردد به شیرین سخن
✦
بیاد آیدش روزگار کهن
“Perchance he may turn back through thy sweet words, remembering the days of old,”
#76
که تو چند گه بودی اندر جهان
✦
به رنج و به سختی ز بهر مهان
“Recalling how long thou hast been in this world, enduring pain and hardship for the sake of the great kings.”
#77
چو پوزش کنی چند نپذیردت
✦
همی از فرومایگان گیردت
“If thou offer apologies and he accept them not, regarding thee as one of low birth and mean estate,”
#78
به زه کن کمان را و این چوب گز
✦
بدین گونه پرورده در آب رز
“String thy bow, and take this tamarisk shaft, nurtured thus in the wine of the grape.”
#79
ابر چشم او راست کن هر دو دست
✦
چنانچون بود مردم گزپرست
“Take aim with both hands straight at his eyes, as is the custom of those who shoot with tamarisk.”
#80
زمانه برد راست آن را به چشم
✦
بدانگه که باشد دلت پر ز خشم
“Fate itself shall guide the arrow straight into his eye, at that very moment when thy heart is filled with rage.'”
#81
تن زال را مرغ پدرود کرد
✦
ازو تار وز خویشتن پود کرد
“The magical bird bade farewell to Zal, weaving its essence with his like warp and weft.”
#82
ازان جایگه نیک‌دل برپرید
✦
چو اندر هوا رستم او را بدید
“From that spot, the benevolent bird soared into the air; as Rustam beheld it flying high in the sky,”
#83
یکی آتش چوب پرتاب کرد
✦
دلش را بران رزم شاداب کرد
“He prepared a deadly shaft of tamarisk wood for shooting, and his heart grew eager and invigorated for the fight.”
#84
یکی تیز پیکان بدو در نشاند
✦
چپ و راست پرها بروبر نشاند
“He fitted a razor-sharp arrowhead onto its tip, and attached feathers along its left and right.”