#1
چنین گفت با رستم اسفندیار
✦
که اکنون سرآمد مرا روزگار
“Esfandiyar thus spoke unto Rostam: 'Now hath my life reached its final hour.'”
#2
تو اکنون مپرهیز و خیز ایدر آی
✦
که ما را دگرگونه‌تر گشت رای
“'Avoid me no longer, but step forth to my side, for my mind and counsel have now transformed.'”
#3
مگر بشنوی پند و اندرز من
✦
بدانی سر مایه و ارز من
“'So that peradventure thou mayest hear my advice and testament, and comprehend the measure of my worth and true nature.'”
#4
بکوشی و آن را بجای آوری
✦
بزرگی برین رهنمای آوری
“'Strive to fulfill my dying wish, and thereby bring yet greater honor unto this guide of thine.'”
#5
تهمتن به گفتار او داد گوش
✦
پیاده بیامد برش با خروش
“Tahamtan gave ear to his words; dismounting, he approached him weeping aloud.”
#6
همی ریخت از دیدگان آب گرم
✦
همی مویه کردش به آوای نرم
“Warm tears streamed continuously from his eyes, as he mourned over him with a gentle, sorrowful voice.”
#7
چو دستان خبر یافت از رزمگاه
✦
ز ایوان چو باد اندر آمد به راه
“When Dastan received news from the battlefield, he rushed forth from his palace like the swift wind.”
#8
ز خانه بیامد به دشت نبرد
✦
دو دیده پر از آب و دل پر ز درد
“He came from his home to the plain of battle, his eyes filled with tears and his heart brimming with grief.”
#9
زواره فرامرز چون بیهشان
✦
برفتند چندی ز گردنکشان
“Zovareh and Faramarz, distraught like men bereft of sense, hurried onward with a train of noble warriors.”
#10
خروشی برآمد ز آوردگاه
✦
که تاریک شد روی خورشید و ماه
“Such a wail arose from the field of battle that the faces of the sun and moon grew dark with grief.”
#11
به رستم چنین گفت زال ای پسر
✦
ترا بیش گریم به درد جگر
“Zal spoke unto Rostam, saying: 'O my son! For thee I weep with deeper, more heart-rending pain.'”
#12
که ایدون شنیدم ز دانای چین
✦
ز اخترشناسان ایران زمین
“'For thus have I heard from the sage of China, and from the astrologers of the land of Iran...'”
#13
که هرکس که او خون اسفندیار
✦
بریزد سرآید برو روزگار
“'...That whosoever sheds the blood of Esfandiyar shall find his own life brought to a swift and tragic close.'”
#14
بدین گیتیش شوربختی بود
✦
وگر بگذرد رنج و سختی بود
“'In this world, ill fortune shall be his lot, and when he passes hence, anguish and hardship await him.'”
#15
چنین گفت با رستم اسفندیار
✦
که از تو ندیدم بد روزگار
“Esfandiyar then said to Rostam: 'I hold no ill will against thee for this bitter destiny;'”
#16
زمانه چنین بود و بود آنچ بود
✦
سخن هرچ گویم بباید شنود
“'It was the doom of fate, and what was decreed hath come to pass; now hear whatever words I must impart.'”
#17
بهانه تو بودی پدر بد زمان
✦
نه رستم نه سیمرغ و تیر و کمان
“'Thou wert but the instrument; my father was my true doom—neither Rostam, nor the Simurgh, nor arrow and bow.'”
#18
مرا گفت رو سیستان را بسوز
✦
نخواهم کزین پس بود نیمروز
“'He bade me go and burn Sistan to ashes, saying: "I desire no longer that Nimruz should stand."'”
#19
بکوشید تا لشکر و تاج و گنج
✦
بدو ماند و من بمانم به رنج
“'He strove so that army, crown, and treasure should remain his, while I was left to perish in travail.'”
#20
کنون بهمن این نامور پور من
✦
خردمند و بیدار دستور من
“'Now Bahman, my renowned son, who is my wise and vigilant counselor...'”
#21
بمیرم پدروارش اندر پذیر
✦
همه هرچ گویم ترا یادگیر
“'...When I depart, receive him like a father, and hold fast to all that I command thee.'”
#22
به زابلستان در ورا شاد دار
✦
سخنهای بدگوی را یاد دار
“'Keep him joyful in Zabulistan, and heed not the evil whispers of detractors.'”
#23
بیاموزش آرایش کارزار
✦
نشستنگه بزم و دشت شکار
“'Teach him the arts of battle formation, the etiquette of the banquet hall, and the ways of the hunting field.'”
#24
می و رامش و زخم چوگان و کار
✦
بزرگی و برخوردن از روزگار
“'Instruct him in wine and music, polo-striking, warfare, nobility, and enjoying the bounties of fate.'”
#25
چنین گفت جاماسپ گم بوده نام
✦
که هرگز به گیتی مبیناد کام
“'Thus foretold Jamasp—that ill-omened name, who may never see delight in this world!—'”
#26
که بهمن ز من یادگاری بود
✦
سرافرازتر شهریاری بود
“'...That Bahman should remain as a legacy from me, and become a most glorious and exalted monarch.'”
#27
تهمتن چو بشنید بر پای خاست
✦
ببر زد به فرمان او دست راست
“When Tahamtan heard this, he arose, and placed his right hand upon his chest in obedience to his decree.”
#28
که تو بگذری زین سخن نگذرم
✦
سخن هرچ گفتی به جای آورم
“Saying: 'Though thou departest, I shall not stray from this oath; whatever thou hast bidden, I shall fulfill.'”
#29
نشانمش بر نامور تخت عاج
✦
نهم بر سرش بر دلارای تاج
“'I shall seat him upon the famous ivory throne, and set the heart-delighting crown upon his head.'”
#30
ز رستم چو بشنید گویا سخن
✦
بدو گفت نوگیر چون شد کهن
“When Esfandiyar heard Rostam's eloquent words, he said to him: 'Accept the new, now that the old hath passed away.'”
#31
چنان دان که یزدان گوای منست
✦
برین دین به رهنمای منست
“'Know that God Almighty is my witness, and my guide upon this righteous faith;'”
#32
کزین نیکویها که تو کرده‌ای
✦
ز شاهان پیشین که پرورده‌ای
“'That for all the noble deeds thou hast performed, and all the former kings thou hast nurtured,'”
#33
کنون نیک نامت به بد بازگشت
✦
ز من روی گیتی پرآواز گشت
“'Now thy good repute hath turned to ill, and through my fate, the world is filled with tragic clamor.'”
#34
غم آمد روان ترا بهره زین
✦
چنین بود رای جهان‌آفرین
“'Grief hath become the sole portion of thy soul herein; such was the decree of the Creator of the world.'”
#35
چنین گفت پس با پشوتن که من
✦
نجویم همی زین جهان جز کفن
“He then turned to Pashotan and said: 'Henceforth from this world, I seek naught save my shroud.'”
#36
چو من بگذرم زین سپنجی سرای
✦
تو لشکر بیارای و شو باز جای
“When I depart from this fleeting abode, arrange your host and return to your place.”
#37
چو رفتی به ایران پدر را بگوی
✦
که چون کام یابی بهانه مجوی
“When you return to Iran, speak to my father and say: 'Now that your desire is met, seek no more excuses.'”
#38
زمانه سراسر به کام تو گشت
✦
همه مرزها پر ز نام تو گشت
“Time itself has turned according to your wish; all realms have become filled with your fame.”
#39
امیدم نه این بود نزدیک تو
✦
سزا این بد از جان تاریک تو
“My hope in you was not this; such a recompense belonged only to your dark and heartless soul.”
#40
جهان راست کردم به شمشیر داد
✦
به بد کس نیارست کرد از تو یاد
“I made the world righteous with the sword of justice, so that no evil man dared even speak ill of you.”
#41
به ایران چو دین بهی راست شد
✦
بزرگی و شاهی مرا خواست شد
“When the Good Religion was established in Iran, my heart yearned for greatness and the crown.”
#42
به پیش سران پندها دادیم
✦
نهانی به کشتن فرستادیم
“Before the chieftains you offered me counsels, yet secretly you sent me to my death.”
#43
کنون زین سخن یافتی کام دل
✦
بیارای و بنشین به آرام دل
“Now from these events you have attained your heart's desire; adorn your hall and sit with a tranquil mind.”
#44
چو ایمن شدی مرگ را دور کن
✦
به ایوان شاهی یکی سور کن
“Now that you feel secure, banish thoughts of death and hold a grand feast in the royal palace.”
#45
ترا تخت سختی و کوشش مرا
✦
ترا نام تابوت و پوشش مرا
“For you remains the throne of hardship and labor, while for me remain the fame of the coffin and the shroud.”
#46
چه گفت آن جهاندیده دهقان پیر
✦
که نگریزد از مرگ پیکان تیر
“How wisely spoke that experienced village elder, that none can escape the sharp point of death's arrow!”
#47
مشو ایمن از گنج و تاج و سپاه
✦
روانم ترا چشم دارد به راه
“Do not become complacent with treasure, crown, and host; my soul awaits your coming along the way.”
#48
چو آیی بهم پیش داور شویم
✦
بگوییم و گفتار او بشنویم
“When you arrive, we shall stand together before the divine Judge; we shall state our case and hear His decree.”
#49
کزو بازگردی به مادر بگوی
✦
که سیر آمد از رزم پرخاشجوی
“When you return from him, say to my mother that her warlike son has grown weary of battle:”
#50
که با تیر او گبر چون باد بود
✦
گذر کرده بر کوه پولاد بود
“That against Rostam's arrow, my armor was as mere wind, and it passed straight through a mountain of steel.”
#51
پس من تو زود آیی ای مهربان
✦
تو از من مرنج و مرنجان روان
“O loving mother, soon after me you too shall come; grieve not for me and do not torment your soul.”
#52
برهنه مکن روی بر انجمن
✦
مبین نیز چهر من اندر کفن
“Do not unveil your face before the assembly, nor look upon my face inside the shroud.”
#53
ز دیدار زاری بیفزایدت
✦
کس از بخردان نیز نستایدت
“For beholding me thus will only increase your distress, and no wise man will praise such lamentation.”
#54
همان خواهران را و جفت مرا
✦
که جویا بدندی نهفت مرا
“Likewise to my sisters and my wife, who were ever concerned with my secret thoughts,”
#55
بگویی بدان پرهنر بخردان
✦
که پدرود باشید تا جاودان
“Say to those talented and wise ones: 'Farewell unto eternity!'”
#56
ز تاج پدر بر سرم بد رسید
✦
در گنج را جان من شد کلید
“From my father's crown only harm reached my head; my very soul became the key to his treasure door.”
#57
فرستادم اینک به نزدیک او
✦
که شرم آورد جان تاریک او
“Behold, I now send this soul to him, so that his dark spirit might at last feel shame.”
#58
بگفت این و برزد یکی تیز دم
✦
که بر من ز گشتاسپ آمد ستم
“He spoke this and drew a bitter breath, crying: 'Cruel injustice has been done to me by Goshtasp!'”
#59
هم‌انگه برفت از تنش جان پاک
✦
تن خسته افگنده بر تیره خاک
“In that very moment, his pure spirit departed his body, leaving his wounded frame cast upon the dark earth.”
#60
تهمتن بنزد پشوتن رسید
✦
همه جامه بر تن سراسر درید
“Tahamtan came to Pashutan's side, and rent all the garments upon his body from top to bottom.”
#61
بر و جامه رستم همی پاره کرد
✦
سرش پر ز خاک و دلش پر ز درد
“Rostam kept tearing his chest and robe, his head filled with dust and his heart brimmed with agony.”
#62
همی گفت زار ای نبرده سوار
✦
نیا شاه جنگی پدر شهریار
“Mournfully he said: 'O battle-tested knight, whose ancestors were warlike kings and sovereigns!”
#63
به خوبی شده در جهان نام من
✦
ز گشتاسپ بد شد سرانجام من
“My name was famed for goodness throughout the world, yet my end turned ill through Goshtasp!'”
#64
چو بسیار بگریست با کشته گفت
✦
که ای در جهان شاه بی‌یار و جفت
“When he had wept much, he addressed the slain prince: 'O king peerless and matchless in all the world,”
#65
روان تو بادا میان بهشت
✦
بداندیش تو بدرود هرچ کشت
“May your soul dwell in the midst of paradise, and may your ill-wisher reap the evil he has sown!'”
#66
زواره بدو گفت کای نامدار
✦
نبایست پذرفت زو زینهار
“Zourareh said to Rostam: 'O illustrious hero, you ought not to have accepted his charge and trust.”
#67
ز دهقان تو نشنیدی آن داستان
✦
که یاد آرد از گفتهٔ باستان
“Have you not heard that tale from the wise elder, who recalls the wisdom of ancient lore?”
#68
که گر پروری بچهٔ نره‌شیر
✦
شود تیزدندان و گردد دلیر
“That if you rear the cub of a male lion, it will grow sharp-fanged and fierce,”
#69
چو سر برکشد زود جوید شکار
✦
نخست اندر آید به پروردگار
“And when it raises its head, it soon seeks prey, turning first upon its own fosterer!”
#70
دو پهلو برآشفته از خشم بد
✦
نخستین ازان بد به زابل رسد
“Two sides are now inflamed with wicked wrath, and the first harm from that evil will strike Zabol!'”
#71
چو شد کشته شاهی چو اسفندیار
✦
ببینند ازین پس بد روزگار
“Since a royal prince like Esfandiyar has been slain, from this day forth the world shall behold only bitter times.”
#72
ز بهمن رسد بد به زابلستان
✦
بپیچند پیران کابلستان
“Through Bahman, ruin shall reach Zabolestan, and the wise elders of Kabulestan shall writhe in agony.”
#73
نگه کن که چون او شود تاجدار
✦
به پیش آورد کین اسفندیار
“Mark my words: as soon as he wears the crown, he will demand vengeance for Esfandiyar.”
#74
بدو گفت رستم که با آسمان
✦
نتابد بداندیش و نیکی گمان
“Rostam replied to him: 'Neither the ill-wisher nor the well-intentioned can strive against the decree of Heaven.'”
#75
من آن برگزیدم که چشم خرد
✦
بدو بنگرد نام یاد آورد
“'I chose that path upon which the eye of wisdom gazes, so that a good name may ever be remembered.'”
#76
گر او بد کند پیچد از روزگار
✦
تو چشم بلا را به تندی مخار
“'If he acts wickedly, Fate itself will twist him; do not provoke or scratch the eye of calamity!'”