#1
یکی نغز تابوت کرد آهنین
✦
بگسترد فرشی ز دیبای چین
“He fashioned a splendid coffin of iron, and spread within it a carpet of Chinese silk.”
#2
بیندود یک روی آهن به قیر
✦
پراگند بر قیر مشک و عبیر
“He coated one side of the iron with pitch, and scattered musk and ambergris over the tar.”
#3
ز دیبای زربفت کردش کفن
✦
خروشان برو نامدار انجمن
“He made his shroud from gold-woven silk, while the renowned assembly wept loudly over him.”
#4
ازان پس بپوشید روشن برش
✦
ز پیروزه بر سر نهاد افسرش
“Thereafter he covered his radiant body, and placed upon his head a crown of turquoise.”
#5
سر تنگ تابوت کردند سخت
✦
شد آن بارور خسروانی درخت
“They tightly sealed the narrow coffin's lid; thus was enclosed that fruitful, royal tree.”
#6
چل اشتر بیاورد رستم گزین
✦
ز بالا فروهشته دیبای چین
“Rostam brought forty choice camels, draped from top to bottom with Chinese brocade.”
#7
دو اشتر بدی زیر تابوت شاه
✦
چپ و راست پیش و پس‌اندر سپاه
“Two camels carried the king's coffin, flanked left and right, front and rear, by the army.”
#8
همه خسته روی و همه کنده موی
✦
زبان شاه گوی و روان شاه‌جوی
“All had wounded faces and shorn hair, their tongues praising the king, their souls seeking him.”
#9
بریده بش و دم اسپ سیاه
✦
پشوتن همی برد پیش سپاه
“The mane and tail of the black steed were cut; Peshotan led it at the head of the host.”
#10
برو بر نهاده نگونسار زین
✦
ز زین اندرآویخته گرز کین
“Upon the steed was placed an inverted saddle, and from the saddle hung the mace of vengeance.”
#11
همان نامور خود و خفتان اوی
✦
همان جوله و مغفر جنگجوی
“Likewise his renowned helmet and mail coat, together with the warrior's armor and cap.”
#12
سپه رفت و بهمن به زابل بماند
✦
به مژگان همی خون دل برفشاند
“The army departed, but Bahman remained in Zabul, shedding tears of blood from his eyelashes.”
#13
تهمتن ببردش به ایوان خویش
✦
همی پرورانید چون جان خویش
“Tahamtan took him to his own palace, nurturing him even as his own dear soul.”
#14
به گشتاسپ آگاهی آمد ز راه
✦
نگون شد سر نامبردار شاه
“Word reached Goshtasp along the road, and the head of the renowned king bowed low in sorrow.”
#15
همی جامه را چاک زد بر برش
✦
به خاک اندر آمد سر و افسرش
“He tore the garments upon his chest, and his head and crown descended into the dust.”
#16
خروشی برآمد ز ایوان به زار
✦
جهان شد پر از نام اسفندیار
“A bitter cry arose from the royal palace; the whole world became filled with the name of Esfandiyar.”
#17
به ایران ز هر سو که رفت آگهی
✦
بینداخت هرکس کلاه مهی
“Wherever the news spread across Iran, everyone cast off their crown of greatness.”
#18
همی گفت گشتاسپ کای پاک دین
✦
که چون تو نبیند زمان و زمین
“Goshtasp lamented: 'O pure of faith, time and earth will never see another like thee!”
#19
پس از روزگار منوچهر باز
✦
نیامد چو تو نیز گردنفراز
“Since the era of Manuchehr until now, no such exalted hero hath ever arisen.'”
#20
بیالود تیغ و بپالود کیش
✦
مهان را همی داشت بر جای خویش
“'He stained his sword with blood and purified the faith, holding the nobles in their rightful place.'”
#21
بزرگان ایران گرفتند خشم
✦
ز آزرم گشتاسپ شستند چشم
“The grandees of Iran grew fierce with anger, washing their eyes of all reverence for Goshtasp.”
#22
به آواز گفتند کای شوربخت
✦
چو اسفندیاری تو از بهر تخت
“With loud voices they shouted: 'O ill-fated king! Dost thou slay one like Esfandiyar for the sake of the throne?”
#23
به زابل فرستی به کشتن دهی
✦
تو بر گاه تاج مهی برنهی
“Thou sendest him to Zabul to be slain, so that thou mayest place the supreme crown upon thy head!”
#24
سرت را ز تاج کیان شرم باد
✦
به رفتن پی اخترت نرم باد
“May thy head feel shame before the Kianian crown! May the path of thy destiny become harsh and bitter!'”
#25
برفتند یکسر ز ایوان او
✦
پر از خاک شد کاخ و دیوان او
“They all departed at once from his palace, and his court and hall became deserted and filled with dust.”
#26
چو آگاه شد مادر و خواهران
✦
ز ایوان برفتند با دختران
“When his mother and sisters learned the news, they rushed from the palace alongside the maidens.”
#27
برهنه سر و پای پرگرد و خاک
✦
به تن بر همه جامه کردند چاک
“Bareheaded, with feet covered in dust, they tore all their garments upon their bodies.”
#28
پشوتن همی رفت گریان به راه
✦
پس پشت تابوت و اسپ سیاه
“Peshotan moved weeping along the road, behind the coffin and the black steed.”
#29
زنان از پشوتن درآویختند
✦
همی خون ز مژگان فرو ریختند
“The women clung to Peshotan, shedding blood from their eyelashes.”
#30
که این بند تابوت را برگشای
✦
تن خسته یک بار ما را نمای
“Crying out: 'Unfasten the seals of this coffin! Show us once more his wounded body!'”
#31
پشوتن غمی شد میان زنان
✦
خروشان و گوشت از دو بازو کنان
“Peshotan became grief-stricken among the women, wailing and tearing the flesh of his arms.”
#32
به آهنگران گفت سوهان تیز
✦
بیارید کامد کنون رستخیز
“He said to the blacksmiths: 'Bring sharp files, for now the day of resurrection hath arrived!'”
#33
سر تنگ تابوت را باز کرد
✦
به نوی یکی مویه آغاز کرد
“He opened the narrow lid of the coffin, and afresh began a bitter lamentation.”
#34
چو مادرش با خواهران روی شاه
✦
پر از مشک دیدند ریش سیاه
“When his mother and sisters saw the king's face, with his black beard scented with musk,”
#35
برفتند یکسر ز بالین شاه
✦
خروشان به نزدیک اسپ سیاه
“They moved away from the king's pillow and went wailing toward the black horse.”
#36
بسودند پر مهر یال و برش
✦
کتایون همی ریخت خاک از برش
“They lovingly touched its mane and chest, while Katayoun poured dust over its head.”
#37
کزو شاه را روز برگشته بود
✦
به آورد بر پشت او کشته بود
“Saying: 'Through thee the king's fortune turned back, for he was slain upon thy back in battle!”
#38
کزین پس کرا برد خواهی به جنگ
✦
کرا داد خواهی به چنگ نهنگ
“Henceforth, whom wilt thou carry to war? Whom wilt thou deliver into the jaws of the dragon?'”
#39
به یالش همی اندرآویختند
✦
همی خاک بر تارکش ریختند
“They clung to its neck and mane, pouring earth upon its head.”
#40
به ابر اندر آمد خروش سپاه
✦
پشوتن بیامد به ایوان شاه
“The troops' lamentation rose up to the clouds; Peshotan then entered the king's hall.”
#41
خروشید و دیدش نبردش نماز
✦
بیامد به نزدیک تختش فراز
“He cried aloud and did not bow before him; he approached close to his throne.”
#42
به آواز گفت ای سر سرکشان
✦
ز برگشتن بختت آمد نشان
“He shouted: 'O chief of proud rulers, signs of thy fortune turning away have appeared!”
#43
ازین با تن خویش بد کرده‌ای
✦
دم از شهر ایران برآورده‌ای
“By this deed thou hast brought evil upon thyself, and raised sighs of pain from the land of Iran!”
#44
ز تو دور شد فره و بخردی
✦
بیابی تو بادافره ایزدی
“Divine Glory and wisdom have departed from thee; thou shalt suffer God's just retribution!”
#45
شکسته شد این نامور پشت تو
✦
کزین پس بود باد در مشت تو
“Thy renowned support is broken; henceforth thou shalt hold only wind in thy fist!”
#46
پسر را به خون دادی از بهر تخت
✦
که مه تخت بیناد چشمت مه بخت
“You surrendered your son unto blood for the throne’s sake; may your eyes behold neither crown nor good fortune evermore!”
#47
جهانی پر از دشمن و پر بدان
✦
نماند بتو تاج تا جاودان
“A world filled with foes and vile men shall not leave the crown in your possession forever.”
#48
بدین گیتیت در نکوهش بود
✦
به روز شمارت پژوهش بود
“In this world, reproached shall you be, and on your Day of Reckoning, heavily questioned.”
#49
بگفت این و رخ سوی جاماسپ کرد
✦
که ای شوم بدکیش و بدزاد مرد
“Having said this, he turned his face toward Jamasp, saying: 'O ill-omened, evil-faith, and vile-born man!'”
#50
ز گیتی ندانی سخن جز دروغ
✦
به کژی گرفتی ز هرکس فروغ
“'You know nought of the world save falsehood; through deceit have you drawn light from every man.'”
#51
میان کیان دشمنی افگنی
✦
همی این بدان آن بدین برزنی
“'You sow enmity among the noble monarchs, setting this one against that, and that against this!'”
#52
ندانی همی جز بد آموختن
✦
گسستن ز نیکی بدی توختن
“'You know nothing save learning evil, severing ties with goodness, and reaping wickedness.'”
#53
یکی کشت کردی تو اندر جهان
✦
که کس ندرود آشکار و نهان
“'You have sown a seed in this world that no man shall ever reap, openly or in secret.'”
#54
بزرگی به گفتار تو کشته شد
✦
که روز بزرگان همه گشته شد
“'Greatness was slain by your deceitful words, for the day of the noble ones turned to utter darkness.'”
#55
تو آموختی شاه را راه کژ
✦
ایا پیر بی‌راه و کوتاه و کژ
“'You taught the king the crooked path, O old man misguided, short-sighted, and perverse!'”
#56
تو گفتی که هوش یل اسفندیار
✦
بود بر کف رستم نامدار
“'You claimed that the doom of valiant Esfandiyar lay in the hand of renowned Rostam!'”
#57
بگفت این و گویا زبان برگشاد
✦
همه پند و اندرز او کرد یاد
“He spoke thus and opened his eloquent tongue, recalling all of Esfandiyar’s advice and counsels.”
#58
هم اندرز بهمن به رستم بگفت
✦
برآورد رازی که بود از نهفت
“He also related Bahman’s instruction to Rostam, bringing forth the secret that had been kept hidden.”
#59
چو بشنید اندرز او شهریار
✦
پشیمان شد از کار اسفندیار
“When the king heard his counsel, he repented deeply of what had been done to Esfandiyar.”
#60
پشوتن بگفت آنچ بودش نهان
✦
به آواز با شهریار جهان
“Pashotan voiced aloud to the monarch of the world all that had been concealed in secret.”
#61
چو پردخته گشت از بزرگان سرای
✦
برفتند به آفرید و همای
“When the palace was emptied of the nobles, Behafarid and Homay entered.”
#62
به پیش پدر بر بخستند روی
✦
ز درد برادر بکندند موی
“Before their father, they scratched their cheeks and tore their hair in agony for their brother.”
#63
به گشتاسپ گفتند کای نامدار
✦
نیندیشی از کار اسفندیار
“They said to Goshtasp: 'O renowned king, do you not reflect upon the fate of Esfandiyar?'”
#64
کجا شد نخستین به کین زریر
✦
همی گور بستد ز چنگال شیر
“'Where is he who first sought vengeance for Zarir, wresting the wild ass from the lion’s clutches?'”
#65
ز ترکان همی کین او بازخواست
✦
بدو شد همی پادشاهیت راست
“'He exacted retribution from the Turanians, and through him your kingdom was rendered secure.'”
#66
به گفتار بدگوش کردی به بند
✦
بغل گران و به گرز و کمند
“'Yet listening to evil slanders, you bound him in heavy chains, with mace and lasso.'”
#67
چو او بسته آمد نیا کشته شد
✦
سپه را همه روز برگشته شد
“'When he was fettered, our grandfather was slain, and the day turned black for all the host.'”
#68
چو ارجاسپ آمد ز خلخ به بلخ
✦
همه زندگانی شد از رنج تلخ
“'When Arjasp came from Khallukh to Balkh, all life became bitter with suffering.'”
#69
چو ما را که پوشیده داریم روی
✦
برهنه بیاورد ز ایوان به کوی
“'And us, whose faces were ever veiled, he dragged bareheaded from palace to street.'”
#70
چو نوش‌آذر زردهشتی بکشت
✦
گرفت آن زمان پادشاهی به مشت
“'When he slew Nush-Adhar of Zaratosht, he seized the throne and realm in his grip.'”
#71
تو دانی که فرزند مردی چه کرد
✦
برآورد ازیشان دم و دود و گرد
“'You know well what your heroic son accomplished: he raised smoke, dust, and sighs against them!'”
#72
ز رویین دژ آورد ما را برت
✦
نگهبان کشور بد و افسرت
“'He rescued us from the Fortress of Brass and brought us to you; he was the guardian of your realm and crown.'”
#73
از ایدر به زابل فرستادیش
✦
بسی پند و اندرزها دادیش
“'Yet from here you dispatched him to Zabol, showering him with deceitful counsels and admonitions,'”
#74
که تا از پی تاج بیجان شود
✦
جهانی برو زار و پیچان شود
“'So that he might perish in pursuit of a lifeless crown, leaving a world to weep and squirm for him.'”
#75
نه سیمرغ کشتش نه رستم نه زال
✦
تو کشتی مر او را چو کشتی منال
“'Neither Simurgh slew him, nor Rostam, nor Zal—it was you who killed him, so kill yourself not with lamenting now!'”
#76
ترا شرم بادا ز ریش سپید
✦
که فرزند کشتی ز بهر امید
“'Shame upon your white beard! For you sent your own son to death for the sake of empty hope.'”
#77
جهاندار پیش از تو بسیار بود
✦
که بر تخت شاهی سزاوار بود
“'Many were the sovereigns of the world before you, who truly deserved to sit upon the royal throne;'”
#78
به کشتن ندادند فرزند را
✦
نه از دودهٔ خویش و پیوند را
“'Yet never did they surrender their own sons to slaughter, nor betray those of their lineage and kin.'”
#79
چنین گفت پس با پشوتن که خیز
✦
برین آتش تیزبر آب ریز
“He then said to Pashotan: 'Rise now, and pour water upon this fierce burning fire!'”
#80
بیامد پشوتن ز ایوان شاه
✦
زنان را بیاورد زان جایگاه
“Pashotan came forth from the king’s hall, and led the weeping women away from that place.”
#81
پشوتن چنین گفت با مادرش
✦
که چندین به تنگی چه کوبی درش
“Peshotan thus addressed his mother: 'Why do you knock so fiercely upon the door of grief?'”
#82
که او شاد خفتست و روشن‌روان
✦
چو سیر آمد از مرز و از مرزبان
“'For he sleeps now in peace with an illumined soul, having grown weary of this realm and its ruler.'”
#83
بپذرفت مادر ز دین‌دار پند
✦
به داد خداوند کرد او پسند
“The mother accepted the pious brother's advice, yielding her heart to the divine justice of the Lord.”
#84
ازان پس به سالی به هر برزنی
✦
به ایران خروشی بد و شیونی
“Thereafter, for a full year in every quarter across Iran, there echoed bitter cries and deep lamentation.”
#85
ز تیر گز و بند دستان زال
✦
همی مویه کردند بسیار سال
“For many a long year they continued to mourn the fateful tamarisk arrow and the cunning artifice of Zal.”