#1
همی بود بهمن به زابلستان
✦
به نخچیر گر با می و گلستان
“Bahman remained in Zabulistan, spending his days in hunting, wine-drinking, and amidst blossoming gardens.”
#2
سواری و می خوردن و بارگاه
✦
بیاموخت رستم بدان پور شاه
“Rostam taught the prince horsemanship, royal etiquette, and the arts of the court.”
#3
به هر چیز پیش از پسر داشتش
✦
شب و روز خندان به بر داشتش
“He cherished Bahman even above his own son, holding him close with joy day and night.”
#4
چو گفتار و کردار پیوسته شد
✦
در کین به گشتاسپ بر بسته شد
“As Bahman's speech and deeds aligned with nobility, the door of vengeance against Goshtasp was closed.”
#5
یکی نامه بنوشت رستم به درد
✦
همه کار فرزند او یاد کرد
“Rostam penned a letter full of sorrow, detailing all that had passed with Goshtasp's noble son Esfandiyar.”
#6
سر نامه کرد آفرین از نخست
✦
بدانکس که کینه نبودش نجست
“He began the letter with praise to the Almighty, who seeks no malice nor harbors vengeance.”
#7
دگر گفت یزدان گوای منست
✦
پشوتن بدین رهنمای منست
“"God is my witness," wrote Rostam, "and Peshotan stands as my guide and testament."”
#8
که من چند گفتم به اسفندیار
✦
مگر کم کند کینه و کارزار
“"How often I implored Esfandiyar to relent from malice and forgo battle!"”
#9
سپردم بدو کشور و گنج خویش
✦
گزیدم ز هرگونه‌ای رنج خویش
“"I offered him my realm and treasures, taking upon myself every kind of distress to appease him."”
#10
زمانش چنین بود نگشاد چهر
✦
مرا دل پر از درد و سر پر ز مهر
“"Yet such was his destined hour that he did not smile; my heart was full of sorrow, while my head was filled with love."”
#11
بدین گونه بد گردش آسمان
✦
بسنده نباشد کسی با زمان
“"Thus was the turning of the heavens, for no mortal can contend against Fate."”
#12
کنون این جهانجوی نزد منست
✦
که فرخ نژاد اورمزد منست
“"Now this seeker of the world is with me, who is of the auspicious seed of Ormazd."”
#13
هنرهای شاهانش آموختم
✦
از اندرز فام خرد توختم
“"I have taught him the virtues of kings, fulfilling the debt of wisdom through sound counsel."”
#14
چو پیمان کند شاه پوزش پذیر
✦
کزین پس نیندیشد از کار تیر
“"If the forgiving king makes a covenant no longer to brood over the tragic matter of the arrow..."”
#15
نهان من و جان من پیش اوست
✦
اگر گنج و تاجست و گر مغز و پوست
“"My inner soul and life are at his service, whether it be treasure, crown, flesh, or skin."”
#16
چو آن نامه شد نزد شاه جهان
✦
پراگنده شد آن میان مهان
“When that missive reached the King of the World, its news spread among the nobles.”
#17
پشوتن بیامد گوایی بداد
✦
سخنهای رستم همه کرد یاد
“Peshotan stepped forward and bore witness, recounting all of Rostam's truthful words.”
#18
همان زاری و پند و اروند او
✦
سخن گفتن از مرز و پیوند او
“He spoke of Rostam's entreaties, wisdom, noble stature, and his loyalty to the border and ties of duty.”
#19
ازان نامور شاه خشنود گشت
✦
گراینده را آمدن سود گشت
“The illustrious king grew satisfied, and Peshotan's intercession proved fruitful.”
#20
ز رستم دل نامور گشت خوش
✦
نزد نیز بر دل ز تیمار تش
“The noble king's heart turned warm toward Rostam, extinguished of the fire of grief and wrath.”
#21
هم‌اندر زمان نامه پاسخ نوشت
✦
به باغ بزرگی درختی بکشت
“Straightway he wrote a response to the letter, planting, as it were, a fruitful tree in the garden of greatness.”
#22
چنین گفت کز جور چرخ بلند
✦
چو خواهد رسیدن کسی را گزند
“He wrote: "When injury is destined to strike someone through the decree of the high heavens,"”
#23
به پرهیز چون بازدارد کسی
✦
وگر سوی دانش گراید بسی
“"How can anyone avert it through caution, even if he leans heavily upon wisdom?"”
#24
پشوتن بگفت آنچ درخواستی
✦
دل من به خوبی بیاراستی
“"Peshotan conveyed all that you requested, and you have adorned my heart with goodness."”
#25
ز گردون گردان که یارد گذشت
✦
خردمند گرد گذشته نگشت
“"Who can surpass the turning sky? A wise man does not brood over what has already passed."”
#26
تو آنی که بودی وزان بهتری
✦
به هند و به قنوج بر مهتری
“"You remain as grand as you were, even greater; you are the supreme lord over Hind and Qannuj."”
#27
ز بیشی هرآنچت بباید بخواه
✦
ز تخت و ز مهر و ز تیغ و کلاه
“"Ask for whatever more you desire—be it throne, signet, sword, or royal crown."”
#28
فرستاده پاسخ بیاورد زود
✦
بدان سان که رستمش فرموده بود
“The messenger brought back the answer swiftly, exactly as Rostam had hoped and requested.”
#29
چنین تا برآمد برین گاه چند
✦
ببد شاهزاده به بالا بلند
“Thus some time passed, and the prince grew tall in stature and noble bearing.”
#30
خردمند و بادانش و دستگاه
✦
به شاهی برافراخت فرخ کلاه
“Wise, knowledgeable, and possessed of dignity, he raised high the glorious crown of royal worth.”
#31
بدانست جاماسپ آن نیک و بد
✦
که آن پادشاهی به بهمن رسد
“Jamasp, foreseeing good and evil through his wisdom, knew that the kingship would fall to Bahman.”
#32
به گشتاسپ گفت ای پسندیده شاه
✦
ترا کرد باید به بهمن نگاه
“He said to Goshtasp: "O approved King! You ought to turn your eyes toward Bahman."”
#33
ز دانش پدر هرچ جست اندر اوی
✦
به جای آمد و گشت با آب‌روی
“"Whatever wisdom his father sought in him has blossomed, making him honorable and bright."”
#34
به بیگانه شهری فراوان بماند
✦
کسی نامهٔ تو بروبر نخواند
“"He has stayed long in a foreign realm, where no letter of yours has been read to him."”
#35
به بهمن یکی نامه باید نوشت
✦
بسان درختی به باغ بهشت
“"A letter should be written to Bahman, flourishing like a tree in the gardens of Paradise,"”
#36
که داری به گیتی جز او یادگار
✦
گسارندهٔ درد اسفندیار
“"For who else do you have in the world as a legacy to soothe the pain of losing Esfandiyar?"”
#37
خوش آمد سخن شاه گشتاسپ را
✦
بفرمود فرخنده جاماسپ را
“King Goshtasp was pleased with these words and commanded the blessed Jamasp:”
#38
که بنویس یک نامه نزدیک اوی
✦
یکی سوی گردنکش کینه‌جوی
“"Write a missive to Bahman, and another to the brave and formidable champion (Rostam)."”
#39
که یزدان سپاس ای جهان پهلوان
✦
که ما از تو شادیم و روشن‌روان
“Saying: "Praise be to God, O World Champion, for we are joyful and enlightened because of you."”
#40
نبیره که از جان گرامی‌تر است
✦
به دانش ز جاماسپ نامی‌تر است
“"Our grandson, who is dearer to us than life, has surpassed even Jamasp in wisdom."”
#41
به بخت تو آموخت فرهنگ و رای
✦
سزد گر فرستی کنون باز جای
“"Through your good fortune he has acquired culture and judgment; it is fitting now that you send him back home."”
#42
یکی سوی بهمن که اندر زمان
✦
چو نامه بخوانی به زابل ممان
“And to Bahman he wrote: "The moment you read this letter, tarry no longer in Zabul."”
#43
که ما را به دیدارت آمد نیاز
✦
برآرای کار و درنگی مساز
“"For we yearn to see your face; prepare your journey and make no delay."”
#44
به رستم چو برخواند نامه دبیر
✦
بدان شاد شد مرد دانش‌پذیر
“When the scribe read the letter to Rostam, that wise champion's heart was filled with joy.”
#45
ز چیزی که بودش به گنج اندرون
✦
ز خفتان وز خنجر آبگون
“From all that he possessed in his treasury—from mail-coats and tempered daggers,”
#46
ز برگستوان و ز تیر و کمان
✦
ز گوپال و ز خنجر هندوان
“Of barded armor, arrows, and bows, of heavy maces, and Indian daggers,”
#47
ز کافور وز مشک وز عود تر
✦
هم از عنبر و گوهر و سیم و زر
“Of camphor, musk, and moist aloeswood, as well as ambergris, jewels, silver, and gold,”
#48
ز بالا و از جامهٔ نابرید
✦
پرستار وز کودکان نارسید
“Of fine fabrics, uncut bolts of cloth, alongside serving maidens and young youths,”
#49
کمرهای زرین و زرین ستام
✦
ز یاقوت با زنگ زرین دو جام
“Golden belts, golden harnesses, and two ruby-adorned goblets with golden bells,”
#50
همه پاک رستم به بهمن سپرد
✦
برنده به گنجور او بر شمرد
“Rustam handed all of these entirely over to Bahman, and the bearer counted them before his treasurer.”
#51
تهمتن بیامد دو منزل به راه
✦
پس او را فرستاد نزدیک شاه
“The Tahamtan accompanied him two days' march along the way, then sent him onward to the King.”
#52
چو گشتاسپ روی نبیره بدید
✦
شد از آب دیده رخش ناپدید
“When Goshtasp beheld his grandson's face, his tears welled up and hid his sight in grief.”
#53
بدو گفت اسفندیاری تو بس
✦
نمانی به گیتی جز او را به کس
“He said to him, "You are Esfandiyar resurrected; in all the world, you resemble none but him!"”
#54
ورا یافت روشن‌دل و یادگیر
✦
ازان پس همی خواندش اردشیر
“Finding him enlightened of mind and quick to learn, he henceforth bestowed upon him the name Ardashir.”
#55
گوی بود با زور و گیرنده دست
✦
خردمند و دانا و یزدان پرست
“He was a hero of great strength and mighty grasp, wise, knowledgeable, and a devout worshiper of God.”
#56
چو بر پای بودی سرانگشت اوی
✦
ز زانو فزونتر بدی مشت اوی
“When he stood erect, his fingertips reached lower than his knees.”
#57
همی آزمودش به یک چندگاه
✦
به بزم و به رزم و به نخجیرگاه
“Goshtasp tested him over a period of time—in feasts, in battles, and upon the hunting grounds.”
#58
به میدان چوگان و بزم و شکار
✦
گوی بود مانند اسفندیار
“On the polo field, at banquets, and in the hunt, he was a champion truly worthy of Esfandiyar.”
#59
ازو هیچ گشتاسپ نشکیفتی
✦
به می خوردن اندرش بفریفتی
“Goshtasp could not endure a moment without him, and found comfort while drinking wine in his presence.”
#60
همی گفت کاینم جهاندار داد
✦
غمی بودم از بهر تیمار داد
“He would say, "The World-Lord gave me this son to comfort me when I was consumed by grief."”
#61
بماناد تا جاودان بهمنم
✦
چو گم شد سرافراز رویین تنم
“"May my Bahman live eternally, now that my proud, bronze-bodied hero has been lost!"”
#62
سرآمد همه کار اسفندیار
✦
که جاوید بادا سر شهریار
“Thus ended all the tale of Esfandiyar; may the life of the King endure forever!”
#63
همیشه دل از رنج پرداخته
✦
زمانه به فرمان او ساخته
“May his heart forever be free of sorrow, and may fate remain submissive to his command!”
#64
دلش باد شادان و تاجش بلند
✦
به گردن بداندیش او را کمند
“May his heart be joyful, his crown exalted, and may the lasso of destiny bind his foes!”