In days of old, there dwelt in the soil of Merv a wise elder named Azad Sarv, a beloved companion of Ahmad Sahl. His heart was a treasury of ancient lore, his head filled with memory, and his tongue eloquently steeped in the chronicles of yore. Tracing his noble lineage back to Sam Nariman, he bore the mighty stature of past heroes, preserving the sacred Chronicles of Kings and remembering with vivid clarity the legendary exploits of Rostam. Thus begins the weaving together of the priceless tales he safeguarded, meant to endure eternally across the earth.
Yet the heavy hand of age and poverty weighs upon the storyteller; his hearing falters, his step grows weak, and the strength of youth vanishes into twilight. Amidst this lament of hardship, praise shines forth like luminous Byzantine silk for the sovereign of the age, King Mahmud—the ruler of Iran, Turan, and India. Through his justice, the hands of evil are bound, and the world blossoms into eternal spring. He rewards wisdom and curbs tyranny, ensuring his memory shall never fade while humanity walks the earth.
This epic chronicle—replete with battles, banquets, righteous counsel, and divine guidance—stands as an everlasting treasure and comforting companion for future generations. The storyteller longs for royal dinars from the King's grand bounty in this world, and seeks the ultimate reward of divine forgiveness from the Almighty in the world to come. With these hopes declared, the narrative returns once more to the luminous lore of Azad Sarv of Merv.
#1
یکی پیر بد نامش آزاد سرو
✦
که با احمد سهل بودی به مرو
“There was a noble elder named Azad Sarv, who dwelt in Merv alongside Ahmad Sahl.”
#2
دلی پر ز دانش سری پر سخن
✦
زبان پر ز گفتارهای کهن
“His heart was overflowing with knowledge, his head full of memory, and his tongue eloquent with ancient tales.”
#3
کجا نامهٔ خسروان داشتی
✦
تن و پیکر پهلوان داشتی
“He possessed the Chronicle of Kings, bearing the stature and frame of a legendary hero.”
#4
به سام نریمان کشیدی نژاد
✦
بسی داشتی رزم رستم به یاد
“He traced his lineage back to Sam Nariman, and held deep memory of the battles of Rostam.”
#5
بگویم کنون آنچ ازو یافتم
✦
سخن را یک اندر دگر بافتم
“Now I shall recite what I received from him, weaving the narrative seamlessly together.”
#6
اگر مانم اندر سپنجی سرای
✦
روان و خرد باشدم رهنمای
“If I remain a while longer in this transient abode, spirit and wisdom shall be my guiding light.”
#7
سرآرم من این نامهٔ باستان
✦
به گیتی بمانم یکی داستان
“I shall bring this ancient book to completion, leaving behind an immortal story in the world.”
#8
به نام جهاندار محمود شاه
✦
ابوالقاسم آن فر دیهیم و گاه
“In the name of the ruler of the world, King Mahmud—Abolqasem, he of crown, throne, and royal glory.”
#9
خداوند ایران و نیران و هند
✦
ز فرش جهان شد چو رومی پرند
“Lord of Iran, Turan, and India, through whose splendor the world shines bright like brocaded silk.”
#10
به بخشش همی گنج بپراگند
✦
به دانایی از گنج نام آگند
“Through generosity he scatters treasure, and through wisdom he fills his name with lasting renown.”
#11
بزرگست و چون سالیان بگذرد
✦
ازو گوید آنکس که دارد خرد
“He is great, and as long years pass by, every wise person shall speak of his grand deeds.”
#12
ز رزم و ز بزم و ز بخش و شکار
✦
ز دادش جهان شد چو خرم بهار
“In battle and feast, in gift-giving and the hunt, his justice has made the world like a verdant spring.”
#13
خنک آنک بیند کلاه ورا
✦
همان بارگاه و سپاه ورا
“Blessed is he who beholds his royal crown, his majestic court, and his triumphant armies.”
#14
دو گوش و دو پای من آهو گرفت
✦
تهی دستی و سال نیرو گرفت
“My two ears and two feet have grown flawed; empty-handedness and old age have seized my strength.”
#15
ببستم برین گونه بدخواه بخت
✦
بنالم ز بخت بد و سال سخت
“Bound in this manner by ill fortune, I lament my hard luck and the bitter weight of years.”
#16
شب و روز خوانم همی آفرین
✦
بران دادگر شهریار زمین
“Night and day I utter blessings upon that just monarch of the earth.”
#17
همه شهر با من بدین یاورند
✦
جز آنکس که بددین و بدگوهرند
“The whole city joins me in this prayer, except for those of evil faith and corrupt nature.”
#18
که تا او به تخت کیی برنشست
✦
در کین و دست بدی را ببست
“For since he ascended the Kiani throne, he closed the door of malice and bound the hand of evil.”
#19
بپیچاند آن را که بیشی کند
✦
وگر چند بیشی ز پیشی کند
“He chastises whoever seeks excess and tyranny, even if that person claims ancient noble precedence.”
#20
ببخشاید آن را که دارد خرد
✦
ز اندازهٔ روز برنگذرد
“He pardons and favors the wise man who does not exceed his true measure in life.”
#21
ازو یادگاری کنم در جهان
✦
که تا هست مردم نگردد نهان
“I shall create a lasting monument of him in this world, which shall never vanish as long as humanity remains.”
#22
بدین نامهٔ شهریاران پیش
✦
بزرگان و جنگی سواران پیش
“Through this book of ancient monarchs, noble leaders, and valiant warriors of old.”
#23
همه رزم و بزمست و رای و سخن
✦
گذشته بسی روزگار کهن
“Filled entirely with battles, banquets, counsel, and eloquence, from long centuries past.”
#24
همان دانش و دین و پرهیز و رای
✦
همان رهنمونی به دیگر سرای
“As well as wisdom, true faith, piety, reflection, and guidance toward the eternal realm.”
#25
ز چیزی کزیشان پسند آیدش
✦
همین روز را سودمند آیدش
“Whoever finds favor in their deeds shall draw profit for themselves in this present life.”
#26
کزان برتران یادگارش بود
✦
همان مونس روزگارش بود
“So that their noble remembrance may endure, serving as a companion in their daily life.”
#27
همی چشم دارم بدین روزگار
✦
که دینار یابم من از شهریار
“I hope in this life to receive gold dinars from the royal treasury of the King.”
#28
دگر چشم دارم به دیگر سرای
✦
که آمرزش آید مرا از خدای
“And I hope in the next world to receive divine forgiveness from God Almighty.”
#29
که از من پس از مرگ ماند نشان
✦
ز گنج شهنشاه گردنکشان
“So that after my death, a lasting trace of me shall remain from the treasury of the King of kings.”
#30
کنون بازگردم به گفتار سرو
✦
فروزندهٔ سهل ماهان به مرو
“Now I return to the tale of Sarv, the bright star of Sahl Mahan in the city of Merv.”