#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.”