#1
چو تنگ اندر آمد به نزدیکشان
✦
نبود آگه از رای تاریکشان
“As he drew near unto them, he knew nothing of the dark counsel in their hearts.”
#2
پذیره شدندش به آیین خویش
✦
سپه سربسر باز بردند پیش
“They came forth to receive him according to their custom, advancing their whole army forward.”
#3
چو دیدند روی برادر به مهر
✦
یکی تازه‌تر برگشادند چهر
“When they saw their brother's affectionate face, they brightened their countenances with feigned warmth.”
#4
دو پرخاشجوی با یکی نیک خوی
✦
گرفتند پرسش نه بر آرزوی
“Two quarrelsome brothers and one of noble nature greeted each other, though not out of true affection.”
#5
دو دل پر ز کینه یکی دل به جای
✦
برفتند هر سه به پرده سرای
“Two hearts filled with hatred, one heart pure and steadfast—the three together entered the royal pavilion.”
#6
به ایرج نگه کرد یکسر سپاه
✦
که او بد سزاوار تخت و کلاه
“The entire army gazed upon Iraj, seeing that he alone was worthy of the throne and crown.”
#7
بی‌آرامشان شد دل از مهر او
✦
دل از مهر و دیده پر از چهر او
“Their hearts grew restless with love for him, their spirits filled with affection and their eyes with his visage.”
#8
سپاه پراگنده شد جفت جفت
✦
همه نام ایرج بد اندر نهفت
“The soldiers scattered in pairs and groups, and the name of Iraj was on every tongue in secret.”
#9
که هست این سزاوار شاهنشهی
✦
جز این را نزیبد کلاه مهی
“Saying, 'He alone is worthy of sovereignty; to none but him does the high crown belong.'”
#10
به لشکر نگه کرد سلم از کران
✦
سرش گشت از کار لشکر گران
“Salm looked upon the army from afar, and his spirit grew heavy and troubled at their mood.”
#11
به لشگرگه آمد دلی پر ز کین
✦
جگر پر ز خون ابروان پر ز چین
“He returned to the camp with a heart full of spite, his liver filled with blood, his brows heavily knit.”
#12
سراپرده پرداخت از انجمن
✦
خود و تور بنشست با رای زن
“He cleared the pavilion of all assembly, and sat alone with Tur and his counselors.”
#13
سخن شد پژوهنده از هردری
✦
ز شاهی و از تاج هر کشوری
“They began to discuss every matter, examining kingship and the crowns of every realm.”
#14
به تور از میان سخن سلم گفت
✦
که یک یک سپاه از چه گشتند جفت
“In the midst of their talk, Salm said to Tur, 'Why have the soldiers gathered thus two by two?'”
#15
به هنگامهٔ بازگشتن ز راه
✦
نکردی همانا به لشکر نگاه
“'Didst thou not perchance behold the troops as we returned upon our way?'”
#16
سپاه دو شاه از پذیره شدن
✦
دگر بود و دیگر به بازآمدن
“'The armies of both kings were one way during the greeting, and quite another upon the return!'”
#17
که چندان کجا راه بگذاشتند
✦
یکی چشم از ایرج نه برداشتند
“'For throughout the entire length of the road they traversed, they never took their eyes off Iraj!'”
#18
از ایران دلم خود به دو نیم بود
✦
به اندیشه اندیشگان برفزود
“'My heart was already broken over Iran, and now this anxiety has multiplied my cares.'”
#19
سپاه دو کشور چو کردم نگاه
✦
از این پس جز او را نخوانند شاه
“'As I observed the troops of both realms, henceforth they will call no one king save him!'”
#20
اگر بیخ او نگسلانی ز جای
✦
ز تخت بلندت کشد زیر پای
“'If thou dost not uproot him now, he will pull thee down from thy exalted throne!'”
#21
برین گونه از جای برخاستند
✦
همه شب همی چاره آراستند
“Thus they arose from their place, and all through the night they plotted their scheme.”