#1
کنون آفرین جهان‌آفرین
✦
بخوانیم بر شهریار زمین
“Now let us utter praise unto the Creator of the World, upon the noble Sovereign of the Earth.”
#2
ابوالقاسم آن شاه خورشید چهر
✦
بیاراست گیتی به داد و به مهر
“Abul-Qasim, that sun-visaged king, who adorned the world with justice and loving-kindness.”
#3
نجوید جز از خوبی و راستی
✦
نیارد بداد اندرون کاستی
“He seeks naught but goodness and truth, and permits no flaw or shortage in justice.”
#4
جهان روشن از تاج محمود باد
✦
همه روزگارانش مسعود باد
“May the world stay brightened by Mahmud's crown, and may all his days be forever auspicious!”
#5
همیشه جوان تا جوانی بود
✦
همان زنده تا زندگانی بود
“May he remain ever youthful as long as youth endures, and ever living as long as life remains!”
#6
چه گفت آن سراینده دهقان پیر
✦
ز گشتاسپ وز نامدار اردشیر
“What did that ancient storytelling dehqan say of Goshtasp and of the renowned Ardashir?”
#7
وزان نامداران پاکیزه‌رای
✦
ز داراب وز رسم و رای همای
“And of those pure-minded nobles, of Darab, and of the noble counsel and customs of Homay?”
#8
چو دارا به تخت مهی برنشست
✦
کمر بر میان بست و بگشاد دست
“When Dara sat upon the throne of greatness, he girded his loins and opened his hands in bountiful giving.”
#9
چنین گفت با موبدان و ردان
✦
بزرگان و بیداردل بخردان
“Thus he spoke to the mobads, counselors, nobles, and vigilant-hearted sages:”
#10
که گیتی نجستم به رنج و به داد
✦
مرا تاج یزدان به سر بر نهاد
“'I sought not this world through hardship or force; it was the crown of God that was placed upon my head.'”
#11
شگفتی‌تر از کار من در جهان
✦
نبیند کسی آشکار و نهان
“'More wondrous than my fate in this world, none shall ever see, whether in secret or in plain sight.'”
#12
ندانیم جز داد پاداش این
✦
که بر ما پس از ما کنند آفرین
“'We know no reward for this save justice, so that those who come after us may speak our praise.'”
#13
نباید که پیچد کس از رنج ما
✦
ز بیشی و آگندن گنج ما
“'None should suffer pain on account of us, nor from our abundance and the amassing of our treasures.'”
#14
زمانه ز داد من آباد باد
✦
دل زیر دستان ما شاد باد
“'May the world flourish through my justice, and may the hearts of our subjects be glad!'”
#15
ازان پس ز هندوستان و ز روم
✦
ز هر مرز باارز و آباد بوم
“Thereafter, from India and from Rome, and from every valuable and thriving domain,”
#16
برفتند با هدیه و با نثار
✦
بجستند خشنودی شهریار
“Envoys came with gifts and precious offerings, seeking the pleasure of the King.”
#17
چنان بد که روزی ز بهر گله
✦
بیامد که اسپان ببیند یله
“So it was that one day, to view his royal herds, he went forth to inspect his roaming horses.”
#18
ز پستی برآمد به کوهی رسید
✦
یکی بی‌کران ژرف دریا بدید
“He ascended from the valley to a mountain peak, and beheld a vast and boundless deep body of water.”
#19
بفرمود کز روم و وز هندوان
✦
بیارند کارآزموده گوان
“He commanded that experienced champions and engineers be brought from Rome and India,”
#20
بجویند زان آب دریا دری
✦
رسانند رودی به هر کشوری
“To seek an outlet for that lake's water, and channel a river to every country around.”
#21
چو بگشاد داننده از آب بند
✦
یکی شهر فرمود بس سودمند
“When the wise men opened the water barrier, he ordered a most beneficial city to be built.”
#22
چو دیوار شهر اندرآورد گرد
✦
ورا نام کردند داراب گرد
“When the city walls were raised round about, they named that city Darabgerd.”
#23
یکی آتش افروخت از تیغ کوه
✦
پرستندهٔ آذر آمد گروه
“He ignited a holy fire upon the mountain top, and a company of fire-worshippers assembled there.”
#24
ز هر پیشه‌ای کارگر خواستند
✦
همی شهر ایران بیاراستند
“Artisans of every craft were summoned, and they beautified the cities of Iran.”
#25
به هر سو فرستاد بی‌مر سپاه
✦
ز دشمن همی داشت گیتی نگاه
“He sent forth countless hosts to every direction, keeping the world safe from enemies.”
#26
جهان از بداندیش بی‌بیم کرد
✦
دل بدسگالان بدو نیم کرد
“He freed the world from fear of malevolent foes, and cleaved the hearts of evil-wishers in twain.”