#1
شبی خفته بد ماه با شهریار
✦
پر از گوهر و بوی و رنگ و نگار
“One night, that moon-like maiden slept beside the king, adorned with fine jewels, sweet scent, vivid color, and grace.”
#2
همانا که برزد یکی تیز دم
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شهنشاه زان تیز دم شد دژم
“It came to pass she drew a heavy, sharp breath, and at that foul scent, the King of Kings grew displeased.”
#3
بپیچید در جامه و سر بتافت
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که از نکهتش بوی ناخوش بیافت
“He wrapped himself in his garment and turned his head away, for from her breath he caught an unpleasant odor.”
#4
ازان بوی شد شاه ایران دژم
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پراندیشه جان ابروان پر ز خم
“The monarch of Iran grew heavy-hearted from that scent; his soul filled with anxiety, his brows knit in distress.”
#5
پزشکان داننده را خواندند
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به نزدیک ناهید بنشاندند
“They summoned the most learned physicians and seated them beside Nahid to diagnose her condition.”
#6
یکی مرد بینادل و نیک‌رای
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پژوهید تا دارو آمد به جای
“A clear-sighted, prudent physician pondered deeply until the proper cure was discovered.”
#7
گیاهی که سوزندهٔ کام بود
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به روم اندر اسکندرش نام بود
“It was an herb that burned the roof of the mouth, which in the land of Rum was known as Iskandar.”
#8
بمالید بر کام او بر پزشک
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ببارید چندی ز مژگان سرشک
“The physician rubbed it upon her palate, and tears streamed down from her eyelashes from its sharp burning.”
#9
بشد ناخوشی بوی و کامش بسوخت
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به کردار دیبا رخش برفروخت
“The foul breath vanished though her palate burned, and her face bloomed radiant like silk brocade.”
#10
اگر چند مشکین شد آن خوب‌چهر
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دژم شد دلارای را جای مهر
“Though that lovely face became sweet as musk, gloom had replaced affection in the king's heart.”
#11
دل پادشا سرد گشت از عروس
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فرستاد بازش بر فیلقوس
“The king's heart turned cold toward his bride, and he sent her back to the realm of Philip.”
#12
غمی دختر و کودک اندر نهان
✦
نگفت آن سخن با کسی در جهان
“Sorrowful was the maiden, carrying a child in secret, yet she uttered this secret to no soul on earth.”
#13
چو نه ماه بگذشت بر خوب‌چهر
✦
یکی کودک آمد چو تابنده مهر
“When nine months passed for that fair beauty, a babe was born, radiant as the shining sun.”
#14
ز بالا و اروند و بویا برش
✦
سکندر همی خواندی مادرش
“For his tall stature, glorious nobility, and fragrant chest, his mother called him Sikandar.”
#15
بفرخ همی داشت آن نام را
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کزو یافت از ناخوشی کام را
“She held that name auspicious and blessed, for through it her mouth was cured of its ill scent.”
#16
همی گفت قیصر به هر مهتری
✦
که پیدا شد از تخم من قیصری
“The Caesar boasted to every chieftain: 'A new Caesar has sprung from my own seed!'”
#17
نیاورد کس نام دارا به بر
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سکندر پسر بود و قیصر پدر
“None ever brought up the name of Dara; Sikandar was called the son, and Caesar the father.”
#18
همی ننگش آمد که گفتی به کس
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که دارا ز فرزند من کرد بس
“He deemed it shameful to tell anyone that Dara had rejected his child after taking his fill.”
#19
بر آخر یکی مادیان بد بلند
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که کارزاری و زیبا سمند
“In the royal stable stood a tall mare, swift for battle, a magnificent golden steed.”
#20
همان شب یکی کره‌ای زاد خنگ
✦
برش چون بر شیر و کوتاه لنگ
“On that same night, she birthed a white colt, with a lion-like chest and sturdy, compact legs.”
#21
ز زاینده قیصر برافراخت یال
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که آن زادنش فرخ آمد به فال
“At this birth, Caesar swelled with pride, holding the colt's delivery to be a happy omen.”
#22
به شبگیر فرزند را خواستی
✦
همان مادیان را بیاراستی
“At early dawn he would call for his child, while also adorning that noble mare and colt.”
#23
بسودی همان کره را چشم و یال
✦
که همتای اسکندر او بد به سال
“He lovingly stroked the colt's eyes and mane, for it was born the exact twin in years to Sikandar.”
#24
سپهر اندرین نیز چندی بگشت
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ز هرگونه‌ای سالیان برگذشت
“The heavens turned in their course for a long space, and years of every kind passed away.”
#25
سکندر دل خسروانی گرفت
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سخن گفتن پهلوانی گرفت
“Sikandar acquired a royal heart and began to speak with heroic eloquence and nobility.”
#26
فزون از پسر داشتی قیصرش
✦
بیاراستی پهلوانی برش
“Caesar held him dearer than a son, dressing his chest in warrior's armor and regal robes.”
#27
خرد یافت لختی و شد کاردان
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هشیوار و با سنگ و بسیاردان
“He gained wisdom, grew accomplished in deeds, wise, dignified, and overflowing with knowledge.”
#28
ولی عهد گشت از پس فیلقوس
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بدیدار او داشتی نعم و بوس
“He became the heir apparent to Philip, who delighted in his presence, showering him with wealth and kisses.”
#29
هنرها که باشد کیان را به کار
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سکندر بیاموخت ز آموزگار
“All the noble arts and skills required of monarchs, Sikandar mastered under his tutor's guidance.”
#30
تو گفتی نشاید مگر داد را
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وگر تخت شاهی و بنیاد را
“You would say he was fashioned solely for justice, for the royal throne, and the realm's foundations.”
#31
وزان پس که ناهید نزد پدر
✦
بیامد زنی خواست دارا دگر
“After Nahid had returned to her father, King Dara wedded another woman in Iran.”
#32
یکی کودک آمدش با فر و یال
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ز فرزند ناهید کهتر به سال
“A child was born to him with majesty and stature, younger in years than Nahid's son.”
#33
همان روز داراش کردند نام
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که تا از پدر بیش باشد به کام
“On that very day they named him Dara, so that his fortune might surpass even his father's.”
#34
چو ده سال بگذشت زین با دو سال
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شکست اندر آمد به سال و به مال
“When twelve years passed after this, decline crept upon his years and his royal treasure.”
#35
بپژمرد داراب پور همای
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همی خواندندش به دیگر سرای
“Darab, the noble son of Homay, withered away, as fate summoned him to the eternal abode.”
#36
بزرگان و فرزانگان را بخواند
✦
ز تخت بزرگی فراوان براند
“He summoned the nobles and the wise men of the realm, and from the throne of greatness spoke at length.”
#37
بگفت این که دارای داراکنون
✦
شما را به نیکی بود رهنمون
“He said: 'Now Dara, son of Darab, shall be your sovereign guide toward all that is good.'”
#38
همه گوش دارید و فرمان کنید
✦
ز فرمان او رامش جان کنید
“'Heed his counsel and obey his command; through obedience to him, bring peace unto your souls.'”
#39
که این تخت شاهی نماند دراز
✦
به خوشی رود زود خوانند باز
“'For this royal throne endures not for long; one leaves it in joy, yet soon is summoned away by fate.'”
#40
بکوشید تا مهر و داد آورید
✦
به شادی مرا نیز یاد آورید
“'Strive to foster love and justice, and remember me with gladness in your hearts.'”
#41
بگفت این و باد از جگر برکشید
✦
شد آن برگ گلنار چون شنبلید
“Having spoken these words, he drew a deep sigh from his heart; his cheeks, once like red pomegranate blooms, turned pale as fenugreek.”