#1
فریدون نهاده دو دیده به راه
✦
سپاه و کلاه آرزومند شاه
“Fereydun kept his eyes fixed upon the road, while his army and nobles eagerly awaited the prince.”
#2
چو هنگام برگشتن شاه بود
✦
پدر زان سخن خود کی آگاه بود
“When the hour of the prince's return drew near, the father was yet unaware of the grim tragedy.”
#3
همی شاه را تخت پیروزه ساخت
✦
همی تاج را گوهر اندر نشاخت
“They fashioned a turquoise throne for the king and set bright gems into the crown.”
#4
پذیره شدن را بیاراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“They prepared all things for his welcoming, summoning wine, harps, and joyful minstrels.”
#5
تبیره ببردند و پیل از درش
✦
ببستند آذین به هر کشورش
“Drums were sounded, elephants brought to the gate, and festive decorations bound in every province.”
#6
به زین اندرون بود شاه و سپاه
✦
یکی گرد تیره برآمد ز راه
“As the king and his army mounted their steeds, a dark dust cloud rose up from the highway.”
#7
هیونی برون آمد از تیره گرد
✦
نشسته برو سوگواری به درد
“A swift camel emerged from the dark dust, carrying a rider steeped in sorrow and grief.”
#8
خروشی برآورد دل سوگوار
✦
یکی زر تابوتش اندر کنار
“The sorrowful courier uttered a piercing wail, holding a golden casket by his side.”
#9
به تابوت زر اندرون پرنیان
✦
نهاده سر ایرج اندر میان
“Within that golden casket, wrapped in fine silk, lay the severed head of Iraj.”
#10
ابا ناله و آه و با روی زرد
✦
به پیش فریدون شد آن شوخ مرد
“With groans, sighs, and a pale face, that sorrowful messenger stepped before Fereydun.”
#11
ز تابوت زر تخته برداشتند
✦
که گفتار او خوار پنداشتند
“They lifted the lid from the golden casket, discarding all thought of mere spoken words.”
#12
ز تابوت چون پرنیان برکشید
✦
سر ایرج آمد بریده پدید
“As the silk wrapping was pulled back from the casket, the severed head of Iraj was revealed.”
#13
بیافتاد ز اسپ آفریدون به خاک
✦
سپه سر به سر جامه کردند چاک
“Fereydun fell from his horse onto the earth, and the entire host tore their garments to shreds.”
#14
سیه شد رخ و دیدگان شد سپید
✦
که دیدن دگرگونه بودش امید
“His face turned black and his eyes turned white with weeping, for his hopes had been utterly shattered.”
#15
چو خسرو بران‌گونه آمد ز راه
✦
چنین بازگشت از پذیره سپاه
“Thus did the monarch return from the road, and thus did the welcoming army turn back in mournful despair.”
#16
دریده درفش و نگونسار کوس
✦
رخ نامداران به رنگ آبنوس
“Banners were shredded, war-drums were turned upside down, and the faces of famous heroes turned dark as ebony.”
#17
تبیره سیه کرده و روی پیل
✦
پراکنده بر تازی اسپانش نیل
“Drums were blackened, the faces of war-elephants darkened, and blue dust was scattered over the Arabian steeds.”
#18
پیاده سپهبد پیاده سپاه
✦
پر از خاک سر برگرفتند راه
“The commander dismounted and the troops marched on foot, their heads covered in dust as they took the path.”
#19
خروشیدن پهلوانان به درد
✦
کنان گوشت تن را بران رادمرد
“The champions wailed in torment, tearing their own flesh in anguish for that noble prince.”
#20
برین گونه گردد به ما بر سپهر
✦
بخواهد ربودن چو بنمود چهر
“Such is the turning of the sky above us; after showing its fair face, it snatches away what it gave.”
#21
مبر خود به مهر زمانه گمان
✦
نه نیکو بود راستی در کمان
“Place no reliance upon the love of fate, for there is no true straightness in its bent bow.”
#22
چو دشمنش گیری نمایدت مهر
✦
و گر دوست خوانی نبینیش چهر
“If you count it an enemy, it shows you affection; but if you call it a friend, you shall never see its face.”
#23
یکی پند گویم ترا من درست
✦
دل از مهر گیتی ببایدت شست
“I give thee a true counsel: thou must wash thy heart clean of affection for this temporal world.”
#24
سپه داغ دل شاه با های و هوی
✦
سوی باغ ایرج نهادند روی
“With heart-stricken grief and loud lamentations, the army and king turned their steps toward the garden of Iraj.”
#25
به روزی کجا جشن شاهان بدی
✦
وزان پیشتر بزمگاهان بدی
“Toward the spot where in bygone days royal feasts were held and kings assembled in joy.”
#26
فریدون سر شاه پور جوان
✦
بیامد ببر برگرفته نوان
“Fereydun arrived, holding the head of his young royal son close to his breast, trembling and weeping.”
#27
بر آن تخت شاهنشهی بنگرید
✦
سر شاه را نزدر تاج دید
“He looked upon the majestic royal throne, and saw the prince's severed head placed near the crown.”
#28
همان حوض شاهان و سرو سهی
✦
درخت گلفشان و بید و بهی
“He gazed upon the royal pool, the tall cypress, the blooming trees, the willows, and the quince groves.”
#29
تهی دید از آزادگان جشنگاه
✦
به کیوان برآورده گرد سیاه
“He saw the festive place stripped of noble souls, and black smoke of grief rising to the height of Saturn.”
#30
همی سوخت باغ و همی خست روی
✦
همی ریخت اشک و همی کند موی
“He burned the garden, scratched his face in torment, shed bitter tears, and tore out his hair.”
#31
میان را به زنار خونین ببست
✦
فکند آتش اندر سرای نشست
“He bound a bloody girdle around his waist and set fire to his own royal dwelling hall.”
#32
گلستانش برکند و سروان بسوخت
✦
به یکبارگی چشم شادی بدوخت
“He uprooted the rose garden, burned the cypresses, and forever closed his eyes to all joy.”
#33
نهاده سر ایرج اندر کنار
✦
سر خویشتن کرد زی کردگار
“Holding Iraj's head in his lap, he lifted his own face toward the Almighty Creator.”
#34
همی گفت کای داور دادگر
✦
بدین بی‌گنه کشته اندر نگر
“He cried out, 'O Just Judge! Look down upon this innocent murdered youth!'”
#35
به خنجر سرش کنده در پیش من
✦
تنش خورده شیران آن انجمن
“'His head severed by dagger before me, and his body devoured by the lions of that assembly!'”
#36
دل هر دو بیداد از آن سان بسوز
✦
که هرگز نبینند جز تیره روز
“'Burn the unrighteous hearts of those two in such wise that they never see anything but gloomy dark days!'”
#37
به داغی جگرشان کنی آژده
✦
که بخشایش آرد بریشان دده
“'Pierce their livers with such agony that even wild beasts of the wilderness take pity upon them!'”
#38
همی خواهم از روشن کردگار
✦
که چندان زمان یابم از روزگار
“'I ask of the Radiant Creator only to grant me enough time in this world,'”
#39
که از تخم ایرج یکی نامور
✦
بیاید برین کین ببندد کمر
“'That a renowned hero may arise from the seed of Iraj to gird himself for this vengeance!'”
#40
چو دیدم چنین زان سپس شایدم
✦
اگر خاک بالا بپیمایدم
“'When I have seen such vengeance, it matters not if the dark dust of the grave covers my body.'”
#41
برین‌گونه بگریست چندان بزار
✦
همی تا گیا رستش اندر کنار
“He wept so bitterly and so continuously in this manner that wild grass sprouted around his lap.”
#42
زمین بستر و خاک بالین او
✦
شده تیره روشن جهان‌بین او
“The ground became his bed and dust his pillow, while his bright eyes turned dark and blind with tears.”
#43
در بار بسته گشاده زبان
✦
همی گفت کای داور راستان
“With court doors closed to all, he constantly prayed: 'O Judge of the Righteous!'”
#44
کس از تاجداران بدین‌سان نمرد
✦
که مُرده‌ست این نامبردار گُرد
“'Never did any crowned king die in such a gruesome fashion as died this renowned hero.'”
#45
سرش را بریده به زار اهرمن
✦
تنش را شده کام شیران کفن
“'His head severed painfully by evil forces, and his body left to be shroud in the bellies of wild lions.'”
#46
خروشی به زاری و چشمی پرآب
✦
ز هر دام و دد برده آرام و خواب
“A cry of bitter lamentation and eyes overflowing with tears / Took away rest and sleep from every beast and bird.”
#47
سراسر همه کشورش مرد و زن
✦
به هر جای کرده یکی انجمن
“Throughout the realm, all people, both men and women, / Gathered in mourning assemblies in every corner.”
#48
همه دیده پرآب و دل پر ز خون
✦
نشسته به تیمار و گرم اندرون
“Their eyes brimming with tears and their hearts full of blood, / They sat in deep affliction, burning with inner sorrow.”
#49
همه جامه کرده کبود و سیاه
✦
نشسته به اندوه در سوگ شاه
“All clad in garments of dark blue and black, / Plunged in profound sorrow, they sat mourning for their prince.”
#50
چه مایه چنین روز بگذاشتند
✦
همه زندگی مرگ پنداشتند
“In such grief they spent many a day, / Regarding life itself as no different than death.”