#1
بمرد اندران چند گه فیلقوس
✦
به روم اندرون بود یک‌چند بوس
“After some time, Philip passed away, while in Rome there was a period of grief and quiet.”
#2
سکندر به تخت نیا برنشست
✦
بهی جست و دست بدی را ببست
“Sekandar ascended the throne of his ancestor; he sought goodness and bound the hands of evil.”
#3
یکی نامداری بد آنگه به روم
✦
کزو شاد بد آن همه مرز و بوم
“There was a renowned man in Rome at that time, through whom that entire realm was filled with joy.”
#4
حکیمی که بد ارسطالیس نام
✦
خردمند و بیدار و گسترده کام
“A philosopher named Aristotle, wise, vigilant, and famed for his great mind.”
#5
به پیش سکندر شد آن پاک‌رای
✦
زبان کرد گویا و بگرفت جای
“That pure-minded sage came before Sekandar, took his place, and began to speak.”
#6
بدو گفت کای مهتر شادکام
✦
همی گم کنی اندرین کار نام
“He said to him, 'O prosperous ruler! Take care lest you lose your good name in these pursuits.'”
#7
که تخت کیان چون تو بسیار دید
✦
نخواهد همی با کسی آرمید
“'For the crown of kings has seen many like you, and it will never remain forever with anyone.'”
#8
هرانگه که گویی رسیدم به جای
✦
نباید به گیتی مرا رهنمای
“'Whenever you say, "I have reached the summit and need no guide in this world"...'”
#9
چنان دان که نادان‌ترین کس توی
✦
اگر پند دانندگان نشنوی
“'...Know that you are the most ignorant of men if you refuse to hear the advice of the wise.'”
#10
ز خاکیم و هم خاک را زاده‌ایم
✦
به بیچارگی دل بدو داده‌ایم
“'We are from dust and born of the earth; in helplessness we have given our hearts to it.'”
#11
اگر نیک باشی بماندت نام
✦
به تخت کیی‌بر بوی شادکام
“'If you are righteous, your name shall endure, and you will rest joyful upon the imperial throne.'”
#12
وگر بد کنی جز بدی ندروی
✦
شبی در جهان شادمان نغنوی
“'And if you commit evil, you shall reap naught but evil, nor sleep a single joyful night in this world.'”
#13
به نیکی بود شاه را دست‌رس
✦
به بد روز گیتی نجستست کس
“'A king has power to achieve goodness; no one has ever gained true success through evil days.'”
#14
سکندر شنید این پسند آمدش
✦
سخن‌گوی را فرمند آمدش
“Sekandar listened and approved of these words; he found the speaker majestic and worthy.”
#15
به فرمان او کرد کاری که کرد
✦
ز بزم و ز رزم و ز ننگ و نبرد
“According to his counsel he executed all his deeds—whether in feasts, wars, honor, or battles.”
#16
به نو هر زمانیش بنواختی
✦
چو رفتی بر تخت بنشاختی
“He continually honored him anew, and whenever Aristotle arrived, he welcomed him to the throne.”
#17
چنان بد که روزی فرستاده‌ای
✦
سخن‌گو و روشن‌دل آزاده‌ای
“It so happened that one day an envoy arrived, an eloquent, radiant-hearted, noble messenger.”
#18
ز نزدیک دارا بیامد به روم
✦
کجا باژ خواهد ز آباد بوم
“He came to Rome from King Dara, demanding the tribute from that prosperous land.”
#19
به پیش سکندر بگفت آن سخن
✦
غمی شد سکندر ز باژ کهن
“He spoke those words before Sekandar; Sekandar grew grieved and angered by this ancient tribute.”
#20
بدو گفت رو پیش دارا بگوی
✦
که از باژ ما شد کنون رنگ و بوی
“He said to him, 'Go back and say to Dara: "Our tribute has now lost its color and scent!"'”
#21
که مرغی که زرین همی خایه کرد
✦
به مرد و سر باژ بی‌مایه کرد
“'"For the bird that used to lay golden eggs has died, and made the matter of tribute worthless!"'”
#22
فرستاده پاسخ بدان سان شنید
✦
بترسید وز روم شد ناپدید
“When the envoy heard such an answer, he was terrified and vanished from Rome.”
#23
سکندر سپه را سراسر بخواند
✦
گذشته سخن پیش ایشان براند
“Sekandar summoned all his army and recounted to them what had transpired.”
#24
چنین گفت کز گردش آسمان
✦
نیابد گذر مرد نیکی‌گمان
“He said, 'From the turns of the heavens, even a well-meaning man cannot escape destiny.'”
#25
مرا روی گیتی بباید سپرد
✦
بد و نیک چندی بباید شمرد
“'I must traverse the face of the earth and experience its share of good and evil.'”
#26
شما را بباید کنون ساختن
✦
دل از بوم و آرام پرداختن
“'You must now prepare yourselves, and detach your hearts from home and rest.'”
#27
سر گنجهای نیا باز کرد
✦
بفرمود تا لشکرش ساز کرد
“He opened the treasuries of his ancestors and ordered his army to equip themselves.”
#28
به شبگیر برخاست از روم غو
✦
ز شهر و ز درگاه سالار نو
“At dawn, a roar arose from Rome, from the city and the court of the new ruler.”
#29
برون آمد آن نامور شهریار
✦
بره‌بر چنان لشکر نامدار
“That renowned monarch marched forth, leading a famed and mighty host upon the road.”
#30
درفشی پس پشت سالار روم
✦
نوشته برو سرخ و پیروزه بوم
“Behind the ruler of Rome floated a banner, inscribed upon red and turquoise fabric.”
#31
همای از برو خیزرانش قضیب
✦
نوشته بر او بر محب صلیب
“A Homa bird adorned it, its shaft made of cane, and inscribed upon it was the love of the Cross.”
#32
به مصر آمد از روم چندان سپاه
✦
که بستند بر مور و بر پشه راه
“So vast an army came from Rome to Egypt that they blocked the path of ants and flies.”
#33
دو لشکر به روی اندر آورده روی
✦
ببودند یک هفته پرخاشجوی
“The two armies faced one another and clashed furiously for a whole week.”
#34
به هشتم به مصر اندر آمد شکست
✦
سکندر سر راه ایشان ببست
“On the eighth day, defeat befell Egypt, and Sekandar blocked their lines of retreat.”
#35
ز یک راه چندان گرفتار شد
✦
که گیرنده را دست بیکار شد
“Along one path so many were captured that the captors' hands grew exhausted.”
#36
ز گوپال و از اسپ و برگستوان
✦
ز خفتان وز خنجر هندوان
“Of maces, horses, bards, armor, and Indian daggers, immense spoils were seized.”
#37
کمرهای زرین و زرین ستام
✦
همان تیغ هندی به زرین نیام
“Golden belts, golden harnesses, and Indian swords in golden sheaths.”
#38
ز دیبا و دینار چندان بیافت
✦
که از خواسته بارگی برنتافت
“He gained so much silk and gold coin that the pack-beasts could scarcely carry the wealth.”
#39
بسی زینهاری بیامد سوار
✦
بزرگان جنگاور و نامدار
“Many mounted warriors, famous and noble chieftains, came seeking quarter and mercy.”
#40
وزان جایگه ساز ایران گرفت
✦
دل شیر و چنگ دلیران گرفت
“From that place he prepared for Iran, adopting the heart of a lion and the claws of the brave.”
#41
چو بشنید دارا که لشکر ز روم
✦
بجنبید و آمد برین مرز و بوم
“When Dara heard that the army from Rome had moved and arrived upon these borders...”
#42
برفتند ز اصطخر چندان سپاه
✦
که از نیزه بر باد بستند راه
“So many troops marched from Istakhr that their spears blocked the very path of the wind.”
#43
همی داشت از پارس آهنگ روم
✦
کز ایران گذارد به آباد بوم
“From Pars he directed his march toward the Romans, to drive them out of Iran back to their lands.”
#44
چو آورد لشکر به پیش فرات
✦
سپه را عدد بود بیش از نبات
“When he brought his army before the Euphrates, his forces outnumbered the plants of the earth.”
#45
به گرد لب آب لشکر کشید
✦
ز جوشن کسی آب دریا ندید
“He encamped his hosts along the riverbank; through the glint of their chainmail, none could see the water.”