#1
سکندر چو بشنید کامد سپاه
✦
پذیره شدن را بپیمود راه
“When Sekandar heard that the army was approaching, he set forth on the road to meet them.”
#2
میان دو لشکر دو فرسنگ ماند
✦
سکندر گرانمایگان را بخواند
“Two leagues remained between the two armies; Sekandar summoned his noble councilors.”
#3
چو سیر آمد از گفتهٔ رهنمای
✦
چنین گفت کاکنون جزین نیست رای
“Having heard enough from his guides, he said, 'Now no counsel remains but this alone.'”
#4
که من چون فرستاده‌ای پیش اوی
✦
شوم برگرایم کم و بیش اوی
“'That I go before him disguised as an envoy, to weigh his strength, his worth, and his mind.'”
#5
کمر خواست پرگوهر شاهوار
✦
یکی خسروی جامهٔ زرنگار
“He called for a belt laden with royal jewels and a magnificent coat woven with thread of gold.”
#6
ببردند بالای زرین ستام
✦
به زین اندرون تیغ زرین نیام
“They brought a charger adorned with a golden harness, and bound a sword in a golden scabbard to the saddle.”
#7
سواری ده از رومیان برگزید
✦
که دانند هرگونه گفت و شنید
“He chose ten Roman horsemen skilled in every art of discourse and counsel.”
#8
ز لشکر بیامد سپیده دمان
✦
خود و نامداران ابا ترجمان
“At the break of dawn, he rode out from his host, accompanied by his nobles and interpreters.”
#9
چو آمد به نزدیک دارا فراز
✦
پیاده شد و برد پیشش نماز
“As he approached Dara, he dismounted and bowed low in reverence before him.”
#10
جهاندار دارا مر او را بخواند
✦
بپرسید و بر زیر گاهش نشاند
“Imperial Dara summoned him forward, inquired after him, and seated him beside his throne.”
#11
همه نامداران فروماندند
✦
بروبر نهان آفرین خواندند
“All the grandees stood in wonder, silently praising his noble bearing.”
#12
ز دیدار آن فر و فرهنگ او
✦
ز بالا و از شاخ و آهنگ او
“Marvelling at his royal splendour and wisdom, his towering stature and majestic voice.”
#13
همانگه چو بنشست بر پای خاست
✦
پیام سکندر بیاراست راست
“No sooner had he taken his seat than he stood again, delivering Sekandar's message with eloquent precision.”
#14
نخست آفرین کرد بر شهریار
✦
که جاوید بادا سر تاج‌دار
“First he showered blessings upon the monarch, saying: 'May the crowned head endure forever!'”
#15
سکندر چنین گفت کای نیک‌نام
✦
به گیتی بهرجای گسترده کام
“'Sekandar says: O renowned king, whose sovereignty is spread across the world,'”
#16
مرا آرزو نیست با شاه جنگ
✦
نه بر بوم ایران گرفتن درنگ
“'I have no desire for war with the King, nor to linger upon the soil of Iran.'”
#17
برآنم که گرد زمین اندکی
✦
بگردم ببینم جهان را یکی
“'My sole intent is to journey across the earth, to behold the world with my own eyes.'”
#18
همه راستی خواهم و نیکویی
✦
به ویژه که سالار ایران تویی
“'I seek only truth and goodness, above all since thou art the lord of Iran.'”
#19
اگر خاک داری تو از من دریغ
✦
نشاید سپردن هوا را چو میغ
“'Yet if thou deny me passage across the earth, one cannot tread upon the air like a cloud.'”
#20
چنین با سپاه آمدی پیش من
✦
نه آگاهی از رای کم بیش من
“'Thou hast advanced with an army against me, unknowing of my true intent.'”
#21
چو رزم آوری باتو رزم آورم
✦
ازین بوم بی‌رزم برنگذرم
“'Yet if thou seekest battle, I shall fight thee; I will not leave this realm without combat.'”
#22
گزین کن یکی روزگار نبرد
✦
برین باش و زین آرزو برمگرد
“'Appoint a day for battle, stand firm upon it, and turn not away from this desire.'”
#23
که من سر نپیچم ز جنگ سران
✦
وگر چند باشد سپاهی گران
“'For I shrink not from war with mighty kings, however vast their host may be.'”
#24
چو دارا بدید آن دل و رای او
✦
سخن گفتن و فر و بالای او
“When Dara beheld his courage, his sharp mind, his eloquent speech, and his radiant stature,”
#25
تو گفتی که داراست بر تخت عاج
✦
ابا یاره و طوق و با فر و تاج
“It seemed as though another Dara sat upon an ivory throne, adorned with armlets, collar, crown, and glory.”
#26
بدو گفت نام و نژاد تو چیست
✦
که بر فر و شاخت نشان کییست
“He said to him: 'What is thy name and lineage? For upon thy royal height rests the mark of kings.'”
#27
از اندازهٔ کهتران برتری
✦
من ایدون گمانم که اسکندری
“'Thou art far exalted above common envoys; I suspect thou art none other than Sekandar!'”
#28
بدین فر و بالا و گفتار و چهر
✦
مگر تخت را پروریدت سپهر
“'With such splendor, stature, voice, and visage, surely the heavens raised thee for the throne.'”
#29
چنین داد پاسخ که این کس نکرد
✦
نه در آشتی و نه اندر نبرد
“Sekandar answered: 'No king hath ever done such a thing, neither in peace nor in war,'”
#30
نه گویندگان بر درش کمترند
✦
که بر تارک بخردان افسرند
“'That envoys at his gate should be lacking—men who are like crowns upon the heads of the wise,'”
#31
کجا خود پیام آرد از خویشتن
✦
چنان شهریاری سر انجمن
“'That such a monarch and leader of the assembly should become his own ambassador!'”
#32
سکندر بدان مایه دارد خرد
✦
که از رای پیشینگان بگذرد
“'Sekandar possesses such depth of wisdom that his intellect excels that of the ancients.'”
#33
پیامم سپهبد بدین گونه داد
✦
بگفتم به شاه آنچ او کرد یاد
“'The commander gave me this message, and I have conveyed to the King all that he commanded.'”
#34
بیاراستندش یکی جایگاه
✦
چنانچون بود درخور پایگاه
“Then they prepared a place of honour for him, suited to his dignified rank.”
#35
سپهدار ایران چو بنهاد خوان
✦
به سالار فرمود کو را بخوان
“When the ruler of Iran laid out the banquet table, he commanded his marshal to invite the envoy.”
#36
چو نان خورده شد مجلس آراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“When the meal was done, they arranged the feast, calling for wine, harps, and minstrels.”
#37
سکندر چو خوردی می خوشگوار
✦
نهادی سبک جام را بر کنار
“As Sekandar drank the sweet wine, he subtly drew the golden goblet to his side and kept it.”
#38
چنین تا می و جام چندی بگشت
✦
نهادن ز اندازه اندر گذشت
“Thus several rounds of wine passed, and his keeping of the cups exceeded all measure.”
#39
دهنده بیامد به دارا بگفت
✦
که رومی شد امروز با جام جفت
“The cupbearer came to Dara and said, 'Today the Roman envoy has wedded himself to the goblets!'”
#40
بفرمود تا زو بپرسند شاه
✦
که جام نبید از چه داری نگاه
“The king ordered that they ask him why he kept the wine-goblets for himself.”
#41
بدو گفت ساقی که ای شیر فش
✦
چه داری همی جام زرین به کش
“The cupbearer asked him, 'O lion-like warrior, why do you tuck the golden goblet into your cloak?'”
#42
سکندر چنین داد پاسخ که جام
✦
فرستاده را باشد ای نیک‌نام
“Sekandar answered, 'O noble master, the goblet belongs by custom to the messenger!'”
#43
گر آیین ایران جز اینست راه
✦
ببر جام زرین سوی گنج شاه
“'If the tradition of Iran is otherwise, then return the golden cup to the royal treasury.'”
#44
بخندید از آیین او شهریار
✦
یکی جام پرگوهر شاهوار
“The monarch smiled at his royal custom and ordered a goblet filled with regal gems to be given to him.”
#45
بفرمود تا بر کفش برنهند
✦
یکی سرخ یاقوت بر سر نهند
“He commanded that they place it in his hand, crowned with a brilliant red ruby.”
#46
هم‌اندر زمان باژ خواهان روم
✦
کجا رفته بودند زان مرز و بوم
“At that very moment, the Roman tribute-collectors, who had previously journeyed from that region,”
#47
ز خانه بدان بزمگاه آمدند
✦
خرامان به نزدیک شاه آمدند
“Came out from their lodgings to the banquet hall, walking gracefully into the king's presence.”
#48
فرستاده روی سکندر بدید
✦
بر شاه رفت آفرین گسترید
“The envoy caught sight of Alexander's face; he approached the king and offered lavish praises.”
#49
بدو گفت کاین مهتر اسکندرست
✦
که بر تخت با گرز و با افسرست
“He said to Dara: 'This is the great Alexander himself, who sits upon the throne with mace and crown!”
#50
بدانگه که ما را بفرمود شاه
✦
برفتیم نزدیک او باژخواه
“When your majesty commanded us, we went to him as tribute-demanding messengers.”
#51
برآشفت و ما را بدان خوار کرد
✦
به گفتار با شاه پیکار کرد
“He flew into a rage, treated us with contempt, and defied the king in his speech.'”
#52
چو از پادشاهیش بگریختم
✦
شب تیره اسپان برانگیختم
“'When I fled from his realm, I spurred my steed into the dark night.'”
#53
ندیدیم مانندهٔ او به روم
✦
دلیر آمدست اندرین مرز و بوم
“'We saw no one like him in Rome; he has now arrived full of audacity in this land.'”
#54
همی برگراید سپاه ترا
✦
همان گنج و تخت و کلاه ترا
“'He harbors designs against your army, as well as your treasure, your throne, and your crown!'”
#55
چو گفت فرستاده بشنید شاه
✦
فزون کرد سوی سکندر نگاه
“When the king heard the envoy's words, he fixed his gaze even more intently upon Alexander.”
#56
سکندر بدانست کاندر نهان
✦
چه گفتند با شهریار جهان
“Alexander realized in secret what had been reported to the monarch of the world.”
#57
همی بود تا تیره‌تر گشت روز
✦
سوی باختر گشت گیتی‌فروز
“He waited quietly until the day turned dark and the world-illuminating sun sank toward the west.”
#58
بیامد به دهلیز پرده‌سرای
✦
دلاور به اسپ اندر آورد پای
“He came to the vestibule of the grand tent, and the brave warrior mounted his horse.”
#59
چنین گفت پس با سواران خویش
✦
بلنداختر و نامداران خویش
“He then addressed his companions—his fortunate and renowned horsemen—”
#60
که ما را کنون جان به اسپ اندرست
✦
چو سستی کند باد ماند به دست
“'Our lives now depend on the speed of our horses; if they falter, we are left with nothing but empty wind!'”
#61
همه بادپایان برانگیختند
✦
ز پیش جهاندار بگریختند
“They all spurred their swift-footed steeds and fled from the presence of the world-ruler.”
#62
چو دارا سر و افسر او ندید
✦
به تاریکی از چشم شد ناپدید
“When Dara no longer saw his head and crown, Alexander had vanished from sight into the darkness.”
#63
نگهبان فرستاد هم در زمان
✦
به نزدیکی خیمهٔ بدگمان
“He dispatched guards immediately toward the pavilion of that suspected guest.”
#64
چو رفتند بیداردل رفته بود
✦
نه بخت چنان پادشا خفته بود
“When they arrived, the vigilant warrior was gone; yet the fortune of such a king was not asleep.”
#65
پس او فرستاد دارا سوار
✦
دلیران و پرخاشجویان هزار
“Then Dara sent a thousand horsemen—brave and battle-eager warriors—in pursuit.”
#66
چو باد از پس او همی تاختند
✦
شب تیرهٔ بد راه نشناختند
“They rode like the wind behind him, but in the dark, ill-fated night, they lost the trail.”
#67
طلایه بدیدند گشتند باز
✦
نبد سود جز رنج و راه دراز
“They only sighted the enemy vanguard and turned back; their effort yielded nothing but fatigue and a long journey.”
#68
چو اسکندر آمد به پرده‌سرای
✦
برفتند گردان رومی ز جای
“When Alexander safely reached his pavilion, the Roman champions rose to meet him.”
#69
بدیدند شب شاه را شادکام
✦
به پیش اندرون پرگهر چار جام
“In the night, they saw their king joyful, with four jewel-studded goblets set before him.”
#70
به گردان چنین گفت کاباد بید
✦
بدین فرخی فال ما شاد بید
“He spoke thus to his warriors: 'May you thrive! May our joyful sign bring happiness through such auspicious fortune!'”
#71
که این جام پیروزی جان ماست
✦
سر اختران زیر فرمان ماست
“'For these goblets omen the victory of our spirit; the highest stars are now subject to our command!'”
#72
هم از لشکرش برگرفتم شمار
✦
فراوان کم است از شنیده سوار
“'I also took full count of his army; his horsemen are far fewer than what was rumored.'”
#73
همه جنگ را تیغها برکشید
✦
وزین دشت هامون سر اندرکشید
“'Unsheathe your swords for battle, and sweep across this vast plain!'”
#74
چو در جنگ تن را به رنج آورید
✦
ازان رنج شاهی و گنج آورید
“'When you endure hardship in battle, from that labor you shall win kingship and treasure!'”
#75
جهان آفریننده یار منست
✦
سر اختر اندر کنار منست
“'The Creator of the world is my ally; the zenith of the stars is within my grasp!'”
#76
بزرگان برو خواندند آفرین
✦
که آباد بادا به قیصر زمین
“The nobles showered praises upon him, crying: 'May the earth flourish under Caesar's rule!'”
#77
فدای تو بادا تن و جان ما
✦
برینست جاوید پیمان ما
“'May our bodies and souls be sacrificed for you; upon this rests our eternal covenant!'”
#78
ز شاهان که یارد بدن یار تو
✦
به مردی و بالا و دیدار تو
“'Which among kings would dare be your equal in valor, in stature, and in majestic presence?'”