#1
به نزدیک اسکندر آمد وزیر
✦
که ای شاه پیروز و دانش‌پذیر
“The minister came near unto Sekandar, saying: 'O victorious and wisdom-seeking King!'”
#2
بکشتیم دشمنت را ناگهان
✦
سرآمد برو تاج و تخت مهان
“'Unawares, we have slain thine enemy; his crown and throne of the great have reached their end!'”
#3
چو بشنید گفتار جانوشیار
✦
سکندر چنین گفت با ماهیار
“When Sekandar heard the words of Janushyar, he turned to Mahyar and spoke thus:”
#4
که دشمن که افگندی اکنون کجاست
✦
بباید نمودن به من راه راست
“'Where is this fallen foe of whom ye speak? Ye must show me the true path to him at once.'”
#5
برفتند هر دو به پیش اندرون
✦
دل و جان رومی پر از خشم و خون
“The two led the way before him, while the heart and soul of the Roman king boiled with rage and anguish.”
#6
چو نزدیک شد روی دارا بدید
✦
پر از خون بر و روی چون شنبلید
“As he drew near, he beheld the countenance of Dara, his chest and face crimson with blood and yellow as the fenugreek flower.”
#7
بفرمود تا راه نگذاشتند
✦
دو دستور او را نگه داشتند
“He commanded that none block the way, and ordered his men to hold the two viziers fast.”
#8
سکندر ز باره درآمد چو باد
✦
سر مرد خسته به ران بر نهاد
“Sekandar dismounted from his steed like the wind, and gently placed the wounded king's head upon his thigh.”
#9
نگه کرد تا خسته گوینده هست
✦
بمالید بر چهر او هر دو دست
“He looked closely to see if the wounded king yet spoke, and gently wiped his face with both his hands.”
#10
ز سر برگرفت افسر خسرویش
✦
گشاد آن بر و جوشن پهلویش
“He lifted the royal diadem from Dara's head, and unlaced the body armor from his breast and flanks.”
#11
ز دیده ببارید چندی سرشک
✦
تن خسته را دور دید از پزشک
“Tears rained down from Sekandar's eyes, seeing the wounded body far from any physician's aid.”
#12
بدو گفت کین بر تو آسان شود
✦
دل بدسگالت هراسان شود
“He said to him: 'May this trial become easy upon thee, and may the heart of thy malicious enemy tremble with fear!'”
#13
تو برخیز و بر مهد زرین نشین
✦
وگر هست نیروت بر زین نشین
“'Arise now and rest upon a golden litter; or if strength remains in thee, mount upon the saddle!'”
#14
ز هند و ز رومت پزشک آورم
✦
ز درد تو خونین سرشک آورم
“'I shall fetch thee skilled physicians from India and Rome, weeping tears of blood for thy pain.'”
#15
سپارم ترا پادشاهی و تخت
✦
چو بهتر شوی ما ببندیم رخت
“'I will restore to thee thy kingdom and thy throne; once thou art healed, we shall pack our gear and depart.'”
#16
جفا پیشگان ترا هم کنون
✦
بیاویزم از دارشان سرنگون
“'And as for these treacherous villains of thine, this very hour will I hang them upside down from the gallows!'”
#17
چنانچون ز پیران شنیدیم دوش
✦
دلم گشت پر خون و جان پر ز جوش
“'For as I heard from the elders yesternight, my heart turned bloody and my soul swelled with turmoil.'”
#18
ز یک شاخ و یک بیخ و پیراهنیم
✦
به بیشی چرا تخمه را برکنیم
“'We are branch and root of the very same tree, wearing the same garment; why should we uproot our own lineage for the sake of excess?'”
#19
چو بشنید دارا به آواز گفت
✦
که همواره با تو خرد باد جفت
“Hearing this, Dara spoke in a faint voice: 'May wisdom ever be thy close companion!'”
#20
برآنم که از پاک دادار خویش
✦
بیابی تو پاداش گفتار خویش
“'I hold that from thy Pure Creator thou shalt receive the true reward for these thy noble words.'”
#21
یکی آنک گفتی که ایران تراست
✦
سر تاج و تخت دلیران تراست
“'First, as thou saidst that Iran is now thine, and the head of the crown and throne of the brave is thine...'”
#22
به من مرگ نزدیک‌تر زانک تخت
✦
بپردخت تخت و نگون گشت بخت
“'Death is far closer to me now than any throne; the throne is vacated and my fortune has turned upside down.'”
#23
برین است فرجام چرخ بلند
✦
خرامش سوی رنج و سودش گزند
“'Such is the ultimate end of the revolving sphere: its movement leads toward sorrow, and its profit is harm.'”
#24
به من در نگر تا نگویی که من
✦
فزونم ازین نامدار انجمن
“'Look upon me, that thou mayest never say: "I am greater than all this illustrious assembly."'”
#25
بد و نیک هر دو ز یزدان شناس
✦
وزو دار تا زنده باشی سپاس
“'Recognize that both good and evil proceed from God; and so long as thou livest, offer Him thy thanksgiving.'”
#26
نمودار گفتار من من بسم
✦
بدین در نکوهیدهٔ هرکسم
“'I myself am proof enough of my words; at this gate, I stand reproached by every soul.'”
#27
که چندان بزرگی و شاهی و گنج
✦
نبد در زمانه کس از من به رنج
“'For despite such greatness, royalty, and treasure, none in the world was ever plunged into deeper anguish than I.'”
#28
همان نیز چندان سلیح و سپاه
✦
گرانمایه اسپان و تخت و کلاه
“'Likewise, despite such vast weapons, hosts of armies, noble steeds, throne, and crown...'”
#29
همان نیز فرزند و پیوستگان
✦
چه پیوستگان داغ دل خستگان
“'And despite my children and kin—kin whose hearts are now wounded with bitter grief...'”
#30
زمان و زمین بنده بد پیش من
✦
چنین بود تا بخت بد خویش من
“'Time and earth were once submissive servants before me, until my own ill fortune turned against me.'”
#31
ز نیکی جدا مانده‌ام زین نشان
✦
گرفتار در دست مردم‌کشان
“'Now am I bereft of all good, caught helpless in the hands of murderous traitors.'”
#32
ز فرزند و خویشان شده ناامید
✦
سیه شد جهان و دو دیده سپید
“'I have lost all hope of children and kin; the world has turned dark, and my two eyes have grown dim.'”
#33
ز خویشان کسی نیست فریادرس
✦
امیدم به پروردگارست و بس
“'Among my kin, there is none to aid me; my sole hope rests in the Almighty Lord, and none else.'”
#34
برین گونه خسته به خاک اندرم
✦
ز گیتی به دام هلاک اندرم
“'Thus wounded I lie upon the dust, caught from the world in the snare of ruin.'”
#35
چنین است آیین چرخ روان
✦
اگر شهریارم و گر پهلوان
“'Such is the custom of the turning sphere, whether one be a crowned monarch or a mighty paladin.'”
#36
بزرگی به فرجام هم بگذرد
✦
شکارست مرگش همی بشکرد
“'Greatness too shall pass at the last; man is but quarry, and death ever hunts him down.'”
#37
سکندر ز دیده ببارید خون
✦
بران شاه خسته به خاک اندرون
“Sekandar wept tears of blood from his eyes over that wounded king lying in the dust.”
#38
چو دارا بدید آن ز دل درد او
✦
روان اشک خونین رخ زرد او
“When Dara beheld his heart-rending grief, his flowing bloody tears, and his pale face...”
#39
بدو گفت مگری کزین سود نیست
✦
از آتش مرا بهره جز دود نیست
“He said to him: 'Weep not, for this avails nothing; from my fire, naught remains for me now but smoke.'”
#40
چنین بود بخشش ز بخشنده‌ام
✦
هم از روزگار درخشنده‌ام
“'Such was the allotment decreed by my Creator, and such the turn of my once-splendid destiny.'”
#41
به اندرز من سر به سر گوش دار
✦
پذیرنده باش و بدل هوش دار
“'Give ear wholly unto my counsel; accept it, and keep it attentively within thy heart.'”
#42
سکندر بدو گفت فرمان تراست
✦
بگو آنچ خواهی که پیمان تراست
“Sekandar answered him: 'Thy command is my law; speak what thou wilt, for thy covenant shall be bound!'”
#43
زبان تیز دارا بدو برگشاد
✦
همی کرد سرتاسر اندرز یاد
“Dara opened his eloquent tongue to him, recalling his deathbed counsels one by one.”
#44
نخستین چنین گفت کای نامدار
✦
بترس از جهان داور کردگار
“First he said: 'O illustrious king, fear the Almighty Lord, the Creator of the universe!'”
#45
که چرخ و زمین و زمان آفرید
✦
توانایی و ناتوان آفرید
“'Who created the heavens, the earth, and time, and fashioned both the mighty and the weak!'”
#46
نگه کن به فرزند و پیوند من
✦
به پوشیدگان خردمند من
“Look upon my child and my kin, upon my chaste and wise women veiled from public sight.”
#47
ز من پاک‌دل دختر من بخواه
✦
بدارش به آرام بر پیشگاه
“Ask for my pure-hearted daughter in marriage, and hold her with honor and comfort upon your throne.”
#48
کجا مادرش روشنک نام کرد
✦
جهان را بدو شاد و پدرام کرد
“Whom her mother named Roshanak, she who filled the world with joy and gladness for her father.”
#49
نیاری به فرزند من سرزنش
✦
نه پیغاره از مردم بدکنش
“Suffer no reproach to fall upon my child, nor any taunts from ill-disposed people.”
#50
چو پروردهٔ شهریاران بود
✦
به بزم افسر نامداران بود
“For she is nurtured by sovereigns, fit to be the crown of renowned heroes at royal feasts.”
#51
مگر زو ببینی یکی نامدار
✦
کجا نو کند نام اسفندیار
“Haply from her you may behold a renowned heir, who shall renew the illustrious name of Esfandiyar,”
#52
بیاراید این آتش زردهشت
✦
بگیرد همان زند و استا بمشت
“Who shall adorn the holy fire of Zoroaster, and hold fast the sacred Zand and Avesta in his grasp,”
#53
نگه دارد این فال جشن سده
✦
همان فر نوروز و آتشکده
“Who shall preserve the auspicious feast of Sadeh, the glory of Nowruz, and the sacred fire-temples,”
#54
همان اورمزد و مه و روز مهر
✦
بشوید به آب خرد جان و چهر
“And keep the rites of Hormozd and the month and day of Mehr, cleansing his soul and countenance with the water of wisdom,”
#55
کند تازه آیین لهراسپی
✦
بماند کیی دین گشتاسپی
“Reviving the customs of Lohrasp, so that the royal faith of Goshtasp shall endure.”
#56
مهان را به مه دارد و که به که
✦
بود دین فروزنده و روزبه
“Holding the great in great esteem and the humble in theirs, keeping the faith luminous and the days fortunate.”
#57
سکندر چنین داد پاسخ بدوی
✦
که ای نیکدل خسرو راست‌گوی
“Alexander thus answered him: 'O noble-hearted and truthful monarch,”
#58
پذیرفتم این پند و اندرز تو
✦
فزون زین نباشم برین مرز تو
“I accept your counsel and advice, and I shall not step beyond your wishes in this land.”
#59
همه نیکویها به جای آورم
✦
خرد را بدین رهنمای آورم
“I shall fulfill every goodness, making wisdom my sole guide in this endeavor.'”
#60
جهاندار دست سکندر گرفت
✦
به زاری خروشیدن اندر گرفت
“The ruler of the world took Alexander's hand, and began to weep and wail bitterly.”
#61
کف دست او بر دهان برنهاد
✦
بدو گفت یزدان پناه تو باد
“He placed Alexander's palm upon his mouth and said to him: 'May God be your protector!”
#62
سپردم ترا جای و رفتم به خاک
✦
سپردم روانرا به یزدان پاک
“I entrust my realm to you and depart unto the dust; I entrust my soul to the pure Lord.'”
#63
بگفت این و جانش برآمد ز تن
✦
برو زار بگریستند انجمن
“He spoke these words, and his soul departed from his body; all the assembly wept mournfully over him.”
#64
سکندر همه جامه‌ها کرد چاک
✦
به تاج کیان بر پراگند خاک
“Alexander tore all his garments, and scattered dust upon the royal Kayanid crown.”
#65
یکی دخمه کردش بر آیین او
✦
بدان سان که بد فره و دین او
“He constructed a tomb for him according to his customs, in a manner suited to his royal glory and faith.”
#66
بشستن ازان خون به روشن گلاب
✦
چو آمدش هنگام جاوید خواب
“They washed the blood from him with pure rosewater, when the time of his eternal sleep arrived.”
#67
بیاراستندش به دیبای روم
✦
همه پیکرش گوهر و زر بوم
“They adorned him in brocade of Rum, his entire body covered in jewels and woven gold.”
#68
تنش زیر کافور شد ناپدید
✦
ازان پس کسی روی دارا ندید
“His body disappeared under camphor; thereafter, no one ever saw the face of Dara again.”
#69
به دخمه درون تخت زرین نهاد
✦
یکی بر سرش تاج مشکین نهاد
“Inside the tomb they set a golden throne, and placed a musk-scented crown upon his head.”
#70
نهادش به تابوت زر اندرون
✦
بروبر ز مژگان ببارید خون
“They placed him within a coffin of gold, while blood-like tears fell from their eyelashes over him.”
#71
چو تابوتش از جای برداشتند
✦
همه دست بر دست بگذاشتند
“When they raised his coffin from its place, all the people struck their hands together in grief.”
#72
سکندر پیاده به پیش اندرون
✦
بزرگان همه دیدگان پر ز خون
“Alexander walked on foot in front, and all the nobles had eyes filled with bloody tears.”
#73
چنین تا ستودان دارا برفت
✦
همی پوست گفتی بروبر بکفت
“Thus they proceeded unto Dara's tomb; you would say their very skin was tearing with sorrow.”
#74
چو بر تخت بنهاد تابوت شاه
✦
بر آیین شاهان برآورد راه
“When they set the king's coffin upon the dais, they conducted the funeral rites after the custom of monarchs.”
#75
چو پردخت از دخمهٔ ارجمند
✦
ز بیرون بزد دارهای بلند
“When he finished with the noble tomb, he erected tall gallows outside of it.”
#76
یکی دار بر نام جانوشیار
✦
دگر همچنان از در ماهیار
“One gallows was set up for Janushyar, and another likewise for Mahyar.”
#77
دو بدخواه را زنده بردار کرد
✦
سر شاه‌کش مرد بیدار کرد
“He hanged both traitors alive upon the gallows; the vigilant king executed the regicides.”
#78
ز لشکر برفتند مردان جنگ
✦
گرفته یکی سنگ هر یک به چنگ
“The warriors of the army stepped forward, each taking a stone in his hand,”
#79
بکردند بر دارشان سنگسار
✦
مبادا کسی کو کشد شهریار
“And stoned them upon the gallows—may no man ever dare to slay his sovereign!”
#80
چو دیدند ایرانیان کو چه کرد
✦
بزاری بران شاه آزادمرد
“When the Iranians saw what he had done, and how he mourned for that noble king,”
#81
گرفتند یکسر برو آفرین
✦
بدان سرور شهریار زمین
“They all with one accord extolled his name, / Praising that supreme lord and sovereign of the earth.”