#1
فرستاده برگشت زان مرز و بوم
✦
بیامد به نزدیک پیران روم
“The envoy returned from that border and land, and came to the elders of Rome.”
#2
چو آن موبدان پاسخ شهریار
✦
بدیدند با رنج دیده سوار
“When those mobads saw the answer of the king, brought by the weary rider...”
#3
از ایوان به نزدیک شاه آمدند
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بران نامور بارگاه آمدند
“They came from the palace before the king, entering that renowned court.”
#4
سپهدار هندوستان شاد شد
✦
که از رنج اسکندر آزاد شد
“The commander of Hindustan was overjoyed that he was freed from the hardship of Alexander.”
#5
بروبر بخواندند پس نامه را
✦
چو پیغام آن شاه خودکامه را
“They read the letter to him, along with the message of that willful king.”
#6
گزین کرد پیران صد از هندوان
✦
خردمند و گویا و روشن‌روان
“He selected a hundred elders from among the Indians—wise, eloquent, and enlightened of spirit.”
#7
در گنج بی‌رنج بگشاد شاه
✦
گزین کرد ازان یاره و تاج و گاه
“The king opened the door to his effortless treasure, choosing armlets, crowns, and thrones.”
#8
همان گوهر و جامهٔ نابرید
✦
ز چیزی که شایسته‌تر برگزید
“Likewise gems and uncut fabrics, choosing whatever was most worthy.”
#9
ببردند سیصد شتروار بار
✦
همان جامه و گوهر شاهوار
“They carried three hundred camel-loads of cargo, including those fabrics and royal gems.”
#10
صد اشتر همه بار دینار بود
✦
صد اشتر ز گنج درم بار بود
“A hundred camels were loaded with gold dinars, and a hundred camels loaded with silver dirhams from the treasury.”
#11
یکی مهد پرمایه از عود تر
✦
برو بافته زر و چندی گهر
“A precious litter crafted of fresh aloe-wood, woven with gold and set with many gems.”
#12
به ده پیل بر تخت زرین نهاد
✦
به پیلی گرانمایه‌تر زین نهاد
“He set a golden throne upon ten elephants, and upon an even grander elephant he placed this litter.”
#13
فغستان ببارید خونین سرشک
✦
همی رفت با فیلسوف و پزشک
“Faghestan shed tears of blood as she went, accompanied by the philosopher and the physician.”
#14
قدح هم چنان نامداری به دست
✦
همه سرکشان از می جام مست
“And that famous goblet in a nobleman's hand, from which all lords would grow intoxicated with wine.”
#15
فغستان چو آمد به مشکوی شاه
✦
یکی تاج بر سر ز مشک سیاه
“When Faghestan entered the king's royal quarters, wearing a crown woven of black musk.”
#16
بسان گل زرد بر ارغوان
✦
ز دیدار او شاد شد ناتوان
“Like a yellow rose upon purple petal, even the infirm grew joyful at her sight.”
#17
چو سرو سهی بر سرش گرد ماه
✦
نشایست کردن به مه بر نگاه
“Like a straight tall cypress with a moon above her head; one could hardly dare gaze upon such a moon.”
#18
دو ابرو کمان و دو نرگس دژم
✦
سر زلف را تاب داده به خم
“Her eyebrows like twin bows and her two eyes melancholic narcissi, the ends of her locks curled in rings.”
#19
دو چشمش چو دو نرگس اندر بهشت
✦
تو گفتی که از ناز دارد سرشت
“Her two eyes were like narcissi in paradise; you would say her very nature was woven of beauty and grace.”
#20
سکندر نگه کرد بالای اوی
✦
همان موی و روی و سر و پای اوی
“Alexander looked upon her tall stature, her hair, her face, and her body from head to foot.”
#21
همی گفت کاینت چراغ جهان
✦
همی آفرین خواند اندر نهان
“He said to himself: 'Behold the lamp of the world!' and offered praise in secret.”
#22
بدان دادگر کو سپهر آفرید
✦
بران گونه بالا و چهر آفرید
“Praising that Just Creator who created the heavens and fashioned such stature and beauty.”
#23
بفرمود تا هرک بخرد بدند
✦
بران لشکر روم موبد بدند
“He commanded that whoever was wise and a mobad among the Roman army...”
#24
نشستند و او را به آیین بخواست
✦
به رسم مسیحا و پیوند راست
“Should assemble, and he wed her according to custom, by the rite of the Messiah and righteous bond.”
#25
برو ریخت دینار چندان ز گنج
✦
که شد ماه را راه رفتن به رنج
“He showered so many gold dinars upon her from his treasury that it became difficult for that moon-like beauty to walk.”