#1
وزان جایگه شاد لشگر براند
✦
بزرگان بیدار دل را بخواند
“From that place he marched the joyful army forward, and summoned the wise and vigilant nobles.”
#2
همی رفت تا سوی شهری رسید
✦
که آن را میان و کرانه ندید
“He journeyed until he arrived at a city whose middle and borders could not be seen.”
#3
همه هرچ باید بدو در فراخ
✦
پر از باغ و میدان و ایوان و کاخ
“Everything required was abundantly within it—filled with gardens, squares, porticos, and palaces.”
#4
فرود آمد و بامداد پگاه
✦
به نزدیک آن چشمه شد بی‌سپاه
“He dismounted, and early at break of day, went near that spring without his army.”
#5
که دهقان ورا نام حیوان نهاد
✦
چو از بخشش پهلوان کرد یاد
“The village leader had named it the Water of Life, remembering the bestowal of the hero.”
#6
همی بود تا گشت خورشید زرد
✦
فرو شد بران چشمهٔ لاژورد
“He remained there until the sun turned yellow and sank into that lapis lazuli spring.”
#7
ز یزدان پاک آن شگفتی بدید
✦
که خورشید گشت از جهان ناپدید
“He beheld that marvel of Holy God, as the sun vanished entirely from the world.”
#8
بیامد به لشکرگه خویش باز
✦
دلی پر ز اندیشه‌های دراز
“He returned to his military encampment, his heart filled with long and profound thoughts.”
#9
شب تیره کرد از جهاندار یاد
✦
پس اندیشه بر آب حیوان نهاد
“In the dark night he remembered the Lord of the World, and set his mind upon the Water of Life.”
#10
شکیبا ز لشگر هرانکس که دید
✦
نخست از میان سپه برگزید
“Whoever among the army was proven patient, he first selected from among the troops.”
#11
چهل روزه افزون خورش برگرفت
✦
بیامد دمان تا چه بیند شگفت
“He took provisions for more than forty days, and advanced rapidly to see what marvels lay ahead.”
#12
سپه را بران شارستان جای کرد
✦
یکی پیش رو چست بر پای کرد
“He stationed the army in that city, and appointed an agile forward guide.”
#13
ورا اندر آن خضر بد رای زن
✦
سر نامداران آن انجمن
“Khizr was his counselor in this matter—the head of all the illustrious in that assembly.”
#14
سکندر بیامد به فرمان اوی
✦
دل و جان سپرده به پیمان اوی
“Sikandar followed his command, surrendering his heart and soul to his covenant.”
#15
بدو گفت کای مرد بیداردل
✦
یکی تیز گردان بدین کار دل
“He said to him: 'O vigilant-hearted man, sharpen your heart for this task!'”
#16
اگر آب حیوان به چنگ آوریم
✦
بسی بر پرستش درنگ آوریم
“'If we obtain the Water of Life, we shall spend long ages in worshipping God.'”
#17
نمیرد کسی کو روان پرورد
✦
به یزدان پناهد ز راه خرد
“'He shall not die who nurtures his spirit, and takes refuge in God through the path of wisdom.'”
#18
دو مهرست با من که چون آفتاب
✦
بتابد شب تیره چون بیند آب
“'I have two jewels with me that glow like the sun, illuminating the dark night when near water.'”
#19
یکی زان تو برگیر و در پیش باش
✦
نگهبان جان و تن خویش باش
“'Take one of them and go ahead, guarding your own soul and body.'”
#20
دگر مهره باشد مرا شمع راه
✦
به تاریک اندر شوم با سپاه
“'The other jewel shall be my path's lamp; I shall enter the pitch darkness with the army.'”
#21
ببینیم تا کردگار جهان
✦
بدین آشکارا چه دارد نهان
“'Let us see what the Creator of the world has hidden beneath this manifest realm.'”
#22
توی پیش رو گر پناه من اوست
✦
نمایندهٔ رای و راه من اوست
“'You are my leader, for He is my refuge; He is the shower of my judgment and path.'”
#23
چو لشگر سوی آب حیوان گذشت
✦
خروش آمد الله اکبر ز دشت
“When the army moved toward the Water of Life, the roar of 'God is Most Great' resounded across the plain.”
#24
چو از منزلی خضر برداشتی
✦
خورشها ز هرگونه بگذاشتی
“As Khizr departed from each station, he left behind all manner of food and provisions.”
#25
همی رفت ازین سان دو روز و دو شب
✦
کسی را به خوردن نجنبید لب
“He journeyed thus for two days and two nights; no one's lips moved to taste food.”
#26
سه دیگر به تاریکی اندر دو راه
✦
پدید آمد و گم شد از خضر شاه
“On the third day in the darkness, two paths appeared, and Khizr became lost to King Sikandar.”
#27
پیمبر سوی آب حیوان کشید
✦
سر زندگانی به کیوان کشید
“The prophet drew near the Water of Life, raising the crown of his vitality unto Saturn.”
#28
بران آب روشن سر و تن بشست
✦
نگهدار جز پاک یزدان نجست
“In that luminous water he washed head and body, seeking protection from none save the Pure God.”
#29
بخورد و برآسود و برگشت زود
✦
ستایش همی بافرین بر فزود
“He drank and rested, then swiftly turned back, continually multiplying his praise and blessings.”