#1
سکندر چو بشنید شد سوی کوه
✦
به دیدار بر تیغ شد بی‌گروه
“When Iskandar heard the divine lore, he journeyed toward the mountain, ascending its sharp peak alone without his retinue.”
#2
سرافیل را دید صوری به دست
✦
برافراخته سر ز جای نشست
“There he beheld Israfil with the Trumpet in hand, towering high and seated upon his celestial place.”
#3
پر از باد لب دیدگان پرزنم
✦
که فرمان یزدان کی آید که دم
“His lips were inflated with breath and his eyes full of moisture, waiting constantly for Yazdan's command to blow the horn.”
#4
چو بر کوه روی سکندر بدید
✦
چو رعد خروشان فغان برکشید
“As Israfil beheld the face of Iskandar upon the peak, he let out a roar like thunderous roaring.”
#5
که ای بندهٔ آز چندین مکوش
✦
که روزی به گوش آیدت یک خروش
“'O thrall of greed! Strive not so relentlessly, for a day shall come when a single cry shall ring in thy ear!'”
#6
که چندین مرنج از پی تاج و تخت
✦
به رفتن بیارای و بربند رخت
“'Toil no more for crown and throne; prepare rather for thy departure and bind fast thy luggage.'”
#7
چنین داد پاسخ بدو شهریار
✦
که بهر من این آمد از روزگار
“The king answered him, saying: 'Such was the destiny apportioned to me by Time and Fate.'”
#8
که جز جنبش و گردش اندر جهان
✦
نبینم همی آشکار و نهان
“'For I see naught in this world, both open and hidden, save ceaseless motion and the turn of fortune.'”
#9
ازان کوه با ناله آمد فرود
✦
همی داد نیکی دهش را درود
“From that mountain he descended weeping and lamenting, sending praises unto the Almighty Giver of Good.”
#10
بران راه تاریک بنهاد روی
✦
به پیش اندرون مردم راه‌جوی
“He then set his face toward the dark path, with skilled guides leading the way before him.”
#11
چو آمد به تاریکی اندر سپاه
✦
خروشی برآمد ز کوه سیاه
“When the host entered deep into the Darkness, a clamorous voice echoed from the black mountain.”
#12
که هرکس که بردارد از کوه سنگ
✦
پشیمان شود ز آنک دارد به چنگ
“Proclaiming: 'Whosoever gathers pebbles from this mountain shall repent of what he holds in his grasp!'”
#13
وگر برندارد پشیمان شود
✦
به هر درد دل سوی درمان شود
“'And whosoever gathers none shall likewise repent, seeking remedy for every heartache!'”
#14
سپه سوی آواز بنهاد گوش
✦
پراندیشه شد هرکسی زان خروش
“The army gave ear unto the voice, and every man grew deep in thought over that mysterious clamor.”
#15
که بردارد آن سنگ اگر بگذرد
✦
پی رنج ناآمده نشمرد
“Wondering whether one should pick up the stone as he passes, or pay no heed to an unbefallen toil.”
#16
یکی گفت کین رنج هست از گناه
✦
پشیمانی و سنگ بردن به راه
“One said: 'This toil stems from sin; carrying stones upon the path leads only to remorse.'”
#17
دگر گفت لختی بباید کشید
✦
مگر درد و رنجش نباید چشید
“Another said: 'We should carry a small burden, perchance we might escape its pain and grief.'”
#18
یکی برد زان سنگ و دیگر نبرد
✦
یکی دیگر از کاهلی داشت خرد
“So one took of the stones while another took none, and yet another was hindered by indolence of mind.”
#19
چو از آب حیوان به هامون شدند
✦
ز تاریکی راه بیرون شدند
“When they passed beyond the Water of Life into the open plain, they emerged from the darkness of the path.”
#20
بجستند هرکس بر و آستی
✦
پدیدار شد کژی و کاستی
“Every man searched his bosom and sleeve, and truth, flaw, and shortcoming were brought to light.”
#21
کنار یکی پر ز یاقوت بود
✦
یکی را پر از گوهر نابسود
“One man's lap was filled with radiant rubies, while another held precious gems beyond measure.”
#22
پشیمان شد آنکس که کم داشت اوی
✦
زبرجد چنان خار بگذاشت اوی
“Remorseful was he who had gathered little, having cast aside chrysolite as though it were mere thorn.”
#23
پشیمان‌تر آنکس که خود برنداشت
✦
ازان گوهر پربها سر بگاشت
“Yet more remorseful was he who had gathered nothing at all, turning his head away from those priceless jewels.”
#24
دو هفته بر آن جایگه بر بماند
✦
چو آسوده‌تر گشت لشکر براند
“Iskandar abode in that place for two weeks; then, when his army was rested, he marched onward.”