#1
همی رفت یک ماه پویان به راه
✦
به رنج اندر از راه شاه و سپاه
“For a full month they pressed on along the path, king and host alike burdened by hardship.”
#2
چنین تا به نزدیک کوهی رسید
✦
که جایی دد و دام و ماهی ندید
“Until he arrived near a mountain where no wild beast, creature, or fish could be seen.”
#3
یکی کوه دید از برش لاژورد
✦
یکی خانه بر سر ز یاقوت زرد
“He saw a mountain topped with lapis lazuli, bearing a mansion crafted from yellow ruby at its peak.”
#4
همه خانه قندیلهای بلور
✦
میان اندرون چشمهٔ آب شور
“The entire palace was filled with crystal chandeliers, and in its midst bubbled a spring of salty water.”
#5
نهاده بر چشمه زرین دو تخت
✦
برو خوابنیده یکی شوربخت
“Two golden thrones were placed by the spring, upon one of which slept an ill-fated soul.”
#6
به تن مردم و سر چو آن گراز
✦
به بیچارگی مرده بر تخت ناز
“His body was that of a man, his head like a boar, lying dead in helplessness upon the bed of luxury.”
#7
ز کافور زیراندرش بستری
✦
کشیده ز دیبا برو چادری
“Beneath him was a bed of camphor, and over him was drawn a canopy of brocade.”
#8
یکی سرخ گوهر به جای چراغ
✦
فروزان شده زو همه بوم و راغ
“A red jewel served in place of a lamp, illuminating all the surrounding land and fields.”
#9
فتاده فروغ ستاره در آب
✦
ز گوهر همه خانه چون آفتاب
“The radiance of stars fell upon the water, and the whole chamber shone like the sun because of the jewel.”
#10
هرانکس که رفتی که چیزی برد
✦
وگر خاک آن خانه را بسپرد
“Whoever approached to carry something away, or even set foot upon the dust of that chamber,”
#11
همه تنش بر جای لرزان شدی
✦
وزان لرزه آن زنده ریزان شدی
“His entire body would tremble violently on the spot, and from that shaking, the living person would crumble to pieces.”
#12
خروش آمد از چشمهٔ آب شور
✦
که ای آرزومند چندین مشور
“A roaring voice burst forth from the salty spring: 'O full of desires, strive no further!'”
#13
بسی چیز دیدی که آن کس ندید
✦
عنان را کنون باز باید کشید
“'You have beheld many things that no mortal has seen; now you must pull back your reins.'”
#14
کنون زندگانیت کوتاه گشت
✦
سر تخت شاهیت بی‌شاه گشت
“'Now your life has grown short, and the crown of your royal throne is left without a king.'”
#15
سکندر بترسید و برگشت زود
✦
به لشکرگه آمد به کردار دود
“Sikandar grew afraid and turned back swiftly, returning to the camp like a streak of smoke.”
#16
وزان جایگه تیز لشکر براند
✦
خروشان بسی نام یزدان بخواند
“From that place he hastily marched his host, crying out and repeatedly invoking the name of Yazdan.”
#17
ازان کوه راه بیابان گرفت
✦
غمی گشت و اندیشهٔ جان گرفت
“Leaving that mountain behind, he took the path to the desert, overcome with grief and anxious for his soul.”
#18
همی راند پر درد و گریان ز جای
✦
سپاه از پس و پیش او رهنمای
“He rode forth full of pain and weeping, as his army guided the way before and behind him.”