#1
چو دارا به رزم اندرون کشته شد
✦
همه دوده را روز برگشته شد
“When Dara was slain in the midst of battle, the fortunes of his entire dynasty turned to darkness.”
#2
پسر بد مر او را یکی شادکام
✦
خردمند و جنگی و ساسان به نام
“He had a noble son, prosperous, wise, and valiant in war, whose name was Sasan.”
#3
پدر را بران گونه چون کشته دید
✦
سر بخت ایرانیان گشته دید
“When he saw his father fallen thus, and the fortune of the Iranians turned upside down,”
#4
ازان لشکر روم بگریخت اوی
✦
به دام بلا در نیاویخت اوی
“He fled from the host of Rome, refusing to entangle himself in the snare of calamity.”
#5
به هندوستان در به زاری بمرد
✦
ز ساسان یکی کودکی ماند خرد
“In India he died in deep sorrow, leaving behind a young infant from his line.”
#6
بدین هم‌نشان تا چهارم پسر
✦
همی نام ساسانش کردی پدر
“Thus it continued unto the fourth son, each father bestowing the name Sasan upon his male heir.”
#7
شبانان بدندی و گر ساربان
✦
همه ساله با رنج و کار گران
“They lived as shepherds or camel-drivers, enduring relentless toil and heavy labor year after year.”
#8
چو کهتر پسر سوی بابک رسید
✦
به دشت اندرون سر شبان را بدید
“When the youngest son reached the domain of Babak, he sought out the chief shepherd in the open plain.”
#9
بدو گفت مزدورت آید به کار
✦
که ایدر گذارد به بد روزگار
“He said to him: "Do you require a laborer who passes his heavy days in hardship here?"”
#10
بپذرفت بدبخت را سرشبان
✦
همی داشت با رنج روز و شبان
“The chief shepherd accepted the unfortunate youth, keeping him under constant toil day and night.”
#11
چو شد کارگر مرد و آمد پسند
✦
شبان سرشبان گشت بر گوسفند
“As the young man proved diligent and earned praise, he became chief shepherd over all the flocks.”
#12
دران روزگاری همی بود مرد
✦
پر از غم دل و تن پر از رنج و درد
“Thus he lived in those days, his heart consumed with grief and his body worn by pain and sorrow.”
#13
شبی خفته بد بابک رود یاب
✦
چنان دید روشن روانش به خواب
“One night as Babak lay sleeping by the river, his luminous spirit beheld a vision in his dream.”
#14
که ساسان به پیل ژیان برنشست
✦
یکی تیغ هندی گرفته به دست
“He saw Sasan mounted upon a fierce war elephant, holding a sharp blade of Indian steel in his hand.”
#15
هرانکس که آمد بر او فراز
✦
برو آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“Whosoever drew near unto him offered praises and bowed down before him in adoration.”
#16
زمین را به خوبی بیاراستی
✦
دل تیره از غم بپیراستی
“He adorned the earth with goodness and purged dark hearts of all sorrow.”
#17
به دیگر شب‌اندر چو بابک بخفت
✦
همی بود با مغزش اندیشه جفت
“On the second night as Babak slept, deep reflection remained entwined with his mind.”
#18
چنان دید در خواب کاتش‌پرست
✦
سه آتش ببردی فروزان به دست
“He saw in his dream that a worshiper of fire held three blazing flames shining in his hand.”
#19
چو آذر گشسپ و چو خراد و مهر
✦
فروزان به کردار گردان سپهر
“Like Adar Gushnasp, Kharad, and Mihr, shining gloriously like the revolving heavens.”
#20
همه پیش ساسان فروزان بدی
✦
به هر آتشی عود سوزان بدی
“All three fires blazed brightly before Sasan, and aloe-wood burned sweetly before each flame.”
#21
سر بابک از خواب بیدار شد
✦
روان و دلش پر ز تیمار شد
“Babak awoke from his slumber, his mind and heart filled with anxious wonder.”
#22
هرانکس که در خواب دانا بدند
✦
به هر دانشی بر توانا بدند
“All those who were renowned in the interpretation of dreams and masters of all wisdom,”
#23
به ایوان بابک شدند انجمن
✦
بزرگان فرزانه و رای زن
“Gathered together in Babak's palace—wise elders and prudent counselors.”
#24
چو بابک سخن برگشاد از نهفت
✦
همه خواب یکسر بدیشان بگفت
“When Babak unsealed his lips, he recounted the entire dream to them from beginning to end.”
#25
پراندیشه شد زان سخن رهنمای
✦
نهاده برو گوش پاسخ‌سرای
“The wise guide became deep in thought at those words, listening intently to formulate an answer.”
#26
سرانجام گفت ای سرافراز شاه
✦
به تأویل این کرد باید نگاه
“At last he said: "O exalted ruler, one must carefully consider the meaning of this vision."”
#27
کسی را که بینند زین سان به خواب
✦
به شاهی برآرد سر از آفتاب
“"Whosoever is seen in such a manner in a dream shall raise his crown above the sun in kingship!"”
#28
ور ایدونک این خواب زو بگذرد
✦
پسر باشدش کز جهان بر خورد
“"Or if this destiny passes him by, he shall have a son who will inherit and enjoy the world."”
#29
چو بابک شنید این سخن گشت شاد
✦
براندازه‌شان یک به یک هدیه داد
“When Babak heard these words he rejoiced, bestowing gifts upon each of them according to their rank.”
#30
بفرمود تا سرشبان از رمه
✦
بر بابک آید به روز دمه
“He ordered that the chief shepherd be brought from the pastures to Babak on that snowy, dark day.”
#31
بیامد شبان پیش او با گلیم
✦
پر از برف پشمینه دل بدو نیم
“The shepherd came before him clad in a coarse cloak, his woolen garment thick with snow and his heart divided by anxiety.”
#32
بپردخت بابک ز بیگانه جای
✦
بدر شد پرستنده و رهنمای
“Babak cleared the hall of strangers; the servants and counselors all withdrew.”
#33
ز ساسان بپرسید و بنواختش
✦
بر خویش نزدیک بنشاختش
“He questioned Sasan kindly, favored him, and seated him close by his side.”
#34
بپرسیدش از گوهر و از نژاد
✦
شبان زو بترسید و پاسخ نداد
“He inquired of his lineage and origin, but the shepherd was filled with fear and did not answer.”
#35
ازان پس بدو گفت کای شهریار
✦
شبان را به جان گر دهی زینهار
“Then Sasan said to him: "O Sovereign, if you grant the shepherd safe passage for his life,"”
#36
بگوید ز گوهر همه هرچ هست
✦
چو دستم بگیری به پیمان به دست
“"He shall reveal all of his lineage, provided you pledge your hand in solemn covenant with mine,"”
#37
که با من نسازی بدی در جهان
✦
نه بر آشکار و نه اندر نهان
“"That you will work no ill against me in the world, neither openly nor in secret."”
#38
چو بشنید بابک زبان برگشاد
✦
ز یزدان نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“When Babak heard this, he spoke aloud, invoking Yazdan, the Bestower of Goodness.”
#39
که بر تو نسازم به چیزی گزند
✦
بدارمت شادان‌دل و ارجمند
“Swearing: "I shall harm thee in no wise, but shall hold thee joyful in heart and greatly honored."”
#40
به بابک چنین گفت زان پس جوان
✦
که من پور ساسانم ای پهلوان
“Thereupon the youth said to Babak: "I am the son of Sasan, O valiant champion!"”
#41
نبیرهٔ جهاندار شاه اردشیر
✦
که بهمنش خواندی همی یادگیر
“"Grandson of the world-ruling King Ardashir, whom they also called Bahman—remember this well!"”
#42
سرافراز پور یل اسفندیار
✦
ز گشتاسپ یل در جهان یادگار
“"The proud son of the heroic Esfandiyar, the glorious lineage of the mighty champion Goshtasp!"”
#43
چو بشنید بابک فرو ریخت آب
✦
ازان چشم روشن که او دید خواب
“When Babak heard this, tears streamed from those radiant eyes that had witnessed the dream.”
#44
بیاورد پس جامهٔ پهلوی
✦
یکی باره با آلت خسروی
“He then brought forth magnificent royal robes, along with a princely steed and royal trappings.”
#45
بدو گفت بابک به گرمابه شو
✦
همی باش تا خلعت آرند نو
“Babak said to him: "Go unto the royal bath, and abide there until they bring thee fresh robes of honor."”
#46
یکی کاخ پرمایه او را بساخت
✦
ازان سرشبانان سرش برافراخت
“He built a magnificent palace for him, exalting his head high above all other head-shepherds.”
#47
چو او را بران کاخ بر جای کرد
✦
غلام و پرستنده بر پای کرد
“When he had comfortably settled him in that grand palace, he appointed servants and attendants to wait upon him.”
#48
به هر آلتی سرفرازیش داد
✦
هم از خواسته بی‌نیازیش داد
“He bestowed honor upon him through every means of distinction, and granted him wealth to render him free from all need.”
#49
بدو داد پس دختر خویش را
✦
پسندیده و افسر خویش را
“Thereafter, he gave him his own cherished daughter in marriage, together with his noble crown and kingdom.”