#1
چو نه ماه بگذشت بر ماه‌چهر
✦
یکی کودک آمد چو تابنده مهر
“When nine months had passed for that moon-faced lady, a child was born, radiant as the shining sun.”
#2
به مانندهٔ نامدار اردشیر
✦
فزاینده و فرخ و دلپذیر
“Resembling the renowned Ardashir of old, growing in glory, auspicious and enchanting to all.”
#3
همان اردشیرش پدر کرد نام
✦
نیا شد به دیدار او شادکام
“His father named him Ardashir, and his grandfather was joyfully heartened by his sight.”
#4
همی پروریدش به بربر به ناز
✦
برآمد برین روزگاری دراز
“They nurtured him with utmost care and affection, and thus a long period of time passed by.”
#5
مر او را کنون مردم تیزویر
✦
همی خواندش بابکان اردشیر
“People of keen intellect now called him Ardashir Babakan, bound to the name of Babak.”
#6
بیاموختندش هنر هرچ بود
✦
هنر نیز بر گوهرش بر فزود
“They taught him every accomplishment and art, which added yet greater brilliance to his noble lineage.”
#7
چنان شد به دیدار و فرهنگ و چهر
✦
که گفتی همی زو فروزد سپهر
“Such was his splendor, intellect, and countenance that one would say the heavens themselves drew light from him.”
#8
پس آگاهی آمد سوی اردوان
✦
ز فرهنگ وز دانش آن جوان
“News then reached King Ardavan of the young prince's wisdom and exquisite refinement.”
#9
که شیر ژیانست هنگام رزم
✦
به ناهید ماند همی روز بزم
“That he was a ferocious lion in battle, and like Nahid (Venus) on days of celebration.”
#10
یکی نامه بنوشت پس اردوان
✦
سوی بابک نامور پهلوان
“Then Ardavan drafted a letter to Babak, the renowned paladin and ruler.”
#11
که ای مرد بادانش و رهنمای
✦
سخن‌گوی و با نام و پاکیزه‌رای
“Writing: 'O wise man and guide, eloquent, celebrated, and pure of judgement!'”
#12
شنیدم که فرزند تو اردشیر
✦
سواریست گوینده و یادگیر
“'I have heard that your child Ardashir is a skilled rider, eloquent of speech and quick to learn.'”
#13
چو نامه بخوانی هم‌اندر زمان
✦
فرستش به نزدیک ما شادمان
“'The moment you read this missive, send him joyfully unto my royal presence.'”
#14
ز بایسته‌ها بی‌نیازش کنم
✦
میان یلان سرفرازش کنم
“'I shall enrich him beyond all need, and exalt his stature among the greatest champions.'”
#15
چو باشد به نزدیک فرزند ما
✦
نگوییم کو نیست پیوند ما
“'When he resides alongside my own sons, we shall treat him as our own kin.'”
#16
چو آن نامهٔ شاه بابک بخواند
✦
بسی خون مژگان به رخ برفشاند
“When Babak read the king's letter, tears of blood streamed down his cheeks in anguish of parting.”
#17
بفرمود تا پیش او شد دبیر
✦
همان نورسیده جوان اردشیر
“He summoned the scribe before him, along with the newly blossomed youth, Ardashir.”
#18
بدو گفت کاین نامهٔ اردوان
✦
بخوان و نگه‌کن به روشن روان
“He said to Ardashir: 'Read this letter from Ardavan, and reflect upon it with an enlightened spirit.'”
#19
من اینک یکی نامه نزدیک شاه
✦
نویسم فرستم یکی نیک‌خواه
“'I shall now write a response unto the king and dispatch a loyal envoy.'”
#20
بگویم که اینک دل و دیده را
✦
دلاور جوان پسندیده را
“'I will write that I have sent my heart and soul—this favored, valiant youth—'”
#21
فرستادم و دادمش نیز پند
✦
چو آید بدان بارگاه بلند
“'I have dispatched him with sound counsel, that when he reaches that exalted court...'”
#22
تو آن کن که از رسم شاهان سزد
✦
نباید که بادی برو بر وزد
“'...you may accord him what befits royal custom, ensuring no harm or ill wind touches him.'”
#23
در گنج بگشاد بابک چو باد
✦
جوان را ز هرگونه‌ای کرد شاد
“Swiftly Babak unlocked his treasury, gladdening the youth with every manner of precious gift.”
#24
ز زرین ستام و ز گوپال و تیغ
✦
ز فرزند چیزش نیامد دریغ
“Golden harnesses, maces, and swords—he held back no treasure from his beloved child.”
#25
ز دینار و دیبا و اسپ و رهی
✦
ز چینی و زربفت شاهنشهی
“Gold coins, fine silks, noble steeds, and servants, alongside royal Chinese brocades...”
#26
بیاورد و بنهاد پیش جوان
✦
جوان شد پرستندهٔ اردوان
“All these he brought and placed before the youth, preparing him to enter the service of King Ardavan.”
#27
بسی هدیه‌ها نیز با اردشیر
✦
ز دیبا و دینار و مشک و عبیر
“Boundless gifts were readied alongside Ardashir: fine silks, gold, musk, and precious ambergris.”
#28
ز پیش نیا کودک نیک پی
✦
به درگاه شاه اردوان شد بری
“Thus from his grandfather's presence, the auspicious youth departed toward the royal court of King Ardavan.”