Within the lofty palace of King Ardavan dwelled a maiden of matchless beauty and wisdom named Golnar. She was not only the keeper of the royal treasury but also the prized confidante whose presence brought joy to the monarch's heart. One day, as she walked upon the high roof, her eyes fell upon young Ardashir. Love for the valiant prince instantly rooted itself within her breast. As night veiled the heavens, Golnar fastened a cord to the battlements and descended fearlessly into the courtyard. Perfumed with musk and carrying her devotion, she entered Ardashir's chamber. Awaking to behold the radiant maiden beside his pillow, Ardashir embraced her warmly. Golnar offered her heart and soul, vowing to be a beacon of light in his darkest hours.
Yet the turning wheel of time brought sorrow, for the wise old Babak soon passed away, leaving the earthly realm behind. Deep grief enveloped Ardashir at the loss of his benefactor and guide, severing his last ties of allegiance to Ardavan and fanning his resolve to flee the court. Meanwhile, King Ardavan, anxious about his destiny, summoned the most learned astrologers to read the cosmic signs. For three days, near Golnar’s quarters, they charted the heavens. Golnar closely overheard their secret discourse. On the fourth day, the astrologers presented their astrolabes before the king and disclosed a fateful prophecy: a noble servant of warrior blood would soon flee from his master and rise to become the supreme, blessed sovereign of the world. Upon hearing these words, gloom and foreboding weighed heavily upon King Ardavan's heart.
#1
یکی کاخ بود اردوان را بلند
✦
به کاخ اندرون بنده‌ای ارجمند
“King Ardavan possessed a high palace, and within that palace dwelt a cherished servant.”
#2
که گلنار بد نام آن ماه‌روی
✦
نگاری پر از گوهر و رنگ و بوی
“Golnar was the name of that moon-faced maiden, adorned like a jewel, fragrant and fair.”
#3
بر اردوان همچو دستور بود
✦
بران خواسته نیز گنجور بود
“She served Ardavan like a trusted counselor and was also the keeper of his royal treasury.”
#4
بروبر گرامی‌تر از جان بدی
✦
به دیدار او شاد و خندان بدی
“She was dearer to him than his own soul, and at the sight of her, his heart filled with joy.”
#5
چنان بد که روزی برآمد به بام
✦
دلش گشت زان خرمی شادکام
“It so happened that one day she ascended the roof, her heart brightened by the joyful air.”
#6
نگه کرد خندان لب اردشیر
✦
جوان در دل ماه شد جایگیر
“She gazed down and saw smiling Ardashir; the youth took root in the maiden's heart.”
#7
همی بود تا روز تاریک شد
✦
همانا به شب روز نزدیک شد
“She waited until the day turned dark and night drew close upon the heels of dusk.”
#8
کمندی بران کنگره بر ببست
✦
گره زد برو چند و ببسود دست
“She tied a lasso onto the battlements, tied several knots, and tested it with her hand.”
#9
به گستاخی از باره آمد فرود
✦
همی داد نیکی دهش را درود
“Boldly she descended from the high wall, offering praise to the bountiful Creator.”
#10
بیامد خرامان بر اردشیر
✦
پر از گوهر و بوی مشک و عبیر
“Gracefully she walked to Ardashir, filled with jewels and the fragrance of musk and amber.”
#11
ز بالین دیبا سرش برگرفت
✦
چو بیدار شد تنگ در بر گرفت
“She raised his head from the brocade pillow; when he awakened, he held her close in his embrace.”
#12
نگه کرد برنا بران خوب‌روی
✦
بدان موی و آن روی و آن رنگ و بوی
“The youth gazed upon that lovely face, those tresses, and that scent and color.”
#13
بدان ماه گفت از کجا خاستی
✦
که پرغم دلم را بیاراستی
“He spoke to that moon-like maiden: 'From where have you come, adorning my sorrowful heart?'”
#14
چنین داد پاسخ که من بنده‌ام
✦
ز گیتی به دیدار تو زنده‌ام
“She answered: 'I am a humble servant, living in this world only by the sight of you.'”
#15
دلارام گنجور شاه اردوان
✦
که از من بود شاد و روشن‌روان
“'I am the beloved treasurer of King Ardavan, who finds delight and joy through me.'”
#16
کنون گر پذیری ترا بنده‌ام
✦
دل و جان به مهر تو آگنده‌ام
“'Now if you accept me, I am your servant, my heart and soul filled with love for you.'”
#17
بیایم چو خواهی به نزدیک تو
✦
درفشان کنم روز تاریک تو
“'Whenever you wish, I will come to your side, brightening your darkest days.'”
#18
چو لختی برآمد برین روزگار
✦
شکست اندر آمد به آموزگار
“After some time had passed in this manner, misfortune befell the mentor and lord.”
#19
جهاندیده بیدار بابک بمرد
✦
سرای کهن دیگری را سپرد
“The world-wise, vigilant Babak died, surrendering this ancient realm to another.”
#20
چو آگاهی آمد سوی اردوان
✦
پر از غم شد و تیره گشتش روان
“When the news reached Ardavan, he was filled with grief, and his spirit grew dark.”
#21
گرفتند هر مهتری یاد پارس
✦
سپهبد به مهتر پسر داد پارس
“Every nobleman recalled the land of Pars, and the commander bestowed Pars upon his eldest son.”
#22
بفرمود تا کوس بیرون برند
✦
ز درگاه لشکر به هامون برند
“He ordered the war drums brought out and the army led from the court into the plains.”
#23
جهان تیره شد بر دل اردشیر
✦
ازان پیر روشن‌دل و دستگیر
“The world turned dark to Ardashir's heart over the loss of that wise elder and supporter.”
#24
دل از لشکر اردوان برگرفت
✦
وزان آگهی رای دیگر گرفت
“His heart turned away from Ardavan's army, and upon that news he formed a new resolve.”
#25
که از درد او بد دلش پرستیز
✦
به هر سو همی جست راه گریز
“For his heart was filled with strife from grief, and he sought everywhere a path of escape.”
#26
ازان پس چنان بد که شاه اردوان
✦
ز اخترشناسان روشن‌روان
“Thereafter it happened that King Ardavan summoned bright-minded astrologers to his court.”
#27
بیاورد چندی به درگاه خویش
✦
همی بازجست اختر و راه خویش
“To search out the stars and divine his path and future destiny.”
#28
همان نیز تا گردش روزگار
✦
ازان پس کرا باشد آموزگار
“And also to discover who would become the ruler of the realm in the turning of time.”
#29
فرستادشان نزد گلنار شاه
✦
بدان تا کنند اختران را نگاه
“He sent them near the king's maiden Golnar, so they might gaze upon the stars.”
#30
سه روز اندر آن کار شد روزگار
✦
نگه کرده شد طالع شهریار
“For three days they labored in that work, observing the horoscope of the king.”
#31
چو گنجور بشنید آوازشان
✦
سخن گفتن از طالع و رازشان
“When the treasurer maid heard their voices, speaking of horoscopes and secret fates...”
#32
سیم روز تا شب گذشته سه پاس
✦
کنیزک بپردخت ز اخترشناس
“On the third day, when three watches of the night had passed, she separated from the astrologers.”
#33
پر از آرزو دل لبان پر ز باد
✦
همی داشت گفتار ایشان به یاد
“Her heart filled with desire, sighs upon her lips, she kept their words firmly in her memory.”
#34
چهارم بشد مرد روشن‌روان
✦
که بگشاید آن راز با اردوان
“On the fourth day, the bright-minded master went to disclose the secret to Ardavan.”
#35
برفتند با زیجها برکنار
✦
ز کاخ کنیزک بر شهریار
“They went with their astrolabes from the maiden's palace unto the king.”
#36
بگفتند راز سپهر بلند
✦
همان حکم او بر چه و چون و چند
“They revealed the secret of the high heavens, and how its decree stood in measure and manner:”
#37
کزین پس کنون تانه بس روزگار
✦
ز چیزی بپیچد دل نامدار
“'That before long, the heart of the famed ruler shall be turned by a sudden fate:'”
#38
که بگریزد از مهتری کهتری
✦
سپهبد نژادی و کنداوری
“'For a servant shall flee from his master—a youth of noble commander lineage and valor.'”
#39
وزان پس شود شهریاری بلند
✦
جهاندار و نیک‌اختر و سودمند
“'And thereafter he shall become a mighty king, ruler of the world, fortunate and triumphant.'”
#40
دل نامور مهتر نیک‌بخت
✦
ز گفتار ایشان غمی گشت سخت
“The heart of the famous, fortunate king grew deeply sorrowful at their words.”