#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.”