#1
چنان بد که بی‌ماه روی اردوان
✦
نبودی شب و روز روشن‌روان
“So it was that without the moonlike face of Golnar, Ardavan’s spirit was never bright by night or day.”
#2
ز دیبا نبرداشتی دوش و یال
✦
مگر چهر گلنار دیدی به فال
“He would not lift his shoulders from the brocade cushions unless he took a good omen from Golnar's radiant face.”
#3
چو آمدش هنگام برخاستن
✦
به دیبا سر گاهش آراستن
“When the time came for him to rise and adorn the head of his throne with royal silks,”
#4
کنیزک نیامد به بالین اوی
✦
برآشفت و پیچان شد از کین اوی
“The maiden did not come to his pillow; he flew into a rage and twisted in vengeance.”
#5
بدربر سپاه ایستاده به پای
✦
بیاراسته تخت و تاج و سرای
“Outside the door, the army stood ready, while the throne, crown, and palace were fully arrayed.”
#6
ز درگاه برخاست سالار بار
✦
بیامد بر نامور شهریار
“From the court arose the chamberlain and entered the presence of the renowned monarch.”
#7
بدو گفت گردنکشان بر درند
✦
هر آنکس کجا مهتر کشورند
“He said to him: 'The proud nobles and leaders of the country stand outside the gates.'”
#8
پرستندگان را چنین گفت شاه
✦
که گلنار چون راه و آیین نگاه
“The king said to the servants: 'Why has Golnar neglected her customary duty?'”
#9
ندارد نیاید به بالین من
✦
که داند بدین داستان دین من
“'She has not come to my pillow; who knows the explanation behind this mystery?'”
#10
بیامد هم‌انگاه مهتر دبیر
✦
که رفتست بیگاه دوش اردشیر
“Just then, the chief scribe arrived and reported: 'Ardashir departed secretly late last night.'”
#11
وز آخور ببردست خنگ و سیاه
✦
که بد بارهٔ نامبردار شاه
“'And from the stable he took the dapple-white and coal-black, the king's most famous chargers.'”
#12
هم‌انگاه شد شاه را دلپذیر
✦
که گنجور او رفت با اردشیر
“Then it became apparent to the king that his treasure-keeper (Golnar) had fled alongside Ardashir.”
#13
دل مرد جنگی برآمد ز جای
✦
برآشفت و زود اندر آمد به پای
“The warrior king's heart flared with wrath; he grew enraged and quickly leaped to his feet.”
#14
سواران جنگی فراوان ببرد
✦
تو گفتی همی باره آتش سپرد
“He took a host of battle-ready warriors, riding so swiftly you would say their steeds galloped on fire.”
#15
بره‌بر یکی نامور دید جای
✦
بسی اندرو مردم و چارپای
“Along the road, he saw a populated place filled with people and livestock.”
#16
بپرسید زیشان که شبگیر هور
✦
شنیدی شما بانگ نعل ستور
“He asked them: 'At dawn's early light, did you hear the sound of horses' hooves?'”
#17
یکی گفت زیشان که اندر گذشت
✦
دو تن بر دو باره درآمد به دشت
“One of them answered: 'Two riders mounted on two steeds swept across the plain.'”
#18
همی برگذشتند پویان به راه
✦
یکی بارهٔ خنگ و دیگر سیاه
“'They sped swiftly along the path, one riding a white steed and the other a black.'”
#19
به دم سواران یکی غرم پاک
✦
چو اسپی همی بر پراگند خاک
“'And close at the heels of the riders ran a pure wild ram, kicking up dust like a horse.'”
#20
به دستور گفت آن زمان اردوان
✦
که این غرم باری چرا شد دوان
“Ardavan then asked his vizier: 'Why indeed was this wild ram running behind them?'”
#21
چنین داد پاسخ که آن فر اوست
✦
به شاهی و نیک‌اختری پر اوست
“The vizier replied: 'That ram is his Royal Glory (Farrah), filled with kingship and auspicious fortune.'”
#22
گر این غرم دریابد او را متاز
✦
که این کار گردد بمابر دراز
“'If this ram catches up with him, do not ride after him, for our pursuit will end in failure and long trouble.'”
#23
فرود آمد آن جایگه اردوان
✦
بخورد و برآسود و آمد دوان
“Ardavan dismounted at that place; he ate, rested, and then rode onward swiftly.”
#24
همی تاختند از پس اردشیر
✦
به پیش اندرون اردوان و وزیر
“They continued to ride hard after Ardashir, with Ardavan and his minister leading the charge.”
#25
جوان با کنیزک چو باد دمان
✦
نپردخت از تاختن یک زمان
“The young man and the maiden sped like a roaring wind, not slackening their pace for a single moment.”
#26
کرا یار باشد سپهر بلند
✦
بروبر ز دشمن نیاید گزند
“Whomsoever the high heavens succor shall suffer no harm from any enemy.”
#27
ازان تاختن رنجه شد اردشیر
✦
بدید از بلندی یکی آبگیر
“Ardashir grew exhausted from that hard riding, when from a height he spotted a pool of water.”
#28
جوانمرد پویان به گلنار گفت
✦
که اکنون که با رنج گشتیم جفت
“The noble youth said to Golnar: 'Now that we are overtaken by weariness,'”
#29
بباید بدین چشمه آمد فرود
✦
که شد باره و مرد بی‌تار و پود
“'We should dismount at this spring, for horse and man are bereft of strength.'”
#30
بباشیم بر آب و چیزی خوریم
✦
ازان پس بر آسودگی بگذریم
“'Let us rest by the water and eat something, and after that we shall press on refreshed.'”
#31
چو هر دو رسیدند نزدیک آب
✦
به زردی دو رخساره چون آفتاب
“As both reached near the water, their two faces were pale as the setting sun.”
#32
همی خواست کاید فرود اردشیر
✦
دو مرد جوان دید بر آبگیر
“Just as Ardashir was about to dismount, he saw two young men standing by the pool.”
#33
جوانان به آواز گفتند زود
✦
عنان و رکیبت بباید بسود
“The youths called out to him quickly: 'Touch your reins and stirrups immediately!'”
#34
که رستی ز کام و دم اژدها
✦
کنون آب خوردن نیارد بها
“'For you have escaped the jaws and breath of the dragon; now drinking water is not worth the risk!'”
#35
نباید که آیی به خوردن فرود
✦
تن خویش را داد باید درود
“'You must not dismount to eat; you must save your own life!'”
#36
چو از پندگوی آن شنید اردشیر
✦
به گلنار گفت این سخن یادگیر
“When Ardashir heard this from the advisor, he said to Golnar: 'Remember well these words!'”
#37
رکیبش گران شد سبک شد عنان
✦
به گردن برآورد رخشان سنان
“He pressed his stirrups heavy and loosened his reins, raising his gleaming spear to his shoulder.”
#38
پس‌اندر چو باد دمان اردوان
✦
همی تاخت با رنج و تیره‌روان
“Behind them came Ardavan like a rushing wind, riding with immense effort and a darkened soul.”
#39
بدانگه که بگذشت نیمی ز روز
✦
فلک را بپیمود گیتی فروز
“When half the day had passed and the world-illuminating sun reached the zenith of heaven,”
#40
یکی شارستان دید با رنگ و بوی
✦
بسی مردم آمد به نزدیک اوی
“He saw a pleasant, fragrant city, and many people came out to meet him.”
#41
چنین گفت با موبدان نامدار
✦
که کی برگذشت آن دلاور سوار
“The renowned king asked the noble mobads: 'When did that brave rider pass by here?'”
#42
چنین داد پاسخ بدو رهنمای
✦
که ای شاه نیک‌اختر و پاک‌رای
“The guide replied to him: 'O auspicious and pure-minded king,'”
#43
بدانگه که خورشید برگشت زرد
✦
بگسترد شب چادر لاژورد
“'At the time when the sun turned yellow and night spread its lapis-lazuli veil,'”
#44
بدین شهر بگذشت پویان دو تن
✦
پر از گرد وبی‌آب گشته دهن
“'Two riders passed through this town in haste, covered in dust and with dry, thirsty mouths.'”
#45
یکی غرم بود از پس یک سوار
✦
که چون او ندیدم به ایوان نگار
“'And behind one rider ran a wild ram, the likes of which I have never seen depicted even on palace walls.'”
#46
چنین گفت با اردوان کدخدای
✦
کز ایدر مگر بازگردی به جای
“Thus spoke the elder of the town unto Ardavan: 'It were best that thou shouldst turn back from this place unto thy seat,'”
#47
سپه سازی و ساز جنگ آوری
✦
که اکنون دگرگونه شد داوری
“'And assemble a host and prepare the instruments of war, for now the judgment of Fate hath turned anew.'”
#48
که بختش پس پشت او برنشست
✦
ازین تاختن باد ماند به دست
“'For his Royal Fortune hath mounted behind him on his steed; from this swift pursuit, naught but wind shall remain in thy hand.'”
#49
یکی نامه بنویس نزد پسر
✦
به نامه بگوی این سخن در به در
“'Write a letter unto thy son, and in that scroll recount this matter point by point,'”
#50
نشانی مگر یابد از اردشیر
✦
نباید که او دو شد از غرم شیر
“'That perchance he may find a trace of Ardashir, lest that divine ram of fortune transform into a mighty lion.'”
#51
چو بشنید زو اردوان این سخن
✦
بدانست کآواز او شد کهن
“When Ardavan heard these counselings from him, he knew full well that his own power had grown old and waned.”
#52
بدان شارستان اندر آمد فرود
✦
همی داد نیکی دهش را درود
“He dismounted within that city and offered praise unto the Bestower of all Goodness.”