#1
چو آگاهی آمد سوی اردوان
✦
دلش گشت پربیم و تیره‌روان
“When news reached Ardavan, his heart turned dark and filled with dread.”
#2
چنین گفت کین راز چرخ بلند
✦
همی گفت با من خداوند پند
“He mused, 'The sage once warned me of this secret of the revolving sky:'”
#3
هران بد کز اندیشه بیرون بود
✦
ز بخشش به کوشش گذر چون بود
“'Whatever evil is beyond thought—how can human effort surpass divine fate?'”
#4
گمانی نبردم که از اردشیر
✦
یکی نامجوی آید و شهرگیر
“'I never surmised that from Ardashir a renown-seeker and conqueror would arise.'”
#5
در گنج بگشاد و روزی بداد
✦
سپه بر گرفت و بنه برنهاد
“He opened the treasure doors, distributed pay, raised his army, and packed the baggage train.”
#6
ز گیل و ز دیلم بیامد سپاه
✦
همی گرد لشکر برآمد به ماه
“Troops poured in from Gilan and Deylam, their dust rising up to the moon.”
#7
وزان روی لشکر بیاورد شاه
✦
سپاهی که بر باد بربست راه
“And from the other side came King Ardashir, leading an army that blocked the very wind.”
#8
ز بس نالهٔ بوق و با کرنای
✦
ترنگیدن زنگ و هندی درای
“From the ceaseless wail of horns and trumpets, the clatter of bells and Indian chimes resounded.”
#9
میان دو لشکر دو پرتاب ماند
✦
به خاک اندرون مار بی‌تاب ماند
“Between the two armies lay just two bowshots; even the serpent in the dust lost its breath.”
#10
خروشان سپاه و درفشان درفش
✦
سرافشان دل از تیغهای بنفش
“The armies roared, banners fluttered, and hearts trembled before purple blades.”
#11
چهل روز زین سان همی جنگ بود
✦
بران زیردستان جهان تنگ بود
“For forty days the fierce battle raged, making the world narrow for the subjects.”
#12
ز هرگونه‌ای تنگ شد خوردنی
✦
همان تنگ شد راه آوردنی
“Provisions of every kind grew scarce, and supply routes were tightly blocked.”
#13
ز بس کشته شد روی هامون چو کوه
✦
بشد خسته از زندگانی ستوه
“So many fell that the plain resembled mountains of slain, and men grew weary of life itself.”
#14
سرانجام ابری برآمد سیاه
✦
بشد کوشش و رزم را دستگاه
“At last, a dark cloud arose above, casting gloom over the battle's momentum.”
#15
یکی باد برخاست از انجمن
✦
دل جنگیان گشت زان پرشکن
“A howling wind burst from the heavens, twisting the courage of the warriors into dread.”
#16
بتوفید کوه و بلرزید دشت
✦
خروشش همی از هوا برگذشت
“The mountains roared and the plain shook; the howling passed beyond the sky.”
#17
بترسید زان لشکر اردوان
✦
شدند اندرین یک سخن هم‌زبان
“Ardavan’s army was filled with terror, speaking with one voice in their despair:”
#18
که این کار بر اردوان ایزدیست
✦
بدین لشکر اکنون بباید گریست
“'This turn of events against Ardavan is from God; now we must weep for this army.'”
#19
به روزی کجا سخت شد کارزار
✦
همه خواستند آنگهی زینهار
“On that fateful day when war grew hardest, all begged for quarter and mercy.”
#20
بیامد ز قلب سپاه اردشیر
✦
چکاچاک برخاست و باران تیر
“From the center of the army Ardashir charged; the clatter of swords arose and arrows rained down.”
#21
گرفتار شد در میان اردوان
✦
بداد از پی تاج شیرین روان
“Ardavan was trapped in the thick of fight, forfeiting his sweet soul for the crown.”
#22
به دست یکی مرد خراد نام
✦
چو بگرفت بردش گرفته لگام
“By the hand of a man named Kharad, who seized his steed's rein and led him away bound.”
#23
به پیش جهانجوی بردش اسیر
✦
ز دور اردوان را بدید اردشیر
“He led him captive before the world-conqueror; Ardashir saw Ardavan from afar.”
#24
فرود آمد از باره شاه اردوان
✦
تنش خستهٔ تیر و تیره‌روان
“King Ardavan dismounted his warhorse, his body wounded by arrows and his soul darkened.”
#25
به دژخیم فرمود شاه اردشیر
✦
که رو دشمن پادشا را بگیر
“King Ardashir commanded the executioner: 'Go, seize the enemy of the realm!'”
#26
به خنجر میانش به دو نیم کن
✦
دل بدسگالان پر از بیم کن
“'With a dagger, cleave him in two; strike fear into the hearts of ill-wishers!'”
#27
بیامد دژآگاه و فرمان گزید
✦
شد آن نامدار از جهان ناپدید
“The swift executioner stepped forward and executed the command; that famous ruler vanished from the earth.”
#28
چنین است کردار این چرخ پیر
✦
چه با اردوان و چه با اردشیر
“Such is the way of this aged sphere, whether toward Ardavan or toward Ardashir.”
#29
اگر تا ستاره برآرد بلند
✦
سپارد هم آخر به خاک نژند
“Though it exalt a man to the highest stars, in the end it consigns him to the gloomy dust.”
#30
دو فرزند او هم گرفتار شد
✦
برو تخمهٔ آرشی خوار شد
“Two of Ardavan's sons were also captured, and the line of Arash was humbled.”
#31
مر آن هر دو را پای کرده به بند
✦
به زندان فرستاد شاه بلند
“The lofty King bound both their feet in chains and sent them off to prison.”
#32
دو بدمهر از رزم بگریختند
✦
به دام بلا در نیاویختند
“Two malevolent sons fled from the battle, avoiding the trap of calamity.”
#33
برفتند گریان به هندوستان
✦
سزد گر کنی زین سخن داستان
“They departed weeping for Hindustan; fitting it is if you make a story of this tale.”
#34
همه رزمگه پر ستام و کمر
✦
پر از آلت و لشکر و سیم و زر
“The battlefield was filled with reins, belts, weapons, armies, silver, and gold.”
#35
بفرمود تا گرد کردند شاه
✦
ببخشید زان پس همه بر سپاه
“The King commanded all to be gathered, then distributed the spoils among his army.”
#36
برفت از میان بزرگان سباک
✦
تن اردوان را ز خون کرد پاک
“Sabak stepped out from among the nobles and cleansed Ardavan's body of blood.”
#37
خروشان بشستش ز خاک نبرد
✦
بر آیین شاهان یکی دخمه کرد
“Wailing, he washed him clean of battlefield dust and built a royal tomb after the custom of kings.”
#38
به دیبا بپوشید خسته برش
✦
ز کافور کرد افسری بر سرش
“He draped his wounded breast in silk and placed a crown of camphor upon his head.”
#39
به پیمود آن خاک کاخش به پی
✦
ز لشکر هران‌کس که شد سوی ری
“Whoever of the army went toward Ray walked upon the ground of his former palace.”
#40
وزان پس بیامد بر اردشیر
✦
چنین گفت کای شاه دانش‌پذیر
“Thereafter Sabak came before Ardashir and spoke: 'O wise King,'”
#41
تو فرمان بر و دختر او بخواه
✦
که با فر و برزست و با تاج و گاه
“'Take command and demand his daughter in marriage, for she has glory, stature, crown, and throne.'”
#42
به دست آیدت افسر و تاج و گنج
✦
کجا اردوان گرد کرد آن به رنج
“'Thus will you gain the crown, throne, and treasury that Ardavan gathered with such toil.'”
#43
ازو پند بشنید و گفتا رواست
✦
هم اندر زمان دختر او بخواست
“Ardashir listened to his counsel and said, 'It is right.' And forthwith he asked for her hand.”
#44
به ایوان او بد همی یک دو ماه
✦
توانگر سپهبد توانگر سپاه
“For a month or two he stayed in her palace; the commander grew wealthy, and wealthy grew the troops.”
#45
سوی پارس آمد ز ری نامجوی
✦
برآسوده از رزم وز گفت‌وگوی
“Then the renowned king left Ray for Pars, rested from warfare and disputes.”
#46
یکی شارستان کرد پر کاخ و باغ
✦
بدو اندرون چشمه و دشت و راغ
“He built a grand city filled with palaces and gardens, containing within its bounds clear springs, plains, and lush meadows.”
#47
که اکنون گرانمایه دهقان پیر
✦
همی خواندش خوره اردشیر
“Which nowadays the noble, venerable chieftain calls Khwarrah-i Ardashir.”
#48
یکی چشمه بد بی‌کران اندروی
✦
فراوان ازو رود بگشاد و جوی
“Within it lay a vast and abundant spring, from which he directed numerous rivers and streams.”
#49
برآورد زان چشمه آتشکده
✦
بدو تازه شد مهر و جشن سده
“Beside that spring he erected a sacred fire-temple, rekindling through it the warmth of faith and the Feast of Sadeh.”
#50
به گرد اندرش باغ و میدان و کاخ
✦
برآورده شد جایگاه فراخ
“Surrounding it were gardens, grounds, and palaces, creating a spacious and grand domain.”
#51
چو شد شاه با دانش و فر و زور
✦
همی خواندش مرزبان شهر گور
“When the king was established in wisdom, divine glory, and power, the warden of the marches called it the city of Gor.”
#52
به گرد اندرش روستاها بساخت
✦
چو آباد کردش کس اندر نشاخت
“He constructed surrounding villages; when he completed its restoration, none could match its newfound prosperity.”
#53
به جایی یکی ژرف دریا بدید
✦
همی کوه بایست پیشش برید
“In one location he found a deep body of water, before which a mountain had to be cut through.”
#54
ببردند میتین و مردان کار
✦
وزان کوه ببرید صد جویبار
“Skilled workmen brought iron pickaxes, carving out a hundred streams straight through that mountain.”
#55
همی راند از کوه تا شهر گور
✦
شد آن شارستان پر سرای و ستور
“He funneled the water from the mountain to the city of Gor, until that realm overflowed with dwellings and herds.”