#1
پراندیشه بود آن شب از کرم شاه
✦
چو بنشست خورشید بر جایگاه
“That night, the King was filled with deep anxiety as the sun set in its place.”
#2
سپه برگرفت از لب آبگیر
✦
سوی پارس آمد دمان اردشیر
“Ardashir withdrew his army from the edge of the lake and rushed impetuously toward Pars.”
#3
پس لشکر او بیامد سپاه
✦
ز هر سو گرفتند بر شاه راه
“Behind his army came the enemy host, blocking the King's path from every direction.”
#4
بکشتند هرکس که بد نامدار
✦
همی تاختند از پس شهریار
“They killed whoever was renowned among his men, constantly charging after the monarch.”
#5
خروش آمد از پس که ای بخت کرم
✦
که رخشنده بادا سر از تخت کرم
“A shout echoed from behind: 'O fortune of the Worm! May the throne of the Worm shine bright!'”
#6
همی هرکسی گفت کاینت شگفت
✦
کزین هرکس اندازه باید گرفت
“Everyone said: 'What a wonder this is; from this every man must take a lesson!'”
#7
بیامد گریزان و دل پر نهیب
✦
همی تاخت اندر فراز و نشیب
“He arrived fleeing, his heart full of dread, riding fast across high and low lands.”
#8
یکی شارستان دید جایی بزرگ
✦
ازان سو براندند گردان چو گرگ
“He saw a great settlement in that place, while from behind, warriors rode like wolves.”
#9
چو تنگ اندر آمد یکی خانه دید
✦
به در بر دو برنای بیگانه دید
“As he drew near, he saw a house, and at its door stood two young strangers.”
#10
ببودند بر در زمانی به پای
✦
بپرسید زو این دو پاکیزه‌رای
“They stood at the door for a moment, and those two pure-minded youths questioned him:”
#11
که بیگه چنین از کجا رفته‌اید
✦
که با گرد راهید و آشفته‌اید
“'Why have you come so late at night from afar, covered in road dust and distraught?'”
#12
بدو گفت زین سو گذشت اردشیر
✦
ازو باز ماندیم بر خیره خیر
“He answered: 'Ardashir passed this way, and we were left behind him in vain confusion,'”
#13
که بگریخت از کرم وز هفتواد
✦
وزان بی‌هنر لشکر بدنژاد
“'For he fled from the Worm and Haftvad, and from that unvirtuous, ill-bred host.'”
#14
بجستند از جای هر دو جوان
✦
پر از درد گشتند و تیره‌روان
“Both youths leaped up from their place; their souls grew filled with pain and darkened with sorrow.”
#15
فرود آوریدندش از پشت زین
✦
بران مهتران خواندند آفرین
“They helped him dismount from his saddle and sang praises upon that leader.”
#16
یکی جای خرم بپیراستند
✦
پسندیده خوانی بیاراستند
“They adorned a pleasant place for him and arranged a delightful table of food.”
#17
نشستند با شاه گردان به خوان
✦
پرستش گرفتند هر دو جوان
“They sat at the table with the King of heroes, and both youths began serving him.”
#18
به آواز گفتند کای سرفراز
✦
غم و شادمانی نماند دراز
“They raised their voices, saying: 'O exalted King! Sorrow and joy do not endure for long.'”
#19
نگه کن که ضحاک بیدادگر
✦
چه آورد زان تخت شاهی به سر
“'Consider what the tyrannical Zahhak brought upon that royal throne in the end,'”
#20
هم افراسیاب آن بداندیش مرد
✦
کزو بد دل شهریاران به درد
“'And Afrasiab, that malevolent man, whose deeds caused constant pain to the hearts of kings,'”
#21
سکندر که آمد برین روزگار
✦
بکشت آنک بد در جهان شهریار
“'And Alexander who came in his era and slew all who were rulers in the world.'”
#22
برفتند و زیشان به جز نام زشت
✦
نماند و نیابند خرم بهشت
“'They passed away, and of them nothing remained but an evil name, nor will they behold joyful paradise.'”
#23
نماند همین نیز بر هفتواد
✦
بپیچد به فرجام این بدنژاد
“'Neither shall Haftvad endure thus; in the end, this evil-born creature will be twisted in ruin.'”
#24
ز گفتار ایشان دل شهریار
✦
چنان تازه شد چون گل اندر بهار
“At their words, the monarch's heart blossomed like a rose in springtime.”
#25
خوش آمدش گفتار آن دلنواز
✦
بکرد آشکارا و بنمود راز
“Delighted by the comforting words of those kind youths, he revealed his hidden truth:”
#26
که فرزند ساسان منم اردشیر
✦
یکی پند باید مرا دلپذیر
“'I am Ardashir, son of Sasan! I need a heart-pleasing counsel from you.'”
#27
چه سازیم با کرم و با هفتواد
✦
که نام و نژادش به گیتی مباد
“'What strategy shall we forge against the Worm and Haftvad, whose name and lineage should vanish from the earth?'”
#28
سپهبدار ایران چو بگشاد راز
✦
جوانانش بردند هر دو نماز
“When the commander of Iran revealed his secret, both youths bowed low in reverence.”
#29
بگفتند هر دو که نوشه بدی
✦
همیشه ز تو دور دست بدی
“Both spoke: 'May you be blessed and immortal, and may the hand of evil ever remain far from you!'”
#30
تن و جان ما پیش تو بنده باد
✦
همیشه روان تو پاینده باد
“'May our bodies and souls be servants before you, and may your spirit endure forever.'”
#31
سخنها که پرسیدی از ما درست
✦
بگوییم تا چاره سازی نخست
“'What you have asked of us in truth, we shall explain so that you may first devise a remedy.'”
#32
تو در جنگ با کرم و با هفتواد
✦
بسنده نه‌ای گر نپیچی ز داد
“'You cannot prevail in battle against the Worm and Haftvad unless you turn to wisdom and justice.'”
#33
یکی جای دارند بر تیغ کوه
✦
بدو اندرون کرم و گنج و گروه
“'They possess a stronghold upon the mountain peak, inside which lie the Worm, treasure, and host.'”
#34
به پیش اندرون شهر و دریا بپشت
✦
دژی بر سر کوه و راهی درشت
“'Before it lies the city, behind it the sea—a fortress atop a mountain with a rugged path.'”
#35
همان کرم کز مغز آهرمنست
✦
جهان آفریننده را دشمنست
“'That same Worm born of Ahriman's brain, an outright enemy to the Creator of the world.'”
#36
همی کرم خوانی به چرم اندرون
✦
یکی دیو جنگیست ریزنده خون
“'You call it a Worm inside a hide, yet it is a blood-spilling demon of war.'”
#37
سخنها چو بشنید زو اردشیر
✦
همه مهر جوینده و دلپذیر
“When Ardashir heard these words, filled with affection, seeking truth, and pleasing to the heart,”
#38
بدیشان چنین گفت کآری رواست
✦
بد و نیک ایشان مرا با شماست
“He said to them: 'Indeed, it is right; their evil and good are now shared between me and you.'”
#39
جوانان ورا پاسخ آراستند
✦
دل هوشمندش بپیراستند
“The youths prepared their response and adorned his intelligent mind:”
#40
که ما بندگانیم پیشت به پای
✦
همیشه به نیکی ترا رهنمای
“'We are servants standing before you, ever guiding you toward goodness.'”
#41
ز گفتار ایشان دلش گشت شاد
✦
همی رفت پیروز و دل پر ز داد
“From their speech his heart became joyful; he departed victorious, his heart full of justice.”
#42
چو برداشت زانجا جهاندار شاه
✦
جوانان برفتند با او به راه
“When the world-conquering King set out from there, the youths accompanied him along the way.”
#43
همی رفت روشن‌دل و یادگیر
✦
سرافراز تا خورهٔ اردشیر
“He went forth with an enlightened heart and keen mind, exalted, unto Khurrah-i Ardashir.”
#44
چو بر شاه بر شد سپاه انجمن
✦
بزرگان فرزانه و رای‌زن
“When the army gathered around the King, along with wise elders and counselors,”
#45
برآسود یک چند و روزی به داد
✦
بیامد سوی مهرک نوش‌زاد
“He rested for a time, and one day, in justice, he marched toward Mehrak-e Nushzad.”
#46
چو مهرک بیارست رفتن به جنگ
✦
جهان کرد بر خویشتن تار و تنگ
“When Mehrak dared to march forth to war, he rendered the world dark and narrow for himself.”
#47
به جهرم چو نزدیک شد پادشا
✦
نهان گشت زو مهرک بی‌وفا
“As the King drew near unto Jahrom, the faithless Mehrak vanished in dread from his sight.”
#48
دل پادشا پر ز پیکار شد
✦
همی بود تا او گرفتار شد
“The King’s heart burned with determination for battle; he bided his time until Mehrak was ensnared.”
#49
به شمشیر هندی بزد گردنش
✦
به آتش در انداخت بی‌سر تنش
“With an Indian blade he severed his head, and cast his headless corpse into the fire.”
#50
هرانکس کزان تخمه آمد به مشت
✦
به خنجر هم اندر زمانش بکشت
“Whosoever of that lineage fell into his hands, he straightway put to death with a dagger.”
#51
مگر دختری کان نهان گشت زوی
✦
همه شهر ازو گشت پر جست و جوی
“Save for a daughter who lay hidden from him, for whom the entire city became filled with eager search.”