#1
وزان جایگه شد سوی جنگ کرم
✦
سپاهش همی کرد آهنگ کرم
“From that place he set out to battle the Worm, his army marching with purpose toward the creature's domain.”
#2
بیاورد لشکر ده و دو هزار
✦
جهاندیده و کارکرده سوار
“He brought forth an army of twelve thousand, all battle-tested horsemen who had seen the world.”
#3
پراگنده لشکر چو شد همگروه
✦
بیاوردشان تا میان دو کوه
“When the scattered army assembled as one, he led them into the pass between two mountains.”
#4
یکی مرد بد نام او شهرگیر
✦
خردمند سالار شاه اردشیر
“There was a man named Shahrgir, a wise and prudent commander serving King Ardashir.”
#5
چنین گفت پس شاه با پهلوان
✦
که ایدر همی باش روشن‌روان
“The King then addressed that paladin: 'Remain here with an enlightened and watchful spirit.”
#6
شب و روز کرده طلایه به پای
✦
سواران با دانش و رهنمای
“Keep vanguards posted night and day, horsemen of knowledge and expert guides.”
#7
همان دیده‌بان دار و هم پاسبان
✦
نگهبان لشکر به روز و شبان
“Maintain watchtowers and sentries, guarding the army by day and night.”
#8
من اکنون بسازم یکی کیمیا
✦
چو اسفندیار آنک بودم نیا
“I shall now devise a cunning stratagem, even as my ancestor Esfandiyar did before me.”
#9
اگر دیده‌بان دود بیند به روز
✦
شب آتش چو خورشید گیتی فروز
“If the sentry beholds smoke by day, or a world-illuminating fire like the sun by night,”
#10
بدانید کامد به سر کار کرم
✦
گذشت اختر و روز بازار کرم
“Know then that the Worm's end has arrived, its star has set, and its fortune is done.'”
#11
گزین کرد زان مهتران هفت مرد
✦
دلیران و شیران روز نبرد
“He selected seven men from among the chieftains—brave lions on the day of battle.”
#12
هرآنکس که بودی هم‌آواز اوی
✦
نگفتی به باد هوا راز اوی
“Anyone who shared his confidence would never betray his secret to the passing wind.”
#13
بسی گوهر از گنج بگزید نیز
✦
ز دیبا و دینار و هرگونه چیز
“He chose abundant jewels from the treasury, along with brocades, gold coins, and all manner of riches.”
#14
به چشم خرد چیز ناچیز کرد
✦
دو صندوق پر سرب و ارزیز کرد
“Through the eye of wisdom, he deemed worldly wealth trifling; he filled two chests with lead and tin.”
#15
یکی دیگ رویین به بار اندرون
✦
که استاد بود او به کار اندرون
“He packed a large bronze cauldron into the load, crafted by a master of the trade.”
#16
چو از بردنی جامه‌ها کرد راست
✦
ز سالار آخر خری ده بخواست
“When he had prepared the garments to carry, he requested ten donkeys from the master of the stable.”
#17
چو خربندگان جامه‌های گلیم
✦
بپوشید و بارش همه زر و سیم
“They donned coarse felt garments like donkey-drivers, though their loads were laden with gold and silver.”
#18
همی شد خلیده‌دل و راه‌جوی
✦
ز لشگر سوی دژ نهادند روی
“With resolute hearts seeking the path, they set out from the army toward the fortress.”
#19
همان روستایی دو مرد جوان
✦
که بودند روزی ورا میزبان
“Also with him were two young villagers who had once played host to him.”
#20
از آن انجمن برد با خویشتن
✦
که هم دوست بودند و هم رای‌زن
“He took them from that assembly because they were both trusted friends and wise advisors.”
#21
همی رفت همراه آن کاروان
✦
به رسم یکی مرد بازارگان
“He traveled alongside that caravan in the customary attire of a merchant.”
#22
چو از راه نزدیکی دژ رسید
✦
دژ و باره و شهر از دور دید
“When he drew near the fortress along the path, he sighted the castle, ramparts, and city from afar.”
#23
پرستندهٔ کرم بد شست مرد
✦
نپرداختندی کس از کارکرد
“Sixty men were the attendants of the Worm, ceaselessly devoted to their duties.”
#24
نگه کرد یک تن به آواز گفت
✦
که صندوق را چیست اندر نهفت
“One of them looked upon him and called out: 'What lies concealed inside these chests?'”
#25
چنین داد پاسخ بدو شهریار
✦
که هرگونه‌ای چیز دارم به بار
“The sovereign replied: 'I carry all manner of precious goods in my load,”
#26
ز پیرایه و جامه و سیم و زر
✦
ز دینار و دیبا و در و گهر
“From ornaments, garments, silver, and gold, to dinars, brocades, pearls, and jewels.”
#27
به بازارگانی خراسانیم
✦
به رنج اندرون بی تن‌آسانیم
“I am a merchant from Khorasan, traveling through hardship without rest.”
#28
بسی خواسته کردم از بخت کرم
✦
کنون آمدم شاد تا تخت کرم
“I have amassed much wealth through the fortune of the Worm; now I come joyfully to the Worm's throne.”
#29
اگر بر پرستش فزایم رواست
✦
که از بخت او کار من گشت راست
“If I add to its service, it is fitting, for through its luck my affairs have prospered.'”
#30
پرستنده کرم بگشاد راز
✦
هم‌انگه در دژ گشادند باز
“The attendants of the Worm accepted his secret, and immediately threw open the fortress gates.”
#31
چو آن بار او راند اندر حصار
✦
بیاراست کار از در نامدار
“When he drove his pack animals into the citadel, he arranged his affair at the gate of the renowned creature.”
#32
سر بار بگشاد زود اردشیر
✦
ببخشید چیزی که بد زو گزیر
“Ardashir quickly opened the tops of the loads and bestowed gifts that could not be spared.”
#33
یکی سفره پیش پرستندگان
✦
بگسترد و برخاست چون بندگان
“He spread a banquet table before the attendants and stood waiting like a servant.”
#34
ز صندوق بگشاد و بند و کلید
✦
برآورد و برداشت جام نبید
“He unlocked the chests with key and clasp, bringing forth and raising goblets of fine wine.”
#35
هرانکس که زی کرم بردی خورش
✦
ز شیر و برنج آنچ بد پرورش
“Those whose duty it was to carry food to the Worm—the milk and rice prepared for its nourishment—”
#36
بپیچید گردن ز جام نبید
✦
که نوبت بدش جای مستی ندید
“Turned their heads away from the goblet of wine, for it was their turn and not the time for drunkenness.”
#37
چو بشنید بر پای جست اردشیر
✦
که با من فراوان برنجست و شیر
“Hearing this, Ardashir leaped to his feet and said: 'I have brought abundant rice and milk with me.”
#38
به دستوری سرپرستان سه روز
✦
مر او را بخوردن منم دلفروز
“With the leave of the supervisors, let me be the one to delight in feeding it for three days.”
#39
مگر من شوم در جهان شهره‌ای
✦
مرا باشد از اخترش بهره‌ای
“Perchance I may become famous in the world, and gain a share of its fortunate star.”
#40
شما می گسارید با من سه روز
✦
چهارم چو خورشید گیتی فروز
“Feast on wine with me for three days, and on the fourth, when the world-illuminating sun arises,”
#41
برآید یکی کلبه سازم فراخ
✦
سر طاق برتر ز ایوان و کاخ
“I shall erect a spacious dwelling, its arching roof soaring higher than palaces and halls.”
#42
فروشنده‌ام هم خریدارجوی
✦
فزاید مرا نزد کرم آبروی
“I am both seller and seeker of buyers, and my honor near the Worm shall increase.'”
#43
برآمد همه کام او زین سخن
✦
بگفتند کو را پرستش تو کن
“All his desires were fulfilled by these words; they agreed and said: 'Do you then perform its service.'”
#44
برآورد خربنده هرگونه رنگ
✦
پرستنده بنشست با می به چنگ
“The muleteer brought forth all manner of color and splendor, while the attendants sat with wine in hand.”
#45
بخوردند می چند و مستان شدند
✦
پرستندگان می پرستان شدند
“They drank wine until they grew thoroughly intoxicated; the attendants became wine-worshippers.”
#46
چو از جام می سست شدشان زبان
✦
بیامد جهاندار با میزبان
“When wine had loosened the attendants' tongues, the ruler of the world stepped forth alongside his host.”
#47
بیاورد ارزیز و رویین لوید
✦
برافروخت آتش به روز سپید
“They brought molten tin and a bronze cauldron, kindling a roaring fire in broad daylight.”
#48
چو آن کرم را بود گاه خورش
✦
ز ارزیز جوشان بدش پرورش
“As it was the hour for the Worm's customary meal, boiling tin was prepared as its terrible nourishment.”
#49
زبانش بدیدند همرنگ سنج
✦
بران‌سان که از پیش خوردی برنج
“They saw its tongue stretch out, bronze-hued like a cymbal, just as it was wont to take its rice before.”
#50
فرو ریخت ارزیز مرد جوان
✦
به کنده درون کرم شد ناتوان
“The brave youth poured down the liquid tin; inside its pit, the mighty Worm grew feeble and shattered.”
#51
تراکی برآمد ز حلقوم اوی
✦
که لرزان شد آن کنده و بوم اوی
“A thunderous crack burst from its throat, shaking the pit and the very ground beneath.”
#52
بشد با جوانان چو باد اردشیر
✦
ابا گرز و شمشیر و گوپال و تیر
“Swift as the wind, Ardashir charged with his companions, armed with maces, swords, clubs, and arrows.”
#53
پرستندگان را که بودند مست
✦
یکی زنده از تیغ ایشان نجست
“Of all the wine-sunk guards who served the monster, not a single soul escaped their lethal steel.”
#54
برانگیخت از بام دژ تیره دود
✦
دلیری به سالار لشکر نمود
“He sent dark smoke billowing from the fortress roof, giving the signal of his triumph to the army's chief.”
#55
دوان دیده‌بان شد بر شهرگیر
✦
که پیروزگر گشت شاه اردشیر
“The scout ran swiftly to the general, bringing word that King Ardashir had emerged victorious.”
#56
بیامد سبک پهلوان با سپاه
✦
بیاورد لشکر به نزدیک شاه
“With speed the champion advanced his host, bringing the army directly before the triumphant king.”