#1
چو آگاه شد زان سخن هفتواد
✦
دلش گشت پردرد و سر پر ز باد
“When Haftvad learned of these tidings, his heart swelled with anguish and his head with tempestuous fury.”
#2
بیامد که دژ را کند خواستار
✦
بران باره بر شد دمان شهریار
“He marched swiftly to reclaim the citadel, but the triumphant King had already ascended its high battlements.”
#3
بکوشید چندی نیامدش سود
✦
که بر بارهٔ دژ پی شیر بود
“Haftvad strove in vain, gaining no avail, for the lion-king held the stronghold in an unshakeable grip.”
#4
وزان روی لشکر بیامد چو کوه
✦
بماندند با داغ و درد آن گروه
“From the other side, Haftvad's host surged like a mountain, yet they stood trapped in sorrow and deep despair.”
#5
چنین گفت زان باره شاه اردشیر
✦
که نزدیک جنگ آی ای شهرگیر
“From the battlements King Ardashir called out: 'Come forward to the fight, O conqueror of towns!'”
#6
اگر گم شود از میان هفتواد
✦
نماند به چنگ تو جز رنج و باد
“'If Haftvad perishes from this world, nothing shall remain in your hands save hardship and empty wind!'”
#7
که من کرم را دادم ارزیز گرم
✦
شد آن دولت و رفتن تیز نرم
“'For I poured molten lead down the Worm's throat; its fortune is undone, and its swift advance turned to dust.'”
#8
شنید آن همه لشکر آواز شاه
✦
به سر بر نهادند ز آهن کلاه
“Hearing the voice of the King echo from above, the imperial army donned their helmets of steel.”
#9
ازان دل گرفتند ایرانیان
✦
ببستند با درد کین را میان
“The hearts of the Iranians swelled with valor, and they girded their loins for revenge and vengeance.”
#10
سوی لشکر کرم برگشت باد
✦
گرفتار شد در میان هفتواد
“The wind turned against the forces of the Worm, and Haftvad was ensnared in the midst of the clash.”
#11
همان نیز شاهوی عیار اوی
✦
که مهتر پسر بود و سالار اوی
“Captured also was his crafty son Shahoy, his eldest heir and commander of his host.”
#12
فرود آمد از باره شاه اردشیر
✦
پیاده ببد پیش او شهرگیر
“King Ardashir descended from the high wall, and his warriors stood before him on foot in homage.”
#13
ببردند بالای زرین لگام
✦
نشست از برش مهتر شادکام
“They brought forth a noble steed with a golden bridle, and the joyful sovereign mounted its back.”
#14
بفرمود پس شهریار بلند
✦
زدن پیش دریا دو دار بلند
“Then the exalted King commanded two high gallows to be erected by the shore of the sea.”
#15
دو بدخواه را زنده بر دار کرد
✦
دل دشمن از خواب بیدار کرد
“He hanged the two adversaries alive upon the gallows, awakening the heart of every enemy from deceptive sleep.”
#16
بیامد ز قلب سپه شهرگیر
✦
بکشت آن دو تن را به باران تیر
“The victorious conqueror advanced from the center of the host and dispatched the pair under a hail of arrows.”
#17
به تاراج داد آن همه خواسته
✦
شد از خواسته لشکر آراسته
“He gave over the citadel's vast treasure to spoil, enriching and adorning his entire army.”
#18
به دژ هرچ بود از کران تا کران
✦
فرود آوریدند فرمانبران
“Everything contained within the walls from end to end was carried down by his obedient vassals.”
#19
ز پرمایه چیزی که بد دلپذیر
✦
همی تاخت تا خره اردشیر
“Transporting the precious and magnificent spoils, he rode onward to Ardashir-Khurrah.”
#20
بکرد اندران کشور آتشکده
✦
بدو تازه شد مهرگان و سده
“There he established a grand Fire Temple, renewing the ancient splendor of Mehregan and Sadeh.”
#21
سپرد آن زمان کشور و تاج و تخت
✦
بدان میزبانان بیدار بخت
“He entrusted the realm, crown, and throne to vigilant and fortunate governors.”
#22
وزان جایگه رفت پیروز و شاد
✦
بگسترد بر کشور پارس داد
“Triumphant and joyful, he departed thence and spread righteousness across the land of Fars.”
#23
چو آسوده‌تر گشت مرد و ستور
✦
بیاورد لشکر سوی شهر گور
“When the warriors and their steeds had rested, he led his army toward the city of Gur.”
#24
به کرمان فرستاد چندی سپاه
✦
یکی مرد شایستهٔ تاج و گاه
“To Kerman he dispatched a mighty division under a worthy leader fit for command.”
#25
وزان جایگه شد سوی طیسفون
✦
سر بخت بدخواه کرده نگون
“From there he marched toward Ctesiphon, having cast down the fortune of every adversary.”
#26
چنین است رسم جهان جهان
✦
همی راز خویش از تو دارد نهان
“Such is the way of the ever-revolving world; it conceals its secret designs from mortal eyes.”
#27
نسازد تو ناچار با او بساز
✦
که روزی نشیب است و روزی فراز
“It will not adapt to thee, so adapt thou to it; for one day brings low estate, and another high elevation.”
#28
چو از گفتهٔ کرم پرداختم
✦
دری دیگر از اردشیر آختم
“Having finished the tale of the Worm, I now open another chapter of Ardashir's glorious deeds.”