#1
به دل گفت موبد که بد روزگار
✦
که فرمان چنین آمد از شهریار
“The Mobad pondered within his sorrowful heart: 'Dark is the turn of Fortune, for such a decree hath issued from the King.'”
#2
همه مرگ راییم برنا و پیر
✦
ندارد پسر شهریار اردشیر
“'Both young and old are destined for mortality, yet King Ardashir hath no male heir to inherit his crown.'”
#3
گر او بی‌عدد سالیان بشمرد
✦
به دشمن رسد تخت چون بگذرد
“'Though he should live unnumbered years, when he departs, the royal throne shall fall unto his enemies.'”
#4
همان به کزین کار ناسودمند
✦
به مردی یکی کار سازم بلند
“''Twas far better that from this fruitless command I fashion a noble and valiant deed.'”
#5
ز کشتن رهانم مر این ماه را
✦
مگر زین پشیمان کنم شاه را
“'I shall save this moon-faced maiden from death, perchance in time I may cause the King to repent of his wrath.'”
#6
هرانگه کزو بچه گردد جدا
✦
به جای آرم این گفتهٔ پادشا
“'When her child is safely brought into the world, I shall then carry out the King's command if need be.'”
#7
نه کاریست کز دل همی بگذرد
✦
خردمند باشم به از بی‌خرد
“'This is no light matter to pass over idly; better it is that I act with wisdom than with folly.'”
#8
بیاراست جایی به ایوان خویش
✦
که دارد ورا چون تن و جان خویش
“He prepared a hidden, tranquil chamber within his own palace, to guard her even as his own flesh and soul.”
#9
به زن گفت اگر هیچ باد هوا
✦
ببیند ورا من ندارم روا
“He charged his wife: 'I allow not even the passing breeze to set eyes upon her.'”
#10
پس اندیشه کرد آنک دشمن بسیست
✦
گمان بد و نیک با هرکسیست
“Then he reflected: 'Enemies are many, and evil suspicion lies latent in the hearts of men.'”
#11
یکی چاره سازم که بدگوی من
✦
نراند به زشت آب در جوی من
“'I must devise a remedy so that no slanderer may wash away my honor with vile malice.'”
#12
به خانه شد و خایه ببرید پست
✦
برو داغ و دارو نهاد و ببست
“He retired to his home and severed his manhood; then applied cautery and ointment and bound the wound.”
#13
به خایه نمک بر پراگند زود
✦
به حقه در آگند بر سان دود
“Straightway he sprinkled salt upon his severed testicles, and sealed them swift as smoke within a casket.”
#14
هم‌اندر زمان حقه را مهر کرد
✦
بیامد خروشان و رخساره زرد
“Instantly he affixed his seal upon the casket, then went forth lamenting, his face pale as ivory.”
#15
چو آمد به نزدیک تخت بلند
✦
همان حقه بنهاد با مهر و بند
“When he came before the high throne, he laid down the sealed and bound casket before the King.”
#16
چنین گفت با شاه کین زینهار
✦
سپارد به گنجور خود شهریار
“He spake to the King: 'Let the monarch entrust this sacred pledge into the keeping of his royal treasurer.'”
#17
نوشته بر آن حقه تاریخ آن
✦
پدیدار کرده بن و بیخ آن
“Upon the casket the date was inscribed, setting forth clearly its origin and nature.”