#1
بیامد به شبگیر دستور شاه
✦
همی کرد کودک به میدان سپاه
“At dawn, the king's minister arrived, bringing the child to the troops gathered on the polo field.”
#2
یکی جامه و چهر و بالا یکی
✦
که پیدا نبد این ازان اندکی
“They were all identical in clothes, face, and stature, so that no one could distinguish one from another.”
#3
به میدان تو گفتی یکی سور بود
✦
میان اندرون شاه شاپور بود
“You would say the field was filled with a feast, and in the middle of it stood Prince Shapur.”
#4
چو کودک به زخم اندر آورد گوی
✦
فزونی همی جست هر یک بدوی
“When a child struck the ball into play, each tried to outrun the other towards it.”
#5
بیامد به میدان پگاه اردشیر
✦
تنی چند از ویژگان ناگزیر
“Early in the morning, Ardashir came to the field, accompanied by a few of his indispensable companions.”
#6
نگه کرد و چون کودکان را بدید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“He looked and when he saw the children, he drew a cold sigh from his heart.”
#7
به انگشت بنمود با کدخدای
✦
که آمد یکی اردشیری به جای
“He pointed with his finger to the minister, saying, 'It seems another Ardashir has taken my place!'”
#8
بدو راهبر گفت کای پادشاه
✦
دلت شد به فرزند خود بر گواه
“The wise guide said to him, 'O King, your heart itself bears witness to your child.'”
#9
یکی بنده را گفت شاه اردشیر
✦
که رو گوی ایشان به چوگان بگیر
“King Ardashir said to a servant, 'Go and catch their ball with a polo stick.'”
#10
همی باش با کودکان تازه‌روی
✦
به چوگان به پیش من انداز گوی
“'Be cheerful among the children, and hit the ball right towards me with your mallet.'”
#11
ازان کودکان تا که آید دلیر
✦
میان سواران به کردار شیر
“'So that we may see which child will come forward boldly like a lion among the horsemen,'”
#12
ز دیدار من گوی بیرون برد
✦
ازین انجمن کس به کس نشمرد
“'And carry the ball away despite my presence, taking heed of no one in this assembly.'”
#13
بود بی‌گمان پاک فرزند من
✦
ز تخم و بر و پاک پیوند من
“'He will undoubtedly be my pure son, of my seed, my fruit, and my noble lineage.'”
#14
به فرمان بشد بندهٔ شهریار
✦
بزد گوی و افگند پیش سوار
“At the monarch's command, the servant went, struck the ball, and sent it before the riders.”
#15
دوان کودکان از پی او چو تیر
✦
چو گشتند نزدیک با اردشیر
“The children ran after it like arrows, but when they came close to Ardashir,”
#16
بماندند ناکام بر جای خویش
✦
چو شاپور گرد اندر آمد به پیش
“They stopped unwillingly in awe, while Shapur the brave stepped forward alone.”
#17
ز پیش پدر گوی بربود و برد
✦
چو شد دور مر کودکان را سپرد
“He snatched the ball from before his father and hit it far, then passed it back to the children.”
#18
ز شادی چنان شد دل اردشیر
✦
که گردد جوان مردم گشته پیر
“Ardashir's heart grew so filled with joy that an old man would feel young again.”
#19
سوارانش از خاک برداشتند
✦
همی دست بر دست بگذاشتند
“His riders lifted the boy from the ground, passing him joyfully from hand to hand.”
#20
شهنشاه زان پس گرفتش به بر
✦
همی آفرین خواند بر دادگر
“The Shahanshah then took him into his embrace and sang praise to the Just Creator.”
#21
سر و چشم و رویش ببوسید و گفت
✦
که چونین شگفتی نشاید نهفت
“He kissed his head, eyes, and face, saying, 'Such a marvel must not be kept hidden.'”
#22
به دل هرگز این یاد نگذاشتم
✦
که شاپور را کشته پنداشتم
“'I never expected this in my heart, for I believed Shapur was slain.'”
#23
چو یزدان مرا شهریاری فزود
✦
ز من در جهان یادگاری فزود
“'As God increased my kingship, He also gave me an enduring memory in this world.'”
#24
به فرمان او بر نیابی گذر
✦
وگر برتر آری ز خورشید سر
“'No one can bypass His divine decree, even if one raises his head above the sun.'”
#25
گهر خواست از گنج و دینار خواست
✦
گرانمایه یاقوت بسیار خواست
“He asked for gems and gold dinars from the treasury, and requested much precious ruby.”
#26
برو زر و گوهر بسی ریختند
✦
زبر مشک و عنبر بسی بیختند
“They showered gold and jewels upon him, and sprinkled much musk and ambergris from above.”
#27
ز دینار شد تارکش ناپدید
✦
ز گوهر کسی چهرهٔ او ندید
“His crown was hidden beneath dinars, and no one could see his face through the jewels.”
#28
به دستور بر نیز گوهر فشاند
✦
به کرسی زر پیکرش برنشاند
“He also showered gems upon his minister and seated him upon a golden throne.”
#29
ببخشید چندان ورا خواسته
✦
که شد کاخ و ایوانش آراسته
“He bestowed so much wealth upon him that his palace and halls were grandly decorated.”
#30
بفرمود تا دختر اردوان
✦
به ایوان شود شاد و روشن‌روان
“He commanded that the daughter of Ardavan come to the palace joyful and cheerful.”
#31
ببخشید کرده گناه ورا
✦
ز زنگار بزدود ماه ورا
“He forgave her past offense and wiped away the rust from her radiant moon-face.”
#32
بیاورد فرهنگیان را به شهر
✦
کسی کو ز فرزانگی داشت بهر
“He brought learned scholars to the city—anyone who had a share of wisdom.”
#33
نوشتن بیاموختش پهلوی
✦
نشست سرافرازی و خسروی
“They taught Shapur Pahlavi writing, royal manners, and majestic etiquette.”
#34
همان جنگ را گرد کرده عنان
✦
ز بالا به دشمن نمودن سنان
“As well as tactical riding in battle and aiming spears at the enemy from atop horse.”
#35
ز می خوردن و بخشش و کار بزم
✦
سپه جستن و کوشش روز رزم
“From wine-drinking, generosity, and feast etiquette to army movement and battle-striving.”
#36
وزان پس دگر کرد میخ درم
✦
همان میخ دینار و هر بیش و کم
“After that, he minted new silver coins (dirhams) and gold dinars of all denominations.”
#37
به یک روی بد نام شاه اردشیر
✦
به روی دگر نام فرخ وزیر
“On one side was the name of King Ardashir, and on the other, the name of the blessed minister.”
#38
گران خوار بد نام دستور شاه
✦
جهاندیده مردی نماینده راه
“The king's minister was honored as Gerankhvar—an experienced, world-seasoned guide.”
#39
نوشتند بر نامه‌ها هم‌چنین
✦
بدو داد فرمان و مهر و نگین
“They wrote his name on royal decrees, and the king gave him authority, seal, and signet.”
#40
ببخشید گنجی به درویش مرد
✦
که خوردش نبودی به جز کارکرد
“He granted treasury wealth to the poor who had no sustenance except through hard labor.”
#41
نگه کرد جایی که بد خارستان
✦
ازو کرد خرم یکی شارستان
“He surveyed a land filled with thorns and made a prosperous, flourishing city out of it.”
#42
کجا گندشاپور خواندی ورا
✦
جزین نام نامی نراندی ورا
“Which he named Gondishapur, and gave it no other noble title besides.”