For thirty years and two months, King Shapur ruled the realm of Iran with splendor, wisdom, and justice. But as time reached its appointed hour, the divine crown grew heavy and his royal glory began to fade. Feeling the chill of death approach, the dying monarch summoned his son and heir, Ormazd, who stood before him radiant as a solitary flower amidst a wild field. Shapur bestowed upon his young successor the sacred testament of Iranian kingship: to remain ever vigilant, to honor the wisdom of elders, to study night and day the legendary Book of King Jamshid, to protect the vulnerable, and to govern with justice and open-handed generosity—just as he himself had learned from his illustrious father, Ardashir. As his final counsel echoed through the hall, Shapur's face grew pale, and his spirit departed the mortal realm, leaving Ormazd heartbroken. The epic pauses to contemplate the transience of all earthly grandeur: this fleeting world leaves even kings with nothing save a narrow coffin, urging mortals to turn their hearts toward Yazdan, the sole Provider and Guide of all creation.
#1
همی بود شاپور با داد و رای
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بلنداختر و تخت شاهی به جای
“Shapur abode in justice and wisdom, his star exalted and his royal throne secure.”
#2
چو سی سال بگذشت بر سر دو ماه
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پراگنده شد فر و اورنگ شاه
“When thirty years and two months had passed over him, the King's glory and divine throne began to fade.”
#3
بفرمود تا رفت پیش اورمزد
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بدو گفت کای چون گل اندر فرزد
“He bade Ormazd come before him, and said to him: 'O thou who art like a rose amidst the weeds,”
#4
تو بیدار باش و جهاندار باش
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جهاندیدگان را خریدار باش
“Be vigilant and guard the world; seek out and honor the experienced elders.'”
#5
نگر تا به شاهی ندارد امید
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بخوان روز و شب دفتر جمشید
“'Ensure that none entertain false hopes of kingship, and read night and day the Book of Jamshid.'”
#6
بجز داد و خوبی مکن در جهان
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پناه کهان باش و فر مهان
“'Do nothing in the world save justice and goodness; be the shelter of the lowly and the glory of the great.'”
#7
به دینار کم ناز و بخشنده باش
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همان دادده باش و فرخنده باش
“'Take little pride in wealth, be generous; be a dispenser of justice and ever blessed.'”
#8
مزن بر کم‌آزار بانگ بلند
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چو خواهی که بختت بود یارمند
“'Raise not a harsh voice against the harmless, if thou desirest fortune to be thy companion.'”
#9
همه پند من سربسر یادگیر
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چنان هم که من دارم از اردشیر
“'Keep all my counsels in thy heart, even as I remembered the advice of Ardashir.'”
#10
بگفت این و رنگ رخش زرد گشت
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دل مرد برنا پر از درد گشت
“He spoke these words, and his face turned pale; the heart of the young prince was filled with pain.”
#11
چه سازی همی زین سرای سپنج
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چه نازی به نام و چه نازی به گنج
“What art thou building in this transitory inn? Why pride thyself on fame, why pride thyself on treasure?”
#12
ترا تنگ تابوت بهرست و بس
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خورد گنج تو ناسزاوار کس
“A narrow coffin is thy only share; unworthy hands shall consume thy riches.”
#13
نگیرد ز تو یاد فرزند تو
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نه نزدیک خویشان و پیوند تو
“Thy child shall not remember thee, nor shall thy kin and kinsmen.”
#14
ز میراث دشنام باشدت بهر
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همه زهر شد پاسخ پای‌زهر
“Thy inheritance shall bring thee curses; the antidote hath turned entirely to poison.”
#15
به یزدان گرای و سخن زو فزای
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که اویست روزی ده و رهنمای
“Turn unto Yazdan and speak ever of Him, for He is the sole Provider and Guide.”
#16
درود تو بر گور پیغمبرش
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که صلوات تاجست بر منبرش
“Send thy blessings upon the tomb of His Prophet, whose prayer is a crown upon the pulpit.”