As the days of King Bahram, son of Ormazd, drew to their close and the shears of fate loomed over him, he summoned his beloved son, Bahram son of Bahram, who was the delight of his heart. Seating the youth beneath the grand throne, the dying monarch imparted his final testament of wisdom: "O green branch of this royal tree, my time upon the throne of power was brief and unfulfilled, yet I pray that all your days may be blessed and auspicious. Live in peace and joy, increase in righteousness, and spend your nights and days in harmony. Render the realm prosperous through justice and bounty, and bring cheer to the hearts of your subjects. Walk in such uprightness that when questioned on the Day of Reckoning, you need not turn your head in shame before the Almighty. For this fleeting world remains forever to no one—neither to crowned kings nor to wise high priests."
Thus, after a reign of three years, three months, and three days, the radiant throne stood vacant of King Bahram son of Ormazd as his soul departed. His dutiful son laid his body to rest within a royal tomb and ascended the throne. Such has been the way of the high heavens since time began; no mortal escapes the narrow confines of the coffin, and facing the wolfish nature of death, one can only raise a brimming goblet to wash away the sorrows of a transient world.
#1
برو نیز بگذشت سال دراز
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سر تاجور اندر آمد به گاز
“Upon him also many long years passed by, until the crowned head was brought into the pressing shears of fate.”
#2
یکی پور بودش دلارام بود
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ورا نام بهرام بهرام بود
“He had a beloved son who brought comfort to his heart, named Bahram, the son of Bahram.”
#3
بیاورد و بنشاندش زیر تخت
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بدو گفت کای سبز شاخ درخت
“He brought him forth and seated him beneath the throne, saying to him: "O green branch of the royal tree!”
#4
نبودم فراوان من از تخت شاد
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همه روزگار تو فرخنده باد
“I enjoyed no lengthy bliss upon this throne; may all your days be blessed and fortunate.”
#5
سراینده باش و فزاینده باش
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شب و روز بآرامش و خنده باش
“Be joyful, generous, and ever-thriving; spend your nights and days in tranquility and laughter.”
#6
چنان رو که پرسند روز شمار
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نپیچی سر از شرم پروردگار
“Walk in such righteousness that when questioned on the Day of Reckoning, you turn not your head away in shame before the Lord.”
#7
به داد و دهش گیتی آباد دار
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دل زیردستان خود شاد دار
“Keep the world prosperous through justice and bounty, and bring joy to the hearts of those beneath your rule.”
#8
که برکس نماند جهان جاودان
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نه بر تاجدار و نه بر موبدان
“For this world remains forever to no one—neither to the crown-wearer nor to the Zoroastrian high priests.”
#9
تو از چرخ گردان مدان این ستم
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چو از باد چندی گذاری به دم
“Deem not this cruelty to be solely from the spinning sky, for like the wind, you pass through life in a brief breath.”
#10
به سه سال و سه ماه و بر سر سه روز
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تهی ماند زو تخت گیتی فروز
“After three years, three months, and three days, the world-illuminating throne was left vacant of him.”
#11
چو بهرام گیتی به بهرام داد
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پسر مر ورا دخمه آرام داد
“When Bahram passed the realm to Bahram, the son granted him rest within a royal tomb.”
#12
چنین بود تا بود چرخ بلند
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به اندُه چه داری دلت را نژند
“Such has been the way of the high heavens since time began; why then sadden your heart with grief?”
#13
چه گویی چه جویی چه شاید بُدَن
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برین داستانی نشاید زدن
“What would you say, what do you seek, and what can truly be? Upon this tale, no further story can be fashioned.”
#14
روانت گر از آز فرتوت نیست
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نشست تو جز تنگ تابوت نیست
“Unless your soul is decayed by greed, know that your final dwelling is naught but a narrow coffin.”
#15
اگر مرگ دارد چنین طبع گرگ
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پر از می یکی جام خواهم بزرگ
“Since death possesses such a wolfish nature, I crave a goblet brimful of grand wine.”