#1
به شبگیر شاپور یل برنشست
✦
همی رفت جوشان کمانی به دست
“At early dawn, Shapur the hero mounted his steed, riding forth impetuously with bow in hand.”
#2
سیه جوشن خسروی در برش
✦
درفشان درفش سیه بر سرش
“Clad in a dark royal cuirass, with a shining black banner floating above his head.”
#3
ز دیوار دژ مالکه بنگرید
✦
درفش و سر نامداران بدید
“From the fortress wall, Malekeh looked down, beholding the banner and the chief warriors of renown.”
#4
چو گل رنگ رخسار و چون مشک موی
✦
به رنگ طبرخون گل مشک بوی
“Her cheeks were rose-hued and her hair like musk, vibrant as red judas-blossoms and fragrant as fresh blooms.”
#5
بشد خواب و آرام زان خوب چهر
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بر دایه شد با دلی پر ز مهر
“Sleep and composure fled from that fair-faced maiden; she went to her nurse with a heart brimming with love.”
#6
بدو گفت کین شاه خورشیدفش
✦
که ایدر بیامد چنین کینه‌کش
“She said to her: 'This sun-like king who has come hither seeking vengeance,'”
#7
بزرگی او چون نهان منست
✦
جهان خوانمش کو جهان منست
“'His greatness mirrors my inner soul; I call him my world, for he indeed is my world.'”
#8
پیامی ز من نزد شاپور بر
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به رزم آمدست او ز من سور بر
“'Bear a secret message from me to Shapur; though he came for war, carry him news of delight from me.'”
#9
بگویش که با تو ز یک گوهرم
✦
هم از تخم نرسی کنداورم
“'Tell him: I am of the same noble lineage as you, descended from the brave and royal seed of Narseh.'”
#10
همان نیز با کین نه هم گوشه‌ام
✦
که خویش توام دختر نوشه‌ام
“'Nor am I aligned with this enmity against you, for I am your kin, the daughter of Nusha.'”
#11
مرا گر بخواهی حصار آن تست
✦
چو ایوان بیابی نگار آن تست
“'If you take me as your bride, this fortress is yours; once you gain the hall, its fair maiden shall be yours.'”
#12
برین کار با دایه پیمان کنی
✦
زبان در بزرگی گروگان کنی
“'Make a solemn pledge with my nurse in this matter, binding your word in majesty and honor.'”
#13
بدو دایه گفت آنچ فرمان دهی
✦
بگویم بیارمت زو آگهی
“The nurse replied to her: 'Whatever you command, I shall deliver, and bring back tidings from him.'”
#14
چو شب در زمین پادشاهی گرفت
✦
ز دریا به دریا سپاهی گرفت
“When night assumed sovereignty over the earth, spreading its shadow like an army from sea to sea,”
#15
زمین تیره‌گون کوه چون نیل شد
✦
ستاره به کردار قندیل شد
“The earth turned pitch-dark, the mountains resembled indigo blue, and the stars hung like glowing chandeliers.”
#16
تو گویی که شمعست سیصدهزار
✦
بیاویخته ز آسمان حصار
“You would say three hundred thousand candles were suspended from the heavenly fortress walls.”
#17
بشد دایه لرزان پر از ترس و بیم
✦
ز طایر همی شد دلش بدو نیم
“Trembling with fear and dread, the nurse set out, her heart split in two with fear of Tayer.”
#18
چو آمد به نزدیک پرده‌سرای
✦
خرامید نزدیک آن پاک‌رای
“When she drew near the royal tent curtain, she advanced towards the pure-minded king.”
#19
بدو گفت اگر نزد شاهم بری
✦
بیابی ز من تاج و انگشتری
“She said to the chamberlain: 'If you lead me before the king, you shall receive from me a crown and a ring.'”
#20
هشیوار سالار بارش ببرد
✦
ز دهلیز پرده بر شاه گرد
“The prudent commander granted her audience, bringing the battle-tested king word from the outer corridor.”
#21
بیامد زمین را به مژگان برفت
✦
سخن هرچ بشنید با شاه گفت
“She entered, sweeping the ground with her eyelashes, and faithfully reported all she had heard to the king.”
#22
ز گفتار او شاد شد شهریار
✦
بخندید و دینار دادش هزار
“The sovereign was overjoyed by her words; he smiled and bestowed upon her a thousand dinars.”
#23
دو یاره یکی طوق و انگشتری
✦
ز دیبای چینی و از بربری
“Along with two bracelets, a necklace, a signet ring, and rich silks of China and Barbary.”
#24
چنین داد پاسخ که با ماه روی
✦
به خوبی سخنها فراوان بگوی
“He replied: 'Speak many gentle words to that moon-faced damsel on my behalf.'”
#25
بگویش که گفت او به خورشید و ماه
✦
به زنار و زردشت و فرخ کلاه
“'Tell her: He swore by the sun and moon, by the holy girdle, Zoroaster, and the auspicious crown,'”
#26
که هر چیز کز من بخواهی همی
✦
گر از پادشاهی بکاهی همی
“'That whatever you ask of me, even if it diminishes my sovereign kingdom,'”
#27
ز من هیچ بد نشنود گوش تو
✦
نجویم جدایی ز آغوش تو
“'Your ear shall never hear any evil from me, nor shall I ever seek separation from your embrace.'”
#28
خریدارم او را به تخت و کلاه
✦
به فرمان یزدان و گنج و سپاه
“'I desire her with throne and crown, by the command of Yazdan, with all my treasure and army.'”
#29
چو بشنید پاسخ هم اندر زمان
✦
ز پرده بیامد بر دژ دوان
“Having received the reply, the nurse immediately departed from the pavilion and ran back toward the fortress.”
#30
شنیده بران سرو سیمین بگفت
✦
که خورشید ناهید را گشت جفت
“She related all she had heard to that silver cypress, proclaiming that the Sun had now become the mate of Venus.”
#31
ز بالا و دیدار شاپور شاه
✦
بگفت آنچ آمد به تابنده ماه
“She recounted the grandeur, stature, and majestic countenance of King Shapur to the radiant moon.”