#1
چو بر زد سر از برج شیر آفتاب
✦
ببالید روز و بپالود خواب
“When the sun raised its head from the constellation of Leo, the day grew bright and sleep was dispelled.”
#2
به جشن آمدند آنک بودی به شهر
✦
بزرگان جوینده از جشن بهر
“The grandees of the city came to the feast, seeking their share of the joyous celebration.”
#3
کنیزک سوی چاره بنهاد روی
✦
چنانچون بود مردم چاره‌جوی
“The maiden turned her mind toward resourceful action, as befits a clever seeker of solutions.”
#4
چو ایوان خالی به چنگ آمدش
✦
دل شیر و چنگ و پلنگ آمدش
“When the hall was left unattended, she found in herself the heart of a lion, the claws of a leopard.”
#5
دو اسپ گرانمایه ز آخر ببرد
✦
گزیده سلیح سواران گرد
“She took two precious steeds from the stable, along with the finest armor of brave warriors.”
#6
ز دینار چندانک بایست نیز
✦
ز خوشاب و یاقوت و هرگونه چیز
“She also took as many gold dinars as needed, along with pure pearls, rubies, and all manner of jewels.”
#7
چو آمد همه ساز رفتن به جای
✦
شب آمد دو تن راست کردند رای
“When all preparations for departure were ready and night arrived, the two resolved upon their journey.”
#8
سوی شهر ایران نهادند روی
✦
دو خرم نهان شاد و آرامجوی
“Toward the land of Iran they set their face, two happy lovers, joyful and seeking peace.”
#9
شب و روز یکسر همی تاختند
✦
به خواب و به خوردن نپرداختند
“Night and day they rode without pause, caring neither for sleep nor for food.”
#10
برین‌گونه از شهر بر خورستان
✦
همی راند تا کشور سورستان
“In this manner he rode from the territory of Khuzestan straight into the country of Suristan.”
#11
چو اسب و تن از تاختن گشت سست
✦
فرود آمدن را همی جای جست
“When both horse and body grew weary from riding, he looked for a place to dismount and rest.”
#12
دهی خرم آمد به پیشش به راه
✦
پر از باغ و میدان و پر جشنگاه
“A prosperous village appeared before him on the road, full of gardens, open fields, and festive grounds.”
#13
تن از رنج خسته گریزان ز بد
✦
بیامد در باغبانی بزد
“With a body weary from hardship and fleeing from harm, he went and knocked upon a gardener's door.”
#14
بیامد دمان مرد پالیزبان
✦
که هم نیک‌دل بود و هم میزبان
“The gardener came forth swiftly, a man who was both good-hearted and a gracious host.”
#15
دو تن دیده با نیزه و درع و خود
✦
ز شاپور پرسید هست این درود
“Seeing two people equipped with spears, cuirasses, and helmets, he asked Shapur: 'Is this a peaceful greeting?'”
#16
بدین بیگهی از کجا خاستی
✦
چنین تاختن را بیاراستی
“'At such an unseemly hour, whence have you come, riding in such great haste?'”
#17
بدو گفت شاپور کای نیک‌خواه
✦
سخن چند پرسی ز گم کرده راه
“Shapur said to him: 'O well-wisher, why ask so many questions of a lost wanderer?'”
#18
یکی مرد ایرانیم راه‌جوی
✦
گریزان بدین مرز بنهاده روی
“'I am an Iranian man seeking my path, fleeing and turning my face toward this border.'”
#19
پر از دردم از قیصر و لشکرش
✦
مبادا که بینم سر و افسرش
“'My heart is full of pain because of Caesar and his army; may I never look upon his head and crown again!'”
#20
گر امشب مرا میزبانی کنی
✦
هشیواری و مرزبانی کنی
“'If you host me tonight with vigilance and protective care,'”
#21
برآنم که روزی به کار آیدت
✦
درختی که کشتی به بار آیدت
“'I believe that one day it will serve you well; the tree you plant will bear fruitful rewards.'”
#22
بدو باغبان گفت کین خان تست
✦
تن باغبان نیز مهمان تست
“The gardener replied: 'This home is yours; the gardener himself is but your guest.'”
#23
بدان چیز کاید مرا دست‌رس
✦
بکوشم بیارم نگویم به کس
“'Whatever lies within my reach, I shall strive to bring, telling no soul of your presence.'”
#24
فرود آمد از باره شاپور شاه
✦
کنیزک همی رفت با او به راه
“King Shapur dismounted from his steed, and the maiden walked alongside him.”
#25
خورش ساخت چندان زن باغبان
✦
ز هر گونه چندانک بودش توان
“The gardener's wife prepared food, as much and of as many kinds as she was able.”
#26
چو نان خورده شد کار می ساختند
✦
سبک مایه جایی بپرداختند
“When the bread was eaten, they prepared wine, setting up a modest drinking place.”
#27
سبک باغبان می به شاپور داد
✦
که بردار ازان کس که آیدت یاد
“The gardener promptly offered wine to Shapur, saying: 'Drink in memory of whomsoever you cherish.'”
#28
بدو گفت شاپور کای میزبان
✦
سخن‌گوی و پرمایه پالیزبان
“Shapur said to him: 'O host, eloquent and noble tiller of orchards,'”
#29
کسی کو می آرد نخست او خورد
✦
چو بیشش بود سالیان و خرد
“'He who brings the wine should drink first, especially if he is greater in years and wisdom.'”
#30
تو از من به سال اندکی برتری
✦
تو باید که چون می دهی می خوری
“'You are somewhat senior to me in age; it is fitting that as you serve wine, you drink as well.'”
#31
بدو باغبان گفت کای پرهنر
✦
نخست آن خورد می که با زیب‌تر
“The gardener said to him: 'O accomplished one, he who is more adorned with beauty should drink first.'”
#32
تو باید که باشی برین پیش رو
✦
که پیری به فرهنگ و بر سال نو
“'You ought to take precedence here, for though young in years, you are old in culture and wisdom.'”
#33
همی بوی تاج آید از موی تو
✦
همی رنگ عاج آید از روی تو
“'The scent of the crown comes from your hair; the pale lustre of ivory shines upon your face.'”
#34
بخندید شاپور و بستد نبید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“Shapur laughed, accepted the wine, and drew a cold sigh from his breast.”
#35
به پالیزبان گفت کای پاک‌دین
✦
چه آگاهی استت ز ایران زمین
“He said to the orchard-keeper: 'O pure-hearted man, what news do you have of the land of Iran?'”
#36
چنین دادپاسخ که ای برمنش
✦
ز تو دور بادا بد بدکنش
“He answered: 'O noble spirit, may the harm of evil-doers be far from you!'”
#37
به بدخواه ما باد چندان زیان
✦
که از قیصر آمد به ایرانیان
“'May our ill-wishers suffer as much loss as came upon the Iranians from Caesar!'”
#38
از ایران پراگنده شد هرک بود
✦
نماند اندران بوم کشت و درود
“'Everyone in Iran has been scattered; no crops or harvests remain in that land.'”
#39
ز بس غارت و کشتن مرد و زن
✦
پراگنده گشت آن بزرگ انجمن
“'From so much pillage and slaughter of men and women, that great assembly was dissolved.'”
#40
وزیشان بسی نیز ترسا شدند
✦
به زنار پیش سکوبا شدند
“And many of them turned Christian, taking the sacred cord before the bishops.”
#41
بسی جاثلیقی به سر بر کلاه
✦
به دور از بر و بوم و آرامگاه
“Many a Catholicos wears the priest's hat, far removed from his border, home, and resting place.”
#42
بدو گفت شاپور شاه اورمزد
✦
که رخشان بدی همچو ماه اورمزد
“Shapur asked him: 'Where is King Shapur, son of Hormizd, who shone like the moon of the month of Hormizd?'”
#43
کجا شد که قیصر چنین چیره شد
✦
ز بخت آب ایرانیان تیره شد
“'How did Caesar become so victorious, and why did fortune turn dark for the Iranians?'”
#44
بدو باغبان گفت کای سرفراز
✦
ترا جاودان مهتری باد و ناز
“The gardener said: 'O exalted one, may greatness and joy be yours forever!'”
#45
ازو مرده و زنده جایی نشان
✦
نیامد به ایران بدان سرکشان
“'No trace of him, dead or alive, has reached those chieftains in Iran.'”
#46
هرانکس که بودند ز آبادبوم
✦
اسیرند سرتاسر اکنون به روم
“'All who were from those prosperous lands are now captives entirely in Rome.'”
#47
برین زار بگریست پالیزبان
✦
که بود آن زمان شاه را میزبان
“The gardener wept bitterly at this, he who was the host of the King at that moment.”
#48
بدو میزبان گفت کایدر سه روز
✦
بباشی بود خانه گیتی فروز
“The host said to him: 'Remain here three days; this house shall illuminate the world for you.'”
#49
که دانا زد این داستان از نخست
✦
که هرکس که آزرم مهمان نجست
“'For the wise man uttered this proverb of old: Whoever does not honor his guest,'”
#50
نباشد خرد هیچ نزدیک اوی
✦
نیاز آورد بخت تاریک اوی
“'Has no wisdom near him, and his dark fortune shall bring him poverty.'”
#51
بباش و بیاسای و می خور به کام
✦
چو گردد دلت رام بر گوی نام
“'Stay and rest, drink wine to your heart's desire; when your heart is at ease, speak your true name.'”
#52
بدو گفت شاپور کاری رواست
✦
به مابر کنون میزبان پادشاست
“Shapur said to him: 'This request is fitting; now the host is sovereign over us.'”