#1
کنون پرشگفتی یکی داستان
✦
بپیوندم از گفتهٔ باستان
“Now I shall weave a story full of wonder, drawn from the lore of ancient times.”
#2
نگه کن که مر سام را روزگار
✦
چه بازی نمود ای پسر گوش دار
“Behold what games Destiny played with Sam; give ear, O son, to this mystery.”
#3
نبود ایچ فرزند مر سام را
✦
دلش بود جویندهٔ کام را
“Sam possessed no child to carry his line, though his heart yearned constantly for his desire.”
#4
نگاری بُد اندر شبستان اوی
✦
ز گلبرگ رخ داشت و ز مشک موی
“There was a fair maiden in his royal bower, with cheeks like rose-petals and hair like musk.”
#5
از آن ماهش امید فرزند بود
✦
که خورشید‌چهر و برومند بود
“From that moon-like beauty he hoped for a child, for she was sun-faced and fruitful.”
#6
ز سام نریمان هم او بار داشت
✦
ز بار گران تنش آزار داشت
“She conceived a child by Sam the Hero, and her body felt the heavy strain of her burden.”
#7
ز مادر جدا شد بر آن چند روز
✦
نگاری چو خورشید گیتی‌فروز
“When her days were fulfilled, she gave birth to a babe bright as the world-illuminating sun.”
#8
به چهره چنان بود تابنده شید
✦
ولیکن همه موی بودش سپید
“In visage he was radiant as the sun, yet all the hair upon his head was white as snow.”
#9
پسر چون ز مادر بر آن گونه زاد
✦
نکردند یک هفته بر سام یاد
“When the son was born in such a manner, for a whole week none dared mention him to Sam.”
#10
شبستان آن نامور پهلوان
✦
همه پیش آن خرد کودک نوان
“The entire harem of that famous champion wept in sorrow before that little child.”
#11
کسی سام یل را نیارست گفت
✦
که فرزند پیر آمد از خوب‌جفت
“None dared tell the valiant Sam that an old-haired child was born of his fair bride.”
#12
یکی دایه بودش به کردار شیر
✦
بر پهلوان اندر آمد دلیر
“He had a nurse with the courage of a lion; she boldly came before the champion,”
#13
که بر سام یل روز فرخنده باد
✦
دل بدسگالان او کنده باد
“Saying: 'May this day be auspicious for valiant Sam, and may the heart of his ill-wishers be torn out!”
#14
پس پردهٔ تو در ای نامجوی
✦
یکی پور پاک آمد از ماه‌روی
“Behind your curtain, O seeker of renown, a pure son has been born to a moon-faced mother.”
#15
تنش نقرهٔ سیم و رخ چون بهشت
✦
بر او بر نبینی یک اندام زشت
“His body is pure silver and his face like paradise; you will not see a single ugly limb upon him.”
#16
از آهو همان کش سپید است موی
✦
چنین بود بخش تو ای نامجوی
“His only flaw is that his hair is white; such was your lot, O seeker of fame!'”
#17
فرود آمد از تخت سام سوار
✦
به پرده درآمد سوی نو بهار
“Sam the horseman descended from his throne and entered the inner bower to see the newborn.”
#18
چو فرزند را دید مویش سپید
✦
ببود از جهان سر به سر ناامید
“When he saw his child with white hair, he became entirely hopeless of the world.”
#19
سوی آسمان سر برآورد راست
✦
ز دادآور آنگاه فریاد خواست
“He turned his face straight toward the heavens and raised his cry unto the Just God:”
#20
که ای برتر از کژی و کاستی
✦
بهی زان فزاید که تو خواستی
“'O You who are above all defect and flaw! Goodness increases only through Your divine will.”
#21
اگر من گناهی گران کرده‌ام
✦
و گر کیش آهرمن آورده‌ام
“If I have committed a heavy sin, or if I have inclined toward the faith of Ahriman,”
#22
به پوزش مگر کردگار جهان
✦
به من بر ببخشاید اندر نهان
“May the Creator of the world secretly forgive me upon my sincere repentance.”
#23
بپیچد همی تیره جانم ز شرم
✦
بجوشد همی در دلم خون گرم
“My dark soul twists in shame, and warm blood boils in my heart.”
#24
چو آیند و پرسند گردن‌کشان
✦
چه گویم از این بچهٔ بدنشان؟
“When proud nobles come and ask, what shall I say of this ill-omened child?”
#25
چه گویم که این بچهٔ دیو چیست؟
✦
پلنگ و دو رنگ است و گر نه پری‌ست
“What shall I say this demon-child is? Is it a leopard, a two-toned beast, or a fairy birth?'”
#26
از این ننگ بگذارم ایران زمین
✦
نخواهم بر این بوم و بر آفرین
“'For this disgrace I shall leave the land of Iran; I want no praise upon this territory!'”
#27
بفرمود پس تاش برداشتند
✦
از آن بوم و بر دور بگذاشتند
“He commanded then that they lift the babe and leave him far away from that land.”
#28
به جایی که سیمرغ را خانه بود
✦
بدان خانه این خرد بیگانه بود
“To the place where the Simorgh made her home, this helpless babe was brought as a stranger.”
#29
نهادند بر کوه و گشتند باز
✦
برآمد بر این روزگاری دراز
“They laid him upon the mountain and turned back, and a long time passed over this.”
#30
چنان پهلوان زادهٔ بی‌گناه
✦
ندانست رنگ سپید از سیاه
“That innocent, high-born child knew not the difference between white and black.”
#31
پدر مهر و پیوند بفگند خوار
✦
جفا کرد بر کودک شیرخوار
“His father cast away all love and kinship, showing cruelty toward his suckling child.”
#32
یکی داستان زد بر این نرّه شیر
✦
کجا بچه را کرده بد شیر سیر
“A proverb was spoken concerning a male lion that had nursed a cub to fullness:”
#33
که گر من تو را خون دل دادمی
✦
سپاس ایچ بر سرت ننهادمی
“'Even if I fed you with my heart's blood, I would place no obligation upon your head,”
#34
که تو خود مرا دیده و هم دلی
✦
دلم بگسلد گر ز من بگسلی
“For you are my eyes and my very soul; my heart would break if you were severed from me.'”
#35
چو سیمرغ را بچه شد گرْسنه
✦
به پرواز بر شد دمان از بنه
“When the Simorgh's chicks grew hungry, she flew up swiftly from her nest.”
#36
یکی شیرخواره خروشنده دید
✦
زمین را چو دریای جوشنده دید
“She beheld a crying suckling babe; she saw the earth churning like a boiling sea beneath him.”
#37
ز خاراش گهواره و دایه خاک
✦
تن از جامه دور و لب از شیر پاک
“Hard rock was his cradle and the dust his nurse; his body lacked clothes and his lips lacked milk.”
#38
به گرد اندرش تیره خاک نژند
✦
به سر برش خورشید گشته بلند
“Dark and dreary dust surrounded him, while the sun beat fiercely above his head.”
#39
پلنگش بدی کاشکی مام و باب
✦
مگر سایه‌ای یافتی ز آفتاب
“Would that a leopard had been his father and mother, so he might at least find shade from the burning sun!”
#40
فرود آمد از ابر سیمرغ و چنگ
✦
بزد برگرفتش از آن گرم سنگ
“The Simorgh swooped down from the clouds and gripped him in her talons, lifting him from the burning stone.”
#41
ببردش دمان تا به البرز کوه
✦
که بودش بدانجا کنام و گروه
“She carried him swiftly to Mount Alborz, where her nest and nestlings dwelt.”
#42
سوی بچگان برد تا بشکرند
✦
بدان نالهٔ زار او ننگرند
“She brought him to her fledglings to prey upon, paying no heed to his bitter wailing.”
#43
ببخشود یزدان نیکی‌دهش
✦
کجا بودنی داشت اندر بوش
“Yet the good-bestowing Lord showed mercy, for destiny had decreed his survival.”
#44
نگه کرد سیمرغ با بچّگان
✦
بر آن خرد خون از دو دیده چکان
“The Simorgh and her young looked upon that little child, whose eyes were dripping tears of blood.”
#45
شگفتی بر او بر فگندند مهر
✦
بماندند خیره بدان خوب چهر
“A wondrous love took hold of them, and they remained spellbound by his beautiful face.”
#46
شکاری که نازک‌تر آن برگزید
✦
که بی‌شیر مهمان همی خون مزید
“It selected the tenderest prey for him, so that the milkless guest sucked blood instead of milk.”
#47
بدین گونه تا روزگاری دراز
✦
برآورد داننده بگشاد راز
“In this manner a long age passed, until God, Who knoweth all secrets, revealed the hidden truth.”
#48
چو آن کودک خرد پر مایه گشت
✦
بر آن کوه بر روزگاری گذشت
“When that small child grew noble and strong, and much time elapsed upon that mountain peak,”
#49
یکی مرد شد چون یکی زاد سرو
✦
برش کوه سیمین میانش چو غرو
“He grew into a youth like a tall cypress tree, his chest like a silver mountain and his waist slender as a reed.”
#50
نشانش پراگنده شد در جهان
✦
بد و نیک هرگز نماند نهان
“News of him spread across the world, for good and evil can never remain concealed forever.”
#51
به سام نریمان رسید آگهی
✦
از آن نیک پی پور با فرّهی
“Tidings reached Sam, son of Nariman, regarding that fortunate and gloriously endowed son.”
#52
شبی از شبان داغ دل خفته بود
✦
ز کار زمانه برآشفته بود
“One night among nights, he lay heart-sore in sleep, distressed by the turns of Fortune.”
#53
چنان دید در خواب کز هندوان
✦
یکی مرد بر تازی اسپ دوان
“He saw in a dream that from the lands of India a rider came galloping upon a swift Arabian steed,”
#54
ورا مژده دادی به فرزند او
✦
بر آن برز شاخ برومند او
“Bringing him glad tidings of his abandoned child, that fruitful branch of his tall tree.”
#55
چو بیدار شد موبدان را بخواند
✦
از این در سخن چند گونه براند
“When Sam awoke, he summoned the Mobads and spoke with them at length regarding this vision.”
#56
چه گویید گفت اندر این داستان؟
✦
خردتان بر این هست هم‌داستان؟
“He asked, "What say ye regarding this story? Does your wisdom agree with this revelation?"”
#57
هر آنکس که بودند پیر و جوان
✦
زبان برگشادند بر پهلوان
“All who were gathered, old and young alike, opened their mouths to reproach the hero:”
#58
که بر سنگ و بر خاک شیر و پلنگ
✦
چه ماهی به دریا درون با نهنگ
“"Lo! Be it lion or leopard on rock and earth, or fish and sea-monster in the deep water,”
#59
همه بچه را پروراننده‌اند
✦
ستایش به یزدان رساننده‌اند
“All nourish their own young and offer praise unto the Lord for their offspring.”
#60
تو پیمان نیکی دهش بشکنی
✦
چنان بی‌گنه بچه را بفگنی
“Yet thou didst break the covenant of the Benevolent Creator, abandoning such an innocent child!"”
#61
به یزدان کنون سوی پوزش گرای
✦
که اوی است بر نیکویی رهنمای
“"Turn now to God in earnest repentance, for He alone is the guide unto all goodness."”
#62
چو شب تیره شد رای خواب آمدش
✦
از اندیشهٔ دل شتاب آمدش
“When dark night fell, he sought sleep again, driven by the anxious longing of his heart.”
#63
چنان دید در خواب کز کوه هَند
✦
درفشی برافراشتندی بلند
“He saw in a dream that upon the mountain of India, a grand banner was raised high;”
#64
جوانی پدید آمدی خوب‌روی
✦
سپاهی گران از پس پشت اوی
“A handsome youth appeared, followed by a formidable and mighty army.”
#65
به دست چپش بر یکی موبدی
✦
سوی راستش نامور بخردی
“On his left stood a learned Mobad, and on his right a renowned wise counselor.”
#66
یکی پیش سام آمدی زان دو مرد
✦
زبان بر گشادی به گفتار سرد
“One of those two men stepped forward to Sam and opened his mouth in harsh reproach:”
#67
که ای مرد بی‌باک ناپاک رای
✦
دل و دیده شسته ز شرم خدای
“"O reckless man of wicked mind, who hast washed thy heart and eyes clean of the fear of God!”
#68
تو را دایه گر مرغ شاید همی
✦
پس این پهلوانی چه باید همی
“If a wild bird must serve as nurse for thy child, of what use is all thy knightly prowess?”
#69
گر آهو است بر مرد موی سپید
✦
تو را ریش و سر گشت چون خنگ بید
“If white hair be a fault in a man, look at thine own head and beard, now pale as a willow branch!”
#70
پس از آفریننده بیزار شو
✦
که در تنتْ هر روز رنگی‌ست نو
“Turn thy back then upon the Creator, since every day He bestows a new state and shade upon thy body!”
#71
پسر گر به نزدیک تو بود خوار
✦
کنون هست پروردهٔ کردگار
“Though thy son was vile in thy sight, he is now nurtured by the Almighty Lord Himself;”
#72
کز او مهربان‌تر ورا دایه نیست
✦
تو را خود به مهر اندرون مایه نیست
“For he could find no nurse more loving than Him, while thou thyself art void of all tender affection."”
#73
به خواب اندرون بر خروشید سام
✦
چو شیر ژیان کاندر آید به دام
“Sam roared out in his sleep, like a raging lion caught in a snare.”
#74
چو بیدار شد بخردان را بخواند
✦
سران سپه را همه برنشاند
“When he awoke, he summoned the wise men and bade all the captains of his host mount their steeds.”
#75
بیامد دمان سوی آن کوهسار
✦
که افگندگان را کند خواستار
“He sped swiftly toward that mountain range, eager to seek out his discarded son.”
#76
سر اندر ثریا یکی کوه دید
✦
که گفتی ستاره بخواهد کشید
“He beheld a mountain whose peak reached into the Pleiades, as though it would pluck down the very stars.”
#77
نشیمی از او برکشیده بلند
✦
که ناید ز کیوان بر او بر گزند
“Upon it was built a high nest, so elevated that Saturn itself could work it no harm.”
#78
فرو برده از شیز و صندل عمود
✦
یک اندر دگر ساخته چوب عود
“Its pillars were driven deep, made of ebony and sandalwood, interwoven with precious aloe-wood.”
#79
بدان سنگ خارا نگه کرد سام
✦
بدان هیبت مرغ و هول کنام
“Sam gazed up at that hard granite rock, awestruck by the majestic terror of the Bird and its dread nest.”
#80
یکی کاخ بد تارک اندر سماک
✦
نه از دست رنج و نه از آب و خاک
“It was like a palace whose crown reached the star Simak, built not by human labor, nor of earth and water.”
#81
ره بر شدن جست و کی بود راه
✦
دد و دام را بر چنان جایگاه
“He sought a path to ascend, but where was a way? Even wild beasts could not reach such a high lair.”
#82
ابر آفریننده کرد آفرین
✦
بمالید رخسارگان بر زمین
“He offered praises to the Creator of all and rubbed his cheeks upon the earth in humble prayer.”
#83
همی گفت کای برتر از جایگاه
✦
ز روشن روان و ز خورشید و ماه
“He prayed, saying: 'O Thou who art higher than any place, beyond the radiant soul, the sun, and the moon!'”
#84
گر این کودک از پاک پشت من است
✦
نه از تخم بد گوهر آهرمن است
“'If this child is indeed of my own pure lineage, and not born of the evil race of Ahriman,'”
#85
از این بر شدن بنده را دست گیر
✦
مر این پر گنه را تو اندر پذیر
“'Take Thy servant by the hand in this ascent, and forgive this sinful one.'”
#86
چنین گفت سیمرغ با پور سام
✦
که ای دیده رنج نشیم و کنام
“Thus spoke the Simurgh to the son of Sam: 'O child who hast endured the hardship of nest and lair!'”
#87
پدر سام یل پهلوان جهان
✦
سرافرازتر کس میان مهان
“'Thy father is Sam the mighty, champion of the world, the most exalted among all the great ones.'”
#88
بدین کوه فرزند جوی آمدست
✦
تو را نزد او آب روی آمدست
“'He hath come to this mountain seeking his child; high honor and nobility now await thee in his presence.'”
#89
روا باشد اکنون که بردارمت
✦
بی‌آزار نزدیک او آرمت
“'It is fitting now that I carry thee up and bear thee unharmed to his side.'”
#90
به سیمرغ بنگر که دستان چه گفت
✦
که سیر آمدستی همانا ز جفت
“Behold what Dastan said to the Simurgh: 'Hast thou indeed grown weary of thy companion?'”
#91
نشیم تو رخشنده گاه من است
✦
دو پرّ تو فرّ کلاه من است
“'Thy nest is my radiant throne, and thy two wings are the glory of my royal crown.'”
#92
چنین داد پاسخ که گر تاج و گاه
✦
ببینی و رسم کیانی کلاه
“The Simurgh answered, 'If thou shouldst behold the crown and throne, and the royal customs of the royal hat,'”
#93
مگر کاین نشیمت نیاید به کار
✦
یکی آزمایش کن از روزگار
“'Perchance this nest will no longer suit thy desires; go forth and make a trial of the world!'”
#94
ابا خویشتن بر یکی پرّ من
✦
خجسته بود سایهٔ فرّ من
“'Take one of my feathers with thee; blessed is the shadow of my royal glory.'”
#95
گرت هیچ سختی به روی آورند
✦
ور از نیک و بد گفت و گوی آورند
“'If ever hardship befalleth thee, or if men speak of good and evil concerning thee,'”
#96
بر آتش برافگن یکی پرّ من
✦
ببینی هم اندر زمان فرّ من
“'Cast a feather of mine upon the fire, and straightway thou shalt behold my glory!'”
#97
که در زیر پرت بپرورده‌ام
✦
ابا بچّگانت برآورده‌ام
“'For I have nurtured thee beneath my wings and raised thee alongside my own fledglings.'”
#98
همان گه بیایم چو ابر سیاه
✦
بی‌آزارت آرم بدین جایگاه
“'In that hour I shall come like a dark cloud and bring thee safely back to this very place.'”
#99
فرامش مکن مهر دایه ز دل
✦
که در دل مرا مهر تو دلگسل
“'Forget not the love of thy foster-mother, for in my heart there is an overwhelming affection for thee.'”
#100
دلش کرد پدرام و برداشتش
✦
گرازان به ابر اندر افراشتش
“She made his heart joyful and lifted him up, soaring proudly into the clouds.”
#101
ز پروازش آورد نزد پدر
✦
رسیده به زیر برش موی سر
“Her flight brought him down to his father, his head's hair reaching down below his chest.”
#102
تنش پیلوار و به رخ چون بهار
✦
پدر چون بدیدش بنالید زار
“His body was grand as an elephant's and his face radiant like spring; when his father saw him, he wept aloud.”
#103
فرو برد سر پیش سیمرغ زود
✦
نیایش همی بآفرین برفزود
“Sam swiftly bowed his head before the Simurgh, showering endless praise and blessings upon her.”
#104
سراپای کودک همی بنگرید
✦
همی تاج و تخت کئی را سزید
“He looked upon the youth from head to foot, seeing him worthy of the royal crown and throne.”
#105
بر و بازوی شیر و خورشید روی
✦
دل پهلوان دست شمشیر جوی
“With the chest and arms of a lion, a face like the sun, a hero's heart, and hands eager for the sword.”
#106
سپیدش مژه دیدگان قیرگون
✦
چو بسد لب و رخ به مانند خون
“His eyelashes were white, his eyes pitch-black, his lips like coral, and his cheeks bloody red.”
#107
دل سام شد چون بهشت برین
✦
بر آن پاک فرزند کرد آفرین
“Sam's heart became like highest paradise, and he bestowed his blessing upon that noble child.”
#108
به من ای پسر گفت دل نرم کن
✦
گذشته مکن یاد و دل گرم کن
“He said to him: 'O my son, soften thy heart toward me; remember not the past and take heart!'”
#109
منم کم‌ترین بنده یزدان پرست
✦
از آن پس که آوردمت باز دست
“'I am the humblest servant worshipping God, now that I have regained thee in my embrace.'”
#110
پذیرفته‌ام از خدای بزرگ
✦
که دل بر تو هرگز ندارم سترگ
“'I have vowed before Almighty God never again to harden my heart against thee.'”
#111
بجویم هوای تو از نیک و بد
✦
از این پس چه خواهی تو چونان سزد
“'I shall seek thy pleasure in good and ill; henceforth whatever thou desirest shall be fitting.'”
#112
تنش را یکی پهلوانی قبای
✦
بپوشید و از کوه بگزارد پای
“He clad his body in a heroic robe and stepped down from the mountain heights.”
#113
فرود آمد از کوه و بالای خواست
✦
همان جامهٔ خسرو آرای خواست
“He came down from the mountain, calling for a tall steed and royal garments fit for a king.”
#114
سپه یک‌سره پیش سام آمدند
✦
گشاده دل و شادکام آمدند
“The entire army came forward to meet Sam, with open hearts and filled with delight.”
#115
تبیره‌زنان پیش بردند پیل
✦
برآمد یکی گرد مانند نیل
“Drummers led the war-elephants forward, as a cloud of dust rose up like the dark Nile.”
#116
خروشیدن کوس با کرّه‌نای
✦
همان زنگ زرین و هندی درای
“The thunder of war-drums mingled with the clarion's blare, amidst the ring of golden bells and Indian chimes.”
#117
سواران همه نعره برداشتند
✦
بدان خرّمی راه بگذاشتند
“The horsemen all raised up a joyous shout, and in that high triumph set forth upon their way.”
#118
چو اندر هوا شب علم برگشاد
✦
شد آن روی رومیش زنگی نژاد
“When night unfurled its dark banner across the sky, the fair, Roman face of day turned black as an Ethiopian's.”
#119
بر آن دشت هامون فرود آمدند
✦
بخفتند و یکبار دم بر زدند
“They dismounted upon the open plain, slept soundly, and rested briefly.”
#120
چو بر چرخ گردان درفشنده شید
✦
یکی خیمه زد از حریر سپید
“When the radiant sun pitched a tent of white silk across the turning heavens,”
#121
به شادی به شهر اندرون آمدند
✦
ابا پهلوانی فزون آمدند
“They entered the city in full jubilation, possessing heroical splendor far greater than before.”