#1
چو بنشست بر گاه شاه اردشیر
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بیاراست آن تخت شاپور پیر
“When King Ardashir sat upon the throne, the legacy of Shapur the elder adorned that royal seat.”
#2
کمر بست و ایرانیان را بخواند
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بر پایهٔ تخت زرین نشاند
“He girded his waist in justice and summoned the Iranians, seating them at the base of his golden throne.”
#3
چنین گفت کز دور چرخ بلند
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نخواهم که باشد کسی را گزند
“He spoke thus: 'From the turning of the high heavens, I desire no harm to come to anyone.'”
#4
جهان گر شود رام با کام من
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ببینند تیزی و آرام من
“'If the world submits to my will, men shall see both my swift sharpness and my tranquil peace.'”
#5
ور ایدونک با ما نسازد جهان
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بسازیم ما با جهان جهان
“'And if the world does not harmonize with us, we shall adapt ourselves to the turning world.'”
#6
برادر جهان ویژه ما را سپرد
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ازیرا که فرزند او بود خرد
“'My brother entrusted this world specifically to me, because his child was still young.'”
#7
فرستم روان ورا آفرین
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که از بدسگالان بشست او زمین
“'I send praise and blessings upon his soul, for he cleansed the earth of all ill-wishers.'”
#8
چو شاپور شاپور گردد بلند
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شود نزد او گاه و تاج ارجمند
“'When Shapur, son of Shapur, grows tall in stature, and the throne and crown become precious to him,'”
#9
سپارم بدو گاه و تاج و سپاه
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که پیمان چنین کرد شاپور شاه
“'I shall hand over to him the throne, crown, and army, for such was the covenant King Shapur made.'”
#10
من این تخت را پایکار وی‌ام
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همان از پدر یادگار وی‌ام
“'I am merely the custodian of this throne for him, as well as a living tribute to his father.'”
#11
شما یکسره داد یاد آورید
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بکوشید و آیین و داد آورید
“'All of you, remember justice always; strive to establish tradition and righteousness.'”
#12
چنان دان که خوردیم و بر ما گذشت
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چو مردی همه رنج ما باد گشت
“'Know that whatever we consumed has passed; when a man dies, all our earthly toil turns to wind.'”
#13
چو ده سال گیتی همی داشت راست
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بخورد و ببخشید چیزی که خواست
“When he had governed the world in righteousness for ten years, he enjoyed and bestowed whatever he desired.”
#14
نجست از کسی باژ و ساو و خراج
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همی رایگان داشت آن گاه و تاج
“He demanded no tribute, tax, or custom from anyone, holding that throne and crown without cost to his subjects.”
#15
مر او را نکوکار زان خواندند
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که هرکس تن‌آسان ازو ماندند
“They named him 'the Beneficent' [Nokookar] for the sole reason that everyone remained in ease through him.”
#16
چو شاپور گشت از در تاج و گاه
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مر او را سپرد آن خجسته کلاه
“When young Shapur became worthy of the throne and crown, he surrendered that blessed cap to him.”
#17
نگشت آن دلاور ز پیمان خویش
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به مردی نگه داشت سامان خویش
“That valiant king did not break his covenant; with chivalry and dignity, he preserved his true measure.”