#1
چو شد پادشا بر جهان یزدگرد
✦
سپه را ز دشت اندرآورد گرد
“When Yazdegerd became king over the world, he gathered the army from the plains.”
#2
کلاه برادر به سر بر نهاد
✦
همی بود ازان مرگ ناشاد شاد
“He placed his brother's crown upon his head, secretly joyful at that death, yet feigning sorrow.”
#3
چنین گفت با نامداران شهر
✦
که هرکس که از داد یابند بهر
“He spoke thus to the nobles of the city: 'Let everyone receive their rightful share of justice.”
#4
نخست از نیایش به یزدان کنید
✦
دل از داد ما شاد و خندان کنید
“First, offer your prayers unto God, and make your hearts joyful and glad through our justice.”
#5
بدان را نمانم که دارند هوش
✦
وگر دست یازند بد را بکوش
“I shall not allow the wicked to retain their wits, should they stretch forth their hands to do evil.”
#6
کسی کو بجوید ز ما راستی
✦
بیارامد از کژی و کاستی
“Whoever seeks righteousness from us shall find rest from crookedness and flaw.”
#7
به هرجای جاه وی افزون کنیم
✦
ز دل کینه و آز بیرون کنیم
“Everywhere we shall elevate their rank, and cast out malice and greed from our heart.”
#8
سگالش نگوییم جز با ردان
✦
خردمند و بیداردل موبدان
“We shall seek counsel only from the grandees, the wise, and the vigilant-hearted Mobads.”
#9
کسی را کجا پر ز آهو بود
✦
روانش ز بیشی به نیرو بود
“If anyone is filled with fault and vice, gaining power through excessive wealth,”
#10
به بیچارگان بر ستم سازد اوی
✦
گر از چیز درویش بفرازد اوی
“And practices oppression upon the helpless, exalting himself at the expense of the poor,”
#11
بکوشیم و نیروش بیرون کنیم
✦
به درویش ما نازش افزون کنیم
“We shall strive to strip away his strength, and increase our favor toward the needy.'”
#12
کسی کو بپرهیزد از خشم ما
✦
همی بگذرد تیز بر چشم ما
“'Whoever fails to guard against our wrath shall pass swiftly before our eyes;”
#13
همی بستر از خاک جوید تنش
✦
همان خنجر هندوی گردنش
“His body shall seek its bed in the dust, and the Indian blade shall find his neck.”
#14
به فرمان ما چشم روشن کنید
✦
خرد را به تن بر چو جوشن کنید
“Brighten your eyes by our command, and wear wisdom upon your body like armor.'”
#15
تن هرکسی گشت لرزان چو بید
✦
که گوپال و شمشیرشان بد امید
“Every man's body trembled like a willow tree, for their only expectation was mace and sword.”
#16
چو شد بر جهان پادشاهیش راست
✦
بزرگی فزون کرد و مهرش بکاست
“When his sovereignty over the world became firmly established, his arrogance grew and his love waned.”
#17
خردمند نزدیک او خوار گشت
✦
همه رسم شاهیش بیکار گشت
“The wise man became vile in his sight, and all the royal customs fell into disuse.”
#18
کنارنگ با پهلوان و ردان
✦
همان دانشی پرخرد موبدان
“The Kanarang, along with heroes, noble chieftain, and the wise Mobads—”
#19
یکی گشت با باد نزدیک اوی
✦
جفا پیشه شد جان تاریک اوی
“All became as nothing like the wind before him, and his dark soul turned entirely to cruel injustice.”
#20
سترده شد از جان او مهر و داد
✦
به هیچ آرزو نیز پاسخ نداد
“Affection and justice were erased from his spirit; he granted no response to any longing.”
#21
کسی را نبد نزد او پایگاه
✦
به ژرفی مکافات کردی گناه
“No one held any standing with him; he exacted deep and severe retribution for the smallest fault.”
#22
هرانکس که دستور بد بر درش
✦
فزایندهٔ اختر و افسرش
“All the ministers at his court, who were meant to exalt his fortune and crown,”
#23
همه عهد کردند با یکدگر
✦
که هرگز نگویند زان بوم و بر
“Bound themselves by a solemn pact never to speak of the affairs of that realm.”
#24
همه یکسر از بیم پیچان شدند
✦
ز هول شهنشاه بیجان شدند
“All were trembling with fear, rendered lifeless by the horror of the King of Kings.”
#25
فرستادگان آمدندی ز راه
✦
همان زیردستان فریادخواه
“When envoys arrived from distant roads, as well as subjects crying out for justice,”
#26
چو دستور زان آگهی یافتی
✦
بدان کارها تیز بشتافتی
“As soon as the chief minister became aware of them, he would hasten swiftly to those matters.”
#27
به گفتار گرم و به آواز نرم
✦
فرستاده را راه دادی به شرم
“With warm speech and soft accents, he gave passage to the envoy with apparent modesty.”
#28
بگفتی که شاه از در کار نیست
✦
شما را بدو راه دیدار نیست
“He would say: 'The King is not in a mood for business; there is no path for you to see him.”
#29
نمودم بدو هرچ درخواستی
✦
به فرمانش پیدا شد آن راستی
“I have shown him all that you requested, and by his command, the truth of it was revealed.'”