#1
ز شاهیش بگذشت چون هفت سال
✦
همه موبدان زو به رنج و وبال
“When seven years of his kingship had passed, all the Mobads were in affliction and distress because of him.”
#2
سر سال هشتم مه فروَدین
✦
که پیدا کند در جهان هور دین
“At the turn of the eighth year, in the month of Farvardin, when the sun reveals the faith of the world,”
#3
یکی کودک آمدش هرمزد روز
✦
به نیک اختر و فال گیتی فروز
“A child was born to him on the day of Hormoz, under a blessed star and with a world-illuminating omen.”
#4
هم‌آنگه پدر کرد بهرام نام
✦
ازان کودک خرد شد شادکام
“Straightway the father named him Bahram, and his heart grew joyous over that little infant.”
#5
به در بر ستاره‌شمر هرک بود
✦
که شایست گفتار ایشان شنود
“Every astrologer present at court whose speech was worthy to be heard was summoned.”
#6
یکی مایه‌ور بود با فر و هوش
✦
سر هندوان بود نامش سروش
“There was a precious scholar endowed with glory and wisdom, the chief of the Indians, named Soroush.”
#7
یکی پارسی بود هشیار نام
✦
که بر چرخ کردی به دانش لگام
“There was also a Persian sage named Hoshiyar, who could bridle the sky itself with his knowledge.”
#8
بفرمود تا پیش شاه آمدند
✦
هشیوار و جوینده راه آمدند
“The king commanded them to step forward; wise and seeking the true path, they approached the monarch.”
#9
به صلاب کردند ز اختر نگاه
✦
هم از زیچ رومی بجستند راه
“With astrolabes they examined the stars, and consults the Roman astronomical tables for guidance.”
#10
از اختر چنان دید خرم نهان
✦
که او شهریاری بود در جهان
“From the stars they joyfully perceived in secret that he would be a great sovereign in the world.”
#11
ابر هفت کشور بود پادشا
✦
گو شاددل باشد و پارسا
“He would rule over the seven climes—a joyful hero, pious and blessed with wisdom.”
#12
برفتند پویان بر شهریار
✦
همان زیچ و صلابها بر کنار
“They hastened before the king, carrying their astronomical tables and astrolabes by their side.”
#13
بگفتند با تاجور یزدگرد
✦
که دانش ز هرگونه کردیم گرد
“They spoke to the crowned Yazdegerd: 'We have gathered knowledge of every kind.”
#14
چنان آمد اندر شمار سپهر
✦
که دارد بدین کودک خرد مهر
“In the reckoning of the heavens, it appears that the sky holds great love for this little child.”
#15
مر او را بود هفت کشور زمین
✦
گرانمایه شاهی بود بافرین
“The seven climes of the earth shall be his; he will be a glorious and praiseworthy king.'”
#16
ز گفتارشان شاد شد شهریار
✦
ببخشیدشان گوهر شاهوار
“The king rejoiced at their words and bestowed upon them princely jewels.”
#17
چو ایشان برفتند زان بارگاه
✦
رد و موبد و پاک دستور شاه
“When they departed from that court, the nobles, Mobads, and pure minister of the king sat together,”
#18
نشستند و جستند هرگونه رای
✦
که تا چارهٔ آن چه آید به جای
“They took counsel in every way to see what remedy might be put in place:”
#19
گرین کودک خرد خوی پدر
✦
نگیرد شود خسروی دادگر
“'If this young child does not inherit his father's nature, he will become a just and royal ruler.”
#20
گر ایدونک خوی پدر دارد اوی
✦
همه بوم زیر و زبر دارد اوی
“But if he possesses the disposition of his father, he will turn the entire land upside down.”
#21
نه موبد بود شاد و نه پهلوان
✦
نه او در جهان شاد روشن‌روان
“Neither Mobad will be joyful nor champion happy, nor will he himself live with an enlightened soul.'”
#22
همه موبدان نزد شاه آمدند
✦
گشاده‌دل و نیک‌خواه آمدند
“All the Mobads came before the king, open-hearted and well-wishing.”
#23
بگفتند کاین کودک برمنش
✦
ز بیغاره دورست و ز سرزنش
“They said: 'This noble-minded child must be kept far from reproach and blame.”
#24
جهان سربسر زیر فرمان اوست
✦
به هر کشوری باژ و پیمان اوست
“The world from end to end shall be under his command; tribute and treaties from every country will be his.”
#25
نگه کن به جایی که دانش بود
✦
ز داننده کشور به رامش بود
“Look for a place where wisdom dwells, for a realm flourishes in peace through the learned.”
#26
ز پرمایگان دایگانی گزین
✦
که باشد ز کشور برو آفرین
“Choose a foster-parent from among the noble, someone praises by all the country,”
#27
هنر گیرد این شاه خرم نهان
✦
ز فرمان او شاد گردد جهان
“So this king may secretly acquire virtue, and the world may rejoice under his command.'”
#28
چو بشنید زان موبدان یزدگرد
✦
ز کشور فرستادگان کرد گرد
“When Yazdegerd heard this from the Mobads, he gathered messengers from across the land.”
#29
هم‌انگه فرستاد کسها به روم
✦
به هند و به چین و به آباد بوم
“He dispatched envoys to Rome, India, China, and every inhabited realm,”
#30
همان نامداری سوی تازیان
✦
بشد تا ببیند به سود و زیان
“And also a noble hero toward the Arab lands, to observe gain and loss.”
#31
به هر سو همی رفت خواننده‌ای
✦
که بهرام را پروراننده‌ای
“Criers went to every quarter seeking a proper foster-parent to rear Bahram,”
#32
بجوید سخنگوی و دانش‌پذیر
✦
سخن‌دان و هر دانشی یادگیر
“To find an eloquent, receptive teacher, fluent in speech and remembering all knowledge.”
#33
بیامد ز هر کشوری موبدی
✦
جهاندیده و نیک‌پی بخردی
“From every country came a Mobad—world-experienced, auspicious, and wise.”
#34
چو یکسر بدان بارگاه آمدند
✦
پژوهنده نزدیک شاه آمدند
“When they all arrived at the court together, the seekers drew near the king.”
#35
بپرسید بسیار و بنواختشان
✦
به هر برزنی جایگه ساختشان
“He questioned them much and received them warmly, preparing lodgings for them in every quarter.”
#36
برفتند نعمان و منذر به شب
✦
بسی نامداران گرد از عرب
“Numan and Munzir set forth by night, along with many illustrious Arab leaders.”
#37
بزرگان چو در پارس گرد آمدند
✦
بر تاجور یزدگرد آمدند
“When the chieftains gathered in Persia, they presented themselves before the crowned Yazdegerd.”
#38
همی گفت هرکس که ما بنده‌ایم
✦
سخن بشنویم و سراینده‌ایم
“Each one said: 'We are your servants; we listen to your words and recite your praise.”
#39
که باید چنین روزگار از مهان
✦
که بایسته فرزند شاه جهان
“Such a time demands from the great that the worthy child of the world-king”
#40
به بر گیرد و دانش آموزدش
✦
دل از تیرگیها بیفروزدش
“Be embraced, taught knowledge, and have his heart enlightened from darkness.”
#41
ز رومی و هندی و از پارسی
✦
نجومی و گر مردم هندسی
“Among them were Romans, Indians, Persians, astronomers, and geometricians—”
#42
همه فیلسوفان بسیاردان
✦
سخنگوی وز مردم کاردان
“All polymath philosophers, eloquent, and experienced men of action.”
#43
بگفتند هریک به آواز نرم
✦
که ای شاه باداد و با رای و شرم
“Each spoke with a gentle voice: 'O king of justice, wisdom, and dignity,”
#44
همه سربسر خاک پای توایم
✦
به دانش همه رهنمای توایم
“We are all the dust beneath your feet, and in knowledge we are all your guides.”
#45
نگر تا پسندت که آید همی
✦
وگر سودمندت که آید همی
“See whom you prefer and who appears most beneficial to your cause.'”
#46
چنین گفت منذر که ما بنده‌ایم
✦
خود اندر جهان شاه را زنده‌ایم
“Thus spoke Mundhir: "We are your loyal servants, living in this world solely for the King’s sake."”
#47
هنرهای ما شاه داند همه
✦
که او چون شبانست و ما چون رمه
“"The King knows all our skills and virtues, for he is like the shepherd and we are his flock."”
#48
سواریم و گردیم و اسپ افگنیم
✦
کسی را که دانا بود بشکنیم
“"We are horsemen, warriors, and masters of steeds, able to surpass any learned man who challenges us."”
#49
ستاره‌شمر نیست چون ما کسی
✦
که از هندسه بهره دارد بسی
“"There is no astrologer equal to us, nor anyone who has mastered geometry so thoroughly."”
#50
پر از مهر شاهست ما را روان
✦
به زیر اندرون تازی اسپان دمان
“"Our souls are brimming with devotion to the King, while beneath us swift Arabian steeds charge forth."”
#51
همه پیش فرزند تو بنده‌ایم
✦
بزرگی وی را ستاینده‌ایم
“"We all stand as humble servants before your royal son, ever praising his greatness."”