#1
پدر آرزو کرد بهرام را
✦
چه بهرام خورشید خودکام را
“The father longed for Bahram—that self-willed sun of a prince.”
#2
به منذر چنین گفت بهرام شیر
✦
که هرچند مانیم نزد تو دیر
“Bahram the lion-hearted spoke thus to Monzer: 'However long we dwell beside thee...'”
#3
همان آرزوی پدر خیزدم
✦
چو ایمن شوم در برانگیزدم
“'...my father’s yearning will surely call me back, urging me home as soon as safety reigns.'”
#4
برآرست منذر چو بایست کار
✦
ز شهر یمن هدیهٔ شهریار
“Whereupon Monzer prepared all things fitly, assembling royal gifts from the city of Yemen.”
#5
ز اسپان تازی به زرین ستام
✦
ز چیزی که پرمایه بردند نام
“Arabian steeds adorned with golden bridles, and every valuable treasure renowned in the realm.”
#6
ز برد یمانی و تیغ یمن
✦
دگر هرچ معدنش بد در عدن
“Yemeni cloaks and Yemeni blades, along with all precious things mined in the lands of Aden.”
#7
چو نعمان که با شاه همراه بود
✦
به نزدیک او افسر ماه بود
“And Noman set forth beside the prince, bearing a moon-like crown of honor before him.”
#8
چنین تا به شهر صطخر آمدند
✦
که از شاه‌زاده به فخر آمدند
“Thus they journeyed until they reached the city of Istakhr, taking pride in escorting the royal prince.”
#9
ازان پس چو آگاهی آمد به شاه
✦
ز فرزند و نعمان تازی به راه
“News was brought to King Yazdegerd that his son and Noman of Arabia were approaching upon the road.”
#10
بیامد هم‌انگاه نزد پدر
✦
چو دیدش پدر را برآورد سر
“Bahram straightway presented himself before his father, lifting his head in reverence as he beheld him.”
#11
به پیش کیی تخت او سرفراز
✦
بیامد شتابان و بردش نماز
“Before the exalted royal throne he stepped swiftly forward and paid obeisance.”
#12
چو بهرام را دید بیدار شاه
✦
بدان فر و آن شاخ و آن گردگاه
“When the vigilant king beheld Bahram, with his glorious aura, majestic posture, and powerful shoulders,”
#13
شگفتی فروماند از کار اوی
✦
ز بالا و فرهنگ و دیدار اوی
“He marvelled in astonishment at his stature, his high culture, and his noble countenance.”
#14
فراوان بپرسید و بنواختش
✦
به نزدیک خود جایگه ساختش
“He questioned him warmly and showered him with favors, assigning him an exalted seat by his side.”
#15
به برزن درون جای نعمان گزید
✦
یکی کاخ بهرام را چون سزید
“He appointed a worthy lodging in the city for Noman, and allocated a splendid palace suited for Bahram.”
#16
فرستاد نزدیک او بندگان
✦
چو اندر خور او پرستندگان
“He assigned dutiful servants and attendants to him, fitting for his noble station.”
#17
شب و روز بهرام پیش پدر
✦
همی از پرستش نخارید سر
“Day and night Bahram stood before his father, never straying from respectful service and devotion.”
#18
چو یک ماه نعمان ببد نزد شاه
✦
همی خواست تا بازگردد به راه
“When Noman had stayed a month at court, he sought leave to take his journey home.”
#19
بشب کس فرستاد و او را بخواند
✦
برابرش بر تخت شاهی نشاند
“By night the king sent for Noman, summoning him and placing him beside him on the throne.”
#20
بدو گفت منذر بسی رنج دید
✦
که آزاده بهرام را پرورید
“Yazdegerd said to him: 'Monzer endured great toil in rearing the noble Bahram.'”
#21
بدین کار پاداش نزد منست
✦
بهار شما اورمزد منست
“'The recompense for this deed lies with me; your spring and joy are from my divine favor.'”
#22
پسندیدم این رای و فرهنگ اوی
✦
که سوی خرد بینم آهنگ اوی
“'I have favored his wisdom and noble culture, seeing that all his inclinations tend toward discernment.'”
#23
تو چون دیر ماندی بدین بارگاه
✦
پدر چشم دارد همانا به راه
“'Since thou hast tarried long at this court, thy father doubtless watches the road for thy return.'”
#24
ز دینار گنجیش پنجه هزار
✦
بدادند با جامهٔ شهریار
“He bestowed upon him a treasure of fifty thousand dinars, along with royal robes.”
#25
ز آخر به سیمین و زرین لگام
✦
ده اسپ گرانمایه بردند نام
“Ten priceless steeds equipped with silver and golden bridles were brought from the royal stables.”
#26
ز گستردنیهای زیبنده نیز
✦
ز رنگ و ز بوی و ز هرگونه چیز
“Together with handsome carpets and coverings, perfumes, colors, and all manner of precious goods,”
#27
ز گنج جهاندار ایران ببرد
✦
یکایک به نعمان منذر سپرد
“He took all these from the Iranian royal treasury and committed them one by one to Noman son of Monzer.”
#28
به شادی در بخشش اندر گشاد
✦
بر اندازه یارانش را هدیه داد
“In joy he opened the doors of bounty, granting gifts to Noman's companions according to their rank.”
#29
به منذر یکی نامه بنوشت شاه
✦
چنانچون بود در خور پیشگاه
“The King wrote an epistle to Monzer, fitting for his high court and exalted state,”
#30
به آزادی از کار فرزند اوی
✦
که شاه یمن گشت پیوند اوی
“Praising him for the noble rearing of his son, whereby the King of Yemen became bound to him in kinship.”
#31
به پاداش این کار یازم همی
✦
به چونین پسر سرفرازم همی
“'I strive to reward this deed, for I pride myself in such a glorious son.'”
#32
یکی نامه بنوشت بهرام گور
✦
که کار من ایدر تباهست و شور
“But Bahram Gur wrote a secret letter, saying: 'My affairs here are ruined and turbulent.'”
#33
نه این بود چشم امیدم به شاه
✦
که زین سان کند سوی کهتر نگاه
“'Such was not my hope in the King, that he should look upon his humble servant in such cold fashion.'”
#34
نه فرزندم ایدر نه چون چاکری
✦
نه چون کهتری شاددل بر دری
“'Here I am treated neither as a son nor as a servant, nor as a humble follower glad at his gate.'”
#35
به نعمان بگفت آنچ بودش نهان
✦
ز بد راه و آیین شاه جهان
“He disclosed to Noman all that lay hidden in his heart regarding the dark ways and severe disposition of the King of the World.”
#36
چو نعمان برفت از در شهریار
✦
بیامد بر منذر نامدار
“When Noman departed from the royal court, he returned to the renowned Monzer.”
#37
بدو نامهٔ شاه گیتی بداد
✦
ببوسید منذر به سر بر نهاد
“He delivered the King of the World’s letter to him; Monzer kissed it and placed it upon his head in reverence.”
#38
وزان هدیه‌ها شادمانی نمود
✦
بران آفرین آفرین برفزود
“He rejoiced in those royal gifts, heaping praise upon praise in gratitude.”
#39
وزان پس فرستاده اندر نهفت
✦
ز بهرام چندی به منذر بگفت
“Thereafter, in secret, the envoy recounted to Monzer all that Bahram had bidden him say.”
#40
پس آن نامه برخواند پیشش دبیر
✦
رخ نامور گشت همچون زریر
“Then the scribe read Bahram's secret letter before Monzer, and the ruler’s face turned pale as turmeric.”
#41
هم‌اندر زمان زود پاسخ نوشت
✦
سخنهای با مغز و فرخ نوشت
“Immediately he wrote a swift reply, weaving wise, profound, and auspicious words.”
#42
چنین گفت کای مهتر نامور
✦
نگر سر نپیچی ز راه پدر
“He wrote: 'O renowned leader, beware that thou turn not thy head away from thy father's path!'”
#43
به نیک و بد شاه خرسند باش
✦
پرستنده باش و خردمند باش
“'Be content with the King's good and ill; remain a faithful servant and stay wise.'”
#44
بدیها به صبر از مهان بگذرد
✦
سر مرد باید که دارد خرد
“'With patience, the hardships dealt by the great shall pass; a man's head ought ever to be guided by wisdom.'”
#45
سپهر روان را چنین است رای
✦
تو با رای او هیچ مفزای پای
“'Such is the decree of the turning sky; strive not to push thy step against its revolving order.'”
#46
دلی را پر از مهر دارد سپهر
✦
دلی پر ز کین و پر آژنگ چهر
“The sphere of heaven fills one heart with loving grace, / And fills another with spite and a furrowed face.”
#47
جهاندار گیتی چنین آفرید
✦
چنان کو چماند بباید چمید
“The World-Lord fashioned existence in this wise; / As He turns the wheel, so must one tread and rise.”
#48
ازین پس ترا هرچ آید به کار
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار
“Henceforth, whatever thou mayst require or hold dear, / Be it royal jewels or gold coins pure and clear,”
#49
فرستم نگر دل نداری به رنج
✦
نیرزد پراگنده رنج تو گنج
“I shall send to thee; let not thy heart know strain, / For all the world's wealth is not worth thy pain.”
#50
ز دینار گنجی کنون ده هزار
✦
فرستادم اینک ز بهر نثار
“Behold, ten thousand gold dinars of high decree / I have dispatched even now as a gift to thee.”
#51
پرستار کو رهنمای تو بود
✦
به پرده درون دلگشای تو بود
“That loyal maiden who was thy tender guide of old, / Who cheered thy heart within the curtained realm of gold,”
#52
فرستادم اینک به نزدیک تو
✦
که روشن کند جان تاریک تو
“I have sent her now unto thy side once more, / That she may light thy darkened spirit as before.”
#53
هرانگه که دینار بردی به کار
✦
گرانی مکن هیچ بر شهریار
“Whenever thou hast spent these dinars of thy store, / Importune not the King, nor burden him for more.”
#54
که دیگر فرستمت بسیار نیز
✦
وزین پادشاهی ز هرگونه چیز
“For I shall send thee abundant wealth anew, / And every precious gift from this realm unto thee due.”
#55
پرستنده باش و ستاینده باش
✦
به کار پرستش فزاینده باش
“Remain devout, give praise to God on high, / And let thy worship grow as days pass by.”
#56
تو آن خوی بد را ز شاه جهان
✦
جدا کرد نتوانی اندر نهان
“Thou canst not alter in thy secret heart, / Nor tear the King's dark nature and ill mood apart.”
#57
فرستاد زان تازیان ده سوار
✦
سخن‌گوی و بینادل و دوستدار
“He sent ten Arab horsemen, skilled in speech and wise, / Loving of heart and viewing truth with clear-seeing eyes.”
#58
رسیدند نزدیک بهرامشاه
✦
ابا بدره و برده و نیک‌خواه
“They came unto King Bahram's court in grand state, / With bags of gold, attendants, and goodwill innate.”
#59
خردمند بهرام زان شاد شد
✦
همه دردها بر دلش باد شد
“Wise Bahram was rejoiced by all they brought that day; / His heart's deep sorrows dissolved and blew away.”
#60
وزان پس بدان پند شاه عرب
✦
پرستش بدی کار او روز و شب
“Thenceforth, heeded he the Arab King's advice, / Day and night engaging in prayer and sacrifice.”