#1
چنان بد که یک روز در بزمگاه
✦
همی بود بر پای در پیش شاه
“It so befell that one day in the hall of feast, he stood dutifully before the king.”
#2
چو شد تیره بر پای خواب آمدش
✦
هم از ایستادن شتاب آمدش
“As his eyes grew heavy, slumber overtook him where he stood, and he stumbled in weariness.”
#3
پدر چون بدیدش بهم برده چشم
✦
به تندی یکی بانگ برزد به خشم
“When the father saw his son's eyes closed, he let out a harsh, fierce shout in anger.”
#4
به دژخیم فرمود کو را ببر
✦
کزین پس نبیند کلاه و کمر
“He commanded the executioner to take him away, so that he would no longer behold crown or belt.”
#5
بدو خانه زندان کن و بازگرد
✦
نزیبد برو گاه و ننگ و نبرد
“'Make his home a prison,' he said, 'for he is fit neither for throne, nor honor, nor battle.'”
#6
به ایوان همی بود خسته جگر
✦
ندید اندران سال روی پدر
“Heartbroken, he remained within his palace chambers, and for a whole year did not look upon his father's face.”
#7
مگر مهر و نوروز و جشن سده
✦
که او پیش رفتی میان رده
“Except on the festivals of Mehr, Nowruz, and Sadeh, when he was permitted to stand in the ranks before the throne.”
#8
چنان بد که طینوش رومی ز راه
✦
فرستاده آمد به نزدیک شاه
“Then it came to pass that Tinush the Roman arrived as an ambassador to the King.”
#9
ابا بدره و برده و باژ روم
✦
فرستاد قیصر به آباد بوم
“Caesar had sent him with purses of gold, captives, and the tribute of Rome to the prosperous land of Iran.”
#10
چو آمد شهنشاه بنواختش
✦
سزاوار او جایگه ساختش
“When the King of kings saw him, he welcomed him warmly and prepared a worthy place for him.”
#11
فرستاد بهرام زی او پیام
✦
که ای مرد بیدار گسترده کام
“Bahram dispatched a secret message to him, saying: 'O vigilant and accomplished man,'”
#12
ز کهتر به چیزی بیازرد شاه
✦
ازو دور گشتم چنین بی‌گناه
“'The king took offense at his servant over a minor fault, and thus I was exiled despite my innocence.'”
#13
تو خواهش کنی گر ترا بخشدم
✦
مگر بخت پژمرده بدرخشدم
“'If you make intercession for me and he grants me to you, perhaps my withered fortune will shine again.'”
#14
سوی دایگانم فرستد مگر
✦
که منذر مرا به ز مام و پدر
“'May he send me back to my foster father, for Monzer is better to me than mother and father.'”
#15
چو طینوش بشنید پیغام اوی
✦
برآورد ازان آرزو کام اوی
“When Tinush heard his plea, he fulfilled his wish through eloquent intercession.”
#16
دل‌آزار بهرام زان شاد گشت
✦
وزان بند بی‌مایه آزاد گشت
“Grievous Bahram rejoiced at the news and was delivered from that unjust confinement.”
#17
به درویش بخشید بسیار چیز
✦
وزان جایگه رفتن آراست نیز
“He bestowed abundant gifts upon the poor and swiftly prepared to depart that land.”
#18
همه زیردستان خود را بخواند
✦
شب تیره چون باد لشکر براند
“Summoning all his followers, he rode his army through the dark night like the swift wind.”
#19
به یاران همی گفت یزدان سپاس
✦
که رفتیم و ایمن شدیم از هراس
“He said to his companions: 'Praise be to God that we have departed and are safe from dread!'”
#20
چو آمد به نزدیک شهر یمن
✦
پذیره شدش کودک و مرد و زن
“When he drew near the city of Yemen, children, men, and women came forth to welcome him.”
#21
برفتند نعمان و منذر ز جای
✦
همان نیزه‌داران پاکیزه‌رای
“Noman and Monzer rode out to meet him, accompanied by pure-hearted lancers.”
#22
چو منذر ببهرام نزدیک شد
✦
ز گرد سپه روز تاریک شد
“As Monzer drew near to Bahram, the day grew dark with the rising dust of the troops.”
#23
پیاده شدند آن دو آزادمرد
✦
همی گفت بهرام تیمار و درد
“Both noble men dismounted, and Bahram recounted his grief and anguish.”
#24
ز گفتار او چند منذر گریست
✦
بپرسید گفت اختر شاه چیست
“At his words, Monzer wept deeply and asked: 'What is the fortune of the King?'”
#25
بدو گفت بهرام کو خود مباد
✦
که گیرد ز شوم اخترش نیز یاد
“Bahram answered: 'May it never be that anyone even recalls his evil fortune!'”
#26
که هر کو نیاید به راه خرد
✦
ز کردار ترسم که کیفر برد
“'For whoever walks not the path of wisdom, I fear he shall suffer the penalty of his deeds.'”
#27
فرود آوریدش هم‌انجا که بود
✦
بران نیکوی نیکویها فزود
“He lodged him in the very palace where he had dwelled, adding benevolence upon benevolence.”
#28
بجز بزم و میدان نبودیش کار
✦
وگر بخشش و کوشش کارزار
“His sole pursuits became feast and field, open generosity, and the arts of war.”