#1
چو ایرانیان آگهی یافتند
✦
یکایک سوی چاره بشتافتند
“When the Iranians learned of the dire state of affairs, each hastened to seek a remedy.”
#2
چو گشتند زان رنج یکسر ستوه
✦
نشستند یک با دگر همگروه
“Becoming utterly exhausted by this distress, they gathered together in counsel.”
#3
که این کار ز اندازه اندر گذشت
✦
ز روم و ز هند و سواران دشت
“They said, 'This affair has exceeded all bounds, with threats from Rome, India, and the riders of the plain.'”
#4
یکی چاره باید کنون ساختن
✦
دل و جان ازین کار پرداختن
“'A remedy must now be devised to disburden heart and soul from this weight.'”
#5
بجستند موبد فرستاده‌ای
✦
سخن‌گوی و بینادل آزاده‌ای
“They sought a high priest as an envoy—an eloquent, noble-minded, and wise-hearted man.”
#6
کجا نام آن گو جوانوی بود
✦
دبیری بزرگ و سخن‌گوی بود
“Whose name was the hero Javanoy, a great scribe and fluent speaker.”
#7
بدان تا به نزدیک منذر شود
✦
سخن گوید و گفت او بشنود
“So that he might go to Mondhir, deliver his message, and hear his reply.”
#8
به منذر بگوید که ای سرفراز
✦
جهان را به نام تو بادا نیاز
“To tell Mondhir: 'O exalted king, may the world ever be in need of your renowned name!'”
#9
نگهدار ایران و نیران توی
✦
به هر جای پشت دلیران توی
“'You are the protector of Iran and beyond, the refuge for brave heroes in every land.'”
#10
چو این تخت بی‌شاه و بی‌تاج شد
✦
ز خون مرز چون پر دراج شد
“'Since this throne has been left kingless and crownless, the land’s border has become stained with blood like a francolin's feather.'”
#11
تو گفتیم باشی خداوند مرز
✦
که این مرز را از تو دیدیم ارز
“'We said you would be the lord of this realm, for we saw worth and honor in you for this border.'”
#12
کنون غارت از تست و خون ریختن
✦
به هر جای تاراج و آویختن
“'Yet now plunder and bloodshed proceed from you, along with pillage and conflict everywhere.'”
#13
نبودی ازین پیش تو بدکنش
✦
ز نفرین بترسیدی و سرزنش
“'You were not evil-doing before this; you feared curse and reproach.'”
#14
نگه کن بدین تا پسند آیدت
✦
به پیران سر این سودمند آیدت
“'Reflect upon this so that it pleases you, for in your old age this shall prove beneficial.'”
#15
جز از تو زبر داوری دیگرست
✦
کز اندیشهٔ برتران برترست
“'Beyond you stands another Judge, whose decree transcends the thoughts of the highest minds.'”
#16
بگوید فرستاده چیزی که دید
✦
سخن نیز کز کاردانان شنید
“'Let the envoy report what he has witnessed, along with the wisdom he heard from men of experience.'”
#17
جوانوی دانا ز پیش سران
✦
بیامد سوی دشت نیزه‌وران
“Wise Javanoy departed from before the chieftains and came to the Plain of the Spearmen.”
#18
به منذر سخن گفت و نامه بداد
✦
سخنهای ایرانیان کرد یاد
“He spoke to Mondhir, delivered the letter, and recounted the words of the Iranians.”
#19
سخنهایش بشنید شاه عرب
✦
به پاسخ برو هیچ نگشاد لب
“The Arab king listened to his words, but opened not his lips in direct answer.”
#20
چنین گفت کای دانشی چاره‌جوی
✦
سخن زین نشان با شهنشاه گوی
“He said: 'O wise seeker of remedies, speak these words in this manner to King Bahram.'”
#21
بگوی این که گفتی به بهرامشاه
✦
چو پاسخ بجویی نمایدت راه
“'Tell King Bahram what you have spoken, and when you seek an answer, he shall guide your way.'”
#22
فرستاد با او یکی نامدار
✦
جوانوی شد تا در شهریار
“He sent a nobleman with him; Javanoy proceeded to the court of the monarch.”
#23
چو بهرام را دید داننده مرد
✦
برو آفریننده را یاد کرد
“When the wise man beheld Bahram, he praised the Creator of the world.”
#24
ازان برز و بالا و آن یال و کفت
✦
فروماند بینادل اندر شگفت
“At that towering stature, those powerful shoulders, and that broad chest, the wise-hearted man was left spellbound in wonder.”
#25
همی می چکد گویی از روی اوی
✦
همی بوی مشک آید از موی اوی
“As though wine dripped from his radiant face, and the fragrance of musk drifted from his hair.”
#26
سخن‌گوی بی‌فر و بی‌هوش گشت
✦
پیامش سراسر فراموش گشت
“The eloquent envoy lost his composure and sense; he forgot his message entirely.”
#27
بدانست بهرام کو خیره شد
✦
ز دیدار چشم و دلش تیره شد
“Bahram perceived that he was bewildered, and that his eyes and heart were clouded with awe.”
#28
بپرسید بسیار و بنواختش
✦
به خوبی بر تخت بنشاختش
“He questioned him kindly, comforted him greatly, and seated him honorably upon the throne.”
#29
چو گستاخ شد زو بپرسید شاه
✦
کز ایران چرا رنجه گشتی به راه
“When the envoy felt reassured, the king asked him: 'Why did you take the hardship of travelling from Iran?'”
#30
فرستاد با او یکی پرخرد
✦
که او را به نزدیک منذر برد
“He dispatched a wise representative with him to guide him back to Mondhir.”
#31
بگوید که آن نامه پاسخ نویس
✦
به پاسخ سخنهای فرخ نویس
“Saying, 'Write a response to that letter, writing words that are auspicious and noble.'”
#32
وزان پس نگر تا چه دارد پیام
✦
ازو بشنود پاسخ او تمام
“'And thereafter, see what message he carries, and hear his answer completely.'”
#33
بیامد جوانو سخنها بگفت
✦
رخ منذر از رای او برشکفت
“Javanoy returned and spoke the words; Mondhir's face brightened at his wisdom.”
#34
چو بشنید زان مرد بینا سخن
✦
مر آن نامه را پاسخ افگند بن
“When he heard the words of that perceptive man, he laid the foundation for replying to that letter.”
#35
جوانوی را گفت کای پرخرد
✦
هرانکس که بد کرد کیفر برد
“He said to Javanoy: 'O wise man! Whoever does evil shall reap retribution.'”
#36
شنیدم همه هرچ دادی پیام
✦
وزان نامداران که کردی سلام
“'I have heard all that you conveyed, and the greetings from those noble lords.'”
#37
چنین گوی کاین بد که کرد از نخست
✦
که بیهوده پیکار بایست جست
“'Say to them: Who committed evil first, so that a futile strife became necessary?'”
#38
شهنشاه بهرام گور ایدرست
✦
که با فر و برزست و با لشکرست
“'Sovereign Bahram Gur is here, endowed with divine glory, majesty, and a great host.'”
#39
ز سوراخ چون مار بیرون کشید
✦
همی دامن خویش در خون کشید
“'He dragged them out like snakes from their holes, dragging his skirts in blood.'”
#40
گر ایدونک من بودمی رای زن
✦
به ایرانیان بر نبودی شکن
“'Had I been the sole counselor, no harm would have befallen the Iranians.'”
#41
جوانوی روی شهنشاه دید
✦
وزو نیز چندی سخنها شنید
“Javanoy had seen the face of the king of kings and heard many words from him.”
#42
بپرسید تا شاید او تخت را
✦
بزرگی و پیروزی و بخت را
“He assessed whether Bahram was worthy of the throne, of greatness, victory, and fortune.”
#43
ز منذر چو بشنید زان‌سان سخن
✦
یکی روشن اندیشه افگند بن
“When he heard such speech from Mondhir, he laid the foundation for a brilliant thought.”
#44
چنین داد پاسخ که ای سرفراز
✦
به دانایی از هرکسی بی‌نیاز
“He answered: 'O exalted ruler, needless of anyone in your wisdom!'”
#45
از ایرانیان گر خرد گشته شد
✦
فراوان از آزادگان کشته شد
“'If wisdom has turned away from the Iranians, and many nobles have been slain...'”
#46
کنون من یکی نامجویم کهن
✦
اگر بشنوی تا بگویم سخن
“Now I am an experienced seeker of renown; if thou wilt listen, let me speak my counsel.”
#47
ترا با شهنشاه بهرام گور
✦
خرامید باید ابی جنگ و شور
“Thou must journey alongside King Bahram Gur in peace, free from strife and turmoil.”
#48
به ایران زمین در ابا یوز و باز
✦
چنانچون بود شاه گردن‌فراز
“Set forth unto the land of Iran with cheetahs and falcons, even as befitteth an exalted king.”
#49
شنیدن سخنهای ایرانیان
✦
همانا ز جنبش نباید زیان
“Listen to the words of the Iranians; surely no harm shall come from such a course.”
#50
بگویی تو نیز آنچ اندرخورد
✦
خردمندی و دوری از بی‌خرد
“Do thou likewise speak whatever is worthy, showing wisdom and distance from the foolish.”
#51
ز رای بدان دور داری منش
✦
بپیچی ز بیغاره و سرزنش
“Keep thy mind far from the counsel of the evil, and turn away from blame and reproach.”
#52
چو بشنید منذر ورا هدیه داد
✦
کسی کردش از شهر آباد شاد
“When Mondhir heard his words, he bestowed gifts upon him, making him joyful with the bounty of a prosperous city.”