#1
چنان بد که روزی به نخچیر شیر
✦
همی‌رفت با چند گرد دلیر
“It so befell that one day, to hunt lions, he rode forth accompanied by a few brave champions.”
#2
بشد پیر مردی عصایی به دست
✦
بدو گفت کای شاه یزدان‌پرست
“An old man leaning on a staff approached him and said, 'O God-worshipping King!'”
#3
به راهام مردیست پرسیم و زر
✦
جهودی فریبنده و بدگهر
“'In Raham there lives a man laden with silver and gold—a deceitful Jew of evil nature.'”
#4
به آزادگی لنبک آبکش
✦
به آرایش خوان و گفتار خوش
“'And there is Lenbak the water-carrier, noble of heart, renowned for spreading a rich table and speaking sweet words.'”
#5
بپرسید زان کهتران کاین کیند
✦
به گفتار این پیر سر بر چیند
“The king asked his retainers, 'Who are these men of whom this old man speaks?'”
#6
چنین گفت با او یکی نامدار
✦
که ای با گهر نامور شهریار
“A renowned courtier replied to him, 'O noble and illustrious Sovereign!'”
#7
سقاایست این لنبک آبکش
✦
جوانمرد و با خوان و گفتار خوش
“'This Lenbak the Water-Carrier is a humble water-bearer, yet generous, hospitable, and warm of speech.'”
#8
به یک نیم روز آب دارد نگاه
✦
دگر نیمه مهمان بجوید ز راه
“'For half the day he carries water, and for the other half he seeks out travelers from the road to be his guests.'”
#9
نماند به فردا از امروز چیز
✦
نخواهد که در خانه باشد به نیز
“'He leaves nothing of today's earnings for tomorrow, nor desires to keep any hoard in his house.'”
#10
به راهام بی‌بر جهودیست زفت
✦
کجا زفتی او نشاید نهفت
“'While in Raham, there is a worthless, miserly Jew whose stinginess cannot be concealed.'”
#11
درم دارد و گنج و دینار نیز
✦
همان فرش دیبا و هرگونه چیز
“'He possesses dirhams, treasures, and gold dinars, along with brocade carpets and all manner of goods.'”
#12
منادیگری را بفرمود شاه
✦
که شو بانگ زن پیش بازارگاه
“The king ordered a herald, 'Go and cry out loud before the marketplace,'”
#13
که هرکس که از لنبک آبکش
✦
خرد آب خوردن نباشدش خوش
“'Let no man buy drinking water from Lenbak the Water-Carrier, lest he incur the king's wrath!'”
#14
همی بود تا زرد گشت آفتاب
✦
نشست از بر باره بی‌زور و تاب
“Time passed until the sun turned yellow at sunset; Bahram mounted his horse, feigning weariness.”
#15
سوی خانهٔ لنبک آمد چو باد
✦
بزد حلقه بر درش و آواز داد
“Swift as the wind he rode to Lenbak’s house, knocked upon the door, and called out,”
#16
که من سرکشی‌ام ز ایران سپاه
✦
چو شب تیره شد بازماندم ز شاه
“'I am a warrior from the army of Iran; night has fallen dark, and I have lost my way from the king.'”
#17
درین خانه امشب درنگم دهی
✦
همه مردمی باشد و فرهی
“'If you grant me shelter in this house tonight, it will be a deed of true humanity and nobility.'”
#18
ببد شاد لنبک ز آواز اوی
✦
وزان خوب گفتار دمساز اوی
“Lenbak was delighted by his voice and by his pleasant, friendly words.”
#19
بدو گفت زود اندر آی ای سوار
✦
که خشنود بادا ز تو شهریار
“He said to him, 'Enter quickly, O rider! May the Sovereign ever be pleased with thee!'”
#20
اگر با تو ده تن بدی به بدی
✦
همه یک به یک بر سرم مه بدی
“'Even if ten men had come with thee, each and every one would be a revered master upon my head.'”
#21
فرود آمد از باره بهرامشاه
✦
همی داشت آن باره لنبک نگاه
“King Bahram dismounted from his horse, and Lenbak took care of the charger.”
#22
بمالید شادان به چیزی تنش
✦
یکی رشته بنهاد بر گردنش
“Joyfully he rubbed down the horse's body and tied a lead rope about its neck.”
#23
چو بنشست بهرام لنبک دوید
✦
یکی مهره شطرنج پیش آورید
“When Bahram sat down, Lenbak ran and brought forth a set of chess pieces.”
#24
یکی کاسه آورد پر خوردنی
✦
بیاورد هرگونه آوردنی
“He brought a bowl filled with food and presented whatever provisions he could gather.”
#25
به بهرام گفت ای گرانمایه مرد
✦
بنه مهره بازی از بهر خورد
“He said to Bahram, 'O noble man, put aside the game and eat!'”
#26
بدید آنک لنبک بدو داد شاه
✦
بخندید و بنهاد بر پیش گاه
“Seeing what Lenbak offered, the king smiled and placed the chess pieces before him.”
#27
چو نان خورده شد میزبان در زمان
✦
بیاورد جامی ز می شادمان
“When the meal was done, the host straightway brought a goblet of wine, full of joy.”
#28
همی خورد بهرام تا گشت مست
✦
به خوردنش آنگه بیازید دست
“Bahram drank until he grew merry and wine-intoxicated, stretching forth his hand to enjoy the drink.”
#29
شگفت آمد او را ازان جشن اوی
✦
وزان خوب گفتار وزان تازه روی
“He marveled at his host's feast, his sweet speech, and his cheerful, beaming countenance.”
#30
بخفت آن شب و بامداد پگاه
✦
از آواز او چشم بگشاد شاه
“He slept that night, and early in the morning, the king opened his eyes at Lenbak's voice.”
#31
چنین گفت لنبک به بهرام گور
✦
که شب بی نوا بد همانا ستور
“Lenbak said to Bahram Gor, 'Your horse perchance had a meager night.'”
#32
یک امروز مهمان من باش وبس
✦
وگر یار خواهی بخوانیم کس
“'Remain as my guest for just this one day more; if thou desirest companionship, we shall invite others.'”
#33
بیاریم چیزی که باید به جای
✦
یک امروز با ما به شادی بپای
“'We shall bring whatever is fitting; spend just this day with us in gladness.'”
#34
چنین گفت با آبکش شهریار
✦
که امروز چندان نداریم کار
“The king replied to the water-carrier, 'Today I have no pressing business,'”
#35
که ناچار ز ایدر بباید شدن
✦
هم اینجا به نزد تو خواهم بدن
“'that would force me to depart hence; I shall remain right here with thee.'”
#36
بسی آفرین کرد لنبک بروی
✦
ز گفتار او تازه‌تر کرد روی
“Lenbak showered him with blessings, his face brightening with joy at his guest's words.”
#37
بشد لنبک و آب چندی کشید
✦
خریدار آبش نیامد پدید
“Lenbak went and drew much water, but due to the king's decree, no buyer appeared.”
#38
غمی گشت و پیراهنش درکشید
✦
یکی آبکش را به بر برکشید
“Grieved, he took off his robe and handed it over to a fellow water-carrier as pledge.”
#39
بها بستد و گوشت بخرید زود
✦
بیامد سوی خانه چون باد و دود
“He took the money, quickly bought meat, and returned home like wind and smoke.”
#40
بپخت و بخوردند و می خواستند
✦
یکی مجلس دیگر آراستند
“They cooked, ate, called for wine, and arranged another delightful gathering.”
#41
بیود آن شب تیره با می به دست
✦
همان لنبک آبکش می‌پرست
“Through that dark night, Lenbak the water-carrier sat with goblet in hand, loving the wine-feast.”
#42
چو شب روز شد تیز لنبک برفت
✦
بیامد به نزدیک بهرام تفت
“As night turned into day, Lenbak swiftly went to Bahram and approached him eagerly.”
#43
بدو گفت روز سیم شادباش
✦
ز رنج و غم و کوشش آزاد باش
“He said to him, 'On this third day, be joyful! Be free from toil, care, and labor!'”
#44
بزن دست با من یک امروز نیز
✦
چنان دان که بخشیده‌ای زر و چیز
“'Join hands with me for just today as well; consider it as if thou hast bestowed gold and riches.'”
#45
بدو گفت بهرام کین خود مباد
✦
که روز سه دیگر نباشیم شاد
“Bahram replied, 'Far be it from us not to be joyful on this third day!'”
#46
برو آبکش آفرین خواند و گفت
✦
که بیداردل باش و با بخت جفت
“The water-carrier praised him and said: 'May you ever be awake of heart and joined with good fortune!'”
#47
به بازار شد مشک و آلت ببرد
✦
گروگان به پرمایه مردی سپرد
“He went to the marketplace, carrying his waterskin and tools, and pledged them to a wealthy man.”
#48
خرید آنچ بایست و آمد دوان
✦
به نزدیک بهرام شد شادمان
“He purchased whatever was needed and came running back; full of joy, he approached Bahram.”
#49
بدو گفت یاری ده اندر خورش
✦
که مرد از خورشها کند پرورش
“He said to him: 'Lend a hand in preparing the food, for man gains nourishment and strength from eating.'”
#50
ازو بستد آن گوشت بهرام زود
✦
برید و بر آتش خورشها فزود
“Bahram quickly took the meat from him, sliced it, and set the dishes upon the fire.”
#51
چو نان خورده شد می‌گرفتند و جام
✦
نخست از شهنشاه بردند نام
“When the bread was eaten, they took up the goblet; first of all, they toasted the name of the King of Kings.”
#52
چو می خورده شد خواب را جای کرد
✦
به بالین او شمع بر پای کرد
“When the wine was finished, he prepared a place for slumber, and set a burning candle beside his pillow.”
#53
به روز چهارم چو بفروخت هور
✦
شد از خواب بیدار بهرام گور
“On the fourth day, as the sun illuminated the world, Bahram Gur awoke from his sleep.”
#54
بشد میزبان گفت کای نامدار
✦
ببودی درین خانهٔ تنگ و تار
“The host came forward and said: 'O noble knight! You have stayed in this dark and narrow home.'”
#55
بدین خانه اندر تن‌آسان نه‌ای
✦
گر از شاه ایران هراسان نه‌ای
“'You cannot be at ease in such a house, unless perchance you are fleeing in fear of the King of Iran.'”
#56
دو هفته بدین خانهٔ بی‌نوا
✦
بباشی گر آید دلت را هوا
“'Yet if your heart desires, you may remain in this humble home for two more weeks.'”
#57
برو آفرین کرد بهرامشاه
✦
که شادان و خرم بدی سال و ماه
“King Bahram praised him, saying: 'May you remain joyous and prosperous throughout every month and year!'”
#58
سه روز اندرین خانه بودیم شاد
✦
که شاهان گیتی گرفتیم یاد
“'For three days we were joyful in this house, and together we remembered the monarchs of the world.'”
#59
به جایی بگویم سخنهای تو
✦
که روشن شود زو دل و رای تو
“'I shall speak of your deeds in a place where your heart and mind will be made bright thereby.'”
#60
که این میزبانی ترا بر دهد
✦
چو افزون دهی تخت و افسر دهد
“'For this hospitality shall bear fruit for you; when you give abundantly, destiny bestows a throne and crown.'”
#61
بیامد چو گرد اسپ را زین نهاد
✦
به نخچیرگه رفت زان خانه شاد
“Like a warrior champion he saddled his horse and joyfully departed from that house for the hunting ground.”
#62
همی کرد نخچیر تا شب ز کوه
✦
برآمد سبک بازگشت از گروه
“He hunted upon the mountain until nightfall, then swiftly turned back from the company.”