King Bahram Gur, accoutered with a trained hunting leopard and a swift hawk upon his wrist, rode forth across the open plains in quest of game. His journey brought him to a dense, verdant thicket of enchanting trees—a place resembling paradise itself, yet void of human presence or grazing cattle. Recognizing it as a sanctuary for ferocious lions and a testing ground for brave men, the monarch strung his bow. Instantly, a monstrous male lion burst from the foliage with a deafening roar. Bahram drew his bowstring to his ear and loosed a shaft that pinned the beast's flank directly through its heart. Enraged and grieving for her mate, the lioness launched herself forward with bared claws, but Bahram met her charge with a single thunderous stroke of his sword, bisecting the beast mid-air.
From the shadow of the trees stepped forth Mihr-Bandad, a pious old Dehqan whose herds had long been ruined by the pair of lions. Overjoyed at his deliverance, he bowed before the Iranian monarch and offered praises to God for sending such a champion. The elder invited Bahram to rest, bringing forth wine, honey, milk, and musicians, while sacrificing fat sheep for a noble feast. Softened by wine, Mihr-Bandad remarked that the hunter bore an uncanny resemblance to the King of Iran himself, fit for a golden throne. Smiling, Bahram answered that the Divine Sculptor fashions faces as He pleases, adding that if he indeed resembled the king so well, he hereby granted full ownership of the entire thicket and land to Mihr-Bandad. With his mission complete, the king mounted his charger and returned merrily to his palace, passing the dark night in his garden dreaming of his beloved friends.
#1
چو یوز شکاری به کار آمدش
✦
بجنبید و رای شکار آمدش
“When his hunting leopard was trained for the chase, his heart was stirred with a desire for hunting.”
#2
یکی باره‌ای تیزرو بر نشست
✦
به هامون خرامید بازی به دست
“He mounted a swift warhorse and rode out onto the plain with a hunting falcon on his wrist.”
#3
یکی بیشه پیش آمدش پردرخت
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نشستنگه مردم نیک‌بخت
“He came upon a dense thicket full of trees, a sanctuary fit for fortunate souls.”
#4
بسان بهشتی یکی سبز جای
✦
ندید اندرو مردم و چارپای
“A verdant paradise it seemed, yet he saw neither human nor beast dwelling within it.”
#5
چنین گفت کاین جای شیران بود
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همان رزمگاه دلیران بود
“He said to himself, 'This must be the haunt of fierce lions and a battleground for valiant braves.'”
#6
کمان را به زه کرد مرد دلیر
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پدید آمد اندر زمان نره شیر
“The brave hero strung his bow, and instantly a mighty male lion appeared before him.”
#7
یکی نعره زد شیر چون در رسید
✦
بزد دست شاه و کمان درکشید
“The lion uttered a deafening roar as it charged, whereupon the king reached for his bow and drew back the string.”
#8
بزد تیر و پهلوش با دل بدوخت
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دل شیر ماده بدوبر بسوخت
“He loosed an arrow that pinned the lion's flank to its heart; seeing this, the female lion's heart burned with grief and fury.”
#9
همان ماده آهنگ بهرام کرد
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بغرید و چنگش به اندام کرد
“The lioness then launched herself at Bahram, roaring loudly and extending her sharp claws towards him.”
#10
یکی تیغ زد بر میانش سوار
✦
فروماند جنگی دران کارزار
“The royal rider struck her middle with his sword, cleaving her in two, leaving the beast spent in that battle.”
#11
برون آمد از بیشه مردی کهن
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زبانش گشاده به شیرین سخن
“Then from the thicket emerged an elderly man, his tongue filled with sweet and eloquent speech.”
#12
کجا نام او مهربنداد بود
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ازان زخم شمشیر او شاد بود
“His name was Mihr-Bandad, and he rejoiced greatly at the mortal stroke of that sword.”
#13
یکی مرد دهقان یزدان‌پرست
✦
بدان بیشه بودیش جای نشست
“He was a God-fearing landowner (Dehqan) who dwelt in that very thicket.”
#14
چو آمد بر شاه ایران فراز
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برو آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“Coming before the King of Iran, he offered praises and bowed in veneration.”
#15
بدو گفت کای مهتر نامدار
✦
به کام تو باد اختر روزگار
“He addressed him: 'O renowned leader, may the stars of fortune align according to thy desire!'”
#16
یکی مرد دهقانم ای پاک‌رای
✦
خداوند این جا و کشت و سرای
“'I am a pure-hearted landowner, master of this place, its crops, and its dwellings.'”
#17
خداوند گاو و خر و گوسفند
✦
ز شیران شده بددل و مستمند
“'I own cattle, donkeys, and sheep, yet I was left heart-broken and impoverished by those fierce lions.'”
#18
کنون ایزد این کار بر دست تو
✦
برآورد بر قبضه و شست تو
“'Now God hath accomplished this deliverance through thy hand, thy bow-grip, and thy archer's thumb.'”
#19
زمانی درین بیشه آیی چنین
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بباشی به شیر و می و انگبین
“'Rest awhile in this thicket and partake of milk, wine, and honey.'”
#20
بره هست چندانک باید به کار
✦
درختان بارآور و سایه‌دار
“'There are fat lambs in abundance, as well as fruitful, shade-giving trees.'”
#21
فرود آمد از باره بهرامشاه
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همی کرد زان بیشه جایی نگاه
“King Bahram dismounted from his charger and looked about the thicket with pleasure.”
#22
که باشد زمین سبز و آب روان
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چنانچون بود جای مرد جوان
“He saw lush green soil and flowing waters, a place perfectly suited for a vibrant young hero.”
#23
بشد مهربنداد و رامشگران
✦
بیاورد چندی ز ده مهتران
“Mihr-Bandad departed and brought back musicians and several elders of the village.”
#24
بسی گوسفندان فربه بکشت
✦
بیامد یکی جام زرین به مشت
“They slaughtered many plump sheep, and he returned bearing a golden goblet in hand.”
#25
چو نان خورده شد جامهای نبید
✦
نهادند پیشش گل و شنبلید
“After the feast, as cups of wine were drained, they laid flowers and fenugreek blossoms before him.”
#26
چو شد مهربنداد شادان ز می
✦
به بهرام گفت ای گو نیک‌پی
“As Mihr-Bandad grew merry with wine, he said to Bahram, 'O hero of auspicious footstep,'”
#27
چنان دان که ماننده‌ای شاه را
✦
همان تخت زرین و هم‌گاه را
“'Know that thou bear'st a striking resemblance to the King, as well as to his golden throne and majesty!'”
#28
بدو گفت بهرام کآری رواست
✦
نگارنده بر چهرها پادشاست
“Bahram replied, 'Indeed it may be so, for the Creator is sovereign over all countenances.'”
#29
چنان آفریند که خواهد همی
✦
مر آن را گزیند که خواهد همی
“'He shapes as He wills and chooses whomsoever He pleases.'”
#30
اگر من همی نیک مانم به شاه
✦
ترا دادم این بیشه و جایگاه
“'If I indeed resemble the King so well, I bestow this thicket and domain upon thee!'”
#31
بگفت این و زان جایگه برنشست
✦
به ایوان خرم خرامید مست
“So speaking, he mounted his steed and returned pleasantly intoxicated to his grand palace.”
#32
بخفت آن شب تیره در بوستان
✦
همی یاد کرد از لب دوستان
“He slept that dark night in the garden, fondly remembering the lips of his beloved companions.”