As the radiant sun unfurled its golden crown upon the heavens at dawn, King Bahram Gur set forth toward the hunting grounds alongside a magnificent host with strung bows. Riding majestically at the rear of his army, the monarch issued a challenge of skill, declaring that an archer's arrow must strike true into the horn of a wild ass and pierce clean through its breast. The assembled paladins marvelled at the task, acknowledging that such mastery belonged only to the royal line whose imperial Glory illumed the realm. Yet Bahram humbly disclaimed personal credit, reminding his nobles that all strength and victory derive solely from the Almighty Divine, without whose grace even the strongest warrior remains helpless.
Spurring his swift charger—which bounded across the plains like a soaring Homa bird—Bahram encountered a female wild ass separated from its fawn. With a single lightning stroke of his sword, he halved the beast mid-stride. The gathered nobles and swordsmen stood awestruck at the terrifying power of his blade, proclaiming that the heavens themselves bowed beneath the King's arrows and sword. Demonstrating royal benevolence, Bahram commanded that all the hunted game be distributed freely among merchants and common folk, prohibiting anyone from taking silver for the beast carcasses.
Extending his bounty across the land, the King remitted taxes and tribute for struggling towns, enriching the impoverished and elevating many to honored estate. Returning from the hunt, Bahram dispatched a sweet-voiced herald to announce that all who suffered under hardship, all indebted souls, the elderly, the sick, and fatherless orphans should present themselves before the royal court to receive aid directly from the treasury. He sternly warned that any official who dared prey upon the inheritance of orphans would face execution upon the gallows.
Having established justice throughout the realm, Bahram journeyed to Baghdad and onward to the royal citadel of Estakhr. There, the golden harem was adorned with fine brocades, wine, and harpists whose melodies filled the air. Yet upon inspecting the quarters, the King reproached his minister Rozbeh, noting that the noble ladies of the court lacked ivory thrones and royal crowns despite the empire's vast wealth. Bahram commanded that the tributes of Rome and Khazar be collected to embellish the harem to unparalleled splendor, inaugurating a season of feast, song, and victorious reign.
#1
دگر روز چون تاج بفروخت هور
✦
جهاندار شد سوی نخچیر گور
“On the next day, as the sun unfurled its golden crown, the ruler of the world rode forth to hunt the wild ass.”
#2
کمان را به زه بر نهاده سپاه
✦
پس لشکر اندر همی رفت شاه
“The army advanced with strung bows at the ready, while the King rode majestically behind his host.”
#3
چنین گفت هرکو کمان را به دست
✦
بمالد گشاید به اندازه شست
“Thus spoke the King: 'Whosoever holds a bow in hand must draw and loose it strictly to the measure of his thumb-ring.'”
#4
نباید زدن تیر جز بر سرون
✦
که از سینه پیکانش آید برون
“'No arrow should be shot except at the horn, so that its iron point emerges from the beast's chest.'”
#5
یکی پهلوان گفت کای شهریار
✦
نگه کن بدین لشکر نامدار
“A champion spoke: 'O Sovereign! Behold this renowned host assembled before thee.'”
#6
که با کیست زین‌گونه تیر و کمان
✦
بداندیش گر مرد نیکی گمان
“'Who else possesses such archer's prowess, whether he be an ill-wisher or a loyal friend?'”
#7
مگر باشد این را گشاد برت
✦
که جاوید بادا سر و افسرت
“'Perchance only thy hand can accomplish such a shot; may thy head and crown endure forever!'”
#8
چو تو تیر گیری و شمشیر و گرز
✦
ازان خسروی فر و بالای برز
“'When thou takest up arrow, sword, and mace, thine imperial Glory and towering stature shine supreme.'”
#9
همه لشکر از شاه دارند شرم
✦
ز تیر و کمانشان شود دست نرم
“'The entire army stands in awe of the King; before thy mastery, their hands grow hesitant upon the bow.'”
#10
چنین داد پاسخ که این ایزدیست
✦
کزو بگذری زور بهرام چیست
“Bahram answered: 'This skill is a divine bestowal; without God's grace, what power hath Bahram?'”
#11
برانگیخت شبدیز بهرام را
✦
همی تیز کرد او دلارام را
“Bahram spurred his swift steed forward, quickening the stride of his beloved mount.”
#12
چو آمدش هنگام بگشاد شست
✦
بر گور را با سرونش ببست
“When the moment arrived he released his thumb-ring, pinning the wild ass's horn straight to its flank.”
#13
هم‌انگاه گور اندر آمد به سر
✦
برفتند گردان زرین کمر
“Instantly the wild ass fell headlong; the golden-belted warriors galloped forward in amaze.”
#14
شگفت اندران زخم او ماندند
✦
یکایک برو آفرین خواندند
“They stood awestruck at his miraculous wound, praising him one after another.”
#15
که کس پر و پیکان تیرش ندید
✦
به بالای آن گور شد ناپدید
“For none could even see the feathers or point of his arrow; it had vanished deep inside the beast's body.”
#16
سواران جنگی و مردان کین
✦
سراسر برو خواندند آفرین
“The battle-seasoned horsemen and fierce warriors all sang his praises in unison.”
#17
بدو پهلوان گفت کای شهریار
✦
مبیناد چشمت بد روزگار
“A hero said to him: 'O King! May thy eyes never behold the evil of treacherous Fate!'”
#18
سواری تو و ما همه بر خریم
✦
هم از خروران در هنر کمتریم
“'Thou art a true knight while we are as donkey-riders; indeed, we fall short even of donkey-drivers in skill!'”
#19
بدو گفت شاه این نه تیر منست
✦
که پیروزگر دستگیر منست
“The King replied: 'This is not by my arrow; the Victorious Almighty is my guide and protector.'”
#20
کرا پشت و یاور جهاندار نیست
✦
ازو خوارتر در جهان خوار نیست
“'He who has not the Lord of the World as his helper is the most wretched of all in the world.'”
#21
برانگیخت آن بارکش را ز جای
✦
تو گفتی شد آن باره پران همای
“He spurred his steed from its stance; thou wouldst say the mount became a soaring Homa bird.”
#22
یکی گور پیش آمدش ماده بود
✦
بچه پیش ازو رفته او مانده بود
“A female wild ass appeared before him, left behind as her fawn ran ahead.”
#23
یکی تیغ زد بر میانش سوار
✦
بدونیم شد گور ناپایدار
“The royal knight struck her middle with his sword, cleaving the wild ass instantly into two halves.”
#24
رسیدند نزدیک او مهتران
✦
سرافراز و شمشیر زن کهتران
“The great nobles and elite swordsmen galloped close to behold his feat.”
#25
چو آن زخم دیدند بر ماده گور
✦
خردمند گفت اینت شمشیر و زور
“Seeing that wound upon the female wild ass, the wise exclaimed: 'What a sword! What strength!'”
#26
مبیناد چشم بد این شاه را
✦
نماند به جز بر فلک ماه را
“'May the evil eye never touch this King, who leaves no rival under heaven save the moon!'”
#27
سر مهتران جهان زیر اوست
✦
فلک زیر پیکان و شمشیر اوست
“'The heads of world rulers are beneath his feet; the heavens themselves lie beneath his arrows and sword.'”
#28
سپاه از پس‌اندر همی تاختند
✦
بیابان ز گوران بپرداختند
“The troops galloped behind him, sweeping the vast desert clean of wild asses.”
#29
یکی مرد بر گرد لشکر بگشت
✦
که یک تن مباد اندرین پهن دشت
“A herald rode through the army shouting: 'Let no man in this wide plain sell any game to merchants,'”
#30
که گوری فروشد به بازارگان
✦
بدیشان دهند این همه رایگان
“'Let all these hunted wild asses be bestowed upon them freely as a gift!'”
#31
ز بر کوی با نامداران جز
✦
ببردند بسیار دیبا و خز
“From every quarter, chieftains brought noble gifts of brocade and silk to distribute.”
#32
بپذرفت و فرمود تا باژ و ساو
✦
نخواهند اگر چندشان بود تاو
“The King accepted and decreed that taxes and tribute be waived, even from those who could afford it.”
#33
ازان شهرها هرک درویش بود
✦
وگر نانش از کوشش خویش بود
“Whosoever in those cities was poor, even if he earned his bread by his own hard labor,”
#34
ز بخشیدن او توانگر شدند
✦
بسی نیز با تخت و افسر شدند
“Became wealthy through his gifts, and many were elevated to high status with thrones and crowns.”
#35
به شهر اندر آمد ز نخچیرگاه
✦
بکی هفته بد شادمان با سپاه
“Returning to the city from the hunt, he celebrated joyfully with his army for a full week.”
#36
برفتی خوش‌آواز گوینده‌ای
✦
خردمند و درویش جوینده‌ای
“A sweet-voiced, wise herald was sent forth to search out the poor and needy.”
#37
بگفتی که ای دادخواهندگان
✦
به یزدان پناهید از بندگان
“He proclaimed: 'O seekers of justice! Seek refuge in God from the oppression of men!'”
#38
کسی کو بخفته‌ست با رنج ما
✦
وگر نیستش بهره از گنج ما
“'If anyone sleeps in sorrow under our rule, or lacks a share from the royal treasuries,'”
#39
به میدان خرامید تا شهریار
✦
مگر بر شما نوکند روزگار
“'Let him step into the royal square, so the King may renew his fortune and lighten his days!'”
#40
دگر هرک پیرست و بیکار و سست
✦
همان کو جوانست و ناتن درست
“'Likewise, whoever is old, helpless, or feeble—or young yet lacking health of body—'”
#41
وگر وام دارد کسی زین گروه
✦
شده‌ست از بد وام خواهان ستوه
“'Or if anyone among this group is burdened by debt and weary of harsh creditors,'”
#42
وگر بی‌پدر کودکانند نیز
✦
ازان کس که دارد بخواهند چیز
“'Or if there be fatherless children in distress, let them ask whatever they need from the King.'”
#43
بود مام کودک نهفته نیاز
✦
بدوبر گشایم در گنج باز
“'If a mother conceals her poverty, I shall throw open the doors of my treasury for her.'”
#44
وگر مایه‌داری توانگر بمرد
✦
بدین مرز ازو کودکان ماند خرد
“'And if a wealthy man passes away, leaving small children helpless in this land,'”
#45
گنه کار دارد بدان چیز رای
✦
ندارد به دل شرم و بیم خدای
“'And a sinner covets their wealth, possessing no shame or fear of God in his heart...'”
#46
سخن زین نشان کس مدارید باز
✦
که از رازداران منم بی‌نیاز
“Withhold no speech of this kind from me, for I have no need of secret-keepers.”
#47
توانگر کنم مرد درویش را
✦
به دین آورم جان بدکیش را
“I shall make the poor man rich, and turn the soul of the evil-minded toward true faith.”
#48
بتوزیم فام کسی کش درم
✦
نباشد دل خویش دارد به غم
“I will discharge the debt of anyone who lacks coin and carries sorrow in his heart.”
#49
دگر هرک دارد نهفته نیاز
✦
همی دارد از تنگی خویش راز
“Moreover, whoever harbors a hidden need and keeps his poverty a secret out of pride...”
#50
مر او را ازان کار بی‌غم کنم
✦
فزون شادی و اندهش کم کنم
“I shall free him from all grief over that plight, increasing his joy and lessening his pain.”
#51
گر از کارداران بود رنج نیز
✦
که او از پدرمرده‌ای خواست چیز
“And if any trouble comes from tax-collectors who extort goods from an orphan whose father has died...”
#52
کنم زنده بر دار بیداد را
✦
که آزرد او مرد آزاد را
“I shall hang alive upon the gallows that tyrant who injured an honorable, free man.”
#53
گشادند زان پس در گنج باز
✦
توانگر شد آنکس که بودش نیاز
“Thereafter they threw open the doors of the treasuries, and whoever was needy became rich.”
#54
ز نخچیرگه سوی بغداد رفت
✦
خرد یافته با دلی شاد رفت
“From the hunting ground he departed toward Baghdad; possessing wisdom, he went with a joyful heart.”
#55
برفتند گردنکشان پیش اوی
✦
ز بیگانه و آنک بد خویش اوی
“The chieftains and nobles came out before him—both strangers and his own kin.”
#56
بفرمود تا بازگردد سپاه
✦
بیامد به کاخ دلارای شاه
“He ordered the army to turn back, and entered his heart-delighting royal palace.”
#57
شبستان زرین بیاراستند
✦
پرستندگان رود و می خواستند
“They adorned the golden harem; the attendants called for lutes and wine.”
#58
بتان چامه و چنگ برساختند
✦
ز بیگانه ایوان بپرداختند
“Fair maidens tuned their songs and harps, and cleared the palace hall of all strangers.”
#59
ز رود و می و بانگ چنگ و سرود
✦
هوا را همی داد گفتی درود
“From the sounds of lutes, wine, harp music, and songs, you would say the very air was offering greetings.”
#60
به هر شب ز هر حجره یک دست‌بند
✦
ببردند تا دل ندارد نژند
“Each night, a gift of a bracelet was brought from every chamber, so that no heart would remain sorrowful.”
#61
دو هفته همی بود دل شادمان
✦
در گنج بگشاد روز و شبان
“For two weeks his heart remained joyful, as he opened the doors of the treasury day and night.”
#62
درم داد و آمد به شهر صطخر
✦
به سر بر نهاد آن کیان تاج فخر
“He bestowed money and arrived at the city of Istakhr, placing upon his head the proud crown of the Kayanids.”
#63
شبستاان خود را چو در باز کرد
✦
بتان را ز گنج درم ساز کرد
“When he opened the doors to his royal harem, he endowed the fair maidens with treasures of silver.”
#64
به مشکوی زرین هرانکس که تاج
✦
نبودش بزیر اندرون تخت عاج
“In that golden pavilion, whichever maiden did not possess a crown nor an ivory throne beneath her...”
#65
ازان شاه ایران فراوان ژکید
✦
برآشفت وز روزبه لب گزید
“The King of Iran grumbled greatly at that; he flared in anger and bit his lip at Roozbeh.”
#66
بدو گفت من باژ روم و خزر
✦
بدیشان دهم چون بیاری بدر
“He said to him: 'I shall bestow the tribute of Rome and Khazar upon them once you bring it forth!”
#67
هم‌اکنون به خروار دینار خواه
✦
ز گنج ری و اصفهان باژ خواه
“Right now, demand loads of dinars, and collect tribute from the treasuries of Ray and Isfahan!'”
#68
شبستان برین‌گونه ویران بود
✦
نه از اختر شاه ایران بود
“For the royal harem to be neglected in this manner was unworthy of the star of the King of Iran.”
#69
ز هر کشوری باژ نو خواستند
✦
زمین را به دیبا بیاراستند
“They demanded fresh tribute from every country, and adorned the earth with silk brocades.”
#70
برین‌گونه یک چند گیتی بخورد
✦
به بزم و به رزم و به ننگ و نبرد
“In this manner he enjoyed the world for a time—in feasting and battle, in honor and combat.”