#1
دگر هفته تنها به نخچیر شد
✦
دژم بود با ترکش و تیر شد
“Another week he went alone to hunt; gloomy at heart, he rode with quiver and bow.”
#2
ز خورشید تابنده شد دشت گرم
✦
سپهبد ز نخچیر برگشت نرم
“From the shining sun the plain grew hot; the commander gently turned back from the hunt.”
#3
سوی کاخ بازارگانی رسید
✦
به هر سو نگه کرد و کس را ندید
“He reached the merchant's mansion; he looked all around and saw no one.”
#4
ببازارگان گفت ما را سپنج
✦
توان داد کز ما نبینی تو رنج
“He said to the merchant: 'Can you grant us shelter so that you suffer no distress from us?'”
#5
چو بازارگانش فرود آورید
✦
مر او را یکی خوابگه برگزید
“When the merchant brought him inside, he chose a sleeping chamber for him.”
#6
همی بود نالان ز درد شکم
✦
به بازارگان داد لختی درم
“He kept groaning from stomach pain, and gave a handful of coins to the merchant.”
#7
بدو گفت لختی نبید کهن
✦
ابا مغز بادام بریان بکن
“He said to him: 'Bring a bit of aged wine, and roast some almond kernels.'”
#8
اگر خانگی مرغ باشد رواست
✦
کزین آرزوها دلم را هواست
“'If there be a domestic fowl it is proper, for my heart desires these things.'”
#9
نیاورد بازارگان آنچ گفت
✦
نبد مغز بادامش اندر نهفت
“The merchant brought not what he asked, nor did he have almond kernels hidden away.”
#10
چو تاریک شد میزبان رفت نرم
✦
یکی مرغ بریان بیاورد گرم
“When it grew dark, the host came softly and brought a hot roasted bird.”
#11
بیاراست خوان پیش بهرام برد
✦
به بازارگان گفت بهرام گرد
“He set the table before Bahram, and brave Bahram said to the merchant:”
#12
که از تو نبید کهن خواستم
✦
زبان را به خواهش بیاراستم
“'I asked you for aged wine, and adorned my tongue with requests;'”
#13
نیاوردی و داده بودم درم
✦
که نالنده بودم ز درد شکم
“'You brought it not, though I gave you coins while groaning with stomach pain.'”
#14
چنین داد پاسخ که ای بی‌خرد
✦
نداری خرد کو روان پرورد
“He replied thus: 'O foolish one! You lack the wisdom that nourishes the soul!'”
#15
چو آوردم این مرغ بریان گرم
✦
فزون خواستن نیست آیین و شرم
“'When I brought this hot roast chicken, asking for more is neither custom nor modesty!'”
#16
چو بشنید بهرام زو این سخن
✦
بشد آرزوی نبید کهن
“When Bahram heard this word from him, his desire for aged wine passed away.”
#17
پشیمان شد از گفت خود نان بخورد
✦
برو نیز یاد گذشته نکرد
“He repented of his request, ate his bread, and did not speak again of what had passed.”
#18
چو هنگامهٔ خوابش آمد بخفت
✦
به بازارگان نیز چیزی نگفت
“When the hour of sleep arrived he slept, and said nothing more to the merchant.”
#19
ز دریای جوشان چو خور بردمید
✦
شد آن چادر قیرگون ناپدید
“When the sun brightened from the boiling sea, that pitch-black veil vanished.”
#20
همی گفت پرمایه بازارگان
✦
به شاگرد کای مرد ناکاردان
“The wealthy merchant was saying to his apprentice: 'O incompetent man!'”
#21
مران مرغ کارزش نبد یک درم
✦
خریدی به افزون و کردی ستم
“'That bird was not worth a single dirham; you bought it at excess and did wrong.'”
#22
گر ارزان خریدی ابا این سوار
✦
نبودی مرا تیره شب کارزار
“'If you had bought cheap for this rider, my dark night would not have been a battle.'”
#23
خریدی مر او را به دانگی پنیر
✦
بدی با من امروز چون آب و شیر
“'Had you bought him cheese for a copper, he would have been like milk and honey with me today!'”
#24
بدو گفت اگر این نه کار منست
✦
چنان دان که مرغ از شمار منست
“The apprentice said: 'If this is not my affair, know that the bird is on my account!'”
#25
تو مهمان من باش با این سوار
✦
بدین مرغ با من مکن کارزار
“'Be my guest along with this rider, and do not quarrel with me over this bird!'”
#26
چو بهرام برخاست از خواب خوش
✦
بشد نزد آن بارهٔ دست‌کش
“When Bahram arose from sweet sleep, he went toward his led steed,”
#27
که زین برنهد تا به ایوان شود
✦
کلاهش ز ایوان به کیوان شود
“To place the saddle on it and go to the palace, his crown rising to Saturn.”
#28
چو شاگرد دیدش به بهرام گفت
✦
که امروز با من به بد باش جفت
“When the apprentice saw him, he said to Bahram: 'Today join me despite bad fortune!'”
#29
بشد شاه و بنشست بر تخت اوی
✦
شگفتی فروماند از بخت اوی
“The King went and sat upon his couch, marveling in wonder at his good fortune.”
#30
جوان رفت و آورد خایه دویست
✦
به استاد گفت ای گرامی مه‌ایست
“The youth went and brought two hundred eggs, saying to his master: 'O noble one, delay not!'”
#31
یکی مرغ بریان با نان گرم
✦
نبید کهن آر و بادام نرم
“'Bring a roast bird with warm bread, aged wine, and soft almonds.'”
#32
بشد نزد بهرام گفت ای سوار
✦
همی خایه کردی تو دی خواستار
“He came to Bahram and said: 'O rider, yesterday you were asking for food!'”
#33
کنون آرزوها بیاریم گرم
✦
هم از چندگونه خورشهای نرم
“'Now we bring your desires warm, with several kinds of delicious foods.'”
#34
بگفت این و زان پس به بازار شد
✦
به ساز دگرگون خریدار شد
“He said this and then went to the market, buying with a splendid new preparation.”
#35
شکر جست و بادام و مرغ و بره
✦
که آرایش خوان کند یکسره
“He sought sugar, almonds, chicken, and lamb to array the banquet entirely.”
#36
می و زعفران برد و مشک و گلاب
✦
سوی خانه شد با دلی پرشتاب
“He brought wine, saffron, musk, and rosewater, returning home with a swift heart.”
#37
بیاورد خوان با خورشهای نغز
✦
جوان بر منش بود و پاکیزه‌مغز
“He brought the feast with exquisite dishes; the youth was noble-minded and pure of spirit.”
#38
چو نان خورده شد جام پر می‌ببرد
✦
نخستین به بهرام خسرو سپرد
“When the bread was eaten, he brought wine-filled cups, handing the first to King Bahram.”
#39
بدین‌گونه تا شاد و خرم شدند
✦
ز خردک به جام دمادم شدند
“In this manner they became joyful and glad, continuously filling cups to the brim.”
#40
چنین گفت با میزبان شهریار
✦
که بهرام ما را کند خواستار
“The King said to his host: 'Bahram shall summon us soon!'”
#41
شما می گسارید و مستان شوید
✦
مجنبید تا می پرستان شوید
“'Drink wine and be merry; do not move until you are true wine-lovers!'”
#42
بمالید پس باره را زین نهاد
✦
سوی گلشن آمد ز می گشته شاد
“He saddled his horse, leaving for the garden, joyful and merry from the wine.”
#43
به بازارگان گفت چندین مکوش
✦
از افزونی این مرد ارزان فروش
“He said to the merchant: 'Strive not so much; this man sells cheap out of abundance.'”
#44
به دانگی مرا دوش بفروختی
✦
همی چشم شاگرد را دوختی
“'Last night you sold me short for a copper, blinding the eyes of your apprentice!'”
#45
که مرغی خریدی فزون از بها
✦
نهادی مرا در دم اژدها
“'Claiming he bought a bird above its value, putting me into the dragon's mouth!'”
#46
بگفت این به بازارگان و برفت
✦
سوی گاه شاهی خرامید تفت
“He spoke these words to the merchant and departed, hastening swiftly toward his royal throne.”
#47
چو خورشید بر تخت بنمود تاج
✦
جهانبان نشست از بر تخت عاج
“As the radiant sun revealed its crown upon the throne of dawn, the ruler of the world took his seat upon his throne of ivory.”
#48
بفرمود خسرو به سالار بار
✦
که بازارگان را کند خواستار
“The monarch commanded the lord chamberlain to summon the miserly merchant to the court.”
#49
بیارند شاگرد با او بهم
✦
یکی شاد ازیشان و دیگر دژم
“"Bring his apprentice along with him as well—the one joyous in spirit, the other gloomy and sullen."”
#50
چو شاگرد و استاد رفتند زود
✦
به پیش شهنشاه ایران چو دود
“Swiftly as smoke, both master and apprentice hastened into the presence of Iran's King of kings.”
#51
چو شاگرد را دید بنواختش
✦
بر مهتران شاد بنشاختش
“When the King saw the generous youth, he bestowed favor upon him and happily seated him above the grandees.”
#52
یکی بدره بردند نزدیک اوی
✦
که چون ماه شد جان تاریک اوی
“They brought a purse of gold before the youth, so bright that his once darkened soul shone like the moon.”
#53
به بازارگان گفت تا زنده‌ای
✦
چنان دان که شاگرد را بنده‌ای
“Then to the merchant he declared: "As long as you draw breath, know that you are but a servant to your former apprentice!"”
#54
همان نیز هر ماهیانی دوبار
✦
درم شست گنجی بروبر شمار
“"Moreover, twice in every month, you shall count out sixty treasure-dirhams directly into his hands!"”
#55
به چیز تو شاگرد مهمان کند
✦
دل مرد آزاده خندان کند
“"With your riches the youth shall play the host and bring joy to the hearts of noble, free-born men!"”
#56
به موبد چنین گفت زان پس که شاه
✦
چو کار جهان را ندارد نگاه
“Thereafter the King turned to his chief priest and said: "If the ruler fails to watch closely over the affairs of the world,”
#57
چه داند که مردم کدامست به
✦
چگونه شناسد کهان را ز مه
“How can he discern who among men is noble, or distinguish the lowly from the truly great?"”