#1
برین‌گونه یک چند گیتی بخورد
✦
به رزم و به بزم و به ننگ و نبرد
“In this manner he enjoyed the world for a time—in battle and banquet, in pride and combat.”
#2
پس آگاهی آمد به هند و به روم
✦
به ترک و به چین و به آباد بوم
“Then news spread to India and Rome, to Turkestan, China, and all prosperous lands,”
#3
که بهرام را دل به بازیست بس
✦
کسی را ز گیتی ندارد به کس
“That Bahram's heart was devoted solely to games, and he held no ruler in the world in any regard.”
#4
طلایه نه و دیده‌بان نیز نه
✦
به مرز اندرون پهلوان نیز نه
“That there were neither outposts nor scouts, nor were there champions guarding the borders.”
#5
به بازی همی بگذارند جهان
✦
نداند همی آشکار و نهان
“That he spent his life in mere pastime, ignoring all matters both manifest and hidden.”
#6
چو خاقان چین این سخنها شنید
✦
ز چین و ختن لشکری برگزید
“When the Khaqan of China heard these reports, he mustered a mighty host from China and Khotan.”
#7
درم داد و سر سوی ایران نهاد
✦
کسی را نیامد ز بهرام یاد
“He distributed treasure and set forth toward Iran, while no one recalled Bahram with dread.”
#8
وزان سوی قیصر سپه برگرفت
✦
همه کشور روم لشگر گرفت
“On the other side, Caesar mobilized his troops, and all the realm of Rome was filled with soldiers.”
#9
به ایران چو آگاهی آمد ز روم
✦
ز هند و ز چین و ز آباد بوم
“When news reached Iran from Rome, India, China, and the settled lands,”
#10
که قیصر سپه کرد و لشکر کشید
✦
ز چین و ختن لشکر آمد پدید
“That Caesar had raised an army and marched, and massive forces had appeared from China and Khotan,”
#11
به ایران هرانکس که بد پیش‌رو
✦
ز پیران و از نامداران نو
“All the leaders in Iran, both the seasoned elders and the famous young chieftains,”
#12
همه پیش بهرام گور آمدند
✦
پر از خشم و پیکار و شور آمدند
“Came all together before Bahram Gur, filled with rage, strife, and turmoil.”
#13
بگفتند با شاه چندی درشت
✦
که بخت فروزانت بنمود پشت
“They spoke harshly to the king, saying: "Your radiant fortune has turned its back on you!”
#14
سر رزمجویان به رزم اندرست
✦
ترا دل به بازی و بزم اندرست
“"The heads of warriors are engaged in war, while your heart is set only on games and banquets!”
#15
به چشم تو خوارست گنج و سپاه
✦
همان تاج ایران و هم تخت و گاه
“"In your eyes, the treasury, army, throne, and crown of Iran are held cheap and worthless!"”
#16
چنین داد پاسخ جهاندار شاه
✦
بدان موبدان نماینده راه
“The world-possessing King thus answered those guidance-offering mobads:”
#17
که دادار گیهان مرا یاورست
✦
که از دانش برتران برترست
“"The Creator of the cosmos is my helper, He whose wisdom surpasses all the high!”
#18
به نیروی آن پادشاه بزرگ
✦
که ایران نگه دارم از چنگ گرگ
“"By the power of that supreme King, I shall guard Iran from the claws of the wolf!”
#19
به بخت و سپاه و به شمشیر و گنج
✦
ز کشور بگردانم این درد و رنج
“"Through fortune, army, sword, and treasury, I will turn this pain and affliction away from our country!"”
#20
همی کرد بازی بدان همنشان
✦
وزو پر ز خون دیدهٔ سرکشان
“Yet he continued his games as before, leaving the eyes of the nobles filled with blood.”
#21
همی گفت هرکس کزین پادشا
✦
بپیچد دل مردم پارسا
“Everyone said: "Because of this king, the hearts of righteous people will turn away!"”
#22
دل شاه بهرام بیدار بود
✦
ازین آگهی پر ز تیمار بود
“Yet King Bahram's heart was alert, and he was deeply concerned by these reports.”
#23
همی ساختی کار لشکر نهان
✦
ندانست رازش کس اندر جهان
“Secretly, he was preparing the army's organization, and no one in the world knew his secret strategy.”
#24
همه شهر ایران ز کارش به بیم
✦
از اندیشگان دل شده به دو نیم
“All the realm of Iran was terrified by his demeanor, their hearts split in two with worry.”
#25
همه گشته نومید زان شهریار
✦
تن و کدخدایی گرفتند خوار
“All had lost hope in that king, deeming their lives and households as good as ruined.”
#26
پس آگاهی آمد به بهرامشاه
✦
که آمد ز چین اندر ایران سپاه
“Then news reached King Bahram that an army from China had invaded Iran.”
#27
جهاندار گستهم را پیش خواند
✦
ز خاقان چین چند با او براند
“The ruler called Gostahm forward and discussed the Khaqan of China with him.”
#28
کجا پهلوان بود و دستور بود
✦
چو رزم آمدی پیش رنجور بود
“Gostahm was a warlord and trusted vizier, who became uneasy whenever war drew near.”
#29
دگر مهرپیروز به زاد را
✦
سوم مهربرزین خراد را
“Second was Mehr-Piruz son of Beh-Zad, and third was Mehr-Borzin son of Khorrad;”
#30
چو بهرام پیروز بهرامیان
✦
خزروان رهام با اندیان
“Likewise Bahram-e Piruz of the Bahramian, and Khazravan-e Rohham along with Andiyan;”
#31
یکی شاه گیلان یکی شاه ری
✦
که بودند در رای هشیار پی
“Also the King of Gilan and the King of Rayy, both wise and prudent in counsel;”
#32
دگر داد برزین رزم‌آزمای
✦
کجا زاولستان بدو بد به پای
“And Dad-Borzin the battle-tested, by whom Zabulistan was held firm;”
#33
بیاورد چون قارن برزمهر
✦
دگر دادبرزین آژنگ چهر
“He summoned Qaran son of Borzmehr, and Dad-Borzin of the stern countenance.”
#34
گزین کرد ز ایرانیان سی‌هزار
✦
خردمند و شایستهٔ کارزار
“He selected thirty thousand from the Iranians—wise warriors worthy of battle.”
#35
برادرش را داد تخت و کلاه
✦
که تا گنج و لشکر بدارد نگاه
“He entrusted the crown and throne to his brother, that he might guard the treasury and the military.”
#36
خردمند نرسی آزاد چهر
✦
همش فر و دین بود هم داد و مهر
“The wise Narsi of noble countenance, who possessed divine glory, faith, justice, and loving-kindness.”
#37
وزان جایگه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
سوی آذرآبادگان پرکشید
“From there he led his army forth and sped swiftly toward Adharbadagan.”
#38
چو از پارس لشکر فراوان ببرد
✦
چنین بود رای بزرگان و خرد
“As he led a large force out of Pars, the opinion of both elders and commoners was:”
#39
که از جنگ بگریخت بهرامشاه
✦
وزان سوی آذر کشیدست راه
“That King Bahram had fled from war and taken the path toward Azerbaijan out of fear!”
#40
چو بهرام رخ سوی دریا نهاد
✦
رسولی ز قیصر بیامد چو باد
“When Bahram turned his face toward the sea, an envoy from Caesar arrived like the wind.”
#41
به کاخیش نرسی فرود آورید
✦
گرانمایه جایی چنانچون سزید
“Narsi received him in the palace, lodging him in a grand place fit for his rank.”
#42
نشستند با رای‌زن بخردان
✦
به نزدیک نرسی همه موبدان
“The wise counselors and all the mobads gathered near Narsi in consultation.”
#43
سراسر سخنشان بد از شهریار
✦
که داد او به باد آن همه روزگار
“All their talk was about the King, complaining that he had squandered all those years.”
#44
سوی موبدان موبد آمد سپاه
✦
به آگاه بودن ز بهرامشاه
“The leaders approached the High Mobad (Mobadan Mobad) to get news of King Bahram.”
#45
که بر ما همی رنج بپراگند
✦
چرا هم ز لشکر نه گنج آگند
“Saying: "He spreads trouble upon us—why does he not fill the treasury for the army's sake?"”
#46
به هرجای زر برفشاند همی
✦
هم ارج جوانی نداند همی
“Everywhere he scattered gold lavishly, oblivious to the precious value of his youth.”
#47
پراگنده شد شهری و لشکری
✦
همی جست هرکس ره مهتری
“The citizens and the army fell into disarray, as each man sought his own path to power and supremacy.”
#48
کنون زو نداریم ما آگهی
✦
بما بازگردد بدی ار بهی
“"Now we have no news of him; whether good or ill betide, it shall ultimately recoil upon us."”
#49
ازان پس چو گفتارها شد کهن
✦
برین بر نهادند یکسر سخن
“Thereafter, when long speeches and debates had drawn to an end, they all agreed upon a single resolve:”
#50
کز ایران یکی مرد با آفرین
✦
فرستند نزدیک خاقان چین
“That they should dispatch a praiseworthy envoy from Iran unto the Khagan of China,”
#51
که بنشین ازین غارت و تاختن
✦
ز هرگونه باید برانداختن
“To say: "Cease from this plundering and assault; all manner of destruction must be brought to an end,”
#52
مگر بوم ایران بماند به جای
✦
چو از خانه آواره شد کدخدای
“So that the land of Iran may yet endure, now that the master of the house hath fled from his home."”
#53
چنین گفت نرسی که این روی نیست
✦
مر این آب را در جهان جوی نیست
“Thus spoke Narsi: "This course is fitting for us no longer; nowhere in the world is there a stream for such foul water!"”
#54
سلیحست و گنجست و مردان مرد
✦
کز آتش به خنجر برآرند گرد
“"We possess weapons, treasure, and valiant heroes who can raise dust even from fire with their daggers!"”
#55
چو نومیدی آمد ز بهرامشاه
✦
کجا رفت با خوارمایه سپاه
“Yet when total despair set in regarding King Bahram, who had departed with but a paltry host,”
#56
گر اندیشهٔ بد کنی بد رسد
✦
چه باید به شاهان چنین گشت بد
“"If you harbor ill thoughts, ill will surely arrive; why should such evil overcome our monarchs?"”
#57
شنیدند ایرانیان این سخن
✦
یکی پاسخ کژ فگندند بن
“The Iranians heard his words, yet laid the groundwork for a deceitful reply:”
#58
که بهرام ز ایدر سپاهی ببرد
✦
که ما را به غم دل بباید سپرد
“Saying: "Bahram led away our troops from here, leaving our hearts bound to grief.”
#59
چو خاقان بیاید به ایران به جنگ
✦
نماند برین بوم ما بوی و رنگ
“When the Khagan advances upon Iran for war, no trace or blossom shall remain in this realm.”
#60
سپاهی و نرسی نماند به جای
✦
بکوبند بر خیره ما را به پای
“Neither the army nor Narsi shall stand firm; they will trample us underfoot in vain.”
#61
یکی چاره سازیم تا جای ما
✦
بماند ز تن نگسلد پای ما
“Let us devise a remedy so that our homeland endures and our feet are not severed from our bodies."”
#62
یکی موبدی بود نامش همای
✦
هنرمند و بادانش و پاک‌رای
“There was a priest named Homay, accomplished, wise, and of noble judgment.”
#63
ورا برگزیدند ایرانیان
✦
که آن چاره را تنگ بندد میان
“Him did the Iranians select to gird his loins tightly for that stratagem.”
#64
نوشتند پس نامه‌ای بنده‌وار
✦
از ایران به نزدیک آن شهریار
“They then penned a subservient letter from Iran unto that foreign sovereign.”
#65
سرنامه گفتند ما بنده‌ایم
✦
به فرمان و رایت سرافگنده‌ایم
“At the head of the letter they wrote: "We are thy servants, bowed in submission to thy decree and counsel.”
#66
ز چیزی که باشد به ایران زمین
✦
فرستیم نزدیک خاقان چین
“Whatever treasures exist within the land of Iran, we shall send unto the Khagan of China,”
#67
همان نیز با هدیه و باژ و ساو
✦
که با جنگ ترکان نداریم تاو
“Along with gifts, tribute, and tax, for we possess not the strength to wage war against the Turks."”
#68
بیامد ز ایران خجسته همای
✦
خود و نامداران پاکیزه‌رای
“Blessed Homay set out from Iran, accompanied by noblemen of pure intellect.”
#69
پیام بزرگان به خاقان بداد
✦
دل شاه ترکان بدان گشت شاد
“He delivered the message of the Iranian elders to the Khagan, and the heart of the Turkic king was filled with joy.”
#70
وزان جستن تیز بهرامشاه
✦
گریزان بشد تازیان با سپاه
“And he spoke of King Bahram's swift flight, how he had galloped away in haste with his small host.”
#71
به پیش گرانمایه خاقان بگفت
✦
دل و جان خاقان چو گل برشکفت
“When he spoke thus before the grand Khagan, the Khagan's heart and soul bloomed like a rose.”
#72
به ترکان چنین گفت خاقان چین
✦
که ما برنهادیم بر چرخ زین
“To the Turks, the Khagan of China proclaimed: "We have placed our saddle upon the very heavens!”
#73
که آورد بی‌جنگ ایران به چنگ؟
✦
مگر ما به رای و به هوش و درنگ؟
“Who else hath ever conquered Iran without battle, save us through counsel, intellect, and patience?"”
#74
فرستاده را چیز بسیار داد
✦
درم داد چینی و دینار داد
“He bestowed rich rewards upon the envoy, giving Chinese dirhams and dinars in abundance.”
#75
یکی پاسخ نامه بنوشت و گفت
✦
که با جان پاکان خرد باد جفت
“He penned an answer to the letter, saying: "May wisdom ever be entwined with the souls of the pure!”
#76
بدان بازگشتیم همداستان
✦
که گفت این فرستادهٔ راستان
“We have fully agreed to that which this truthful messenger hath declared.”
#77
چو من با سپاه اندرآیم به مرو
✦
کنم روی کشور چو پر تذرو
“When I enter Merv with my army, I shall make the face of the land as colorful as a pheasant's plumage.”
#78
به رای و به داد و به رنگ و به بوی
✦
ابا آب شیر اندر آرم به جوی
“Through justice, judgment, color, and grace, I shall cause milk to flow beside water in the stream.”
#79
بباشیم تا باژ ایران رسد
✦
همان هدیه و ساو شیران رسد
“We shall abide there until the tribute of Iran arrives, along with the gifts and taxes of its brave men.”
#80
به مرو آیم و زاستر نگذرم
✦
نخواهم که رنج آید از لشکرم
“I shall come to Merv and advance no further than Astar, for I wish no harm to reach you from my host."”
#81
فرستاده تازان به ایران رسید
✦
ز خاقان بگفت آنچ دید و شنید
“The swift messenger arrived in Iran, bringing news of all he had seen and heard of the Khaqan.”
#82
به مرو اندر آورد خاقان سپاه
✦
جهان شد ز گرد سواران سیاه
“Into the city of Marv the Khaqan led his army, until the world grew dark from the dust of his horsemen.”
#83
چو آسوده شد سر بخوردن نهاد
✦
کسی را نیامد ز بهرام یاد
“Once at ease, he turned his mind to feasting, and no one brought Bahram to memory.”
#84
به مرو اندرون بانگ چنگ و رباب
✦
کسی را نبد جای آرام و خواب
“Within Marv resounded the melodies of harp and lute; none found a place for rest or slumber.”
#85
سپاهش همه باره کرده یله
✦
طلایه نه بردشت و نه راحله
“His troops had left their warhorses untethered, posting no vanguards on the plain nor sentries with the train.”
#86
شکار و می و مجلس و بانگ چنگ
✦
شب و روز ایمن نشسته ز جنگ
“Given to hunting, wine, assemblies, and the harp's strain, day and night they sat, secure from fear of war.”
#87
همی باژ ایرانیان چشم داشت
✦
ز دیر آمدن دل پر از خشم داشت
“He eagerly awaited the tribute of the Iranians, his heart burning with rage at its delay.”