#1
چو شد کار توران زمین ساخته
✦
دل شاه ز اندیشه پرداخته
“When the affairs of the land of Touran were settled, the king's heart was cleared of all care.”
#2
بفرمود تا پیش او شد دبیر
✦
قلم خواست با مشک و چینی حریر
“He commanded his scribe to step forward, asking for ink mixed with musk and fine Chinese silk.”
#3
به نرسی یکی نامه فرمود شاه
✦
ز پیکار ترکان و کار سپاه
“The king ordered a missive written to Narsi, detailing the battle with the Turks and the army's deeds.”
#4
سر نامه کرد آفرین نهان
✦
ازین بنده بر کردگار جهان
“He began the letter with profound praise from this humble servant unto the Creator of the world,”
#5
خداوند پیروزی و دستگاه
✦
خداوند بهرام و کیوان و ماه
“Lord of victory and supreme power, Lord of Mars, Saturn, and the Moon,”
#6
خداوند گردنده چرخ بلند
✦
خداوند ارمنده خاک نژند
“Lord of the revolving high heavens, Lord of the motionless, humble earth.”
#7
بزرگی و خردی به پیمان اوست
✦
همه بودنی زیر فرمان اوست
“Greatness and smallness are measured by His decree; all that exists lies beneath His command.”
#8
نوشتم یکی نامه از مرز چین
✦
به نزد برادر به ایران زمین
“I wrote a letter from the border of China to my brother in the land of Iran,”
#9
به نزد بزرگان ایرانیان
✦
نوشتن همین نامه بر پرنیان
“And likewise unto the noble chieftains of Iran, inscribed upon precious silk.”
#10
هرانکس که او رزم خاقان ندید
✦
ازین جنگجویان بباید شنید
“Whoever did not behold the battle against the Khaqan should hear of it from these warriors.”
#11
سپه بود چندانک گفتی سپهر
✦
ز گردش به قیر اندر اندود چهر
“Their army was so vast you would say the sky itself was smudged with pitch by their movements.”
#12
همه مرز شد همچو دریای خون
✦
سر بخت بیداد گشته نگون
“The entire border became like a sea of blood, and the head of unjust fortune was turned upside down.”
#13
به رزم اندرون او گرفتار شد
✦
وزو چرخ گردنده بیزار شد
“In the midst of battle he was captured, and the revolving heavens grew weary of him.”
#14
کنون بسته آوردمش بر هیون
✦
جگر خسته و دیدگان پر ز خون
“Now I have brought him bound upon a camel, his heart wounded and his eyes filled with blood.”
#15
همه گردن سرکشان گشت نرم
✦
زبان چرب و دلها پر از خون گرم
“The necks of all the rebellious were humbled; their tongues became sweet and their hearts filled with warm blood.”
#16
پذیرفت باژ آنک بدخواه بود
✦
به راه آمدند آنک بی‌راه بود
“Whoever was an enemy accepted tribute; those who had lost their way returned to the right path.”
#17
کنون از پس نامه من با سپاه
✦
بیایم به کام دل نیک‌خواه
“Now, following my letter, I shall arrive with the army to fulfill the desire of every well-wisher.”
#18
هیونان کفک‌افگن بادپای
✦
برفتند چون ابر غران ز جای
“The swift, foam-flecked camels departed from the place like roaring clouds.”
#19
چو نامه به نزدیک نرسی رسید
✦
ز شادی دل پادشا بردمید
“When the letter reached Narsi, the prince's heart swelled with joy.”
#20
بشد موبد موبدان پیش اوی
✦
هرانکس که بود از یلان جنگ جوی
“The High Priest came before him, along with all the battle-seeking heroes.”
#21
به شادی برآمد ز ایران خروش
✦
نهادند هر یک به آواز گوش
“Shouts of jubilation rose up from Iran, as everyone listened closely to the news.”
#22
دل نامداران ز تشویر شاه
✦
همی بود پیچان ز بهر گناه
“The hearts of the famous lords twisted in shame before the king because of their past sin.”
#23
به پوزش به نزدیک موبد شدند
✦
همه دل‌هراسان ز هر بد شدند
“In repentance they went before the High Priest, fearful in heart of every evil consequence,”
#24
کز اندیشه کژ و فرمان دیو
✦
ببرد دل از راه گیهان خدیو
“Saying, 'Through crooked thoughts and the demon's command, our hearts departed from the path of the Lord of the world.”
#25
بدان مایه لشکر که برد این گمان
✦
که یزدان گشاید در آسمان
“Before so mighty an army, we presumed that God Himself was opening the gates of heaven.”
#26
شگفتیست این کز گمان بگذرد
✦
هم از رای داننده مرد خرد
“This is a wonder beyond suspicion, and beyond the judgment of wise and prudent men.”
#27
چو پاسخ شود نامه بر خوب و زشت
✦
همین پوزش ما بباید نوشت
“When the reply to the letter is framed with fine words, this apology of ours must be written as well,”
#28
که گر چند رفت از برزگان گناه
✦
ببخشد مگر نامبردار شاه
“So that although a sin was committed by the nobles, the famous king may perchance forgive it.'”
#29
بپذرفت نرسی که ایدون کنم
✦
که کین از دل شاه بیرون کنم
“Narsi agreed to do so, promising to purge vengeance from the king's heart.”
#30
پس آن نامه را زود پاسخ نوشت
✦
پدیدار کرد اندرو خوب و زشت
“Then he swiftly penned an answer to that letter, making clear all the good and the ill,”
#31
که ایرانیان از پی درد و رنج
✦
همان از پی بوم و فرزند و گنج
“Explaining how the Iranians, out of pain and hardship, and for the sake of their land, children, and treasures,”
#32
گرفتند خاقان چین را پناه
✦
به نومیدی از نامبردار شاه
“Had sought refuge with the Khaqan of China in despair of the famous king's return,”
#33
نه از دشمنی بد نه از درد و کین
✦
نه بر شاه بودست کس را گزین
“Not out of enmity, nor malice, nor because anyone was preferred over the king.”
#34
یکی مهتری نام او برزمهر
✦
بدان رفتن راه بگشاد چهر
“A noble chief named Barzmehr set out upon the road, his face radiant with wisdom.”
#35
بیامد به نزدیک شاه جهان
✦
همه رازها برگشاد از نهان
“He came before the King of the World and disclosed all secrets from their hidden depths.”
#36
ز گفتار او شاه خشنود گشت
✦
چنین آتش تیز بی‌دود گشت
“By his words the king was pleased; thus this fierce fire turned to smokeless calm.”
#37
چغانی و چگلی و بلخی ردان
✦
بخاری و از غرجگان موبدان
“The nobles of Chaghan, Chegil, Balkh, and Bukhara, along with the priests of Gharchistan,”
#38
برفتند با باژ و برسم به دست
✦
نیایش کنان پیش آتش‌پرست
“Came forward bearing tribute and holding sacred barsam in hand, offering praise before the fire-worshipper,”
#39
که ما شاه را یکسره بنده‌ایم
✦
همان باژ را گردن افگنده‌ایم
“Saying, 'We are all servants to the king, and we have bowed our necks to his tribute.'”
#40
همان نیز هر سال با باژ و ساو
✦
به درگه شدی هرک بودیش تاو
“Likewise, every year, whoever possessed the capability would bring tribute and taxes to the court.”