#1
رسیدند خوبان به درگاه کاخ
✦
به دست اندرون هر یک از گل دو شاخ
“The fair maidens arrived at the palace gate, each holding two sprigs of flowers in hand.”
#2
نگه کرد دربان برآراست جنگ
✦
زبان کرد گستاخ و دل کرد تنگ
“The doorkeeper looked upon them and stirred conflict, speaking insolently with a hardened heart.”
#3
که بی‌گه ز درگاه بیرون شوید
✦
شگفت آیدم تا شما چون شوید
“'Why do you leave the palace at such an unseemly hour? I marvel at what will become of you!'”
#4
بتان پاسخش را بیاراستند
✦
به تنگی دل از جای برخاستند
“The idols prepared their answer, rising in indignation from their spots.”
#5
که امروز روزی دگر گونه نیست
✦
به راه گلان دیو واژونه نیست
“'Today is no different from any other; no inverted demon lurks along the path of flowers.'”
#6
بهار آمد ازگلستان گل چنیم
✦
ز روی زمین شاخ سنبل چنیم
“'Spring has arrived, and we pick roses from the garden; we gather hyacinth stems from the earth.'”
#7
نگهبان در گفت کامروز کار
✦
نباید گرفتن بدان هم شمار
“The gatekeeper said, 'Today's affairs must not be treated in the same manner as before.'”
#8
که زال سپهبد به کابل نبود
✦
سراپردهٔ شاه زابل نبود
“'For Commander Zal was not in Kabul before, nor was the royal pavilion of Zabul's lord pitched here.'”
#9
نبینید کز کاخ کابل خدای
✦
به زین اندر آرد بشبگیر پای
“'Do you not see that the lord of Kabul rides out from the palace into the saddle at dawn?'”
#10
اگرتان ببیند چنین گل بدست
✦
کند بر زمین‌تان هم آنگاه پست
“'If he catches sight of you with flowers in hand, he will strike you down upon the earth instantly!'”
#11
شدند اندر ایوان بتان طراز
✦
نشستند و با ماه گفتند راز
“The Taraz idols entered the hall, sat down, and shared their secret with the moon-faced lady.”
#12
نهادند دینار و گوهر به پیش
✦
بپرسید رودابه از کم و بیش
“They laid coins and precious gems before her, while Rudabeh asked them of every detail.”
#13
که چون بودتان کار با پور سام
✦
به دیدن به است ار به آواز و نام
“'How went your meeting with Sam's son? Is he grander to look upon than in fame and report?'”
#14
پری چهره هر پنج بشتافتند
✦
چو با ماه جای سخن یافتند
“All five fairy-faced maidens hastened to speak when they found the opportunity with their lady.”
#15
که مردیست بر سان سرو سهی
✦
همش زیب و هم فر شاهنشهی
“'He is a man formed like a tall cypress, possessing both grand beauty and imperial glory.'”
#16
همش رنگ و بوی و همش قد و شاخ
✦
سواری میان لاغر و بر فراخ
“'He has radiant color, sweet charm, fine stature; a knight slender of waist and broad of chest.'”
#17
دو چشمش چو دو نرگس قیرگون
✦
لبانش چو بسد رخانش چو خون
“'His two eyes are like dark narcissi, his lips like coral, his cheeks like red blood.'”
#18
کف و ساعدش چو کف شیر نر
✦
هیون ران و موبد دل و شاه فر
“'His hands and forearms are like a male lion's paws, his thighs like a war-steed's, his heart a priest's, his glory a king's.'”
#19
سراسر سپید ست مویش به رنگ
✦
از آهو همین است و این نیست ننگ
“'His hair is completely white in color; this is his only flaw, yet it brings no shame.'”
#20
سر جعد آن پهلوان جهان
✦
چو سیمین زره بر گل ارغوان
“'The curls of that world champion's hair resemble silver armor upon a purple rose.'”
#21
که گویی همی خود چنان بایدی
✦
وگر نیستی مهر نفزایدی
“'One would say it ought to be just so; for had it not been white, it would not add to his charm!'”
#22
به دیدار تو داده‌ایمش نوید
✦
ز ما بازگشتست دل پر امید
“'We gave him promise of beholding you, and he returned from us with a heart filled with hope.'”
#23
کنون چارهٔ کار مهمان بساز
✦
بفرمای تا بر چه گردیم باز
“'Now devise a remedy for your guest's yearning, and command us how we should proceed.'”
#24
چنین گفت با بندگان سرو بن
✦
که دیگر شدستی به رای و سخن
“The cypress-tall lady spoke to her handmaids: 'How completely you have altered your words and thought!'”
#25
همان زال کو مرغ پرورده بود
✦
چنان پیر سر بود و پژمرده بود
“'Was this not the same Zal reared by a bird, whom you called old-headed and withered?'”
#26
به دیدار شد چون گل ارغوان
✦
سهی قد و زیبا رخ و پهلوان
“'Now upon seeing him, he has become like a purple rose, tall of stature, fair of face, and a champion!'”
#27
رخ من به پیشش بیاراستی
✦
به گفتار و زان پس بها خواستی
“'You praised my countenance before him in speech, and now you demand a reward!'”
#28
همی گفت و لب را پر از خنده داشت
✦
رخان هم چو گلنار آگنده داشت
“She spoke thus while her lips were filled with laughter, her cheeks glowing red like pomegranate blooms.”
#29
پرستنده با بانوی ماه‌روی
✦
چنین گفت کاکنون ره چاره جوی
“The handmaiden said to the moon-faced lady: 'Now seek the path of remedy for this matter.'”
#30
که یزدان هر آنچت هوا بود داد
✦
سرانجام این کار فرخنده باد
“'For God has granted whatever your heart desired; may the outcome of this work be blessed!'”
#31
یکی خانه بودش چو خرم بهار
✦
ز چهر بزرگان برو بر نگار
“She possessed a chamber like joyful spring, painted with the countenances of noble rulers.”
#32
به دیبای چینی بیاراستند
✦
طبق‌های زرین بپیراستند
“They adorned it with Chinese brocade and arranged golden trays.”
#33
عقیق و زبرجد برو ریختند
✦
می و مشک و عنبر برآمیختند
“They scattered carnelian and chrysolite upon it, blending wine, musk, and ambergris.”
#34
همه زر و پیروزه بد جامشان
✦
به روشن گلاب اندر آشامشان
“All their goblets were of gold and turquoise, filled with clear rosewater for drinking.”
#35
بنفشه گل و نرگس و ارغوان
✦
سمن شاخ و سنبل به دیگر کران
“Violets, roses, narcissi, and purple blooms, with jasmine branches and hyacinths on every side.”
#36
از آن خانهٔ دخت خورشید روی
✦
برآمد همی تا به خورشید بوی
“From the chamber of the sun-faced maiden, sweet scent rose all the way to the sun.”