#1
یکی کرگ بود اندران شهر شاه
✦
ز بالای او بسته بر باد راه
“There was a monstrous Karg in that King's city, whose height blocked the very path of the wind.”
#2
ازان بیشه بگریختی شیر نر
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هم از آسمان کرگس تیرپر
“From its thicket the male lion fled, and from the sky the swift-feathered vulture turned away.”
#3
یکایک همه هند زو پر خروش
✦
از آواز او کر شدی تیز گوش
“All of India was filled with clamor because of it, and sharp ears were deafened by its roar.”
#4
به بهرام گفت ای پسندیده مرد
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برآید به دست تو این کارکرد
“The King said to Bahram: 'O approved warrior, this great feat can be accomplished by your hand.'”
#5
به نزدیک آن کرگ باید شدن
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همه چرم او را به تیر آژدن
“'You must approach that Karg, and pierce all its hide with your swift arrows.'”
#6
اگر زو تهی گردد این بوم و بر
✦
به فر تو این مرد پیروزگر
“'If this realm is rid of it by your divine fortune, you shall be a victorious champion.'”
#7
یکی دست باشدت نزدیک من
✦
چه نزدیک این نامدار انجمن
“'You shall hold high rank before me, as well as before this assembly of renowned nobles.'”
#8
که جاوید در کشور هندوان
✦
بود زنده نام تو تا جاودان
“'So that your name may remain alive forever across the land of Hind.'”
#9
بدو گفت بهرام پاکیزه‌رای
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که با من بباید یکی رهنمای
“Bahram of pure judgment replied: 'I require a guide to show me the way.'”
#10
چو بینم به نیروی یزدان تنش
✦
ببینی به خون غرقه پیراهنش
“'When I see its body by the power of God, you shall behold its hide drowned in blood.'”
#11
بدو داد شنگل یکی رهنمای
✦
که او را نشیمن بدانست و جای
“Shangal assigned a guide to him who knew the beast's lair and dwelling place.”
#12
همی رفت با نیک‌دل رهنمون
✦
بدان بیشهٔ کرگ ریزنده خون
“He went forward with the good-hearted guide toward that blood-spilling forest of the Karg.”
#13
همی گفت چندی ز آرام اوی
✦
ز بالا و پهنا و اندام اوی
“The guide spoke of the beast's lair, its height, its breadth, and its immense frame.”
#14
چو بنمود و برگشت و بهرام رفت
✦
خرامان بدان بیشهٔ کرگ تفت
“When he pointed it out, he turned back, while Bahram strode forward into that warm thicket of the Karg.”
#15
پس پشت او چند ایرانیان
✦
به پیکار آن کرگ بسته میان
“Behind him, several Iranians stood girded for battle against that monster.”
#16
چو از دور دیدند خرطوم اوی
✦
ز هنگش همی پست شد بوم اوی
“When they saw its colossal snout from afar, the ground itself sank from its immense weight.”
#17
بدو هرکسی گفت شاها مکن
✦
ز مردی همی بگذرد این سخن
“Everyone said to him: 'O King, do not attempt this! This goes beyond mortal bravery.'”
#18
نکردست کس جنگ با کوه و سنگ
✦
وگرچه دلیرست خسرو به چنگ
“'No man has waged war against mountain and stone, however brave the monarch may be in combat.'”
#19
به شنگل چنین گوی کاین راه نیست
✦
بدین جنگ دستوری شاه نیست
“'Tell Shangal that this path is impossible, and there is no royal permission for such a fight.'”
#20
چنین داد پاسخ که یزدان پاک
✦
مرا گر به هندوستان داد خاک
“Bahram answered: 'If Holy God has written my death in the soil of Hindustan,'”
#21
به جای دگر مرگ من چون بود
✦
که اندیشه ز اندازه بیرون بود
“'How could my death occur elsewhere? Such worry is beyond measure.'”
#22
کمان را به زه کرد مرد جوان
✦
تو گفتی همی خوار گیرد روان
“The young hero strung his bow, as though holding his own life of little account.”
#23
بیامد دوان تا به نزدیک کرگ
✦
پر از خشم سر دل نهاده به مرگ
“He came running close to the Karg, full of wrath, placing his heart upon death.”
#24
کمان کیانی گرفته به چنگ
✦
ز ترکش برآورد تیر خدنگ
“Holding the royal bow in hand, he drew a poplar arrow from his quiver.”
#25
همی تیر بارید همچون تگرگ
✦
برین همنشان تا غمین گشت کرگ
“He rained arrows like hail upon the beast until the Karg became weak and aggrieved.”
#26
چو دانست کو را سرآمد زمان
✦
برآهیخت خنجر به جای کمان
“When he knew its time had come to an end, he drew his dagger instead of the bow.”
#27
سر کرگ را راست ببرید و گفت
✦
به نام خداوند بی‌یار و جفت
“He severed the head of the Karg cleanly and said: 'In the name of the Lord who has no partner,'”
#28
که او داد چندین مرا فر و زور
✦
به فرمان او تابد از چرخ هور
“'Who bestowed upon me such glory and strength; by His command the sun shines from the heavens.'”
#29
بفرمود تا گاو و گردون برند
✦
سر کرگ زان بیشه بیرون برند
“He commanded oxen and wagons to be brought to haul the head of the Karg out of that thicket.”
#30
ببردند چون دید شنگل ز دور
✦
به دیبا بیاراست ایوان سور
“They carried it away; when Shangal saw it from afar, he decorated the banquet hall with fine silks.”
#31
چو بر تخت بنشست پرمایه شاه
✦
نشاندند بهرام را پیش گاه
“When the precious King sat upon his throne, they seated Bahram before the dais.”
#32
همی کرد هر کس برو آفرین
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بزرگان هند و سواران چنین
“Everyone offered praises to him—the grandees of India and the noble horsemen alike.”
#33
برفتند هر مهتری با نثار
✦
به بهرام گفتند کای نامدار
“Every chieftain approached with tribute and gifts, saying to Bahram: 'O renowned one!'”
#34
کسی را سزای تو کردار نیست
✦
به کردار تو راه دیدار نیست
“'No one is worthy of feats like yours, nor can anyone behold a sight equal to your deed.'”
#35
ازو شادمان شنگل و دل به غم
✦
گهی تازه‌روی و زمانی دژم
“Shangal was pleased with him yet troubled at heart—one moment cheerful of countenance, the next melancholy.”