#1
چنان بد که هر شب ز گردان هزار
✦
به بزم آمدندی بر شهریار
“Every night, a thousand champions came to the royal banquet of the King of Kings.”
#2
چو نزدیک شد رزم را ساز کرد
✦
سپه را درم دادن آغاز کرد
“When the time for battle drew near, he prepared for war and began bestowing wealth upon his army.”
#3
سپهدار شیروی بهرام بود
✦
که در جنگ با رای و آرام بود
“The commander of the army was Shirovi Bahram, who combined wisdom and calm in battle.”
#4
چپ لشکرش را به فرهاد داد
✦
بسی پندها بر برو کرد یاد
“He assigned the left wing of his host to Farhad, instilling in him much counsel and wisdom.”
#5
چو استاد پیروز بر میمنه
✦
گشسب جهانجوی پیش بنه
“While the victorious master stood on the right wing, Goshasp the World-Seeker took charge of the advance guard.”
#6
به قلب اندر اورند مهران به پای
✦
که در کینه گه داشتی دل به جای
“In the center of the host they placed Mehran, who kept a steadfast heart in the realm of vengeance.”
#7
طلایه به هرمزد خراد داد
✦
بسی گفت با او ز بیداد و داد
“He gave the vanguard to Hormozd-e Khorrad, speaking much with him of justice and oppression.”
#8
به هر سوی رفتند کارآگهان
✦
بدان تا نماند سخن در نهان
“Scouts and intelligence-gatherers departed in every direction, so that no truth remained hidden.”
#9
ز لشکر جهاندیدگان را بخواند
✦
بسی پند و اندرز نیکو براند
“He summoned the experienced elders of the army and gave them noble counsels and advice.”
#10
چنین گفت کین لشکر بی‌کران
✦
ز بی‌مایگان وز پرمایگان
“He spoke thus: 'This vast host, consisting of both humble men and nobles...'”
#11
اگر یک تن از راه من بگذرند
✦
دم خویش بی‌رای من بشمرند
“'If a single person steps off my path or draws a breath without my counsel...'”
#12
بدرویش مردم رسانند رنج
✦
وگر بر بزرگان که دارند گنج
“'Or inflicts hardship upon the poor, or upon nobles who possess treasures...'”
#13
وگر کشتمندی بکوبد به پای
✦
وگر پیش لشکر بجنبد ز جای
“'Or tramples down a cultivated field, or moves out of place before the host...'”
#14
ور آهنگ بر میوه‌داری کند
✦
وگر ناپسندیده کاری کند
“'Or makes an attempt upon fruit-bearing trees, or commits any unseemly act...'”
#15
به یزدان که او داد دیهیم و زور
✦
خداوند کیوان و بهرام و هور
“'I swear by God who gave the crown and strength, the Lord of Saturn, Mars, and the Sun...'”
#16
که در پی میانش ببرم به تیغ
✦
وگر داستان را برآید به میغ
“'That I shall cleave his waist with the sword, even if his story reaches the clouds!'”
#17
به پیش سپه در طلایه منم
✦
جهانجوی و در قلب مایه منم
“'I myself am the vanguard before the host; I am the seeker of the world and the core in the center.'”
#18
نگهبان پیل و سپاه و بنه
✦
گهی بر میان گاه برمیمنه
“'Guardian of the elephants, the army, and the baggage—sometimes in the center, sometimes on the right.'”
#19
به خشکی روم گر بدریای آب
✦
نجویم برزم اندر آرام و خواب
“'I will march over dry land or into the sea; in battle, I seek neither rest nor sleep.'”
#20
منادیگری نام او رشنواد
✦
گرفت آن سخنهای کسری به یاد
“The herald, whose name was Rashnavad, committed all those words of Khosrow to memory.”
#21
بیامد دوان گرد لشکر بگشت
✦
به هر خیمه و خرگهی برگذشت
“He ran swift about the host, passing by every tent and pavilion.”
#22
خروشید کای بی‌کرانه سپاه
✦
چنینست فرمان بیدار شاه
“He cried out: 'O boundless army! Such is the command of the vigilant King:'”
#23
که گر جز به داد و به مهر و خرد
✦
کسی سوی خاک سیه بنگرد
“'That if anyone looks upon the black soil with anything other than justice, love, and wisdom...'”
#24
بران تیره خاکش بریزند خون
✦
چو آید ز فرمان یزدان برون
“'They shall spill his blood upon that dark earth, when he steps beyond the divine command!'”
#25
به بانگ منادی نشد شاه رام
✦
به روز سپید و شب تیره‌فام
“Yet the King did not rely solely on the herald's shout, by bright day or dark night.”
#26
همی گرد لشکر بگشتی به راه
✦
همی‌داشتی نیک و بد را نگاه
“He himself rode constantly about the army, keeping watch over good and evil.”
#27
ز کار جهان آگهی داشتی
✦
بد و نیک را خوار نگذاشتی
“He was aware of all affairs of the world, never holding good or evil in low regard.”
#28
ز لشکر کسی کو به مردی به راه
✦
ورا دخمه کردی بران جایگاه
“If anyone from the army died honorably on the path, he built a tomb for him at that very place.”
#29
اگر بازماندی ازو سیم و زر
✦
کلاه و کمان و کمند و کمر
“And if silver, gold, crown, bow, lasso, or belt remained of him...”
#30
بد و نیک با مرده بودی به خاک
✦
نبودی به از مردم اندر مغاک
“Both good and bad were buried with the dead in the earth; none was treated better in the tomb.”
#31
جهانی بدو مانده اندر شگفت
✦
که نوشین روان آن بزرگی گرفت
“The whole world remained in wonder at how Noshinravan attained such grandeur.”
#32
به هر جایگاهی که جنگ آمدی
✦
ورارای و هوش و درنگ آمدی
“Wherever battle arose, he brought judgment, intelligence, and measured pause.”
#33
فرستاده‌ای خواستی راستگوی
✦
که رفتی بر دشمن چاره‌جوی
“He would seek a truthful envoy to go unto the enemy seeking a remedy.”
#34
اگر یافتندی سوی داد راه
✦
نکردی ستم خود خردمند شاه
“If they found the path of justice, the wise King himself would commit no oppression.”
#35
اگر جنگ جستی به جنگ آمدی
✦
به خشم دلاور نهنگ آمدی
“But if they sought war, he came to war; in wrath, he became a valiant crocodile.”
#36
به تاراج دادی همه بوم و رست
✦
جهان را به داد و به شمشیر جست
“He would give all their land and settlements to plunder, seeking the world through justice and the sword.”
#37
به کردار خورشید بد رای شاه
✦
که بر تر و خشکی بتابد به راه
“The judgment of the King was like the sun, shining upon both wet and dry along its way.”
#38
ندارد ز کس روشنایی دریغ
✦
چو بگذارد از چرخ گردنده میغ
“It does not withhold light from anyone, once it passes the clouds of the revolving sky.”
#39
همش خاک و هم ریگ و هم رنگ و بوی
✦
همش در خوشاب و هم آب جوی
“Earth, sand, color, fragrance, pearl in pure water, and river streams are all equal to it.”
#40
فروغ و بلندی نبودش ز کس
✦
دلفروز و بخشنده او بود و بس
“He needed no light or loftiness from anyone; he alone was heart-brightening and generous.”
#41
شهنشاه را مایه این بود و فر
✦
جهان را همی‌داشت در زیر پر
“Such was the glory and essence of the King of Kings, holding the world under his wing.”
#42
ورا جنگ و بخشش چو بازی بدی
✦
ازیران چنان بی‌نیازی بدی
“To him, war and generosity were like a game; thus Iran became so free from want.”
#43
اگر شیر و پیل آمدندیش پیش
✦
نه برداشتی جنگ یک روز بیش
“If lions and elephants came before him, he would not prolong the battle for more than a day.”
#44
سپاهی که با خود و خفتان جنگ
✦
به پیش سپاه آمدی بیدرنگ
“Any army that advanced without delay in helmet and war-cuirass...”
#45
اگر کشته بودی و گر بسته زار
✦
بزندان پیروزگر شهریار
“Whether slain or miserably bound, they ended up in the victorious monarch's prison.”
#46
چنین تا بیامد بران شارستان
✦
که شوراب بد نام آن کارستان
“Thus he arrived at that citadel, which was named Shurab—a place of great strife.”
#47
برآورده‌ای دید سر بر هوا
✦
پر از مردم و ساز جنگ و نوا
“He beheld a lofty fortress reaching toward the sky, teeming with people, weapons of war, and provisions.”
#48
ز خارا پی افگنده در قعر آب
✦
کشیده سر باره اندر سحاب
“Its foundations of granite were cast deep into the water, while the summit of its ramparts reached into the clouds.”
#49
بگرد حصار اندر آمد سپاه
✦
ندیدند جایی به درگاه راه
“The army encircled the fortress, yet found no path leading to its gateway.”
#50
برو ساخت از چار سو منجنیق
✦
به پای آمد آن بارهٔ جاثلیق
“He set up catapults against it from all four sides, until the rampart of the Catholicos collapsed.”
#51
برآمد ز هر سوی دز رستخیز
✦
ندیدند جایی گذار و گریز
“A turmoil like Resurrection arose from every corner of the fort; they found no way of passage nor escape.”
#52
چو خورشید تابان ز گنبد بگشت
✦
شد آن بارهٔ دز به کردار دشت
“When the radiant sun turned from the celestial dome, that fortress wall was leveled like a plain.”
#53
خروش سواران و گرد سپاه
✦
ابا دود و آتش برآمد به ماه
“The clamor of horsemen and dust of the host, mingled with smoke and fire, rose up to the moon.”
#54
همه حصن بی‌تن سر و پای بود
✦
تن بی‌سرانشان دگر جای بود
“Throughout the fortress lay severed heads and feet without bodies, while the headless torsos lay elsewhere.”
#55
غو زینهاری و جوش زنان
✦
برآمد چو زخم تبیره‌زنان
“Crying for mercy and the laments of women echoed loudly, like the rhythmic beating of drums.”
#56
از ایشان هر آنکس که پرمایه بود
✦
به گنج و به مردی گرانپایه بود
“Whosoever among them was of noble standing, rich in treasure and eminent in valor,”
#57
ببستند بر پیل و کردند بار
✦
خروش آمد و نالهٔ زینهار
“They bound them onto elephants and loaded them as spoils, while cries and pleas for quarter resounded.”
#58
نبخشود بر کس به هنگام رزم
✦
نه بر گنج دینار برگاه بزم
“He showed no leniency to any during battle, nor did he spare the treasures of gold in times of banquet.”
#59
وزان جایگاه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
بره بر دزی دیگر آمد پدید
“From that location he led his forces onward, and along the route another fortress came into view.”
#60
که در بند او گنج قیصر بدی
✦
نگهدار آن دز توانگر بدی
“Wherein lay the treasures of Caesar under guard, and the keeper of that castle was a man of wealth.”
#61
که آرایش روم بد نام اوی
✦
ز کسری برآمد به فرجام اوی
“It was called 'The Ornament of Rome', but its ultimate fate was accomplished by Khosrow.”
#62
بدان دز نگه کرد بیدار شاه
✦
هنوز اندرو نارسیده سپاه
“The vigilant king gazed upon that fortress, before his army had even arrived there.”
#63
بفرمود تا تیرباران کنند
✦
هوا چون تگرگ بهاران کنند
“He commanded them to unleash a volley of arrows, filling the air like the hail of spring.”
#64
یکی تاجور خود به لشکر نماند
✦
بران بوم و بر خار و خاور بماند
“Not a single crowned noble remained in their army; only thorns and desolate lands were left behind in that realm.”
#65
همه گنج قیصر به تاراج داد
✦
سپه را همه بدره و تاج داد
“He gave all the treasure of Caesar up to plunder, bestowing purses of gold and crowns upon his troops.”
#66
برآورد زان شارستان رستخیز
✦
همه برگرفتند راه گریز
“He raised a turmoil of Resurrection in that citadel, and all the inhabitants took the path of flight.”
#67
خروش آمد از کودک و مرد و زن
✦
همه پیر و برنا شدند انجمن
“Cries echoed from children, men, and women alike; all the young and old gathered together.”
#68
به پیش گرانمایه شاه آمدند
✦
غریوان و فریادخواه آمدند
“They came before the exalted king, wailing and seeking mercy and aid.”
#69
که دستور و فرمان و گنج آن تست
✦
بروم اندرون رزم و رنج آن تست
“They said: 'The authority, command, and treasure are all yours; in Rome, both the battle and the toil belong to you.'”
#70
به جان ویژه زنهار خواه توایم
✦
پرستار فر کلاه توایم
“'We seek refuge in you specifically for our lives, and we are the devoted servants of your royal majesty.'”
#71
بفرمود پس تا نکشتند نیز
✦
برایشان ببخشود بسیار چیز
“He then commanded that no more be slain, and he bestowed many gifts upon them.”
#72
وزان جایگه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
از آرایش روم برتر کشید
“From that place he marched his army forth, moving beyond 'The Ornament of Rome'.”
#73
نوندی ز گفتار کارآگهان
✦
بیامد به نزدیک شاه جهان
“A swift messenger bearing reports from intelligence spies came before the king of the world.”
#74
که قیصر سپاهی فرستاد پیش
✦
ازان نامداران و گردان خویش
“Saying: 'Caesar has dispatched an army forward, chosen from among his renowned warriors and heroes.'”
#75
به پیش اندرون پهلوانی سترگ
✦
به جنگ اندرون هر یکی همچو گرگ
“'At their head is a mighty champion, and in battle each warrior is fierce as a wolf.'”
#76
به رومیش خوانند فرفوریوس
✦
سواری سرافراز با بوق و کوس
“'In the Roman tongue they call him Porphyrios, a proud cavalier with trumpets and war-drums.'”
#77
چو این گفته شد پیش بیدار شاه
✦
پدید آمد از دور گرد سپاه
“When this was related before the alert king, the dust of the approaching army appeared in the distance.”
#78
بخندید زان شهریار جهان
✦
بدو گفت کین نیست از ما نهان
“The sovereign of the world smiled at this and said to him: 'This is no secret to us;'”
#79
کجا جنگ را پیش ازین ساختیم
✦
ز اندیشه هرگونه پرداختیم
“'For we prepared for war prior to this and weighed every consideration in our minds.'”
#80
کی تاجور بر لب آورد کف
✦
بفرمود تا برکشیدند صف
“While foam gathered at the crown-wearer's lips with eagerness, he ordered his troops to draw up their battle ranks.”
#81
سپاهی بیامد به پیش سپاه
✦
بشد بسته بر گرد و بر باد راه
“An army advanced against another host, until dust and wind blocked every open path.”
#82
شده، نامور لشکری انجمن
✦
یلان سرافراز شمشیرزن
“A glorious army had assembled there, exalted warriors and skilled swordsmen all.”
#83
همه جنگ را تنگ بسته میان
✦
بزرگان و فرزانگان و کیان
“All had girt their loins tight for battle—magnates, sages, and royal princes.”
#84
به خون آب داده همه تیغ را
✦
بدان تیغ برنده مر میغ را
“They quenched their blades in pools of blood, cleaving the very clouds with their sharp swords.”
#85
سپه را نبد بیشتر زان درنگ
✦
که نخچیر گیرد ز بالا پلنگ
“The army tarried no longer than a leopard swooping down from the heights to seize its prey.”
#86
به هر سو ز رومی تلی کشته بود
✦
دگر خسته از جنگ برگشته بود
“On every side lay mounds of Roman dead, while the wounded fled away from the fray.”
#87
بشد خسته از جنگ فرفوریوس
✦
دریده درفش و نگونسار کوس
“Porphyrius retreated wounded from battle, his banner torn and his war-drums overturned.”
#88
سواران ایران بسان پلنگ
✦
به هامون کجا غرمش آید بچنگ
“The Iranian horsemen chased them like leopards seizing wild sheep upon the plain.”
#89
پس رومیان در همی‌تاختند
✦
در و دشت ازیشان بپرداختند
“They charged hard after the retreating Romans, clearing the valleys and plains of their presence.”
#90
چنان هم همی‌رفت با ساز جنگ
✦
همه نیزه و گُرز و خنجر به چنگ
“Thus the king marched on in full war array, with spears, maces, and daggers gripped in hand.”
#91
سپه را بهامونی اندر کشید
✦
برآوردهٔ دیگر آمد پدید
“He led his host into a vast plain, where another lofty fortress loomed in sight.”
#92
دزی بود با لشکر و بوق و کوس
✦
کجا خواندندیش قالینیوس
“It was a stronghold equipped with troops, trumpets, and drums, which they named Qalliniyus.”
#93
سر باره برتر ز پر عقاب
✦
یکی کنده‌ای گردش اندر پر آب
“Its ramparts reached higher than an eagle's flight, surrounded by a deep moat filled with water.”
#94
یکی شارستان گردش اندر فراخ
✦
پر ایوان و پالیز و میدان و کاخ
“Around it lay a vast walled city, filled with palaces, gardens, squares, and grand halls.”
#95
ز رومی سپاهی بزرگ اندروی
✦
همه نامداران پرخاشجوی
“Within it gathered a mighty Roman force, all famous and battle-seeking warriors.”
#96
دو فرسنگ پیش اندرون بود شاه
✦
سیه گشت گیتی ز گرد سپاه
“Two leagues ahead marched the King of Kings, as the dust of his army darkened the world.”
#97
خروشی برآمد ز قالینیوس
✦
کزان نعره اندک شد آواز کوس
“A roaring battle-shout arose from Qalliniyus, drowning out the thunder of the war-drums.”
#98
بدان شارستان در نگه کرد شاه
✦
همی هر زمانی فزون شد سپاه
“The King looked upon that fortified city, as his army grew larger with every passing moment.”
#99
ز دروازها جنگ برساختند
✦
همه تیر و قاروره انداختند
“From the gates, the defenders launched their attack, raining down arrows and napalm flasks.”
#100
چو خورشید تابنده برگشت زرد
✦
ز گردنده یک بهره شد لاژورد
“As the bright sun turned pale and gold, a portion of the revolving sky turned lapis-blue in dusk.”
#101
ازان بارهٔ دز نماند اندکی
✦
همه شارستان با زمی شد یکی
“Not a stone of that castle’s wall remained standing; the entire city was leveled with the ground.”
#102
خروشی برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
که ای نامداران ایران سپاه
“A proclamation sounded from the King's court: "O noble commanders of the Iranian host!”
#103
همه پاک زین شهر بیرون شوید
✦
به تاریکی اندر به هامون شوید
“"Depart cleanly from this city at once, and withdraw into the plain under cover of darkness!”
#104
اگر هیچ بانگ زن و مرد پیر
✦
وگر غارت و شورش و داروگیر
“"If any cry of women or old men, or any plunder, riot, or violent seizure...”
#105
به گوش من آید بتاریک شب
✦
که بگشاید از رنج یک مردلب
“"...should reach my ears in the dark night, because a man's lips are opened in distress...”
#106
هم اندر زمان آنک فریاد ازوست
✦
پر از کاه بینند آگنده پوست
“"...the offender who caused that cry shall instantly have his skin flayed and stuffed with straw!"”
#107
چو برزد ز خرچنگ تیغ آفتاب
✦
بفرسود رنج و بپالود خواب
“When the sun drew its sword from Cancer, weariness vanished and sleep was washed away.”
#108
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
گرانمایگان برگرفتند راه
“The drums roared at the royal court, and the noble chieftains set forth on their way.”
#109
ازان دز و آن شارستان مرد و زن
✦
به درگاه کسری شدند انجمن
“Men and women from that fortress and city gathered together at Khosrow’s royal court.”
#110
که ایدر ز جنگی سواری نماند
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بدین شارستان نامداری نماند
“Saying: "No warrior knight remains here; no man of renown is left in this city.”
#111
همه کشته و خسته شد بیگناه
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گه آمد که بخشایش آید ز شاه
“"The innocent have been slain or wounded; the time has come for the King to show mercy.”
#112
زن و کودک خرد و برنا و پیر
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نه خوب آید از داد یزدان اسیر
“"Women, young children, youth, and the elderly—making them captives accords not with Divine Justice."”
#113
چنان شد دز و باره و شارستان
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کزان پس ندیدند جز خارستان
“So leveled became the castle, walls, and city, that henceforth nothing was seen there but a thorn-field.”
#114
چو قیصر گنهکار شد ما که‌ایم
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بقالینیوس اندرون بر چه‌ایم
“"If Caesar has sinned, who are we? Why should we suffer within Qalliniyus?"”
#115
بران رومیان بر ببخشود شاه
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گنهکار شد رسته و بیگناه
“The King showed mercy unto those Romans; both offender and innocent were granted deliverance.”
#116
بسی خواسته پیش ایشان بماند
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وزان جایگه نیز لشکر براند
“Much wealth remained behind in their hands, and from that place he marched his host onward.”
#117
هران کس که بود از در کارزار
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ببستند بر پیل و کردند بار
“Whosoever was fit for battle, they bound fast upon elephants and loaded them as spoils.”
#118
به انطاکیه در خبر شد ز شاه
✦
که با پیل و لشکر بیامد به راه
“Word reached Antioch concerning the King, that he was marching upon the road with elephants and a mighty host.”
#119
سپاهی بران شهر شد بی‌کران
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دلیران رومی و کنداوران
“A boundless army assembled at that city, filled with Roman champions and valiant warriors.”
#120
سه روز اندران شاه را شد درنگ
✦
بدان تا نباشد به بیداد جنگ
“For three days the King paused there, so that the war might not be waged unjustly.”
#121
چهارم سپاه اندر آمد چو کوه
✦
دلیران ایران گروها گروه
“On the fourth day, the host descended like a mountain, troop upon troop of Iran's brave warriors.”
#122
برفتند یک سر سواران روم
✦
ز بهر زن و کودک و گنج و بوم
“All the horsemen of Byzantium rode forth to defend their women, children, treasures, and homeland.”
#123
به شهر اندر آمد سراسر سپاه
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پیی را نبد بر زمین نیز راه
“The entire army entered the city, so dense that there was no space to plant a single foot.”
#124
سه جنگ گران کرده شد در سه روز
✦
چهارم چو بفروخت گیتی‌فروز
“Three fierce battles were fought across three days; on the fourth, as the sun lit the world anew...”
#125
گشاده شد آن مرز آباد بوم
✦
سواری ندیدند جنگی بروم
“That prosperous realm was conquered, and not a single fighting horseman was left in Rome.”
#126
بزرگان که با تخت و افسر بدند
✦
هم آنکس که گنجور قیصر بدند
“The nobles who possessed thrones and crowns, as well as those who were the treasure-keepers of the Caesar...”
#127
به شاه جهاندار دادند گنج
✦
به چنگ آمدش گنج چون دید رنج
“They surrendered their treasures to the world-conquering King; thus he gained the treasure after enduring labor.”
#128
اسیران و آن گنج قیصر به راه
✦
به سوی مداین فرستاد شاه
“The captives and Caesar's treasures were dispatched by the King along the road toward Ctesiphon.”
#129
وزیشان هران کس که جنگی بدند
✦
نهادند بر پشت پیلان ببند
“And of them, whoever was a warrior was bound fast in chains upon the backs of elephants.”
#130
زمین دید رخشان‌تر از چرخ ماه
✦
بگردید بر گرد آن شهر شاه
“The King beheld a land brighter than the radiant moon, and rode around the perimeter of that city.”
#131
ز بس باغ و میدان و آب روان
✦
همی تازه شد پیر گشته جهان
“With its countless gardens, plazas, and flowing streams, the aging world seemed to grow young again.”
#132
چنین گفت با موبدان شهریار
✦
که انطاکیه است این اگر نوبهار
“Thus spoke the King to his priests: "Is this Antioch or the fair garden of Nowbahar?"”
#133
کسی کو ندیدست خرم بهشت
✦
ز مشک اندرو خاک وز زر خشت
“Whosoever has not beheld a verdant paradise, whose soil is musk and whose bricks are gold...”
#134
درختش ز یاقوت و آبش گلاب
✦
زمینش سپهر آسمان آفتاب
“Its trees of ruby and its waters of rosewater, its earth like the heavens and its sky like the glowing sun...”
#135
نگه کرد باید بدین تازه بوم
✦
که آباد بادا همه مرز روم
“"One must marvel at this wondrous land; may the entire realm of Rome remain ever prosperous!"”