#1
یکی شهر فرمود نوشین روان
✦
بدو اندرون آبهای روان
“Noshinravan ordered the founding of a splendid city, within which flowed streams of crystal waters.”
#2
به کردار انطاکیه چون چراغ
✦
پر از گلشن و کاخ و میدان و باغ
“Built in the likeness of Antioch, radiant as a lamp, filled with flower gardens, palaces, broad squares, and orchards.”
#3
بزرگان روشن‌دل و شادکام
✦
ورا زیب خسرو نهادند نام
“The enlightened and joyful nobles of the realm bestowed upon it the name Zib-e Khosrow.”
#4
شد آن زیب خسرو چو خرم بهار
✦
بهشتی پر از رنگ و بوی و نگار
“Zib-e Khosrow became like a blossoming spring, a paradise filled with vibrant colors, sweet fragrance, and ornate art.”
#5
اسیران کزان شهرها بسته بود
✦
ببند گران دست و پا خسته بود
“The captives who had been bound in those conquered cities, their hands and feet weary from heavy chains,”
#6
بفرمود تا بند برداشتند
✦
بدان شهرها خوار بگذاشتند
“Were freed by the King's command, released from their bonds to inhabit this glorious new city without care.”
#7
چنین گفت کاین نوبر آورده جای
✦
همش گلشن و بوستان و سرای
“The King said: 'We have built this newly created paradise with its gardens, orchards, and noble dwellings,'”
#8
بکردیم تا هر کسی را به کام
✦
یکی جای باشد سزاوار نام
“'So that everyone according to their desire may have a worthy dwelling fit for a noble name.'”
#9
ببخشید بر هر کسی خواسته
✦
زمین چون بهشتی شد آراسته
“He bestowed riches upon everyone, until the land became adorned like the garden of paradise.”
#10
ز بس برزن و کوی و بازارگاه
✦
تو گفتی نمانده‌ست بر خاک راه
“So filled were the streets, quarters, and marketplaces, that you would say no bare dust was left upon the ground.”
#11
بیامد یکی پرسخن کفشگر
✦
چنین گفت کای شاه بیدادگر
“Then came an eloquent shoemaker who stepped forward and cried: 'O King, whom some call unjust!'”
#12
بقالینیوس اندرون خان من
✦
یکی تود بد پیش بالان من
“'In Qalliniqos, in front of my residence, there stood a mound of ash and refuse before my doorway.'”
#13
ازین زیب خسرو مرا سود نیست
✦
که بر پیش درگاه من تود نیست
“'This Zib-e Khosrow brings me no joy, for there is no familiar ash-mound before my threshold!'”
#14
بفرمود تا بر در شوربخت
✦
بکشتند شاداب چندی درخت
“The Shah smilingly commanded that right at the door of that eccentric man, several lush green trees be planted/felled to satisfy him.”
#15
یکی مرد ترسا گزین کرد شاه
✦
بدو داد فرمان و گنج و کلاه
“The Shah selected a noble Christian man, granting him command, treasury, and the crown of governorship.”
#16
بدو گفت کاین زیب خسرو تو راست
✦
غریبان و این خانه نو تو راست
“He said to him: 'This Zib-e Khosrow is now entrusted to thee; care for these strangers and this new home.'”
#17
به سان درخت برومند باش
✦
پدر باش گاهی چو فرزند باش
“'Be like a fruitful tree unto them; at times be a tender father, at times like a dutiful son.'”
#18
ببخشش بیارای و زفتی مکن
✦
بر اندازه باید ز هر در سخن
“'Adorn thy rule with generosity, avoid stinginess, and let every word be spoken with measure and wisdom.'”
#19
ز انطاکیه شاه لشکر براند
✦
جهاندیده ترسا نگهبان نشاند
“The King then led his army away from Antioch, placing that experienced Christian sage as keeper of the land.”
#20
پس آگاهی آمد ز فرفوریوس
✦
بگفت آنچ آمد بقالینیوس
“Thereupon news reached Caesar from Porphyrios, detailing what had befallen Qalliniqos.”
#21
به قیصر چنین گفت کآمد سپاه
✦
جهاندار کسری ابا پیل و گاه
“He said to Caesar: 'An army approaches! Khosrow, the lord of the world, comes with elephants and royal throne!'”
#22
سپاهست چندانک دریا و کوه
✦
همی‌گردد از گرد اسبان ستوه
“'An army vast as mountains and oceans; the very earth groans under the dust raised by their steeds.'”
#23
بگردید قیصر ز گفتار خویش
✦
بزرگان فرزانه را خواند پیش
“Caesar turned away from his former boastful words and called his wise elders and nobles before him.”
#24
ز نوشین‌روان شد دلش پر هراس
✦
همی رای زد روز و شب در سه‌پاس
“His heart grew full of dread because of Noshinravan; night and day, across every watch, he deliberated.”
#25
بدو گفت موبد که این رای نیست
✦
که با رزم کسری تو را پای نیست
“A chief Mobad said to him: 'It is unwise to stand and fight against the war-craft of Khosrow.'”
#26
برآرند ازین مرز آباد خاک
✦
شود کردهٔ قیصر اندر مغاک
“'They will turn the prosperous soil of this realm to dust, and all Caesar has built will sink into the grave.'”
#27
زوان سراینده و رای سست
✦
جز از رنج بر پادشاهی نجست
“'An eloquent tongue paired with a weak resolve yields nothing for a sovereign except grief and pain.'”
#28
چو بشنید قیصر دلش خیره گشت
✦
ز نوشین‌روان رای او تیره گشت
“When Caesar heard this counsel, his heart grew bewildered and his counsel regarding Noshinravan turned dark.”
#29
گزین کرد زان فیلسوفان روم
✦
سخن‌گوی با دانش و پاک بوم
“He selected from among the philosophers of Rome men of eloquent speech, deep knowledge, and pure heart.”
#30
به جای آمد از موبدان شست مرد
✦
به کسری شدن نامزدشان بکرد
“Sixty renowned sages were gathered and nominated to go on an embassy to Khosrow.”
#31
پیامی فرستاد نزدیک شاه
✦
گرانمایگان برگرفتند راه
“He sent a message to the King of Kings, and those illustrious envoys set out upon the road.”
#32
چو مهراس داننده‌شان پیش رو
✦
گوی در خرد پیر و سالار نو
“With wise Mehras leading them—a warrior old in wisdom yet young and vigorous in leadership.”
#33
ز هر چیز گنجی به پیش اندرون
✦
شمارش گذر کرده بر چند و چون
“Before them was carried a treasure of every precious thing, its count exceeding all measure and reckoning.”
#34
بسی لابه و پند و نیکو سخن
✦
پشیمان ز گفتارهای کهن
“With many entreaties, wise counsels, and pleasant words, expressing regret for past hostilities.”
#35
فرستاد با باژ و ساو گران
✦
گروگان ز خویشان و کنداوران
“He sent heavy tribute and taxes, along with hostages chosen from his own kinsmen and valiant warriors.”
#36
چو مهراس گفتار قیصر شنید
✦
پدید آمد آن بند بد را کلید
“When Mehras heard Caesar's message, the key to unlocking that dire plight revealed itself.”
#37
رسیدند نزدیک نوشین‌روان
✦
چو الماس کرده زبان با روان
“They reached Noshinravan, their tongues made as sharp and flawless as diamond with high resolve.”
#38
چو مهراس نزدیک کسری رسید
✦
برومی یکی آفرین گسترید
“When Mehras arrived before Khosrow, he offered a magnificent praise in the Roman tongue.”
#39
تو گفتی ز تیزی وز راستی
✦
ستاره برآرد همی زآستی
“So eloquent and upright was his speech, you would say he drew down stars from his sleeve.”
#40
به کسری چنین گفت کای شهریار
✦
جهان را بدین ارجمندی مدار
“He said to Khosrow: 'O Sovereign! Hold not the world so cheap in pursuit of endless conquest!'”
#41
برومی تو اکنون و ایران تهیست
✦
همه مرز بی‌ارز و بی‌فرهیست
“'Thou art now in Rome and Iran is emptied; a borderland left without wealth and splendor.'”
#42
هران گه که قیصر نباشد بروم
✦
نسنجد به یک پشه این مرز و بوم
“'Whenever Caesar is absent from Rome, this land is not worth a single gnat.'”
#43
همه سودمندی ز مردم بود
✦
چو او گم شود مردمی گم بود
“'All benefit comes from people; when people perish, humanity itself is lost.'”
#44
گر این رستخیز از پی خواستست
✦
که آزرم و دانش بدو کاستست
“'If this strife is for the sake of wealth, then reverence and wisdom have diminished before greed.'”
#45
بیاوردم اکنون همه گنج روم
✦
که روشن‌روان بهتر از گنج و بوم
“'I have now brought all the treasures of Rome, for an enlightened spirit is far better than gold and land.'”
#46
چو بشنید زو این سخن شهریار
✦
دلش گشت خرم چو باغ بهار
“When the monarch heard these words from him, his heart grew joyous like a spring garden.”
#47
پذیرفت زو هرچ آورده بود
✦
اگر بدرهٔ زر و گر برده بود
“He accepted all that had been brought, whether bags of gold or captive slaves.”
#48
فرستادگان را ستایش گرفت
✦
بران نیکویها فزایش گرفت
“He began to bestow praise upon the envoys, and added even more to those favors.”
#49
بدو گفت کای مرد روشن خرد
✦
نبرده کسی کو خرد پرورد
“He said to him, "O man of luminous intellect, no one who nurtures wisdom is ever defeated."”
#50
اگر زر گردد همه خاک روم
✦
تو سنگی‌تری زان سرافزار بوم
“"Even if all the soil of Rome were turned to gold, you are a gem more precious from that noble realm."”
#51
نهادند بر روم بر باژ و ساو
✦
پراگنده دینار ده چرم گاو
“They imposed tribute and taxes upon Rome: ten ox-hides filled with scattered gold coins.”
#52
وزان جایگه نالهٔ گاودم
✦
شنیدند و آواز رویینه خم
“And from that place resounded the sound of the bull-horn trumpet and the echo of the brass drums.”
#53
جهاندار بیدار لشکر براند
✦
به شام آمد و روزگاری بماند
“The vigilant ruler marched his army forth; he arrived in Syria and dwelt there for a time.”
#54
بیاورد چندان سلیح و سپاه
✦
همان برده و بدره و تاج و گاه
“He brought forth so many weapons and soldiers, as well as captives, gold bags, crowns, and thrones,”
#55
که پشت زمی را همی‌داد خم
✦
ز پیلان وز گنجهای درم
“That the back of the earth bowed under the weight of the elephants and the treasuries of silver.”
#56
ازان مرز چون رفتن آمدش رای
✦
به شیروی بهرام بسپرد جای
“When he decided to depart from that territory, he entrusted the realm to Shiruy, son of Bahram.”
#57
بدو گفت کاین باژ قیصر بخواه
✦
مکن هیچ سستی به روز و به ماه
“He said to him, "Demand this tribute from Caesar, and show no weakness by day or by month."”
#58
ببوسید شیروی روی زمین
✦
همی‌خواند بر شهریار آفرین
“Shiruy kissed the ground before him and offered praises upon the ruler,”
#59
که بیدار دل باش و پیروزبخت
✦
مگر داد زرد این کیانی درخت
“Saying, "May you remain vigilant and victorious, for this Kayanian tree has borne the fruit of justice."”
#60
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
سوی اردن آمد درفش سپاه
“The war-drums resounded from the king's threshold, and the royal banner moved toward the Jordan.”
#61
جهاندار کسری چو خورشید بود
✦
جهان را ازو بیم و امید بود
“The world-ruler Khosrow was like the sun; from him the world held both fear and hope.”
#62
برین سان رود آفتاب سپهر
✦
به یک دست شمشیر و یک دست مهر
“In such wise moves the sun of the heavens: with a sword in one hand and mercy in the other.”
#63
نه بخشایش آرد به هنگام خشم
✦
نه خشم آیدش روز بخشش به چشم
“He shows no mercy in times of wrath, nor does anger cross his eyes on the day of bestowing gifts.”
#64
چنین بود آن شاه خسرونژاد
✦
بیاراسته بد جهان را بداد
“Such was that king of Khosrow's lineage; he had adorned the world with righteousness and justice.”