Now begins the tale of Nush-zad, serving as a profound admonition for those who deviate from the path of righteousness and filial gratitude. If the turning sky sought a premier lord worthy of ultimate pride, Khosrow Anushirvan would surely be that unmatched sovereign. How then could a son rebel against the wisdom of such a righteous father and prematurely covet his throne? Hear this story in its entirety, as gathered from the ancient lore of the Dehqans, crafted into verse so that an everlasting memorial remains across the ages. The Persian storyteller, having crossed sixty years of life, declared that whosoever opposes a just ruler is not of human lineage, but of the seed of Ahriman. Thus unfolds the remembrance of Nush-zad, drawn directly from the ancient chronicles.
#1
یکی داستان کردم از نوش‌زاد
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نگه کن مگر سر نپیچی ز داد
“I have composed a story concerning Nush-zad; mark it well, lest you turn your head away from justice.”
#2
اگر چرخ را کوش صدری بدی
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همانا که صدریش کسری بدی
“If the turning sky sought a paramount lord, surely Khosrow would be its ultimate sovereign.”
#3
پسر سر چرا پیچد از راه اوی
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نشست که جوید ابر گاه اوی
“Why should a son stray from his path, or seek to usurp his throne while he yet reigns?”
#4
ز من بشنو این داستان سر به سر
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بگویم تو را ای پسر در بدر
“Listen to this story completely from me; I shall recount it to you, my son, point by point.”
#5
چو گفتار دهقان بیاراستم
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بدین خویشتن را نشان خواستم
“When I adorned the discourse of the Dehqan, I sought thereby to leave a lasting mark for myself.”
#6
که ماند ز من یادگاری چنین
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بدان آفرین کو کند آفرین
“So that such a memorial of me might endure, blessed by those who bestow praise.”
#7
پس از مرگ بر من که گوینده‌ام
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بدین نام جاوید جوینده‌ام
“Even after my death, I, the narrator, seek immortal renown through this monumental work.”
#8
چنین گفت گویندهٔ پارسی
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که بگذشت سال از برش چار سی
“Thus spoke the Persian storyteller, over whom sixty years had now passed.”
#9
که هر کس که بر دادگر دشمنست
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نه مردم نژادست که آهرمنست
“Whoever is an enemy to a righteous ruler is not of human origin, but of the seed of Ahriman.”
#10
هم از نوش‌زاد آمد این داستان
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که یاد آمد از گفته باستان
“This story of Nush-zad came to mind from the traditions and sayings of the ancients.”