#1
دگر هفته چون هور بفراخت تاج
✦
بیامد نشست از بر تخت عاج
“The following week, as the sun raised its shining crown, the king took his seat upon the ivory throne.”
#2
ابا نامور موبدان و ردان
✦
جهاندار و بیدار دل بخردان
“Together with renowned mobads, leaders, awake-hearted world-lords, and wise men.”
#3
همی‌خواست ز ایشان جهاندارشاه
✦
همان نیز فرخ دبیر سپاه
“The ruler of the world called upon them, as well as the auspicious scribe of the host.”
#4
هم از فیلسوفان وز مهتران
✦
ز هر کشوری کار دیده سران
“And from philosophers and grandees, world-tested chieftains of every land.”
#5
همان ساوه و یزدگرد دبیر
✦
به پیش اندرون بهمن تیزویر
“Saveh and Yazdgerd the scribe were there, with Bahman the sharp-witted standing before them.”
#6
به بوزرجمهر آن زمان گفت شاه
✦
که دل را بیارای و بنمای راه
“The king then spoke to Bozorgmehr, saying: 'Adorn your heart and point out the path.'”
#7
زمن راستی هرچ دانی بگوی
✦
به کژی مجو ازجهان آبروی
“'Speak to me whatever truth you know; do not seek dignity in the world through crookedness.'”
#8
پرستش چگونه است فرمان من
✦
نگه داشتن رای و پیمان من
“'What is royal service? What means obedience to my command and keeping my counsel and pact?'”
#9
ز گیتی چو آگه شوند این مهان
✦
شنیده بگویند با همرهان
“'When these grandees gain knowledge of the world, let them relate what they hear to their companions.'”
#10
چنین گفت با شاه بیدار مرد
✦
که ای برتر از گنبد لاژورد
“The vigilant sage replied to the king: 'O ruler exalted above the lapis vault of heaven!'”
#11
پرستیدن شهریار زمین
✦
نجوید خردمند جز راه دین
“'Serving the king of the earth—the wise man seeks no path for it other than the path of faith.'”
#12
نباید به فرمان شاهان درنگ
✦
نباید که باشد دل شاه تنگ
“'One must not hesitate at the command of kings, nor should the king's heart ever be constrained.'”
#13
هرآنکس که برپادشا دشمنست
✦
روانش پرستار آهرمنست
“'Whosoever becomes an enemy to the ruler, their soul is a servant unto Ahriman.'”
#14
دلی کو ندارد تن شاه دوست
✦
نباید که باشد ورا مغز و پوست
“'A heart that holds no love for the king's person deserves neither flesh nor skin upon its body.'”
#15
چنان دان که آرام گیتیست شاه
✦
چونیکی کنیم او دهد دستگاه
“'Know that the king is the tranquility of the world; when we do good, he grants us rank and power.'”
#16
به نیک و بد او را بود دست رس
✦
نیازد به کین و به آزرم کس
“'Over good and evil he holds authority; he reaches out neither in vengeance nor in undue pity.'”
#17
تو مپسند فرزند را جای اوی
✦
چوجان دار در دل همه رای اوی
“'Do not prefer even your own child over his station; hold all his counsel in your heart as dear as life.'”
#18
به شهری که هست اندرو مهرشاه
✦
نیابد نیاز اندران بوم راه
“'In a city wherein abides the love of the king, poverty finds no path into that land.'”
#19
بدی از تو از فر او بگذرد
✦
که بختش همه نیکویی پرورد
“'If evil touches you, it passes through his glory, for his royal fortune nurtures all goodness.'”
#20
جهان را دل ازشاه خندان بود
✦
که بر چهر او فر یزدان بود
“'The heart of the world smiles because of the king, for the Divine Glory shines upon his face.'”
#21
چو از نعمتش بهره یابی بکوش
✦
که داری همیشه به فرمانش گوش
“'When you reap benefit from his bounties, strive to ever lend an attentive ear to his command.'”
#22
به اندیشه گر سربپیچی ازوی
✦
نبیند به نیکی تو را بخت روی
“'If in your thoughts you turn your head from him, good fortune will never smile upon your face.'”
#23
چو نزدیک دارد مشو برمنش
✦
وگر دور گردی مشو بدکنش
“'When he brings you close, do not become arrogant; and if you are distant, do not become evil-minded.'”
#24
پرستنده گر یابد از شاه رنج
✦
نگه کن که با رنج نامست و گنج
“'If a servant suffers hardship from the king, behold how treasure and fame accompany that toil.'”
#25
نباید که سیر آید از کارکرد
✦
همان تیز گردد ز گفتار سرد
“'One must not tire of devoted labor, nor grow bitter from cold words.'”
#26
اگر گشن شد بنده را دستگاه
✦
به فر و به نام جهاندار شاه
“'If a servant's wealth and status grow vast, it is through the glory and name of the world-ruling monarch.'”
#27
گر از ده یکی باژ خواهد رواست
✦
چنان رفت باید که او را هواست
“'If he demands one part in ten as tax, it is fitting; one must act according to his desire.'”
#28
گرامی‌تر آنکس بود نزد شاه
✦
که چون گشن بیند ورا دستگاه
“'Most cherished near the king is he who, when seeing his own wealth expand...'”
#29
ز بهری که اورا سراید ز گنج
✦
نماند که باشد بدو درد و رنج
“'...does not withhold the share that belongs to the royal treasury, so that pain and sorrow reach him not.'”
#30
ز یزدان بود آنک ماند سپاس
✦
کند آفرین مرد یزدان‌شناس
“'The ultimate gratitude belongs to God; the God-knowing man offers true praise.'”
#31
و دیگر که اندر دلش راز شاه
✦
بدارد نگوید به خورشید وماه
“'Furthermore, he keeps the king's secrets hidden within his heart, revealing them neither to the sun nor the moon.'”
#32
به فرمان شاه آنک سستی کند
✦
همی از تن خویش مستی کند
“'He who shows slackness in fulfilling the king's command brings intoxication and ruin upon his own body.'”
#33
نکوهیده باشد گل آن درخت
✦
که نپراگند بار بر تاج وتخت
“'Unpraiseworthy is the flower of that tree which yields no fruit upon the crown and throne.'”
#34
ز کسهای او پیش او بدمگوی
✦
که کمتر کنی نزد او آبروی
“'Do not speak ill of his followers in his presence, lest your own dignity diminish before him.'”
#35
و گر پرسدت هرچ دانی نگوی
✦
به بسیار گفتن مبر آبروی
“'And if he questions you, do not utter everything you know; do not lose your respect through excessive speech.'”
#36
هرآنکس که بسیار گوید دروغ
✦
به نزدیک شاهان نگیرد فروغ
“'Whosoever tells many lies will find no radiance or favor in the presence of kings.'”
#37
سخن کان نه اندر خورد با خرد
✦
بکوشد که بر پادشا نشمرد
“'Words that do not accord with wisdom—one must strive never to recount them before the sovereign.'”
#38
فزونست زان دانش اندر جهان
✦
که بشنید گوش آشکار و نهان
“'True knowledge in the world is vastly greater than whatever the ear has heard, whether open or secret.'”
#39
کسی را که شاه جهان خوار کرد
✦
بماند همیشه روان پر ز درد
“'Whomsoever the king of the world humbles, their soul shall remain forever steeped in pain.'”
#40
همان در جهان ارجمند آن بود
✦
که با او لب شاه خندان بود
“'Likewise, honorable in the world is he upon whom the king's lips offer a cheerful smile.'”
#41
چو بنوازدت شاه کشی مکن
✦
اگر چه پرستنده باشی کهن
“'When the king favors you, do not act proudly, even if you are an old and loyal courtier.'”
#42
که هرچند گردد پرستش دراز
✦
چنان دان که هست او ز تو بی‌نیاز
“'For no matter how long your service lasts, know for certain that he stands in no need of you.'”
#43
اگر با تو گردد ز چیزی دژم
✦
به پوزش گرای و مزن هیچ دم
“'If he becomes angry with you over any matter, turn swiftly to apology and utter not a single rebellious breath.'”
#44
اگر پرورد دیگری را همان
✦
پرستار باشد چو تو بی گمان
“'If he fosters another instead, that person too will undoubtedly be a servant just like you.'”
#45
و گر نیستت آگهی زان گناه
✦
برهنه دلت را ببر نزد شاه
“'And if you are unaware of any fault, bring your pure and unveiled heart before the king.'”
#46
وگر هیچ تاب اندر آری به دل
✦
بدو روی منمای و پی برگسل
“And if you harbor any ill-will or anger in your heart toward him, show not your face before him and sever your connection.”
#47
به فرش ببیند نهان تو را
✦
دل کژ و تیره روان تو را
“With his keen discernment he perceives your hidden thoughts, your crooked heart, and your darkened soul.”
#48
ازان پس نیابی تو زو نیکوی
✦
همان گرم گفتار او نشنوی
“Thenceforth you shall receive no goodness from him, nor shall you hear his warm and kindly speech again.”
#49
در پادشا همچو دریا شمر
✦
پرستنده ملاح وکشتی هنر
“Consider the king's court to be like a vast ocean, where the servant is the sailor and skill is the vessel.”
#50
سخن لنگر و بادبانش خرد
✦
به دریا خردمند چون بگذرد
“Speech is its anchor and wisdom its sail; how then does a wise man navigate across this sea?”
#51
همان بادبان را کند سایه دار
✦
که هم سایه‌دارست و هم مایه دار
“He unfurls that sail which casts a protective shade, for it is both sheltering and rich in substance.”
#52
کسی کو ندارد روانش خرد
✦
سزد گر در پادشا نسپرد
“One whose soul is devoid of wisdom would do well never to tread upon the king's threshold.”
#53
اگر پادشا کوه آتش بدی
✦
پرستنده را زیستن خوش بدی
“Even if the king were a mountain of fire, life would still be pleasant for the servant who acts with prudence.”
#54
چو آتش گه خشم سوزان بود
✦
چوخشنود باشد فروزان بود
“For like fire, when angered he burns fiercely, but when satisfied he shines with comforting light.”
#55
ازو یک زمان شیروشهدست بهر
✦
به دیگر زمان چون گزاینده زهر
“At one moment the portion from him is milk and honey, while at another it becomes like biting poison.”
#56
به کردار دریا بود کارشاه
✦
به فرمان او تابد از چرخ ماه
“The nature of the king's realm is like the sea, and by his supreme decree the moon shines from the sky.”
#57
ز دریا یکی ریگ دارد به کف
✦
دگر دربیابد میان صدف
“From this sea, one person gathers mere sand in hand, while another finds pearls within their shells.”
#58
جهان زنده بادا بنوشین‌روان
✦
همیشه به فرمانش کیوان روان
“May the world remain vibrant through Nushin-Ravan, and may Saturn forever revolve under his command!”