#1
چو شاهان گزیدند جای نبرد
✦
بشد مادر از خواب و آرام و خورد
“When the kings chose the place of battle, the mother lost all sleep, peace, and nourishment.”
#2
همیشه بره دیدبان داشتی
✦
به تلخی همی روز بگذاشتی
“She constantly kept a lookout on the road, passing her days in bitter anxiety.”
#3
چو از راه برخاست گرد سپاه
✦
نگه کرد بینادل از دیده‌گاه
“When the dust of the army rose from the road, the clear-sighted watcher looked out from the watchtower.”
#4
همی دیده‌بان بنگرید از دو میل
✦
که بیند مگر تاج طلخند و پیل
“The watcher scanned two miles away, hoping to glimpse Talkhand's crown and elephant.”
#5
ز بالا درفش گو آمد پدید
✦
همه روی کشور سپه گسترید
“From the height, the banner of Prince Gav appeared, and the army spread across the whole realm.”
#6
نیامد پدید از میان سپاه
✦
سواری برافگند از دیده‌گاه
“No rider emerged from the midst of the army; the watcher dispatched a swift message from the tower,”
#7
که لشکر گذر کرد زین روی کوه
✦
گو وهرک بودند با او گروه
“Saying: 'The army has crossed from this side of the mountain, and Prince Vahrack and his group were with him.'”
#8
نه طلخند پیدا نه پیل و درفش
✦
نه آن نامداران زرینه کفش
“'Yet neither Talkhand is visible, nor the elephant and banner, nor those golden-shod nobles.'”
#9
ز مژگان فروریخت خون مادرش
✦
فراوان به دیوار بر زد سرش
“Blood gushed from his mother's eyelashes; repeatedly she struck her head against the wall.”
#10
ازان پس چوآمد به مام آگهی
✦
که تیره شد آن فر شاهنشهی
“Thereafter, when word came to the mother that the royal glory of the King of Kings had darkened,”
#11
جهاندار طلخند بر زین بمرد
✦
سرگاه شاهی بگو در سپرد
“That King Talkhand had died upon his saddle and relinquished the royal throne to Prince Gav,”
#12
همی جامه زد چاک و رخ را بکند
✦
به گنجور گنج آتش اندر فگند
“She tore her robes, scratched her face, and set fire to the treasury through the treasurer.”
#13
به ایوان او شد دمان مادرش
✦
به خون اندرون غرقه گشته سرش
“The mother rushed impetuously into her palace, her head steeped in grief and tears of blood.”
#14
همه کاخ وتاج بزرگی بسوخت
✦
ازان پس بلند آتشی برفروخت
“She burned the entire palace and the crown of grandeur; thereafter, she kindled a roaring fire,”
#15
که سوزد تن خویش به آیین هند
✦
ازان سوگ پیداکند دین هند
“Intending to burn her own body after the Indian rite, manifesting her grief through the custom of India.”
#16
چو از مادر آگاهی آمد بگو
✦
برانگیخت آن بارهٔ تیزرو
“When word reached Prince Gav concerning his mother, he spurred his swift-footed steed.”
#17
بیامد ورا تنگ در بر گرفت
✦
پر از خون مژه خواهش اندر گرفت
“He arrived and embraced her tightly, his eyelashes filled with blood as he began his entreaty,”
#18
بدو گفت کای مهربان گوش دار
✦
که ما بیگناهیم زین کارزار
“Saying to her: 'O loving mother, listen to me, for we are blameless in this battle!'”
#19
نه من کشتم او را نه یاران من
✦
نه گردی گمان برد زین انجمن
“'Neither did I kill him, nor my companions, nor did any warrior in this assembly entertain such a thought.'”
#20
که خود پیش او دم توان زد درشت
✦
ورا گردش اختر بد بکشت
“'None dared even speak harshly in his presence; it was the turn of evil stars and fate that killed him.'”
#21
بدو گفت مادر که ای بدکنش
✦
ز چرخ بلند آیدت سرزنش
“His mother said to him: 'O evil-doer, reproach shall come upon you from the lofty heaven!'”
#22
برادر کشی از پی تاج و تخت
✦
نخواند تو را نیکدل نیکبخت
“'Slaying a brother for the sake of crown and throne—no kind heart will call you blessed.'”
#23
چنین داد پاسخ که ای مهربان
✦
نشاید که برمن شوی بدگمان
“He answered thus: 'O loving mother, it is not fitting that you harbour bad suspicions against me.'”
#24
بیارام تا گردش رزمگاه
✦
نمایم تو را کار شاه و سپاه
“'Calm yourself so I may show you the workings of the battlefield and the deeds of king and host.'”
#25
که یارست شد پیش او رزمجوی
✦
کرا بود در سر خود این گفت وگوی
“'Who dared face him seeking battle? Who had such a thought in his mind?'”
#26
به دادار کو داد ومهر آفرید
✦
شب و روز و گردان سپهر آفرید
“'By the Creator who made justice and love, who created night and day and the revolving sky!'”
#27
کزین پس نبیند مرا مهر و گاه
✦
نه اسب و نه گرز و نه تخت و کلاه
“'Henceforth, affection, throne, horse, mace, crown, and royal cap shall see me no more,'”
#28
مگر کین سخن آشکارا کنم
✦
ز تندی دلت پر مدارا کنم
“'Unless I make this matter fully plain and fill your stern heart with tolerance and peace.'”
#29
که او را بدست کسی بد زمان
✦
که مردم رهایی نیابد ازان
“'For his appointed time came by no man's hand—a fate from which no mortal finds escape.'”
#30
که یابد به گیتی رهایی ز مرگ
✦
وگر جان بپوشد به پولاد ترگ
“'Who in this world finds deliverance from death, even if he covers his soul in armor of steel?'”
#31
چنان شمع رخشان فرو پژمرد
✦
به گیتی کسی یک نفس نشمرد
“'When such a radiant candle fades, no one in this world can count a single extra breath.'”
#32
وگر چون نمایم نگردی تو رام
✦
به دادار دارنده کو راست کام
“'And if I demonstrate how it transpired and you still yield not, I swear by the Just Creator who fulfills all desires,'”
#33
که پیشت به آتش بر خویش را
✦
بسوزم ز بهر بداندیش را
“'That right before you, I will burn myself in the fire to end your misgivings against me!'”
#34
چو بشنید مادر سخنهای گو
✦
دریغ آمدش برز و بالای گو
“When the mother heard these words of Prince Gav, she felt pity for his stature and noble bearing.”
#35
بدو گفت مادر که بنمای راه
✦
که چون مرد بر پیل طلخند شاه
“His mother said to him: 'Show me the way, how King Talkhand died upon his elephant,'”
#36
مگر بر من این آشکارا شود
✦
پر آتش دلم پرمدارا شود
“'So that this truth becomes clear to me, and my fiery heart may grow patient and calm.'”