#1
چوگستهم وبندوی به آذرگشسپ
✦
فگندند مردی سبک بر دو اسپ
“When Gostahm and Bandoy were at Azar Goshasp, they swiftly dispatched a rider on two fresh steeds,”
#2
که در شب به نزدیک خسرو شود
✦
از ایران به آگاهی نو شود
“So that under cover of night he might reach Khosrow and bring him fresh intelligence from Iran.”
#3
فرستاده آمد بر شاه نو
✦
گذشته شبی تیره از ماه نو
“The messenger arrived before the new prince after a dark night had passed since the new moon.”
#4
ز آشوب بغداد گفت آنچ دید
✦
جوان شد چو برگ گل شنبلید
“He recounted all he had witnessed of the turmoil in Baghdad, turning the young prince's visage pale as a fenugreek flower.”
#5
چنین گفت هرکو زراه خرد
✦
بتیزی ز بی‌دانشی بگذرد
“Khosrow reflected: 'Whosoever strays from the path of wisdom and leaps swiftly through ignorance,”
#6
نترسد ز کردار چرخ بلند
✦
شود زندگانیش ناسودمند
“And fears not the turns of the lofty heavens, his life shall end in bitter fruitlessness.”
#7
گراین بد که گفتی خوش آمد مرا
✦
خور و خواب در آتش آمد مرا
“Though this news brings me grief, making my food and sleep burn like fire,”
#8
ولیکن پدر چون به خون آخت دست
✦
از ایران نکردم سران نشست
“Yet when my father drew his blade for blood, I refrained from convening the nobles of Iran against him.”
#9
هم او را کنون چون یکی بنده‌ام
✦
سخن هرچ گوید نیوشنده‌ام
“Now too, I remain as his obedient servant, ready to listen to whatever command he utters.'”
#10
هم اندر زمان داغ دل با سپاه
✦
بکردار آتش بیامد ز راه
“Instantly, with an aching heart, he set out at the head of his army, sweeping forward like blazes of fire.”
#11
سپاهی بد از بردع و اردبیل
✦
همی‌رفت با نامور خیل خیل
“A mighty host from Barda and Ardabil marched in glorious, famous ranks alongside him.”
#12
از ارمینیه نیز چندی سپاه
✦
همی‌تاخت چون باد با پور شاه
“Troops from Armenia also charged like the wind, riding alongside the royal prince.”
#13
چوآمد ببغداد زو آگهی
✦
که آمد خریدار تخت مهی
“When word reached Baghdad that the claimant to the supreme throne was drawing near,”
#14
همه شهر ز آگاهی آرام یافت
✦
جهانجوی از آرامشان کام یافت
“The entire city found calm at the news, and the seeker of the world achieved his purpose through their peace.”
#15
پذیره شدندش بزرگان شهر
✦
کسی را که از مهتری بود بهر
“The grandees and notables of the city, whoever held a share of greatness, went forth to welcome him.”
#16
نهادند بر پیشگه تخت عاج
✦
همان طوق زرین وپرمایه تاج
“They set before the royal presence an ivory throne, along with a golden torque and a jewel-encrusted crown.”
#17
بشهر اندرون رفت خسرو بدرد
✦
بنزد پدر رفت با بادسرد
“Khosrow entered the city sorrowfully and went to his father with a cold, sigh-laden breath.”
#18
چه جوییم زین گنبد تیزگرد
✦
که هرگز نیاساید از کارکرد
“What do we seek from this fast-turning vault of heaven, which never rests from its relentless working?”
#19
یکی راهمی تاج شاهی دهد
✦
یکی را بدریا بماهی دهد
“To one it grants the royal crown of kingship; another it casts to the sea as food for fishes.”
#20
یکی را برهنه سروپای و سفت
✦
نه آرام و خواب و نه جای نهفت
“One wanders bare of head, foot, and chest, finding neither rest, sleep, nor a place of refuge.”
#21
یکی را دهد توشهٔ شهد و شیر
✦
بپوشد بدیبا و خز و حریر
“Another it feeds with honey and milk, clothing them in brocade, sable, and finest silk.”
#22
سرانجام هردو بخاک اندرند
✦
بتارک بدام هلاک اندرند
“In the end, both lie beneath the dust, caught alike in the snare of mortality.”
#23
اگر خود نزادی خردمند مرد
✦
ندیدی ز گیتی چنین گرم و سرد
“Had a wise man never been born into this world, he would not have tasted such hot and cold turns of fate;”
#24
ندیدی جهان ازبنه به بدی
✦
اگر که بدی مرد اگر مه بدی
“He would not have seen the world fundamentally prone to ill, whether he were a humble man or a great prince.”
#25
کنون رنج در کارخسرو بریم
✦
بخواننده آگاهی نو بریم
“Now let us devote our labor to the deeds of Khosrow, bringing fresh chronicle to the reader.”