#1
چو بشنید بهرام کز روزگار
✦
چه آمد بران نامور شهریار
“When Bahram learned what twist of fate had befallen that renowned monarch,”
#2
نهادند بر چشم روشنش داغ
✦
بمرد آن چراغ دو نرگس بباغ
“How they had branded his bright eyes, extinguishing the twin lamps of his sight,”
#3
پسر برنشست از بر تخت اوی
✦
بپا اندر آمد سر وبخت اوی
“And how his son had mounted the royal throne, elevating his head and fortune,”
#4
ازان ماند بهرام اندر شگفت
✦
بپژمرد واندیشه اندر گرفت
“Bahram remained lost in utter astonishment; he withered with grief and fell deep into anxious thought.”
#5
بفرمود تا کوس بیرون برند
✦
درفش بزرگی به هامون برند
“He commanded the war drums to be brought forth and the grand banner to be raised upon the open plain.”
#6
بنه برنهاد وسپه برنشست
✦
بپیکار خسرو میان را ببست
“He packed his baggage, mounted his charger, and girded his loins for battle against Khosrow.”
#7
سپاهی بکردار کوه روان
✦
همی‌راند گستاخ تا نهروان
“He assembled an army vast as a moving mountain, advancing boldly all the way to Nahrawan.”
#8
چوآگاه شد خسرو از کاراوی
✦
غمی گشت زان تیز بازار اوی
“When Khosrow learned of Bahram's warlike advance, he grew deeply grieved by his fierce zeal.”
#9
فرستاد بیدار کارآگهان
✦
که تا بازجویند کارجهان
“He dispatched vigilant spies into the night, to investigate the secrets of the realm and the enemy.”
#10
به کارآگهان گفت راز ازنخست
✦
زلشکر همی‌کرد باید درست
“He first imparted his secrets to the spies, bidding them ascertain the truth of Bahram's host:”
#11
که بااو یکی اند لشکر به جنگ
✦
وگر گردد این کار ما با درنگ
“Whether the army stands fully united with him in battle, or if our struggle will drag into delay;”
#12
دگر آنک بهرام در قلبگاه
✦
بود بیشتر گر میان سپاه
“And furthermore, whether Bahram rides in the center vanguard or moves amid the body of the host;”
#13
چگونه نشیند بهنگام بار
✦
برفتن کند هیچ رای شکار
“How he holds court during audience, and whether he inclines toward hunting while on the march.”
#14
برفتند کارآگهان از درش
✦
نبود آگه از کار وز لشکرش
“The spies departed from his presence, while he remained unaware of Bahram's army and designs.”
#15
چو رفتند و دیدند و بازآمدند
✦
نهانی بر او فراز آمدند
“When they had scouted and returned, they came to him in secret with their report:”
#16
که لشکر بهرکار با اویکیست
✦
اگر نامدارست وگر کودکیست
“That the entire army is at one with him in every matter, whether noble warriors or young troops;”
#17
هرانگه که لشکر براند به راه
✦
بود یک زمان در میان سپاه
“Whenever he marches his host upon the road, he stays a while among the ranks of the army;”
#18
زمانی شود بر سوی میمنه
✦
گهی بر چپ و گاه سوی بنه
“At times he rides to the right wing, at times to the left, and sometimes toward the baggage train;”
#19
همه مردم خویش دارد براز
✦
ببیگانگانشان نیاید نیاز
“He keeps all his confidence within his own circle, having no need of strangers;”
#20
بکردار شاهان نشیند ببار
✦
همان در در و دشت جوید شکار
“He holds audience after the manner of monarchs, and likewise hunts across plains and wilderness.”
#21
چو از رزم شاهان نراند همی
✦
همه دفتر دمنه خواند همی
“When he is not directing royal battles, he reads constantly from the book of Kalilah wa Dimnah.”
#22
چنین گفت خسرو بدستور خویش
✦
که کاری درازست ما را به پیش
“Khosrow turned to his chief minister and said: 'A long and hard trial lies before us.”
#23
چو بهرام بر دشمن اسپ افکند
✦
بدریا دل اژدها بشکند
“When Bahram spurs his horse against the enemy, he shatters the dragon's heart within the deep sea.”
#24
دگر آنک آیین شاهنشهان
✦
بیاموخت از شهریار جهان
“Furthermore, he has mastered the noble customs of kings from the sovereign of the world.”
#25
سیم کش کلیله است ودمنه وزیر
✦
چون او رای زن کس ندارد دبیر
“Thirdly, Kalilah wa Dimnah is his counsellor; no scribe possesses a advisor as prudent as his.'”
#26
ازان پس ببندوی و گستهم گفت
✦
که ما با غم و رنج گشتیم جفت
“Afterward, he said to Bandoy and Gustahm: 'We have become wedded to grief and pain.'”
#27
چوگردوی و شاپور و چون اندیان
✦
سپهدار ارمینیه رادمان
“With Gardoy, Shapur, Andiyan, and Radman—the noble commander of Armenia—”
#28
نشستند با شاه ایران براز
✦
بزرگان فرزانه رزمساز
“They sat in secret council with the King of Iran—wise and battle-seasoned chieftains.”
#29
چنین گفت خسرو بدان مهتران
✦
که ای سرفرازان و جنگ آوران
“Khosrow spoke to those grandees: 'O exalted ones and brave warriors!”
#30
هرآن مغز کو را خرد روشنست
✦
زدانش یکی بر تنش جوشنست
“Any mind whose intellect is illuminated wears a coat of armor made of knowledge upon his body.”
#31
کس آنرا نبرد مگر تیغ مرگ
✦
شود موم ازان زخم پولاد ترگ
“Nothing can pierce it save the blade of death; through its stroke, steel helmets turn to soft wax.”
#32
کنون من بسال ازشما کهترم
✦
برای جوانی جهان نسپرم
“Now I am younger in years than you, yet I do not traverse the world with youthful folly.”
#33
بگویید تا چارهٔ کارچیست
✦
بران خستگیها پرآزار کیست
“Speak, and reveal what remedy we must apply, and who grieves most over these wounds.'”
#34
بدو گفت موبد انوشه بدی
✦
همه مغز را فر وتوشه بدی
“The Mobad replied: 'May you live immortal! May divine glory and strength ever nourish your mind!”
#35
چوپیدا شد این راز گردنده دهر
✦
خرد را ببخشید بر چاربهر
“When this mystery of the revolving heavens was revealed, Wisdom was apportioned into four shares:”
#36
چونیمی ازو بهرهٔ پادشاست
✦
که فر و خرد پادشا را سزاست
“One half belongs entirely to the King, for divine glory and wisdom are fitting for monarchs;”
#37
دگر بهرهٔ مردم پارسا
✦
سدیگر پرستنده پادشا
“Another share belongs to devout, righteous folk, and a third to the loyal servants of the throne.”
#38
چو نزدیک باشد بشاه جهان
✦
خرد خویشتن زو ندارد نهان
“When wisdom dwells near the Lord of the World, it does not hide its secrets from him.”
#39
کنون از خرد پاره‌ای ماند خرد
✦
که دانا ورا بهر دهقان شمرد
“Now a small fragment of wisdom remains, which the wise assign to the noble landholders.”
#40
خرد نیست با مردم ناسپاس
✦
نه آنرا که او نیست یزدان شناس
“Wisdom dwells not with the ungrateful, nor with him who acknowledges not God.”
#41
اگر بشنود شهریار این سخن
✦
که گفته‌ست بیدار مرد کهن
“If the King would hear this truthful discourse spoken by wise men of old...'”
#42
بدو گفت شاه این سخن گر بزر
✦
نویسم جز این نیست آیین و فر
“The King answered: 'If this word is written in gold, it carries no less than imperial tradition and grace.”
#43
سخن گفتن موبدان گوهرست
✦
مرا در دل اندیشه دیگرست
“The discourse of mobads is pure jewel, yet in my heart dwells another resolve:”
#44
که چون این دو لشکر برابر شود
✦
سر نیزه‌ها بر دو پیکر شود
“When the two armies stand face to face and the tips of lances clash above our bodies,”
#45
نباشد مرا ننگ کز قلبگاه
✦
برانم شوم پیش او بی‌سپاه
“I shall hold it no shame to spur out from the main vanguard and approach him without an army.”
#46
بخوانم به آواز بهرام را
✦
سپهدار بدنام خودکام را
“I shall call out aloud to Bahram, that self-willed and ill-reputed commander.”
#47
یکی ز آشتی روی بنمایمش
✦
نوازمش بسیار و بستایمش
“I shall show him a face of peace, soothe him greatly, and offer him high praise.”
#48
اگر خود پذیرد سخن به بود
✦
که چون او بدرگاه بر که بود
“If he accepts my words, it shall be best, for who at court was ever equal to him?”
#49
وگر جنگ جوید منم جنگ جوی
✦
سپه را بروی اندر آریم روی
“And if he seeks war, then war I too shall seek, and we shall bring our hosts face to face.”
#50
همه کاردانان بدین داستان
✦
کجا گفت گشتند همداستان
“All the wise and experienced advisers agreed completely with this discourse.”
#51
بزرگان برو آفرین خواندند
✦
ورا شهریار زمین خواندند
“The nobles showered praises upon him and proclaimed him the sovereign king of the earth.”
#52
همی‌گفت هرکس که ای شهریار
✦
زتو دور بادا بد روزگار
“Everyone said, 'O Monarch, may evil times ever remain far from thee!”
#53
تو را باد پیروزی و فرهی
✦
بزرگی و دیهیم شاهنشهی
“May victory, divine grace, grandeur, and the royal crown be thine forever!'”
#54
چنین گفت خسرو که این باد و بس
✦
شکست و جدایی مبیناد کس
“Khosrow answered, 'May it be even so; and may no man suffer defeat and division.'”
#55
سپه را ز بغداد بیرون کشید
✦
سراپردهٔ نو به هامون کشید
“He led his army forth out of Baghdad and pitched his royal pavilions anew upon the plain.”
#56
دو لشکر چو تنگ اندر آمد به راه
✦
ازان رو سپهبد وزین روی شاه
“When the two armies drew near on the march, the general on one side and the king on the other,”
#57
چو شمع جهان شد بخم اندرون
✦
بیفشاند زلف شب تیره گون
“When the candle of the world sank low into the curve, and night unfurled its dark, musky tresses,”
#58
طلایه بیامد ز هر دو سپاه
✦
که دارد ز بدخواه خود را نگاه
“Advance guards stepped forward from both armies to guard themselves against the foe.”
#59
چو از خنجر روز بگریخت شب
✦
همی تاخت سوزان دل و خشک لب
“As night fled before the glittering dagger of day, the steeds galloped with burning hearts and dry lips.”
#60
تبیره برآمد ز هر دو سرای
✦
بدان رزم خورشید بد رهنمای
“The war-drums resounded from both camps, while the sun served as a guide to that battleground.”
#61
بگستهم و بندوی فرمود شاه
✦
که تا بر نهادند ز آهن کلاه
“The King commanded Gostahm and Bandoy to don their helmets of steel.”
#62
چنین با بزرگان روشن روان
✦
همی‌راند تا چشمهٔ نهروان
“Thus accompanied by bright-souled magnates, he rode onward to the spring of Nahrawan.”
#63
طلایه ببهرام شد ناگزیر
✦
که آمد سپه بر دو پرتاب تیر
“Word reached Bahram from his advance guard that the opposing host was now within two arrow-flights.”
#64
چوبشنید بهرام لشکر براند
✦
جهاندیدگان را برخویش خواند
“Hearing this, Bahram advanced his force and summoned his battle-hardened veterans to his side.”
#65
نشست از برابلق مشک دم
✦
خنیده سرافراز رویینه سم
“He mounted his piebald steed with its musk-black tail—famed, exalted, and iron-hooved.”
#66
سلیحش یکی هندوی تیغ بود
✦
که درزخم چون آتش میغ بود
“His weapon was an Indian blade, whose blow struck like lightning flashing from a thundercloud.”
#67
چوبرق درفشان همی‌راند اسپ
✦
بدست چپش ریمن آذرگشسپ
“He spurred his horse like gleaming lightning, with the treacherous Azargashasp at his left hand.”
#68
چو آیین گشسپ و یلان سینه نیز
✦
برفتند پرکینه و پرستیز
“Ayin-Gashasp and the brave Yalan-Sina also rode forth, filled with vengeance and strife.”
#69
سه ترک دلاور ز خاقانیان
✦
بران کین بهرام بسته میان
“Three valiant warriors of Khaqan's lineage had girded themselves in Bahram's cause.”
#70
پذیرفته هر سه که چون روی شاه
✦
ببینیم دور ازمیان سپاه
“All three had vowed: 'The moment we behold the King's face apart from his host,”
#71
اگر بسته گر کشته او را برت
✦
بیاریم و آسوده شد لشکرت
“'We shall bring him to thee, bound or slain, and thy army shall be delivered from turmoil.'”
#72
ز یک روی خسرو دگر پهلوان
✦
میان اندرون نهروان روان
“On one bank stood Khosrow, on the other the champion, with the river Nahrawan flowing between them.”
#73
نظاره بران از دو رویه سپاه
✦
که تا پهلوان چون رود نزد شاه
“The two hosts watched intently from either side to see how the champion would approach the King.”