#1
چو خورشید خنجر کشید از نیام
✦
پدید آمد آن مطرف زردفام
“When the sun drew its blade from the sheath, and the yellow-hued cloak of morning appeared across the sky,”
#2
فرستاد و گردنکشان را بخواند
✦
برتخت شاهی به زانو نشاند
“Bahram sent couriers and summoned the chieftains, seating them respectfully around the royal throne.”
#3
بهرجای کرسی زرین نهاد
✦
چوشاهان پیروز بنشست شاد
“He set golden thrones in every place, sitting joyfully like victorious monarchs of old.”
#4
چنین گفت زان پس به بانگ بلند
✦
که هرکس که هست ازشما ارجمند
“He then raised his voice and addressed them aloud: 'Whoever among you is exalted and noble,'”
#5
ز شاهان ز ضحاک بتر کسی
✦
نیامد پدیدار بجویی بسی
“'Among all kings, none worse than Zahhak ever arose, though you search through many a stream.'”
#6
که از بهر شاهی پدر را بکشت
✦
وزان کشتن ایرانش آمد بمشت
“'For the sake of sovereignty he slew his father, and through that murder Iran fell into his grasp.'”
#7
دگر خسرو آن مرد بیداد و شوم
✦
پدر را بکشت آنگهی شد بروم
“'And that other sinister, unjust monarch killed his father and then fled unto Rum.'”
#8
کنون ناپدیدست اندر جهان
✦
یکی نامداری ز تخت مهان
“'Now a renowned chief from the throne of the great has vanished from the world;'”
#9
که زیبا بود بخشش و بخت را
✦
کلاه و کمر بستن وتخت را
“'One who is worthy of bounty and good fortune, worthy to wear the crown, belt, and sit upon the throne.'”
#10
که دارید که اکنون ببندد میان
✦
بجا آورد رسم و راه کیان
“'Whom do you hold now who will gird his loins to restore the noble rites and ways of the Kayanids?'”
#11
بدارندهٔ آفتاب بلند
✦
که باشم شما را بدین یارمند
“'By the Creator of the lofty sun, I shall be your helper in this task!'”
#12
شنیدند گردنکشان این سخن
✦
که آن نامور مهتر افکند بن
“The chieftains heard these words, recognizing the high foundation laid by that renowned leader.”
#13
نپیچید کس دل ز گفتار راست
✦
یکی پیرتر بود بر پای خاست
“None turned their heart from true speech; then an elder noble rose to his feet.”
#14
کجا نام او بود شهران گراز
✦
گوی پیرسر مهتری دیریاز
“Whose name was Shahran-Goraz, an aged hero who had long held chieftainship.”
#15
چنین گفت کای نامدار بلند
✦
توی در جهان تابوی سودمند
“He spoke thus: 'O renowned and lofty lord, you are the world-illuminating benefactor.'”
#16
بدی گر نبودی جز از ساوه شاه
✦
که آمد بدین مرز ما با سپاه
“'It would have been ruinous had it not been for King Saveh, who invaded our border with a vast host,'”
#17
ز آزادگان بندگان خواست کرد
✦
کجا در جهانش نبد هم نبرد
“'Seeking to enslave the free-born nobles, having no match or peer in all the world.'”
#18
ز گیتی بمردی تو بستی میان
✦
که آن رنج بگذشت ز ایرانیان
“'Through manly strength you girded your loins, and that terrible affliction passed away from the Iranians.'”
#19
سپه چاربار از یلان صدهزار
✦
همه گرد و شایستهٔ کارزار
“'Four times their army numbered a hundred thousand warriors, all mighty and proven in battle.'”
#20
بیک چوبه تیر تو گشتند باز
✦
برآسود ایران ز گرم و گداز
“'Yet with a single arrow of yours they turned back, and Iran found relief from distress and agony.'”
#21
کنون تخت ایران سزاوار تست
✦
برین برگوا بخت بیدارتست
“'Now the throne of Iran is truly worthy of you; your vigilant fortune bears witness to this.'”
#22
کسی کو بپیچد ز فرمان ما
✦
وگر دور ماند ز پیمان ما
“'Whoever turns away from our command, or strays far from our solemn covenant,'”
#23
بفرمانش آریم اگر چه گوست
✦
و گر داستان را همه خسروست
“'We shall bring him under obedience though he be a warrior, even if the legend names him king.'”
#24
بگفت این و بنشست بر جای خویش
✦
خراسان سپهبد بیامد به پیش
“Having said this, he sat down in his place, and Khorasan the army commander stepped forward.”
#25
چنین گفت کاین پیر دانش پژوه
✦
که چندین سخن گفت پیش گروه
“He spoke thus: 'This wise elder who uttered so many words before the assembly,'”
#26
بگویم که او از چه گفت این سخن
✦
جهانجوی و داننده مرد کهن
“'Let me explain why he spoke these words—this world-seeking, experienced old hero.'”
#27
که این نیکویها ز تو یاد کرد
✦
دل انجمن زین سخن شاد کرد
“'He recalled all these virtues of yours, gladdening the heart of the assembly with his words.'”
#28
ولیکن یکی داستانست نغز
✦
اگر بشنود مردم پاک مغز
“'Yet there is a fine, profound tale, if a pure-minded man would listen:'”
#29
که زر دشت گوید باستا و زند
✦
که هرکس که از کردگاربلند
“'Zoroaster says in the Avesta and Zand that whosoever strays from the Almighty Creator,'”
#30
بپیچد بیک سال پندش دهید
✦
همان مایهٔ سودمندش دهید
“'Give him counsel for one full year, and grant him beneficial provisions;'”
#31
سرسال اگر بازناید به راه
✦
ببایدش کشتن بفرمان شاه
“'If at year’s end he does not return to the righteous path, he must be slain by the king’s command.'”
#32
چو بر دادگر شاه دشمن شود
✦
سرش زود باید که بی‌تن شود
“'When a man becomes an enemy to the just king, his head should soon be severed from his body.'”
#33
خراسان بگفت این و لب راببست
✦
بیامد بجایی که بودش نشست
“Khorasan said this and sealed his lips, returning to where his seat was located.”
#34
ازان پس فرخ زاد برپای خاست
✦
ازان انجمن سر برآورد راست
“Thereafter Farrukh-Zad stood up, raising his head high amidst the assembly.”
#35
چنین گفت کای مهتر سودمند
✦
سخن گفتن داد به گر پسند
“He spoke thus: 'O beneficial chieftain, to speak of justice is acceptable to the wise.'”
#36
اگر داد بهتر بود کس مباد
✦
که باشد به گفتار بیداد شاد
“'If justice is best, let no man be glad of unjust speech.'”
#37
ببهرام گوید که نوشه بدی
✦
جهان را بدیدار توشه بدی
“'One should say to Bahram: May you be immortal and healthy! May your countenance be sustenance for the world!'”
#38
اگر ناپسندست گفتار ما
✦
بدین نیست پیروزگر یارما
“'If our words are unpleasing, the Victorious Lord will not be our helper.'”
#39
انوشه بدی شاد تاجاودان
✦
زتو دور دست و زبان بدان
“'May you be immortal and joyous forever, with the hands and tongues of evil kept far from you!'”
#40
بگفت این و بنشست مرد دلیر
✦
خزروان خسرو بیامد چو شیر
“Having said this, the brave man sat down; then Khazravan, Khosrow's warrior, came forward like a lion.”
#41
بدو گفت اکنون که چندین سخن
✦
سراینده برنا و مرد کهن
“He said to him: 'Now that so many words have been uttered by young and old alike,'”
#42
سرانجام اگر راه جویی بداد
✦
هیونی برافگن بکردار باد
“'If in the end you seek the path of justice, dispatch a courier swift as the wind.'”
#43
ممان دیر تا خسرو سرفراز
✦
بکوبد بنزد تو راه دراز
“'Do not delay, lest the exalted Khosrow march a long road to reach you.'”
#44
ز کار گذشته به پوزش گرای
✦
سوی تخت گستاخ مگذار پای
“'Apologize for past deeds, and do not step boldly toward the throne.'”
#45
که تا زنده باشد جهاندار شاه
✦
نباشد سپهبد سزاوار گاه
“'For as long as the sovereign King lives, a general is not worthy of the royal throne.'”
#46
وگر بیم داری ز خسرو به دل
✦
پی از پارس وز طیسفون برگسل
“And if your heart still harbors fear of Khosrow, sever all ties with Pars and Ctesiphon.”
#47
بشهر خراسان تن آسان بزی
✦
که آسانی و مهتری را سزی
“Dwell in comfort in the realm of Khorasan, for you are truly worthy of ease and grandeur.”
#48
به پوزش یک اندر دگر نامه ساز
✦
مگر خسرو آید برای تو باز
“Send apology after apology in writing, perchance Khosrow may relent and turn back to favor you.”
#49
نه برداشت خسرو پی از جای خویش
✦
کجا زاد فرخ نهد پای پیش
“Yet Khosrow yielded no ground, even as Zad-Farrokh stepped forward to speak.”
#50
سخن گفت پس زاد فرخ بداد
✦
که‌ای نامداران فرخ نژاد
“Then Zad-Farrokh spoke with equity, addressing them: 'O renowned ones of blessed lineage,'”
#51
شنیدم سخن گفتن مهتران
✦
که هستند ز ایران گزیده سران
“'I have heard the words of the elders, who are the chosen chieftains of Iran.'”
#52
نخستین سخن گفتن بنده وار
✦
که تا پهلوانی شود شهریار
“'First was the humble discourse proposing that a warlord should become king;'”
#53
خردمند نپسندد این گفت وگوی
✦
کزان کم شود مرد راآب روی
“'No wise man would approve such counsel, for it diminishes a man's honor and pride.'”
#54
خراسان سخن برمنش وار گفت
✦
نگویم که آن با خرد بود جفت
“'The chieftain of Khorasan spoke with haughtiness; I cannot say his speech was bound with wisdom.'”
#55
فرخ زاد بفزود گفتار تند
✦
دل مردم پرخرد کرد کند
“'Farrokh-Zad added harsh utterings, dampening the spirits of the prudent.'”
#56
چهارم خزروان سالاربود
✦
که گفتار او با خرد یاربود
“'The fourth was the lord of Khazar, whose discourse was indeed allied with wisdom.'”
#57
که تا آفرید این جهان کردگار
✦
پدید آمد این گردش روزگار
“'Saying: Since the Creator fashioned this universe and the cycles of time began,'”
#58
ز ضحاک تازی نخست اندرآی
✦
که بیدادگر بود و ناپاک رای
“'Recall first Zahhak the Arab, who was unjust and evil in his intent,'”
#59
که جمشید برتر منش را بکشت
✦
به بیداد بگرفت گیتی بمشت
“'Who slew proud Jamshid and seized the world in his tyrannical grip.'”
#60
پر از درد دیدم دل پارسا
✦
که اندر جهان دیو بد پادشا
“'I saw the heart of the righteous filled with pain when an evil demon ruled the world.'”
#61
دگر آنک بد گوهر افراسیاب
✦
ز توران بدانگونه بگذاشت آب
“'Another was vile-natured Afrasiab, who crossed the waters from Turan in such evil manner,'”
#62
بزاری سر نوذر نامدار
✦
بشمشیر ببرید و برگشت کار
“'And wretchedly beheaded the famous Nozhar with a sword, turning back fortune's tide.'”
#63
سدیگر سکندر که آمد ز روم
✦
به ایران و ویران شد این مرز وبوم
“'Third was Alexander who came from Rome to Iran, leaving this realm desolate.'”
#64
چو دارای شمشیر زن را بکشت
✦
خور و خواب ایرانیان شد درشت
“'When he slew Dara the sword-wielder, the ease and repose of Iranians turned bitter.'”
#65
چهارم چو ناپاک دل خوشنواز
✦
که گم کرد زین بوم و بر نام و ناز
“'Fourth was foul-hearted Khushnawaz, who wiped away honor and glory from this land.'”
#66
چو پیروز شاهی بلند اختری
✦
جهاندار وز نامداران سری
“'When King Peroz of high star, sovereign of the world and chief among nobles,'”
#67
بکشتند هیتالیان ناگهان
✦
نگون شد سرتخت شاه جهان
“'Was suddenly slain by the Hephthalites, the royal crown of the world was overthrown.'”
#68
کس اندر جهان این شگفتی ندید
✦
که اکنون بنوی به ایران رسید
“'Yet none in the world ever saw such a marvel as has newly come upon Iran:'”
#69
که بگریخت شاهی چوخسرو زگاه
✦
سوی دشمنان شد ز دست سپاه
“'That a monarch like Khosrow should flee his throne, driven by his own host toward enemies!'”
#70
بگفت این و بنشست گریان بدرد
✦
ز گفتار او گشت بهرام زرد
“He said this and sat weeping in anguish; at his words, Bahram's face turned pale.”
#71
جهاندیده سنباد برپای جست
✦
میان بسته وتیغ هندی بدست
“The battle-tested Sonbad sprang up, girdle tightened and holding an Indian blade.”
#72
چنین گفت کاین نامور پهلوان
✦
بزرگست و با داد و روشن روان
“He spoke: 'This renowned champion is mighty, just, and enlightened in soul.'”
#73
کنون تاکسی از نژادکیان
✦
بیاید ببندد کمر بر میان
“'Until someone of the royal Kayanid lineage arrives to gird his loins for sovereignty,'”
#74
هم آن به که این برنشیند بتخت
✦
که گردست و جنگاور و نیک بخت
“'It is far better that he mounts the throne, for he is valiant, warlike, and favored by fortune.'”
#75
سرجنگیان کاین سخنها شنید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When the chief of warriors heard these words, he reached out and drew his sword from his belt.”
#76
چنین گفت کز تخم شاهان زنی
✦
اگر باز یابیم در بر زنی
“He declared: 'If we were to find even a woman of the royal seed,'”
#77
ببرم سرش را بشمشیر تیز
✦
زجانش برآرم دم رستخیز
“'I would sever her head with a sharp sword and send her soul straight to resurrection day!'”
#78
نمانم که کس تاجداری کند
✦
میان سواران سورای کند
“'I will let no one wear the crown or lord it over the horsemen of this realm!'”
#79
چوبشنید بابوی گرد ارمنی
✦
که سالار ناپاک کرد آن منی
“When Baboy, the Armenian brave, heard how that wicked warlord boasted in arrogance,”
#80
کشیدند شمشیر و برخاستند
✦
یکی نو سخن دیگر آراستند
“They drew their swords, sprang up, and ignited a fierce new brawl.”
#81
که بهرام شاهست و ماکهتریم
✦
سر دشمنان را بپی بسپریم
“That Bahram is king and we are but his servants; beneath our heels we shall trample the heads of his enemies.”
#82
کشیده چو بهرام شمشیر دید
✦
خردمندی و راستی برگزید
“When he saw Bahram with a drawn sword, he chose the path of wisdom and truthfulness.”
#83
چنین گفت کانکو ز جای نشست
✦
برآید بیازد به شمشیر دست
“He spoke thus: "Whosoever rises up from his place and reaches out his hand toward the sword,”
#84
ببرم هم اندر زمان دست اوی
✦
هشیوار گردد سر مست اوی
“I shall sever his hand upon the instant, so that his intoxicated head may be brought to sobriety!"”
#85
بگفت این و از پیش آزادگان
✦
بیامد سوی گلشن شادگان
“Spaking these words, he departed from the presence of the nobles and repaired toward the joyful garden.”
#86
پراگنده گشت آن بزرگ انجمن
✦
همه رخ پر آژنگ و دل پرشکن
“Thus that great assembly was dispersed, every face lined with distress and every heart torn with anguish.”