#1
همی‌تاخت خسرو به پیش اندرون
✦
نه آب وگیا بود و نه رهنمون
“Khosrow spurred his steed onward in full flight, where there was neither water, grass, nor any guide.”
#2
عنان را بدان باره کرده یله
✦
همی‌راند ناکام تا باهله
“Giving full rein to his warhorse, he rode unwillingly until he reached the town of Bahle.”
#3
پذیره شدندش بزرگان شهر
✦
کسی را که از مردمی بود بهر
“The grandees of the city came out to welcome him—everyone who possessed a spark of humanity.”
#4
چو خسرو به نزدیک ایشان رسید
✦
بران شهر لشکر فرود آورید
“When Khosrow drew near to them, he dismounted his army at that city.”
#5
همان چون فرود آمد اندر زمان
✦
نوندی بیامد ز ایران دمان
“Yet as soon as he had alighted, a swift messenger arrived in haste from Iran.”
#6
ز بهرام چوبین یکی نامه داشت
✦
همان نامه پوشیده در جامه داشت
“He carried a letter from Bahram Chubin, concealed carefully within his robe.”
#7
نوشته سوی مهتری باهله
✦
که گرلشکر آید مکنشان یله
“It was written to the governor of Bahle: 'If the army arrives, do not let them pass free.”
#8
سپاه من اینک پس اندر دمان
✦
بشهر تو آید زمان تا زمان
“My host is pursuing swiftly behind, and will arrive in your city at any moment.'”
#9
چو مهتر برانگونه برنامه دید
✦
هم اندر زمان پیش خسرو دوید
“When the chieftain saw the contents of the letter, he immediately ran before Khosrow.”
#10
چوخسرو نگه کرد و نامه بخواند
✦
ز کار جهان در شگفتی بماند
“When Khosrow looked upon it and read the letter, he was filled with wonder at the turns of fortune.”
#11
بترسید که آید پس او سپاه
✦
بران نامه بر تنگدل گشت شاه
“He feared the pursuing army would catch him, and his royal heart grew deeply troubled over the letter.”
#12
ازان شهر هم در زمان برنشست
✦
میان کیی تاختن را ببست
“He mounted at once from that town, binding his royal girdle tightly for the ride.”
#13
همی‌تاخت تا پیش آب فرات
✦
ندید اندرو هیچ جای نبات
“He rode on until he reached the waters of the Euphrates, seeing no green plant anywhere upon the way.”
#14
شده گرسنه مرد پیر وجوان
✦
یکی بیشه دیدند و آب روان
“Old and young were famished; then they spied a thicket with running streams.”
#15
چوخسرو به پیش اندرون بیشه دید
✦
سپه را بران سبزه اندر کشید
“When Khosrow saw the grove ahead, he led his host into that green haven.”
#16
شده گرسنه مرد ناهاروسست
✦
کمان را بزه کرد نخچیر جست
“Faint and hungry, the men bent their bows to seek game to hunt.”
#17
ندیدند چیزی بجایی دوان
✦
درخت و گیا بود و آب روان
“Yet they saw nothing running anywhere; there were only trees, grass, and flowing water.”
#18
پدید آمد اندر زمان کاروان
✦
شتر بود و پیش اندرون ساروان
“Presently a caravan came into view, laden on camels, with a driver leading them forward.”
#19
چو آن ساربان روی خسرو بدید
✦
بدان نامدار آفرین گسترید
“When the camel-driver saw Khosrow's countenance, he poured praises upon that illustrious lord.”
#20
بدو گفت خسرو که نام توچیست
✦
کجا رفت خواهی و کام تو چیست
“Khosrow said to him: 'What is your name, where do you travel, and what is your goal?'”
#21
بدو گفت من قیس بن حارثم
✦
ز آزادگان عرب وارثم
“He replied: 'I am Qays ibn al-Harith, an heir of the noble chieftains of the Arabs.”
#22
ز مصر آمدم با یکی کاروان
✦
برین کاروان بر منم ساروان
“I have come from Egypt with a caravan, and I am the master of these camels.”
#23
به آب فراتست بنگاه من
✦
از انجا بدین بیشه بد راه من
“My home is by the waters of the Euphrates, and my path lay through this thicket.'”
#24
بدو گفت خسروکه از خوردنی
✦
چه داری هم از چیز گستردنی
“Khosrow asked him: 'What have you for food, and what carpets or bedding have you brought?”
#25
که ما ماندگانیم و هم گرسنه
✦
نه توشست ما را نه بار و بنه
“For we are exhausted and starving, with neither provisions nor baggage remaining.'”
#26
بدو گفت تازی که ایدر بایست
✦
مرا با تو چیز و تن جان یکیست
“The Arab said to him: 'Halt here, for my possessions, body, and soul are as one with yours.'”
#27
چو بر شاه تازی بگسترد مهر
✦
بیاورد فربه یکی ماده سهر
“When the Arab manifested his devotion to the king, he brought forth a fat female game bird [or beast].”
#28
بکشتند و آتش بر افروختند
✦
ترو خشک هیزم همی‌سوختند
“They slaughtered it and kindled a fire, burning dry and green firewood together.”
#29
بر آتش پراگند چندی کباب
✦
بخوردن گرفتند یاران شتاب
“They laid pieces of meat upon the embers, and the companions fell eagerly to eating.”
#30
گرفتند واژ آنک بد دین پژوه
✦
بخوردن شتابید دیگر گروه
“Some ate while praying and seeking faith, while the rest rushed hungrily to feast.”
#31
بخوردند بی‌نان فراوان کباب
✦
بیاراست هر مهتری جای خواب
“They ate bountiful meat without bread, and every nobleman arranged his place to sleep.”
#32
زمانی بخفتند و برخاستند
✦
یکی آفرین نو آراستند
“They slept a short while, then arose and offered fresh blessings and praise.”
#33
بدان دادگر کو جهان آفرید
✦
توانایی و ناتوان آفرید
“Unto the Just God who created the world, the Maker of the powerful and the weak.”
#34
ازان پس به یاران چنین گفت شاه
✦
که هرکس که او بیش دارد گناه
“Then the King spoke thus to his companions: 'Whosoever has sinned most in the past,”
#35
به پیش من آنکس گرامی ترست
✦
وزان کهتران نیز نامی ترست
“Shall be even more honored before me, and among the lesser men he shall gain renown.”
#36
هرآنکس کجا بیش دارد بدی
✦
بگشت از من و از ره بخردی
“Whoever committed evil, turning away from me and from the path of wisdom—”
#37
بما بیش باید که دارد امید
✦
سراسر به نیکی دهیدش نوید
“Must place all the more hope in us; give him glad tidings of goodness across the board.'”
#38
گرفتند یاران برو آفرین
✦
که ای پاک دل خسرو پاک دین
“His companions praised him, saying: 'O pure-hearted Khosrow of pure faith!'”
#39
بپرسید زان مرد تازی که راه
✦
کدامست و من چون شوم با سپاه
“Then he asked the Arab: 'Which is the way, and how may I travel with my host?'”
#40
بدو گفت هفتاد فرسنگ بیش
✦
شما را بیابان و کوهست پیش
“The Arab said: 'More than seventy leagues of desert and mountain lie before you.”
#41
چودستور باشی من ازگوشت و آب
✦
به راه آورم گر نسازی شتاب
“If you permit, I will bring meat and water to set you on your path, provided you do not rush.'”
#42
بدو گفت خسرو جزین نیست رای
✦
که با توشه باشیم و با رهنمای
“Khosrow said to him: 'No counsel is better than having provisions and a guide.'”
#43
هیونی بر افگند تازی به راه
✦
بدان تا برد راه پیش سپاه
“The Arab sent swift camels on the path to guide the way before the host.”
#44
همی‌تاخت اندر بیابان و کوه
✦
پر از رنج و تیمار با آن گروه
“They journeyed through wilderness and mountains, full of toil and distress with that group.”
#45
یکی کاروان نیز دیگر به راه
✦
پدید آمد از دور پیش سپاه
“Then another caravan appeared from afar along the path before the army.”
#46
یکی مرد بازارگان مایه دار
✦
بیامد هم آنگه بر شهریار
“At that very moment, a wealthy merchant came into the presence of the King.”
#47
بدو گفت شاه از کجایی بگوی
✦
کجا رفت خواهی چنین پوی پوی
“The King said to him, 'Tell me, whence do you come, and whither do you haste with such eager steps?'”
#48
بدو گفت کز خرهٔ اردشیر
✦
یکی مرد بازارگانم دبیر
“He replied, 'I am a merchant and a scribe from Khorreh-ye Ardashir.'”
#49
بدو گفت نامت چه کرد آنک زاد
✦
چنین داد پاسخ که مهران ستاد
“The King asked, 'What name did your parents give you?' He answered, 'I am Mehran Satad.'”
#50
ازو توشه جست آن زمان شهریار
✦
بدو گفت سالار کای نامدار
“Thereupon the monarch sought provisions from him, and the leader addressed him, 'O noble guest!'”
#51
خورش هست چندانک اندازه نیست
✦
اگر چهره بازارگان تازه نیست
“'Food I have beyond measure, though the merchant's visage is weary and unrefreshed.'”
#52
بدو گفت خسرو که مهمان به راه
✦
بیابی فزونی شود دستگاه
“Khosrow said to him, 'When you welcome a traveler as your guest, your wealth and prosperity shall multiply.'”
#53
سر بار بگشاد بازارگان
✦
درمگان به آمد ز دینارگان
“The merchant unfastened his packs; to the needy travelers, silver dirhams were far sweeter than gold coins.”
#54
خورش برد و بنشست خود بر زمین
✦
همی‌خواند بر شهریار آفرین
“He brought forth the victuals and sat upon the ground, pouring blessings upon the King.”
#55
چونان خورده شد مرد مهمان پرست
✦
بیامد گرفت آبدستان بدست
“When the guest had finished eating, that hospitable man stepped forward and took the wash-basin and ewer in hand.”
#56
چو از دور خراد برزین بدید
✦
ز جایی که بد پیش خسرو دوید
“When Khorrad Barzin saw this from afar, he ran from where he stood to Khosrow's side.”
#57
ز بازارگان بستد آن آب گرم
✦
بدن تا ندارد جهاندار شرم
“He took the warm water from the merchant, so that the King of the world might feel no embarrassment before a stranger.”
#58
پس آن مرد بازارگان پر شتاب
✦
می آورد برسان روشن گلاب
“Then the merchant hastily brought forth wine, clear and fragrant as pure rosewater.”
#59
دگر باره خراد برزین ز راه
✦
ازو بستد آن جام و شد نزد شاه
“Once again Khorrad Barzin intercepted the goblet from him and presented it to the King.”
#60
پرستش پرستنده را داشت سود
✦
بران برتری برتریها فزود
“Such devotion brought honor to the courtier, adding new layers of nobility to his stature.”
#61
ازان پس ببازارگان گفت شاه
✦
که اکنون سپه را کدامست راه
“Thereafter the King asked the merchant, 'Now tell me, which is the path for the army to take?'”
#62
نشست تو در خره اردشیر
✦
کجا باشد ای مرد مهمان‌پذیر
“'Where is your dwelling in Khorreh-ye Ardashir, O hospitable man?'”
#63
بدو گفت کای شاه با داد ورای
✦
ز بازارگانان منم پاک رای
“He answered, 'O just and wise King, among merchants I am a man of righteous intent.'”
#64
نشانش یکایک به خسرو بگفت
✦
همه رازها برگشاد از نهفت
“He described every detail of his place to Khosrow, revealing all hidden secrets and routes.”
#65
بفرمود تا نام برنا و ده
✦
نویسد نویسندهٔ روزبه
“The King commanded his auspicious scribe to record the young man's name and village.”
#66
ببازارگان گفت پدرود باش
✦
خرد را به دل تار و هم پود باش
“He bade farewell to the merchant, saying, 'Farewell! May wisdom be the very warp and weft of your soul.'”