#1
بهشتم بیاراست خورشید چهر
✦
سپه را به کردار گردان سپهر
“The sun-faced king arrayed his host like paradise, causing his army to move like the turning heaven.”
#2
ز درگاه برخاست آوای کوس
✦
هوا شد ز گرد سپاه آبنوس
“From the royal threshold rose the thunder of war-drums, and the sky turned dark as ebony from the dust of the host.”
#3
سپاهی گزین کرد زآزادگان
✦
بیامد سوی آذرآبادگان
“He selected an elite army from among the noble-born and marched toward Azarabadagan.”
#4
دو هفته برآمد به فرمان شاه
✦
به لشکرگه آمد دمادم سپاه
“For two weeks, by the king’s command, troops flooded continuously into the royal encampment.”
#5
سراپردهٔ شاه بر دشت دوک
✦
چنان لشکری گشن و راهی سه دوک
“The royal pavilion was pitched upon the Plain of Duk; so vast was the army that it stretched across three narrow passes.”
#6
نیاطوس را داد لشکر همه
✦
بدو گفت مهتر تویی بر رمه
“He entrusted the command of the entire army to Niatos, saying: 'You are the commander of this host.'”
#7
وزان جایگه با سواران گرد
✦
عنان بارهٔ تیزتگ را سپرد
“From that place, accompanied by valiant knights, he gave rein to his swift-pacing steed.”
#8
سوی راه چیچست بنهاد روی
✦
همی راند شادان دل و راه جوی
“He set his face toward the path of Chichast, riding forward with a joyful heart, seeking the way.”
#9
به جایی که موسیل بود ارمنی
✦
که کردی میان بزرگان منی
“He headed toward the region where Musil the Armenian dwelt, a chief who held pride among the nobles.”
#10
به لشکرگهش یار بندوی بود
✦
که بندوی خال جهانجوی بود
“At his camp, he was joined by Bandoy, the royal uncle of the world-seeking king.”
#11
برفت این دو گرد از میان سپاه
✦
ز لشکر نگه کرد خسرو به راه
“As these two champions rode out from the midst of the army, Khosrow looked down the road toward them.”
#12
به گستهم گفت آن دلاور دو مرد
✦
چنین اسپ تازان به دشت نبرد
“He said to Gustahm: 'Who are these two brave men, galloping their steeds across the field of battle?'”
#13
برو سوی ایشان ببین تا کی‌اند
✦
برین گونه تازان ز بهر چی‌اند
“'Ride toward them and see who they are, and why they gallop in such a manner!'”
#14
چنین گفت گستهم که‌ای شهریار
✦
برانم که آن مرد ابلق سوار
“Gustahm replied: 'O Sovereign! I believe that piebald-mounted horseman...'”
#15
برادرم بندوی کنداورست
✦
همان یارش از لشکری دیگرست
“'...is my valiant brother Bandoy, and his companion belongs to another army.'”
#16
چنین گفت خسرو به گستهم شیر
✦
که این کی بود ای سوار دلیر
“Khosrow said to the lion-like Gustahm: 'O brave rider, how could this be?'”
#17
کجا کار بندوی باشد درشت
✦
مگر پاک یزدان بود یار و پشت
“'Bandoy’s plight was dire indeed, unless Almighty God has been his protector and aid!'”
#18
اگر زنده خواهی به زندان بود
✦
وگر کشته بردار میدان بود
“'If alive, he should be in prison; if slain, his body should hang upon the gallows of the field.'”
#19
بدو گفت گستهم شاها درست
✦
بدان سو نگه کن که او خال تست
“Gustahm said to him: 'O King, look carefully toward that side—for indeed, it is your uncle!'”
#20
گر آید به نزدیک و باشد جز اوی
✦
ز گستهم گوینده جز جان مجوی
“'If he draws near and proves to be any other, demand nothing less than Gustahm's life!'”
#21
هم آنگه رسیدند نزدیک شاه
✦
پیاده شدند اندران سایه‌گاه
“At that very moment they reached the king, dismounting beneath the shade.”
#22
چو رفتند نزدیک خسرو فراز
✦
ستودند و بردند پیشش نماز
“As they approached Khosrow, they praised him and bowed down before him in homage.”
#23
بپرسید خسرو به بندوی گفت
✦
که گفتم تو را خاک یابم نهفت
“Khosrow questioned Bandoy, saying: 'I believed you were buried beneath the earth!'”
#24
به خسرو بگفت آنچ بر وی رسید
✦
همان مردمی کو ز بهرام دید
“Bandoy recounted all that had befallen him, and the honorable treatment he had received even from Bahram.”
#25
وزآن چاره جستن در آن روزگار
✦
وزآن پوشش جامهٔ شهریار
“He spoke of his clever stratagem in those desperate days, and how he had disguised himself in the king's royal robes.”
#26
همی گفت و خسرو فراوان گریست
✦
از آن پس بدو گفت که‌این مرد کیست
“As he spoke, Khosrow wept bitterly; then he asked Bandoy: 'Who is this noble man with you?'”
#27
بدو گفت که‌ای شاه خورشید چهر
✦
تو موسیل را چون نپرسی ز مهر
“Bandoy replied: 'O sun-faced King, why do you not warmly greet Musil?'”
#28
که تا تو ز ایران شده‌ستی به روم
✦
نخفته‌ست هرگز به آباد بوم
“'Since the day you departed from Iran for Rum, he has never slept in settled habitations!'”
#29
سراپرده و دشت جای وی است
✦
نه خرگاه وخیمه سرای وی است
“'The open plain and royal tent have been his only home; neither pavilion nor chamber holds him.'”
#30
فراوان سپاهست با او به هم
✦
سلیح بزرگی و گنج درم
“'He brings a vast host with him, equipped with noble arms and abundant treasures of coin.'”
#31
کنون تا تو رفتی برین راه بود
✦
نیازش به برگشتن شاه بود
“'From the moment of your departure he has walked this path, longing only for the return of his king!'”
#32
جهاندار خسرو به موسیل گفت
✦
که رنج تو کی ماند اندر نهفت
“The world-lord Khosrow said to Musil: 'How could your great toil remain unrewarded or hidden?'”
#33
بکوشیم تا روز تو به شود
✦
همان نامت از مهتران مه شود
“'We shall strive so that your days grow brighter, and your name shines grander among the great.'”
#34
بدو گفت موسیل که‌ای شهریار
✦
به من بر یکی تازه کن روزگار
“Musil said to him: 'O Sovereign, grant me a fresh beginning and favor in your eyes!'”
#35
که آیم ببوسم رکیب تو را
✦
ستایش کنم فر و زیب تو را
“'Allow me to approach and kiss your stirrup, to praise your royal divine grace and splendor.'”
#36
بدو گفت خسرو که با رنج تو
✦
درفشان کنم زین سخن گنج تو
“Khosrow replied to him: 'In return for your toil, I shall fill your treasure-chests with sparkling riches.'”
#37
برون کرد یک پای خویش از رکیب
✦
شد آن مرد بیدار دل ناشکیب
“The king slipped one foot out of his stirrup, and that vigilant-hearted man, overcome with emotion, stepped forward.”
#38
ببوسید پای و رکیب ورا
✦
همی خیره گشت از نهیب ورا
“He kissed his foot and stirrup, filled with awe by the magnificent majesty of the king.”
#39
چو بیکار شد مرد خسرو پرست
✦
جهانجوی فرمود تا برنشست
“When the loyal subject had performed his homage, the world-seeking king bade him remount.”
#40
وزآن دشت بی بر، انگیخت اسپ
✦
همی تاخت تا پیش آذرگشسپ
“From that barren plain he spurred his horse, riding swift until he reached the sacred fire of Adur Gushnasp.”
#41
نوان اندر آمد به آتشکده
✦
دلش بود یکسر به درد آژده
“Trembling with emotion, he entered the fire temple, his heart entirely pierced with sorrow and pain.”
#42
بشد هیربد زند و استا به دست
✦
به پیش جهاندار یزدان پرست
“The Herbad approached with the Zand and Avesta in hand, coming before the God-worshipping sovereign.”
#43
گشاد از میان شاه زرین کمر
✦
بر آتش برآگند چندی گهر
“The king unclasped the golden belt from his waist and showered precious jewels upon the holy fire.”
#44
نیایش کنان پیش آذر بگشت
✦
بنالید وز هیربد برگذشت
“Praying devoutly, he walked around the sacred fire, groaning in supplication, passing beyond the priest.”
#45
همی گفت که‌ای داور داد و پاک
✦
سر دشمنان اندر آور به خاک
“He cried: 'O Just and Pure Judge of all! Bring down the heads of my enemies into the dust!'”
#46
تو دانی که بر داد نالم همی
✦
همه راه نیکی سگالم همی
“Thou knowest that I cry out only for justice, and that I ponder only the path of righteousness.”
#47
تو مپسند بیداد بیدادگر
✦
بگفت این و بربست زرین کمر
“'Permit not the tyranny of the oppressor!' He spoke these words, and bound his golden girdle.”
#48
سوی دشت دوک اندر آورد روی
✦
همی شد خلیده دل و راه‌جوی
“He turned his face towards the plain of Dok, riding onward with a wounded heart, seeking the way.”
#49
چو آمد به لشکرگه خویش باز
✦
همان تیره گشت آن شب دیر یاز
“When he returned unto his army's camp, that long and dark night descended once more.”
#50
فرستاد بیدار کارآگهان
✦
که تا باز جویند کار جهان
“He dispatched vigilant scouts to spy out and probe the affairs of the realm.”
#51
چو آگاه شد لشکر نیمروز
✦
که آمد ز ره شاه گیتی فروز
“When the host of Nimruz learned that the world-glorifying king had returned from his journey,”
#52
همه کوس بستند بر پشت پیل
✦
زمین شد به کردار دریای نیل
“They bound war-drums upon the backs of elephants, and the earth swelled like the mighty Nile.”
#53
ازآن آگهی سر به سر نو شدند
✦
به یاری به نزدیک خسرو شدند
“At that glad tidings they were all renewed in spirit, and marched forth in haste to Khosrow's aid.”