#1
ازین سوی خسرو بران رزمگاه
✦
بیامد که بهرام بد با سپاه
“From this side, Khosrow came onto the battlefield where Bahram had stood with his army.”
#2
همه رزمگاهش به تاراج داد
✦
سپه را همه بدره و تاج داد
“He gave up the whole battlefield to plunder and bestowed purses of money and crowns upon his army.”
#3
یکی بارهٔ تیز رو برنشست
✦
میان را ز بهر پرستش ببست
“He mounted a swift steed and girded his loins for the worship of the Almighty.”
#4
به پیش اندر آمد یکی خارستان
✦
پیاده ببود اندران کارستان
“He came upon a thorny wilderness ahead and dismounted on foot in that difficult place.”
#5
به غلتید در پیش یزدان به خاک
✦
همی‌گفت کای داور داد و پاک
“He rolled in the dust before God, crying: 'O Sovereign Judge, Just and Pure!'”
#6
پی دشمن از بوم برداشتی
✦
همه کار ز اندیشه بگذاشتی
“'Thou hast uprooted the enemy's foot from this land and brought all matters beyond human calculation.'”
#7
پرستنده و ناسزا بنده‌ام
✦
به فرمان و رایت سرافگنده‌ام
“'I am Thy worshiper and an unworthy servant, bowing my head to Thy command and guidance.'”
#8
وزان جایگه شد به پرده سرای
✦
بیامد به نزدیک او رهنمای
“From that place he went to his royal tent, where his wise advisor came into his presence.”
#9
بفرمود تا پیش او شد دبیر
✦
نوشتند زو نامه‌ای برحریر
“He commanded his scribe to present himself, and from his dictation they wrote a letter upon silk.”
#10
ز چیزی که رفت اندران رزمگاه
✦
به قیصر نوشت اندران نامه شاه
“In that missive, the King wrote to Caesar of all that had transpired upon the battlefield.”
#11
نخست آفرین کرد بر دادگر
✦
کزو دید مردی و بخت و هنر
“First, he offered praise to the Just God, from Whom he received valour, fortune, and mastery.”
#12
دگر گفت کز کردگار جهان
✦
همه نیکوی دیدم اندر نهان
“Then he wrote: 'From the Creator of the world, I have seen only goodness in secret.'”
#13
به آذرگشسپ آمدم با سپاه
✦
دوان پیش بازآمدم کینه خواه
“'I came with an army to Adhar Gushnasp, riding forward swiftly seeking vengeance.'”
#14
بدان گونه تنگ اندر آمد به جنگ
✦
که بر من ببد کار پیکار تنگ
“'The battle became so closely pressed that the fight grew exceedingly dire upon me.'”
#15
چو یزدان پاکش نبد دستگیر
✦
بمرد آن دم آتش و دار و گیر
“'When pure God held back His aiding hand from him, the fire of his battle and tumult died in an instant.'”
#16
چوبیچاره‌تر گشت و لشکر نماند
✦
گریزان به شبگیر ز آنجا براند
“'When he became helpless and no army remained for him, he fled in the early dawn from that place.'”
#17
همه لشکرش را بهم بر زدیم
✦
به لشکر گهش آتش اندرزدیم
“'We routed his entire host and set fire to his military encampment.'”
#18
به فرمان یزدان پیروزگر
✦
ببندم برو نیز راه گذر
“'By the command of the Victorious God, I shall also block every path of escape for him.'”
#19
نهادند برنامه بر مهرشاه
✦
فرستادگان بر گرفتند راه
“They affixed the royal seal upon the letter, and the envoys took to the road.”
#20
فرستاده با نامه شهریار
✦
بشد تا بر قیصر نامدار
“The envoy departed with the sovereign's letter, traveling until he reached the renowned Caesar.”
#21
چو آن نامه برخواند قیصر ز تخت
✦
فرود آمد آن مرد بیداربخت
“When Caesar read that letter from his throne, that vigilant-fortuned ruler descended from his seat.”
#22
به یزدان چنین گفت کای رهنمای
✦
همیشه توی جاودانه بجای
“He spoke to God: 'O Guide! Thou art eternal and abiding forever.'”
#23
تو پیروز کردی مر آن بنده را
✦
کشنده توی مرد افگنده را
“'Thou hast granted victory to that servant; Thou art the Slayer of the arrogant and the Raiser of the fallen.'”
#24
فراوان به درویش دینار داد
✦
همان خوردنیهای بسیار داد
“He distributed abundant dinars to the needy, as well as vast stores of food.”
#25
مر آن نامه را نیز پاسخ نوشت
✦
بسان درختی به باغ بهشت
“He also wrote a reply to that letter, lush and beautiful like a tree in the garden of Paradise.”
#26
سرنامه کرد از جهاندار یاد
✦
خداوند پیروزی و فرو داد
“He began the letter by remembering the Lord of the world—the Master of victory, royal glory, and justice.”
#27
خداوند ماه و خداوند هور
✦
خداوند پیل و خداوند مور
“'Lord of the moon and Lord of the sun, Lord of the mighty elephant and Lord of the tiny ant.'”
#28
بزرگی و نیک اختری زو شناس
✦
وزو دار تا زنده باشی سپاس
“'Recognize greatness and good fortune as coming from Him, and render thanks to Him as long as you live.'”
#29
جز از داد و خوبی مکن در جهان
✦
چه در آشکار و چه اندر نهان
“'Do nothing in the world except justice and virtue, whether openly or in secret.'”
#30
یکی تاج کز قیصران یادگار
✦
همی‌داشتی تا کی آید به کار
“He sent an imperial crown, an heirloom of past Caesars, kept for when a fitting moment should arise.”
#31
همان خسروی طوق با گوشوار
✦
صدوشست تا جامهٔ زرنگار
“As well as a royal torque, earrings, and one hundred and sixty gold-adorned garments.”
#32
دگر سی شتر بار دینار بود
✦
همان در و یاقوت بسیار بود
“Furthermore, thirty camel-loads of dinars, alongside vast quantities of pearls and rubies.”
#33
صلیبی فرستاد گوهر نگار
✦
یکی تخت پرگوهر شاهوار
“He sent a gem-encrusted cross and a royal throne studded with magnificent jewels.”
#34
یکی سبز خفتان به زر بافته
✦
بسی شوشه زر برو تافته
“And a green tunic woven with gold, intricately entwined with golden threads.”
#35
ازان فیلسوفان رومی چهار
✦
برفتند با هدیه وبا نثار
“Four Roman philosophers set out accompanied by these gifts and offerings.”
#36
چو زان کارها شد به شاه آگهی
✦
ز قیصر شدش کاربا فرهی
“When news of these deeds reached the King, his standing was magnified with glory through Caesar's gesture.”
#37
پذیره فرستاد خسرو سوار
✦
گرانمایگان گرامی هزار
“Khosrow dispatched an escort of one thousand noble and cherished horsemen to welcome them.”
#38
بزرگان به نزدیک خسرو شدند
✦
همه پاک با هدیه نو شدند
“The nobles entered Khosrow's presence, all offering fresh gifts and homage.”
#39
چو خسرو نگه کرد و نامه بخواند
✦
ازان خواسته در شگفتی بماند
“When Khosrow looked upon the gifts and read the letter, he was left in awe of such immense treasure.”
#40
به دستور فرمود پس شهریار
✦
که آن جامهٔ روم گوهر نگار
“Then the sovereign spoke to his minister regarding that jeweled Roman garment:”
#41
نه آیین پرمایه دهقان بود
✦
کجا جامهٔ جاثلیقان بود
“'This is not in accordance with the noble custom of the Dehqans, for it is the vestment of Christian Patriarchs (Catholicoi).'”
#42
چو بر جامهٔ ما چلیپا بود
✦
نشست اندر آیین ترسا بود
“'If our garment bears the cross, sitting in it belongs to the Christian rite.'”
#43
وگر خود نپوشم بیازارد اوی
✦
همانا دگرگونه پندارد اوی
“'Yet if I do not wear it, Caesar will take offense and peradventure harbor ill thoughts.'”
#44
وگر پوشم این نامداران همه
✦
بگویند کاین شهریار رمه
“'And if I do wear it, all these renowned nobles will say: "O King of the flock!"'”
#45
مگر کز پی چیز ترسا شدست
✦
که اندر میان چلیپا شدست
“'"Perchance he became a Christian for the sake of wealth, since he has clad himself in the cross!"'”
#46
به خسرو چنین گفت پس رهنمای
✦
که دین نیست شاها به پوشش بپای
“Then the counselor said to Khosrow: 'O King, true faith is not established merely by the robe one wears.'”
#47
تو بردین زر دشت پیغمبری
✦
اگر چند پیوسته قیصری
“'You abide by the faith of Zoroaster the Prophet, even though you are closely allied with the Caesar.'”
#48
بپوشید پس جامهٔ شهریار
✦
بیاویخت آن تاج گوهرنگار
“Thereupon the monarch donned the robe and suspended upon himself that jewel-encrusted crown.”
#49
برفتند رومی و ایرانیان
✦
ز هر گونه مردم اندر میان
“The Romans and Iranians set forth together, with people of every rank and station walking in their midst.”
#50
کسی کش خرد بود چون جامه دید
✦
بدانست کو رای قیصر گزید
“Whoever possessed wisdom, upon beholding the garment, realized he had adopted Caesar's wish for diplomatic expediency.”
#51
دگر گفت کاین شهریار جهان
✦
همانا که ترسا شد اندر نهان
“Another whispered, 'In truth, this sovereign of the world must have embraced Christianity in secret!'”