#1
کنون داستانهای دیرینه گوی
✦
سخنهای بهرام چوبینه گوی
“Now recite the tales of ancient lore, and speak the saga of Bahram Chubin.”
#2
که چون او سوی شهر ترکان رسید
✦
به نزد دلیر و بزرگان رسید
“When he reached the land of the Turks and drew near their brave champions and nobles,”
#3
ز گردان بیدار دل ده هزار
✦
پذیره شدندش گزیده سوار
“Ten thousand vigilant warriors, chosen horsemen, rode out to welcome him.”
#4
پسر با برادرش پیش اندرون
✦
ابا هر یکی موبدی رهنمون
“The Khaqan’s son and brother rode at the fore, each guided by a wise counselor.”
#5
چو آمد بر تخت خاقان فراز
✦
برو آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“When he approached the throne of the Khaqan, he voiced praise and paid him deep homage.”
#6
چو خاقان ورا دید برپای جست
✦
ببوسید و بسترد رویش بدست
“Seeing him, the Khaqan leapt to his feet, kissed him, and wiped the travel dust from his face with his hand.”
#7
بپرسید بسیارش از رنج راه
✦
ز کار و ز پیکار شاه و سپاه
“He asked much about the hardships of his journey, and the affairs of the King and his army.”
#8
هم ایزد گشسپ و یلان سینه را
✦
بپرسید و خراد برزینه را
“He inquired after Izad Goshasp, the hero Sina, and Khorrad Barzin.”
#9
چو بهرام برتخت سیمین نشست
✦
گرفت آن زمان دست خاقان بدست
“When Bahram sat upon the silver throne, he took the Khaqan’s hand in his.”
#10
بدو گفت کای مهتر بافرین
✦
سپهدار ترکان و سالار چین
“He said to him: 'O praised sovereign, commander of the Turks and ruler of China!”
#11
تو دانی که از شهریار جهان
✦
نباشد کسی ایمن اندر نهان
“'You know that no man is secretly safe from the King of the World.”
#12
بر آساید از گنج و بگزایدش
✦
تن آسان کند رنج بفزایدش
“'He might rest upon treasures yet harm him; he might offer ease yet multiply his pain.”
#13
گر ایدون که اندر پذیری مرا
✦
بهرنیک و بد دست‌گیری مرا
“'If you now receive me and support me through good and ill,”
#14
بدین مرز بی‌یار یار توام
✦
بهر نیک و بد غمگسار توام
“'Though friendless in this land, I shall be your ally and comfort you in every turn of fate.”
#15
وگر هیچ رنج آیدت بگذرم
✦
زمین را سراسر بپی بسپرم
“'And should any distress touch you, I shall step forward and march across the entire earth for your sake.”
#16
گر ایدون که باشی تو همداستان
✦
از ایدر شوم تا به هندوستان
“'If you agree, I shall ride forth from here even unto Hindustan.'”
#17
بدو گفت خاقان که ای سرفراز
✦
بدین روز هرگز مبادت نیاز
“The Khaqan said to him: 'O exalted hero, may you never know the need for such a dire day!”
#18
بدارم تو را همچو پیوند خویش
✦
چه پیوند برتر ز فرزند خویش
“'I shall hold you as my own kin—and what bond is higher than that of one's own child?”
#19
همه بوم با من بدین یاورند
✦
اگر کهترانند اگر مهترند
“'The entire realm stands united with me in this, whether high-born or low-born.”
#20
تو را بر سران سرفرازی دهم
✦
هم از مهتران بی‌نیازی دهم
“'I shall give you precedence over all lords, and grant you independence from the high nobles.'”
#21
بدین نیز بهرام سوگند خواست
✦
زیان بود بر جان او بند خواست
“Upon this, Bahram demanded a solemn oath—unwittingly binding his own fate to peril.”
#22
بدو گفت خاقان به برتر خدای
✦
که هست او مرا و تو را رهنمای
“The Khaqan swore to him: 'By Almighty God, who is the guide to both me and thee,”
#23
که تا زنده‌ام ویژه یار توام
✦
بهر نیک و بد غمگسار توام
“'That so long as I live, I am purely your ally, sharing in your joy and your grief.'”
#24
ازان پس دو ایوان بیاراستند
✦
زهر گونه‌ای جامه‌ها خواستند
“Thenceforth they adorned two magnificent palaces and ordered robes of every splendid fashion.”
#25
پرستنده و پوشش و خوردنی
✦
ز چیزی که بایست گستردنی
“Attendants, royal garments, exquisite feasts, and all manner of necessary furnishings were provided.”
#26
ز سیمین و زرین که آید به کار
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار
“Silver and gold utensils, royal dinars, and magnificent imperial jewels were bestowed.”
#27
فرستاد خاقان به نزدیک اوی
✦
درخشنده شد جان تاریک اوی
“The Khaqan dispatched these all to Bahram, causing his darkened soul to shine with hope.”
#28
به چوگان و مجلس به دشت شکار
✦
نرفتی مگر کو بدی غمگسار
“Never did the Khaqan go to polo fields, banquets, or hunting grounds unless Bahram was his constant companion.”
#29
برین گونه بر بود خاقان چین
✦
همی‌خواند بهرام را آفرین
“In this manner ruled the Khaqan of China, continually showering praises upon Bahram.”
#30
یکی نامبردار بد یار اوی
✦
برزم اندرون دست بردار اوی
“Now there was a renowned warrior who was the Khaqan's right hand in battle.”
#31
ازو مه به گوهر مقاتوره نام
✦
که خاقان ازو یافتی نام و کام
“Superior in lineage and named Moqatura, through whom the Khaqan had gained renown and success.”
#32
به شبگیر نزدیک خاقان شدی
✦
دولب را به انگشت خود بر زدی
“Every early dawn he would enter before the Khaqan, snap his fingers at his own lips,”
#33
بران سان که کهتر کند آفرین
✦
بران نامبردار سالار چین
“In the manner that a subject praises that famous ruler of China.”
#34
هم آنگه زدینار بردی هزار
✦
ز گنج جهاندیده نامدار
“And straightway he would carry off a thousand gold dinars from the treasury of the famed ruler.”
#35
همی‌دید بهرام یک چندگاه
✦
به خاقان همی‌کرد خیره نگاه
“Bahram observed this for a time, gazing at the Khaqan in silent astonishment.”
#36
بخندید یک روز گفت ای بلند
✦
توی بر مهان جهان ارجمند
“One day he smiled and said: 'O exalted King, who art revered above the great ones of the world!”
#37
بهر بامدادی بهنگام بار
✦
چنین مرد دینار خواهد هزار
“'Does this man demand a thousand gold dinars every single morning at your court audience?”
#38
ببخشش گرین بیستگانی بود
✦
همه بهر او زرکانی بود
“'If this be his regular stipend, then all the gold of the realm's mines will be drained for him!”
#39
بدو گفت خاقان که آیین ما
✦
چنین است و افروزش دین ما
“The Khaqan answered him: 'Such is our custom and the shine of our law:”
#40
که از ما هر آنکس که جنگی ترست
✦
به هنگام سختی درنگی ترست
“'That whoever among us is more warlike and steadfast during times of hardship,”
#41
چو خواهد فزونی نداریم باز
✦
ز مردان رزم آور جنگ ساز
“'We do not withhold bounty from such valiant, battle-ready men when they seek more.”
#42
فزونی مر او راست برما کنون
✦
بدینار خوانیم بر وی فسون
“'He currently holds advantage over us, so we pacify him with gold as if casting a spell.”
#43
چو زو بازگیرم بجوشد سپاه
✦
ز لشکر شود روز روشن سیاه
“'If I withhold it from him, the army will mutiny, and bright daylight will turn to black night!'”
#44
جهانجوی گفت ای سر انجمن
✦
تو کردی و را خیره بر خویشتن
“The world-conqueror Bahram said: 'O leader of the assembly, you yourself have emboldened him against you!”
#45
چو باشد جهاندار بیدار و گرد
✦
عنان را به کهتر نباید سپرد
“'When a ruler is vigilant and heroic, he must never surrender the reins of power to a subordinate!'”
#46
اگر زو رهانم تو را شایدت
✦
وگر ویژه آزرم او بایدت
“If I deliver you from him, it will suit you well; but if you must show him special respect, say so.”
#47
بدو گفت خاقان که فرمان تو راست
✦
بدین آرزو رای و پیمان تو راست
“The Khaqan said to him, "Your command is right; in this wish, your judgment and promise are true."”
#48
مرا گر توانی رهانید ازوی
✦
سرآورده باشی همه گفت و گوی
“"If you can deliver me from him, you will have brought all words and troubles to an end."”
#49
بدو گفت بهرام که اکنون پگاه
✦
چو آید مقاتوره دینار خواه
“Bahram said to him, "Now early in the morning, when Maqatura comes demanding gold coins..."”
#50
مخند و بر و هیچ مگشای چشم
✦
مده پاسخ و گر دهی جز به خشم
“"Do not smile at him, nor open your eyes towards him; give him no answer, or if you do, answer only in wrath!"”
#51
گذشت آن شب و بامداد پگاه
✦
بیامد مقاتوره نزدیک شاه
“That night passed, and at early dawn, Maqatura came before the King.”
#52
جهاندار خاقان بدو ننگرید
✦
نه گفتار آن ترک جنگی شنید
“The world-ruler Khaqan did not look at him, nor did he listen to the words of that warrior Turk.”
#53
ز خاقان مقاتوره آمد بخشم
✦
یکایک برآشفت و بگشاد چشم
“Maqatura grew enraged at the Khaqan; all at once he flared up and opened his eyes wide in fury.”
#54
بخاقان چین گفت کای نامدار
✦
چرا گشتم امروز پیش تو خوار
“He spoke to the Khaqan of Chin, "O renowned monarch, why have I become so degraded before you today?"”
#55
همانا که این مهتر پارسی
✦
که آمد بدین مرز با یار سی
“"Surely it is this Persian chieftain, who came to this border with thirty companions..."”
#56
بکوشد همی تا بپیچی ز داد
✦
سپاه تو را داد خواهد بباد
“"...who strives to turn you away from justice, and will cast your army to the wind!"”
#57
بدو گفت بهرام که ای جنگوی
✦
چرا تیزگشتی بدین گفت وگوی
“Bahram said to him, "O warrior, why have you grown so sharp and fierce in this speech?"”
#58
چو خاقان برد راه و فرمان من
✦
خرد را نپیچد ز پیمان من
“"When the Khaqan follows my counsel and command, wisdom itself does not turn from my pact."”
#59
نمانم که آیی تو هر بامداد
✦
تن آسان دهی گنج او را به باد
“"I will not let you come every morning to waste his treasure in ease!"”
#60
بران نه که هستی تو سیصد سوار
✦
به رزم اندرون شیرجویی شکار
“"Though you believe yourself to be worth three hundred horsemen, seeking prey like a lion in battle..."”
#61
نیرزد که هر بامداد پگاه
✦
به خروار دینار خواهی ز شاه
“"It is not right that every early morning you demand loads of gold coins from the King!"”
#62
مقاتوره بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
سرش گشت پرکین ز آزار اوی
“Maqatura heard his words, and his head filled with malice and anguish at his insult.”
#63
بخشم و به تندی بیازید چنگ
✦
ز ترکش برآورد تیر خدنگ
“In wrath and haste he reached out his hand, and drew a poplar arrow from his quiver.”
#64
به بهرام گفت این نشان منست
✦
برزم اندرون ترجمان منست
“He said to Bahram, "This is my sign, and in battle it is my interpreter!"”
#65
چو فردا بیایی بدین بارگاه
✦
همی‌دار پیکان ما را نگاه
“"When you come to this court tomorrow, keep your eye upon my arrowhead!"”
#66
چو بشنید بهرام شد تیز چنگ
✦
یکی تیر پولاد پیکان خدنگ
“When Bahram heard this, he grew ready and fierce; a poplar arrow with a steel head...”
#67
بدو داد و گفتا که این یادگار
✦
بدار و ببین تا کی آید به کار
“...he gave to him, saying, "Keep this as a token, and see when it will come into use!"”
#68
مقاتوره از پیش خاقان برفت
✦
بیامد سوی خرگه خویش تفت
“Maqatura departed from before the Khaqan and went swiftly toward his own tent.”