#1
چنین تا خبرها به ایران رسید
✦
بر پادشاه دلیران رسید
“Thus news reached the land of Iran, coming directly before the king of champions.”
#2
که بهرام را پادشاهی و گنج
✦
ازان تو بیش است نابرده رنج
“That Bahram now possesses realm and treasure far exceeding yours, won without toil.”
#3
پراز درد و غم شد ز تیمار اوی
✦
دلش گشت پیچان ز کردار اوی
“Khosrow's heart grew fraught with grief and pain at this news, troubled by Bahram's deeds.”
#4
همی رای زد با بزرگان بهم
✦
بسی گفت و انداخت از بیش و کم
“He took counsel with his nobles, discussing the matter at length, weighing every detail.”
#5
شب تیره فرمود تا شد دبیر
✦
سرخامه را کرد پیکان تیر
“In the dark night he summoned his scribe, who sharpened the nib of his reed pen like an arrowhead.”
#6
به خاقان چینی یکی نامه کرد
✦
تو گفتی که از خنجرش خامه کرد
“He penned a letter to the Khaqan of China; you would say his quill was forged of a dagger.”
#7
نخست آفرین کرد بر کردگار
✦
توانا و دانا و به روزگار
“He began with praise for the Almighty Creator, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, Lord of Time.”
#8
برازندهٔ هور و کیوان و ماه
✦
نشاننده شاه بر پیش گاه
“The Adorner of the Sun, Saturn, and the Moon, who seats kings upon the supreme throne.”
#9
گزایندهٔ هرکه جوید بدی
✦
فزایندهٔ دانش ایزدی
“Who punishes whoever seeks evil, and increases divine wisdom in the righteous.”
#10
ز نادانی و دانش وراستی
✦
ز کمی و کژی و از کاستی
“Exalted above ignorance, knowledge, and truth, above lack, deviance, and flaw.”
#11
بیابی چو گویی که یزدان یکیست
✦
ورا یار وهمتا و انباز نیست
“You attain truth when you declare God is One, without partner, peer, or equal.”
#12
بیابد هر آنکس که نیکی بجست
✦
مباد آنک او دست بد را بشست
“Whosoever seeks goodness shall find it, and may none wash their hands in evil.”
#13
یکی بنده بد شاه را ناسپاس
✦
نه مهتر شناس و نه یزدان شناس
“A wicked, ungrateful servant to the king, recognizing neither superior nor God,”
#14
یکی خرد و بیکار و بی‌نام بود
✦
پدر بر کشیدش که هنگام بود
“He was once lowly, useless, and nameless, until my father elevated him when his time came.”
#15
نهان نیست کردار او در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“His treacherous deeds are no secret in the world, among both the humble and the great.”
#16
کس او را نپذرفت کش مایه بود
✦
وگر در خرد برترین پایه بود
“None received him who had wisdom or worth, even if he claimed the highest rank of intellect.”
#17
بنزد تو آمد بپذرفتیش
✦
چو پر مایگان دست بگرفتیش
“Yet he came to you, and you welcomed him, taking his hand as if he were a man of high stature.”
#18
کس این راه برگیرد از راستان ؟
✦
نیم من بدین کار هم داستان
“Would any righteous ruler take such a path? I stand in no agreement with this action.”
#19
چو این نامه آرند نزدیک تو
✦
پر اندیشه کن رای تاریک تو
“When this letter is brought to you, ponder deeply within your darkened counsel.”
#20
گر آن بنده را پای کرده ببند
✦
فرستی بر ما شوی سودمند
“If you put that servant in chains and send him to us, you shall reap great benefit.”
#21
وگر نه فرستم ز ایران سپاه
✦
به توران کنم روز روشن سیاه
“Otherwise, I shall dispatch an army from Iran, turning the bright day into black night over Turan.”
#22
چوآن نامه نزدیک خاقان رسید
✦
بران گونه گفتار خسرو شنید
“When the letter reached the Khaqan and he heard such words from Khosrow,”
#23
فرستاده را گفت فردا پگاه
✦
چو آیی بدر پاسخ نامه خواه
“He said to the envoy: 'Come to the palace door tomorrow at dawn to seek the response.'”
#24
فرستاده آمد دلی پر شتاب
✦
نبد زان سپس جای آرام و خواب
“The envoy went back with an eager heart; thereafter, there was no place for rest or sleep.”
#25
همی‌بود تا شمع رخشان بدید
✦
به درگاه خاقان چینی دوید
“He waited until he saw the radiant candle of dawn, then ran to the court of the Chinese ruler.”
#26
بیاورد خاقان هم آنگه دبیر
✦
ابا خامه و مشک و چینی حریر
“The Khaqan immediately brought forth a scribe, with quill, musk ink, and fine Chinese silk.”
#27
به پاسخ نوشت آفرین نهان
✦
ز من بنده بر کردگار جهان
“In reply he wrote: 'Secret praise from me, a humble servant, unto the Creator of the world.'”
#28
دگر گفت کان نامه برخواندم
✦
فرستاده را پیش بنشاندم
“He continued: 'I have read that letter and seated your envoy before me.'”
#29
توبا بندگان گوی زین سان سخن
✦
نزیبد از آن خاندان کهن
“Speak in such a tone to your own bondsmen; such words ill become a house of ancient lineage,”
#30
که مه را ندارند یکسر به مه
✦
نه که را شناسند بر جای که
“Where they respect not the great as great, nor recognize the humble in their proper place.”
#31
همه چین و توران سراسر مراست
✦
به هیتال بر نیز فرمان رواست
“All of China and Turan belong to me, and over the Hephthalites too my command holds sway.”
#32
نیم تا بدم مرد پیمان شکن
✦
تو با من چنین داستانها مزن
“As long as I live, I am no breaker of oaths; do not speak such tales to me.”
#33
چو من دست بهرام گیرم بدست
✦
وزان پس به مهر اندرم آرم شکست
“Once I have taken Bahram's hand in mine, shall I then bring fracture to my pledge of affection?”
#34
نخواند مرا داور از آب پاک
✦
جز از پاک ایزد مرا نیست باک
“The Judge of pure waters would not deem me righteous; I fear none save the Pure God.”
#35
تو را گر بزرگی بیفزایدی
✦
خرد بیشتر زین بدی شایدی
“If your greatness has indeed increased, a greater measure of wisdom would better become you.”
#36
بران نامه بر مهر بنهاد و گفت
✦
که با باد باید که باشید جفت
“He sealed the letter and said to the messenger: 'You must now become companions with the wind.'”
#37
فرستاده آمد به نزدیک شاه
✦
به یک ماه کمتر بپیمود راه
“The envoy returned to the king, traversing the long road in less than a month.”
#38
چو برخواند آن نامه را شهریار
✦
بپیچید و ترسان شد از روزگار
“When the monarch read the letter, he writhed in distress and grew fearful of fate.”
#39
فرستاد و ایرانیان را بخواند
✦
سخن های خاقان سراسر براند
“He summoned the Iranians and recounted all the words of the Khaqan to them.”
#40
همان نامه بنمود و برخواندند
✦
بزرگان به اندیشه درماندند
“He showed them the letter and they read it; the nobles were left bewildered in anxious thought.”
#41
چنین یافت پاسخ ز ایرانیان
✦
که ای فر و اورند و تاج کیان
“Thus he received response from the Iranians: 'O possessor of Glory, throne, and Kayanid crown!'”
#42
چنین کارها بر دل آسان مگیر
✦
یکی رای زن با خردمند پیر
“Do not take such grave matters lightly; seek counsel with a wise elder.”
#43
به نامه چنین کار آسان مکن
✦
مکن تیره این فر و شمع کهن
“Do not rush such affairs through letters alone; do not dim this ancient Glory and shining lamp.”
#44
گزین کن از ایران یکی مرد پیر
✦
خردمند و زیبا و گرد و دبیر
“Select an old man from Iran—wise, eloquent, heroic, and a master scribe,”
#45
کز ایدر به نزدیک خاقان شود
✦
سخن گوید و رای او بشنود
“Who will travel from here to the Khaqan, speak eloquently, and hear his true thoughts.”
#46
بگوید که بهرام روز نخست
✦
که بود و پس از پهلوانی چه جست
“Let him relate who Bahram was at the outset, and what he sought after reaching the height of his champion's status.”
#47
همی بود تا کار او گشت راست
✦
خداوند را زان سپس بنده خواست
“He bided his time until his power was established, whereupon the servant dared to turn against his Master.”
#48
چو نیکو نگردد به یک ماه‌کار
✦
تمامی بسالی برد روزگار
“If an affair cannot be properly mended in a month's time, Destiny requires a full year to bring it to completion.”
#49
چو بهرام داماد خاقان بود
✦
ازو بد سرودن نه آسان بود
“Since Bahram has become the Khaqan's son-in-law, speaking evil of him before the ruler will be no simple task.”
#50
به خوبی سخن گفت باید بسی
✦
نهانی نباید که داند کسی
“One must speak with utmost grace and tact, keeping all hidden motives completely concealed from sight.”