#1
وزان روی بهرام شد تا به مرو
✦
بیاراست لشکر چو پر تذرو
“From there Bahram went onward to Merv, arranging his host like the bright plumage of a pheasant.”
#2
کس آمد به خاقان که از ترک و چین
✦
ممان‌تا کس آید به ایران زمین
“A messenger came to the Khaqan, urging that no one from Turkestan or China be allowed to cross into Iran,”
#3
که آگاهی ما به خسرو برند
✦
ورا زان سخن هدیهٔ نو برند
“Lest news of their doings be carried to King Khosrow, bringing him fresh tidings.”
#4
منادیگری کرد خاقان چین
✦
که بی‌مهر ماکس به ایران زمین
“The Khaqan of China commanded heralds to cry out: 'Without our seal, no person shall journey to Iran!”
#5
شود تامیانش کنم بدو نیم
✦
به یزدان که نفروشم او را به سیم
“Whosoever attempts it shall be cleaved in twain; by God, I will not sell his life for silver!'”
#6
همی‌بود خراد برزین سه ماه
✦
همی‌داشت این رازها را نگاه
“For three months Kharad Borzin remained there in secret, carefully watching all these developments.”
#7
به تنگی دل اندر قلون را بخواند
✦
بران نامور جایگاهش نشاند
“With a troubled heart he called Qalun to his side and seated him in a position of honor.”
#8
بدو گفت روزی که کس در جهان
✦
ندارد دلی کش نباشد نهان
“He said to him: 'There is no man alive in this world whose heart harbors no hidden secret desire.”
#9
تو نان جو و ارزن و پوستین
✦
فراوان به جستی ز هردر به چین
“You once searched from door to door in China for barley bread, millet, and a coarse sheepskin coat.”
#10
کنون خوردنیهات نان و بره
✦
همان پوششت جامه‌های سره
“Now your food is choice bread and lamb, and your garments are of fine quality.”
#11
چنان بود یک چند و اکنون چنین
✦
چه نفرین شنیدی و چه آفرین
“Such was your plight for a time, and such it is now; what curses have you heard, and what blessings?”
#12
کنون روزگار تو بر سرگذشت
✦
بسی روز و شب دیدی و کوه و دشت
“Now your life is drawing toward its close; you have seen many days and nights, mountains and plains.”
#13
یکی کار دارم تو را بیمناک
✦
اگرتخت یابی اگر تیره خاک
“I have a perilous task for you: it will bring you either a high throne or the dark dust.”
#14
ستانم یکی مهر خاقان چین
✦
چنان رو که اندر نوردی زمین
“I shall obtain an impression of the Khaqan's seal; travel so swiftly that you seem to swallow the earth!”
#15
به نزدیک بهرام باید شدن
✦
به مروت فراوان بباید بدن
“You must go to Bahram, displaying great stealth, courtesy, and cunning.”
#16
بپوشی همان پوستین سیاه
✦
یکی کارد بستان و بنورد راه
“Don your old black sheepskin, concealed with a bare dagger, and strike out upon the road.”
#17
نگه دار از آن ماه بهرام روز
✦
برو تا در مرو گیتی فروز
“Watch for the day of Bahram in that month; travel until you reach the radiant gates of Merv.”
#18
وی آن روز را شوم دارد به فال
✦
نگه داشتیم بسیار سال
“For Bahram considers that day ill-omened; we have observed this practice of his for many years.”
#19
نخواهد که انبوه باشد برش
✦
به دیبای چینی بپوشد سرش
“He permits no crowd in his presence then, wrapping his head in Chinese brocade in solitary retreat.”
#20
چنین گوی کز دخت خاقان پیام
✦
رسانم برین مهتر شادکام
“Say to his guard: 'I bring a private message from the Khaqan's daughter to this prosperous leader.'”
#21
همان کارد در آستین برهنه
✦
همی‌دار تا خواندت یک تنه
“Keep the bare blade concealed within your sleeve until he summons you to stand alone with him.”
#22
چو نزدیک چوبینه آیی فراز
✦
چنین گوی کان دختر سرفراز
“When you draw close to Chubineh, say to him: 'That exalted maiden...'”
#23
مرا گفت چون راز گویی بگوش
✦
سخنها ز بیگانه مردم بپوش
“'Commanded me: speak this secret in his ear and keep these words hidden from all strangers.'”
#24
چو گوید چه رازست با من بگوی
✦
تو بشتاب و نزدیک بهرام پوی
“When he asks 'What is this secret? Tell me!', make haste and step close to Bahram.”
#25
بزن کارد و نافش سراسر بدر
✦
وزان پس بجه گر بیابی گذر
“Strike with the knife and rip open his belly completely, and then flee if you can find a way out!”
#26
هر آنکس که آواز او بشنود
✦
ز پیش سهبد به آخر دود
“Whoever hears his death-cry will run from the commander's presence toward the outer court.”
#27
یکی سوی فرش و یکی سوی گنج
✦
نیاید ز کشتن بروی تو رنج
“One will rush to save the carpets, another to guard the treasure; no hardship will fall upon you for the slaying.”
#28
وگر خود کشندت جهاندیده‌ای
✦
همه نیک و بدها پسندیده‌ای
“And if they cut you down, you are an experienced old man who has already tasted all of life's good and evil.”
#29
همانا بتو کس نپردازدی
✦
که با تو بدانگه بدی سازدی
“Surely no one in that chaos will pay heed to you or seek to inflict harm upon you.”
#30
گر ایدون که یابی زکشتن رها
✦
جهان را خریدی و دادی بها
“And if you escape alive after the killing, you have truly purchased the world and paid its price!”
#31
تو را شاه پرویز شهری دهد
✦
همان از جهان نیز بهری دهد
“King Parviz will bestow a city upon you and grant you a vast portion of the kingdom.”
#32
چنین گفت با مرد دانا قلون
✦
که اکنون بباید یکی رهنمون
“Qalun answered the wise man: 'Now a guide is needed for this path.”
#33
همانا مرا سال بر صد رسید
✦
به بیچارگی چند خواهم کشید
“Indeed, my age has reached a hundred years; how much longer must I endure in misery?”
#34
فدای تو بادا تن و جان من
✦
به بیچارگی بر جهانبان من
“May my body and soul be sacrificed for you! You are my master in my helplessness.'”
#35
چو بشنید خراد برزین دوید
✦
ازان خانه تا پیش خاتون رسید
“When Kharad Borzin heard his words, he ran swiftly from that house until he reached Khatun.”
#36
بدو گفت کامد گه آرزوی
✦
بگویم تو را ای زن نیک خوی
“He said to her: 'The moment for our wish has arrived; let me tell you, O noble-hearted lady!”
#37
ببند اندرند این دو کسهای من
✦
سزد گرگشاده کنی پای من
“'My two companions are bound in chains; it is fitting that you loosen my feet.'”
#38
یکی مهر بستان ز خاقان مرا
✦
چنان دان که بخشیده‌ای جان مرا
“'Obtain for me an imprint of the Khaqan's seal; know that in doing so, you have saved my life!'”
#39
بدو گفت خاتون که خفتست مست
✦
مگر گل نهم از نگینش بدست
“Khatun said to him: 'He lies asleep in drunkenness; perhaps I can take an impression of his signet ring upon clay.'”
#40
ز خراد برزین گل مهر خواست
✦
به بالین مست آمد از حجره راست
“She requested seal-clay from Kharad Borzin and went directly from her chamber to the bedside of the drunken king.”
#41
گل اندر زمان برنگینش نهاد
✦
بیامد بران مرد جوینده داد
“She immediately pressed the clay against his signet ring and returned to that seeker of justice.”
#42
بدو آفرین کرد مرد دبیر
✦
بیامد سپرد آن بدین مرد پیر
“The scribe praised her, took the sealed clay, and delivered it into the hands of the old man.”