#1
قلون بستد آن مهر و تازان چو غرو
✦
بیامد ز شهر کشان تا به مرو
“Qalun took the seal ring and galloped like a swift reed, traveling from the city of Kushan all the way to Merv.”
#2
همی‌بود تا روز بهرام شد
✦
که بهرام را آن نه پدرام شد
“He waited until the day of Bahram arrived—a day that turned out ill-omened and tragic for Bahram.”
#3
به خانه درون بود با یک رهی
✦
نهاده برش نار و سیب و بهی
“Bahram was inside his residence with a single servant, with pomegranates, apples, and quinces placed before him.”
#4
قلون رفت تنها بدرگاه اوی
✦
به دربان چنین گفت کای نامجوی
“Qalun went alone to his threshold and said to the doorkeeper: 'O seeker of renown!'”
#5
من از دخت خاقان فرستاده‌ام
✦
نه جنگی کسی‌ام نه آزاده‌ام
“'I am a messenger sent by the Khaqan’s daughter; I am neither a man of war nor a noble lord.'”
#6
یکی راز گفت آن زن پارسا
✦
بدان تا بگویم بدین پادشا
“'That virtuous lady imparted a secret to me, so that I might deliver it to this king.'”
#7
ز مهر ورا از در بستن است
✦
همان نیز بیمار و آبستن است
“'Her love for him keeps her behind closed doors, for she is ill and bearing a child.'”
#8
گر آگه کنی تا رسانم پیام
✦
بدین تاجور مهتر نیک نام
“'If you inform him so that I may deliver my message to this crowned, renowned leader...'”
#9
بشد پرده دار گرامی دوان
✦
چنین تا در خانه پهلوان
“The noble chamberlain ran swiftly to the door of the champion’s residence.”
#10
چنین گفت کامد یکی بدنشان
✦
فرستاده و پوستینی کشان
“He said: 'An ill-favored man has arrived, a messenger wearing a rough sheepskin cloak...'”
#11
همی‌گوید از دخت خاقان پیام
✦
رسانم بدین مهتر شادکام
“'He says he brings a message from the Khaqan’s daughter for our prosperous master.'”
#12
چنین گفت بهرام کورا بگوی
✦
که هم زان در خانه بنمای روی
“Bahram replied: 'Tell him to step forward and show his face right at the doorway.'”
#13
بیامد قلون تا به نزدیک در
✦
بکاف در خانه بنهاد سر
“Qalun approached the threshold and bowed his head near the crack of the door.”
#14
چو دیدش یکی پیر بد سست و زار
✦
بدو گفت گرنامه داری بیار
“When Bahram saw he was a frail, wretched old man, he said: 'If you have a letter, bring it forth.'”
#15
قلون گفت شاها پیامست و بس
✦
نخواهم که گویم سخن پیش کس
“Qalun said: 'O King, it is an oral message alone; I do not wish to speak it before anyone else.'”
#16
ورا گفت زود اندر آی و بگوی
✦
بگوشم نهانی بهانه مجوی
“Bahram said to him: 'Come inside quickly and whisper it in my ear; seek no excuses.'”
#17
قلون رفت با کارد در آستی
✦
پدیدار شد کژی و کاستی
“Qalun entered with a dagger hidden in his sleeve, as deceit and malice manifested.”
#18
همی‌رفت تا راز گوید بگوش
✦
بزد دشنه وز خانه برشد خروش
“He moved as if to whisper a secret into his ear, then struck with the dagger, and an outcry arose from the house!”
#19
چو بهرام گفت آه مردم ز راه
✦
برفتند پویان به نزدیک شاه
“When Bahram cried out, 'Ah, I am slain by a traveler from the road!' attendants rushed to the king's side.”
#20
چنین گفت کاین را بگیرید زود
✦
بپرسید زو تا که راهش نمود
“He said: 'Seize him quickly, and question him until he reveals who showed him the path!'”
#21
برفتند هرکس که بد در سرای
✦
مران پیر سر را شکستند پای
“Everyone in the palace rushed forward and broke the feet of that old man.”
#22
همه کهتران زو بر آشوفتند
✦
به سیلی و مشتش بسی کوفتند
“All the servants flew into a rage at him, battering him severely with slaps and fists.”
#23
همی‌خورد سیلی و نگشاد لب
✦
هم از نیمهٔ روز تا نیم شب
“He endured the beatings without opening his lips, from midday until midnight.”
#24
چنین تا شکسته شدش دست و پای
✦
فکندندش اندر میان سرای
“Until his hands and feet were completely broken, they cast him into the middle of the courtyard.”
#25
به نزدیک بهرام بازآمدند
✦
جگر خسته و پرگداز آمدند
“They returned to Bahram, heartbroken and burning with grief.”
#26
همی‌رفت خون ازتن خسته مرد
✦
لبان پر ز باد و رخان لاژورد
“Blood flowed continuously from the wounded hero's body, his lips filled with cold breath, his cheeks turning azure.”
#27
بیامد هم اندر زمان خواهرش
✦
همه موی برکند پاک از سرش
“Right at that moment, his sister arrived, tearing all the hair clean from her head in anguish.”
#28
نهاد آن سر خسته را بر کنار
✦
همی‌کرد با خویشتن کار زار
“She placed that wounded head in her lap and wept bitterly over her tragic fate.”
#29
همی‌گفت زار ای سوار دلیر
✦
کزو بیشه بگذاشتی نره شیر
“She mourned: 'O brave rider, before whom fierce lions would flee the forest!'”
#30
که برد این ستون جهان را ز جا
✦
براندیشهٔ بد که بد رهنما
“'Who uprooted this pillar of the world through evil and treacherous counsel?'”
#31
الا ای سوار سپهبد تنا
✦
جهانگیر و ناباک و شیر اوژنا
“'O commander and supreme rider, world-conquering, fearless, and lion-slayer!'”
#32
نه خسرو پرست و نه ایزدپرست
✦
تن پیل‌وار سپهبد که خست
“'Neither Khosrow-worshipper nor God-worshipper—who wounded the elephant-like body of the commander?'”
#33
الا ای برآورده کوه بلند
✦
ز دریای خوشاب بیخت که کند
“'O high-reared mountain! Who pulled up such a tree from the sea of pure pearls?'”
#34
که کند این چنین سبز سرو سهی
✦
که افگند خوار این کلاه مهی
“'Who cut down such a tall, green cypress? Who cast down this crown of greatness so meanly?'”
#35
که آگند ناگاه دریا به خاک
✦
که افگند کوه روان در مغاک
“'Who suddenly filled the ocean with earth? Who cast the moving mountain into the abyss?'”
#36
غریبیم و تنها و بی دوستدار
✦
بشهر کسان در بماندیم خوار
“'We are strangers, alone, and without friends, left humbled and low in a foreign city!'”
#37
همی‌گفتم ای خسرو انجمن
✦
که شاخ وفا را تو از بن مکن
“'I kept telling you, O king of the assembly: Do not uproot the branch of loyalty from its base!'”
#38
که از تخم ساسان اگر دختری
✦
بماند به سر برنهد افسری
“'For even if a maiden remains of Sasan’s seed, she shall wear the royal crown upon her head,'”
#39
همه شهر ایرانش فرمان برند
✦
ازان تخمهٔ هرگز به دل نگذرند
“'And all the land of Iran will obey her command, never turning their hearts away from that lineage.'”
#40
سپهدار نشنید پند مرا
✦
سخن گفتن سودمند مرا
“'The commander did not heed my counsel nor my beneficial words.'”
#41
برین کرده‌ها بر پشیمان بری
✦
گنهکار جان پیش یزدان بری
“'Now you bear repentance for these deeds, carrying a sinful soul before God!'”
#42
بد آمد بدین خاندان بزرگ
✦
همه میش گشتیم و دشمن چو گرک
“'Evil has befallen this great family; we have all become sheep, and the enemy a wolf!'”
#43
چو آن خسته بشنید گفتار او
✦
بدید آن دل و رای هشیار او
“When the wounded warrior heard her speech and perceived her wise heart and mind,”
#44
به ناخن رخان خسته و کنده موی
✦
پر از خون دل و دیده پر آب روی
“With her cheeks scratched by nails, her hair torn, her heart filled with blood, and her eyes overflowing with tears,”
#45
به زاری و سستی زبان برگشاد
✦
چنین گفت کای خواهر پاک وراد
“He opened his tongue weakly and mournfully, saying: 'O pure and noble sister...'”
#46
ز پند تو کمی نبد هیچ چیز
✦
ولیکن مرا خود پر آمد قفیز
“Your counsel lacked nothing in wisdom; yet my own measure of fate had grown full.”
#47
همی پند بر من نبد کارگر
✦
ز هر گونه چون دیو بد راه بر
“No counsel could take effect upon me, for in every way the evil demon led me astray.”
#48
نبد خسروی برتر از جمشید
✦
کزو بود گیتی به بیم وامید
“There was no sovereign grander than Jamshid, upon whose word the world hung in fear and hope,”
#49
کجا شد به گفتار دیوان ز شاه
✦
جهان کرد بر خویشتن بر سیاه
“Yet he turned from kingship at the words of demons, making the bright world dark unto himself.”
#50
همان نیز بیدار کاوس کی
✦
جهاندار نیک اختر و نیک پی
“Likewise was the vigilant Kay Kavus, a lord of noble star and auspicious step,”
#51
تبه شد به گفتار دیو پلید
✦
شنیدی بدیها که او را رسید
“He was ruined by the words of an unclean demon; you have heard of all the misfortunes that befell him.”
#52
همان به آسمان شد که گردان سپهر
✦
ببیند پراگندن ماه و مهر
“He even soared into the heavens so that he might behold the turning celestial sphere, the Sun, and the Moon.”
#53
مرا نیز هم دیو بی‌راه کرد
✦
ز خوبی همان دست کوتاه کرد
“Me too the demon led astray, and severed my hands from goodness and virtue.”
#54
پشیمانم از هرچ کردم ز بد
✦
کنون گر ببخشد ز یزدان سزد
“I repent of all the evil I have wrought; if God grants forgiveness now, it would be worthy of His grace.”
#55
نوشته برین گونه بد بر سرم
✦
غم کرده های کهن چون خورم
“Such was the fate written upon my head; why should I grieve now for old deeds past?”
#56
ز تارک کنون آب برتر گذشت
✦
غم و شادمانی همه باد گشت
“The water has now passed over my crown; sorrow and joy have both vanished like the wind.”
#57
نوشته چنین بود وبود آنچ بود
✦
نوشته نکاهد نه هرگز فزود
“What was written came to pass; fate's decree neither diminishes nor ever increases.”
#58
همان پند تویادگارمنست
✦
سخنهای توگوشوارمنست
“Yet your wise counsel remains my cherished legacy; your words shall be the adornment of my ear.”
#59
سرآمد کنون کار بیداد و داد
✦
سخنهات برمن مکن نیزیاد
“The time of justice and injustice has come to an end; recall no longer your past speeches to me.”
#60
شماروی راسوی یزدان کنید
✦
همه پشت بربخت خندان کنید
“Turn your face towards God Almighty, and turn your back upon smiling fortune.”
#61
زبدها جهاندارتان یاربس
✦
مگویید زاندوه وشادی بکس
“Against evil, let the Creator be your sole guardian; speak to no one of your grief or joy.”
#62
نبودم بگیتی جزین نیز بهر
✦
سرآمد کنون رفتنی‌ام ز دهر
“No greater share was allotted to me in this world; my time is done, and I must depart this earth.”
#63
یلان سینه راگفت یکسر سپاه
✦
سپردم تو رابخت بیدارخواه
“To Yalan Sine he said: 'I entrust the entire host to thee; seek a vigilant fortune.'”
#64
نگه کن بدین خواهرپاک تن
✦
زگیتی بس اومرتو رارای زن
“Look after this pure-souled sister; in all the world, let her counsel be your guide.”
#65
مباشید یک تن زدیگر جدا
✦
جدایی مبادا میان شما
“Be never separated one from another; let there be no division among you.”
#66
برین بوم دشمن ممانید دیر
✦
که رفتیم وگشتیم ازگاه سیر
“Linger no longer in this land of enemies, for we have departed and grown weary of the throne.”
#67
همه یکسره پیش خسرو شوید
✦
بگویید و گفتار او بشنوید
“Go all together before King Khosrow; speak your mind and listen to his words.”
#68
گر آمرزش آید شما را ز شاه
✦
جز او رامخوانید خورشید و ماه
“If forgiveness comes to you from the King, praise none other beneath the Sun and Moon.”
#69
مرا دخمه در شهرایران کنید
✦
بری کاخ بهرام ویران کنید
“Build my tomb within the land of Iran, and lay waste to the palace of Bahram.”
#70
بسی رنج دیدم ز خاقان چین
✦
ندیدم که یک روز کرد آفرین
“I endured much hardship for the Khaqan of Chin, yet I never saw him offer praise even for a single day.”
#71
نه این بود زان رنج پاداش من
✦
که دیوی فرستد بپرخاش من
“This was not the reward due for my toil—that he should send a demon to strike me down in wrath.”
#72
ولیکن همانا که او این سخن
✦
اگر بشنود سر نداند ز بن
“Yet surely, if he were to hear of this deed, he would be bewildered beyond comprehension.”
#73
نبود این جز از کار ایرانیان
✦
همی دیو بد رهنمون درمیان
“This was naught but the work of the Iranians, with an evil demon guiding them from within.”
#74
بفرمود پس تا بیامد دبیر
✦
نویسد یکی نامه‌ای بر حریر
“Then he commanded the scribe to come and write a letter upon fine silk.”
#75
بگوید بخاقان که بهرام رفت
✦
به زاری و خواری و بی‌کام رفت
“To tell the Khaqan that Bahram has departed—departed in sorrow, humiliation, and unfulfilled desire.”
#76
تو این ماندگان راز من یاددار
✦
ز رنج و بد دشمن آزاد دار
“Remember those left behind as a pledge from me, and keep them safe from hardship and evil foes.”
#77
که من با تو هرگز نکردم بدی
✦
همی راستی جستم و بخردی
“For I never wrought evil against thee; I sought only truthfulness and wisdom.”
#78
بسی پندها خواند بر خواهرش
✦
ببر در گرفت آن گرامی سرش
“He recited many counsels to his sister, and embraced her cherished head in his arms.”
#79
دهن بر بنا گوش خواهر نهاد
✦
دو چشمش پر از خون شد و جان بداد
“He laid his mouth against his sister's ear; his eyes filled with blood, and he yielded up his ghost.”
#80
برو هر کسی زار بگریستند
✦
به درد دل اندر همی‌زیستند
“Everyone wept bitterly over him, living on with aching hearts in deep grief.”
#81
همی خون خروشید خواهر ز درد
✦
سخنهای او یک به یک یاد کرد
“His sister wept tears of blood in her deep agony, recalling his words one by one.”
#82
ز تیمار او شد دلش به دونیم
✦
یکی تنگ تابوت کردش ز سیم
“Her heart split in two from the weight of her grief, and she fashioned a narrow coffin of pure silver for him.”
#83
به دیبا بیاراست جنگی تنش
✦
قصب کرد در زیر پیراهنش
“She adorned his martial body in rich brocade, laying fine linen beneath his shirt.”
#84
همی‌ریخت کافور گرد اندرش
✦
بدین گونه برتا نهان شد سرش
“She scattered camphor all around his form, continuing until his face was hidden from sight.”
#85
چنین است کار سرای سپنج
✦
چودانی که ایدر نمانی مرنج
“Such is the nature of this transient home; when you know you will not abide here forever, do not torment your heart.”