#1
وزان پس بسوی خراسان کسی
✦
گسی کرد و اندرز دادش بسی
“Thereafter, he dispatched a messenger toward Khorasan, providing him with many instructions.”
#2
بدو گفت با کس مجنبان زبان
✦
از ایدر برو تا در مرزبان
“He bade him: "Disclose this to no man; speed hence straight to the doorway of the warden of the marches."”
#3
به گستهم گو ایچ گونه مپا
✦
چو این نامه من بخوانی بیا
“"Say unto Gostahm: 'Delay not a moment; when thou hast read my letter, make haste and come.'"”
#4
فرستاده چون در خراسان رسید
✦
به درگاه مرد تن آسان رسید
“When the envoy arrived in Khorasan, he reached the court of that noble, easy-living warrior.”
#5
بگفت آنچ فرمان پرویز بود
✦
که شاه جوان بود و خونریز بود
“He delivered all that Parviz had commanded, for the monarch was young and quick to shed blood.”
#6
چو گستهم بشنید لشکر براند
✦
پراگنده لشکر همه باز خواند
“When Gostahm heard the royal command, he rallied his scattered troops and marched forth with his army.”
#7
چنین تا به شهر بزرگان رسید
✦
ز ساری و آمل به گرگان رسید
“Thus he advanced until he reached the city of the nobles, passing from Sari and Amol unto Gorgan.”
#8
شنید آنک شد شاه ایران درشت
✦
برادرش را او به مستی بکشت
“There he learned that the King of Iran had turned harsh and had slain his brother in a fit of cruel intoxication.”
#9
چوبشنید دستش به دندان بکند
✦
فرود آمد از پشت اسپ سمند
“Hearing this, he bit his hands in anguish and dismounted from his dun steed.”
#10
همه جامهٔ پهلوی کرد چاک
✦
خروشان به سر بر همی‌ریخت خاک
“He rent his princely garments into shreds and, weeping aloud, poured dust upon his head.”
#11
بدانست کو را جهاندار شاه
✦
به کین پدر کرد خواهد تباه
“He realized that the Sovereign Lord intended to destroy him as well, to avenge his own father's death.”
#12
خروشان ازان جایگه بازگشت
✦
تو گفتی که با باد انباز گشت
“Lamenting loudly, he turned back from that place, riding so swiftly he seemed one with the tempest wind.”
#13
سپاه پراگنده کرد انجمن
✦
همی‌تاخت تا بیشه نارون
“He mustered his scattered forces and galloped until he reached the Narvan forest.”
#14
چو نزدیکی کوه آمل رسید
✦
سپه را بدان بیشه اندر کشید
“As he drew near the mountain of Amol, he led his army into the thick cover of that forest.”
#15
همی‌برد بر هر سوی تاختن
✦
بدان تاختن بود کین آختن
“He launched raids in every direction, seeking through these assaults to exact his vengeance.”
#16
به هر سو که بیکار مردم بدند
✦
به نانی همی بندهٔ او شدند
“Wherever needy and destitute folk were found, they became his loyal followers for a mere loaf of bread.”
#17
به جایی کجا لشکر شاه بود
✦
که گستهم زان لشکر آگاه بود
“Wherever the King’s army was stationed, and Gostahm gained intelligence of their presence,”
#18
همی بر سرانشان فرود آمدی
✦
سپه رایکایک بهم برزدی
“He would swoop down upon their commanders and throw their entire host into chaotic rout.”
#19
وزان پس چو گردوی شد نزد شاه
✦
بگفت آن کجا خواهرش با سپاه
“Thereafter, when Gorduy came before the King, he related how his sister, at the head of her army,”
#20
بدان مرزبانان خاقان چه کرد
✦
که در مرو زیشان برآورد گرد
“Had dealt with the Khaqan’s frontier march-wardens, throwing up the dust of defeat against them in Merv.”
#21
وزان روی گستهم بشنید نیز
✦
که بهرام یل را پر آمد قفیز
“Meanwhile, Gostahm also heard the tidings that the valiant Bahram’s measure of life was filled;”
#22
همان گردیه با سپاه بزرگ
✦
برفت از بر نامدار سترگ
“And that Gordyeh, accompanied by a vast army, had departed from the presence of that mighty hero.”
#23
پس او سپاهی بیامد بکین
✦
چه کرد او بدان نامداران چین
“How an army had pursued her in vengeance, and what she had inflicted upon those Chinese commanders.”
#24
پذیره شدن را سپه برنشاند
✦
ازان جایگه نیز لشکر براند
“To greet her, Gostahm mounted his troops and advanced his force from where he lay.”
#25
چو آگاه شد گردیه رفت پیش
✦
از آموی با نامدران خویش
“When Gordyeh was informed, she marched forward from Amuy alongside her famed chieftains.”
#26
چو گستهم دید آن سپه را ز راه
✦
بر انگیخت اسپ از میان سپاه
“When Gostahm sighted that host along the road, he spurred his steed forward from the midst of his battalion.”
#27
بیامد بر گردیه پر ز درد
✦
فراوان ز بهرام تیمار خورد
“He approached Gordyeh full of sorrow, expressing grief and mourning deeply for Bahram.”
#28
همان درد بندوی او رابگفت
✦
همی به آستین خون مژگان برفت
“He recounted to her the bitter tragedy of Banduy, tears of blood streaming onto his sleeve.”
#29
یلان سینه را دید و ایزد گشسپ
✦
فرود آمد از دور گریان زاسپ
“Seeing Yalan-Sineh and Izad-Goshasp, he dismounted from his horse from afar, weeping.”
#30
بگفت آنک بندوی را شهریار
✦
تبه کرد و بد شد مرا روزگار
“He cried: "The Sovereign hath destroyed Banduy, and evil fate hath overtaken my days!”
#31
تو گفتی نه از خواهرش زاده بود
✦
نه از بهر او تن به خون داده بود
“'Twas as if he were not born of the King's own mother's sister, nor had risked his life for him in blood!”
#32
به تارک مر او را روا داشتی
✦
روان پیش خاکش فدا داشتی
“He deserved to be honored above all heads, for Banduy had offered his very soul for the King’s dust!”
#33
نخستین ز تن دست و پایش برید
✦
بران سان که از گوهر او سزید
“Yet first he severed Banduy's hands and feet from his body, as suited his own cruel nature!”
#34
شما را بدو چیست اکنون امید
✦
کجا همچو هنگام بادست و بید
“What hope can you now place in such a king, who trembles and turns like a willow in the wind?”
#35
ابا همگنانتان بتر زان کند
✦
به شهر اندرون گوشت ارزان کند
“He will deal worse with all of you, making human flesh cheap throughout the realm!"”
#36
چو از دور بیند یلان سینه را
✦
بر آشوبد و نو کند کینه را
“When from afar he sees Yalan-Sineh, he grows enraged and renews his ancient malice.”
#37
که سالار بودی تو بهرام را
✦
ازو یافتی در جهان کام را
“"For thou wert the commander unto Bahram, and through his hand didst thou attain thy desire in the world."”
#38
ازو هرکه داندش پرهیز به
✦
گلوی و را خنجر تیز به
“"Whosoever knows him, 'tis better to avoid him; a sharp dagger is far more fitting for his throat."”
#39
گر ایدون که باشید با من بهم
✦
زنیم اندرین رای بر بیش و کم
“"If now ye unite with me, we shall deliberate together upon every detail of this design."”
#40
پذیرفت ازو هر که بشنید پند
✦
همی‌جست هر کس ز راه گزند
“Whoever heard his counsel accepted it, for each was seeking a way to escape harm.”
#41
زبان تیز با گردیه بر گشاد
✦
همی‌کرد کردار بهرام یاد
“He opened a sharp tongue to Gordyeh, calling to mind the deeds of Bahram.”
#42
ز گفتار او گردیه گشت سست
✦
شداندیشه‌ها بر دلش بر درست
“At his words Gordyeh's resolve grew weak, and his thoughts settled firmly upon her heart.”
#43
ببودند یکسر به نزدیک اوی
✦
درخشان شد آن رای تاریک اوی
“They all gathered near him, and that dark counsel of his turned bright.”
#44
یلان سینه راگفت کاین زن بشوی
✦
چه گوید بجوید بدین آب روی
“He said to Yalan-Sineh: "Court this woman; see what she says, that she may gain honor through this counsel."”
#45
چنین داد پاسخ که تا گویمش
✦
به گفتار بسیار دل جویمش
“He answered: "I shall speak to her, and seek her heart with persuasive words."”
#46
یلان سینه با گردیه گفت زن
✦
به گیتی تو را دیده‌ام رای زن
“Yalan-Sineh spoke to Gordyeh: "O lady, in this world I have found thee wise and discerning.”
#47
ز خاقان کرانه گزیدی سزید
✦
که رای تو آزادگان را گزید
“It was right that thou didst turn away from the Khaqan, for thy judgment favored the noble-born.”
#48
چه گویی ز گستهم یل خال شاه
✦
توانگر سپهبد یلی با سپاه
“What sayest thou of Goustahm, the hero and uncle to the King—a wealthy commander leading a mighty host?"”
#49
بدو گفت شویی کز ایران بود
✦
ازو تخمهٔ ما نه ویران بود
“She answered him: "A husband who is born of Iran will keep our noble lineage from ruin."”
#50
یلان سینه او را بگستهم داد
✦
دلاور گوی بود فرخ نژاد
“Yalan-Sineh gave her hand to Goustahm, a valiant champion of auspicious birth.”
#51
همی‌داشتش چون یکی تازه سیب
✦
که اندر بلندی ندیدی نشیب
“He cherished her like a fresh apple, holding her so high she saw no decline.”
#52
سپاهی که از نزد خسرو شدی
✦
برو روزگار کهن نو شدی
“Whenever a warrior band arrived from Khosrow's presence, their worn fortune was made new by him.”
#53
هر آنگه که دیدی شکست سپاه
✦
کمان را بر افراشتی تا به ماه
“Whenever he saw defeat among his ranks, he raised his bow up to the very moon.”