#1
ازان پس چو گسترده شد دست شاه
✦
سراسر جهان شد ورا نیک خواه
“Thereafter, when the King's authority was firmly established, the whole world became his well-wisher.”
#2
همه تاجدارانش کهتر شدند
✦
همه کهتران زو توانگر شدند
“All crowned monarchs became his vassals, and all humble folk grew wealthy through his grace.”
#3
گزین کرد از ایران چل و هشت هزار
✦
جهاندیده گردان و جنگی سوار
“He selected forty-eight thousand experienced warriors and battle-tested horsemen from Iran.”
#4
در گنج های کهن برگشاد
✦
که بنهاد پیروز و فرخ قباد
“He unsealed the ancient treasuries that Piruz and the fortunate Qobad had laid down.”
#5
جهان را ببخشید بر چار بهر
✦
یکایک همه نامزد کرد شهر
“He divided the empire into four regions, specifically assigning every border city.”
#6
از آن نامداران ده و دو هزار
✦
گزین کرد ز ایران و نیران سوار
“From those renowned champions, he selected twelve thousand horsemen from Iran and neighboring realms.”
#7
فرستاد خسرو سوی مرز روم
✦
نگهبان آن فرخ آزاد بوم
“Khosrow sent them toward the Roman border, as guardians of that prosperous and free realm.”
#8
بدان تا ز روم اندر ایران سپاه
✦
نیاید که کشور شود زو تباه
“So that no army from Rome might enter Iran and bring ruin upon the country.”
#9
مگر هرکسی برکند مرز خویش
✦
بداند سر مایه و ارز خویش
“Lest anyone overstep their own border and forget their proper bounds and measure.”
#10
هم از نامداران ده و دو هزار
✦
سواران هشیار خنجرگزار
“He picked another twelve thousand renowned, vigilant, sword-wielding knights,”
#11
بدان تا سوی زابلستان شوند
✦
ز بوم سیه در گلستان شوند
“To march toward Zabulistan, turning the black earth into a flower garden.”
#12
بدیشان چنین گفت هرکو ز راه
✦
بگردد ندارد زبان را نگاه
“He commanded them: 'Whoever turns from the proper path and fails to bridle their tongue,”
#13
به خوبی مر او را به راه آورید
✦
کزین بگذرد بند و چاه آورید
“First bring them back gently; but if they persist, put them in chains and dungeons.'”
#14
به هرسو فرستید کارآگهان
✦
بدان تا نماند سخن در نهان
“'Send intelligence agents in every direction, so that no matter remains hidden in secret.'”
#15
طلایه بباید به روز و شبان
✦
مخسپید در خیمه بی‌پاسبان
“'Maintain outposts day and night, and never sleep in your tents without watchmen.'”
#16
ز لشکر ده و دو هزار دگر
✦
دلاور سواران پرخاشخر
“From the army, he called another twelve thousand fierce and warlike horsemen,”
#17
بخواند و بسی هدیه‌ها دادشان
✦
به راه الانان فرستادشان
“Bestowed lavish gifts upon them, and dispatched them along the road to the Alans.”
#18
بدیشان سپرد آن در باختر
✦
بدان تا نیاید ز دشمن گذر
“He entrusted the western gates to them, ensuring no enemy might pass through.”
#19
بدان سرکشان گفت بیدار بید
✦
همه در پناه جهاندار بید
“He told those chiefs: 'Be vigilant, and remain under the protection of the Lord of the World.'”
#20
ده ودو هزار دگر برگزید
✦
ز مردان جنگی چنان چون سزید
“He chose another twelve thousand fighting men, fittingly equipped for battle,”
#21
به سوی خراسان فرستادشان
✦
بسی پند و اندرزها دادشان
“And dispatched them toward Khorasan, providing them with bountiful counsel and guidance:”
#22
که از مرز هیتال تا مرزچین
✦
نباید که کس پی نهد بر زمین
“'From the border of the Hephthalites to the border of China, let no one set foot upon our soil,”
#23
مگر به آگهی و بفرمان ما
✦
روان بسته دارد به پیمان ما
“Unless it be with our knowledge and command, bound securely by our covenant.'”
#24
بهر کشوری گنج آگنده هست
✦
که کس را نباید شدن دوردست
“'In every province there are accumulated treasures, so no one needs to wander far afield.'”
#25
چو باید بخواهید و خرم بوید
✦
خردمند باشید و بی غم بوید
“'When you need provisions, ask for them and live joyfully; be wise and remain free of sorrow.'”
#26
در گنج بگشاد و چندی درم
✦
که بودی ز هرمز برو بر رقم
“He opened the treasury and brought out countless dirhams stamped with the name of Hormoz,”
#27
بیاورد و گریان به درویش داد
✦
چو درویش پیوسته بد بیش داد
“And weeping, distributed them to the destitute; giving ever more as their poverty was deep.”
#28
از آنکس که او یار بندوی بود
✦
به نزدیک گستهم و زنگوی بود
“Whoever was an accomplice of Bandoy, or was close to Gustahm and Zangoy,”
#29
که بودند یازان به خون پدر
✦
ز تنهای ایشان جدا کرد سر
“And had reached out to shed his father's blood—the King severed their heads from their bodies.”
#30
چو از کین و نفرین به پردخت شاه
✦
بدانش یکی دیگر آورد راه
“When the King was finished with revenge and retribution, he directed his path toward wisdom.”
#31
از آن پس شب و روز گردنده دهر
✦
نشست و ببخشید بر چار بهر
“Thereafter, he divided the night and day of revolving time into four distinct quarters.”
#32
از آن چار یک بهر موبد نهاد
✦
که دارد سخنهای نیکو بیاد
“One quarter he assigned to the chief Mobad, who remembered ancient words of wisdom.”
#33
ز کار سپاه و ز کار جهان
✦
بگفتی به شاه آشکار و نهان
“He spoke to the King of the army and state affairs, both overt and secret.”
#34
چو در پادشاهی به دیدی شکست
✦
ز لشکر گر از مردم زیر دست
“Whenever he perceived a flaw in the realm, among the soldiers or the common subjects,”
#35
سبک دامن داد بر تافتی
✦
گذشته بجستی و دریافتی
“He swiftly extended the skirt of justice, investigated past faults, and rectified them.”
#36
دگر بهر شادی و رامشگران
✦
نشسته به آرام با مهتران
“Another quarter was set aside for joy and musicians, sitting in peace alongside noble lords.”
#37
نبودی نه اندیشه کردی ز بد
✦
چنان کز ره نامداران سزد
“He harbored no evil thoughts, acting worthily as fits the line of renowned kings.”
#38
سیم بهره گاه نیایش بدی
✦
جهان آفرین را ستایش بدی
“The third quarter was the time for prayer, offering praise to the Creator of the World.”
#39
چهارم شمار سپهر بلند
✦
همی بر گرفتی چه و چون و چند
“The fourth was dedicated to reckoning the lofty heavens—how, why, and to what measure.”
#40
ستاره شمر پیش او بر بپای
✦
که بودی به دانش ورا رهنمای
“Astrologers stood before him, serving as his guides through knowledge.”
#41
وزین بهره نیمی شب دیر یاز
✦
نشستی همی با بتان طراز
“And half of this late-night portion he spent in the company of the fair beauties of Taraz.”
#42
همان نیز یک ماه بر چار بهر
✦
ببخشید تا شاد باشد ز دهر
“Likewise, he divided every month into four parts, so that he might remain joyful in life.”
#43
یکی بهره میدان چوگان و تیر
✦
یکی نامور پیش او یادگیر
“One part was for the polo field and archery, with a renowned instructor before him.”
#44
دگر بهره زو کوه و دشت شکار
✦
ازان تازه گشتی ورا روزگار
“Another part was spent hunting in mountains and plains, refreshing his days therewith.”
#45
هر آنگه که گشتی ز نخچیر باز
✦
به رخشنده روز و شب دیر یاز
“Whenever he returned from the hunt, through bright days and late nights,”
#46
هر آنکس که بودی و را پیش گاه
✦
ببستی به شهر اندر آیین و راه
“Whosoever came before his throne found that he established laws and noble customs throughout the realm.”
#47
دگر بهره شطرنج بودی و نرد
✦
سخن گفت از روزگار نبرد
“Another part of his time was given to playing chess and backgammon, while recounting tales of past battles.”
#48
سه دیگر هر آنکس که داننده بود
✦
فزایندهٔ چیز و خواننده بود
“A third portion was set aside for the learned—those who increased wealth and wisdom, and read ancient lore.”
#49
به نوبت و را پیش بنشاندی
✦
سخنهای دیرینه برخواندی
“In turn, he would have them sit before him and recite the ancient histories and legends.”
#50
چهارم فرستادگان را ز راه
✦
همی‌خواندندی به نزدیک شاه
“For the fourth part, ambassadors arriving from their journeys were summoned before the monarch.”
#51
نوشتی همه پاسخ نامه باز
✦
بدادی بدان مرد گردن فراز
“He would write answers to all their letters and entrust them to those proud and lofty emissaries.”
#52
فرستاده با خلعت و کام خویش
✦
ز در بازگشتی به آرام خویش
“The envoy, clad in robes of honor and having attained his goal, would return in peace to his residence.”
#53
همه روز منشور هر کشوری
✦
نوشتی سپردی بهر مهتری
“Every day, royal decrees for every land were drafted and given into the hands of each chief.”
#54
چو بودی سر سال نو فرودین
✦
که رخشان شدی در دل از هور دین
“When the head of the new year arrived in Farvardin, and the sun illuminated the heart with spiritual faith,”
#55
نهادی یکی گنج خسرو نهان
✦
که نشناختی کهتری در جهان
“Khosrow would establish a hidden treasure that no low-born person in the world could ever know.”