#1
ازان پس فزون شد بزرگی شاه
✦
که خورشید شد آن کجا بود ماه
“Thereafter, the King's grandeur waxed even greater, shining bright as the sun where once it had been but the moon.”
#2
همه روز با دخت قیصر بدی
✦
همو بر شبستانش مهتر بدی
“All day he spent in the company of Caesar's daughter, who reigned supreme over his imperial harem.”
#3
ز مریم همی‌بود شیرین بدرد
✦
همیشه ز رشکش دو رخساره زرد
“Shirin was constantly consumed by grief and jealousy over Maryam, her cheeks forever pale and yellowed.”
#4
به فرجام شیرین ورا زهر داد
✦
شد آن نامور دخت قیصرنژاد
“At last, Shirin gave her poison; thus perished that renowned maiden of Caesar's noble lineage.”
#5
ازان چاره آگه نبد هیچ‌کس
✦
که او داشت آن راز تنها و بس
“No soul was aware of that deadly intrigue, for she kept the dark secret entirely to herself.”
#6
چو سالی برآمد که مریم بمرد
✦
شبستان زرین به شیرین سپرد
“When a year had passed since Maryam died, the King entrusted the golden harem to Shirin.”
#7
چو شیرویه را سال شد بر دو هشت
✦
به بالا زسی سالگان برگذشت
“When Shiruye reached the age of sixteen, in stature he surpassed men of thirty years.”
#8
بیاورد فرزانگان را پدر
✦
بدان تا شود نامور پر هنر
“His royal father gathered wise tutors for him, so that he might become famous and accomplished in skill.”
#9
همی‌داشت موبد مر او را نگاه
✦
شب و روز شادان به فرمان شاه
“The Mobad watched over him day and night, joyfully obeying the King's royal command.”
#10
چنان بد که یک روز موبد ز تخت
✦
بیامد به نزدیک آن نیک بخت
“It so happened that one day the Mobad stepped down from his throne and approached that fortunate youth.”
#11
چو آمد به نزدیک شیرویه باز
✦
همیشه به بازیش بودی نیاز
“When he drew near Shiruye, he found the prince ever inclined toward strange games and play.”
#12
یکی دفتری دید پیش اندرش
✦
نوشته کلیله بران دفترش
“He saw a manuscript open before him, upon which was written the text of Kalila.”
#13
بدست چپ آن جوان سترگ
✦
بریده یکی خشک چنگال گرگ
“In the left hand of that formidable youth was held a dried claw of a wolf.”
#14
سروی سر گاومیشی براست
✦
همی این بران بر زدی چونک خواست
“And in his right hand he held a wild buffalo's horn, which he kept striking against the claw whenever he pleased.”
#15
غمی شد دل موبد از کاراوی
✦
ز بازی و بیهوده کردار اوی
“The Mobad's heart grew heavy with sorrow at his behavior, at his childish games and foolish actions.”
#16
به فالش بد آمد هم آن چنگ گرگ
✦
شخ گاو و رای جوان سترگ
“He saw a dark omen in the wolf's claw, the buffalo horn, and the proud temper of that massive youth.”
#17
ز کار زمانه غمی گشت سخت
✦
ازان برمنش کودک شور بخت
“Deeply troubled became his soul over time's turn regarding this ill-omened, rebellious child,”
#18
کجا طالع زادنش دیده بود
✦
ز دستور وگنجور بشنیده بود
“Whose birth-horoscope he had seen and heard recounted by the high minister and treasurer.”
#19
سوی موبد موبد آمد بگفت
✦
که بازیست باآن گرانمایه جفت
“He went to the Mobad of Mobads and recounted how the noble youth played with those sinister objects.”
#20
بشد زود موبد بگفت آن به شاه
✦
همی‌داشت خسرو مر او را نگاه
“The Mobad hurried to report the matter to the King, who had been keeping close watch over his son.”
#21
ز فرزند رنگ رخش زرد شد
✦
ز کار زمانه پراز درد شد
“The King's face turned pale out of sorrow for his child, and his soul was filled with pain over time's decrees.”
#22
ز گفتار مرد ستاره شمر
✦
دلش بود پر درد و پیچان جگر
“Recalling the words of the astrologer, his heart burned with anguish and his liver twisted in agony.”
#23
همی‌گفت تا کردگار سپهر
✦
چگونه نماید بدین کرده چهر
“He kept pondering how the Creator of the Heavens would reveal the face of destiny thus foretold.”
#24
چو بر پادشاهیش بیست وسه سال
✦
گذر کرد شیرویه بفراخت یال
“When twenty-three years of his reign had passed, Shiruye grew into full vigor and immense strength.”
#25
بیازرد زو شهریار بزرگ
✦
که کودک جوان بود و گشته سترگ
“The great Monarch grew troubled and offended by him, seeing the child had grown into a formidable man.”
#26
پر از درد شد جان خندان اوی
✦
وز ایوان او کرد زندان اوی
“Sorrow filled his once-cheerful soul, and he turned his royal palace into a prison for Shiruye.”
#27
هم آن را که پیوستهٔ اوبدند
✦
گه رای جستن براو شدند
“Likewise, all those who were closely bound to Shiruye and had joined him in counsel,”
#28
بسی دیگر از مهتر و کهتران
✦
که بودند با او ببندگران
“And many others, both noble and humble, who shared his cause, were cast into heavy chains.”
#29
همی‌برگرفتند زیشان شمار
✦
که پرسه فزون آمد از سه هزار
“When they tallied their numbers, they found the prisoners to exceed three thousand souls.”
#30
همه کاخها رایک اندر دگر
✦
برید آنک بد شاه را کارگر
“The King ordered his master builders to wall together all the adjacent palaces into one fortress.”
#31
ز پوشیدنیها و از خوردنی
✦
ز بخشیدنی هم ز گستردنی
“From fine apparel to royal delicacies, from gifts of honor to luxurious carpets and bedding,”
#32
به ایوانهاشان بیاراستند
✦
پرستنده و بندگان خواستند
“They adorned those palaces for them, providing an abundance of attendants and servants.”
#33
همان می‌فرستاد و رامشگران
✦
همه کاخ دینار بد بی‌کران
“Musicians were constantly sent to them, and limitless gold and dinars filled the palace compound.”
#34
به هنگامشان رامش و خورد بود
✦
نگهبان ایشان چهل مرد بود
“They enjoyed perpetual feasting and music at all hours, while forty guards stood watch over them.”