#1
کنون داستان گوی در داستان
✦
ازان یک دل ویک زبان راستان
“Now tell a story within a story, passed down by the truthful, united in heart and tongue.”
#2
ز تختی که خوانی ورا طاق دیس
✦
که بنهاد پرویز دراسپریس
“Of the throne known as Taqdis, which Khosrow Parviz set up in his grand arena.”
#3
سرمایهٔ آن ز ضحاک بود
✦
که ناپارسا بود و ناپاک بود
“Its original wealth and foundation traced back to Zahhak, who was unrighteous and impure.”
#4
بگاهی که رفت آفریدون گرد
✦
وزان تازیان نام مردی ببرد
“When the valiant Fereydun arose and took away the reputation of chivalry from those Arabs.”
#5
یکی مرد بد در دماوند کوه
✦
که شاهش جدا داشتی ازگروه
“There was a man upon Mount Damavand, whom the king kept apart from the common fold.”
#6
کجا جهن برزین بدی نام اوی
✦
رسیده بهر کشوری کام اوی
“His name was Jahan Barzin, a master whose fame and desire had reached every realm.”
#7
یکی نامور شاه را تخت ساخت
✦
گهر گرد بر گرد او در نشاخت
“He crafted a throne fit for a renowned king, encrusting fine jewels all around its frame.”
#8
که شاه آفریدون بدوشاد بود
✦
که آن تخت پرمایه آزاد بود
“King Fereydun rejoiced in his work, for that magnificent throne was noble and matchless.”
#9
درم داد مر جهن را سی‌هزار
✦
یکی تاج زرین و دو گوشوار
“He granted Jahan Barzin thirty thousand coins of silver, a golden crown, and two precious earrings.”
#10
همان عهد ساری و آمل نوشت
✦
که بد مرز منشور او چون بهشت
“He also bestowed upon him the charter for Sari and Amol, whose fertile lands were like paradise.”
#11
بدانگه که ایران به ایرج رسید
✦
کزان نامداران وی آمد پدید
“When the realm of Iran fell to Iraj, who shone brightest among all the noble princes.”
#12
جهاندار شاه آفریدون سه چیز
✦
بران پادشاهی برافزود نیز
“King Fereydun, the ruler of the world, added three precious treasures to that realm.”
#13
یکی تخت و آن گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
که ماندست زو در جهان یادگار
“First, that throne; second, the bull-headed mace that remained his everlasting legacy in the world.”
#14
سدیگر کجا هفت چشمه گهر
✦
همی‌خواندی نام او دادگر
“And third, the seven-fountained gem, which the Just King himself had named.”
#15
چو ایرج بشد زو بماند این سه چیز
✦
همان شاد بد زو منوچهر نیز
“When Iraj passed away, these three artifacts remained, and King Manuchehr delighted in them too.”
#16
هر آنکس که او تاج شاهی بسود
✦
بران تخت چیزی همی‌برفزود
“Whosoever thereafter touched the royal crown added something magnificent to that throne.”
#17
چو آمد به کیخسرو نیک بخت
✦
فراوان بیفزود بالای تخت
“When it came to the fortunate Kay Khosrow, he increased the height and grandeur of the throne greatly.”
#18
برین هم نشان تا به لهراسپ شد
✦
وزو همچنان تا به گشتاسپ شد
“In this manner it passed to King Lohrasp, and from him likewise to King Goshtasp.”
#19
چو گشتاسپ آن تخت رادید گفت
✦
که کار بزرگان نشاید نهفت
“When Goshtasp beheld the throne, he said: 'The deeds of the great must not remain concealed.'”
#20
به جاماسپ گفت ای گرانمایه مرد
✦
فزونی چه داری به دین کارکرد
“He spoke to Jamasp: 'O noble sage, what addition can you devise for this masterpiece?'”
#21
یکایک ببین تا چه خواهی فزود
✦
پس از مرگ ما راکه خواهد ستود
“'Look closely and see what you will add, so that after our death, who shall praise our name?'”
#22
چو جا ماسپ آن تخت رابنگرید
✦
بدید از در گنج دانش کلید
“When Jamasp gazed upon the throne, he found the key to the treasure-house of wisdom.”
#23
برو بر شمار سپهر بلند
✦
همی‌کرد پیدا چه و چون وچند
“Upon it he calculated the workings of the high heavens, revealing their nature, quality, and measure.”
#24
ز کیوان همه نقشها تا به ماه
✦
بران تخت کرد او به فرمان شاه
“From Saturn down to the Moon, he engraved all celestial designs upon the throne by the king’s command.”
#25
چنین تابگاه سکندر رسید
✦
ز شاهان هر آنکس که آن گاه دید
“Thus it remained until the era of Alexander arrived, while every king who saw the throne...”
#26
همی‌برفزودی برو چند چیز
✦
ز زر و ز سیم و ز عاج و ز شیز
“...added several treasures to it, of gold, silver, ivory, and ebony.”
#27
مر آن را سکندر همه پاره کرد
✦
ز بی دانشی کار یکباره کرد
“But Alexander smashed it all to pieces; through foolishness, he destroyed the work completely.”
#28
بسی از بزرگان نهان داشتند
✦
همی دست بر دست بگذاشتند
“Many nobles hid its fragmented secrets, waiting helplessly with folded hands.”
#29
بدین گونه بد تا سر اردشیر
✦
کجا گشته بد نام آن تخت پیر
“Thus it remained until the reign of Ardashir, when the memory of that ancient throne had grown old.”
#30
ازان تخت جایی نشانی نیافت
✦
بران آرزو سوی دیگر شتاف
“He found no trace of that throne anywhere, and so turned his desires elsewhere.”
#31
بمرد او و آن تخت ازو بازماند
✦
ازان پس که کام بزرگی براند
“He passed away, leaving the legacy of the throne behind, after fulfilling his noble reign.”
#32
بدین گونه بد تا به پرویزشاه
✦
رسید آن گرامی سزاوار گاه
“So it continued until King Khosrow Parviz ascended, who truly deserved that sacred throne.”
#33
ز هر کشوری مهتران رابخواند
✦
وزان تخت چندی سخنها براند
“He summoned the grandees from every realm and spoke at length about the lost throne.”
#34
ازیشان فراوان شکسته بیافت
✦
به شادی سوی گرد کردن شتافت
“He gathered many broken pieces and designs from them, eagerly seeking to assemble them all.”
#35
بیاورد پس تخت شاه اردشیر
✦
ز ایران هر آنکس که بد تیزویر
“Then he brought forth the throne of King Ardashir, summoning every sharp-witted artisan in Iran.”
#36
بهم بر زدند آن سزاوار تخت
✦
به هنگام آن شاه پیروزبخت
“They dismantled and redesigned that majestic throne during the reign of that victorious king.”
#37
ورا درگر آمد ز روم و ز چین
✦
ز مکران و بغداد و ایران زمین
“Master carpenters arrived from Rome, China, Makran, Baghdad, and the land of Iran.”
#38
هزار و صد و بیست استاد بود
✦
که کردار آن تختشان یادبود
“Eleven hundred and twenty master craftspeople assembled, who still remembered the lore of that throne...”
#39
که او را بنا شاه گشتاسپ کرد
✦
برای و به تدبیر جاماسپ کرد
“...which King Goshtasp had built, guided by the wisdom and counsel of Jamasp.”
#40
ابا هریکی مرد شاگرد سی
✦
ز رومی و بغدادی و پارسی
“Each master was joined by thirty apprentices—Romans, Baghdadis, and Persians alike.”
#41
نفرمود تا یک زمان دم زدند
✦
بدو سال تا تخت برهم زدند
“He allowed them no rest, and in two full years they constructed the vast throne.”
#42
چوبر پای کردند تخت بلند
✦
درخشنده شد روی بخت بلند
“When they erected that towering throne, the face of his exalted fortune shone bright.”
#43
برش بود بالای صد شاه رش
✦
چو هفتاد رش برنهی ازبرش
“Its height measured one hundred royal cubits, with another seventy cubits added above it.”
#44
صد و بیست رش نیز پهناش بود
✦
که پهناش کمتر ز بالاش بود
“Its breadth was one hundred and twenty cubits, though its width was less than its towering height.”
#45
بلندیش پنجاه و صد شاه رش
✦
چنان بد که بر ابر سودی سرش
“Its total height reached one hundred and fifty royal cubits, as though its apex touched the clouds.”
#46
همان شاه رش هر رشی زو سه رش
✦
کزان سر بدیدی بن کشورش
“Likewise was the royal cubit, each equaling three standard cubits, from whose height one could survey the realm from end to end.”
#47
بسی روز در ماه هر بامداد
✦
یکی فرش بودی به دیگر نهاد
“On many a morning throughout the month, a carpet of a new design and pattern would be laid upon it.”
#48
همان تخت به دوازده لخت بود
✦
جهانی سراسر همه تخت بود
“That throne was divided into twelve sections; indeed, the entire world seemed embodied within that single seat.”
#49
برو بش زرین صد و چل هزار
✦
ز پیروزه بر زر کرده نگار
“Upon it were set one hundred and forty thousand golden nails, inlaid with precious turquoise set in gold.”
#50
همه نقرهٔ خام بد میخ بش
✦
یکی صد به مثقال با شست و شش
“All the secondary studs were of pure silver, each weighing one hundred and sixty-six mithqals.”
#51
چو اندر بره خور نهادی چراغ
✦
پسش دشت بودی و در پیش باغ
“When the sun lit its lamp in the sign of Aries, the plain lay behind the throne and the garden stretched before it.”
#52
چوخورشید درشیرگشتی درشت
✦
مرآن تخت را سوی او بود پشت
“When the blazing sun entered the sign of Leo, the throne turned its back toward it to escape the heat.”
#53
چو هنگامهٔ تیر ماه آمدی
✦
گه میوه و جشنگاه آمدی
“When the autumn season arrived, bringing the time of harvest fruits and festive banquets,”
#54
سوی میوه و باغ بودیش روی
✦
بدان تا بیابد زهرمیوه بوی
“Its face was turned toward the fruit-laden orchard, so that the king might catch the scent of every fruit.”
#55
زمستان که بودی گه باد و نم
✦
بر آن تخت برکس نبودی دژم
“In wintertime, when wind and dampness prevailed, no one seated upon that throne ever felt sorrow or chill.”
#56
همه طاقها بود بسته ازار
✦
ز خز و سمور از در شهریار
“All its arches were hung with curtains of rich silk and marten furs fit for a sovereign lord.”
#57
همان گوی زرین و سیمین هزار
✦
بر آتش همی‌تافتی جامه‌دار
“A thousand golden and silver globes were continually heated over fire by the master of the wardrobe.”
#58
به مثقال ازان هریکی پانصد
✦
کز آتش شدی سرخ همچون بسد
“Each weighed five hundred mithqals, glowing ruby-red like coral from the heat of the flames.”
#59
یکی نیمه زو اندر آتش بدی
✦
دگر پیش گردان سرکش بدی
“One half remained within the burning fire, while the other sat before the proud and valiant heroes.”
#60
شمار ستاره ده و دو و هفت
✦
همان ماه تابان ببرجی که رفت
“Depicted upon it were the twelve signs, the seven planets, and the glowing moon in each mansion it traversed.”
#61
چه زو ایستاده چه مانده بجا
✦
بدیدی به چشم سر اخترگرا
“An astrologer could plainly observe with his own eyes which stars were rising and which held their place.”
#62
ز شب نیز دیدی که چندی گذشت
✦
سپهر از بر خاک بر چند گشت
“One could also discern how much of the night had elapsed, and how far the heavens had revolved above the earth.”
#63
ازان تختها چند زرین بدی
✦
چه مایه ز زر گوهر آگین بدی
“Among those seats, so many were made of gold, and countless were set with jewels upon gold.”
#64
شمارش ندانست کردن کسی
✦
اگر چند بودیش دانش بسی
“No one could reckon their total number or worth, however great their wisdom and learning.”
#65
هرآن گوهری کش بهاخوار بود
✦
کمابیش هفتاد دینار بود
“Even the cheapest gem among them was worth around seventy gold dinars.”
#66
بسی نیز بگذشت بر هفتصد
✦
همی‌گیر زین گونه از نیک و بد
“Many others far exceeded seven hundred; reckon thus the measure of all its treasures, great and small.”
#67
بسی سرخ گوگرد بد کش بها
✦
ندانست کس مایه و منتها
“Abundant red sulfur was used, whose true worth and extent no man could measure.”
#68
که روشن بدی در شب تیره چهر
✦
چوناهید رخشان شدی بر سپهر
“For it shone bright in the dark face of night, gleaming like Venus radiant in the sky.”
#69
دو تخت از بر تخت پرمایه بود
✦
ز گوهر بسی مایه بر مایه بود
“Above that main throne stood two exalted seats, lavishly encrusted with wealth upon wealth of gems.”
#70
کهین تخت را نام بد میش سار
✦
سر میش بودی برو بر نگار
“The lesser seat was named 'Mish-Sar' (Ram-Headed), fashioned with the head of a ram carved upon it.”
#71
مهین تخت راخواندی لاژورد
✦
که هرگز نبودی برو باد و گرد
“The greater seat was called 'Lajevard' (Lapis Lazuli), upon which no wind or dust ever fell.”
#72
سه دیگر سراسر ز پیروزه بود
✦
بدو هر که دیدیش دلسوزه بود
“The third was fashioned entirely of turquoise, inspiring warm desire in all who beheld it.”
#73
ازین تا بدان پایه بودی چهار
✦
همه پایه زرین و گوهرنگار
“From one level to the next were four steps, all crafted of gold and encrusted with brilliant jewels.”
#74
هرآنکس که دهقان بد و زیردست
✦
ورا میش سر بود جای نشست
“Whoever was a landowner noble or subject took his place upon the Mish-Sar seat.”
#75
سواران ناباک روز نبرد
✦
شدندی بران گنبد لاژورد
“The fearless warriors of the day of battle ascended unto the Lazuli dome.”
#76
به پیروزه بر جای دستور بود
✦
که از کدخداییش رنجور بود
“Upon the turquoise seat was the place of the chief minister, burdened with the heavy labors of statecraft.”
#77
چو بر تخت پیروزه بودی نشست
✦
خردمند بودی و مهترپرست
“When seated upon the turquoise throne, he was wise, prudent, and deeply reverent toward the king.”
#78
چو رفتی به دستوری رهنمای
✦
مگر یافتی نزد پرویز جای
“Only through the guidance of that minister could one find an audience near King Parviz.”
#79
یکی جامه افکنده بد زربفت
✦
برش بود وبالاش پنجاه و هفت
“A gold-brocaded cloth was spread over it, measuring fifty-seven cubits in both width and length.”
#80
بگوهر همه ریشه‌ها بافته
✦
زبر شوشهٔ زر برو تافته
“All its fringes were woven with gems, and threads of refined gold were intertwined across its surface.”
#81
بدو کرده پیدانشان سپهر
✦
چو بهرام و کیوان و چون ماه و مهر
“Upon it were depicted the signs of the heavens, such as Mars, Saturn, the Moon, and the Sun.”
#82
ز کیوان و تیر و ز گردنده ماه
✦
پدیدار کرده ز هر دستگاه
“The positions of Saturn, Mercury, and the orbiting Moon were revealed in all their celestial order.”
#83
هم از هفت کشور برو بر نشان
✦
ز دهقان و از رزم گردنکشان
“Likewise, it bore the images of the seven climes, of noble lords, and of the battles of proud warriors.”
#84
برو بر نشان چل و هشت شاه
✦
پدیدار کرده سر تاج و گاه
“Upon it were woven forty-eight kings, showcasing their royal crowns and thrones in full splendor.”
#85
برو بافته تاج شاهنشهان
✦
چنان جامه هرگز نبد درجهان
“Woven with the crowns of emperors, such a marvelous garment had never before been seen in the world.”
#86
به چین دریکی مرد بد بی‌همال
✦
همی‌بافت آن جامه راهفت سال
“In China, a peerless artisan had spent seven long years weaving that singular robe.”
#87
سرسال نو هرمز فرودین
✦
بیامد بر شاه ایران زمین
“At the turn of the New Year, on the day of Hormoz in Farvardin, he arrived before the King of Iran.”
#88
ببرد آن کیی فرش نزدیک شاه
✦
گران مایگان برگرفتند راه
“He presented that royal carpet to the sovereign, as the noble magnates gathered at the court.”
#89
بگسترد روز نو آن جامه را
✦
ز شادی جداکرد خودکامه را
“On New Year's Day they spread out that tapestry, freeing the heart of the triumphant monarch with joy.”
#90
بران جامه بر مجلس آراستند
✦
نوازندهٔ رود و می خواستند
“Upon that carpet they arranged the royal banquet, calling for lute players and fine wine.”
#91
همی آفرین خواند سرکش به رود
✦
شهنشاه را داد چندی درود
“Sarkash struck praises upon his lute, offering endless blessings and praises to the King of Kings.”
#92
بزرگان برو گوهر افشاندند
✦
که فرش بزرگش همی‌خواندند
“The nobles scattered jewels over it, naming that masterpiece 'The Great Carpet'.”