#1
همی هر زمان شاه برتر گذشت
✦
چوشد سال شاهیش بر بیست و هشت
“As every moment the King's glory rose higher, his reign reached its twenty-eighth year.”
#2
کسی را نشد بر درش کار بد
✦
ز درگاه آگاه شد باربد
“No person met with injustice at his court; and thus Barbad learned of his radiant threshold.”
#3
بدو گفت هر کس که شاه جهان
✦
گزیده‌ست رامشگری در نهان
“They told him, 'The King of the World has chosen a master musician in secret.”
#4
اگر با تو او را برابر کند
✦
تو را بر سر سرکش افسر کند
“If he finds you equal to him, he will place the crown of supremacy upon your head over Sarkash.'”
#5
چو بشنید مرد آن بجوشیدش آز
✦
وگرچه نبودش به چیزی نیاز
“When the young man heard this, ambition surged within his heart, though he lacked for nothing.”
#6
ز کشور بشد تا به درگاه شاه
✦
همی‌کرد رامشگران را نگاه
“He traveled from his province unto the royal court, carefully observing the court musicians.”
#7
چوبشنید سرکش دلش تیره شد
✦
به زخم سرود اندرو خیره شد
“When Sarkash heard of his arrival, his heart darkened, and he was alarmed by his rhythmic skill.”
#8
بیامد به درگاه سالار بار
✦
درم کرد و دینار چندی نثار
“Sarkash approached the chief usher of the court and scattered many silver dirhams and gold dinars as bribes.”
#9
بدو گفت رامشگری بر درست
✦
که از من به سال و هنربرترست
“He said to him, 'There is a minstrel at the gate who surpasses me in age and artistic skill.”
#10
نباید که در پیش خسرو شود
✦
که ما کهنه گشتیم و او نو شود
“He must not appear before Khosrow, lest we become obsolete and he be made supreme.'”
#11
ز سرکش چو بشنید دربان شاه
✦
ز رامشگر ساده بربست راه
“Having heard Sarkash, the royal doorkeeper barred the path against the innocent minstrel.”
#12
چو رفتی به نزدیک او باربد
✦
همش کار بد بود و هم بار بد
“Whenever Barbad sought an audience, he met only with evil fortune and a harsh reception.”
#13
ندادی ورا بار سالار بار
✦
نه نیزش بدی مردمی خواستار
“The master of the hall granted him no entry, nor did anyone show him friendship.”
#14
چو نومید برگشت زان بارگاه
✦
ابا بربط آمد سوی باغ شاه
“When he returned hopeless from that court, he went with his lute toward the King's garden.”
#15
کجا باغبان بود مردوی نام
✦
شد از دیدنش باربد شادکام
“The gardener there was a man named Mardoy; at seeing him, Barbad's heart grew filled with hope.”
#16
بدان باغ رفتی به نوروز شاه
✦
دو هفته ببودی بدان جشنگاه
“The King would visit that garden during Nowruz, staying two full weeks at that place of feast.”
#17
سبک باربد نزد مردوی شد
✦
هم آن روز با مرد همبوی شد
“Swiftly Barbad approached Mardoy, and on that very day became one in spirit with him.”
#18
چنین گفت با باغبان باربد
✦
که گویی تو جانی و من کالبد
“Thus spoke Barbad to the gardener: 'You are like the soul and I am like the body.”
#19
کنون آرزو خواهم از تو یکی
✦
کجاهست نزدیک تو اندکی
“Now I have one modest wish from you, which is easily within your power.”
#20
چو آید بدین باغ شاه جهان
✦
مرا راه ده تاببینم نهان
“When the King of the World comes to this garden, give me passage so I may secretly watch him,”
#21
که تاچون بود شاه را جشنگاه
✦
ببینم نهفته یکی روی شاه
“So that I may behold how the King's banquet is arranged, seeing his royal face in secret.'”
#22
بدو گفت مردوی کایدون کنم
✦
ز مغز تو اندیشه بیرون کنم
“Mardoy replied to him, 'I shall do so, and lift all sorrow from your mind.'”
#23
چو خسرو همی‌خواست کاید بباغ
✦
دل میزبان شد چو روشن چراغ
“When Khosrow desired to come to the garden, the heart of the host turned bright as a lamp.”
#24
بر باربد شد بگفت آنک شاه
✦
همی‌رفت خواهد بران جشنگاه
“He went to Barbad and told him that the King was about to enter the banquet grounds.”
#25
همه جامه را باربد سبز کرد
✦
همان بربط و رود ننگ و نبرد
“Barbad dyed all his garments green, and likewise covered his stringed lute of song and strife.”
#26
بشد تابجایی که خسرو شدی
✦
بهاران نشستن گهی نو شدی
“He went to the place where Khosrow was to rest, where the springtime abode was prepared anew.”
#27
یکی سرو بد سبز و برگش گشن
✦
ورا شاخ چون رزمگاه پشن
“There stood a green cypress tree with lush foliage, its boughs wide as the battlefield of Pashan.”
#28
بران سرو شد بربط اندر کنار
✦
زمانی همی‌بود تا شهریار
“He climbed that cypress tree with lute in arm, waiting for a time until the King arrived.”
#29
ز ایوان بیامد بدان جشنگاه
✦
بیاراست پیروزگر جای شاه
“The victorious King emerged from the palace into the feast-place, decorating the royal seat.”
#30
بیامد پری چهرهٔ میگسار
✦
یکی جام بر کف بر شهریار
“A fairy-faced cupbearer drew near, holding a goblet for the Monarch.”
#31
جهاندار بستد ز کودک نبید
✦
بلور از می سرخ شد ناپدید
“The Master of the World took the wine from the youth; the crystal cup vanished beneath the red wine.”
#32
بدانگه که خورشید برگشت زرد
✦
همی‌بود تاگشت شب لاژورد
“As the sun turned yellow and twilight faded into lapis lazuli, the feast continued.”
#33
زننده بران سرو برداشت رود
✦
همان ساخته پهلوانی سرود
“The player atop that cypress struck his lute, composing a song in noble Pahlavi strain.”
#34
یکی نغز دستان بزد بر درخت
✦
کزان خیره شد مرد بیداربخت
“He played a sweet air upon the tree that left the fortunate King spellbound in astonishment.”
#35
سرودی به آواز خوش برکشید
✦
که اکنون تو خوانیش داد آفرید
“He sang a melody in a voice so wondrous, which today is called Dad-Afarid.”
#36
بماندند یک مجلس اندر شگفت
✦
همی هرکسی رای دیگر گرفت
“All at the banquet were left in utter wonder; each expressed a different opinion.”
#37
بدان نامداران بفرمود شاه
✦
که جویند سرتاسر آن جشنگاه
“The King commanded his nobles to search the banquet grounds from end to end.”
#38
فراوان بجستند و باز آمدند
✦
به نزدیک خسرو فراز آمدند
“They searched everywhere and returned, coming before Khosrow to report.”
#39
جهاندیده آنگه ره اندر گرفت
✦
که از بخت شاه این نباشد شگفت
“An experienced elder then remarked, 'From the fortune of the King, this is no marvel—”
#40
که گردد گل سبز رامشگرش
✦
که جاوید بادا سر و افسرش
“That even the green rose tree has become his minstrel! May his head and crown endure forever!'”
#41
بیاورد جامی دگر میگسار
✦
چو از خوب رخ بستد آن شهریار
“The cupbearer brought another goblet of wine, and as the King took it from the fair-faced youth,”
#42
زننده دگرگون بیاراست رود
✦
برآورد ناگاه دیگر سرود
“The minstrel altered his lute's tune, suddenly bursting into another melody,”
#43
که پیکار گردش همی‌خواندند
✦
چنین نام ز آواز او راندند
“Which they named Peykar-e Gerd; by such a title was it known from his song.”
#44
چو آن دانشی گفت و خسرو شنید
✦
به آواز او جام می در کشید
“When that wise song was sung and Khosrow heard it, he drank the goblet of wine to its sweet melody.”
#45
بفرمود کاین رابجای آورید
✦
همه باغ یک سر به پای آورید
“He commanded: 'Find the source of this music! Search every inch of this garden!'”
#46
بجستند بسیار هر سوی باغ
✦
ببردند زیر درختان چراغ
“They searched everywhere throughout the garden, carrying lanterns beneath the trees.”
#47
ندیدند چیزی جز از بید و سرو
✦
خرامان به زیر گل اندر تذرو
“They saw nothing but willow and cypress, and pheasants strutting gracefully beneath the blossoms.”
#48
شهنشاه پس جام دیگر بخواست
✦
بر آواز سربرآورد راست
“The Shahanshah then called for another goblet of wine, and at his command, Barbad sang the melody of Rast.”
#49
برآمد دگر باره بانگ سرود
✦
همان ساخته کرده آواز رود
“Once more the sound of song arose, tuned in perfect harmony with the voice of the lute.”
#50
همی سبز در سبز خوانی کنون
✦
برین گونه سازند مکر و فسون
“"Now you play 'Sabz dar Sabz'," he said; "in this manner do they weave enchantment and magic!"”
#51
چوبشنید پرویز برپای خاست
✦
به آواز او بر یکی جام خواست
“When Parviz heard the song, he rose to his feet and called for a goblet to toast the singer.”
#52
که بود اندر آن جام یک من نبید
✦
به یکدم می روشن اندر کشید
“In that goblet was a whole measure of wine, which he drained in a single draft of bright liquor.”
#53
چنین گفت کاین گر فرشته بدی
✦
ز مشک و زعنبر سرشته بدی
“He said, "If this singer be an angel, he must be fashioned of musk and ambergris;”
#54
وگر دیو بودی نگفتی سرود
✦
همان نیز نشناختی زخم رود
“And were he a demon, he could not sing such song, nor master the delicate touch upon the strings.”
#55
بجویید درباغ تا این کجاست
✦
همه باغ و گلشن چپ و دست راست
“Search throughout the garden to find where he hides—left and right, every corner of the rose bower!”
#56
دهان و برش پر ز گوهر کنم
✦
برین رود سازانش مهتر کنم
“I shall fill his mouth and chest with gems, and exalt him above all other musicians!"”
#57
چو بشنید رامشگر آواز اوی
✦
همان خوب گفتار دمساز اوی
“When the minstrel heard the King’s voice and his gracious, harmonizing praise,”
#58
فرود آمد از شاخ سرو سهی
✦
همی‌رفت با رامش و فرهی
“He descended from the branch of the tall cypress tree, walking forward with joy and splendor.”
#59
بیامد بمالید برخاک روی
✦
بدو گفت خسرو چه مردی بگوی
“He approached and pressed his face to the dust; Khosrow asked him, "Speak, who are you?"”
#60
بدو گفت شاهایکی بنده‌ام
✦
به آواز تو در جهان زنده‌ام
“He replied, "O King, I am your humble servant; I live in this world only by the sound of your glory."”
#61
سراسر بگفت آنچ بود از بنه
✦
که رفت اندر آن یک دل و یک تنه
“He recounted the whole story from the beginning, explaining all that he had endured alone.”
#62
بدیدار او شاد شد شهریار
✦
بسان گلستان به ماه بهار
“The King was overjoyed at seeing him, blossoming like a rose garden in the month of spring.”
#63
به سرکش چنین گفت کای بد هنر
✦
تو چون حنظلی باربد چون شکر
“Then he turned to Sarkash and said, "O untalented man! You are like bitter colocynth, while Barbad is pure sugar!”
#64
چرا دور کردی تو او را ز من
✦
دریغ آمدت او درین انجمن
“Why did you keep him away from me? Did you begrudge his presence in this assembly?"”
#65
به آواز او شاد می درکشید
✦
همان جام یاقوت بر سرکشید
“Rejoicing in Barbad's song, the King drank wine and raised high the ruby goblet.”
#66
برین گونه تا سرسوی خواب کرد
✦
دهانش پر از در خوشاب کرد
“In this manner, until he laid his head down to sleep, he filled Barbad’s mouth with lustrous pearls.”
#67
ببد باربد شاه رامشگران
✦
یکی نامدارای شد از مهتران
“Thus Barbad became the king of all minstrels, renowned and exalted among the great nobles.”
#68
سر آمد کنون قصهٔ باربد
✦
مبادا که باشد تو را یار بد
“Now ends the tale of Barbad; may you never be cursed with an evil companion!”