#1
از ایوان خسرو کنون داستان
✦
بگویم که پیش آمد از راستان
“I shall now relate the tale of Khosrow's grand Arch, as it was passed down by truthful men of old.”
#2
جهان بر کهان و مهان بگذرد
✦
خردمند مردم چرا غم خورد
“This world passes away for both the humble and the great; why then should a wise man harbor sorrow?”
#3
بسی مهتر و کهتر از من گذشت
✦
نخواهم من از خواب بیدار گشت
“So many greater and lesser than I have passed away; I do not wish to awaken from my quiet sleep.”
#4
همانا که شد سال بر شست و شش
✦
نه نیکو بود مردم پیرکش
“Indeed, my years have now reached sixty-six; it is not fitting for the world to crush an old man.”
#5
چو این نامور نامه آید به بن
✦
ز من روی کشور شود پر سخن
“When this renowned book reaches its completion, the entire realm shall resound with my words.”
#6
از آن پس نمیرم که من زنده‌ام
✦
که تخم سخن من پراگنده‌ام
“Thenceforth I shall not die, for I remain alive, having scattered the eternal seeds of speech.”
#7
هر آن کس که دارد هش و رای و دین
✦
پس از مرگ بر من کند آفرین
“Whoever possesses wisdom, sound judgment, and faith shall send blessings upon me after my death.”
#8
کنون از مداین سخن نو کنم
✦
صفت‌های ایوان خسرو کنم
“Now I renew the tale of Ctesiphon and describe the glorious features of Khosrow's palace arch.”
#9
چنین گفت روشن‌دل پارسی
✦
که بگذاشت با کام دل چارسی
“Thus spoke an enlightened Persian sage who lived his life in contentment for forty years:”
#10
که خسرو فرستاد کسها به روم
✦
به هند و به چین و به آباد بوم
“Khosrow dispatched envoys to Rome, India, China, and all prosperous lands across the world.”
#11
برفتند کاری گران سه هزار
✦
ز هر کشوری آنک بد نامدار
“Three thousand master craftsmen gathered, the most renowned artisans from every nation.”
#12
از ایشان هر آن کس که استاد بود
✦
ز خشت و ز گچ بر دلش یاد بود
“Among them were master builders who carried the lore of brick and plaster deep within their hearts.”
#13
چو صد مرد بیرون شد از رومیان
✦
ز ایران و اهواز وز هر میان
“One hundred master architects were chosen out of the Romans, Persians, and men of Ahvaz.”
#14
از ایشان دلاور گزیدند سی
✦
از آن سی دو رومی و دو پارسی
“From those hundred, thirty master craftsmen were selected, and from those thirty, two Romans and two Persians stood paramount.”
#15
بر خسرو آمد جهاندیده مرد
✦
بر او کار و زخم بنا یاد کرد
“An experienced master architect came before King Khosrow and explained the intricate masonry required for the structure.”
#16
گرانمایه رومی که بد هندسی
✦
به گفتار بگذشت از پارسی
“A noble Roman, who was a master geometrician, surpassed the Persian architects in his eloquence and skill.”
#17
بدو گفت شاه این ز من در پذیر
✦
سخن هرچ گویم ز من یاد گیر
“The King said to him, "Accept my command and remember every word I say to you."”
#18
یکی جای خواهم که فرزند من
✦
همان تا دو صدسال پیوند من
“"I desire a royal palace that shall endure for my children and my lineage for two hundred years to come,"”
#19
نشیند بدو در نگردد خراب
✦
ز باران و از برف و از آفتاب
“"Where they may dwell without it ever falling to ruin from rain, snow, or the scorching sun."”
#20
مهندس پذیرفت ایوان شاه
✦
بدو گفت من دارم این دستگاه
“The master architect undertook the construction of the royal arch, declaring, "I possess the skill to craft such a palace."”
#21
فرو برد بنیاد ده شاه رش
✦
همان شاه رش پنج کرده برش
“He laid the foundations ten royal cubits deep into the earth and made the wall five royal cubits thick.”
#22
ز سنگ و ز گچ بود بنیاد کار
✦
چنین باید آن کو دهد داد کار
“The foundation was laid with stone and plaster, as behoves an artisan who truly fulfills his duty.”
#23
چو دیوار ایوانش آمد به جای
✦
بیامد به پیش جهان‌کد‌خدای
“When the main wall of the grand hall was raised, the architect came before the ruler of the world.”
#24
که گر شاه بیند یکی کاردان
✦
گذشته برو سال و بسیاردان
“He requested, "If the King deems it fit, let him appoint an experienced, wise inspector well-versed in the craft,"”
#25
فرستد تنی صد بدین بارگاه
✦
پسندیده با موبد نیک‌خواه
“"And dispatch a hundred approved witnesses together with a benevolent Mobad to inspect the structure."”
#26
بدو داد زان گونه مردم که خواست
✦
برفتند و دیدند دیوار راست
“The King granted him the men he requested; they went and verified that the walls stood perfectly straight and true.”
#27
بریشم بیاورد تا انجمن
✦
بتابند باریک تابی رسن
“The master brought silk so the assembly could twist a finely woven measuring cord.”
#28
ز بالای آن تابداده رسن
✦
به پیموده در پیش آن انجمن
“He measured the exact height of the wall with that tightly twisted cord before the assembled nobles.”
#29
رسن سوی گنج شهنشاه برد
✦
ابا مهر گنجور او را سپرد
“He then took the cord to the King’s treasury and entrusted it under the treasurer’s seal.”
#30
وزان پس بیامد به ایوان شاه
✦
که دیوار ایوان برآمد به ماه
“Thereupon he returned to King Khosrow and said, "The wall of the arch now reaches up toward the moon."”
#31
چو فرمان دهد خسرو زود یاب
✦
نگیرم برین کار کردن شتاب
“"If the quick-witted King commands it, I must not hasten the construction further at this stage."”
#32
چهل روز تا کار بنشیندم
✦
ز کاری گران شاه بگزیندم
“"Give me forty days for the structure to settle, so that the King may truly praise me above all craftsmen."”
#33
چو هنگامهٔ زخم ایوان بود
✦
بلندی ایوان چو کیوان بود
“"When the final vault is built, the height of this arch shall rival Saturn itself."”
#34
بدان زخم خشمت نباید نمود
✦
مرا نیز رنجی نباید فزود
“"You must not show anger at this delay, nor burden me with undue haste."”
#35
بدو گفت خسرو که چندین زمان
✦
چرا خواهی از من تو ای بدگمان
“Khosrow said to him, "Why do you demand such delay from me, O suspicious man?"”
#36
نباید که داری ازین دست باز
✦
به آزرم بودن بیامد نیاز
“"You must not halt the work now; haste is needed, not idle patience!"”
#37
بفرمود تا سی هزارش درم
✦
بدادند تا او نباشد دژم
“The King ordered thirty thousand dirhams to be given to him so that he would not feel disheartened.”
#38
بدانست کاری‌گر راست‌گوی
✦
که عیب آورد مرد دانا به‌روی
“The honest master builder realized that an intelligent man must never allow flaw or ruin to touch his work.”
#39
که گیرد بران زخم ایوان شتاب
✦
اگر بشکند کم کند نان و آب
“He knew that if he hastened the vaulting and it cracked, his life and livelihood would be ruined.”
#40
شب آمد بشد کارگر ناپدید
✦
چنان شد کزان پس کس او را ندید
“When night fell, the master architect vanished; he vanished so completely that no one could find him.”
#41
چو بشنید خسرو که فرعان گریخت
✦
به گوینده بر خشم فرعان بریخت
“When Khosrow heard that Far'an had fled, his fury erupted against the messenger who brought the news.”
#42
چنین گفت کان را که دانش نبود
✦
چرا پیش ما در فزونی نمود
“The King declared, "If he lacked wisdom, why did he boast of his great skill before us?"”
#43
بفرمود تا کار او بنگرند
✦
همه رومیان را به زندان برند
“He ordered his guards to investigate the matter and cast all Roman artisans into prison.”
#44
دگر گفت کاری گران آورید
✦
گچ و خشت و سنگ گران آورید
“Then he ordered, "Bring other master builders, bring plaster, brick, and heavy stone!"”
#45
بجستند هرکس که دیوار دید
✦
ز بوم و بر شاه شد ناپدید
“They searched for master builders, but whoever saw the giant wall fled and vanished from the King's realm.”
#46
به بیچارگی دست ازان بازداشت
✦
همی گوش و دل سوی اهواز داشت
“Out of sheer helplessness he stayed his hand from building, yet kept his ears and heart turned expectantly toward Ahvaz.”
#47
کزان شهر کاری گر آید کسی
✦
نماند چنان کار بی بر بسی
“For if any true master-craftsman should emerge from that city, such a grand undertaking would not long remain without fruit.”
#48
همی‌جست استاد آن تا سه سال
✦
ندیدند کاریگری بی‌همال
“For three years they sought after that master builder, yet no craftsman of equal peer could be found.”
#49
بسی یاد کردند زان کارجوی
✦
به سال چهارم پدید آمد اوی
“Much did they speak of that vanished artisan, until in the fourth year he finally reappeared.”
#50
یکی مرد بیدار با فرهی
✦
به خسرو رسانید زو آگهی
“A wise man of radiant glory brought news of his return to King Khosrow.”
#51
هم آنگاه رومی بیامد چو گرد
✦
بدو گفت شاه‌ای گنهکار مرد
“At once the Roman builder arrived swift as dust, and the King addressed him: "O sinful man!"”
#52
بگو تا چه بود اندرین پوزشت
✦
چه گفتی که پیش آمد آمُرزشت
“"Speak, what was your excuse in fleeing? What plea do you bring that might earn you royal pardon?"”
#53
چنین گفت رومی که گر شهریار
✦
فرستد مرا با یکی استوار
“The Roman replied, "If the sovereign will dispatch me alongside a trustworthy observer,"”
#54
بگویم بدان کاردان پوزشم
✦
به پوزش بجا آید افروزشم
“"I shall demonstrate my justification to that expert, and through my true excuse my honor shall be restored."”
#55
فرستاد و رفتند ز ایوان شاه
✦
گران مایه استاد با نیک خواه
“The King dispatched them, and they departed the royal hall—the noble master builder along with the loyal observer.”
#56
همی‌برد دانای رومی رسن
✦
همان مرد را نیز با خویشتن
“The wise Roman took a measuring cord with him, taking along that trustworthy witness as well.”
#57
بپیمود بالای کار و برش
✦
کم آمد ز کار از رسن هفت رش
“He measured the height and width of the structure; the masonry had settled by seven cubits beneath the mark of the rope.”
#58
رسن باز بردند نزدیک شاه
✦
بگفت آنک با او بیامد به راه
“They brought the measuring rope back before the King, and his companion recounted all he had seen along the way.”
#59
چنین گفت رومی که ار زخم کار
✦
برآوردَمی بر سر ای شهریار
“The Roman said, "O Sovereign, had I laid the weight of the roof and arches immediately upon the fresh wall,"”
#60
نه دیوار ماندی نه طاق ونه کار
✦
نه من ماندمی بر در شهریار
“"Neither wall, nor arch, nor edifice would remain, nor would I have survived alive at your royal court."”
#61
بدانست خسرو که او راست گفت
✦
کسی راستی را نیارد نهفت
“Khosrow understood that he spoke the truth, for none can long conceal the power of truth.”
#62
رها کرد هر کو به زندان بدند
✦
بداندیش گر بی‌گزندان بدند
“He ordered the release of all who were in prison, even ill-wishers if they had done no physical harm.”
#63
مر او را یکی بدره دینار داد
✦
به زندانیان چیز بسیار داد
“He bestowed a purse of gold dinars upon the master builder, and granted abundant gifts to the captive prisoners.”
#64
بران کار شد روزگار دراز
✦
به کردار آن شاه را بد نیاز
“A long stretch of time was spent upon that work, for the King was greatly devoted to its perfection.”
#65
چوشد هفت سال آمد ایوان بجای
✦
پسندیدهٔ خسرو پاک‌رای
“When seven years had passed, the grand palace stood completed, perfectly pleasing to pure-minded Khosrow.”
#66
مر او را بسی آب داد و زمین
✦
درم داد و دینار و کرد آفرین
“He granted him vast lands and water rights, bestowed dirhams and dinars, and showered him with praises.”
#67
همی‌کرد هرکس به ایوان نگاه
✦
به نوروز رفتی بدان جایگاه
“Everyone gazed in awe upon that hall, and on Nowruz the King would repair to that noble place.”
#68
کس اندر جهان زخم چونین ندید
✦
نه از کاردانان پیشین شنید
“None in the world had ever seen such magnificent craftsmanship, nor heard of its like from master builders of old.”
#69
یکی حلقه زرین بدی ریخته
✦
ازان چرخ کار اندر آویخته
“A ring of solid gold had been cast and suspended high from the dome of that vault.”
#70
فروهشته زو سرخ زنجیر زر
✦
به هر مهره‌ای در نشانده گهر
“Hanging down from it was a chain of red gold, with precious gems set within every single link.”
#71
چو رفتی شهنشاه بر تخت عاج
✦
بیاویختندی ز زنجیر تاج
“Whenever the Shahanshah ascended the ivory throne, they would suspend the royal crown from that chain above his head.”
#72
به نوروز چون برنشستی به تخت
✦
به نزدیک او موبد نیک بخت
“On Nowruz, when he took his seat upon the throne, the auspicious Chief Mobad sat closest to him.”
#73
فروتر ز موبد مهان را بدی
✦
بزرگان و روزی دهان را بدی
“Below the Mobad were seated the noble lords, the great magnates, and the high ministers of state.”
#74
به زیر مهان جای بازاریان
✦
بیاراستندی همه کاریان
“Beneath the nobles was the area for the merchants, while all skilled artisans arranged their ranks.”
#75
فرومایه‌تر جای درویش بود
✦
کجا خوردش از کوشش خویش بود
“The humblest place was reserved for the needy, whose livelihood came solely from their own physical toil.”
#76
فروتر بریده بسی دست و پای
✦
بسی کشته افگنده در زیرجای
“Further down were depicted those with hands and feet severed, and many slain cast beneath.”
#77
ز ایوان ازان پس خروش آمدی
✦
کز آوازها دل به جوش آمدی
“Thereafter a loud herald's call echoed through the palace, such that all hearts boiled with emotion at the sound:”
#78
که ای زیردستان شاه جهان
✦
مباشید تیره دل و بدگمان
“"O subjects of the King of the World! Be not dark-hearted nor filled with evil suspicion!"”
#79
هر آنکس که او سوی بالا نگاه
✦
کند گردد اندیشه او تباه
“"Whoever fixes his eyes in envy upon higher ranks, his wisdom and peace of mind shall surely go to ruin."”
#80
ز تخت کیان دورتر بنگرید
✦
هر آنکس که کهتر بود بشمرید
“"Look beyond the royal throne of the Kayanids, and take heed of those who are lower in status than yourselves."”
#81
وزان پس تن کشتگان را به راه
✦
کزان بگذری کرد باید نگاه
“And after that, care was taken for the bodies of the slain along the roads where one might pass.”
#82
وزان پس گنهگار و گر بیگناه
✦
نماندی کسی نیز دربند شاه
“Thereafter, whether guilty or innocent, no captive remained any longer in the King's bonds.”
#83
به ارزانیان جامه‌ها داد نیز
✦
ز دیبا و دینار و هرگونه چیز
“To those worthy of reward he granted garments of fine silk, along with dinars and gifts of every kind.”
#84
هرآنکس که درویش بودی به شهر
✦
که او را نبودی ز نوروز بهر
“Whoever in the city was poor and needy, having received no share of the Nowruz festivities,”
#85
به درگاه ایوانش بنشاندند
✦
درمهای گنجی بر افشاندند
“They seated him at the portal of his palace, and showered upon him silver coins from the treasury.”
#86
پر از بیم بودی گنهکار از وی
✦
شده مردم خفته بیدار از وی
“The transgressor was filled with dread of his justice, while those asleep in neglect were awakened by him.”
#87
منادیگری دیگر اندر سرای
✦
برفتی گه بازگشتن به جای
“Another herald would walk through the court when it was time for the people to depart,”
#88
که ای نامور پر هنر سرکشان
✦
ز بیشی چه جویید چندین نشان
“Proclaiming: 'O renowned and capable nobles, why do you seek so feverishly after excess?'”
#89
به کار اندر اندیشه باید نخست
✦
بدان تا شود ایمن و تن درست
“'One must first exercise foresight in every matter, so that one may remain safe and bodily sound.'”
#90
سگالید هر کار و زان پس کنید
✦
دل مردم کم سخن مشکنید
“'Ponder well each action before taking it, and break not the heart of the soft-spoken.'”
#91
بر انداخت باید پس آنگه برید
✦
سخن‌های داننده باید شنید
“'One must measure before cutting, and one must listen to the words of the wise.'”
#92
ببینید تا از شما ریز کیست
✦
که بر جان بدبخت باید گریست
“'Look to see who among you is falling into ruin, for one ought to weep over the soul of the unfortunate.'”
#93
هرآنکس که او راه دارد نگاه
✦
بخسپد برین گاه ایمن ز شاه
“'Whoever maintains the upright path shall sleep peacefully, secure from any harm by the King.'”
#94
دگر هرک یازد به چیز کسان
✦
بود چشم ما سوی آنکس رسان
“'And whoever reaches out for the possessions of others, our watchful eye shall swiftly find him out.'”