#1
کنون از بزرگی خسرو سخن
✦
بگویم کنم تازه روز کهن
“Now I shall speak of the grandeur of Khosrow, renewing the days of ancient times.”
#2
بران سان بزرگی کس اندر جهان
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ندارد بیاد از کهان و مهان
“Such grandeur in the world no one remembers, neither among the humble nor the high.”
#3
هر آنکس که او دفتر شاه خواند
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ز گیتیش دامن بباید فشاند
“Whoever reads the chronicle of kings must cast off the hem of his robe from the mortal world.”
#4
سزد گر بگویم یکی داستان
✦
که باشد خردمند هم داستان
“It is fitting that I recite a tale with which the wise will fully agree.”
#5
مبادا که گستاخ باشی به دهر
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که از پای زهرش فزونست زهر
“Beware lest you become brazen toward time, for the poison of its fate exceeds all venom.”
#6
مساایچ با آز و با کینه دست
✦
ز منزل مکن جایگاه نشست
“Reach not your hand toward greed or hatred, and make not your dwelling place a permanent seat.”
#7
سرای سپنجست با راه و رو
✦
تو گردی کهن دیگر آرند نو
“This world is a transient inn with travelers passing through; as you grow old, others are brought forth anew.”
#8
یکی اندر آید دگر بگذرد
✦
زمانی به منزل چمد گر چرد
“One enters while another departs; for a fleeting moment one struts or grazes in this resting place.”
#9
چو برخیزد آواز طبل رحیل
✦
به خاک اندر آید سر مور وپیل
“When the call of departure sounded, the head of both ant and elephant descended into the dust.”
#10
ز پرویز چون داستانی شگفت
✦
ز من بشنوی یاد باید گرفت
“Hear from me a wondrous tale of Parviz, and keep it well in your memory.”
#11
که چندی سزاواری دستگاه
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بزرگی و اورنگ و فر و سپاه
“Of how great a worthy kingdom, grandeur, throne, royal glory, and host he possessed.”
#12
کزان بیشتر نشنوی در جهان
✦
اگر چند پرسی ز دانا مهان
“Such that you will hear no greater in this world, though you ask the wisest of the elders.”
#13
ز توران وز هند وز چین و روم
✦
ز هرکشوری کان بد آباد بوم
“From Turan, India, China, and Rome—from every kingdom that was a prosperous land—”
#14
همی باژ بردند نزدیک شاه
✦
به رخشنده روز و شبان سیاه
“They continuously brought tribute to the King, by radiant day and by black night.”
#15
غلام و پرستنده از هر دری
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ز در و ز یاقوت و هر گوهری
“Slaves and maidens from every gate, with pearls, rubies, and every precious gem,”
#16
ز دینار و گنجش کرانه نبود
✦
چنو خسرو اندر زمانه نبود
“Of gold and treasures there was no bound; no monarch like Khosrow ever lived in his era.”
#17
ز شاهین وز باز و پران عقاب
✦
ز شیر و پلنگ و نهنگ اندر آب
“From falcon, hawk, and soaring eagle, to lion, leopard, and leviathan in the water—”
#18
همه برگزیدند پیمان اوی
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چو خورشید روشن بدی جان اوی
“All chose to honor his covenant, for his soul was bright as the radiant sun.”
#19
نخستین که بنهاد گنج عروس
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ز چین و ز برطاس وز روم و روس
“First of all he established the Treasure of the Bride, gathered from China, Bartas, Rome, and Rus.”
#20
دگر گنج پر در خوشاب بود
✦
که بالاش یک تیر پرتاب بود
“Another was the treasure filled with lustrous pearls, whose height reached an arrow's flight.”
#21
که خضرا نهادند نامش ردان
✦
همان تازیان نامور بخردان
“Which the nobles named Khazra, as did the renowned and wise Arab scholars.”
#22
دگر گنج باد آورش خواندند
✦
شمارش بکردند و در ماندند
“Another treasure was called Bad-Avar; when they attempted to count it, they were utterly bewildered.”
#23
دگر آنک نامش همی‌بشنوی
✦
تو گویی همه دیبهٔ خسروی
“Another of which you hear the name, you would say it was all royal brocade.”
#24
دگر نامور گنج افراسیاب
✦
که کس را نبودی به خشکی و آب
“Another was the renowned Treasure of Afrasiab, the like of which none possessed on land or sea.”
#25
دگر گنج کش خواندی سوخته
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کزان گنج بد کشور افروخته
“Another treasure was called Sukhteh, by which the whole realm was illuminated and enriched.”
#26
دگر آنک بد شادورد بزرگ
✦
که گویند رامشگران سترگ
“Another was the Great Shadvard carpet, of which great minstrels sing in praise.”
#27
به زر سرخ گوهر برو بافته
✦
به زر اندرون رشته‌ها تافته
“Woven with red gold and studded with jewels, its threads twisted with golden strands.”
#28
ز رامشگران سرکش و باربد
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که هرگز نگشتی به آواز بد
“Among the master minstrels were Sarkash and Barbad, whose melodies were never tainted by evil notes.”
#29
به مشکوی زرین ده و دوهزار
✦
کنیزک به کردار خرم بهار
“In the golden harem were twelve thousand maidens, lovely as the verdant spring.”
#30
دگر پیل بد دو هزار و دویست
✦
که گفتی ازان بر زمین جای نیست
“Further, there were two thousand two hundred elephants, such that you would say there was no room left on earth.”
#31
فغستان چینی و پیل و سپاه
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که بر زین زرین بدی سال و ماه
“Chinese pavilions, elephants, and armies, with golden saddles adorned year in and year out.”
#32
دگر اسب جنگی ده و شش هزار
✦
دو صد بارگی کان نبد در شمار
“Also sixteen thousand war horses, and two hundred chargers beyond all count.”
#33
ده و دو هزار اشتر بارکش
✦
عماری کش وگام زن شست وشش
“Twelve thousand pack camels, laden with litters and sixty-six swift pacers.”
#34
که هرگز کس اندر جهان آن ندید
✦
نه از پیر سر کاردانان شنید
“Such abundance as no one in the world ever saw, nor heard of from wise and experienced elders.”
#35
چنویی به دست یکی پیشکار
✦
تبه شد تو تیمار و تنگی مدار
“Yet one like him perished at the hands of a mere servant; therefore, hold not your heart in grief or hardship.”
#36
تو بی رنجی از کارها برگزین
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چو خواهی که یابی بداد آفرین
“Choose freedom from grief in your actions, if you wish to receive praise for justice.”
#37
که نیک و بد اندر جهان بگذرد
✦
زمانه دم ما همی‌بشمرد
“For good and evil in this world shall pass, while time counts our fleeting breaths.”
#38
اگر تخت یابی اگر تاج و گنج
✦
وگر چند پوینده باشی به رنج
“Though you attain throne, crown, and treasure, or though you strive endlessly in toil,”
#39
سرانجام جای تو خاکست و خشت
✦
جز از تخم نیکی نبایدت کشت
“In the end your abode is dust and brick; you ought to sow no seed save that of virtue.”