#1
بدانست هم زادفرخ که شاه
✦
ز لشکر همه زو شناسد گناه
“Zadfarrokh well understood that the King held him solely accountable for the army's treason.”
#2
چو آمد برون آن بد اندیش شاه
✦
نیارست شد نیز در پیشگاه
“When that ill-intentioned monarch came out, Zadfarrokh dared not present himself before the throne.”
#3
بدر بر همی‌بود تا هرکسی
✦
همی‌کرد زان آزمایش بسی
“He remained waiting at the gate, while everyone put various plans to the test.”
#4
همی‌ساخت همواره تا آن سپاه
✦
بپیچید یکسر ز فرمان شاه
“He continuously schemed until the army entirely turned away from the King's command.”
#5
همی‌راند با هر کسی داستان
✦
شدند اندر آن کار همداستان
“He conferred with every captain until they were all of one mind in the matter,”
#6
که شاهی دگر برنشیند به تخت
✦
کزین دور شد فرو آیین و بخت
“That another sovereign should sit upon the throne, for royal glory, custom, and fortune had departed from Khosrow.”
#7
بر زادفرخ یکی پیر بود
✦
که برکارها کردن آژیر بود
“There was a wise elder beside Zadfarrokh, experienced and prudent in all affairs.”
#8
چنین گفت با زادفرخ که شاه
✦
همی از تو بیند گناه سپاه
“He spoke thus to Zadfarrokh: 'The King sees the sin of the army as resting upon you.”
#9
کنون تا یکی شهریاری پدید
✦
نیاری فزون زین نباید چخید
“Now, unless you bring forth another monarch, you must not struggle aimlessly like this,”
#10
که این بوم آباد ویران شود
✦
از اندوه ایران چو نیران شود
“Lest this prosperous land turn to ruin, becoming like a blazing furnace from Iran's grief.”
#11
نگه کرد باید به فرزند اوی
✦
کدامست با شرم و بی‌گفت و گوی
“We must look among his sons to see which one possesses modesty, restraint, and wisdom.”
#12
ورا شاد بر تخت باید نشاند
✦
بران تاج دینار باید فشاند
“He should be seated joyfully upon the throne, and golden coins scattered over his crown.”
#13
چو شیروی بیدار مهتر پسر
✦
به زندان بود کس نباید دگر
“While Shiruy, the vigilant eldest son, remains in prison, no one else is fit for the crown.'”
#14
همی رای زد زین نشان هرکسی
✦
برین روز و شب برنیامد بسی
“Every commander deliberated on this counsel, and not many days or nights passed,”
#15
که برخاست گرد سپاه تخوار
✦
همه کارها زو گرفتند خوار
“Before a dust cloud arose from Takhavar's army, who treated the king's power with utter disregard.”
#16
پذیره شدش زادفرخ به راه
✦
فراوان برفتند با او سپاه
“Zadfarrokh went out to welcome him on the road, accompanied by a numerous host.”
#17
رسیدند پس یک بدیگر فراز
✦
سخن رفت چند آشکارا و راز
“When they reached one another, much was spoken both in secret and in the open.”
#18
همان زاد فرخ زبان برگشاد
✦
بدی های خسرو همه کرد یاد
“Zadfarrokh opened his tongue and recounted all the misdeeds and evils of Khosrow.”
#19
همی‌گفت لشکر به مردی و رای
✦
همی‌کرد خواهند شاهی بپای
“He said the army, with manly strength and wisdom, wished to establish a new king.”
#20
سپهبد چنین داد پاسخ بدوی
✦
که من نیستم چامهٔ گفت وگوی
“The general Takhavar replied to him: 'I am not a man of mere empty talk.”
#21
اگر با سپاه اندر آیم به جنگ
✦
کنم بر بدان جهان جای تنگ
“If I enter the war with my troops, I shall narrow the wide world for the wicked.”
#22
گرامی بد این شهریار جوان
✦
به نزد کنارنگ و هم پهلوان
“This young prince was held dear by Kanarang and by all the noble champions.”
#23
چو روز چنان مرد کرد او سیاه
✦
مبادا که بیند کسی تاج و گاه
“Since Khosrow has blackened the days of such a man, may no one ever behold his crown and throne again!”
#24
نژند آن زمان شد که بیداد شد
✦
به بیدادگر بندگان شاد شد
“Iran grew wretched when tyranny took hold, and servants rejoiced under a tyrant's sway.'”
#25
سخنهاش چون زاد فرخ شنید
✦
مر او را ز ایرانیان برگزید
“When Zadfarrokh heard his resolute words, he selected him above all Iranians for the deed.”
#26
بدو گفت کاکنون به زندان شویم
✦
به نزدیک آن مستمندان شویم
“He said to him: 'Now let us go to the prison, to those afflicted and miserable captives.”
#27
بیاریم بی‌باک شیروی را
✦
جوان و دلیر جهانجوی را
“Let us bring out the fearless Shiruy, the brave and ambitious young hero.”
#28
سپهبد نگهبان زندان اوست
✦
کزو داشتی بیشتر مغز و پوست
“The general of the guard keeps watch over him; Khosrow trusted him with his very heart and skin.”
#29
ابا شش هزار آزموده سوار
✦
همی‌دارد آن بستگان را به زار
“With six thousand tested horsemen, he guards those prisoners with harsh rigor.'”
#30
چنین گفت با زاد فرخ تخوار
✦
که کار سپهبد گرفتیم خوار
“Takhavar said to Zadfarrokh: 'We hold the warden's power in small regard!”
#31
گرین بخت پرویز گردد جوان
✦
نماند به ایران یکی پهلوان
“If Parviz's fortune rejuvenates, not a single hero will remain alive in Iran.”
#32
مگر دار دارند گر چاه وبند
✦
نماند به ایران کسی بی‌گزند
“Either they will be sent to the gallows, or to pits and chains; none in Iran will remain unharmed.'”
#33
بگفت این و از جای برکند اسپ
✦
همی‌تاخت برسان آذر گشسپ
“Having said this, he spurred his horse and charged like the fierce fire of Azar Goshasp.”
#34
سپاه اندر آورد یکسر به جنگ
✦
سپهبد پذیره شدش بی درنگ
“He brought his entire army into battle, and the prison commander promptly advanced to meet him.”
#35
سر لشکر نامور گشته شد
✦
سپهبد به جنگ اندرون کشته شد
“The renowned prison commander was slain, killed in the thick of combat.”
#36
پراگنده شد لشکر شهریار
✦
سیه گشت روز و تبه گشت کار
“The King's royal guards scattered; their day turned dark and their cause was ruined.”
#37
به زندان تنگ اندر آمد تخوار
✦
بدان چاره با جامهٔ کارزار
“Takhavar entered the narrow prison cell, clad in armor for battle.”
#38
به شیروی گردنکش آواز داد
✦
سبک پاسخش نامور باز داد
“He called out to the proud Shiruy, and the renowned prince quickly answered him.”
#39
بدانست شیروی کان سرفراز
✦
بدانگه به زندان چرا شد فراز
“Shiruy understood why that exalted warrior had come to the prison at such a moment.”
#40
چو روی تخوار او فروزان بدید
✦
از اندوه چندان دلش بردمید
“When he saw Takhavar's radiant face, his heart heaved with immense grief.”
#41
بدو گفت گریان که خسرو کجاست
✦
رها کردن مانه کار شماست
“Weeping, he said to him: 'Where is Khosrow? Freeing us is no business of yours!'”
#42
چنین گفت با شاه‌زاده تخوار
✦
که گر مردمی کام شیران مخوار
“Takhavar said to the prince: 'If you possess manhood, do not abandon your desire to despair.”
#43
اگر تو بدین کار همداستان
✦
نباشی تو کم گیر زین راستان
“If you are not of one mind with us in this affair, consider yourself omitted from these nobles.”
#44
یکی کم بود شاید از شانزده
✦
برادر بماند تو را پانزده
“If one is missing out of sixteen brothers, fifteen will still remain for you.”
#45
بشایند هرکس به شاهنشهی
✦
بدیشان بود شاد تخت مهی
“Each of them is fit for kingship, and the grand throne would rejoice in them.'”
#46
فروماند شیروی گریان بجای
✦
ازان خانهٔ تنگ بگذارد پای
“Shiruy remained weeping in his place, then stepped out from that narrow chamber.”