#1
همی‌بود خسرو بران مرغزار
✦
درخت بلند ازبرش سایه دار
“Khosrow remained in that lush meadow, shaded beneath a lofty tree.”
#2
چو بگذشت نیمی ز روز دراز
✦
بنان آمد آن پادشا رانیاز
“When half of the long day had passed, hunger overcame the monarch.”
#3
به باغ اندرون بد یکی پایکار
✦
که نشناختی چهرهٔ شهریار
“Within the garden was a overseer who did not recognize the face of the king.”
#4
پرستنده راگفت خورشید فش
✦
که شاخی گهر زین کمر بازکش
“The sun-visaged king said to the servant: 'Detach a gem-studded branch from this belt.'”
#5
بران شاخ برمهرهٔ زر پنج
✦
ز هرگونه مهره بسی برده رنج
“Upon that branch were five golden beads, exquisitely wrought with every kind of gem.”
#6
چنین گفت با باغبان شهریار
✦
که این مهره‌ها تا کت آید به کار
“Thus spoke the monarch to the gardener: 'Take these jewels for whatever they may fetch you.'”
#7
به بازار شو بهره‌ای گوشت خر
✦
دگر نان و بی‌راه جایی گذر
“'Go to the market, buy a portion of meat and bread, and pass through discreetly.'”
#8
مرآن گوهران را بها سی هزار
✦
درم بد کسی را که بودی به کار
“The value of those jewels was thirty thousand dirhams to anyone who needed them.”
#9
سوی نانبا شد سبک باغبان
✦
بدان شاخ زرین ازو خواست نان
“Swiftly the gardener went to the baker, offering that golden branch in exchange for bread.”
#10
بدو نانوا گفت کاین رابها
✦
ندانم نیارمت کردن رها
“The baker said to him: 'I know not the price of this, nor can I let you go.'”
#11
ببردند هر دو به گوهر فروش
✦
که این را بها کن بدانش بکوش
“They both went together to a jeweler, asking him to evaluate it with his skill.”
#12
چو داننده آن مهره‌ها رابدید
✦
بدو گفت کاین را که یارد خرید
“When the expert beheld those jewels, he said: 'Who could afford to buy such a treasure?'”
#13
چنین شاخ در گنج خسرو بدی
✦
برین گونه هر سال صد نوبدی
“'Such a branch was in Khosrow's treasury; every year a hundred such marvels were fashioned.'”
#14
تو این گوهران از که دزدیده‌ای
✦
گر از بنده خفته ببریده‌ای
“'From whom have you stolen these gems? Did you cut them from a sleeping servant?'”
#15
سوی زاد فرخ شدند آن سه مرد
✦
ابا گوهر و زر و با کارکرد
“Those three men went together unto Zad Farrokh, bearing the jewels, gold, and workmanship.”
#16
چو آن گوهران زاد فرخ بدید
✦
سوی شهریار نو اندر کشید
“When Zad Farrokh saw those jewels, he hurried off to the new monarch.”
#17
به شیروی بنمود زان سان گهر
✦
بریده یکی شاخ زرین کمر
“He showed the gem to Shiruyeh—a golden branch severed from a royal belt.”
#18
چنین گفت شیروی با باغبان
✦
که گر زین خداوند گوهر نشان
“Shiruyeh said to the gardener: 'If you do not reveal the owner of this gem this instant,'”
#19
نگویی هم اکنون ببرم سرت
✦
همان را که او باشد از گوهرت
“'I will sever your head immediately, along with anyone connected to your gem!'”
#20
بدو گفت شاها به باغ اندرست
✦
زره پوش مردی کمانی بدست
“He replied: 'O King, inside the garden is an armored man holding a bow in hand.'”
#21
ببالا چو سرو و به رخ چون بهار
✦
بهر چیز مانندهٔ شهریار
“'Tall as a cypress, with a face like spring, in every way resembling the King of Kings.'”
#22
سراسر همه باغ زو روشنست
✦
چو خورشید تابنده در جوشنست
“'The entire garden is illuminated by him; he gleams in mail like the shining sun.'”
#23
فروهشته از شاخ زرین سپر
✦
یکی بنده در پیش او با کمر
“'A golden shield hangs from a branch, and a servant stands before him with a belt.'”
#24
برید این چنین شاخ گوهر ازوی
✦
مراداد و گفتا کز ایدر بپوی
“'He cut this gem-laden branch and gave it to me, saying: Go hence swiftly,'”
#25
ز بازار نان آور و نان خورش
✦
هم اکنون برفتم چو باد از برش
“'Bring bread and food from the market. I departed from his presence like the wind.'”
#26
بدانست شیروی کو خسروست
✦
که دیدار او در زمانه نوست
“Shiruyeh knew then that it was Khosrow, for his appearance was unique in the world.”
#27
ز درگاه رفتند سیصد سوار
✦
چو باد دمان تا لب جویبار
“Three hundred horsemen rode out from the court, swift as a howling wind to the stream's bank.”
#28
چو خسرو ز دور آن سپه را بدید
✦
به پژمرد و شمشیر کین برکشید
“When Khosrow saw that host from afar, he withered in spirit and drew his vengeance sword.”
#29
چو روی شهنشاه دید آن سپاه
✦
همه باز گشتند گریان ز راه
“When the army saw the King of Kings' face, they all turned back weeping from the road.”
#30
یکایک بر زاد فرخ شدند
✦
بسی هر کسی داستانی زدند
“One by one they came to Zad Farrokh, each recounting his story:”
#31
که ما بندگانیم و او خسروست
✦
بدان شاه روز بد اکنون نوست
“'We are subjects and he is the King; a hard day has now come upon that sovereign.'”
#32
نیارد برو زد کسی باد سرد
✦
چه در باغ باشد چه اندر نبرد
“'None dares to breathe a cold wind against him, whether in a garden or in battle.'”
#33
بشد زاد فرخ به نزدیک شاه
✦
ز درگاه او برد چندی سپاه
“Zad Farrokh went to the king, leading a handful of troops from the court.”
#34
چو نزدیک او رفت تنها ببود
✦
فراوان سخن گفت و خسرو شنود
“When he drew near, he approached alone; he spoke many words while Khosrow listened.”
#35
بدو گفت اگر شاه بارم دهد
✦
برین کرده‌ها زینهارم دهد
“He said: 'If the King grants me audience and safety for these deeds,'”
#36
بیایم بگویم سخن هرچ هست
✦
وگرنه بپویم به سوی نشست
“'I will recount everything as it is; otherwise I shall return to my post.'”
#37
بدو گفت خسرو چه گفتی بگوی
✦
نه انده گساری نه پیکارجوی
“Khosrow said: 'Speak what you must; you are neither a comforter nor a combatant.'”
#38
چنین گفت پس مرد گویا به شاه
✦
که در کار هشیارتر کن نگاه
“Then the eloquent spokesman said to the king: 'Look more prudently upon affairs.'”
#39
بر آن نه که کشتی تو جنگی هزار
✦
سرانجام سیرآیی از کارزار
“'Do not think that having slain thousands of warriors, you can ever satisfy warfare.'”
#40
همه شهر ایران تو را دشمنند
✦
به پیکار تو یک دل و یک تنند
“'All the land of Iran is your enemy, united in heart and mind against you.'”
#41
بپا تا چه خواهد نمودن سپهر
✦
مگر کینها بازگردد به مهر
“'Wait to see what the heavens reveal; perhaps vengefulness will turn to love.'”
#42
بدو گفت خسرو که آری رواست
✦
همه بیمم از مردم ناسزاست
“Khosrow answered: 'Indeed, it is so; all my fear is of unworthy men,'”
#43
که پیش من آیند و خواری کنند
✦
برم بر مگر کامگاری کنند
“'Lest they come before me and bring insult, seeking triumph over my downfall.'”
#44
چو بشنید از زاد فرخ سخن
✦
دلش بد شد از روزگار کهن
“When he heard the words of Zad Farrokh, his heart turned heavy with omen from days of old.”
#45
که او را ستاره شمر گفته بود
✦
ز گفتار ایشان برآشفته بود
“For astrologers had once told him, and their prophecy now troubled his soul:”
#46
که مرگ توباشد میان دو کوه
✦
بدست یکی بنده دور از گروه
“That your death shall occur between two mountains, at the hand of a lone slave, far removed from the crowd.”
#47
یکی کوه زرین یکی کوه سیم
✦
نشسته تو اندر میان دل به بیم
“One mountain of gold and another of silver, while you sit between them with a heart full of dread.”
#48
ز بر آسمان تو زرین بود
✦
زمین آهنین بخت پرکین بود
“Above you, the sky shines golden, while below, the iron earth bears a fate laden with malice.”
#49
کنون این زره چون زمین منست
✦
سپر آسمان زرین منست
“Now this iron coat of mail is as my earth, and this golden shield serves as my sky.”
#50
دو کوه این دو گنج نهاده به باغ
✦
کزین گنجها بد دلم چون چراغ
“These two mountains are the twin treasures placed in this garden, by which my heart once burned bright as a lamp.”
#51
همانا سرآمد کنون روز من
✦
کجا اختر گیتی افروز من
“Truly my days have now come to an end; where has my world-illuminating star gone?”
#52
کجا آن همه کام و آرام من
✦
که بر تاجها بر بدی نام من
“Where is all that joy and tranquility of mine, when my royal name was carved upon crowns?”
#53
ببردند پیلی به نزدیک اوی
✦
پر از درد شد جان تاریک اوی
“They brought an elephant near to him, and his darkened soul was filled with intense sorrow.”
#54
بر آن کوههٔ پیل بنشست شاه
✦
ز باغش بیاورد لشکر به راه
“The King mounted the hump of the elephant, and the army led him away from his garden.”
#55
چنین گفت زان پیل بر پهلوی
✦
که ای گنج اگر دشمن خسروی
“From atop the elephant, he spoke in the Pahlavi tongue: 'O Treasure! If you are the enemy of Khosrow,'”
#56
مکن دوستی نیز با دشمنم
✦
که امروز در دست آهرمنم
“'Show no friendship either to my foe, for today I am trapped in the clutches of Ahriman.'”
#57
به سختی نبودیم فریادرس
✦
نهان باش و منمای رویت به کس
“'You were no savior to me in my time of distress; remain hidden then, and reveal your face to none!'”
#58
به دستور فرمود زان پس قباد
✦
کزو هیچ بر بد مکن نیز یاد
“Thereafter, Qobad commanded his vizier: 'Speak no evil of him ever again,'”
#59
بگو تا سوی طیسفونش برند
✦
بدان خانهٔ رهنمونش برند
“'Order them to carry him unto Ctesiphon, and guide him to that appointed house.'”
#60
بباشد به آرام ما روز چند
✦
نباید که‌دارد کس او را گزند
“'Let him reside in peace for a few days; no man should dare bring harm upon him.'”
#61
برو بر موکل کنند استوار
✦
گلینوش را با سواری هزار
“They placed Golinosh as a firm guard over him, accompanied by a thousand horsemen.”
#62
چو گردنده گردون به سر بر بگشت
✦
شد آن شاه را سال بر سی و هشت
“As the revolving sky turned above him, thirty-eight years of reign came to a close for the King.”
#63
کجا ماه آذر بُدی روز دی
✦
گه آتش و مرغ بریان و می
“It was the month of Azar on the day of Dey—the season of fires, roast fowl, and wine.”
#64
قباد آمد و تاج بر سر نهاد
✦
به آرام بر تخت بنشست شاد
“Qobad arrived and placed the crown upon his head; he sat joyfully in tranquility upon the throne.”
#65
ز ایران بر و کرد بیعت سپاه
✦
درم داد یک ساله از گنج شاه
“The army of Iran pledged their allegiance to him, and he distributed a year's coin from the royal treasury.”
#66
نَبُد پادشاهیش جز هفت ماه
✦
تو خواهیش ناچیز خوان خواه شاه
“His reign lasted for no more than seven months; call him a worthless fleeting shadow or a king as you will.”
#67
چنین است رسم سرای جفا
✦
نباید کزو چشم داری وفا
“Such is the way of this deceitful world; one ought never to expect fidelity from it.”