#1
کنون شیون باربد گوش دار
✦
سر مهتران را به آغوش دار
“Now listen to the lamentation of Barbad; embrace the memory of the leader of lords.”
#2
چو آگاه شد باربد زانک شاه
✦
بپرداخت بیداد و بی‌کام گاه
“When Barbad learned that the King had vacated his throne through injustice and sorrow,”
#3
ز جهرم بیامد سوی طیسفون
✦
پر از آب مژگان و دل پر ز خون
“He set out from Jahrom toward Ctesiphon, his eyelids overflowing with water and his heart filled with blood.”
#4
بیامد بدان خانه او را بدید
✦
شده لعل رخسار او شنبلید
“He entered the house and beheld him—his ruby cheeks turned pale as fenugreek.”
#5
زمانی همی‌بود در پیش شاه
✦
خروشان بیامد سوی بارگاه
“For a moment he stood before the king, then came weeping loudly into the royal court.”
#6
همی پهلوانی برو مویه کرد
✦
دو رخساره زرد و دلی پر ز درد
“In the heroic language he wailed over him, with a yellow face and a heart full of pain.”
#7
چنان بد که زاریش بشنید شاه
✦
همان کس کجا داشت او را نگاه
“So mournful was his weeping that the King—and the guard who kept watch over him—heard it.”
#8
نگهبان که بودند گریان شدند
✦
چو بر آتش مهر بریان شدند
“The guards who were present broke into tears, roasted like meat upon the fire of love.”
#9
همی‌گفت الایا، ردا، خسروا
✦
بزرگا، سترگا، تناور گَوا
“He cried out: 'Alas, O King! O mighty, grand, and giant-bodied warrior!'”
#10
کجات آن بزرگی و آن دستگاه
✦
کجات آن همه فر و تخت و کلاه
“'Where is now your greatness and your power? Where is all that Divine Glory, throne, and crown?'”
#11
کجات آن همه برز و بالا و تاج
✦
کجات آن همه یاره و تخت عاج
“'Where is your magnificent stature and crown? Where are all your armlets and your ivory throne?'”
#12
کجات آن همه مردی و زور و فر
✦
جهان را همی‌داشتی زیر پر
“'Where is all your manhood, strength, and glory, with which you held the world under your wing?'”
#13
کجا آن شبستان و رامشگران
✦
کجا آن بر و بارگاه سران
“'Where is that royal chamber and its musicians? Where is the palace hall of the grandees?'”
#14
کجا افسر و کاویانی درفش
✦
کجا آن همه تیغهای بنفش
“'Where is the crown and the Kavian banner? Where are all those violet-hued blades?'”
#15
کجا آن دلیران جنگ آوران
✦
کجا آن رد و موبد و مهتران
“'Where are those brave, battle-proven warriors? Where are those noble chieftains, mobads, and lords?'”
#16
کجا آن همه بزم وساز شکار
✦
کجا آن خرامیدن کارزار
“'Where are all those banquets and hunting gear? Where is that majestic stride upon the battlefront?'”
#17
کجا آن غلامان زرین کمر
✦
کجا آن همه رای وآیین وفر
“'Where are those page-boys with golden belts? Where is all that wisdom, custom, and glory?'”
#18
کجا آن سرافراز جانوسپار
✦
که با تخت زر بود و با گوشوار
“'Where are those proud life-pledging servants, who possessed golden thrones and earrings?'”
#19
کجا آن همه لشکر و بوم و بر
✦
کجا آن سرافرازی و تخت زر
“'Where is all that army, land, and territory? Where is all that exaltation and golden throne?'”
#20
کجا آن سر خود و زرین زره
✦
ز گوهر فگنده گره بر گره
“'Where is your golden helmet and coat of mail, studded cluster upon cluster with jewels?'”
#21
کجا اسپ شبدیز و زرین رکیب
✦
که زیر تو اندر بدی ناشکیب
“'Where is the steed Shabdiz with golden stirrups, that was ever restless beneath your seat?'”
#22
کجا آن سواران زرین ستام
✦
که دشمن بدی تیغشان را نیام
“'Where are those riders with golden bridles, whose swords knew no sheath before the enemy?'”
#23
کجا آن همه راز و آن بخردی
✦
کجا آن همه فره ایزدی
“'Where are all those royal secrets and wisdom? Where is all that Divine Glory?'”
#24
کجا آن همه بخشش روز بزم
✦
کجا آن همه کوشش روز رزم
“'Where is all that generosity on banquet days? Where is all that striving on the day of battle?'”
#25
کجا آن همه راهوار استران
✦
عماری زرین و فرمانبران
“'Where are those swift mules, golden litters, and obedient retainers?'”
#26
هیونان و بالا وپیل سپید
✦
همه گشته از جان تو ناامید
“'The majestic camels and giant white elephants—all have now lost hope in your life!'”
#27
کجا آن سخنها به شیرین زبان
✦
کجا آن دل و رای و روشن روان
“'Where are those words spoken in a sweet tongue? Where is that brave heart, counsel, and enlightened soul?'”
#28
ز هر چیز تنها چرا ماندی
✦
ز دفتر چنین روز کی خواندی
“'Why have you been left completely alone? When did you ever read of such a day in the book of fate?'”
#29
مبادا که گستاخ باشی به دهر
✦
که زهرش فزون آمد از پای زهر
“'Never grow bold or overly trusting of Time, for its poison far exceeds its antidote!'”
#30
پسر خواستی تا بود یار و پشت
✦
کنون از پسر رنجت آمد به مشت
“'You desired a son to be your strength and support; now from that son, anguish has come into your hands.'”
#31
ز فرزند، شاهان به نیرو شوند
✦
ز رنج زمانه بی آهو شوند
“'Through children, kings usually grow strong and remain safe from the affliction of times.'”
#32
شهنشاه را چونک نیرو بکاست
✦
چو بالای فرزند او گشت راست
“'Yet the King of Kings lost his strength just as his son's stature grew fully upright!'”
#33
هر آنکس که او کار خسرو شنود
✦
به گیتی نبایدش گستاخ بود
“'Whoever hears the tale of Khosrow's fate should never be proud or bold in this world.'”
#34
همه بوم ایران تو ویران شمر
✦
کنام پلنگان و شیران شمر
“'Consider the entire land of Iran ruined now—a lair for leopards and lions.'”
#35
سر تخم ساسانیان بود شاه
✦
که چون او نبیند دگر تاج و گاه
“'The King was the pinnacle of the Sasanian seed; the throne and crown shall never see another like him.'”
#36
شد این تخمه ویران و ایران همان
✦
برآمد همه کامهٔ بدگمان
“'This dynasty has fallen into ruin, and Iran likewise; all the desires of evil-wishers have been fulfilled.'”
#37
فزون زین نباشد کسی را سپاه
✦
ز لشکر که آمدش فریادخواه
“'No ruler had a larger army than he; yet who among that army came forward to help him?'”
#38
گزند آمد از پاسبان بزرگ
✦
کنون اندر آید سوی رخنه گرگ
“'The harm came from the chief guardian himself; now the wolf shall enter through the breach!'”
#39
نباشد سپاه تو هم پایدار
✦
چو برخیزد از چار سو کارزار
“'Nor shall your army prove durable when warfare breaks out from all four quarters.'”
#40
روان تو را دادگر یار باد
✦
سر بد سگالان نگونسار باد
“'May the Just Creator be the companion of your soul, and may the heads of evil-thinkers be cast down!'”
#41
به یزدان و نام تو ای شهریار
✦
به نوروز و مهر و به خُرم بهار
“'By God, and by your sacred name, O King! By Nowruz, Mehregan, and the verdant spring!'”
#42
که گر دست من زین سپس نیز رود
✦
بساید مبادا به من بر درود
“'If my hand ever touches the lute hereafter, may no blessing rest upon me!'”
#43
بسوزم همه آلت خویش را
✦
بدان تا نبینم بداندیش را
“'I shall burn all my instruments entirely, so that I may never look upon your ill-wisher.'”
#44
ببرید هر چارانگشت خویش
✦
بریده همی‌داشت در مشت خویش
“He severed all four of his playing fingers, and held them severed within his fist.”
#45
چو در خانه شد آتشی بر فروخت
✦
همه آلت خویش یکسر بسوخت
“When he returned home, he kindled a fire and burned all his musical instruments to ashes.”