#1
هر آنکس که بد کرد با شهریار
✦
شب و روز ترسان بد از روزگار
“Whoever had committed evil against the king lived day and night in fear of fate's turn.”
#2
چو شیروی ترسنده و خام بود
✦
همان تخت پیش اندرش دام بود
“For Shiruye was fearful and inexperienced, and the throne before him was but a trap.”
#3
بدانست اختر شمر هرک دید
✦
که روز بزرگان نخواهد رسید
“Every astrologer who observed the heavens knew that the days of the grandees were coming to an end.”
#4
برفتند هرکس که بد کرده بود
✦
بدان کار تاب اندر آورده بود
“All those who had committed misdeeds and endured the stress of that rebellion went forth.”
#5
ز درگاه یکسر به نزد قباد
✦
از آن کار بیداد کردند یاد
“They went directly from the court to Kobad (Shiruye) and spoke of that injustice.”
#6
که یک بار گفتیم و این دیگرست
✦
تو را خود جزین داوری درسرست
“Saying: 'We spoke once, but this is another matter; you harbor a different judgment in your mind.'”
#7
نشسته به یک شهر بی بر دو شاه
✦
یکی گاه دارد یکی زیرگاه
“'Two kings cannot dwell fruitfully in one realm—one holding the throne, the other beneath it.'”
#8
چو خویشی فزاید پدر با پسر
✦
همه بندگان راببرند سر
“'When affection grows between father and son, all the servants will have their heads cut off.'”
#9
نییم اندرین کار همداستان
✦
مزن زین سپس پیش ما داستان
“'We are not agreed upon this matter; spin no further stories before us!'”
#10
بترسید شیروی و ترسنده بود
✦
که در چنگ ایشان یکی بنده بود
“Shiruye grew frightened, for he was fearful, being like a captive servant in their hands.”
#11
چنین داد پاسخ که سرسوی دام
✦
نیارد مگر مردم زشت نام
“He answered: 'None but an ill-famed man would lead his own head into a snare.'”
#12
شما را سوی خانه باید شدن
✦
بران آرزو رای باید زدن
“'You must go to your homes and deliberate upon your desire.'”
#13
به جویید تا کیست اندر جهان
✦
که این رنج بر ما سرآرد نهان
“'Seek out who in the world can secretly bring an end to this toil of ours.'”
#14
کشنده همی‌جست بدخواه شاه
✦
بدان تا کنندش نهانی تباه
“The king's enemies sought a slayer, so that they might destroy Khosrow in secret.”
#15
کس اندر جهان زهرهٔ آن نداشت
✦
زمردی همان بهرهٔ آن نداشت
“No person in the world had the daring for it, nor possessed the manly courage for such a deed.”
#16
که خون چنان خسروی ریختی
✦
همی‌کوه در گردن آویختی
“For to shed the blood of such a Khosrow was like hanging a mountain around one's neck.”
#17
ز هر سو همی‌جست بدخواه شاه
✦
چنین تا بدیدند مردی به راه
“The king's foes searched everywhere, until they spotted a man along the road.”
#18
دو چشمش کبود و در خساره زرد
✦
تنی خشک و پر موی و رخ لاژورد
“His eyes were blue, his cheeks pale yellow, his body dry and hair-covered, his face lapis-hued.”
#19
پر از خاک پای و شکم گرسنه
✦
تن مرد بیدادگر برهنه
“His feet were covered in dust, his belly hungry; a naked and cruel villain.”
#20
ندانست کس نام او در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“No one in the world knew his name, neither among the lowly nor among the great.”
#21
بر زاد فرخ شد این مرد زشت
✦
که هرگز مبیناد خرم بهشت
“This hideous man went to Zad-Farrokh—may he never behold joyous Paradise!”
#22
بدو گفت کاین رزم کارمنست
✦
چو سیرم کنی این شکار منست
“He said to him: 'This fight is my task; if you fill my belly, this prey is mine.'”
#23
بدو گفت روگر توانی بکن
✦
وزین بیش مگشای لب بر سخن
“Zad-Farrokh said to him: 'Go, if you are able, and speak no further words of this.'”
#24
یکی کیسه دینار دادم تو را
✦
چو فرزند او یار دادم تو را
“He gave him a pouch of dinars, and provided him an accomplice like his own child.”
#25
یکی خنجری تیز دادش چوآب
✦
بیامد کشنده سبک پرشتاب
“He handed him a sharp dagger like clear water; the assassin moved swiftly and in haste.”
#26
چو آن بدکنش رفت نزدیک شاه
✦
ورا دیده پابند در پیش گاه
“When that evil-doer came near the king, he saw his eyes bound before the throne.”
#27
بلرزید خسرو چو او را بدید
✦
سرشکش ز مژگان به رخ برچکید
“Khosrow trembled when he saw him, tears dripping from his eyelashes onto his cheeks.”
#28
بدو گفت کای زشت نام تو چیست
✦
که زاینده را بر تو باید گریست
“He said to him: 'O wretched one, what is your name? She who birthed you must weep over you.'”
#29
مرا مِهرهرمزد خوانند گفت
✦
غریبم بدین شهر بی‌یار و جفت
“He replied: 'They call me Mehr-Hormozd; I am a stranger in this city, without friend or mate.'”
#30
چنین گفت خسرو که آمد زمان
✦
بدست فرومایهٔ بدگمان
“Khosrow said: 'My end has come, at the hand of a base and sinister villain.'”
#31
به مردم نماند همی‌چهراو
✦
به گیتی نجوید کسی مهر او
“'His countenance resembles no human; no one in the world seeks his affection.'”
#32
یکی ریدکی پیش او بد بپای
✦
بریدک چنین گفت کای رهنمای
“A young page was standing before him; Khosrow said to him: 'O guide...'”
#33
بروتشت آب آر و مشک و عبیر
✦
یکی پاک ترجامهٔ دلپذیر
“'Bring a basin of water, musk, and ambergris, and a clean, pleasing garment.'”
#34
پرستنده بشنید آواز اوی
✦
ندانست کودک همی راز اوی
“The servant heard his voice, though the child knew nothing of his master's secret.”
#35
ز پیشش بیامد پرستار خرد
✦
یکی تشت زرین بر شاه برد
“The young attendant came before him and brought a golden basin to the king.”
#36
ابا جامه و آبدستان وآب
✦
همی‌کرد خسرو ببردن شتاب
“With the robes, ewer, and water, Khosrow made haste to cleanse himself.”
#37
چو برسم بدید اندر آمد بواژ
✦
نه گاه سخن بود و گفتار ژاژ
“When he saw the Barsam twigs, he began to chant in Zand whispers; it was no time for idle words.”
#38
چو آن جامه‌ها را بپوشید شاه
✦
به زمزم همی توبه کرد از گناه
“When the king put on those garments, he repented of his sins with Zemzem prayers.”
#39
یکی چادر نو به سر در کشید
✦
بدان تا رخ جان ستان راندید
“He drew a new veil over his head, so that he might not behold the face of his murderer.”
#40
بشد مهر هرمزد خنجر بدست
✦
در خانهٔ پادشا راببست
“Mehr-Hormozd entered dagger in hand and locked the door of the king's house.”
#41
سبک رفت و جامه ازو در کشید
✦
جگرگاه شاه جهان بر درید
“He stepped swiftly, pulled away the veil, and ripped open the king of the world's heart.”
#42
بپیچید و بر زد یکی سرد باد
✦
به زاری بران جامه بر جان بداد
“Khosrow writhed, drew a cold breath, and mournfully surrendered his soul upon those garments.”
#43
برین گونه گردد جهان جهان
✦
همی راز خویش از تو دارد نهان
“In such a manner turns the revolving world, concealing its secrets from thee.”
#44
سخن سنج بی‌رنج گر مرد لاف
✦
نبیند ز کردار او جز گزاف
“A man of words without effort who boasts will see nothing from destiny but futility.”
#45
اگر گنج داری و گر گُرم و رنج
✦
نمانی همی در سرای سپنج
“Whether you possess treasures or suffer grief and toil, you shall not abide forever in this transient inn.”
#46
بی‌آزاری و راستی برگزین
✦
چو خواهی که یابی به داد آفرین
“Choose harmlessness and truth if you desire to be praised for your justice.”
#47
چو آگاهی آمد به بازار و راه
✦
که خسرو بران گونه برشد تباه
“When word reached the streets and bazaars that Khosrow had been tragically ruined and slain,”
#48
همه بدگمانان به زندان شدند
✦
به ایوان آن مستمندان شدند
“All the malevolent enemies rushed to the prison, entering the hall of those helpless captives.”
#49
گرامی ده و پنج فرزند بود
✦
به ایوان شاه آنک دربند بود
“Fifteen beloved children of the king were held in captivity within that royal palace.”
#50
به زندان بکشتندشان بی‌گناه
✦
بدانگه که برگشته شد بخت شاه
“They slaughtered them blameless in prison when the king's royal fortune turned to dark ruin.”
#51
جهاندار چیزی نیارست گفت
✦
همی‌داشت آن انده اندر نهفت
“The sovereign could utter not a word, keeping his intense sorrow suppressed in secret.”
#52
چو بشنید شیرویه چندی گریست
✦
از آن پس نگهبان فرستاد بیست
“When Shiruye heard of this, he wept for a time, and thereafter dispatched twenty guards,”
#53
بدان تا زن و کودکانشان نگاه
✦
بدارد پس از مرگ آن کشته شاه
“To guard and protect their women and children after the murder of those slain princes.”
#54
شد آن پادشاهی و چندان سپاه
✦
بزرگی و مردی و آن دستگاه
“Gone was that mighty empire and vast army, gone the greatness, valour, and splendor of state,”
#55
که کس را ز شاهنشهان آن نبود
✦
نه از نامداران پیشین شنود
“Such as no emperor of monarchs ever possessed, nor had ever been heard of among the ancients.”
#56
یکی گشت با آنک نانی فراخ
✦
نیابد نبیند برو بوم و کاخ
“He became equal to one who cannot even find a loaf of bread, possessing neither realm nor palace.”
#57
خردمند گوید نیارد بها
✦
هر آنکس که ایمن شد از اژدها
“The sage says that no value belongs to him who feels secure from the dragon of fate.”
#58
جهان رامخوان جز دلاور نهنگ
✦
بخاید به دندان چو گیرد به چنگ
“Consider the world as naught but a ferocious crocodile that chews with its teeth whatever it seizes in its claws.”
#59
سرآمد کنون کار پرویز شاه
✦
شد آن نامور تخت و گنج و سپاه
“Now the reign of King Parviz has reached its end; gone are that famous throne, treasure, and host.”