#1
پس آگاهی آمد به نزد گراز
✦
که زو بود خسرو به گرم و گداز
“Then news arrived unto Guraz, who had been in constant turmoil regarding Khosrow.”
#2
فرستاد گوینده‌ای را ز روم
✦
که در خاک شد تاج شیروی شوم
“He sent a spokesman from the land of Rome, saying that the crown of ill-omened Shiruy had turned to dust,”
#3
که جانش به دوزخ گرفتار باد
✦
سر دخمهٔ او نگون سار باد
“May his soul be entangled in hell, and may the roof of his tomb be cast down headlong!”
#4
که دانست هرگز که سرو بلند
✦
به باغ از گیا یافت خواهد گزند
“Who ever knew that a tall cypress in the garden could suffer harm from a mere weed?”
#5
چو خسرو که چشم و دل روزگار
✦
نبیند چنو نیز یک شهریار
“Such as Khosrow, whom the eye and heart of Time shall never behold the like of again.”
#6
چو شیروی را شهریاری دهد
✦
همه شهر ایران به خواری دهد
“When fortune granted kingship unto Shiruy, he brought contempt upon all the realm of Iran.”
#7
چنو رفت شد تاجدار اردشیر
✦
بدو شادمان جان برنا و پیر
“When he departed, Ardashir assumed the crown, bringing joy to the souls of both young and old.”
#8
مرا گر ز ایران رسد هیچ بهر
✦
نخواهم که بر وی رسد باد شهر
“If any share of Iran falls to me, I desire not that even a city's harsh wind should touch him.”
#9
نبودم من آگه که پرویز شاه
✦
به گفتار آن بدتنان شد تباه
“I was unaware that King Parviz was ruined by the counsel of those wicked-souled men.”
#10
بیایم کنون با سپاهی گران
✦
ز روم و ز ایران گزیده سران
“Now I shall march with a mighty host, with chosen chieftains from Rome and Iran,”
#11
ببینیم تا کیست این کدخدای
✦
که باشد پسندش بدین گونه رای
“To see who this ruler is that approves of such an ill judgment.”
#12
چنان برکنم بیخ او را ز بن
✦
کزان پس نراند ز شاهی سخن
“I shall uproot his foundation so completely that he will never again speak of kingship.”
#13
نوندی برافگند پویان به راه
✦
به نزدیک پیران ایران سپاه
“He dispatched a swift courier on the road, heading toward the elders of the Iranian army.”
#14
دگرگونه آهنگ بدکامه کرد
✦
به پیروز خسرو یکی نامه کرد
“He struck a different, treacherous key, writing a secret letter to Piroz Khosrow,”
#15
که شد تیره این تخت ساسانیان
✦
جهانجوی باید که بندد میان
“Stating that the Sasanian throne has grown dark, and a true world-seeker must gird his loins.”
#16
توانی مگر چاره‌ای ساختن
✦
ز هرگونه اندیشه انداختن
“Perhaps you can devise a remedy, putting aside every other thought and intention,”
#17
بجویی بسی یار برنا و پیر
✦
جهان را بپردازی از اردشیر
“Seeking many allies among the young and old, to rid the world of young King Ardashir.”
#18
ازان پس بیابی همه کام خویش
✦
شوی ایمن و شاد زارام خویش
“Thereafter you shall attain all your desires, remaining secure, joyful, and at peace.”
#19
گر ایدون که این راز بیرون دهی
✦
همی خنجر کینه را خون دهی
“If, however, you divulge this secret, you will but feed the dagger of vengeance with blood,”
#20
من از روم چندان سپاه آورم
✦
که گیتی به چشمت سیاه آورم
“For I shall bring such an army from Rome as will turn the world dark in your eyes.”
#21
به ژرفی نگه‌دار گفتار من
✦
مبادا که خوار آیدت کار من
“Consider my words profoundly, and beware lest you take my warning lightly.”
#22
چو پیروز خسرو چنان نامه دید
✦
همه پیش و پس رای خودکامه دید
“When Piroz Khosrow read that missive, seeing the ambitious plot surrounding him,”
#23
دل روشن نامور شد تباه
✦
که تا چون کند بد بدان زادشاه
“The bright heart of that famous lord turned wicked, plotting how to bring evil upon the royal child.”
#24
ورا خواندی هر زمان اردشیر
✦
که گوینده مردی بد و یادگیر
“Ardashir was wont to summon him at all times, for he was an eloquent man of deep memory.”
#25
برآسای دستور بودی ورا
✦
همان نیز گنجور بودی ورا
“He served as his counselor during hours of leisure, and likewise served as his keeper of treasure.”
#26
بیامد شبی تیره گون بار یافت
✦
می روشن و چرب گفتار یافت
“He came one pitch-black night and gained audience, finding clear wine and persuasive talk.”
#27
نشسته به ایوان خویش اردشیر
✦
تنی چند با او ز برنا و پیر
“Ardashir was seated within his royal hall, accompanied by a few companions, both young and old.”
#28
چو پیروز خسرو بیامد برش
✦
تو گفتی ز گردون برآمد سرش
“When Piroz Khosrow entered his presence, you would say his head touched the heavy sky with honor.”
#29
بفرمود تا برکشیدند رود
✦
شد ایوان پر از بانگ رود و سرود
“He ordered the lutes to be played, filling the royal hall with the resonance of song and sound.”
#30
چو نیمی شب تیره اندرکشید
✦
سپهبد می یک منی در کشید
“When half of the dark night had elapsed, the chieftain drained a heavy measure of wine.”
#31
شده مست یاران شاه اردشیر
✦
نماند ایچ رامشگر و یادگیر
“The companions of King Ardashir became drunken; not a single minstrel or scholar remained awake.”
#32
بد اندیش یاران او را براند
✦
جز از شاه و پیروز خسرو نماند
“The treacherous villain drove away all the king's companions, until none remained save the King and Piroz Khosrow.”
#33
جفا پیشه از پیش خانه بجست
✦
لب شاه بگرفت ناگه به دست
“The ruthless traitor sprang up from the doorway and suddenly seized the king's mouth in his hand.”
#34
همی‌داشت تا شد تباه اردشیر
✦
همه کاخ شد پر ز شمشیر و تیر
“He held him fast until Ardashir perished; then the whole palace filled with swords and arrows.”
#35
همه یار پیروز خسرو شدند
✦
اگر نو جهانجوی اگر گو بدند
“All became allies unto Piroz Khosrow, whether new seekers of fortune or seasoned warriors.”
#36
هیونی برافگند نزد گراز
✦
یکی نامه‌ای نیز با آن دراز
“He dispatched a swift camel-rider to Guraz, bearing a detailed missive.”
#37
فرستاده چون شد به نزدیک او
✦
چو خورشید شد جان تاریک اوی
“When the messenger arrived before him, his dark soul illuminated like the sun.”
#38
بیاورد زان بوم چندان سپاه
✦
که بر مور و بر پشه بر بست راه
“He brought from that realm such a host that they blocked the path for ants and flies.”
#39
همی‌تاخت چون باد تا طیسفون
✦
سپاهش همه دست شسته به خون
“He galloped like the wind toward Ctesiphon, his host having washed their hands in blood.”
#40
ز لشکر نیارست دم زد کسی
✦
نبد خود دران شهر مردم بسی
“No one among the army dared breathe a word, nor were there many inhabitants left in that city.”