#1
چو بشنید سعد آن گرانمایه مرد
✦
پذیره شدش با سپاهی چو گرد
“When Sa'd, that noble-hearted commander, heard of his arrival, he went forth to welcome him with a host as dense as dust.”
#2
فرود آوریدندش اندر زمان
✦
بپرسید سعد از تن پهلوان
“They brought him to dismount without delay, and Sa'd inquired warmly after the health of the champion Rustam.”
#3
هم از شاه و دستور وز لشکرش
✦
ز سالار بیدار وز کشورش
“He asked also of the King, his minister, and his army, of the vigilant commander and the state of his realm.”
#4
ردا زیر پیروز بفگند و گفت
✦
که ما نیزه و تیغ داریم جفت
“He spread his cloak beneath Piruz and said: 'Our true companions are the spear and the sword.'”
#5
ز دیبا نگویند مردان مرد
✦
ز زر و ز سیم و ز خواب و ز خورد
“'True warriors speak not of fine silk, nor of gold and silver, nor of slumber and rich feasting.'”
#6
گرانمایه پیروز نامه بداد
✦
سخنهای رستم همی کرد یاد
“The noble Piruz delivered the letter, recounting the words and message of Rustam.”
#7
سخنهاش بشنید و نامه بخواند
✦
درآن گفتن نامه خیره بماند
“Sa'd listened to his words and read the letter, remaining astonished at the contents set forth therein.”
#8
به تازی یکی نامه پاسخ نوشت
✦
پدیدار کرد اندرو خوب و زشت
“In Arabic he penned a reply, setting clearly forth both the wholesome and the unseemly.”
#9
ز جنی سخن گفت وز آدمی
✦
ز گفتار پیغمبر هاشمی
“He spoke of the jinn and of mankind, and of the sacred words of the Hashemite Prophet.”
#10
ز توحید و قرآن و وعد و وعید
✦
ز تأیید وز رسمهای جدید
“Of monotheism, the Quran, divine promises and warnings, of heavenly grace and new sacred ordinances.”
#11
ز قطران و ز آتش و زمهریر
✦
ز فردوس وز حور وز جوی شیر
“Of burning pitch, hellfire, and bitter cold; of Paradise, the pure houris, and streams of milk.”
#12
ز کافور منشور و ماء معین
✦
درخت بهشت و می و انگبین
“Of fragrant camphor, pure flowing waters, the trees of Heaven, divine wine, and honey.”
#13
اگر شاه بپذیرد این دین راست
✦
دو عالم به شاهی و شادی وراست
“'If the King accepts this true faith, sovereignty and joy in both worlds shall be his.'”
#14
همان تاج دارد همان گوشوار
✦
همه ساله با بوی و رنگ و نگار
“'He shall retain his crown and royal ring, enjoying forever color, fragrance, and splendour.'”
#15
شفیع از گناهش محمد بود
✦
تنش چون گلاب مصعد بود
“'Muhammad shall intercede for his sins, and his soul shall become pure like refined rosewater.'”
#16
بکاری که پاداش یابی بهشت
✦
نباید به باغ بلا کینه کشت
“'In a deed whose reward is Paradise, one ought not to sow malice in the garden of calamity.'”
#17
تن یزدگرد و جهان فراخ
✦
چنین باغ و میدان و ایوان وکاخ
“'The person of Yazdegerd and this vast earth, such gardens, grounds, halls, and palaces—'”
#18
همه تختگاه و همه جشن و سور
✦
نخَرَّم به دیدار یک موی حور
“'All these thrones, feasts, and revelries I would not exchange for the sight of a single strand of a houri's hair.'”
#19
دو چشم تو اندر سرای سپنج
✦
چنین خیره شد از پی تاج و گنج
“'Thine eyes, in this transient world, have become thus blinded in pursuit of crown and treasure.'”
#20
بس ایمن شده‌ستی برین تخت عاج
✦
بدین یوز و بازو بدین مهر و تاج
“'Thou hast grown too secure upon this ivory throne, with thy hunting cheetahs, falcons, seal, and crown.'”
#21
جهانی کجا شربتی آب سرد
✦
نیرزد دلت را چه داری به درد
“'A world that is not worth a single draught of cold water—why dost thou grieve thy heart for it?'”
#22
هرآنکس که پیش من آید به جنگ
✦
نبیند بجز دوزخ و گور تنگ
“'Whosoever comes out to battle against me shall behold naught save Hell and a narrow grave.'”
#23
بهشتست اگر بگروی جای تو
✦
نگر تا چه باشد کنون رای تو
“'Paradise shall be thy dwelling if thou believest; consider well now what thy decision shall be.'”
#24
به قرطاس مهر عرب برنهاد
✦
درود محمد همی کرد یاد
“Upon the parchment he affixed the Arab seal, offering prayers and blessings upon Muhammad.”
#25
چو شعبه مغیره بگفت آن زمان
✦
که آید بر رستم پهلوان
“Then Sa'd bade Shu'bah son of Mughirah go forth to present the message to the champion Rustam.”
#26
ز ایران یکی نامداری ز راه
✦
بیامد بر پهلوان سپاه
“A chieftain of Iran came riding along the road to speak before the leader of the host.”
#27
که آمد فرستاده‌ای پیر و سست
✦
نه اسپ و سلیح و نه چشمی درست
“Saying: 'An aged and feeble envoy has arrived, having neither horse nor armor, nor sound eyesight.'”
#28
یکی تیغ باریک بر گردنش
✦
پدید آمده چاک پیراهنش
“'A slender sword hangs about his neck, and the tears in his garment are plainly visible.'”
#29
چو رستم به گفتار او بنگرید
✦
ز دیبا سراپرده‌ای برکشید
“When Rustam heard his description, he commanded a grand tent of royal silk to be pitched.”
#30
ز زربفت چینی کشیدند نخ
✦
سپاه اندر آمد چو مور و ملخ
“They stretched ropes woven of Chinese gold brocade, while the troops assembled dense as ants and locusts.”
#31
نهادند زرین یکی زیرگاه
✦
نشست از برش پهلوان سپاه
“They set up a golden throne, upon which sat the supreme warlord of the army.”
#32
بر او از ایرانیان شست مرد
✦
سواران و مردان روز نبرد
“Around him stood sixty Iranian nobles, famous horsemen and warriors of the day of battle.”
#33
به زر بافته جامه‌های بنفش
✦
بپا اندرون کرده زرینه کفش
“Attired in violet robes interwoven with gold, and wearing golden boots upon their feet.”
#34
همه طوق داران با گوشوار
✦
سراپرده آراسته شاهوار
“All wearing golden torque-collars and earrings, the royal pavilion was adorned in kingly splendour.”
#35
چو شعبه به بالای پرده‌سرای
✦
بیامد بر آن جامه ننهاد پای
“When Shu'bah reached the entrance of the tent, he refused to step upon those sumptuous rugs.”
#36
همی رفت بر خاک بر خوار خوار
✦
ز شمشیر کرده یکی دستوار
“He walked upon the bare earth with utter humility, leaning upon his sword as though it were a cane.”
#37
نشست از بر خاک و کس را ندید
✦
سوی پهلوان سپه ننگرید
“He sat down upon the dusty ground, looking at no one, nor bestowing a glance upon the commander of the host.”
#38
بدو گفت رستم که جان شاددار
✦
به دانش روان و تن آباد دار
“Rostam addressed him, saying: 'May your soul remain joyful, your spirit enriched with wisdom, and your body sound.'”
#39
بدو گفت شعبه که ای نیک نام
✦
اگر دین پذیری شوم شادکام
“Sho'bah replied: 'O illustrious commander! If you accept the true faith, I shall be deeply contented.'”
#40
بپیچید رستم ز گفتار اوی
✦
بَروهاش پُرچین شد و زرد روی
“Rostam writhed at his speech; his brow furrowed with deep anger and his countenance turned pale.”
#41
ازو نامه بستد به خواننده داد
✦
سخنها برو کرد خواننده یاد
“He took the letter from him and gave it to the scribe, who read its words aloud before the assembly.”
#42
چنین داد پاسخ که او را بگوی
✦
که نه شهریاری نه دیهیم جوی
“Rostam gave his response, saying: 'Tell Sa'd that he is neither a sovereign monarch nor a true seeker of the crown.'”
#43
ندیده سر نیزه‌ات بخت را
✦
دلت آرزو کرد مر تخت را
“'The tip of your lance has never witnessed real victory, yet your heart dares to crave the royal throne!'”
#44
سخن نزد دانندگان خوار نیست
✦
تو را اندرین کار دیدار نیست
“'Words are not held cheap by the wise; yet in this solemn matter, you possess neither vision nor judgment.'”
#45
اگر سعد با تاج ساسان بدی
✦
مرا رزم او کردن آسان بدی
“'Had Sa'd possessed the royal lineage of Sasan, to do battle with him would have been noble and light for me.'”
#46
ولیکن بدان که‌اخترت بی‌وفاست
✦
چه گوییم که‌امروز روز بلاست
“'Yet know that your star is unfaithful; what more can be said, when today is a day of impending doom?'”
#47
تو را گر محمد بود پیش رو
✦
به دین کهن گویم از دین نو
“'Though Muhammad himself lead your vanguard, I speak from the ancient faith against your new creed.'”
#48
همان کژ پرگار این گوژپشت
✦
بخواهد همی بود با ما درشت
“'Likewise, the crooked compass of this hunchbacked fate seems destined to deal harshly with us all.'”
#49
تو اکنون بدین خرمی بازگرد
✦
که جای سخن نیست روز نبرد
“'Turn back now in wellness, for on the day of battle there is no place for idle words.'”
#50
بگویش که در جنگ مردن به نام
✦
به از زنده دشمن بدو شادکام
“'Tell him that to die with honor in combat is far better than living to see one's enemy rejoice.'”