#1
یکی پهلوان بود گسترده‌کام
✦
نژادش ز طرخان و بیژن بنام
“There was a ambitious champion whose descent traced back to Tarkhan and Bizhan.”
#2
نشستش به شهر سمرقند بود
✦
بران مرز چندیش پیوند بود
“His capital was the city of Samarkand, and he had strong ties to that frontier region.”
#3
چو ماهوی بدبخت خودکامه شد
✦
ازو نزد بیژن یکی نامه شد
“When the ill-fated and self-willed Mahoy turned treacherous, he dispatched a letter to Bizhan,”
#4
که ای پهلوان زادهٔ بی‌گزند
✦
یکی رزم پیش آمدت سودمند
“Saying: 'O noble-born warrior, a battle lies ahead that shall bring you great profit!”
#5
که شاه جهان با سپاه ایدرست
✦
ابا تاج و گاهست و با افسرست
“For the King of the world is here with his army, bearing his crown, throne, and royal insignia.”
#6
گر آیی سر و تاج و گاهش تو راست
✦
همان گنج و چتر سیاهش تو راست
“If you march here, his head, crown, and throne shall be yours, as well as his treasure and black canopy!'”
#7
چو بیژن نگه کرد و آن نامه دید
✦
جهان پیش ماهوی خودکامه دید
“When Bizhan looked upon the letter and read it, he saw the whole world laid out by the willful Mahoy.”
#8
به دستور گفت ای سر راستان
✦
چه داری بیاد اندرین داستان
“He said to his vizier: 'O leader of the righteous, what is your counsel regarding this affair?”
#9
به یاری ماهوی گر من سپاه
✦
برانم شود کارم ایدر تباه
“If I drive my army to assist Mahoy, my reputation here might be ruined;”
#10
به من برکند شاه چینی فسوس
✦
مرا بی‌منش خواند و چاپلوس
“The Emperor of China will mock me and call me shameless and a flatterer;”
#11
وگرنه کنم گوید از بیم کرد
✦
همی‌ترسد از روز ننگ و نبرد
“Or if I do not go, he will say I refrained out of fear, terrified of the day of shame and battle.'”
#12
چنین داد دستور پاسخ بدوی
✦
که ای شیر‌دل مردِ پرخاشجوی
“The minister replied to him: 'O lion-hearted, warlike champion,”
#13
از ایدر تو را ننگ باشد شدن
✦
به یاریِ ماهوی و باز‌آمدن
“It would bring shame upon you to go yourself to assist Mahoy and then return.”
#14
به برسام فرمای تا با سپاه
✦
بِیاری شود سوی آن رزمگاه
“Command Barsam to march with an army toward that battlefield to assist him.”
#15
به گفتار سوری شوی سوی جنگ
✦
سبکسار خواند ترا مرد سنگ
“If you go to war merely at Suri's word, wise men will deem you rash and shallow.'”
#16
چنین گفت بیژن که اینست رای
✦
مرا خود نجنبید باید ز جای
“Bizhan said: 'This is indeed wise counsel; I myself ought not to stir from my seat.'”
#17
به برسام فرمود تا ده هزار
✦
نبرده‌سواران خنجرگزار
“He commanded Barsam to take ten thousand battle-tested, sword-wielding horsemen,”
#18
به مرو اندرون ساز جنگ آورد
✦
مگر گنج ایران به چنگ آورد
“And prepare for war in Merv, so that perchance he might capture the treasure of Iran.”
#19
سپاه از بخارا چو پرّان تذرو
✦
بیامد به یک هفته تا شهر مرو
“The host sped swiftly from Bukhara like flying pheasants, reaching Merv within a single week.”
#20
شب تیره هنگام بانگ خروس
✦
از آن مرز برخاست آواز کوس
“In the dark of night at cockcrow, the thunder of war drums arose from that borderland.”
#21
جهاندار زین خود نه آگاه بود
✦
که ماهوی سوریش بدخواه بود
“The King of the world was unaware that Mahoy Suri was his malevolent enemy.”
#22
به شبگیر گاه سپیده‌دمان
✦
سواری سوی خسرو آمد دوان
“At early morning, as dawn broke, a rider came galloping swiftly to the King,”
#23
که ماهوی گوید که آمد سپاه
✦
ز ترکان کنون بر چه رایست شاه
“Saying: 'Mahoy reports that an army of Turks has arrived; what is the King's resolve now?”
#24
سپهدارِ خانست و فغفور چین
✦
سپاهش همی برنتابد زمین
“It is led by the Khan's commander and the Faghfur of China, and the earth can barely sustain their numbers!'”
#25
بر‌آشفت و جوشن بپوشید شاه
✦
شد از گرد گیتی سراسر سیاه
“The King flared in anger and donned his coat of mail, while the world turned black from rising dust.”
#26
چو نیروی پرخاش ترکان بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When he saw the fierce onslaught of the Turks, he drew his sword from his waist.”
#27
به پیش سپاه اندر آمد چو پیل
✦
زمین شد به کردار دریای نیل
“He charged ahead of his army like a rogue elephant, making the earth resemble the blue Nile.”
#28
چو بر لشکر ترک بر حمله برد
✦
پس پشت او در نماند ایچ گُرد
“Yet as he launched his charge against the Turkish army, not a single warrior remained behind his back.”
#29
همه پشت بر تاجور گاشتند
✦
میان سوارانش بگذاشتند
“They all turned their backs on the crowned king and left him stranded amidst the enemy cavalry.”
#30
چو برگشت ماهوی شاه جهان
✦
بدانست نیرنگ او در نهان
“When Mahoy turned away, the King of the world perceived his hidden treachery.”
#31
چنین بود ماهوی را رای و راه
✦
که او ماند اندر میان سپاه
“Such had been Mahoy's plan and intent: to leave the King trapped inside the enemy ranks.”
#32
شهنشاه در جنگ شد ناشکیب
✦
همی‌زد به تیغ و به پای و رکیب
“The Sovereign fought relentlessly in battle, striking fiercely with sword, foot, and stirrup.”
#33
فراوان از آن نامداران بکشت
✦
چو بیچاره‌تر گشت بنمود پشت
“He slew many of those famous warriors, but when all hope was lost, he finally turned his back.”
#34
ز ترکان بسی بود در پشت اوی
✦
یکی کابلی‌تیغ در مشت اوی
“Many Turks pursued him, while he wielded a Kabuli sword in his grip.”
#35
همی‌تاخت جوشان چو از ابر برق
✦
یکی آسیا بُد بر آن آب زرق
“Galloping like lightning from a storm cloud, he reached a watermill situated upon the Zarq stream.”
#36
فرود آمد از باره شاه جهان
✦
ز بدخواه در آسیا شد نهان
“The King of the world dismounted from his steed and hid in the mill away from his enemies.”
#37
سواران بجستن نهادند روی
✦
همه زرق ازو شد پر از گفت‌وگوی
“The enemy horsemen set out in search of him, and rumors of his deceitful disappearance spread everywhere.”
#38
ازو بازماند اسپ زرین ستام
✦
همان گرز و شمشیر زرین‌نیام
“Behind him were left his horse with golden harness, and his mace and golden-scabbarded sword.”
#39
بجستنش ترکان خروشان شدند
✦
از آن باره و ساز جوشان شدند
“The Turks cried out as they searched, marveling at the left-behind horse and battle gear.”
#40
نهان گشته در خانهٔ آسیا
✦
نشست از بر خشک لختی گیا
“Hidden inside the structure of the mill, he sat upon a small patch of dry grass.”
#41
چنین است رسم سرای فریب
✦
فرازش بلند و نشیبش نشیب
“Such is the nature of this deceitful abode: its rise is high, and its fall is steep.”
#42
بدانگه که بیدار بُد بخت اوی
✦
بگردون کشیدی فلک تخت اوی
“When his fortune was awake, the heavens raised his throne above the cosmos;”
#43
کنون آسیابی بیامدش بهر
✦
ز نوشش فراوان فزون بود زهر
“Now his lot became a watermill, where poison far outweighed sweet elixir.”
#44
چه بندی دل اندر سرای فسوس
✦
که هزمان به گوش آید آواز کوس
“Why attach your heart to this house of illusion, where at any moment the drum of departure sounds?”
#45
خروشی برآید که بربند رخت
✦
نبینی به جز دخمهٔ گور تخت
“A cry shall arise commanding you to pack your goods; you shall see no throne save the tomb's crypt.”
#46
دهان ناچریده دو دیده پرآب
✦
همی‌بود تا برکشید آفتاب
“His mouth unfed, his eyes brimming with tears, he remained thus until the sun rose high.”
#47
گشاد آسیابان در آسیا
✦
به پشت اندرون بار و لختی گیا
“Then the miller opened the mill’s door, carrying a load upon his back alongside a handful of herbs.”
#48
فرومایه‌ای بود خسرو به نام
✦
نه تخت و نه گنج و نه تاج و نه کام
“He was a humble man named Khosrow—possessing neither throne nor treasure, crown nor fulfilled desire.”
#49
خور خویش زان آسیا ساختی
✦
به کاری جزین خود نپرداختی
“He earned his meager sustenance from that mill, engaging in no other craft or trade.”
#50
گوی دید بر سانِ سرو بلند
✦
نشسته بران سنگ چون مستمند
“He beheld a hero tall as a cypress, sitting upon that millstone like a soul in distress.”
#51
یکی افسری خسروی بر سرش
✦
درفشان ز دیبای چینی برش
“A royal crown adorned his head, and his chest shone in radiant Chinese brocade.”
#52
به پیکر یکی کفش زرین بپای
✦
ز خوشاب و زر آستین قبای
“Upon his feet were patterned golden shoes, his coat sleeves embroidered with fine pearls and gold.”
#53
نگه کرد خسرو بدو خیره ماند
✦
بدان خیرگی نام یزدان بخواند
“Khosrow gazed upon him and stood astounded; in his amazement, he invoked the name of God.”
#54
بدو گفت کای شاه خورشید‌روی
✦
برین آسیا چون رسیدی تو گوی
“He said to him, "O sun-faced king, tell me, how didst thou reach this humble mill?"”
#55
چه جای نشستت بود آسیا
✦
پر از گندم و خاک و چندی گیا
“"How can a mill be a fitting place for thee—a place filled with wheat, dust, and wild weeds?"”
#56
چه مردی بدین فرّ و این برز و چهر
✦
که چون تو نبیند همانا سپهر
“"What manner of man art thou, with such glory, stature, and face, the likes of which the heavens surely have never seen?"”
#57
از ایرانیانم بدو گفت شاه
✦
هزیمت گرفتم ز توران‌سپاه
“The King replied, "I am of the Iranians; I have fled defeated before the host of Turan."”
#58
بدو آسیابان به تشویر گفت
✦
که جز تنگ‌دستی مرا نیست جفت
“The miller answered him with embarrassment, "I have no companion save dire poverty."”
#59
اگر نان کشکینت آید به کار
✦
ورین ناسزا ترّهٔ جویبار
“"If coarse barley bread may serve thy need, along with these humble wild herbs from the stream..."”
#60
بیارم جزین نیز چیزی که هست
✦
خروشان بود مردم تنگ‌دست
“"I shall bring whatever else I possess; yet a poor man is ever in lament and distress."”
#61
به سه روز شاه جهان را ز رزم
✦
نبود ایچ پردازش خوان و بزم
“For three long days from battle, the King of the World had known no feast nor table laid.”
#62
بدو گفت شاه آنچ داری بیار
✦
خورش نیز با برسم آید به کار
“The King said to him, "Bring whatever thou hast; food too shall serve, if accompanied by sacred barsam twigs."”
#63
سبک مرد بی‌مایه چُبّین نهاد
✦
برو ترّه و نان کشکین نهاد
“Swiftly the poor man set down a wooden tray, placing upon it the herbs and coarse barley bread.”
#64
ببرسم شتابید و آمد به راه
✦
به جایی که بود اندران واژگاه
“He hastened to fetch the barsam twigs, journeying toward the place of Zoroastrian prayer.”
#65
برِ مهتر زرق شد بی‌گذار
✦
که برسم کند زو یکی خواستار
“He went directly to the chief priest, seeking from him a bundle of sacred barsam.”
#66
بهر سو فرستاد ماهوی کس
✦
ز گیتی همی شاه را جست و بس
“Meanwhile, Mahuy had sent riders in every direction, searching the world for the King and none else.”
#67
از آن آسیابان بپرسید مه
✦
که برسم کرا خواهی ای روزبه
“The chief priest asked the miller, "O good man, for whom dost thou seek this sacred barsam?"”
#68
بدو گفت خسرو که در آسیا
✦
نشستست کنداوری بر گیا
“Khosrow replied to him, "In the mill there sits a mighty hero upon the plain grass."”
#69
به بالا به کردار سرو سهی
✦
بدیدار خورشید با فرهی
“"In stature like an upright cypress, in countenance radiant as the sun with divine glory."”
#70
دو ابرو کمان و دو نرگس دژم
✦
دهن پر ز باد ابروان پر زخم
“"His eyebrows like bows, his eyes sorrowful narcisses, his mouth full of sighs and his brows furrowed with grief."”
#71
ببرسم همی واژ خواهد گرفت
✦
سزد گر بمانی ازو در شگفت
“"He wishes to recite the sacred prayer over the barsam; it would be fitting if thou were amazed by him!"”
#72
یکی کهنه چُبّین نهادم به پیش
✦
برو نان کشکین سزاوار خویش
“"I set an old wooden tray before him, with humble barley bread upon it, suited to my poor state."”
#73
بدو گفت مهتر کز ایدر بپوی
✦
چنین هم به ماهوی سوری بگوی
“The priest said to him, "Hasten from here, and tell this very tale to Mahuy Suri!"”
#74
نباید که آن بدنژاد پلید
✦
چو این بشنود گوهر آرد پدید
“"Lest that foul-born villain, upon hearing this news, reveal his evil nature!"”
#75
سبک مهتر او را بمردی سپرد
✦
جهان‌دیده را پیش ماهوی برد
“Swiftly the priest entrusted him to a soldier, who took the experienced miller straight before Mahuy.”
#76
بپرسید ماهوی زین چاره‌جوی
✦
که برسم کرا خواستی راست گوی
“Mahuy questioned this seeker of counsel: "Tell me truly, for whom didst thou request the barsam?"”
#77
چنین داد پاسخ ورا ترسکار
✦
که من بار کردم همی خواستار
“The fearful miller replied to him, "I was carrying my load when I opened the door..."”
#78
در آسیا را گشادم به خشم
✦
چنان دان که خورشید دیدم به چشم
“"When I opened the mill's door, believe me, it was as though I beheld the sun with my own eyes!"”
#79
دو نرگس چو نر آهو اندر هراس
✦
دو دیده چو از شب گذشته سه پاس
“"His two eyes were like a frightened male deer's, his gaze like one who had stayed awake through three watches of the night."”
#80
چو خورشید گشتست زو آسیا
✦
خورش نان خشک و نشستش گیا
“"The humble mill has become radiant like the sun through his presence—yet his food is dry bread and his seat but grass."”
#81
هر آنکس که او فر یزدان ندید
✦
ازین آسیابان بباید شنید
“Whoever has not witnessed the Divine Grace should hear the tale of this miller.”
#82
پر از گوهر نابسود افسرش
✦
ز دیبای چینی فروزان برش
“His crown was laden with unblemished gems, and his chest ablaze with radiant Chinese silk.”
#83
بهاریست گویی در اردیبهشت
✦
به بالای او سرو دهقان نکِشت
“He seemed a very vision of mid-spring in Ordibehesht; no gardener ever grew a cypress of such majestic height.”