#1
سوی شاه ترکان رسید آگهی
✦
کزان نامداران جهان شد تهی
“Word reached the King of the Turanians that the world had been emptied of his glorious chieftains.”
#2
دلش گشت پر آتش از درد و غم
✦
دو رخ را به خون جگر داد نم
“His heart caught fire with grief and pain, and blood from his liver moistened his cheeks.”
#3
برآشفت و گفتا که نوذر کجاست
✦
کزو ویسه خواهد همی کینه خواست
“Enraged, he cried: 'Where is Nowzar, that Viseh may exact his vengeance upon him?'”
#4
چه چاره است جز خون او ریختن
✦
یکی کینهٔ نو برانگیختن
“'What remedy is there save spilling his blood, and rekindling an ancient grudge anew?'”
#5
به دژخیم فرمود کو را کشان
✦
ببر تا بیاموزد او سرفشان
“He commanded the executioner to drag him forth, so he might be taught the severing of heads.”
#6
سپهدار نوذر چو آگاه شد
✦
بدانست کش روز کوتاه شد
“When Commander Nowzar learned of this, he knew that his days were brought to a close.”
#7
سپاهی پر از غلغل و گفت و گوی
✦
سوی شاه نوذر نهادند روی
“A throng full of clamor and outcry marched toward King Nowzar.”
#8
ببستند بازوش با بند تنگ
✦
کشیدندش از جای پیش نهنگ
“They bound his arms tight with cords, and dragged him out before the dragon.”
#9
به دشت آوریدندش از خیمه خوار
✦
برهنه سر و پای و برگشته کار
“They brought him into the plain from his pavilion, wretched, bare of head and foot, his fortune overthrown.”
#10
چو از دور دیدش زبان برگشاد
✦
ز کین نیاگان همی کرد یاد
“When Afrasiab saw him from afar, he unloosed his tongue, recalling the vengeance of his ancestors.”
#11
ز تور و ز سلم اندر آمد نخست
✦
دل و دیده از شرم شاهان بشست
“Beginning with Tur and Salm, he washed all royal shame and mercy from his heart and eyes.”
#12
بدو گفت هر بد که آید سزاست
✦
بگفت و برآشفت و شمشیر خواست
“He said: 'Every evil that befalls is deserved!' Then in wrath, he demanded a sword.”
#13
بزد گردن خسرو تاجدار
✦
تنش را بخاک اندر افگند خوار
“He struck off the crowned King's head, and cast his body down into the dirt with scorn.”
#14
شد آن یادگار منوچهر شاه
✦
تهی ماند ایران ز تخت و کلاه
“Gone was that remembrance of King Manuchehr; Iran was left empty of throne and crown.”
#15
ایا دانشی مرد بسیار هوش
✦
همه چادر آزمندی مپوش
“O man of wisdom and great understanding, wrap not thyself in the cloak of greed,”
#16
که تخت و کله چون تو بسیار دید
✦
چنین داستان چند خواهی شنید
“For throne and crown have seen many like thee; how many such tales wilt thou hear?”
#17
رسیدی به جایی که بشتافتی
✦
سرآمد کزو آرزو یافتی
“Thou hast reached the place to which thou didst hasten; thy life is ended, wherein thou didst find desire.”
#18
چه جویی از این تیره خاک نژند
✦
که هم بازگرداندت مستمند
“What seekest thou from this dark, gloomy dust, which in the end returns thee broken-hearted?”
#19
که گر چرخ گردان کشد زین تو
✦
سرانجام خاکست بالین تو
“Though the turning sky saddle thy steed, in the end the earth shall be thy pillow.”
#20
پس آن بستگان را کشیدند خوار
✦
به جان خواستند آنگهی زینهار
“Then they dragged the captives out in humiliation, who implored for their very lives.”
#21
چو اغریرث پرهنر آن بدید
✦
دل او ببر در چو آتش دمید
“When the accomplished Aghriras saw this, his heart flared up within him like fire.”
#22
همی گفت چندین سر بی‌گناه
✦
ز تن دور ماند به فرمان شاه
“He kept saying: 'Should so many guiltless heads be separated from their bodies by royal decree?'”
#23
بیامد خروشان به خواهشگری
✦
بیاراست با نامور داوری
“He came forward shouting in entreaty, entering into earnest debate with the famous prince.”
#24
که چندین سرافراز گرد و سوار
✦
نه با ترگ و جوشن نه در کارزار
“'So many exalted champions and horsemen—neither wearing helmets and armor, nor in the midst of battle!'”
#25
گرفتار کشتن نه والا بود
✦
نشیبست جایی که بالا بود
“'To slay captives is not the way of greatness; high fortune may quickly turn into low downfalls.'”
#26
سزد گر نیاید به جانشان گزند
✦
سپاری همیدون به من شان ببند
“'It is fitting if no harm comes to their lives; hand them over to me bound as they are.'”
#27
بریشان یکی غار زندان کنم
✦
نگهدارشان هوشمندان کنم
“'I will make a cave into a prison for them, and place wise guards over them.'”
#28
به ساری به زاری برآرند هوش
✦
تو از خون به کش دست و چندین مکوش
“'Let them spend their lives in sorrow in Sari; pull back thy hand from blood and slay no more!'”
#29
ببخشید جانشان به گفتار اوی
✦
چو بشنید با درد پیکار اوی
“Afrasiab granted their lives at his word, hearing his pained contention.”
#30
بفرمودشان تا به ساری برند
✦
به غل و به مسمار و خواری برند
“He commanded them to be taken to Sari, bound with chains, iron pegs, and in humiliation.”
#31
چو این کرده شد ساز رفتن گرفت
✦
زمین زیر اسپان نهفتن گرفت
“When this was accomplished, he prepared to move; the ground was hidden beneath the horses' hooves.”
#32
ز پیش دهستان سوی ری کشید
✦
از اسپان به رنج و به تک خوی کشید
“From Dehestan he marched toward Ray, sweat dripping from the horses with pain and speed.”
#33
کلاه کیانی به سر بر نهاد
✦
به دینار دادن در اندرگشاد
“He placed the Kianid crown upon his head, and opened the doors of treasury to bestow gold.”