When the reciters began to chant the forgotten sagas of antiquity from the ancient codex, the hearts of all people—and most of all the wise and the righteous—were captured by the majesty of those tales. In that hour, a youth of fluent tongue and sweet utterance stepped forth, blessed with a swift wit and poetic grace. He declared before the assembly that he would weave this chronicle of kings into glittering verse, bringing gladdening light to the hearts of all who heard him. Yet, alas, an ill nature was the tragic companion of his youth, drawing him into constant strife and reckless ways. Death mounted a sudden onslaught upon him, placing upon his head the dark helmet of fate. Because of his untamed temper, he surrendered his sweet life without knowing a single day of true happiness in his youth. In an instant, his fortune turned to ashes, and he was slain in cold blood by the hand of his own slave. Thus he departed the mortal realm, leaving the magnificent book unfinished, while his once-awake fortune sank into slumber eternal. May the Creator of the Universe forgive his mortal sins and exalt his soul upon the Day of Resurrection.
#1
چو از دفتر این داستان‌ها بَسی
✦
همی‌خواند خواننده بَر هر کسی
“When the reader recited many of these ancient tales from the chronicle before the gathered folk,”
#2
جهان دل نهاده بدین داستان
✦
همان بِخْرَدان نیز و هَم راستان
“The whole world set its heart upon these sagas, as did the wise and the upright of spirit.”
#3
جوانی بیامد گُشاده زبان
✦
سُخن گفتنِ خوب و طبعِ روان
“Then came forth a youth of fluent speech, renowned for his beautiful utterance and swift talent.”
#4
به شعر آرَم این نامه را گفت مَن
✦
از او شادمان شُد دلِ انجمن
“He said: 'I shall turn this chronicle into immortal verse,' and the hearts of the assembly were gladdened by him.”
#5
جوانیش را خوی بَد یار بود
✦
اَبا بَد همیشه به پیکار بود
“Yet a dark disposition was the companion of his youth; he was ever engaged in strife with evil.”
#6
بر او تاختن کَرد ناگاه مرگ
✦
نهادش به سَر بر یکی تیره تَرگ
“Suddenly, Death launched a swift assault upon him, placing upon his head a dark helmet of fate.”
#7
بِدان خوی بَد جانِ شیرین بِداد
✦
نَبُد از جوانیش یک روز شاد
“Owing to that ill temper, he surrendered his sweet soul, never enjoying a single day of happiness in his youth.”
#8
یکایک از او بخت برگَشته شد
✦
به دستِ یکی بنده بر کُشته شد
“All at once his fortune turned away from him, and he was slain by the hand of his own slave.”
#9
بِرَفت او و این نامه ناگفته ماند
✦
چُنان بختِ بیدارِ او خُفته ماند
“He departed, and this book remained unwritten in verse; thus his awake fortune sank into slumber.”
#10
الهی عَفو کُن گناهِ وُرا
✦
بیَفزای دَر حَشْر جاهِ وُرا
“O God, forgive his transgression, and exalt his rank upon the Day of Resurrection!”