Kay Kavus, Kianian King of Iran and grandfather of Kay Khosrow. Kay Khosrow references his glorious yet mortal reign as a lesson in the impermanence of earthly crowns.
از او باد بر شاه گیتی درود / کز او خیزد آرام را تار و پود
“From Him be blessings upon the king of the world, from whom springs the very warp and weft of peace.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21281
بگوید کنون گیو یک یک به شاه / سخن هرچه رفت اندر این رزمگاه
“Now Giv shall recount to the king step by step everything that transpired on this battlefield.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21285
چو باد هوا گشت و ببرید راه / بیامد به نزدیک کاووس شاه
“He swept like the wind across the realm until he reached the court of King Kavus.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21290
پس آگاهی آمد به کاووس کی / از آن پهلوان زادهٔ نیک پی
“News came to Kavus Kay of the arrival of that noble hero's son.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21291
پذیره فرستاد چندی سپاه / گرانمایگان بر گرفتند راه
“He sent a troop of warriors to welcome him, and noble grandees set out upon the road.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21292
چو گیو اندر آمد به نزدیک شاه / زمین را ببوسید بر پیش گاه
“When Giv entered the presence of the king, he kissed the earth before the royal throne.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21294
ورا دید کاووس بر پای جست / بخندید و بسترد رویش به دست
“When Kavus saw him, he bounded to his feet, smiled, and wiped his face with his hand.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21295
بپرسیدش از شهریار و سپاه / ز گردنده خورشید و تابنده ماه
“He asked him of the monarch and the host, under the revolving sun and shining moon.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21296
جوان شد ز گفتار او مرد پیر / پس آن نامه بنهاد پیش دبیر
“The old king grew young at his words; he then placed the letter before the royal scribe.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21298
چو آن نامه بر شاه ایران بخواند / همه انجمن در شگفتی بماند
“When the scribe read the letter to the king of Iran, the entire assembly remained lost in wonder.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21299
فرود آمد از تخت کاووس شاه / ز سر برگرفت آن کیانی کلاه
“King Kavus stepped down from his throne and removed the Kianian crown from his head.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21302
بیامد بغلتید بر تیره خاک / نیایش کنان پیش یزدان پاک
“He came and prostrated himself upon the dark dust, offering prayers before holy Yazdan.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21303
وز آن جایگه شد به جای نشست / به گرد دژ آیین شادی ببست
“From that place he returned to his throne and ordained festive celebrations all around the citadel.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21304
همی گفت با شاه گیو آنچه دید / سخن کز لب شاه ایران شنید
“Giv continued telling the king all he had seen and the words he had heard from the lips of the King of Iran.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21305
می آورد و رامشگران را بخواند / وز ایران نبرده سران را بخواند
“He brought wine, summoned minstrel-players, and gathered the battle-proven chieftains of Iran.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21306
تبیره بر آمد ز درگاه شاه / برفتند گردان بدان بارگاه
“Drums sounded from the king's threshold, and the heroes gathered in that royal court.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21310
جهاندار پس گیو را پیش خواند / بر آن نامور تخت شاهی نشاند
“The ruler of the world then called Giv forward and seated him upon a glorious royal throne.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21311
بفرمود تا خواسته پیش برد / همان نامور سرفرازان گرد
“He commanded wealth and treasures to be brought forth, along with the captured noble warriors.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21312
چو گرسیوز بدکنش را بدید / بر او کرد نفرین که نفرین سزید
“When he saw evil-doing Garsivaz, he poured upon him curses, for he truly merited all curse.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21315
بدان دختران رد افراسیاب / نگه کرد کاووس مژگان پر آب
“Kavus looked upon the noble daughters of Afrasiab, his eyelashes wet with tears.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21317
پس پردهٔ شاهشان جای کرد / همانگه پرستنده بر پای کرد
“He gave them quarters behind the royal curtains and immediately assigned attentive maidservants to wait upon them.”
Mahmood • The Dispatch from Afrasiab's Fortress, Kavus's Thanksgiving, the Shackling of Garsivaz, and the Robe of Honor for Giv
بیت #21318
نبیرهٔ جهاندار کاووس کی / دل‌افروز و با دانش و نیک‌پی
“'Grandson of King Kay Kavus the conqueror—heart-brightening, knowledgeable, and of blessed step.'”
Mahmood • Kay Khosrow's Response to Zal: Lineage, Vengeance, and Renunciation
بیت #22247
دگر آن که کاووس صندوق ساخت / سر از پادشاهی همی برفراخت
“'Second, thou mentionedst how Kavus built the flying chest and sought to raise his head above kingship.'”
Mahmood • Kay Khosrow's Response to Zal: Lineage, Vengeance, and Renunciation
بیت #22251
چو کاووس و جمشید باشم به راه / چو ایشان ز من گم شود پایگاه
“'I fear I might walk the path of Kavus and Jamshid, and like them lose my divine station,'”
Mahmood • Kay Khosrow's Response to Zal: Lineage, Vengeance, and Renunciation
بیت #22257
ز هوشنگ و جمشید و کاووس شاه / که بودند با فر و تخت و کلاه
“'Consider Hushang, Jamshid, and King Kavus, who possessed divine radiance, throne, and crown.'”
Mahmood • Kay Khosrow’s Renunciation of the Throne and the Seven Days of Revelry
بیت #22305