After securing the realm against all foes, King Keyqobad marched into the heartland of Pars, where lay the key to the empire's ancient treasures. He established his royal seat at Istakhr, the proud citadel of the Kianian dynasty, and ascended the sublime throne. From every corner of the world, rulers and subjects turned their eyes toward him, beholding a sovereign of blessed counsel who governed with absolute justice.
Gathering the paramount nobles and lords of Iran, Keyqobad proclaimed his royal manifest: 'The world from border to border is entrusted to my charge. Yet if an elephant harbors malice against a gnat, the divine edifice of law and righteousness is breached. I desire nothing in this cosmos save truth and rectitude, for the wrath of God brings ruin upon the land. The comfort of my subjects flows from my own toil; wherever water springs and soil endures, there lies my treasure. Soldier and citizen are one in my eyes—all the realm is my army. Let all abide beneath the shelter of the Almighty, living wisely and free from cruelty. Whoever possesses bread, let him eat and bestow upon the needy; and whosoever is destitute and lacking sustenance, my royal court shall be his pasture and sanctuary.'
Honoring the deeds of the glorious monarchs of old, Keyqobad ruled with bountiful equity for a hundred joyful years. Four wise sons were born to him, leaving an enduring legacy upon the earth: the eldest, praised Kavus, followed by Kay Arash, Kay Pashin, and the fourth prince, Kay Arash. Together they maintained the serenity of the realm. But when a century had elapsed upon the throne, the bright star of Keyqobad's fortune began to wane, and the king recognized that his green leaves were destined to wither.
At the turn of the month, Keyqobad summoned his eldest son, Kay Kavus, to impart his final royal testament. 'We have packed our burdens for the great journey,' said the dying king. 'Prepare my coffin and step upon the throne. It feels to me as though I have only just descended in triumph from Mount Alborz! Worship not this fleeting world, for whoever surrenders to its illusions lacks true wisdom. If thou art just and pure of faith, thou shalt harvest nothing but blessings; but if greed entangles thy soul, thou wilt draw a sharp sword of ruin against thine own head.' With these words, the great king departed the vast expanse of the mortal earth, choosing the narrow wooden chest over the grand palace. Thus ended the era of Keyqobad, clearing the path for the saga of Kay Kavus.
#1
وزانجا سوی پارس اندر کشید
✦
که در پارس بد گنجها را کلید
“From there he marched onward toward Pars, for in Pars lay the key to all royal treasures.”
#2
نشستنگه آن گه به اسطخر بود
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کیان را بدان جایگه فخر بود
“Istakhr was then the seat of his realm, a place in which the Kianian kings took immense pride.”
#3
جهانی سوی او نهادند روی
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که او بود سالار دیهیم جوی
“The entire world turned its face toward him, for he was the sovereign ruler seeking the crown of justice.”
#4
به تخت کیان اندر آورد پای
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به داد و به آیین فرخنده‌رای
“He set his foot upon the Kianian throne, governing with equity, tradition, and auspicious wisdom.”
#5
چنین گفت با نامور مهتران
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که گیتی مرا از کران تا کران
“Thus he spoke to the renowned nobles: 'The world, from border to border, belongs to me.'”
#6
اگر پیل با پشه کین آورد
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همه رخنه در داد و دین آورد
“'If an elephant harbors malice toward a gnat, it tears a breach in both justice and faith.'”
#7
نخواهم به گیتی جز از راستی
✦
که خشم خدا آورد کاستی
“'I desire naught in this world but truth, for divine wrath brings ruin and decline.'”
#8
تن آسانی از درد و رنج منست
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کجا خاک و آبست گنج منست
“'The comfort of the people comes through my toil and hardship; wherever there is land and water, there lies my treasure.'”
#9
سپاهی و شهری همه یکسرند
✦
همه پادشاهی مرا لشکرند
“'Soldiers and citizens are as one to me; the entire kingdom forms my unified army.'”
#10
همه در پناه جهاندار بید
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خردمند بید و بی‌آزار بید
“'May all dwell in the shelter of the Ruler of the World, remaining wise and free from malice.'”
#11
هر آنکس که دارد خورید و دهید
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سپاسی ز خوردن به من برنهید
“'Whoever possesses wealth, eat and bestow upon others, giving thanks for your sustenance under my reign.'”
#12
هرآنکس کجا بازماند ز خورد
✦
ندارد همی توشهٔ کارکرد
“'And whosoever is destitute and lacks sustenance, having no provision earned by toil—'”
#13
چراگاهشان بارگاه منست
✦
هرآنکس که اندر سپاه منست
“'—My royal court shall be their pasture and sanctuary, as it is for every soul within my army.'”
#14
وزان رفته نام‌آوران یاد کرد
✦
به داد و دهش گیتی آباد کرد
“He honored the memory of illustrious kings of old, and prospered the world through justice and bounty.”
#15
برین گونه صدسال شادان بزیست
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نگر تا چنین در جهان شاه کیست
“In this wise he lived joyfully for a hundred years; behold if ever there was such a king in the world!”
#16
پسر بد مر او را خردمند چار
✦
که بودند زو در جهان یادگار
“Four wise sons were born unto him, left as his enduring legacy in the world.”
#17
نخستین چو کاووس باآفرین
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کی آرش دوم و دگر کی پشین
“The first was praised Kavus; the second Kay Arash, and the third Kay Pashin.”
#18
چهارم کجا آرشش بود نام
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سپردند گیتی به آرام و کام
“The fourth was named Kay Arash; together they passed their days in peace and prosperity.”
#19
چو صد سال بگذشت با تاج و تخت
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سرانجام تاب اندر آمد به بخت
“When a hundred years passed upon the crown and throne, at last fortune began to wane.”
#20
چو دانست کامد به نزدیک مرگ
✦
بپژمرد خواهد همی سبز برگ
“When he knew that death was drawing near, and that his green leaf was destined to wither—”
#21
سر ماه کاووس کی را بخواند
✦
ز داد و دهش چند با او براند
“At the turn of the month he summoned Kay Kavus, imparting to him deep discourses on justice and generosity.”
#22
بدو گفت ما بر نهادیم رخت
✦
تو بسپار تابوت و بردار تخت
“He said to him: 'We have packed our burdens for the journey; prepare for me the coffin, and ascend thou the throne.'”
#23
چنانم که گویی ز البرز کوه
✦
کنون آمدم شادمان با گروه
“'It feels to me as though I have only just descended in joy from Mount Alborz with my companion group!'”
#24
چو بختی که بی‌آگهی بگذرد
✦
پرستندهٔ او ندارد خرد
“'For fortune that passes unawares—whosoever worships it lacks true wisdom.'”
#25
تو گر دادگر باشی و پاک دین
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ز هر کس نیابی به جز آفرین
“'If thou art just and pure of faith, thou shalt receive naught from anyone but praise.'”
#26
و گر آز گیرد سرت را به دام
✦
برآری یکی تیغ تیز از نیام
“'But if greed ensnareth thy heart, thou wilt draw a sharp sword of ruin against thine own head.'”
#27
بگفت این و شد زین جهان فراخ
✦
گزین کرد صندوق بر جای کاخ
“Speaking these words, he departed this vast world, choosing a wooden chest in place of a palace.”
#28
بسر شد کنون قصهٔ کیقباد
✦
ز کاووس باید سخن کرد یاد
“Now the tale of Keyqobad has reached its end; it is time to recount the saga of Kavus.”