When Zal the Commander departed from the court to return to the Pahlav region, King Kay Kavus at once marshaled his host. He commanded Tus and Goudarz to raise the banners and lead the Persian army toward the mists of Mazandaran. As the sun rose, the king and his warriors set out on their ill-fated crusade. Kavus entrusted the realm of Iran, along with the keys to its royal treasures and the imperial crown, to Milad. He instructed him to draw the sword of vengeance should any foe appear, and in times of peril, to seek refuge in Zal and Rostam—the true pillars of the army and the adornment of the Kianian throne.
On the following day, the war-drums sounded, and Tus and Goudarz drove the host forward. Kavus, shining at the head of his forces, pitched his royal pavilion before Mount Esparuz—a place where the sun sank into darkness, the lair of bloodthirsty demons where even mighty war-elephants trembled with dread. There, they laid down golden brocades and spent the night feasting upon radiant wine. At daybreak, the heroes assembled before the king, clad in armor. Kavus ordered Gev to select a thousand champion horsemen, armed with heavy maces, to sack the lands of Mazandaran. The king commanded that no one—young or old—be spared, that every prosperous town be put to the torch, and that the realm be cleansed of demons before news could reach their lords.
Gev bound his waist and descended upon the realm of Mazandaran like a tempest. Shamanic spells could not stay his blade; women, children, and men fell beneath the relentless swords of the Iranians. They pillaged and burned the paradise-like land, filled with enchanting maidens wearing golden collars and treasures of ruby and gold. When word of this destruction and the ruined beauty of the land reached Kavus, he marveled at the country's lost splenders, recalling the singer's sweet words.
Yet news of the onslaught reached the King of Mazandaran, filling his heart with grief. He summoned the demon Sanjeh and dispatched him with all speed to the Div-e Sepid, warning that if the White Demon did not come to their aid, not a single soul in Mazandaran would remain alive. Upon receiving the message, the Div-e Sepid bade him not to lose heart, promising to march with a terrible army and eradicate the Iranian invaders.
As night fell, a monstrous cloud of soot and pitch, summoned by sorcery, enveloped the heavens, plunging the world into ink-black shade. When dawn broke, a magical blindness struck King Kay Kavus and two-thirds of his host. Their vision was consumed by darkness, their fortune turned to ash, their treasures plundered, and their warriors chained. Kavus, trapped in sudden night, wept in agony, realizing too late that a wise counselor is worth more than all the gold in the world.
The White Demon roared over them, mocking Kavus for his boundless folly and hubris in seeking to conquer the realm of Mazandaran. He appointed twelve thousand fierce sword-bearing demons to guard the blinded captives, rationing just enough food to keep them breathing in agony. He then entrusted all of Kavus's royal wealth, his ruby crown, and his heavy mace to Arzhang Div, commander of Mazandaran, ordering him to carry the spoils to the King of Mazandaran and leave the Iranian king to perish in dark humiliation.
#1
چو زال سپهبد ز پهلو برفت
✦
دمادم سپه روی بنهاد و تفت
“When Zal the commander departed from Pahlav, the army swiftly set forth without delay.”
#2
به طوس و به گودرز فرمود شاه
✦
کشیدن سپه سر نهادن به راه
“The King commanded Tus and Goudarz to draw up the army and take to the road.”
#3
چو شب روز شد شاه و جنگ‌آوران
✦
نهادند سر سوی مازندران
“As night gave way to day, the King and his warriors turned their faces toward Mazandaran.”
#4
به میلاد بسپرد ایران زمین
✦
کلید در گنج و تاج و نگین
“He entrusted the land of Iran to Milad, alongside the keys to the treasure vaults, the crown, and the royal signet.”
#5
بدو گفت گر دشمن آید پدید
✦
ترا تیغ کینه بباید کشید
“He said to him: 'If an enemy should appear, you must unsheathe the sword of vengeance.'”
#6
ز هر بد به زال و به رستم پناه
✦
که پشت سپاهند و زیبای گاه
“'In every evil plight, seek refuge in Zal and Rostam, for they are the pillars of the host and the glory of the throne.'”
#7
دگر روز برخاست آوای کوس
✦
سپه را همی راند گودرز و طوس
“On the next day, the roar of the war-drum echoed, as Goudarz and Tus drove the army onward.”
#8
همی رفت کاووس لشکر فروز
✦
بزد گاه بر پیش کوه اسپروز
“Kavus, illuminator of hosts, marched onward and pitched his royal throne before Mount Esparuz.”
#9
به جایی که پنهان شود آفتاب
✦
بدان جایگه ساخت آرام و خواب
“At the place where the sun sets into darkness, there he established his rest and sleep.”
#10
کجا جای دیوان دژخیم بود
✦
بدان جایگه پیل را بیم بود
“A place that was the lair of ruthless demons, where even the war-elephant was filled with dread.”
#11
بگسترد زربفت بر میش سار
✦
هوا پر ز بوی از می خوشگوار
“They spread gold-brocade upon the grassy field, and the air grew sweet with the scent of delicious wine.”
#12
همه پهلوانان فرخنده پی
✦
نشستند بر تخت کاووس کی
“All the auspicious heroes took their seats beside the throne of Kay Kavus.”
#13
همه شب می و مجلس آراستند
✦
به شبگیر کز خواب برخاستند
“All night long they held feast and revelry, until they awoke from slumber at dawn.”
#14
پراگنده نزدیک شاه آمدند
✦
کمر بسته و با کلاه آمدند
“Gathered from all around, they came before the King, girded for battle and wearing their helmets.”
#15
بفرمود پس گیو را شهریار
✦
دوباره ز لشکر گزیدن هزار
“The monarch then commanded Gev to choose two thousand brave warriors from the army.”
#16
کسی کاو گراید به گرز گران
✦
گشایندهٔ شهر مازندران
“Men who could wield the heavy mace and conquer the city of Mazandaran.”
#17
هر آنکس که بینی ز پیر و جوان
✦
تنی کن که با او نباشد روان
“'Whomever you see, whether old or young, strike them so their body is left without a soul.'”
#18
وزو هرچ آباد بینی بسوز
✦
شب آور به جایی که باشی به روز
“'And burn whatever prosperous thing you see; bring night upon the places where day now shines.'”
#19
چنین تا به دیوان رسد آگهی
✦
جهان کن سراسر ز دیوان تهی
“'Before news can reach the demons, empty the entire world of their blight.'”
#20
کمر بست و رفت از بر شاه گیو
✦
ز لشکر گزین کرد گردان نیو
“Gev girded his waist and left the King's presence, selecting valiant heroes from the army.”
#21
بشد تا در شهر مازندران
✦
ببارید شمشیر و گرز گران
“He marched unto the gates of Mazandaran, raining down heavy maces and swords.”
#22
زن و کودک و مرد با دستوار
✦
نیافت از سر تیغ او زینهار
“Woman, child, and nobleman alike found no mercy from the edge of his blade.”
#23
همی کرد غارت همی سوخت شهر
✦
بپالود بر جای تریاک زهر
“He plundered and burned the city, pouring bitter poison where sweet remedy once dwelt.”
#24
یکی چون بهشت برین شهر دید
✦
پر از خرمی بر درش بهر دید
“He beheld a city like the highest heaven, overflowing with joy and blessed prosperity at its gates.”
#25
به هر برزنی بر فزون از هزار
✦
پرستار با طوق و با گوشوار
“In every street were more than a thousand maidens, adorned with golden collars and earrings.”
#26
پرستنده زین بیشتر با کلاه
✦
به چهره به کردار تابنده ماه
“And even more attendants wearing diadems, their faces radiant like the shining moon.”
#27
به هر جای گنجی پراگنده زر
✦
به یک جای دینار سرخ و گهر
“In every quarter lay scattered treasures of gold, red dinars, and precious gems in heap.”
#28
بی‌اندازه گرد اندرش چارپای
✦
بهشتیست گفتی همیدون به جای
“Boundless herds of livestock roamed all around; you would say it was paradise itself incarnate.”
#29
به کاووس بردند از او آگهی
✦
ازان خرمی جای و آن فرهی
“News was brought to Kavus of that glorious, prosperous, and splendid land.”
#30
همی گفت خرم زیاد آنک گفت
✦
که مازندران را بهشتست جفت
“He remarked: 'Blessed be the one who said that Mazandaran is the twin of paradise!'”
#31
همه شهر گویی مگر بتکده‌ست
✦
ز دیبای چین بر گل آذین زدست
“'The entire city resembles an idol-temple, adorned with Chinese silk upon rose gardens.'”
#32
بتان بهشتند گویی درست
✦
به گلنارشان روی رضوان بشست
“'Verily, their maidens seem like paradise houris, whose faces the gatekeeper of heaven washed with pomegranate blossoms.'”
#33
چو یک هفته بگذشت ایرانیان
✦
ز غارت گشادند یکسر میان
“When a week had passed, the Iranians finally unbuckled their belts from pillaging.”
#34
خبر شد سوی شاه مازندران
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر شد گران
“News reached the King of Mazandaran; his heart filled with grief and his head grew heavy.”
#35
ز دیوان به پیش اندرون سنجه بود
✦
که جان و تنش زان سخن رنجه بود
“Among the demons, Sanjeh stood foremost, his soul and body tormented by these tidings.”
#36
بدو گفت رو نزد دیو سپید
✦
چنان رو که بر چرخ گردنده شید
“The King said to him: 'Go to the White Demon! Fly as swiftly as the sun across the turning sky!'”
#37
بگویش که آمد به مازندران
✦
بغارت از ایران سپاهی گران
“'Tell him that a vast army from Iran has entered Mazandaran to plunder.'”
#38
جهانجوی کاووس شان پیش رو
✦
یکی لشگری جنگ سازان نو
“'Led by the world-conquering Kavus, leading an army of fresh, eager warriors.'”
#39
کنون گر نباشی تو فریادرس
✦
نبینی بمازندران زنده کس
“'Now, if you do not come to our rescue, you will not see a single living soul left in Mazandaran!'”
#40
چو بشنید پیغام سنجه نهفت
✦
بر دیو پیغام شه بازگفت
“When Sanjeh heard the message, he sped in secret and delivered the King's words to the demon.”
#41
چنین پاسخش داد دیو سپید
✦
که از روزگاران مشو ناامید
“The White Demon answered him: 'Do not lose heart in the turns of fortune.'”
#42
بیایم کنون با سپاهی گران
✦
ببرم پی او ز مازندران
“'I shall come now with a mighty host, and sever his tracks from Mazandaran forever!'”
#43
شب آمد یکی ابر شد با سپاه
✦
جهان کرد چون روی زنگی سیاه
“Night came, and a cloud descended with his host, turning the world black as an Ethiopian's face.”
#44
چو دریای قارست گفتی جهان
✦
همه روشناییش گشته نهان
“You would say the world became a sea of pitch, all its light hidden away.”
#45
یکی خیمه زد بر سر او دود و قیر
✦
سیه شد جهان چشمها خیره خیر
“A pavilion of smoke and tar pitched above them; the world turned black, blinding all eyes in astonishment.”
#46
چو بگذشت شب روز نزدیک شد
✦
جهانجوی را چشم تاریک شد
“As night passed and daylight drew near, darkness fell upon the world-seeker's eyes.”
#47
ز لشکر دو بهره شده تیره چشم
✦
سر نامداران ازو پر ز خشم
“Two-thirds of the army grew blind in sight, and the minds of the chieftains were filled with wrath.”
#48
از ایشان فراوان تبه کرد نیز
✦
نبود از بدبخت ماننده چیز
“Many of them were slain as well, for nothing remains intact when fortune turns ill.”
#49
چو تاریک شد چشم کاووس شاه
✦
بد آمد ز کردار او بر سپاه
“When King Kavus's eyes turned dark, disaster befell the army due to his ill-considered deeds.”
#50
همه گنج تاراج و لشکر اسیر
✦
جوان دولت و بخت برگشت پیر
“All treasures were plundered and the army enslaved; the young king's fortune withered and grew old.”
#51
همه داستان یاد باید گرفت
✦
که خیره نماید شگفت از شگفت
“One must remember all such tales of lore, for wondrous marvels reveal themselves time and again.”
#52
سپهبد چنین گفت چون دید رنج
✦
که دستور بیدار بهتر ز گنج
“When the commander saw this agony, he spoke thus: 'A wise counselor is far better than treasures.'”
#53
به سختی چو یک هفته اندر کشید
✦
به دیده ز ایرانیان کس ندید
“When a full week passed in hardship, not one of the Iranians could see anything with their eyes.”
#54
بهشتم بغرید دیو سپید
✦
که ای شاه بی‌بر به کردار بید
“On the eighth day, the White Demon roared aloud: 'O unfruitful king, barren like a willow tree!”
#55
همی برتری را بیاراستی
✦
چراگاه مازندران خواستی
“You sought to magnify your realm, and coveted the rich pastures of Mazandaran!”
#56
همی نیروی خویش چون پیل مست
✦
بدیدی و کس را ندادی تو دست
“You saw your own might like a drunken elephant, refusing to lend a hand to anyone!”
#57
چو با تاج و با تخت نشکیفتی
✦
خرد را بدین‌گونه بفریفتی
“Since you could not rest content with crown and throne, you deceived wisdom in such a manner!”
#58
کنون آنچ اندر خور کار تست
✦
دلت یافت آن آرزوها که جست
“Now that which fits your worthy deserts has come to pass; your heart has reaped the very desires it sought!'”
#59
ازان نره دیوان خنجرگذار
✦
گزین کرد جنگی ده و دوهزار
“From among those fierce, dagger-wielding demons, he selected twelve thousand battle-tested warriors.”
#60
بر ایرانیان بر نگهدار کرد
✦
سر سرکشان پر ز تیمار کرد
“He set them as guards over the captive Iranians, leaving the hearts of the noble leaders heavy with grief.”
#61
سران را همه بندها ساختند
✦
چو از بند و بستن بپرداختند
“They forged fetters for all the chieftains, and when they finished binding them in chains...”
#62
خورش دادشان اندکی جان سپوز
✦
بدان تا گذارند روزی به روز
“They fed them just enough meager sustenance to barely preserve life day by day.”
#63
ازان پس همه گنج شاه جهان
✦
چه از تاج یاقوت و گرز گران
“Thereafter, all the world-king's treasures—from ruby-studded crowns to heavy maces—”
#64
سپرد آنچ دید از کران تا کران
✦
به ارژنگ سالار مازندران
“He surrendered all he saw from edge to edge to Arzhang, the lord of Mazandaran.”
#65
بر شاه رو گفت و او را بگوی
✦
که ز آهرمن اکنون بهانه مجوی
“He commanded: 'Go to the King of Mazandaran and say to him, "Seek no further excuse from Ahriman!”
#66
همه پهلوانان ایران و شاه
✦
نه خورشید بینند روشن نه ماه
“For all the heroes of Iran, along with their king, can see neither bright sun nor moon!”
#67
به کشتن نکردم برو بر نهیب
✦
بدان تا بداند فراز و نشیب
“I refrained from putting him to the sword at once, so that he might learn the highs and lows of fate!”
#68
به زاری و سختی برآیدش هوش
✦
کسی نیز ننهد برین کار گوش
“His soul shall perish in torment and misery, so that none shall ever dare listen to such rash folly again!"'”
#69
چو ارژنگ بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
سوی شاه مازندران کرد روی
“When Arzhang heard his words, he turned his face toward the King of Mazandaran.”
#70
همی رفت با لشکر و خواسته
✦
اسیران و اسپان آراسته
“He set forth with the army, the plundered wealth, the captives, and the finely equipped horses.”
#71
سپرد او به شاه و سبک بازگشت
✦
بدان برز کوه آمد از پهن دشت
“He delivered all to the king and swiftly returned, coming back to that lofty mountain from the vast plain.”