When King Kay Kavus returned triumphant from the grueling campaign in Mazandaran and set foot upon the sacred soil of Iran, the dust raised by his vast hosts billowed high, eclipsing the sky and veiling the sun. Jubilant cries of men and women echoed up to the heavens as every city across the realm was adorned with festive splendour. Wine flowed, harps chimed, and minstrels sang; it was as though a radiant new moon had risen over Iran and the world itself was reborn. Taking his place upon the throne, Kavus unsealed ancient treasuries and ordered royal almoners to shower gold upon the people.
Then came Rostam the Elephant-Bodied, wearing his helmet of honor, to present himself before the monarch. Kay Kavus received his savior with supreme reverence, seating him beside his throne and bestowing upon him treasures worthy of his unmatched deeds: a turquoise throne carved with ram motifs, a jewel-encrusted royal crown, robes of woven gold, a hundred fair-faced maidens with golden belts, a hundred sable-haired attendants, a hundred steeds with golden saddles, a hundred black mules laden with rich brocades from China and Byzantium, a hundred bags of gold dinars, ruby goblets filled with pure musk, and turquoise bowls filled with rosewater. Furthermore, the King drafted an imperishable charter on silk, written in amber and musk, granting the perpetual sovereignty of Nimruz to Rostam and his lineage forever. Rostam kissed the throne in deep reverence and departed for Sistan.
Kay Kavus then closed the gates of tyranny and injustice, bestowing the supreme command of Iran's armies upon Tus and assigning the province of Ispahan to Gudarz. Peace, security, and prosperity bloomed across the earth like the legendary Garden of Iram, bringing the Mazandaran epic to its glorious close as the stage was set for the tales of Hamavaran.
#1
چو کاووس در شهر ایران رسید
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ز گرد سپه شد هوا ناپدید
“When Kavus reached the royal realm of Iran, the sky vanished beneath the billowing dust of his host.”
#2
برآمد همی تا به خورشید جوش
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زن و مرد شد پیش او با خروش
“The roar of celebration rose to the very sun; men and women rushed forth to meet him with joyous shouts.”
#3
همه شهر ایران بیاراستند
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می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“They adorned every city in Iran, summoning wine, harps, and joyful minstrels.”
#4
جهان سر به سر نو شد از شاه نو
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ز ایران برآمد یکی ماه نو
“The world was wholly renewed by the new king, as if a radiant new moon had risen over Iran.”
#5
چو بر تخت بنشست پیروز و شاد
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در گنجهای کهن برگشاد
“When he sat victorious and joyful upon the throne, he unlocked the ancient treasuries of the realm.”
#6
ز هر جای روزی‌دهان را بخواند
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به دیوان دینار دادن نشاند
“He summoned the royal almoners from every quarter and set them to distribute gold dinars to the people.”
#7
برآمد خروش از در پیلتن
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بزرگان لشکر شدند انجمن
“A roar arose from the court of the Elephant-Bodied champion, as the grandees of the army assembled.”
#8
همه شادمان نزد شاه آمدند
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بران نامور پیشگاه آمدند
“All came joyfully before the king, entering that illustrious court with glad hearts.”
#9
تهمتن بیامد به سر بر کلاه
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نشست از بر تخت نزدیک شاه
“Tahmattan arrived with a helmet upon his head and took his seat beside the king upon the royal throne.”
#10
سزاوار او شهریار زمین
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یکی خلعت آراست با آفرین
“The sovereign of the earth prepared a gift fit for his renown, accompanied by rich praises.”
#11
یکی تخت پیروزه و میش‌سار
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یکی خسروی تاج گوهر نگار
“A throne of turquoise carved with ram heads, and a royal crown adorned with precious jewels.”
#12
یکی دست زربفت شاهنشهی
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ابا یاره و طوق و با فرهی
“A suit of royal gold-woven brocade, with armlets, a neck-ring, and divine majesty.”
#13
صد از ماهرویان زرین کمر
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صد از مشک مویان با زیب و فر
“A hundred moon-faced maidens with golden belts, and a hundred dark-haired attendants of grace and splendour.”
#14
صد از اسپ با زین و زرین ستام
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صد استر سیه موی و زرین لگام
“A hundred steeds with golden saddles and harnesses, and a hundred black mules with golden bridles.”
#15
همه بارشان دیبهٔ خسروی
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ز چینی و رومی و از پهلوی
“All their loads were royal brocades from China, Byzantium, and Parthia.”
#16
ببردند صد بدره دینار نیز
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ز رنگ و ز بوی و ز هرگونه چیز
“They also brought a hundred bags of gold dinars, along with all kinds of perfumes and precious treasures.”
#17
ز یاقوت جامی پر از مشک ناب
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ز پیروزه دیگر یکی پر گلاب
“A goblet of ruby filled with pure musk, and another of turquoise brimming with rosewater.”
#18
نوشته یکی نامه‌ای بر حریر
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ز مشک و ز عنبر ز عود و عبیر
“A royal scroll written upon silk, scented with musk, ambergris, aloe, and rich perfumes.”
#19
سپرد این به سالار گیتی فروز
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به نوی همه کشور نیمروز
“He entrusted this charter to the world-illuminating champion, bestowing upon him the governance of all Nimruz.”
#20
چنان کز پس عهد کاووس شاه
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نباشد بران تخت کس را کلاه
“Decreeing that after the reign of King Kavus, no man should wear the crown upon that throne,”
#21
مگر نامور رستم زال را
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خداوند شمشیر و گوپال را
“Except the renowned Rostam, son of Zal, master of the sword and the heavy mace.”
#22
ازان پس برو آفرین کرد شاه
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که بی‌تو مبیناد کس پیشگاه
“Thereupon the king showered praise on him, saying: 'May no ruler ever behold the throne without thee!'”
#23
دل تاجداران به تو گرم باد
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روانت پر از شرم و آزرم باد
“'May the hearts of crown-bearers be warm toward thee, and may thy soul ever remain filled with reverence and honor.'”
#24
فرو برد رستم ببوسید تخت
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بسیچ گذر کرد و بربست رخت
“Rostam bowed down, kissed the throne, prepared his baggage, and set forth.”
#25
خروش تبیره برآمد ز شهر
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ز شادی به هرکس رسانید بهر
“The roar of drums echoed through the city as joy was shared among all people.”
#26
بشد رستم زال و بنشست شاه
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جهان کرد روشن به آیین و راه
“Rostam, son of Zal, departed, and the king sat upon his throne, illuminating the world through justice and order.”
#27
به شادی بر تخت زرین نشست
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همی جور و بیداد را در ببست
“In joy he sat upon the golden throne, closing tight the door against cruelty and oppression.”
#28
زمین را ببخشید بر مهتران
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چو باز آمد از شهر مازندران
“He divided the lands among the realm's noble lords upon his return from the city of Mazandaran.”
#29
به طوس آن زمان داد اسپهبدی
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بدو گفت از ایران بگردان بدی
“He bestowed the supreme command of the host upon Tus, saying: 'Turn evil away from Iran.'”
#30
پس آنگه سپاهان به گودرز داد
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ورا کام و فرمان آن مرز داد
“Then he granted the province of Ispahan to Gudarz, giving him full authority over that march.”
#31
وزان پس به شادی و می دست برد
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جهان را نموده بسی دستبرد
“Thereafter he turned to joy and wine, having shown his prowess and power across the globe.”
#32
بزد گردن غم به شمشیر داد
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نیامد همی بر دل از مرگ یاد
“He struck off the head of sorrow with the sword of justice, so that no thought of death touched any heart.”
#33
زمین گشت پر سبزه و آب و نم
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بیاراست گیتی چو باغ ارم
“The earth blossomed with verdure, springs, and dew; the world became adorned like the Garden of Iram.”
#34
توانگر شد از داد و از ایمنی
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ز بد بسته شد دست اهریمنی
“The world grew wealthy through justice and peace, and the hand of Ahrimanic evil was bound fast.”
#35
به گیتی خبر شد که کاووس شاه
✦
ز مازندران بستد آن تاج و گاه
“Word spread throughout the world that King Kavus had won the crown and throne of Mazandaran.”
#36
بماندند یکسر همه زین شگفت
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که کاووس شاه این بزرگی گرفت
“All rulers remained filled with wonder that King Kavus had attained such supreme glory.”
#37
همه پاک با هدیه و با نثار
✦
کشیدند صف بر در شهریار
“They all bore gifts and tributes, lining up in homage before the king's threshold.”
#38
جهان چون بهشتی شد آراسته
✦
پر از داد و آگنده از خواسته
“The world became adorned like paradise, filled with equity and abundant wealth.”
#39
سر آمد کنون رزم مازندران
✦
به پیش آورم جنگ هاماوران
“The war of Mazandaran has now come to an end; next I shall tell of the war of Hamavaran.”