Following his triumphs over the demons of Mazandaran, King Kavus resolved to survey the vast expanse of his empire and display the unyielding splendor of the Kianian throne. Assembling an immense army, he set forth beyond the borders of Iran, traversing the lands of Turan and China before turning his path toward Makran. Along this victorious march, order prevailed; no burden weighed upon his men, and every ruler and chieftain hastened to offer tribute, knowing well that none could stand against the terrifying strength of the Iranian lions.
Yet as the imperial host surged into Barbaristan, the King of Barbaristan armored his warriors and chose the path of defiance. The sky turned dark beneath the swirling dust of thousands of hooves, hiding the sun itself. Seeing the enemy masses arrayed for war, Goudarz son of Kashvad drew his heavy iron mace and led a thousand renowned champions into the heart of the enemy lines. Spears shattered and blades reaped a grim harvest until the elders of Barbaristan, perceiving total ruin, came weeping before Kavus to beg for mercy and offer boundless treasure. The King granted them clemency and established new laws over their realm.
Continuing his triumph toward Mount Qaf and the western lands of Bakhtar, the local rulers yielded willingly, loading their crowns with heavy tribute to welcome the Shah. Kavus then directed his march to Zabulistan to be the honored guest of Rostam, son of Zal. For a full month in Nimruz, the court was immersed in revelry, wine, music, and the high sport of hawking. Yet fate is ever fickle, and no spring endures without thorns; word soon arrived that the lords of Egypt and Syria had raised the banner of rebellion, scorning their vassalage.
Enraged by this insolence, Kavus sounded the war drums at Nimruz and built a vast armada to cross the deep seas. For a thousand leagues the fleet braved the waters until it anchored between three realms: Egypt to the left, Barbar to the right, and Hamavaran directly ahead. The King of Hamavaran assembled a massive coalition of desert warriors and mountain chieftains to block the imperial host. Iranian paladins—Tus, Goudarz, Giv, Gurgin, Farhad, Shidoush, and Milad—spurred their chargers into the violent fray. The battlefield trembled as steel clashed and spark turned to blaze; blood flowed like rivers until the King of Hamavaran, overwhelmed by the crushing might of Iran, cast down his sword and begged for quarter, pledging heavy tribute, horses, arms, and royal treasure in exchange for peace.
#1
ازان پس چنین کرد کاووس رای
✦
که در پادشاهی بجنبد ز جای
“Thereafter did Kavus resolve in his heart to move forth and inspect his kingdom.”
#2
از ایران بشد تا به توران و چین
✦
گذر کرد ازان پس به مکران زمین
“He journeyed from Iran to Turan and China, and thence passed through the land of Makran.”
#3
ز مکران شد آراسته تا زره
✦
میانها ندید ایچ رنج از گره
“From Makran he traveled in full splendour unto Zareh, experiencing no hardship or barrier along the way.”
#4
پذیرفت هر مهتری باژ و ساو
✦
نکرد آزمون گاو با شیر تاو
“Every chieftain readily yielded tribute and tax, for no bull dares to test the strength of a lion.”
#5
چنین هم گرازان به بربر شدند
✦
جهانجوی با تخت و افسر شدند
“Thus triumphantly the world-conquering king advanced with his throne and crown into Barbaristan.”
#6
شه بربرستان بیاراست جنگ
✦
زمانه دگرگونه‌تر شد به رنگ
“The king of Barbaristan prepared for battle, and the face of time took on a darker hue.”
#7
سپاهی بیامد ز بربر به رزم
✦
که برخاست از لشکر شاه بزم
“An army marched out from Barbaristan so mighty that feasting vanished from the King's host.”
#8
هوا گفتی از نیزه چون بیشه گشت
✦
خور از گرد اسپان پراندیشه گشت
“You would say the sky became a dense forest of spears, and the sun grew troubled by the horses' dust.”
#9
ز گرد سپه پیل شد ناپدید
✦
کس از خاک دست و عنان را ندید
“War-elephants vanished beneath the dust of the army, and none could discern hand or rein through the dirt.”
#10
به زخم اندر آمد همی فوج فوج
✦
بران سان که برخیزد از آب موج
“Troop after troop fell into violent clash, rising like the crashing waves of the sea.”
#11
چو گودرز گیتی بران گونه دید
✦
عمود گران از میان برکشید
“When Goudarz beheld the world in such turmoil, he drew his heavy mace from his waist.”
#12
بزد اسپ با نامداران هزار
✦
ابا نیزه و تیر جوشن گذار
“He spurred his steed beside a thousand renowned warriors, armed with spears and armor-piercing arrows.”
#13
برآویخت و بدرید قلب سپاه
✦
دمان از پس اندر همی رفت شاه
“He engaged the enemy and ripped through the heart of their host, while the King swept closely behind.”
#14
تو گفتی ز بربر سواری نماند
✦
به گرد اندرون نیزه‌داری نماند
“You would say no rider remained in Barbaristan, nor any spearman standing in the dust.”
#15
به شهر اندرون هرکه بد سالخورد
✦
چو برگشته دیدند باد نبرد
“When the elders within the city saw the tide of battle turned against them,”
#16
همه پیش کاووس شاه آمدند
✦
جگرخسته و پرگناه آمدند
“They all came before King Kavus, heart-stricken and confessing their fault,”
#17
که ما شاه را چاکر و بنده‌ایم
✦
همه باژ را گردن افگنده‌ایم
“Saying: 'We are servants and slaves unto the Shah, and we bow our necks to pay tribute.”
#18
به جای درم زر و گوهر دهیم
✦
سپاسی ز گنجور بر سر نهیم
“Instead of silver, we shall give gold and jewels, counting it a favor from thy treasurer.'”
#19
ببخشود کاووس و بنواختشان
✦
یکی راه و آیین نو ساختشان
“Kavus showed mercy, treated them with favor, and established a new order and law among them.”
#20
وزان جایگه بانگ سنج و درای
✦
برآمد ابا نالهٔ کره‌نای
“From that place arose the sound of cymbals and clarions, mingled with the wail of war-horns.”
#21
چو آمد بر شهر مکران گذر
✦
سوی کوه قاف آمد و باختر
“When he passed by the city of Makran, he turned toward Mount Qaf and Bakhtar.”
#22
چو آگاهی آمد بریشان ز شاه
✦
نیایش‌کنان برگرفتند راه
“When news of the Shah reached the lords of those lands, they set out toward him offering prayers.”
#23
پذیره شدندش همه مهتران
✦
به سر برنهادند باژ گران
“All the chieftains came to welcome him, bearing heavy tribute upon their heads.”
#24
چو فرمان گزیدند بگرفت راه
✦
بی‌آزار رفتند شاه و سپاه
“When they obeyed his royal command, the Shah and his army moved on without harming anyone.”
#25
سپه ره سوی زابلستان کشید
✦
به مهمانی پور دستان کشید
“The host then directed its path toward Zabulistan, to be guests of the son of Dastan.”
#26
ببد شاه یک ماه در نیمروز
✦
گهی رود و می خواست گه باز و یوز
“For a month the Shah abode in Nimruz, at times calling for wine and music, at times for falcons and cheetahs.”
#27
برین برنیامد بسی روزگار
✦
که بر گوشهٔ گلستان رست خار
“Not long did this peaceful time endure before a thorn sprouted beside the rose-garden.”
#28
کس از آزمایش نیابد جواز
✦
نشیب آیدش چون شود بر فراز
“None can escape the trials of fortune; when one reaches the summit, a descent inevitably follows.”
#29
چو شد کار گیتی بران راستی
✦
پدید آمد از تازیان کاستی
“While the world's affairs seemed upright, rebellion and flaw arose from among the Arabs.”
#30
یکی با گهر مرد با گنج و نام
✦
درفشی برافراخت از مصر و شام
“A noble lord of treasure and fame raised the banner of defiance in Egypt and Syria.”
#31
ز کاووس کی روی برتافتند
✦
در کهتری خوار بگذاشتند
“They turned their faces from Kay Kavus and cast off the humiliating yoke of servitude.”
#32
چو آمد به شاه جهان آگهی
✦
که انباز دارد به شاهنشهی
“When news reached the King of the World that a rival claimed equal sovereignty,”
#33
بزد کوس و برداشت از نیمروز
✦
سپه شاد دل شاه گیتی‌فروز
“He sounded the war-drums and marched from Nimruz, leading a joyful host as the world-illuminating King.”
#34
همه بر سپرها نبشتند نام
✦
بجوشید شمشیرها در نیام
“All carved their names upon their shields, and swords boiled within their scabbards.”
#35
سپه را ز هامون به دریا کشید
✦
بدان سو کجا دشمن آمد پدید
“He led his army from the dry plain into the sea, toward the quarter where the enemy had appeared.”
#36
بی‌اندازه کشتی و زورق بساخت
✦
برآشفت و بر آب لشکر نشاخت
“He built countless ships and boats, and in hot haste launched his host upon the waters.”
#37
همانا که فرسنگ بودی هزار
✦
اگر پای با راه کردی شمار
“Truly, it was a distance of a thousand leagues had it been measured by land journey.”
#38
همی راند تا در میان سه شهر
✦
ز گیتی برین‌گونه جویند بهر
“He sailed until he arrived between three cities, for in such wise men seek their share of the world.”
#39
به دست چپش مصر و بربر به راست
✦
زره در میانه بر آن سو که خواست
“On his left lay Egypt, on his right Barbaristan, with the gulf in between as he desired.”
#40
به پیش اندرون شهر هاماوران
✦
به هر کشوری در سپاهی گران
“Before him lay the realm of Hamavaran, with vast armies gathered in every region.”
#41
خبر شد بدیشان که کاووس شاه
✦
برآمد ز آب زره با سپاه
“Word reached them that King Kavus had crossed the sea with his host.”
#42
هم‌آواز گشتند یک با دگر
✦
سپه را سوی بربر آمد گذر
“They joined voices together, and their army crossed over into Barbaristan.”
#43
یکی گشت چندان یل تیغ‌زن
✦
به بربرستان در شدند انجمن
“So many sword-wielding warriors united as one, gathering together in Barbaristan.”
#44
سپاهی که دریا و صحرا و کوه
✦
شد از نعل اسپان ایشان ستوه
“An army whose horse-hooves exhausted the sea, the desert, and the mountains.”
#45
نبد شیر درنده را خوابگاه
✦
نه گور ژیان یافت بر دشت راه
“No ravenous lion found resting place, nor did fierce wild asses find path across the plains.”
#46
پلنگ از بر سنگ و ماهی در آب
✦
هم اندر هوا ابر و پران عقاب
“The leopard upon the rock, the fish within the water, the cloud floating in the air, and the swift-flying eagle—”
#47
همی راه جستند و کی بود راه
✦
دد و دام را بر چنان رزمگاه
“All sought a path of escape, yet where was there a path for wild beasts and creatures in such a battleground?”
#48
چو کاووس لشکر به خشکی کشید
✦
کس اندر جهان کوه و صحرا ندید
“When Kay Kavus drew his army onto dry land, none in the world could discern mountain or desert through their vast ranks.”
#49
جهان گفتی از تیغ وز جوشن است
✦
ستاره ز نوک سنان روشن است
“You would say the world was fashioned solely of swords and coats of mail, while stars themselves were lit by the gleaming tips of spears.”
#50
ز بس خود زرین و زرین سپر
✦
به گردن برآورده رخشان تبر
“So many golden helmets and golden shields were raised, with gleaming battle-axes borne upon warriors' shoulders.”
#51
تو گفتی زمین شد سپهر روان
✦
همی بارد از تیغ هندی روان
“You would say the earth had turned into a revolving sphere of heavens, raining souls from the edge of Indian blades.”
#52
ز مغفر هوا گشت چون سندروس
✦
زمین سر به سر تیره چون آبنوس
“From the flash of helmets the air turned yellow as amber resin, while the ground became entirely dark as ebony under foot.”
#53
بدرید کوه از دم گاودم
✦
زمین آمد از سم اسپان به خم
“The mountains split from the roar of the cow-headed trumpets, and the earth groaned and bent under the trampling hooves of warhorses.”
#54
ز بانگ تبیره به بربرستان
✦
تو گفتی زمین گشت لشکرستان
“From the thunder of war-drums echoing across Barbaristan, you would say the whole earth had become a vast camp of armies.”
#55
برآمد ز ایران سپه بوق و کوس
✦
برون رفت گرگین و فرهاد و طوس
“Trumpets and drums resounded from the Iranian host, as Gorgin, Farhad, and Tus rode forth into battle.”
#56
وزان سوی گودرز کشواد بود
✦
چو گیو و چو شیدوش و میلاد بود
“And on that side stood Goudarz, son of Kashvad, alongside heroes such as Gev, Sheydoush, and Milad.”
#57
فگندند بر یال اسپان عنان
✦
به زهر آب دادند نوک سنان
“They cast the reins upon their horses' manes and dipped the tips of their spearheads in deadly poison.”
#58
چو بر کوههٔ زین نهادند سر
✦
خروش آمد و چاک چاک تبر
“As they bent low over the pommels of their saddles, a mighty roar arose along with the clashing stroke of battle-axes.”
#59
تو گفتی همی سنگ آهن کنند
✦
وگر آسمان بر زمین برزنند
“You would say they were rending iron from stone, or that the high heavens were being smashed against the earth.”
#60
بجنبید کاووس در قلب‌گاه
✦
سپاه اندرآمد به پیش سپاه
“Kay Kavus stirred at the center of the host, as army surged against army in full confrontation.”
#61
جهان گشت تاری سراسر ز گرد
✦
ببارید شنگرف بر لاژورد
“The world grew pitch dark from rising dust, while cinnabar blood rained down upon the lapis-lazuli blue of the field.”
#62
تو گفتی هوا ژاله بارد همی
✦
به سنگ اندرون لاله کارد همی
“You would say the air rained down hail, planting red tulips of blood deep within the solid rocks.”
#63
ز چشم سنان آتش آمد برون
✦
زمین شد به کردار دریای خون
“Fire erupted from the tips of spears, and the earth became like a surging sea of blood.”
#64
سه لشکر چنان شد ز ایرانیان
✦
که سر باز نشناختند از میان
“The three opposing armies were so crushed by the Iranians that none could distinguish head from waist in the carnage.”
#65
نخستین سپهدار هاماوران
✦
بیفگند شمشیر و گرز گران
“First of all, the ruler of Hamavaran cast down his sword and heavy mace in defeat.”
#66
غمی گشت وز شاه زنهار خواست
✦
بدانست کان روزگار بلاست
“Sorrowful, he pleaded for quarter from the King, knowing full well that this was a day of doom.”
#67
به پیمان که از شهر هاماوران
✦
سپهبد دهد ساو و باژ گران
“On the solemn pledge that from the realm of Hamavaran, the commander would pay heavy tribute and taxes,”
#68
ز اسپ و سلیح و ز تخت و کلاه
✦
فرستد به نزدیک کاووس شاه
“Sending warhorses, weapons, thrones, and crowns to the presence of King Kavus.”
#69
چو این داده باشد برو بگذرد
✦
سپاهش بروبوم او نسپرد
“Once these were delivered, Kavus would spare him, and his host would not trample his land.”
#70
ز گوینده بشنید کاووس کی
✦
برین گفتها پاسخ افگند پی
“Kay Kavus heard these words from the envoy, and laid the foundation of his reply to these proposals.”
#71
که یکسر همه در پناه منید
✦
پرستندهٔ تاج و گاه منید
“Saying: "You all now abide under my protection, as servants of my crown and my throne."”