The King of Hamavaran, filled with secret enmity over paying tribute to Iran and grieving the loss of his daughter Sudabeh, plotted a treacherous scheme to free his realm from vassalage. After a week's time, he dispatched a smooth-tongued envoy to King Kay Kavus, cordially inviting the monarch and his retinue to feast in his royal city of Shaheh. Sudabeh, perceiving the dark intentions of her father, urgently warned Kavus that this invitation was a perilous trap laced with treason under the guise of hospitality. Yet the proud Kavus dismissed her forewarnings, believing his hosts lacked the courage to challenge him, and set forth to Shaheh alongside his paramount champions—Goudarz, Giv, and Tous.
In Shaheh, the city was sumptuously decorated; pearls, saffron, and ambergris were showered upon the Iranian sovereign. For an entire week, festive banquets raged, and the King of Hamavaran along with his captains served Kavus like humble vassals, thoroughly lulling the Iranians into a false sense of security. But as soon as the Iranians let down their guard, allied forces from Barbaristan struck in a night ambush. In the darkness, Kavus, Goudarz, Giv, Tous, and the chief lords of Iran were bound in chains. The King of Hamavaran banished the captive Iranian king and his champions to an impregnable mountain fortress whose peaks pierced the clouds.
When messengers were sent to fetch Sudabeh back to her father's court, she fiercely resisted. She tore her royal garments, gouged her cheeks in grief, called her father's envoys dogs, and swore that she would never abandon Kavus, choosing captivity beside her husband over ease. Infuriated by her defiance, her father cast her into the same mountain citadel, where she devotedly tended to the imprisoned Kavus. Meanwhile, word of Kavus's captivity plunged Iran into chaos. Taking advantage of the vacant throne, Afrasiab launched a massive invasion, crushing the Arab spear-bearers and overrunning Iran. For three months, fierce battles raged, ending in the subjugation of Iran and the enslavement of its populace. Desperate for salvation, two-thirds of the Iranian people fled to Zabulistan, pleading with Rostam to rescue the motherland. Moved to tears of blood, Rostam swore to march his vast host, shatter the Turanian yoke, and liberate Kavus from his high mountain prison.
#1
غمی بد دل شاه هاماوران
✦
ز هرگونه‌ای چاره جست اندران
“Sorrow weighed heavily upon the heart of Hamavaran's king, as he sought every manner of scheme to escape his plight.”
#2
چو یک هفته بگذشت هشتم پگاه
✦
فرستاده آمد به نزدیک شاه
“When a week had elapsed, on the dawn of the eighth day, an envoy arrived before King Kavus.”
#3
که گر شاه بیند که مهمان خویش
✦
بیاید خرامان به ایوان خویش
“Saying: 'If it pleases the King, let him come gracefully as a guest unto his servant's palace.'”
#4
شود شهر هاماوران ارجمند
✦
چو بینند رخشنده‌گاه بلند
“'The city of Hamavaran shall be exalted when they behold your radiant and lofty throne.'”
#5
بدین‌گونه با او همی چاره جست
✦
نهان بند او بود رایش درست
“Thus did he seek to entrap him with deceit, for his true intent was to shackle him secretly.”
#6
مگر شهر و دختر بماند بدوی
✦
نباشدش بر سر یکی باژجوی
“Thinking perhaps to retain his realm and daughter, and no longer suffer a tribute-gatherer over his head.”
#7
بدانست سودابه رای پدر
✦
که با سور پرخاش دارد به سر
“Sudabeh perceived her father's true design—that beneath the disguise of a feast lay a plot for war.”
#8
به کاووس کی گفت کاین رای نیست
✦
ترا خود به هاماوران جای نیست
“She said to Kay Kavus: 'This is no wise counsel; it is not fitting for you to go into Hamavaran.'”
#9
ترا بی‌بهانه به چنگ آورند
✦
نباید که با سور جنگ آورند
“'They seek to catch you without a cause; let them not bring battle under the guise of a banquet.'”
#10
ز بهر منست این همه گفت‌وگوی
✦
ترا زین شدن انده آید به‌روی
“'All this talk is merely on my account; your going thither will bring only sorrow upon you.'”
#11
ز سودابه گفتار باور نکرد
✦
نیامدش زیشان کسی را بمرد
“Yet Kavus heeded not Sudabeh's words, believing that none among them possessed the courage to challenge him.”
#12
بشد با دلیران و کندآوران
✦
به مهمانی شاه هاماوران
“He set forth with his brave and mighty champions to be the guests of the King of Hamavaran.”
#13
یکی شهر بد شاه را شاهه نام
✦
همه از در جشن و سور و خرام
“There was a royal city named Shaheh, renowned as a haven for celebration, feasting, and pleasure.”
#14
بدان شهر بودش سرای و نشست
✦
همه شهر سرتاسر آذین ببست
“In that city stood his palace and residence, and the entire town was fully decorated for the feast.”
#15
چو در شاهه شد شاه گردن‌فراز
✦
همه شهر بردند پیشش نماز
“When the haughty king entered Shaheh, all the people of the city bowed low before him in reverence.”
#16
همه گوهر و زعفران ریختند
✦
به دینار و عنبر برآمیختند
“They scattered jewels and saffron, mixing dinars with fragrant ambergris beneath his feet.”
#17
به شهر اندر آوای رود و سرود
✦
به هم برکشیدند چون تار و پود
“Throughout the city, the sound of lutes and songs intertwined seamlessly like warp and weft.”
#18
چو دیدش سپهدار هاماوران
✦
پیاده شدش پیش با مهتران
“When the ruler of Hamavaran beheld him, he dismounted and advanced on foot alongside his nobles.”
#19
ز ایوان سالار تا پیش در
✦
همه در و یاقوت بارید و زر
“From the chieftain's palace to the outer gate, pearls, rubies, and gold rained down.”
#20
به زرین طبق‌ها فروریختند
✦
به سر مشک و عنبر همی بیختند
“They poured precious gifts from golden trays and sifted musk and ambergris upon his head.”
#21
به کاخ اندرون تخت زرین نهاد
✦
نشست از بر تخت کاووس شاد
“Inside the palace, they set a throne of gold, and Kay Kavus sat upon it in joy.”
#22
همی بود یک هفته با می به دست
✦
خوش و خرم آمدش جای نشست
“For a whole week he remained with wineglass in hand, well pleased with his place of banquet.”
#23
شب و روز بر پیش چون کهتران
✦
میان بسته بد شاه هاماوران
“Day and night, the King of Hamavaran stood girt for service before him like a humble servant.”
#24
ببسته همه لشکرش را میان
✦
پرستنده بر پیش ایرانیان
“His entire army stood obediently girt, serving before the Iranian lords.”
#25
بدین‌گونه تا یکسر ایمن شدند
✦
ز چون و چرا و نهیب و گزند
“In this manner, the Iranians felt completely secure against any doubt, fear, or impending harm.”
#26
همه گفته بودند و آراسته
✦
سگالیده از جای برخاسته
“Yet all had been secretly arranged and plotted beforehand, and now the plot was set in motion.”
#27
ز بربر برین‌گونه آگه شدند
✦
سگالش چنین بود همره شدند
“The forces of Barbaristan were informed of the plot and joined them according to the prearranged conspiracy.”
#28
شبی بانگ بوق آمد و تاختن
✦
کسی را نبد آرزو ساختن
“One night came the sudden sound of warhorns and a sudden surprise attack, leaving no time to prepare.”
#29
ز بربرستان چون بیامد سپاه
✦
به هاماوران شاددل گشت شاه
“When the army from Barbaristan arrived, the King of Hamavaran rejoiced in his heart.”
#30
گرفتند ناگاه کاووس را
✦
چو گودرز و چون گیو و چون طوس را
“They suddenly ambushed and seized Kay Kavus, along with Goudarz, Giv, and Tous.”
#31
چو گوید درین مردم پیش‌بین
✦
چه دانی تو ای کاردان اندرین
“What will a wise and far-seeing person say of this? What do you, O man of experience, make of such turns of fate?”
#32
چو پیوستهٔ خون نباشد کسی
✦
نباید برو بودن ایمن بسی
“When one is not bound to you by kin and blood, you should never put great trust in him.”
#33
بود نیز پیوسته خونی که مهر
✦
ببرد ز تو تا بگرددت چهر
“Even a blood relative may turn away his love from you when fortune shifts its face.”
#34
چو مهر کسی را بخواهی ستود
✦
بباید به سود و زیان آزمود
“If you wish to praise anyone's love, you must first test him through both gain and loss.”
#35
پسر گر به جاه از تو برتر شود
✦
هم از رشک مهر تو لاغر شود
“Should a son surpass you in stature, envy may cause his love for you to wither.”
#36
چنین است گیهان ناپاک رای
✦
به هر باد خیره بجنبد ز جای
“Such is this treacherous world: it shifts blindly with every passing wind.”
#37
چو کاووس بر خیرگی بسته شد
✦
به هاماوران رای پیوسته شد
“When Kavus was thus recklessly bound in fetters, the mind of Hamavaran's king was set at ease.”
#38
یکی کوه بودش سر اندر سحاب
✦
برآوردهٔ ایزد از قعر آب
“There was a lofty mountain whose summit reached into the clouds, raised by the Almighty from the depths of the waters.”
#39
یکی دژ برآورده از کوهسار
✦
تو گفتی سپهرستش اندر کنار
“A fortress was raised upon that mountain, so high you would say the heavens embraced it.”
#40
بدان دژ فرستاد کاووس را
✦
همان گیو و گودرز و هم طوس را
“To that fortress he dispatched Kay Kavus, as well as Giv, Goudarz, and Tous.”
#41
همان مهتران دگر را به بند
✦
ابا شاه کاووس در دژ فگند
“He cast the other Iranian chieftains into bonds inside that stronghold alongside King Kavus.”
#42
ز گردان نگهبان دژ شد هزار
✦
همه نامداران خنجر‌گذار
“A thousand warrior guards were stationed at the fort, all renowned and sword-wielding champions.”
#43
سراپردهٔ او به تاراج داد
✦
به پرمایگان بدره و تاج داد
“He plundered Kavus's royal pavilion and distributed his treasure sacks and crown among his nobles.”
#44
برفتند پوشیده رویان دو خیل
✦
عماری یکی درمیانش جلیل
“Two troops of veiled women rode forth, carrying a magnificent palanquin in their midst.”
#45
که سودابه را باز جای آورند
✦
سراپرده را زیر پای آورند
“Sent to bring Sudabeh back and trample her royal pavilion underfoot.”
#46
چو سودابه پوشیدگان را بدید
✦
ز بر جامهٔ خسروی بردرید
“When Sudabeh saw the veiled ladies of the court, she tore off her royal garments in grief.”
#47
به مشکین کمند اندرآویخت چنگ
✦
به فندق گلان را به خون داد رنگ
“She clutched at her musk-scented tresses with her hands, and with ruby fingertips clawed her rosy cheeks until they ran red with blood.”
#48
بدیشان چنین گفت کاین کارکرد
✦
ستوده ندارند مردان مرد
“She spoke to them, saying: 'Such a treacherous deed is never held praiseworthy by true and valiant men!'”
#49
چرا روز جنگش نکردند بند
✦
که جامه‌اش زره بود و تختش سمند
“'Why did they not bind him on the day of battle, when his garment was armor and his throne a steed?'”
#50
سپهدار چون گیو و گودرز و طوس
✦
بدرید دلتان ز آوای کوس
“'With commanders such as Giv, Goudarz, and Tous, did your hearts rend in terror at the mere sound of the war-drums?'”
#51
همی تخت زرین کمینگه کنید
✦
ز پیوستگی دست کوته کنید
“'Now you make a golden throne your place of ambush, and cut short the bonds of kinship and hospitality!'”
#52
فرستادگان را سگان کرد نام
✦
همی ریخت خونابه بر گل مدام
“She branded the deceitful envoys as dogs, while tears of blood rained down incessantly upon her rosy cheeks.”
#53
جدایی نخواهم ز کاووس گفت
✦
وگرچه لحد باشد او را نهفت
“She declared: 'I shall never seek separation from Kavus, even if the dark grave be his final hiding place!'”
#54
چو کاووس را بند باید کشید
✦
مرا بی‌گنه سر بباید برید
“'If Kavus must endure chains and captivity, then let my innocent head be severed as well!'”
#55
بگفتند گفتار او با پدر
✦
پر از کین شدش سر پر از خون جگر
“They reported her passionate words to her father; his head filled with malice, and his heart burned with rage and grief.”
#56
به حصنش فرستاد نزدیک شوی
✦
جگر خسته از غم به خون شسته روی
“So he dispatched her to the fortress to join her husband, her heart wounded with sorrow and her face washed in blood-red tears.”
#57
نشستن به یک خانه با شهریار
✦
پرستنده او بود و هم غمگسار
“She dwelt in the same prison cell with the king, serving as both his devoted attendant and his loyal comforter.”
#58
چو بسته شد آن شاه دیهیم‌جوی
✦
سپاهش به ایران نهادند روی
“Once that crown-seeking monarch was bound in chains, the remnants of his army turned back toward Iran.”
#59
پراگنده شد در جهان آگهی
✦
که گم شد ز پالیز سرو سهی
“News spread across the lands that the tall, straight cypress had vanished from the royal garden.”
#60
چو بر تخت زرین ندیدند شاه
✦
بجستن گرفتند هر کس کلاه
“Seeing the golden throne bereft of its king, every rival chief began to covet the crown for himself.”
#61
ز ترکان و از دشت نیزه‌وران
✦
ز هر سو بیامد سپاهی گران
“From the Turks and from the Plain of Spearsmen, vast hordes came marching from every direction.”
#62
گران لشکری ساخت افراسیاب
✦
برآمد سر از خورد و آرام و خواب
“Afrasiab assembled a massive host, foreswearing all food, rest, and sleep in his ambition.”
#63
از ایران برآمد ز هر سو خروش
✦
شد آرام گیتی پر از جنگ‌وجوش
“From every corner of Iran an uproar arose; the tranquil world became consumed by tumult and warfare.”
#64
برآشفت افراسیاب آن زمان
✦
برآویخت با لشکر تازیان
“Afrasiab then flared with fury and clashed in battle against the army of the Arabs.”
#65
به جنگ اندرون بود لشکر سه ماه
✦
بدادند سرها ز بهر کلاه
“For three months the armies locked in fierce combat, sacrificing countless lives for the sake of the crown.”
#66
چنین است رسم سرای سپنج
✦
گهی ناز و نوش و گهی درد و رنج
“Such is the way of this transitory world: at times delight and ease, at times sorrow and pain.”
#67
سرانجام نیک و بدش بگذرد
✦
شکارست مرگش همی بشکرد
“In the end, both good and evil will pass; man is but prey, and Death relentlessly hunts him down.”
#68
شکست آمد از ترک بر تازیان
✦
ز بهر فزونی سرآمد زیان
“Defeat befell the Arab forces at the hands of the Turks; seeking conquest and gain, they reaped only ruin.”
#69
سپاه اندر ایران پراگنده شد
✦
زن و مرد و کودک همه بنده شد
“The Iranian defenders scattered in disarray, and women, men, and children alike were forced into captivity.”
#70
همه در گرفتند ز ایران پناه
✦
به ایرانیان گشت گیتی سیاه
“They all sought refuge throughout Iran, as darkness fell upon the world of the Iranians.”
#71
دو بهره سوی زاولستان شدند
✦
به خواهش بر پور دستان شدند
“Two parts of the populace fled toward Zabulistan, entreating the son of Dastan with desperate pleas.”
#72
که ما را ز بدها تو باشی پناه
✦
چو گم شد سر تاج کاووس شاه
“Saying: 'Be our refuge against all evils, now that King Kavus, the head of the realm, is lost!'”
#73
دریغ‌ست ایران که ویران شود
✦
کنام پلنگان و شیران شود
“'Alas for Iran, if it be laid waste and become a lair for leopards and lions!'”
#74
همه جای جنگی سواران بدی
✦
نشستنگه شهریاران بدی
“'It was once the realm of valiant warriors, the royal seat of mighty kings!'”
#75
کنون جای سختی و رنج و بلاست
✦
نشستنگه تیزچنگ اژدهاست
“'Now it has become a place of hardship, suffering, and woe—a dwelling place for sharp-clawed dragons!'”
#76
کسی کز پلنگان بخوردست شیر
✦
بدین رنج ما را بود دستگیر
“'Only one who has nursed on leopards' milk can come to our rescue in this dire affliction!'”
#77
کنون چاره‌ای باید انداختن
✦
دل خویش ازین رنج پرداختن
“'Now a remedy must be found, to free our hearts from this agonizing burden.'”
#78
ببارید رستم ز چشم آب زرد
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و جان پر ز درد
“Rustam shed pale, bitter tears from his eyes; his heart swelled with blood and his soul filled with grief.”
#79
چنین داد پاسخ که من با سپاه
✦
میان بسته‌ام جنگ را کینه خواه
“He replied: 'I, with my host, have girt my loins for war, seeking vengeance!'”
#80
چو یابم ز کاووس شاه آگهی
✦
کنم شهر ایران ز ترکان تهی
“'As soon as I receive news of King Kavus, I shall purge the land of Iran of all Turks!'”
#81
پس آگاهی آمد ز کاووس شاه
✦
ز بند کمین‌گاه و کار سپاه
“Then tidings arrived concerning King Kay Kavus, of the treacherous ambush that entrapped him and the fate of his host.”
#82
سپه را یکایک ز کابل بخواند
✦
میان بسته بر جنگ و لشکر براند
“He summoned the warriors one by one from Kabul, and girding his loins for battle, he led the army forth.”