When Rostam and Giv arrived at King Kay Kavus's court after days of merrymaking in Zabulistan, they entered with open hearts to pay homage to the Sovereign. Yet Kay Kavus's chest burned with incandescent fury over their prolonged delay. Raising his head without answering their righteous greetings, he lashed out at Giv, casting all restraint to the wind. He roared in rage: 'Who is Rostam that he should belittle my royal command and twist away from his oath? Seize him at once and hang him alive upon the gallows, and speak no more of it!'
Giv's heart bled at such insult to the kingdom's champion, and when he hesitated to enforce the mad decree, Kay Kavus erupted like wild fire raging through reed-beds. The King summoned General Tus and commanded him to hang both Rostam and Giv immediately. Tus stepped forward and took hold of Rostam's arm, hoping to lead him out of the royal chamber to let the King's tempestuous fury abate. But Rostam, enraged that his lifetime of crown-bestowing devotion was met with such indignity, struck Tus with a backhand blow so violent that the seasoned commander tumbled head over heels like a felled elephant.
Storming out of the grand palace, Rostam mounted Rakhsh and shouted in defiance: 'I am the lion-slayer, the bestower of thrones upon kings! When my wrath is stoked, who is Kay Kavus and what is Tus to me? The earth is my servant, Rakhsh my throne, and my glowing sword and mace are my true sovereigns! I am the servant of the Creator alone, not of Kavus! Now that the warrior Sohrab invades Iran, go find your own salvation, for you shall see me in Iran no more!' With that, he spurred Rakhsh toward Sistan.
Panic seized the Iranian nobility, for Rostam was the shepherd of their flock, and without him they were helpless sheep before the Turanian wolf. The desperate lords turned to Goudarz, son of Kashvad, pleading for his sagacious intervention. The elder commander marched into Kavus's presence and rebuked the monarch fiercely: 'Have you forgotten the chains of Hamavaran? Have you forgotten the demons of Mazandaran, that you now cast away your sole savior? When Sohrab—whom Gazhdaham describes as a ravenous wolf—strikes down upon us, whom will you send into the dusty field of war?'
Upon hearing Goudarz's harsh truths, Kavus realized the folly of his unbridled temper. Repentant, he admitted that a king must possess wisdom rather than destructive rage. He charged Goudarz and the court elders to pursue Rostam and appease his wounded pride. The generals overtook the mighty hero on the road, showering him with praises and explaining the King's unstable nature. Rostam initially refused, declaring that Kavus was to him no more than a handful of dust. But Goudarz delivered a masterful diplomatic stroke: 'If you abandon Iran today, the world will say Rostam fled not from the King's temper, but out of fear of the Turk Sohrab!'
Unable to endure the slightest stain upon his honor, Rostam swallowed his pride and returned. As he stepped into the throne room, King Kavus rose to his feet and offered deep, humble apologies, explaining that his rashness stemmed from terror of this new, menacing foe. Rostam accepted the King's atonement, reaffirming his allegiance. Kavus commanded a magnificent royal banquet; the palace turned into a springtime garden, and until midnight, sweet-faced harpers played and wine flowed freely as Iran prepared to face Sohrab at dawn.
#1
گرازان به درگاه شاه آمدند
✦
گشاده دل و نیک خواه آمدند
“Proudly they came to the court of the King, open-hearted and wishing him well.”
#2
چو رفتند و بردند پیشش نماز
✦
برآشفت و پاسخ نداد ایچ باز
“When they entered and bowed in homage before him, he flared up in rage and gave no reply.”
#3
یکی بانگ برزد به گیو از نخست
✦
پس آنگاه شرم از دو دیده بشست
“He first shouted angrily at Giv, casting all shame and restraint from his eyes.”
#4
که رستم که باشد که فرمان من
✦
کند پست و پیچد ز پیمان من
“'Who is Rostam that he should belittle my command and twist away from my covenant?'”
#5
بگیر و ببر زنده بر دار کن
✦
وزو نیز با من مگردان سخن
“'Seize him, take him away, and hang him alive upon the gallows, and speak no more of him to me!'”
#6
ز گفتار او گیو را دل بخست
✦
که بردی به رستم بر آن‌گونه دست
“Giv's heart bled at these words, that such a hand should be laid upon Rostam.”
#7
برآشفت با گیو و با پیلتن
✦
فرو ماند خیره همه انجمن
“The King turned his rage upon Giv and the Elephant-bodied hero, leaving the whole assembly stunned.”
#8
بفرمود پس طوس را شهریار
✦
که رو هردو را زنده برکن به دار
“Then the monarch commanded Tus: 'Go and hang both of them alive upon the gallows!'”
#9
خود از جای برخاست کاووس کی
✦
برافروخت برسان آتش ز نی
“Kay Kavus rose from his seat, blazing like fire set to dry reeds.”
#10
بشد طوس و دست تهمتن گرفت
✦
بدو مانده پرخاش جویان شگفت
“Tus stepped forward and took the Elephant-bodied champion's hand, while the warlike hero stood amazed.”
#11
که از پیش کاووس بیرون برد
✦
مگر کاندر آن تیزی افسون برد
“He sought to lead him out from before Kavus, hoping to soothe the King's violent temper.”
#12
تهمتن برآشفت با شهریار
✦
که چندین مدار آتش اندر کنار
“The Elephant-bodied Rostam flared up against the King, saying: 'Nurture not such fire in your bosom!'”
#13
همه کارت از یکدگر بدترست
✦
ترا شهریاری نه اندرخَورست
“'All your deeds are worse than one another; kingship is truly unbecoming of you!'”
#14
تو سهراب را زنده بر دار کن
✦
پرآشوب و بدخواه را خوار کن
“'Go and hang Sohrab alive upon the gallows! Humiliate the rebellious foe!'”
#15
بزد تند یک دست بر دست طوس
✦
تو گفتی ز پیل ژیان یافت کوس
“He struck a fierce backhand blow upon Tus's hand—you would say a furious elephant struck him down.”
#16
ز بالا نگون اندرآمد به سر
✦
برو کرد رستم به تندی گذر
“Tus fell headlong to the ground, and Rostam swept past him in fierce anger.”
#17
به در شد به خشم اندرآمد به رخش
✦
منم گفت شیراوژن و تاج‌بخش
“He walked out in rage and mounted Rakhsh, declaring: 'I am the lion-slayer and the bestower of crowns!'”
#18
چو خشم آورم شاه کاووس کیست
✦
چرا دست یازد به من طوس کیست
“'When I am wrathful, who is King Kay Kavus, and who is Tus that he should lay a hand on me?'”
#19
زمین بنده و رخش گاه من‌ست
✦
نگین گرز و مغفر کلاه من‌ست
“'The earth is my servant and Rakhsh my throne; my mace is my jewel and my helmet my crown!'”
#20
شب تیره از تیغ رخشان کنم
✦
به آورد گه بر سر افشان کنم
“'I turn the dark night radiant with my shining blade, and sever heads upon the field of battle!'”
#21
سر نیزه و تیغ یار من‌اند
✦
دو بازو و دل شهریار من‌اند
“'The spear-tip and sword are my companions; my two arms and my brave heart are my sovereigns!'”
#22
چه آزاردم او نه من بنده‌ام
✦
یکی بندهٔ آفریننده‌ام
“'Why should he harm me? I am not his bondman; I am a servant of the Almighty Creator alone!'”
#23
به ایران ار ایدون که سهراب گرد
✦
بیاید نماند بزرگ و نه خرد
“'If mighty Sohrab comes upon Iran now, neither great nor small shall be left alive!'”
#24
شما هر کسی چارهٔ جان کنید
✦
خرد را بدین کار پیچان کنید
“'Now each of you find a remedy for your own life, and strain your minds over this grave affair!'”
#25
به ایران نبینید ازین پس مرا
✦
شما را زمین، پَرّ کرگس مرا
“'You shall see me in Iran no more; to you belongs the land, and to me the far horizon!'”
#26
غمی شد دل نامداران همه
✦
که رستم شبان بود و ایشان رمه
“The hearts of all the nobles grew heavy with sorrow, for Rostam was the shepherd and they were his flock.”
#27
به گودرز گفتند کاین کار تست
✦
شکسته به دست تو گردد درست
“They said to Goudarz: 'This task falls to you; what is broken must be mended by your hand.'”
#28
سپهبد جز از تو سخن نشنود
✦
همی بخت تو زین سخن نغنود
“'The commander will listen to no one but you; your fortune will not slumber through this crisis.'”
#29
به نزدیک این شاه دیوانه رو
✦
وزین در سخن یاد کن نو به نو
“'Go to this wild king and speak to him wisely of this matter once again.'”
#30
سخنهای چرب و دراز آوری
✦
مگر بخت گم بوده بازآوری
“'Bring soft, persuasive, and measured words, so that perchance our lost fortune may return.'”
#31
سپهدار گودرز کشواد رفت
✦
به نزدیک خسرو خرامید تفت
“Lord Goudarz, son of Kashvad, departed; he strode swiftly to the presence of the King.”
#32
به کاووس کی گفت رستم چه کرد
✦
کز ایران برآوردی امروز گرد
“He said to Kay Kavus: 'What has Rostam done that you have raised dust over Iran today?'”
#33
فراموش کردی ز هاماوران
✦
وزان کار دیوان مازندران
“'Have you forgotten Hamavaran and the deeds of the demons of Mazandaran?'”
#34
که گویی ورا زنده بر دار کن
✦
ز شاهان نباید گزافه سخن
“'That you order him to be hanged alive? Kings should never utter extravagant and foolish words!'”
#35
چو او رفت و آمد سپاهی بزرگ
✦
یکی پهلوانی به کردار گرگ
“'Now that he is gone and a great army approaches, with a hero ferocious as a wolf,'”
#36
که داری که با او به دشت نبرد
✦
شود برفشاند برو تیره گرد
“'Whom do you have that can go to the field of combat and cover him in dark dust?'”
#37
یلان ترا سر به سر گژدهم
✦
شنیده‌ست و دیده‌ست از بیش و کم
“'Your brave warriors have all heard and seen what Gazhdaham has reported of him,'”
#38
همی گوید آن روز هرگز مباد
✦
که با او سواری کند رزم یاد
“'And each says: May the day never come when any knight thinks to battle him!'”
#39
کسی را که جنگی چو رستم بود
✦
بیازارد او را خرد کم بود
“'He who offends a warrior like Rostam possesses but little wisdom!'”
#40
چو بشنید گفتار گودرز شاه
✦
بدانست کاو دارد آیین و راه
“When King Kavus heard Goudarz's words, he recognized that he spoke with justice and wisdom.”
#41
پشیمان بشد زان کجا گفته بود
✦
به بیهودگی مغزش آشفته بود
“He repented of what he had spoken, for his mind had been foolishly clouded.”
#42
به گودرز گفت این سخن درخورست
✦
لب پیر با پند نیکوترست
“He said to Goudarz: 'These words are fitting; the lips of an elder are best suited for counsel.'”
#43
خردمند باید دل پادشا
✦
که تیزی و تندی نیارد بها
“'The heart of a king ought to be wise, for haste and fierce temper bring no worth.'”
#44
شما را بباید برِ او شدن
✦
به خوبی بسی داستانها زدن
“'You must go to him now and recount many fair stories before him,'”
#45
سرش کردن از تیزی من تهی
✦
نمودن بدو روزگار بهی
“'Empty his mind of my sharp anger, and show him the promise of brighter days.'”
#46
چو گودرز برخاست از پیش اوی
✦
پس پهلوان تیز بنهاد روی
“When Goudarz rose from before the King, he swiftly set out after the great champion.”
#47
برفتند با او سران سپاه
✦
پس رستم اندر گرفتند راه
“The commanders of the army departed with him, taking the road in pursuit of Rostam.”
#48
چو دیدند گرد گو پیلتن
✦
همه نامداران شدند انجمن
“When the renowned nobles saw the elephant-bodied hero, they all gathered around him.”
#49
ستایش گرفتند بر پهلوان
✦
که جاوید بادی و روشن‌روان
“They began to offer praise unto the champion, saying: 'May you live eternally with an enlightened soul!'”
#50
جهان سر به سر زیر پای تو باد
✦
همیشه سر تخت جای تو باد
“'May the entire world lie beneath your feet, and may the crown of your throne ever be your place!'”
#51
تو دانی که کاووس را مغز نیست
✦
به تیزی سخن گفتنش نغز نیست
“'You well know that Kay Kavus lacks wisdom, and his harsh speech is devoid of goodness.'”
#52
بجوشد همانگه پشیمان شود
✦
به خوبی ز سر باز پیمان شود
“'He flares up in anger and instantly regrets it, returning with goodness to renew his bond.'”
#53
تهمتن گر آزرده گردد ز شاه
✦
هم ایرانیان را نباشد گناه
“'If Tahamtan is aggrieved by the King, the Iranian people bear no fault in this.'”
#54
هم او زان سخنها پشیمان شده‌ست
✦
ز تندی بخاید همی پشت دست
“'He too regrets those words, biting the back of his hand in remorse for his fiery temper.'”
#55
تهمتن چنین پاسخ آورد باز
✦
که هستم ز کاووس کی بی‌نیاز
“Tahamtan offered this reply: 'I have no need whatsoever of Kay Kavus.'”
#56
مرا تخت زین باشد و تاج ترگ
✦
قبا جوشن و دل نهاده به مرگ
“'My throne is the saddle, my crown the helmet, my robe the coat of mail, and I have set my heart upon death.'”
#57
چرا دارم از خشم کاووس باک
✦
چه کاووس پیشم چه یک مشت خاک
“'Why should I fear the wrath of Kavus? What is Kavus to me but a handful of dust?'”
#58
سرم گشت سیر و دلم کرد بس
✦
جز از پاک یزدان نترسم ز کس
“'My head is weary and my heart has had enough; save for Pure God, I fear no man!'”
#59
ز گفتار چون سیر گشت انجمن
✦
چنین گفت گودرز با پیلتن
“When the assembly grew weary of talk, Goudarz thus addressed the elephant-bodied hero:”
#60
که شهر و دلیران و لشکر گمان
✦
به دیگر سخنها برند این زمان
“'The city, the warriors, and the army will now harbor other thoughts in their minds;'”
#61
کزین ترک ترسنده شد سرفراز
✦
همی رفت زین گونه چندی به راز
“'That the exalted hero grew fearful of this Turk, and all this was secretly done out of fear;'”
#62
که چونان که گژدهم داد آگهی
✦
همه بوم و بر کرد باید تهی
“'For just as Gazhdaham warned us, the whole land must now be evacuated.'”
#63
چو رستم همی زو بترسد به جنگ
✦
مرا و ترا نیست جای درنگ
“'Since even Rostam fears him in battle, there is no place left for you or me to stand!'”
#64
از آشفتن شاه و پیگار اوی
✦
بدیدم به درگاه بر گفت‌وگوی
“'I saw the King's distress and wrath at court, and heard all the dispute.'”
#65
ز سهراب یل رفت یکسر سخن
✦
چنین پشت بر شاه ایران مکن
“'All the talk was truly about mighty Sohrab; do not turn your back on the King of Iran in this manner!'”
#66
چنین بر شده نامت اندر جهان
✦
بدین بازگشتن مگردان نهان
“Your name has risen so high in the world; do not tarnish and obscure it with such a retreat!”
#67
و دیگر که تنگ اندرآمد سپاه
✦
مکن تیره بر خیره این تاج و گاه
“'Furthermore, the enemy army draws near; do not darken this crown and throne in vain!'”
#68
به رستم بر این داستانها بخواند
✦
تهمتن چو بشنید خیره بماند
“He recited these arguments unto Rostam; when Tahamtan heard them, he was struck amazed.”
#69
بدو گفت اگر بیم دارد دلم
✦
نخواهم که باشد ز تن بگسلم
“He said to him: 'If my heart harbours fear, I wish for my soul to be severed from my body!'”
#70
ازین ننگ برگشت و آمد به راه
✦
گرازان و پویان به نزدیک شاه
“To avert this shame, he turned back onto the road, walking proudly and swiftly toward the King.”
#71
چو در شد ز در شاه بر پای خاست
✦
بسی پوزش اندر گذشته بخواست
“As he entered through the doors, the King rose to his feet and offered many apologies for what had passed.”
#72
که تندی مرا گوهرست و سرشت
✦
چنان زیست باید که یزدان بکشت
“'Violent temper is my very nature and essence; one must live as God has ordained.'”
#73
وزین ناسگالیده بدخواه نو
✦
دلم گشت باریک چون ماه نو
“'And because of this unexpected new enemy, my heart grew thin as the crescent moon.'”
#74
بدین چاره جستن ترا خواستم
✦
چو دیر آمدی تندی آراستم
“'I summoned you to seek a remedy for this; when you were delayed, I gave way to rash anger.'”
#75
چو آزرده گشتی تو ای پیلتن
✦
پشیمان شدم خاکم اندر دهن
“'When you became aggrieved, O elephant-bodied hero, I felt deeply repentant—dust be in my mouth!'”
#76
بدو گفت رستم که گیهان تراست
✦
همه کهترانیم و فرمان تراست
“Rostam said to him: 'The world is yours; we are all your subjects, and the command is yours.'”
#77
کنون آمدم تا چه فرمان دهی
✦
روانت ز دانش مبادا تهی
“'Now I have come to receive whatever command you give; may your soul never be devoid of wisdom.'”
#78
بدو گفت کاووس کامروز بزم
✦
گزینیم و فردا بسازیم رزم
“Kavus said to him: 'Today let us choose feasting, and tomorrow prepare for battle.'”
#79
بیاراست رامشگهی شاهوار
✦
شد ایوان به کردار باغ بهار
“He arrayed a royal place of pleasure; the palace became like a garden of spring.”
#80
ز آواز ابریشم و بانگ نای
✦
سمن عارضان پیش خسرو به پای
“To the melody of harps and the sound of pipes, jasmine-cheeked maidens stood attentive before the King.”
#81
همی باده خوردند تا نیم شب
✦
ز خنیاگران برگشاده دو لب
“They drank of the wine until the depth of midnight, while the minstrels' lips overflowed with song.”