When a single watch of the dark night had passed, a terrifying and agonizing cry echoed from the royal pavilion of Afrasiab, shaking the King of Turan from his slumber in absolute terror. His attendants and guards rushed to his side as turmoil filled the encampment. When news reached Garsivaz that the monarch's crown had fallen into gloom, he hurried to his brother's chamber and found him collapsed upon the dust. Garsivaz took him into his arms, begging him to reveal the source of his horror. Afrasiab, his soul distraught, asked for a moment to regain his senses and to be held firmly until his mind cleared.
When consciousness returned, candles were lit and Afrasiab ascended his throne, trembling like a leaf in the wind. Garsivaz again pressed for answers, and Afrasiab unveiled the horrific nightmare: he had seen a desert teeming with venomous serpents, an earth engulfed in dust, and a sky darkened by swirling eagles. His royal pavilion stood on a parched wasteland when suddenly a dust-laden gale roared through, toppling his royal banner. Rivers of blood flowed from every direction, and over a thousand of Turan's greatest champions lay decapitated upon the ground. Then, an Iranian host advanced swift as a raging wind; a hundred thousand black-clad horsemen charged his throne, bound Afrasiab's hands, and dragged him before King Kay Kavus. Upon a glittering throne sat a young prince—Kavus's son—who, seeing the bound King of Turan, roared like a thundercloud and cleaved Afrasiab in two with his sword!
Deeply unsettled, Garsivaz advised the king to assemble the wisest mobads, astrologers, and scholars of the realm to interpret the dream. The wise men gathered at the palace gates. Afrasiab first demanded absolute secrecy, threatening death to anyone who breathed a word of the nightmare, yet lavishing gold and silver upon them to allay their fear. Once the dream was recounted, dread seized the seers. A brilliant and eloquent mobad asked for the king's royal pledge of immunity before uttering the truth. Afrasiab granted him safe passage.
The mobad spoke boldly: the dream portended an immense army marching in reality. If Afrasiab chose to wage war against Prince Siyavash, the earth would be drenched in blood and Turan would fall into ruin. Should Siyavash be slain by Afrasiab's hand, endless vengeance and chaos would engulf the realm, stripping Turan of its crown and throne. Hearing this terrifying prophecy, Afrasiab abandoned all thoughts of war.
He summoned his chieftains, reflecting profoundly on how royal tyranny drains the blessings of the earth—causing springs to dry, game to lose their milk, and truth to flee from falsehood. He declared that the era of bloodshed must end. He commanded Garsivaz to prepare an embassy to Siyavash and Rostam, bearing Arabian steeds with golden bridles, Indian swords in gilded scabbards, a jewel-laden crown, a hundred camel-loads of luxurious fabrics, and two hundred servants. Garsivaz was tasked with delivering a message of peace: that Turan sought no war, and wished to restore the ancient borders established in the era of King Fereydun, establishing lasting harmony between Iran and Turan.
#1
چو یک پاس بگذشت از تیره شب
✦
چنان چون کسی راز گوید به تب
“When one watch had passed of the dark night, like one who speaks secrets in a fever,”
#2
خروشی برآمد ز افراسیاب
✦
بلرزید بر جای آرام و خواب
“A howl erupted from Afrasiab, trembling in the very place of his rest and sleep.”
#3
پرستندگان تیز برخاستند
✦
خروشیدن و غلغل آراستند
“The attendants swiftly arose, raising a tumult and loud cries of panic.”
#4
چو آمد به گرسیوز آن آگهی
✦
که شد تیره دیهیم شاهنشهی
“When news reached Garsivaz that the sovereign diadem of the king was darkened,”
#5
به تیزی بیامد به نزدیک شاه
✦
ورا دید بر خاک خفته به راه
“He came in haste to the king's presence and saw him fallen upon the bare earth.”
#6
به بر در گرفتش بپرسید زوی
✦
که این داستان با برادر بگوی
“He embraced him and asked, 'Tell this story to your brother!'”
#7
چنین داد پاسخ که پرسش مکن
✦
مگو این زمان ایچ با من سخن
“Thus answered Afrasiab: 'Ask me nothing; speak no words to me at this moment.'”
#8
بمان تا خرد بازیابم یکی
✦
به بر گیر و سختم بدار اندکی
“'Wait until I regain my wisdom; hold me close and support me firmly for a while.'”
#9
زمانی برآمد چو آمد به هوش
✦
جهان دیده با ناله و با خروش
“After a time, when his senses returned, the experienced monarch wept and wailed.”
#10
نهادند شمع و برآمد به تخت
✦
همی بود لرزان بسان درخت
“They set up candles and he ascended the throne, trembling continually like a tree.”
#11
بپرسید گرسیوز نامجوی
✦
که بگشای لب زین شگفتی بگوی
“The renowned Garsivaz asked him, 'Open your lips and speak of this marvel!'”
#12
چنین گفت پرمایه افراسیاب
✦
که هرگز کسی این نبیند به خواب
“Noble Afrasiab replied, 'No one has ever beheld such a dream,'”
#13
کجا چون شب تیره من دیده‌ام
✦
ز پیر و جوان نیز نشنیده‌ام
“'For what I saw in this dark night, I have never heard from old or young.'”
#14
بیابان پر از مار دیدم به خواب
✦
جهان پر ز گرد آسمان پر عقاب
“'I saw a desert teeming with serpents, the world full of dust, and the sky filled with eagles.'”
#15
زمین خشک شخی که گفتی سپهر
✦
بدو تا جهان بود ننمود چهر
“'A dry, hard earth, as if the heavens had never shown a kindly face upon it since the world began.'”
#16
سراپردهٔ من زده بر کران
✦
به گردش سپاهی ز کندآوران
“'My pavilion was pitched on its edge, surrounded by an army of brave champions.'”
#17
یکی باد برخاستی پر ز گرد
✦
درفش مرا سر نگونسار کرد
“'A wind arose full of dust and knocked my royal banner upside down.'”
#18
برفتی ز هر سو یکی جوی خون
✦
سراپرده و خیمه گشتی نگون
“'Streams of blood ran from every side; pavilions and tents were overturned.'”
#19
وزان لشکر من فزون از هزار
✦
بریده سران و تن افگنده خوار
“'And of my army, more than a thousand lay with severed heads and bodies cast down in contempt.'”
#20
سپاهی ز ایران چو باد دمان
✦
چه نیزه به دست و چه تیر و کمان
“'An army from Iran charged like a roaring gale, bearing spears, bows, and arrows.'”
#21
همه نیزهاشان سر آورده بار
✦
وزان هر سواری سری در کنار
“'All their spears were laden at the tip, and each horseman carried a severed head at his side.'”
#22
بر تخت من تاختندی سوار
✦
سیه پوش و نیزه‌وران صد هزار
“'A hundred thousand spearmen clad in black charged straight toward my throne.'”
#23
برانگیختندی ز جای نشست
✦
مرا تاختندی همی بسته دست
“'They dragged me from my seat and carried me away with bound hands.'”
#24
نگه کردمی نیک هر سو بسی
✦
ز پیوسته پیشم نبودی کسی
“'I looked closely on every side, yet none of my kinsmen stood before me.'”
#25
مرا پیش کاووس بردی دوان
✦
یکی بادسر نامور پهلوان
“'A reckless, renowned champion dragged me running before Kavus.'”
#26
یکی تخت بودی چو تابنده ماه
✦
نشسته برو پور کاووس شاه
“'There was a throne shining like the radiant moon, and upon it sat the son of King Kavus.'”
#27
دو هفته نبودی ورا سال بیش
✦
چو دیدی مرا بسته در پیش خویش
“'He was no more than fourteen years of age; when he saw me bound before him,'”
#28
دمیدی به کردار غرنده میغ
✦
میانم بدو نیم کردی به تیغ
“'He roared like a thunderous cloud and sliced me in two with his sword!'”
#29
خروشیدمی من فراوان ز درد
✦
مرا ناله و درد بیدار کرد
“'I screamed aloud in agony, and that pain and cry awakened me.'”
#30
بدو گفت گرسیوز این خواب شاه
✦
نباشد جز از کامهٔ نیک خواه
“Garsivaz said to him, 'This dream of the king shall bring nothing but good desire.'”
#31
همه کام دل باشد و تاج و تخت
✦
نگون گشته بر بدسگال تو بخت
“'All heart's desire, crown, and throne shall be yours, while fortune turns dark for your enemies.'”
#32
گزارندهٔ خواب باید کسی
✦
که از دانش اندازه دارد بسی
“'We need an interpreter of dreams who possesses great knowledge.'”
#33
بخوانیم بیدار دل موبدان
✦
از اخترشناسان و از بخردان
“'Let us summon wise mobads, astrologers, and sagacious men.'”
#34
هر آنکس کزین دانش آگه بود
✦
پراگنده گر بر در شه بود
“'Whoever is learned in this science, even if scattered far from the king's door.'”
#35
شدند انجمن بر در شهریار
✦
بدان تا چرا کردشان خواستار
“They gathered at the monarch's door to learn why he had summoned them.”
#36
بخواند و سزاوار بنشاند پیش
✦
سخن راند با هر یک از کم و بیش
“He called them in and seated them according to rank, speaking of matters great and small.”
#37
چنین گفت با نامور موبدان
✦
که‌ای پاک‌دل نیک‌پی بخردان
“He said to the renowned mobads, 'O pure-hearted, auspicious sages!'”
#38
گر این خواب و گفتار من در جهان
✦
ز کس بشنوم آشکار و نهان
“'If I hear this dream and story of mine spoken by anyone in the world, openly or in secret,'”
#39
یکی را نمانم سر و تن به هم
✦
اگر زین سخن بر لب آرند دم
“'I will not leave a single head upon a body if they breathe a word of this!'”
#40
ببخشیدشان بیکران زر و سیم
✦
بدان تا نباشد کسی زو ببیم
“He bestowed boundless gold and silver upon them so that none would fear him.”
#41
ازان پس بگفت آنچ در خواب دید
✦
چو موبد ز شاه آن سخنها شنید
“Thereafter he related what he had seen in his dream; when the mobad heard those words,”
#42
بترسید و ز شاه زنهار خواست
✦
که این خواب را کی توان گفت راست
“He trembled with fear and sought royal sanctuary, asking how one could speak the truth of such a vision.”
#43
مگر شاه با بنده پیمان کند
✦
زبان را به پاسخ گروگان کند
“'Unless the king makes a covenant with his servant, engaging his tongue to guarantee safety,'”
#44
کزین در سخن هرچ داریم یاد
✦
گشاییم بر شاه و یابیم داد
“'So that whatever we recall of this lore, we may open to the king and find justice.'”
#45
به زنهار دادن زبان داد شاه
✦
کزان بد ازیشان نبیند گناه
“The king gave his solemn pledge of sanctuary, promising they would suffer no harm for it.”
#46
زبان آوری بود بسیار مغز
✦
کجا برگشادی سخنهای نغز
“There was an eloquent sage, deeply wise, who unloosed words of exquisite grace.”
#47
چنین گفت کز خواب شاه جهان
✦
به بیداری آمد سپاهی گران
“He spoke thus: "From the dream of the King of the World, a mighty army has come forth into reality.”
#48
یکی شاهزاده به پیش اندرون
✦
جهان دیده با وی بسی رهنمون
“At its head marches a prince, accompanied by many experienced guides.”
#49
بران طالع او را گسی کرد شاه
✦
که این بوم گردد بما بر تباه
“Under such an omen did the King dispatch him, that this land should fall into ruin by our hands.”
#50
اگر با سیاوش کند شاه جنگ
✦
چو دیبه شود روی گیتی به رنگ
“If the King wages war against Siyavash, the face of the earth will turn red like dyed silk.”
#51
ز ترکان نماند کسی پارسا
✦
غمی گردد از جنگ او پادشا
“Not a single righteous soul shall remain among the Turanians, and the King himself shall be filled with grief from this battle.”
#52
وگر او شود کشته بر دست شاه
✦
به توران نماند سر و تاج و گاه
“And if he be slain by the King's own hand, neither crown, throne, nor sovereignty shall remain in Turan.”
#53
سراسر پر آشوب گردد زمین
✦
ز بهر سیاوش بجنگ و به کین
“The entire earth shall be thrown into turmoil and strife, all for Siyavash, in vengeance and war.”
#54
بدانگاه یاد آیدت راستی
✦
که ویران شود کشور از کاستی
“Only then will you remember the truth—when the realm lies shattered in ruin and decay.”
#55
جهاندار گر مرغ گردد بپر
✦
برین چرخ گردان نیابد گذر
“Even if the ruler of the world were to take wing like a bird, he could not escape the turning celestial sphere.”
#56
برین سان گذر کرد خواهد سپهر
✦
گهی پر ز خشم و گهی پر ز مهر
“For the heavens will revolve in this manner—at times full of wrath, and at times full of affection.”
#57
غمی شد چو بشنید افراسیاب
✦
نکرد ایچ بر جنگ جستن شتاب
“When Afrasiab heard these words, he grew sorrowful and made no haste to seek battle.”
#58
به گرسیوز آن رازها برگشاد
✦
نهفته سخنها بسی کرد یاد
“He revealed those secrets to Garsivaz and recalled many hidden matters.”
#59
که گر من به جنگ سیاوش سپاه
✦
نرانم نیاید کسی کینه خواه
“Saying, "If I do not march an army to war against Siyavash, no seeker of vengeance shall step forth.”
#60
نه او کشته آید به جنگ و نه من
✦
برآساید از گفت و گوی انجمن
“Neither shall he be slain in battle nor I, and the assemblies shall be freed from idle talk.”
#61
نه کاووس خواهد ز من نیز کین
✦
نه آشوب گیرد سراسر زمین
“Neither will Kavus seek vengeance against me, nor will turmoil engulf the entire earth.”
#62
بجای جهان جستن و کارزار
✦
مبادم به جز آشتی هیچ کار
“Instead of seeking world conquest and war, may I have no purpose other than peace.”
#63
فرستم به نزدیک او سیم و زر
✦
همان تاج و تخت و فراوان گهر
“I shall send him silver and gold, along with a crown, a throne, and countless jewels.”
#64
مگر کاین بلاها ز من بگذرد
✦
که ترسم روانم فرو پژمرد
“Perchance these calamities may pass from me, for I fear my soul would wither away.”
#65
چو چشم زمانه بدوزم به گنج
✦
سزد گر سپهرم نخواهد به رنج
“If I seal the eyes of fate with treasures, it is fitting that the heavens spare me from grief.”
#66
نخواهم زمانه جز آن کاو نوشت
✦
چنان زیست باید که یزدان سرشت
“I seek nothing from destiny save what it has written; one must live as God has decreed.”
#67
چو بگذشت نیمی ز گردان سپهر
✦
درخشنده خورشید بنمود چهر
“When half of the revolving sky had passed, the radiant sun revealed its face.”
#68
بزرگان بدرگاه شاه آمدند
✦
پرستنده و با کلاه آمدند
“The nobles came to the King's court, devoted and wearing their crowns of state.”
#69
یکی انجمن ساخت با بخردان
✦
هشیوار و کارآزموده ردان
“He assembled a council of sages—prudent, wise, and battle-tested chieftains.”
#70
بدیشان چنین گفت کز روزگار
✦
نبینم همی بهره جز کارزار
“He spoke to them, saying: "From fate I have gained no benefit save warfare and conflict.”
#71
بسا نامداران که بر دست من
✦
تبه شد به جنگ اندرین انجمن
“How many renowned heroes have perished at my hands in battle among this company!”
#72
بسی شارستان گشت بیمارستان
✦
بسی بوستان نیز شد خارستان
“Many a city has become a place of sickness, and many a garden turned into a field of thorns.”
#73
بسا باغ کان رزمگاه منست
✦
به هر سو نشان سپاه منست
“How many orchards have become my battlefield, bearing everywhere the marks of my army!”
#74
ز بیدادی شهریار جهان
✦
همه نیکوی باشد اندر نهان
“From the injustice of the ruler of the world, all goodness conceals itself from view.”
#75
نزاید به هنگام در دشت گور
✦
شود بچهٔ باز را دیده کور
“The wild ass gives no birth in season in the plain, and the eyes of the young falcon turn blind.”
#76
نپرد ز پستان نخچیر شیر
✦
شود آب در چشمهٔ خویش قیر
“Milk flows not from the wild beast's teats, and the water in its spring turns to black pitch.”
#77
شود در جهان چشمهٔ آب خشک
✦
نگیرد به نافه درون بوی مشک
“The springs of fresh water dry up across the world, and musk yields no fragrance within its pod.”
#78
ز کژی گریزان شود راستی
✦
پدید آید از هر سوی کاستی
“Truth flees away from dishonesty, and scarcity appears from every side.”
#79
کنون دانش و داد یاد آوریم
✦
بجای غم و رنج داد آوریم
“Now let us remember wisdom and justice; in place of grief and pain, let us bring forth righteousness.”
#80
برآساید از ما زمانی جهان
✦
نباید که مرگ آید از ناگهان
“May the world rest from our strife for a season, lest sudden death claim us unawares."”
#81
دو بهر از جهان زیر پای منست
✦
به ایران و توران سرای منست
“Two-thirds of the world lie beneath my feet; both Iran and Turan are my domain.”
#82
نگه کن که چندین ز کندآوران
✦
بیارند هر سال باژ گران
“Behold how many mighty warriors bring heavy tribute to me every year!”
#83
گر ایدونک باشید همداستان
✦
به رستم فرستم یکی داستان
“If you now agree with me, I shall send a message to Rustam.”
#84
در آشتی با سیاووش نیز
✦
بجویم فرستم بی‌اندازه چیز
“I shall also seek the path of peace with Siyavash, and send him treasures beyond measure.”
#85
سران یک به یک پاسخ آراستند
✦
همی خوبی و راستی خواستند
“The chieftains one by one prepared their response, seeking only goodness and righteousness.”
#86
که تو شهریاری و ما چون رهی
✦
بران دل نهاده که فرمان دهی
“They said, "You are the sovereign king and we are your servants, prepared in heart to obey whatever you command."”
#87
همه بازگشتند سر پر ز داد
✦
نیامد کسی را غم و رنج یاد
“They all returned with hearts filled with justice, and no one remembered grief or distress.”
#88
به گرسیوز آنگه چنین گفت شاه
✦
که ببسیج کار و بپیمای راه
“Then the king spoke thus to Garsivaz: "Prepare for the task and set forth upon the road."”
#89
به زودی بساز و سخن را مه‌ایست
✦
ز لشگر گزین کن سواری دویست
“"Prepare quickly and tarry not in speech; choose two hundred horsemen from the army."”
#90
به نزد سیاووش برخواسته
✦
ز هر چیز گنجی بیاراسته
“"Take riches to Siyavash, treasures prepared from every fine thing."”
#91
از اسپان تازی به زرین ستام
✦
ز شمشیر هندی به زرین نیام
“"Arabian horses with golden bridles, and Indian swords in scabbards of gold,"”
#92
یکی تاج پرگوهر شاهوار
✦
ز گستردنی صد شتروار بار
“"A royal crown studded with gems, and a hundred camel-loads of woven fabrics,"”
#93
غلام و کنیزک به بر هم دویست
✦
بگویش که با تو مرا جنگ نیست
“"Two hundred young male and female slaves together; and say to him: 'I have no war with thee!'"”
#94
بپرسش فراوان و او را بگوی
✦
که ما سوی ایران نکردیم روی
“"Greet him abundantly and say to him: 'We have not set our sights on invading Iran.'"”
#95
زمین تا لب رود جیحون مراست
✦
به سغدیم و این پادشاهی جداست
“'The land up to the bank of the River Jayhun is mine; we abide in Sogdia, and this realm is distinct.'”
#96
همانست کز تور و سلم دلیر
✦
زبر شد جهان آن کجا بود زیر
“'It is the same since brave Tur and Salm turned the world upside down from what it was before,'”
#97
از ایرج که بر بیگنه کشته شد
✦
ز مغز بزرگان خرد گشته شد
“'Ever since Iraj was slain guiltless, and wisdom departed from the minds of the great.'”
#98
ز توران به ایران جدایی نبود
✦
که باکین و جنگ آشنایی نبود
“'Before that, there was no division between Turan and Iran, for they knew neither malice nor war.'”
#99
ز یزدان بران گونه دارم امید
✦
که آید درود و خرام و نوید
“'I hope in God that blessings, grace, and good tidings shall now arrive,'”
#100
برانگیخت از شهر ایران ترا
✦
که بر مهر دید از دلیران ترا
“'Who brought thee forth from the land of Iran, seeing thee filled with love among brave men.'”
#101
به بخت تو آرام گیرد جهان
✦
شود جنگ و ناخوبی اندر نهان
“'Through thy good fortune the world shall find rest, and war and evil shall vanish into hiding.'”
#102
چو گرسیوز آید به نزدیک تو
✦
به باز آید آن رای تاریک تو
“'When Garsivaz comes before thee, thy dark thoughts shall turn to light again.'”
#103
چنان چون به گاه فریدون گرد
✦
که گیتی ببخشش به گردان سپرد
“'Just as in the time of Fereydun the hero, who divided the world and entrusted it to brave warriors.'”
#104
ببخشیم و آن رای بازآوریم
✦
ز جنگ و ز کین پای بازآوریم
“'We shall divide the realm, restore sound judgment, and withdraw our feet from war and vengeance.'”
#105
تو شاهی و با شاه ایران بگوی
✦
مگر نرم گردد سر جنگجوی
“'Thou art a king; speak to the Shah of Iran, so that perchance his warlike spirit may soften.'”
#106
سخنها همی گوی با پیلتن
✦
به چربی بسی داستانها بزن
“'Speak also with the elephant-bodied hero Rustam, recounting many stories with softness and charm.'”
#107
برین هم نشان نزد رستم پیام
✦
پرستنده و اسپ و زرین ستام
“'Likewise send a message to Rustam, along with servants, horses, and golden bridles,'”
#108
به نزدیک او هم چنین خواسته
✦
ببر تا شود کار پیراسته
“'Take such riches to him as well, so that the affair may be set right.'”
#109
جز از تخت زرین که او شاه نیست
✦
تن پهلوان از در گاه نیست
“'Except for a golden throne, since he is no king, for a champion's person is not fit for the royal throne.'”