When the sun of fortune set upon the majestic cypress that was Siyavash, the innocent prince sank into eternal sleep upon the scorching earth—a terrible, unawakening slumber from which no soul returns. The royal court and polo fields were laid barren of his noble presence, and the realm dissolved into mourning for purity and justice slain. The poet laments the inscrutable, unsparing wheel of fate, wherein evil men often prosper while those who walk only in righteousness wilt away in agony.
From the palace of Siyavash, a soul-shattering cry echoed to the heavens, and the world seethed with fury against the treacherous Garsivaz. The moon-faced maidens tore their raven hair and scratched their cheeks in despair. Farangis, daughter of Afrasiab and grieving consort of Siyavash, severed her long musky tresses, bound them around her waist, and rained bitter curses upon her father's soul.
When these piercing curses reached the ears of Afrasiab, the Turanian monarch's malice burned fiercely. He commanded Garsivaz to drag Farangis into the public court, strip away her veil, and beat her mercilessly with rods so that the seed of Siyavash within her womb might perish, ensuring no branch of his bloodline would ever claim the crown. All the assembled Turanian chieftains recoiled in horror, cursing the ruthless monarch in their hearts for such unheard-of cruelty.
Pilsam, brother of Piran Viseh, arrived with blood-flushed cheeks and a heartbroken spirit, having witnessed the horrific execution—how Siyavash was bound like stone, forced to run on foot before the villainous Goroy, and slaughtered over a golden basin like a sacrificial lamb. Hastening to his brothers Lahhak and Farshidvard, Pilsam declared that Hell itself was preferable to Afrasiab's realm. The three champions saddled swift steeds and galloped like the wind to reach Piran Viseh.
Upon hearing the tragic news of Siyavash’s murder and the imminent execution of Farangis, Piran collapsed unconscious from his throne. Waking in agony, he tore his garments, cast dust upon his head, and plucked his silver beard. Pilsam urged him to move swiftly before Farangis and her unborn child were cut in two by the executioners' blades.
Piran readied ten battle-tested steeds and, alongside his valiant sons Ruyin and Farshidvard, rode non-stop for two days and two nights to the royal court. Arriving just as executioners seized the swooning Farangis with drawn swords, Piran leapt from his mount, tore his robes, and ordered the guards to stay their hands. Charging into Afrasiab’s presence with tears streaming down his face, Piran unleashed a torrent of fierce wisdom and rebuke upon the king: "Why have you succumbed to the demon's deceit and slain innocent Siyavash? You have brought down the vengeance of Iranian kings and severed yourself from the Royal Glory! Will you now slaughter your own daughter and her unborn child, cementing an eternal curse upon your name?"
Moved by Piran's passionate plea, Afrasiab relented and yielded custody of Farangis to him. Piran safely escorted the grieving princess to Khotan, placing her under the tender care of his wife Golsahr. Thus, amid the darkest tragedy of Turan, the seed of hope was preserved, awaiting the birth of the savior prince, Kay Khosrow.
#1
چو از سروبن دور گشت آفتاب
✦
سر شهریار اندرآمد به خواب
“When the sun departed from the cypress tree, the head of the noble king inclined into sleep.”
#2
چه خوابی که چندین زمان برگذشت
✦
نه جنبید و بیدار هرگز نگشت
“Ah, what a deep sleep it was! For though much time passed, he moved no more and never woke again.”
#3
چو از شاه شد گاه و میدان تهی
✦
نه خورشید با او نه سرو سهی
“When the throne and the polo-field were left empty of the king, neither the sun remained with him nor his tall cypress posture.”
#4
چپ و راست هر سو بتابم همی
✦
سر و پای گیتی نیابم همی
“To the left and to the right I turn, yet I cannot comprehend the origin or end of this world's mystery.”
#5
یکی بد کند نیک پیش آیدش
✦
جهان بنده و بخت خویش آیدش
“One man does evil and yet good comes to him; the world becomes his servant and fortune smiles upon him.”
#6
یکی جز به نیکی جهان نسپرد
✦
همی از نژندی فرو پژمرد
“While another walks the earth doing nothing but good, yet he continuously wilts away in sorrow and misery.”
#7
مدار ایچ تیمار با او به هم
✦
به گیتی مکن جان و دل را دژم
“Bind not your heart in grief with this fickle world; darken not your soul and spirit over its mysteries.”
#8
ز خان سیاوش برآمد خروش
✦
جهانی ز گرسیوز آمد به جوش
“A wail of agony arose from the house of Siyavash, and the entire world boiled with wrath against Garsivaz.”
#9
ز سر ماهرویان گسسته کمند
✦
خراشیده روی و بمانده نژند
“The moon-faced women tore their long tresses from their heads; they scratched their cheeks and were left brokenhearted.”
#10
همه بندگان موی کردند باز
✦
فرنگیس مشکین کمند دراز
“All the maidservants unbound their hair, while Farangis severed her long, musky tresses.”
#11
برید و میان را به گیسو ببست
✦
به فندق گل ارغوانرا بخست
“She cut her locks and bound her waist with her hair; with finger-tips like hazel-nuts she scratched the purple roses of her cheeks.”
#12
به آواز بر جان افراسیاب
✦
همی کرد نفرین و می‌ریخت آب
“Aloud she rained down curses upon the soul of Afrasiab, shedding tears like a torrent.”
#13
خروشش به گوش سپهبد رسید
✦
چو آن ناله و زار نفرین شنید
“Her piercing cries reached the ears of the Turanian commander; when he heard her lamentations and bitter curses...”
#14
به گرسیوز بدنشان شاه گفت
✦
که او را به کوی آورید از نهفت
“The king said to ill-omened Garsivaz: 'Drag her out from her seclusion into the public square!'”
#15
ز پرده به درگه بریدش کشان
✦
بر روزبانان مردم کشان
“'Drag her behind the veil unto the palace gates, into the hands of the bloodthirsty executioners!'”
#16
بدان تا بگیرند موی سرش
✦
بدرند بر بر همه چادرش
“'So that they may seize her hair and tear the veil completely from her body!'”
#17
زنندش همی چوب تا تخم کین
✦
بریزد برین بوم توران زمین
“'Strike her with rods until the seed of vengeance spills upon this soil of Turan!'”
#18
نخواهم ز بیخ سیاوش درخت
✦
نه شاخ و نه برگ و نه تاج و نه تخت
“'I desire neither tree, nor branch, nor leaf, nor crown, nor throne to sprout from the root of Siyavash!'”
#19
همه نامداران آن انجمن
✦
گرفتند نفرین برو تن به تن
“All the nobles in that assembly cursed Afrasiab one by one in their hearts.”
#20
که از شاه و دستور وز لشکری
✦
ازین‌گونه نشیند کس داوری
“Saying: 'Never has such evil judgment proceeded from any king, minister, or commander!'”
#21
بیامد پر از خون دو رخ پیلسم
✦
روان پر ز داغ و رخان پر ز نم
“Pilsam arrived, his two cheeks flushed with blood, his soul filled with anguish and his eyes with tears.”
#22
به نزدیک لهاک و فرشیدورد
✦
سراسر سخنها همه یاد کرد
“He hastened to Lahhak and Farshidvard and recounted all that had transpired.”
#23
که دوزخ به از بوم افراسیاب
✦
نباید بدین کشور آرام و خواب
“Saying: 'Hell is far better than the domain of Afrasiab! We must no longer seek sleep or rest in this land.'”
#24
بتازیم و نزدیک پیران شویم
✦
به تیمار و درد اسیران شویم
“'Let us ride swiftly unto Piran, and share in the grief and protection of the captives!'”
#25
سه اسپ گرانمایه کردند زین
✦
همی برنوشتند گفتی زمین
“They saddled three precious noble steeds, galloping so swiftly they seemed to roll up the earth beneath them.”
#26
به پیران رسیدند هر سه سوار
✦
رخان پر ز خون همچو ابر بهار
“All three horsemen reached Piran, their faces streaming with tears like spring rain.”
#27
برو بر شمردند یکسر سخن
✦
که بخت از بدیها چه افگند بن
“They detailed the whole terrible story to him, recounting how fortune had laid the foundation of tragedy.”
#28
یکی زاریی خاست کاندر جهان
✦
نبیند کسی از کهان و مهان
“There arose such a lamentation as no one in the world, great or small, had ever witnessed.”
#29
سیاووش را دست بسته چو سنگ
✦
فگندند در گردنش پالهنگ
“'They bound Siyavash's hands firmly like stone, and placed a halter around his neck!'”
#30
به دشتش کشیدند پر آب روی
✦
پیاده دوان در به پیش گروی
“'They dragged him into the plain with weeping eyes, running on foot before the villain Goroy!'”
#31
تن پیل وارش بران گرم خاک
✦
فگندند و از کس نکردند باک
“'They cast his elephant-like majestic body upon the burning dust, fearing no retribution from anyone!'”
#32
یکی تشت بنهاد پیشش گروی
✦
بپیچید چون گوسفندانش روی
“'Goroy placed a golden basin before him, and twisted his face back like a slaughtered sheep!'”
#33
برید آن سر شاهوارش ز تن
✦
فگندش چو سرو سهی بر چمن
“'He severed that royal head from his neck, felling him like a tall cypress upon the meadow!'”
#34
همه شهر پر زاری و ناله گشت
✦
به چشم اندرون آب چون ژاله گشت
“'The entire city became filled with sorrow and wailing, and tears rained from every eye like dew.'”
#35
چو پیران به گفتار بنهاد گوش
✦
ز تخت اندرافتاد و زو رفت هوش
“As Piran gave ear to these words, he fell senseless from his throne, losing all consciousness.”
#36
همی جامه را بر برش کرد چاک
✦
همی کند موی و همی ریخت خاک
“He tore his royal garments upon his breast, tore out his hair, and poured dust upon his head.”
#37
بدو پیلسم گفت بشتاب زود
✦
که دردی بدین درد و سختی فزود
“Pilsam urged him: 'Hasten quickly! For another agony has been added to this devastating grief!'”
#38
فرنگیس رانیز خواهند کشت
✦
مکن هیچ‌گونه برین کار پشت
“'They are about to murder Farangis as well! Turn not your back upon this dire matter!'”
#39
به درگاه بردند مویش کشان
✦
بر روزبانان مردم کشان
“'They have dragged her by the hair to the court, delivering her to bloodthirsty executioners!'”
#40
جهانی بدو کرده دیده پرآب
✦
ز کردار بدگوهر افراسیاب
“'All the world weep tears of blood for her, horrified by the evil nature of Afrasiab!'”
#41
که این هول کاریست بادرد و بیم
✦
که اکنون فرنگیس را بر دو نیم
“'For it is a horrifying deed, full of pain and dread, that they now intend to cut Farangis in two!'”
#42
زنند و شود پادشاهی تباه
✦
مر او را نخواند کسی نیز شاه
“'They will beat her and ruin the realm, and no man will ever call Afrasiab king again!'”
#43
ز آخور بیاورد پس پهلوان
✦
ده اسپ سوار آزموده جوان
“Then the hero Piran brought out from the stables ten swift steeds for his battle-tested young horsemen.”
#44
خود و گرد رویین و فرشیدورد
✦
برآورد زان راه ناگاه گرد
“Accompanied by brave Ruyin and Farshidvard, he suddenly raised dust along the highway as they galloped.”
#45
بدو روز و دو شب بدرگه رسید
✦
درنامور پرجفا پیشه دید
“In two days and two nights he arrived at court, finding the famous portal swarming with cruel executioners.”
#46
فرنگیس را دید چون بیهشان
✦
گرفته ورا روزبانان کشان
“He saw Farangis like one bereft of senses, dragged along helplessly by the palace guards.”
#47
به چنگال هر یک یکی تیغ تیز
✦
ز درگاه برخاسته رستخیز
“A sharp blade gleamed in each guard's grasp, and an uproar like the day of resurrection arose from the court.”
#48
همانگاه پیران بیامد چو باد
✦
کسی کش خرد بود گشتند شاد
“At that very moment Piran arrived like the wind; those endowed with wisdom were overjoyed at his coming.”
#49
چو چشم گرامی به پیران رسید
✦
شد از خون دیده رخش ناپدید
“When Farangis's precious eyes fell upon Piran, her countenance was drowned in a torrent of bloody tears.”
#50
بدو گفت با من چه بد ساختی
✦
چرا خیره بر آتش انداختی
“She said to him, 'What ill have you done to me? Why have you recklessly cast me into this fire?'”
#51
ز اسپ اندر افتاد پیران به خاک
✦
همه جامهٔ پهلوی کرده چاک
“Piran fell from his steed onto the dust, tearing his noble garments in utter grief.”
#52
بفرمود تا روزبانان در
✦
زمانی ز فرمان بتابند سر
“He commanded the court guards to halt and temporarily turn away from executing the sentence.”
#53
بیامد دمان پیش افراسیاب
✦
دل از درد خسته دو دیده پر آب
“He rushed furiously before Afrasiab, his heart wounded with pain and his eyes brimming with tears.”
#54
بدو گفت شاها انوشه بدی
✦
روان را به دیدار توشه بدی
“He said to him, 'O King, may you be immortal! May the sight of you ever be a sustenance to the soul!'”
#55
چه آمد ز بد بر تو ای نیکخوی
✦
که آوردت این روز بد آرزوی
“'What evil has come upon you, O noble ruler, that has made you desire such a dark day?'”
#56
چرا بر دلت چیره شد رای دیو
✦
ببرد از رخت شرم گیهان خدیو
“'Why has the demon's counsel mastered your heart, stripping your face of fear before the Lord of the world?'”
#57
بکشتی سیاووش را بی‌گناه
✦
به خاک اندر انداختی نام و جاه
“'You slew the innocent Siyavash, casting your own fame and royal majesty into the dust.'”
#58
به ایران رسد زین بدی آگهی
✦
که شد خشک پالیز سرو سهی
“'When news of this atrocity reaches Iran—that the upright cypress of the garden has withered—'”
#59
بسا تاجداران ایران زمین
✦
که با لشکر آیند پردرد و کین
“'Many crowned monarchs of the land of Iran shall march with armies full of anguish and vengeance.'”
#60
جهان آرمیده ز دست بدی
✦
شده آشکارا ره ایزدی
“'The world had found rest from wickedness, and the divine path had become plain to all;'”
#61
فریبنده دیوی ز دوزخ بجست
✦
بیامد دل شاه ترکان بخست
“'Until a deceitful demon leapt forth from hell, coming to corrupt the heart of the king of Turan.'”
#62
بران اهرمن نیز نفرین سزد
✦
که پیچد روانت سوی راه بد
“'Curses be upon that Ahriman who twists your spirit toward the path of evil!'”
#63
پشیمان شوی زین به روز دراز
✦
بپیچی زمانی به گرم و گداز
“'You shall repent of this in the days to come, burning in prolonged grief and agony.'”
#64
ندانم که این گفتن بد ز کیست
✦
و زین آفریننده را رای چیست
“'I know not from whom this evil counsel came, nor what the Creator's divine purpose is in this.'”
#65
چو دیوانه از جای برخاستی
✦
چنین خیره بد را بیاراستی
“'Like a madman you rose from your place and heedlessly adorned such monstrous evil.'”
#66
کنون زو گذشتی به فرزند خویش
✦
رسیدی به پیچاره پیوند خویش
“'Now having passed beyond Siyavash, you turn upon your own offspring, assailing your helpless kin!'”
#67
نجوید همانا فرنگیس بخت
✦
نه اورنگ شاهی نه تاج و نه تخت
“'Farangis surely seeks no earthly royal fortune—neither sovereign throne, nor crown, nor state.'”
#68
به فرزند با کودکی در نهان
✦
درفشی مکن خویشتن در جهان
“'Do not make yourself a scandalous banner before the world on account of a woman carrying an unborn child.'”
#69
که تا زنده‌ای بر تو نفرین بود
✦
پس از زندگی دوزخ آیین بود
“'For as long as you live, curses shall pursue you; and after this life, hell shall be your domain!'”
#70
اگر شاه روشن کند جان من
✦
فرستد ورا سوی ایوان من
“'If the King would bring light to my soul, let him entrust her to my keeping and send her to my palace.'”
#71
گر ایدونک اندیشه زین کودک است
✦
همانا که این درد و رنج اندک است
“'If your dread is indeed on account of this child, surely this concern is small and manageable.'”
#72
بمان تا جدا گردد از کالبد
✦
بپیش تو آرم بدو ساز بد
“'Wait until the child is born and separated from her body; then I shall bring it before you to carry out your command.'”
#73
بدو گفت زینسان که گفتی بساز
✦
مرا کردی از خون او بی‌نیاز
“Afrasiab said to him, 'Act as you have proposed; you have relieved me of shedding her blood.'”
#74
سپهدار پیران بدان شاد شد
✦
از اندیشه و درد آزاد شد
“Commander Piran rejoiced at these words, relieved of his burning anguish and terror.”
#75
بیامد به درگاه و او را ببرد
✦
بسی نیز بر روزبانان شمرد
“He came to the court gate and took her away, fiercely rebuking the brutal guards along the way.”
#76
بی‌آزار بردش به سوی ختن
✦
خروشان همه درگه و انجمن
“Unharmed he escorted her toward Khotan, while the court and all the assembly wailed in grief.”
#77
چو آمد به ایوان به گلشهر گفت
✦
که این خوب رخ را بباید نهفت
“When he arrived at his palace, he said to Golshahr, 'This fair-faced lady must be safely sheltered.'”
#78
تو بر پیش این نامور زینهار
✦
بباش و بدارش پرستاروار
“'Be a protective guardian to this illustrious lady and attend to her like a devoted maid.'”
#79
برین نیز بگذشت یک چند روز
✦
گران شد فرنگیس گیتی فروز
“A few days passed after this, and the world-illuminating Farangis grew heavy with child.”