Piran Viseh gathered a thousand elite, renowned Turanian warriors and set off in relentless pursuit of Prince Kai Khosrow and Gev. He urged his cavalry forward without pause day or night, knowing that if Khosrow reached the realm of Iran, the wrath of the Iranian champions would burn Afrasiab's world to ash. The Turanian host rode frantically until they arrived at the banks of a deep, swift river. On the far shore, Queen Farangis stood watch while Gev and the young king lay asleep.
Spotting the distant banners of Turan, Farangis rushed to Gev's side, awakening him with urgent warnings. Young Kai Khosrow also awoke and offered to step onto the battlefield himself to shed blood for his lineage. But Gev insisted that the royal youth and his mother ascend to the safety of a high hill while he alone faced the pursuing horde. Donning his formidable coat of mail, Gev mounted his charger, let out a war cry like spring thunder, and taunted Piran across the waters.
Piran sneered at Gev, mocking him for daring to face a thousand knights single-handedly. Riding into the river's depth, Piran charged toward Gev. With seasoned tactical mastery, Gev drew Piran away from the main body of the Turanian army. At the decisive moment, Gev uncoiled his twisting lasso from his saddle-bow and hurled it, looping the coil around the Turanian commander's neck. With a powerful jerk, he yanked Piran off his saddle and dragged him ignominiously to the riverbank, where he stripped him of his armor and bound his arms.
Taking up Piran's royal banner, Gev charged across the river straight into the thousand Turanian horsemen. Like a raging lion bursting into a defenseless flock, Gev wielded his heavy mace, spear, and sword, slaying scores of enemy warriors until the field was heaped with corpses. Terrified by the invincible prowess of this single Iranian hero, the Turanian host broke rank and fled in utter disgrace.
Returning to the bound Piran, Gev drew his sword to sever his head and fulfill a solemn oath to avenge Siyavash. But Piran appealed to Khosrow and Farangis, reminding them of how he had shielded them from Afrasiab's wrath. Moved to tears, Farangis and Khosrow pleaded for Piran's life. To resolve Gev's oath to spill Piran's blood, Khosrow proposed a wise middle path: Gev used his dagger to pierce Piran's ear, letting a drop of blood fall to the earth. Gev then agreed to return Piran's horse, but bound his wrists with a knot so tight that Piran swore only his noble wife, Golshahr, would be permitted to untie it. Humiliated yet spared, Piran rode back bound to his lands.
#1
سواران گزین کرد پیران هزار
✦
همه جنگجوی و همه نامدار
“Piran selected a thousand elite horsemen, all renowned and eager for battle.”
#2
بدیشان چنین گفت پیران که زود
✦
عنان تگاور بباید بسود
“He spoke to them thus: 'We must make haste and spur our swift steeds without delay.'”
#3
شب و روز رفتن چو شیر ژیان
✦
نباید گشادن به ره بر میان
“'Riding night and day like fierce lions, we must not unbuckle our belts along the way.'”
#4
که گر گیو و خسرو به ایران شوند
✦
زنان اندر ایران چه شیران شوند
“'For if Gev and Khosrow reach Iran, even the women of Iran will turn into fierce lions!'”
#5
نماند برین بوم و بر خاک و آب
✦
وزین داغ دل گردد افراسیاب
“'No prosperity will remain in this land, and Afrasiab's heart will be branded with grief.'”
#6
به گفتار او سر برافراختند
✦
شب و روز یکسر همی تاختند
“At his words, they raised their heads high and galloped forward without rest, night and day.”
#7
نجستند روز و شب آرام و خواب
✦
وزین آگهی شد به افراسیاب
“They sought neither sleep nor rest by day or night, and news of this reached Afrasiab.”
#8
چنین تا بیامد یکی ژرف رود
✦
سپه شد پراگنده چون تار و پود
“Thus they rode until they reached a deep river, where the army scattered like warp and weft.”
#9
بنش ژرف و پهناش کوتاه بود
✦
بدو بر به رفتن دژآگاه بود
“Its bed was deep and its width narrow, making its crossing treacherous and difficult.”
#10
نشسته فرنگیس بر پاس گاه
✦
به دیگر کران خفته بد گیو و شاه
“Farangis was sitting on watch, while on the far bank slept Gev and the young King.”
#11
فرنگیس زان جایگه بنگرید
✦
درفش سپهدار توران بدید
“Farangis looked out from that high spot and beheld the banner of Turan's commander.”
#12
دوان شد بر گیو و آگاه کرد
✦
بران خفتگان خواب کوتاه کرد
“She ran to Gev and alerted him, cutting short the sleepers' rest.”
#13
بدو گفت کای مرد با رنج خیز
✦
که آمد ترا روزگار گریز
“She said to him: 'O man of toil, arise! For the day of flight has come upon you.'”
#14
ترا گر بیابند بیجان کنند
✦
دل ما ز درد تو پیچان کنند
“'If they find you, they will end your life and wring our hearts with sorrow for you.'”
#15
مرا با پسر دیده گردد پرآب
✦
برد بسته تا پیش افراسیاب
“'They will drag me and my son with tearful eyes bound into the presence of Afrasiab.'”
#16
وزان پس ندانم چه آید گزند
✦
نداند کسی راز چرخ بلند
“'And after that, I know not what harm shall befall us, for no one knows the secrets of the lofty sky.'”
#17
بدو گفت گیو ای مه بانوان
✦
چرا رنجه کردی بدینسان روان
“Gev said to her: 'O noble queen, why do you distress your soul so?'”
#18
تو با شاه برشو به بالای تند
✦
ز پیران و لشکر مشو هیچ کند
“'Ascend the steep height with the King, and be not afraid of Piran and his host.'”
#19
جهاندار پیروز یار منست
✦
سر اختر اندر کنار منست
“'The victorious Lord of the World is my ally, and my star shines bright in the heavens.'”
#20
بدوگفت کیخسرو ای رزمساز
✦
کنون بر تو بر کار من شد دراز
“Kai Khosrow said to him: 'O warrior, now my plight has weighed too heavily upon you.'”
#21
ز دام بلا یافتم من رها
✦
تو چندین مشو در دم اژدها
“'I have escaped the snare of calamity; do not throw yourself into the dragon's jaws.'”
#22
به هامون مرارفت باید کنون
✦
فشاندن به شمشیر بر شید خون
“'Now I must go out upon the plain and shed blood with my sword beneath the sun.'”
#23
بدو گفت گیو ای شه سرفراز
✦
جهان را به نام تو آمد نیاز
“Gev said to him: 'O exalted King, the world stands in desperate need of your noble name!'”
#24
پدر پهلوانست و من پهلوان
✦
به شاهی نپیچیم جان و روان
“'My father is a champion and I am a champion; we do not trade our lives for kingship.'”
#25
برادر مرا هست هفتاد و هشت
✦
جهان شد چو نام تو اندر گذشت
“'I have seventy-eight brothers; yet the world turned dark when your royal father passed away.'”
#26
بسی پهلوانست شاه اندکی
✦
چه باشد چو پیدا نباشد یکی
“'There are many heroes, but few true Kings; what matters if one champion is slain?'”
#27
اگر من شوم کشته دیگر بود
✦
سر تاجور باشد افسر بود
“'If I am slain, another will stand in my place; but the crowned head must wear the crown.'”
#28
اگر تو شوی دور از ایدر تباه
✦
نبینم کسی از در تاج و گاه
“'If you perish away from here, I shall see no one worthy of the crown and throne.'”
#29
شود رنج من هفت ساله به باد
✦
دگر آنک ننگ آورم بر نژاد
“'My seven years of toil would go to dust, and I would bring shame upon my lineage.'”
#30
تو بالا گزین و سپه را ببین
✦
مرا یاد باشد جهان آفرین
“'Choose the high ground and watch the army; as for me, the Creator of the World remembers me.'”
#31
بپوشید درع و بیامد چو شیر
✦
همان باره دستکش را به زیر
“He donned his chainmail and came forth like a lion, leading his warhorse beneath him.”
#32
ازین سوی شه بود ز آنسو سپاه
✦
میانچی شده رود و بر بسته راه
“On this side stood the King, on that side the army; between them flowed the river, blocking the path.”
#33
چو رعد بهاران بغرید گیو
✦
ز سالار لشکر همی جست نیو
“Gev roared like spring thunder, demanding a brave champion from the army's commander.”
#34
چو بشنید پیرانش دشنام داد
✦
بدو گفت کای بد رگ دیوزاد
“When Piran heard him, he shouted abuse and said: 'O ill-bred spawn of a demon!'”
#35
چو تنها بدین رزمگاه آمدی
✦
دلاور به پیش سپاه آمدی
“'Though you came alone to this battlefield, you stand boldly before a whole army!'”
#36
کنون خوردنت نوک ژوپین بود
✦
برت را کفن چنگ شاهین بود
“'Now your food shall be the tip of javelins, and your body's shroud the falcon's talons!'”
#37
اگر کوه آهن بود یک سوار
✦
چو مور اندر آید به گردش هزار
“'Though a single horseman were an iron mountain, a thousand warriors would swarm around him like ants.'”
#38
شود خیره سر گرچه خردست مور
✦
نه مورست پوشیده مرد و ستور
“'Even if the ant is small, it dazzles the mind—and these are not ants, but armed men and steeds!'”
#39
کنند این زره بر تنش چاک چاک
✦
چو مردار گردد کشندش به خاک
“'They shall tear this armor upon your body to shreds, and drag your corpse into the dirt!'”
#40
یکی داستان زد هژبر دمان
✦
که چون بر گوزنی سرآید زمان
“Gev quoted a proverb of raging lions: 'When a deer's appointed time arrives,'”
#41
زمانه برو دم همی بشمرد
✦
بیاید دمان پیش من بگذرد
“'Destiny counts its breaths, and it runs straight toward me.'”
#42
زمان آوریدت کنون پیش من
✦
همان پیش این نامدار انجمن
“'Destiny has now brought you before me, and before this renowned assembly.'”
#43
بدو گفت گیو ای سپهدار شیر
✦
سزد گر به آب اندر آیی دلیر
“Gev said to him: 'O lion-hearted general, it would be fitting for you to cross into the water with courage!'”
#44
ببینی کزین پرهنر یک سوار
✦
چه آید ترا بر سر ای نامدار
“'To see what a single accomplished warrior shall bring upon your head, O famous lord!'”
#45
هزارید و من نامور یک دلیر
✦
سر سرکشان اندر آرم به زیر
“'You are a thousand, and I am one famous brave; yet I shall bring low the heads of the mighty!'”
#46
چو من گُرزهٔ سرگرای آورم
✦
سران را همه زیر پای آورم
“When I bring forth my heavy, head-striking mace, I shall trample all great leaders underfoot.”
#47
چو بشنید پیران برآورد خشم
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و پرآب چشم
“When Piran heard these words, wrath flared within him; his heart grew heavy with grief and blood, and his eyes filled with tears.”
#48
برانگیخت اسپ و بیفشارد ران
✦
به گردن برآورد گُرز گران
“He spurred his steed and pressed his thighs, raising his heavy mace up to his neck.”
#49
چو کشتی ز دشت اندر آمد به رود
✦
همی داد نیکی دهش را درود
“Like a vessel cutting through the plain into the river, he crossed, giving praise to the Giver of All Goodness.”
#50
نکرد ایچ گیو آزمون را شتاب
✦
بدان تا برآمد سپهبد ز آب
“Giv made no hasty move to test his foe, waiting patiently until the chieftain emerged from the waters.”
#51
ز بالا به پستی بپیچید گیو
✦
گریزان همی شد ز سالار نیو
“Giv turned from the high ground toward the low, appearing to flee before the brave leader.”
#52
چو از آب وز لشکرش دور کرد
✦
به زین اندر افگند گُرز نبرد
“Once he had drawn him far from the river and his army, Giv slung his heavy battle-mace back upon his saddle.”
#53
گریزان ازو پهلوان بلند
✦
ز فتراک بگشاد پیچان کمند
“While the lofty hero pursued him thinking he fled, Giv unfastened his coiled lasso from the saddle-bow.”
#54
هم‌آورد با گیو نزدیک شد
✦
جهان چون شب تیره تاریک شد
“As the adversary closed in on Giv, the bright world turned dark as pitch-black night.”
#55
بپیچید گیو سرافراز یال
✦
کمند اندرافگند و کردش دوال
“Giv twisted his proud neck and shoulders, cast his lasso, and made a tight loop around his foe.”
#56
سر پهلوان اندر آمد به بند
✦
ز زین برگرفتش به خم کمند
“The chieftain's head fell into the snare, and Giv lifted him straight off his saddle with the loop of his lasso.”
#57
پیاده به پیش اندر افگند خوار
✦
ببردش دمان تا لب رودبار
“He cast him down to walk before him in disgrace, dragging him swiftly toward the riverbank.”
#58
بیفگند بر خاک و دستش ببست
✦
سلیحش بپوشید و خود بر نشست
“He threw him upon the earth and bound his hands, stripped him of his armor, donned it himself, and mounted up.”
#59
درفشش گرفته به چنگ اندرون
✦
بشد تا لب آب گلزریون
“Grasping Piran's banner in his hand, Giv rode straight to the banks of the Gulzariyun River.”
#60
چو ترکان درفش سپهدار خویش
✦
بدیدند رفتند ناچار پیش
“When the Turanian troops beheld the banner of their commander, they had no choice but to march forward.”
#61
خروش آمد و نالهٔ کرنای
✦
دم نای رویین و هندی درای
“A roar arose with the wail of war-trumpets, the blast of brass flutes, and the ringing of Indian gongs.”
#62
جهاندیده گیو اندر آمد به آب
✦
چو کشتی که از باد گیرد شتاب
“The world-experienced Giv plunged into the water, swift as a vessel caught in a driving wind.”
#63
برآورد گُرز گران را به کفت
✦
سپه ماند از کار او در شگفت
“He raised his heavy mace in his grip, leaving the whole army astonished by his valor.”
#64
سبک شد عنان وگران شد رکیب
✦
سر سرکشان خیره گشت از نهیب
“Reins slackened and stirrups grew heavy; the minds of the proud warriors were dazed with terror.”
#65
به شمشیر و با نیزهٔ سرگرای
✦
همی کشت ازیشان یل رهنمای
“With sword and head-striking spear, the guiding warrior slaughtered them relentlessly.”
#66
از افگنده شد روی هامون چون کوه
✦
ز یک تن شدند آن دلیران ستوه
“The face of the plain rose like mountains of fallen slain, and those brave warriors grew helpless before a single man.”
#67
قفای یلان سوی او شد همه
✦
چو شیر اندر آمد به پیش رمه
“The backs of all the heroes turned to flee before him, as he fell upon them like a lion upon a flock.”
#68
چو لشکر هزیمت شد از پیش گیو
✦
چنان لشکری گشن و مردان نیو
“When that vast army and its valiant warriors were routed and fled before Giv,”
#69
چنان خیره برگشت و بگذاشت آب
✦
که گفتی ندیدست لشکر به خواب
“They fled so bewildered and crossed the river so swiftly, as if they had never seen an army even in a dream.”
#70
دمان تا به نزدیک پیران رسید
✦
همی خواست از تن سرش را برید
“Giv rushed back to Piran and wished to sever his head from his shoulders.”
#71
به خواری پیاده ببردش کشان
✦
دمان و پر از درد چون بیهشان
“He dragged him along in humiliation on foot, distressed and bewildered like one out of his senses.”
#72
چنین گفت کاین بددل و بی‌وفا
✦
گرفتار شد در دم اژدها
“Giv said: 'This treacherous and faithless traitor has finally fallen into the dragon's jaws!'”
#73
سیاوش به گفتار او سر بداد
✦
گر او باد شد این شود نیز باد
“Siyavash lost his head because of Piran's deceit; if Siyavash was reduced to wind, this man too must vanish like wind!”
#74
ابر شاه پیران گرفت آفرین
✦
خروشان ببوسید روی زمین
“Piran began to utter praise to Prince Kay Khosrow, weeping loudly and kissing the earth.”
#75
همی گفت کای شاه دانش پژوه
✦
چو خورشید تابان میان گروه
“He said: 'O wisdom-seeking prince, who shines like the radiant sun amidst the people!'”
#76
تو دانسته‌ای درد و تیمار من
✦
ز بهر تو با شاه پیگار من
“You know full well my pain and sorrow, and that my struggle with the King was for your sake.”
#77
سزد گر من از چنگ این اژدها
✦
به بخت و به فر تو یابم رها
“It is fitting if, through your good fortune and royal grace, I obtain release from the jaws of this dragon.'”
#78
به کیخسرو اندر نگه کرد گیو
✦
بدان تا چه فرمان دهد شاه نیو
“Giv looked toward Kay Khosrow to see what command the brave prince would issue.”
#79
فرنگیس را دید دیده پرآب
✦
زبان پر ز نفرین افراسیاب
“He saw Farangis with eyes full of tears, her tongue pouring curses upon Afrasiyab.”
#80
به گیو آن زمان گفت کای سرافراز
✦
کشیدی بسی رنج راه دراز
“She then said to Giv: 'O exalted hero, you have endured great hardship on this long journey...'”
#81
چنان دان که این پیرسر پهلوان
✦
خردمند و رادست و روشن روان
“Know full well that this aged paladin is wise, magnanimous, and pure of spirit.”
#82
پس از داور دادگر رهنمون
✦
بدان کاو رهانید ما را ز خون
“After the righteous God who guides our way, know that it was he who saved us from death.”
#83
ز بد مهر او پردهٔ جان ماست
✦
وزین کردهٔ خویش زنهار خواست
“Against harm, his kindness became the shield for our lives; and for what he did, he now sought safe conduct.”
#84
بدو گفت گیو ای سر بانوان
✦
انوشه روان باش تا جاودان
“Giv answered her, 'O lady of noble women! May your soul remain immortal for all time.'”
#85
یکی سخت سوگند خوردم به ماه
✦
به تاج و به تخت شه نیک‌خواه
“'Yet I have sworn a solemn oath by the moon, and by the throne and crown of our benevolent King,'”
#86
که گر دست یابم برو روز کین
✦
کنم ارغوانی ز خونش زمین
“'That if I gained power over him on the day of vengeance, I would dye the earth purple with his blood.'”
#87
بدو گفت کیخسرو ای شیرفش
✦
زبان را ز سوگند یزدان مکش
“Kay Khosrow said to him, 'O lion-hearted warrior, do not retract an oath sworn in God’s name.'”
#88
کنونش به سوگند گستاخ کن
✦
به خنجر وراگوش سوراخ کن
“'Fulfill your pledge now with boldness: pierce his earlobe with your dagger instead.'”
#89
چو از خنجرت خون چکد بر زمین
✦
هم از مهر یاد آیدت هم ز کین
“'When blood drips onto the dust from your blade, both mercy and vengeance shall be fulfilled.'”
#90
بشد گیو و گوشش به خنجر بسفت
✦
ز سوگند برتر درشتی نگفت
“Giv stepped forward and pierced his ear with the dagger, uttering no harsh word beyond his oath.”
#91
چنین گفت پیران ازان پس به شاه
✦
که کلباد شد بی‌گمان با سپاه
“Thereupon Piran spoke to the young King: 'Kulbad has surely fled along with the army.'”
#92
بفرمای کاسپم دهد باز نیز
✦
چنان دان که بخشیده‌ای جان و چیز
“'Command that my steed be returned to me as well; consider that you have granted me both life and wealth.'”
#93
بدو گفت گیو ای دلیر سپاه
✦
چرا سست گشتی به آوردگاه
“Giv said to him, 'O valiant warrior of the host, why did you show such weakness upon the battlefield?'”
#94
به سوگند یابی مگر باره باز
✦
دو دستت ببندم به بند دراز
“'Only through a solemn oath shall you regain your horse, for I will bind both your hands with a long cord,'”
#95
که نگشاید این بند تو هیچکس
✦
گشاینده گلشهر خواهیم و بس
“'Such that no man along the way shall untie this knot; we mandate that Golshahr alone shall loose it,'”
#96
کجا مهتر بانوان تو اوست
✦
وزو نیست پیدا ترا مغز و پوست
“'Who is the chief among your noble ladies, without whom your very spirit and flesh are as nothing.'”
#97
بدان گشت همداستان پهلوان
✦
به سوگند بخرید اسپ و روان
“The chieftain agreed to these conditions, ransoming his steed and his very life with that oath.”
#98
که نگشاید آن بند را کس به راه
✦
ز گلشهر سازد وی آن دستگاه
“Swearing that no one on his journey should untie those bonds, leaving that task solely for Golshahr.”
#99
بدو داد اسپ و دو دستش ببست
✦
ازان پس بفرمود تا برنشست
“Giv restored his horse to him, bound both his hands, and then ordered him to mount and depart.”