When a cypress shoots up its verdant branches toward the heavens, the discerning heart rejoices in its majestic height. In ancient wisdom, human nobility rests upon four pillars: pure lineage, god-given essence, learned virtue, and discerning wisdom. When these four join in a single soul, greed and sorrow vanish, leaving the mind at peace—save before inevitable mortality. Kay Khosrow was endowed with all four, blessed by radiant fortune.
Upon crowning himself with the Kianian tiara, the realm blossomed into newfound life. Ruins turned to flourishing cities, spring clouds washed away the rust of grief, and the earth shone like paradise through his boundless justice. Mirroring the golden eras of Jamshid and Fereydun, the king never rested from generosity; the demonic grip of Ahriman was severed, and ambassadors streamed from every horizon.
When tidings reached Nimruz that Kay Khosrow had returned from Turan to claim his ancestral throne, Rostam the Elephant-Bodied, alongside his venerable father Zal, Zavareh, Faramarz, and the chieftains of Kabul, assembled a formidable host and marched toward Iran. The plain turned dark as ebony under the weight of their army, and war drums echoed through the cosmos. Learning of their approach, Kay Khosrow’s heart overflowed with gratitude, honoring Rostam as the beloved mentor of his slain father Siyavash. He commanded Giv, Gudarz, and Tus to march forth with bronze trumpets and royal drums to greet them.
For two days' journey the Iranian lords rode until Rostam's violet banner glittered against the sun. Amidst echoing horns, Giv, Gudarz, and Tus embraced the heroes of Zabulistan. As Kay Khosrow beheld Rostam, tears welled in his eyes. He descended his throne, while Rostam kissed the earth before him. The king praised Rostam as the noble guardian who had reared Siyavash, then embraced Zal, weeping bitterly for his fallen father. Rostam, gazing upon Kay Khosrow’s royal glory and uncanny resemblance to Siyavash, wept tears of blood. A royal banquet was laid, and deep into the night, the king recounted the trials of his past.
#1
به پالیز چون برکشد سرو شاخ
✦
سر شاخ سبزش برآید ز کاخ
“When in the orchard a cypress raises its bough, its green crest rises above the palace hall.”
#2
به بالای او شاد باشد درخت
✦
چو بیندش بینادل و نیک‌بخت
“The tree rejoices in its height when seen by the clear-sighted and the fortunate.”
#3
سزد گر گمانی برد بر سه چیز
✦
کزین سه گذشتی چه چیزست نیز
“It is fitting to ponder three things: what else exists once you pass beyond these three?”
#4
هنر با نژادست و با گوهر است
✦
سه چیزست و هر سه به‌بنداندرست
“Virtue, noble lineage, and innate essence—these three exist, and all three are bound together.”
#5
هنر کی بود تا نباشد گهر
✦
نژاده بسی دیده‌ای بی‌هنر
“How can virtue exist without innate essence? Yet you have seen many of noble birth lacking virtue.”
#6
گهر آنک از فر یزدان بود
✦
نیازد به بد دست و بد نشنود
“True essence comes from God's divine glory; it extends no hand to evil nor lends an ear to badness.”
#7
نژاد آنک باشد ز تخم پدر
✦
سزد کاید از تخم پاکیزه بر
“Lineage comes from the father's seed; it is fitting that pure seed yields noble fruit.”
#8
هنر گر بیاموزی از هر کسی
✦
بکوشی و پیچی ز رنجش بسی
“If you learn virtue from anyone, you must strive hard and endure much toil for it.”
#9
ازین هر سه گوهر بود مایه‌دار
✦
که زیبا بود خلعت کردگار
“From these three comes true substance, forming the beautiful robe bestowed by the Creator.”
#10
چو هر سه بیابی خرد بایدت
✦
شناسندهٔ نیک و بد بایدت
“When all three are granted to you, Wisdom is needed—the discerning judge of good and evil.”
#11
چو این چار با یک تن آید بهم
✦
براساید از آز وز رنج و غم
“When these four unite in one person, he finds rest from greed, pain, and sorrow.”
#12
مگر مرگ کز مرگ خود چاره نیست
✦
وزین بدتر از بخت پتیاره نیست
“Except for death, for there is no remedy against death, nor is there worse than this stroke of malicious fate.”
#13
جهانجوی از این چار بد بی‌نیاز
✦
همش بخت سازنده بود از فراز
“The world-seeker lacked none of these four, aided by fortunate destiny from above.”
#14
سخن راند گویا بدین داستان
✦
دگر گوید از گفتهٔ باستان
“The eloquent speaker tells this story, recounting the lore of ancient times.”
#15
کنون بازگردم به آغاز کار
✦
که چون بود کردار آن شهریار
“Now I return to the beginning of the matter, to tell how that monarch conducted his rule.”
#16
چو تاج بزرگی بسر برنهاد
✦
ازو شاد شد تاج و او نیز شاد
“When he placed the crown of greatness on his head, the crown was gladdened by him, and he by the crown.”
#17
به هر جای ویرانی آباد کرد
✦
دل غمگنان از غم آزاد کرد
“He turned every ruined place into prosperity, and freed the hearts of the sorrowful from grief.”
#18
از ابر بهاران ببارید نم
✦
ز روی زمین زنگ بزدود غم
“Moisture rained down from spring clouds, and sorrow washed away the rust from the face of the earth.”
#19
جهان گشت پر سبزه و رود آب
✦
سر غمگنان اندر آمد به خواب
“The world became filled with greenery and flowing streams, and the troubled heads found restful sleep.”
#20
زمین چون بهشتی شد آراسته
✦
ز داد و ز بخشش پر از خواسته
“The earth became adorned like paradise, overflowing with wealth through justice and bounty.”
#21
چو جم و فریدون بیاراست گاه
✦
ز داد و ز بخشش نیاسود شاه
“Like Jamshid and Fereydun he adorned the throne; the king never rested from justice and generosity.”
#22
جهان شد پر از خوبی و ایمنی
✦
ز بد بسته شد دست اهریمنی
“The world grew full of goodness and security, and Ahriman's hands were bound from working evil.”
#23
فرستادگان آمد از هر سوی
✦
ز هر نامداری و هر پهلوی
“Envoys arrived from every direction, sent by every renowned figure and chieftain.”
#24
پس آگاهی آمد سوی نیمروز
✦
بنزد سپهدار گیتی‌فروز
“Then news came to Nimruz, to the world-illuminating commander of armies.”
#25
که خسرو ز توران به ایران رسید
✦
نشست از بر تخت کو را سزید
“That Khosrow had arrived from Turan to Iran and sat upon the throne worthy of him.”
#26
بیاراست رستم به دیدار شاه
✦
ببیند که تا هست زیبای گاه
“Rostam prepared to go meet the king, to behold the one who adorns the royal throne.”
#27
ابا زالِ سامِ نریمان بهم
✦
بزرگان کابل همه بیش و کم
“Together with Zal son of Sam son of Nariman, and all the nobles of Kabul, great and small.”
#28
سپاهی که شد دشت چون آبنوس
✦
بدرید هر گوش ز اوای کوس
“An army so vast that the plain became dark as ebony, and every ear rang with the sound of drums.”
#29
سوی شهر ایران گرفتند راه
✦
زواره فرامرز و پیل و سپاه
“They took the road toward the realm of Iran—Zavareh, Faramarz, war elephants, and troops.”
#30
به پیش اندرون زال با انجمن
✦
درفش بنفش از پس پیلتن
“In front rode Zal with the council, while behind the Elephant-bodied champion fluttered the violet banner.”
#31
پس آگاهی آمد بر شهریار
✦
که آمد ز ره پهلوان سوار
“Then news reached the monarch that the champion rider was approaching from the road.”
#32
زواره فرامرز و دستان سام
✦
بزرگان که هستند با جاه و نام
“Zavareh, Faramarz, and Dastan son of Sam, along with all the famed and noble lords.”
#33
دل شاه شد زان سخن شادمان
✦
سراینده را گفت کاباد مان
“The king's heart gladdened at those words; he said to the news-bearer, 'May you prosper!'”
#34
که اویست پروردگار پدر
✦
وزویست پیدا به گیتی هنر
“'For he is the foster-father of my sire, and through him virtue shines visible in the world.'”
#35
بفرمود تا گیو و گودرز و طوس
✦
برفتند با نای رویین و کوس
“He commanded Giv, Gudarz, and Tus to march out with brass flutes and royal kettle-drums.”
#36
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
همه برنهادند گردان کلاه
“Drums resounded from the king's threshold, and all the warriors put on their helmets.”
#37
یکی لشکر از جای برخاستند
✦
پذیره شدن را بیاراستند
“A vast army arose from their quarters and made ready to welcome the champions.”
#38
ز پهلو به پهلو پذیره شدند
✦
همه با درفش و تبیره شدند
“Side by side they rode in reception, all bearing banners and beating drums.”
#39
برفتند پیشش به دو روزه راه
✦
چنین پهلوانان و چندین سپاه
“They journeyed two days out to meet him—such mighty paladins and so vast a host.”
#40
درفش تهمتن چو آمد پدید
✦
به خورشید گرد سپه بردمید
“When Tahamtan's banner came into view, the dust of the army reached the sun.”
#41
خروش آمد و نالهٔ بوق و کوس
✦
ز قلب سپه گیو و گودرز و طوس
“Shouting arose with the wail of horns and drums from the center where Giv, Gudarz, and Tus rode.”
#42
به پیش گو پیلتن راندند
✦
به شادی برو آفرین خواندند
“They rode up to the Elephant-bodied hero and joyfully showered praise and blessings upon him.”
#43
گرفتند هر سه ورا در کنار
✦
بپرسید شیراوژن از شهریار
“All three took him in their embrace, and the lion-slayer asked after the welfare of the monarch.”
#44
ز رستم سوی زال سام آمدند
✦
گشاده دل و شادکام آمدند
“From Rostam they turned to Zal son of Sam, coming with open hearts and joyful minds.”
#45
نهادند سوی فرامرز روی
✦
گرفتند شادی به دیدار اوی
“Then they turned toward Faramarz and took great delight in meeting him.”
#46
وزان جایگه سوی شاه آمدند
✦
به دیدار فرخ کلاه آمدند
“And from that place they journeyed toward the King, coming to behold the royal wearer of the auspicious crown.”
#47
چو خسرو گو پیلتن را بدید
✦
سرشکش ز مژگان به رخ بر چکید
“When Khosrow beheld the elephant-bodied hero, tears trickled down his cheeks from his lashes.”
#48
فرود آمد از تخت و کرد آفرین
✦
تهمتن ببوسید روی زمین
“He descended from his throne to utter blessings, while Tahamtan kissed the ground before him.”
#49
به رستم چنین گفت کای پهلوان
✦
همیشه بدی شاد و روشن‌روان
“Spake he to Rostam: 'O noble knight, mayest thou ever dwell in joy and remain enlightened of soul.'”
#50
به گیتی خردمند و خامش تویی
✦
که پروردگار سیاوش تویی
“'In all the world thou art the wise and circumspect hero, for thou wert the mentor and fosterer of Siyavash.'”
#51
سر زال زان پس به بر در گرفت
✦
ز بهر پدر دست بر سر گرفت
“Thereafter he embraced the aged Zal, lifting his hand unto his head in deep homage to his father.”
#52
گوان را به تخت مهی برنشاند
✦
بریشان همی نام یزدان بخواند
“He seated the noble champions upon the grand throne and invoked the holy name of God over them.”
#53
نگه کرد رستم سرو پای اوی
✦
نشست و سخن گفتن و رای اوی
“Rostam observed his entire stature, his courtly seat, his words, and his noble judgment.”
#54
رخش گشت پرخون و دل پر ز درد
✦
زکار سیاوش بسی یاد کرد
“His face flushed crimson with tears and his heart filled with grief, as he remembered much of Siyavash's fate.”
#55
به شاه جهان گفت کای شهریار
✦
جهان را تویی از پدر یادگار
“He said to the Lord of the World: 'O Monarch, thou art the sole living legacy of thy father unto this earth.'”
#56
ندیدم من اندر جهان تاج‌ور
✦
بدین فر و مانندگی پدر
“'Never have I seen among the crowned kings of the earth one with such divine glory, bearing such likeness to his sire.'”
#57
وزان پس چو از تخت برخاستند
✦
نهادند خوان و می آراستند
“And when they arose from the throne thereafter, they spread the royal banquet and prepared the wine.”
#58
جهاندار تا نیمی از شب نخفت
✦
گذشته سخنها همه بازگفت
“The World-Ruler slept not until the middle of the night, recounting all the stories of the bygone past.”