As the radiant sun mounted its high throne in the vault of heaven, casting a golden canopy across the earth, the thunder of war-drums and the blare of trumpets resounded from the court of Tus. A mighty clamor rose across the realm; the vast clouds of dust kicked up by the cavalry obscured the sun, while the magnificent Kavian Banner glittered above, tinting the sky in shades of crimson, violet, and gold. Champions of the house of Goudarz and noble warriors descended from Nowzar gathered like a towering dark mountain before King Kay Kavus. The King solemnly bestowed the Royal Seal and the sacred Kavian Banner upon Tus, installing him as the supreme commander of the host. Kavus issued a strict royal decree: no farmer, artisan, or innocent civilian along the march was to suffer harm, for the righteous sword is drawn only against armed foes. Then, the King delivered a fateful warning: under no circumstances was the army to take the pass through Kalat. For in the mountain stronghold of Kalat dwelt Farud, the son of the slain prince Siyavash and Piran's daughter. Farud was a youth of divine radiance, the spitting image of his noble father, commanding his own mountain fortress. Kavus commanded Tus to take the desert route instead, avoiding any clash with Siyavash's line. Tus bowed his head in complete obedience, swearing to follow the King's command to the letter.
#1
چو خورشید بنمود بالای خویش
✦
نشست از بر تند بالای خویش
“As the radiant sun displayed its lofty stature and ascended atop its high-vaulted throne,”
#2
بزیر اندر آورد برج بره
✦
چنین تا زمین زرد شد یکسره
“It brought the constellation of Aries beneath its span, turning the entire earth golden-yellow with its light.”
#3
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه طوس
✦
همان نالهٔ بوق و آوای کوس
“Drums thundered from the portal of Tus, accompanied by the wail of war-horns and the booming of kettledrums.”
#4
ز کشور برآمد سراسر خروش
✦
زمین پرخروش و هوا پر ز جوش
“A tremendous clamor arose across the entire realm; the earth shook with shouts and the air seethed with fervor.”
#5
از آواز اسپان و گرد سپاه
✦
بشد قیرگون روی خورشید و ماه
“From the neighing of steeds and the rising dust of the army, the faces of both sun and moon turned pitch-black.”
#6
ز چاک سلیح و ز آوای پیل
✦
تو گفتی بیاگند گیتی به نیل
“From the clashing of armors and the trumpeting of war-elephants, one would say the world was drowned in dark indigo.”
#7
هوا سرخ و زرد و کبود و بنفش
✦
ز تابیدن کاویانی درفش
“The sky glowed in shades of red, yellow, azure, and violet from the dazzling light of the Kavian Banner.”
#8
بگردش سواران گودرزیان
✦
میان اندرون اختر کاویان
“Encircled around it were the horsemen of the house of Goudarz, while in their midst shone the blessed star of Kaveh's banner.”
#9
سپهدار با افسر و گرز و نای
✦
بیامد ز بالای پرده‌سرای
“The Commander came forth from his royal pavilion, adorned with crown, mace, and preceded by trumpets.”
#10
بشد طوس با کاویانی درفش
✦
بپای اندرون کرده زرینه کفش
“Tus advanced bearing the Kavian Banner, wearing golden boots upon his feet.”
#11
یکی پیل پیکر درفش از برش
✦
بابر اندر آورده تابان سرش
“Above him towered a standard emblazoned with the image of an elephant, its radiant top piercing the clouds.”
#12
بزرگان که با طوق و افسر بدند
✦
جهانجوی وز تخم نوذر بدند
“Chieftains wearing torques and crowns, world-conquerors descended from the noble lineage of Nowzar, assembled.”
#13
برفتند یکسر چو کوهی سیاه
✦
گرازان و تازان بنزدیک شاه
“They moved together like a dark mountain, marching proudly and swiftly into the presence of the King.”
#14
بفرمود تا نامداران گرد
✦
ز لشکر سپهبد سوی شاه برد
“The King commanded that the commander lead the illustrious heroes of the army into his royal presence.”
#15
چو لشکر همه نزد شاه آمدند
✦
دمان با درفش و کلاه آمدند
“When the entire host presented themselves before the King, arriving impetuously with their banners and helmets,”
#16
بدیشان چنین گفت بیدار شاه
✦
که طوس سپهبد به پیش سپاه
“The vigilant King addressed them, saying: 'Behold, Tus the commander shall lead the front of this army.”
#17
بپایست با اختر کاویان
✦
بفرمان او بست باید میان
“He stands with the Banner of Kaveh; at his command you must all gird your loins in obedience.”
#18
بدو داد مهری به پیش سپاه
✦
که سالار اویست و جوینده راه
“The King entrusted him with the royal seal before the host, designating him as the supreme commander and guide of the path.”
#19
بفرمان او بود باید همه
✦
کجا بندها زو گشاید همه
“Everyone must remain obedient to his commands, through whom all complex knots shall be unraveled.'”
#20
بدو گفت مگذر ز پیمان من
✦
نگه‌دار آیین و فرمان من
“Then Kay Kavus said to Tus: 'Do not stray from my covenant; uphold my royal customs and commands.”
#21
نیازرد باید کسی را براه
✦
چنینست آیین تخت و کلاه
“No traveler or commoner along the way must suffer harm; such is the sacred code of the throne and crown.”
#22
کشاورز گر مردم پیشه‌ور
✦
کسی کو بلشکر نبندد کمر
“Be they farmers or artisans—anyone who does not take up arms in the army—”
#23
نباید که بر وی وزد باد سرد
✦
مکوش ایچ جز با کسی همنبرد
“Not even a harsh cold wind should blow against them! Strive in battle against none save armed combatants.”
#24
نباید نمودن ببی رنج رنج
✦
که بر کس نماند سرای سپنج
“Do not cause distress to the harmless, for this fleeting world abides with no man forever.”
#25
گذر زی کلات ایچ گونه مکن
✦
گر آن ره روی خام گردد سخن
“Under no circumstances pass through the region of Kalat; if you take that road, our noble purpose will be ruined.”
#26
روان سیاوش چو خورشید باد
✦
بدان گیتیش جای امید باد
“May Siyavash's soul shine bright as the sun, and may his abode in the realm beyond be full of divine hope!”
#27
پسر بودش از دخت پیران یکی
✦
که پیدا نبود از پدر اندکی
“Siyavash had a son born of Piran's daughter, who resembles his father in every single way.”
#28
برادر به من نیز ماننده بود
✦
جوان بود و همسال و فرخنده بود
“Siyavash was like a brother to me—young, equal in stature, and blessed with divine glory.”
#29
کنون در کلاتست و با مادرست
✦
جهانجوی با فر و با لشکرست
“Now his son dwells in Kalat with his mother—a world-seeking youth endowed with farr and commanding his own troops.”
#30
نداند کسی را ز ایران بنام
✦
ازان سو نباید کشیدن لگام
“He knows no noble of Iran by name; therefore, you must not turn your reins toward his lands.”
#31
سپه دارد و نامداران جنگ
✦
یکی کوه بر راه دشوار و تنگ
“He possesses an army and renowned warriors of battle, perched atop a steep and narrow mountain pass.”
#32
همو مرد جنگست و گرد و سوار
✦
بگوهر بزرگ و بتن نامدار
“He is himself a warrior, a hero, and a horseman—noble of lineage and illustrious of stature.”
#33
براه بیابان بباید شدن
✦
نه نیکو بود راه شیران زدن
“You must march through the desert road instead; it is unwise and perilous to cross the path of lions!”
#34
چنین گفت پس طوس با شهریار
✦
که از رای تو نگذرد روزگار
“Tus then replied to the King: 'Time itself does not stray from the wisdom of your counsel!”
#35
براهی روم کم تو فرمان دهی
✦
نیاید ز فرمان تو جز بهی
“I shall march only along whichever path you command, for nothing proceeds from your command save goodness.'”