As the massive host of Iran marched forth, the thundering hooves of chargers and the heavy tread of war elephants churned the earth, casting a dense veil of indigo dust that veiled the sun. Word reached young Prince Farud, son of the slain Siyavash, in his stronghold atop Mount Sepid. Inexperienced in the ways of grand warfare, the young prince felt his soul darken with apprehension. Swiftly, he commanded that all wandering herds of horses, camels, and flocks of sheep be swept from the open plains and valleys, driven into the high mountain fastnesses of Sepid-Kuh, and securely penned away from the incoming host.
With the animals secured, Farud sought his mother, Jarireh—a high-spirited lioness of a woman whose heart still burned with unfading grief over Siyavash's tragic murder. Farud informed her that an Iranian army led by the proud commander Tus had arrived with war elephants and drums, asking how he ought to react. Jarireh fortifying his spirit, counselled: 'May you never know defeat, my valiant son! Know that the new King of Iran is your own half-brother, Kay Khosrow, born of the same royal blood and sire. If he marches to avenge your father, you are even more bound by honor and destiny to lead that sacred blood-feud. Even the leopards of the mountains, the leviathans of the deep, and the birds of the air curse Afrasiab, for never lived a champion to match Siyavash in lineage, wisdom, chivalry, and justice.'
Jarireh bade her son don his Roman coat-of-mail and go forth not as an enemy, but as a fellow blood-avenger to greet his brother's host. When Farud expressed hesitation over not knowing the Iranian chieftains, Jarireh assigned the wise veteran Tokhar to his side. Tokhar knew every noble, knight, and banner of Iran. She urged Farud to seek out Bahram and Zangeh-ye Shavaran in particular, for those two noble paladins were the inseparable companions and lieutenants of Siyavash during his exile.
Suddenly, a scout rushed down from the high watchtower, reporting that from the fortress gates to the distant desert of Gang, the valleys and peaks were suffocated by war elephants, armored warriors, and banners, as though the sun had been imprisoned in dark obsidian. Hearing this, Farud secured the fortress gates, mounted his fleet-footed steed, and rode alongside Tokhar to a lofty crag overlooking the grand Iranian host, preparing to identify the great lords of the realm.
#1
پس آگاهی آمد بنزد فرود
✦
که شد روی خورشید تابان کبود
“Then news arrived unto Prince Farud that the radiant sun's face had turned dark indigo with dust.”
#2
ز نعل ستوران وز پای پیل
✦
جهان شد بکردار دریای نیل
“From the hooves of chargers and the feet of war-elephants, the wide world became like the dark River Nile.”
#3
چو بشنید ناکار دیده جوان
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و تیره روان
“When the inexperienced youth heard this, his heart filled with sorrow and his spirit grew dark.”
#4
بفرمود تا هرچ بودش یله
✦
هیونان وز گوسفندان گله
“He commanded that whatever livestock he had roaming free—the noble camels and the flocks of sheep—”
#5
فسیله ببند اندر آرند نیز
✦
نماند ایچ بر کوه و بر دشت چیز
“And all droves of horses be brought under lock, leaving nothing remaining upon mountain or plain.”
#6
همه پاک سوی سپد کوه برد
✦
ببند اندرون سوی انبوه برد
“He drove them all safely toward the White Mountain (Sepid-Kuh) and secured them in dense enclosures.”
#7
جریره زنی بود مام فرود
✦
ز بهر سیاوش دلش پر ز دود
“Jarireh was the mother of Farud, her heart ever burning with grief for Siyavash.”
#8
بر مادر آمد فرود جوان
✦
بدو گفت کای مام روشن‌روان
“Young Farud came before his mother and said to her: 'O mother of radiant soul!'”
#9
از ایران سپاه آمد و پیل و کوس
✦
بپیش سپه در سرافراز طوس
“'An army has come from Iran with war elephants and drums, led at its vanguard by exalted Tus!'”
#10
چه گویی چه باید کنون ساختن
✦
نباید که آرد یکی تاختن
“'What say you? What must we now prepare, lest he launch a sudden raid upon us?'”
#11
جریره بدو گفت کای رزمساز
✦
بدین روز هرگز مبادت نیاز
“Jarireh said to him: 'O warrior son! May you never stand in need of fear on such a day!'”
#12
بایران برادرت شاه نوست
✦
جهاندار و بیدار کیخسروست
“'In Iran, your half-brother is the new king—Kay Khosrow, the vigilant lord of the world.'”
#13
ترا نیک داند به نام و گهر
✦
ز هم خون وز مهرهٔ یک پدر
“'He knows you well by name and lineage, bound by the same blood and the gem of the same father.'”
#14
برادرت گر کینه جوید همی
✦
روان سیاوش بشوید همی
“'If your brother seeks vengeance, he gladdens and purifies the soul of Siyavash.'”
#15
گر او کینه جوید همی از نیا
✦
ترا کینه زیباتر و کیمیا
“'If he seeks vengeance against your grandsire, vengeance is even more precious and noble for you!'”
#16
برت را بخفتان رومی بپوش
✦
برو دل پر از جوش و سر پر خروش
“'Clothe your chest in Roman armor; go forth with a boiling heart and a head full of battle-cries!'”
#17
به پیش سپاه برادر برو
✦
تو کینخواه نو باش و او شاه نو
“'Go before your brother's host; be you the new avenger, and he the new king!'”
#18
که زیبد کز این غم بنالد پلنگ
✦
ز دریا خروشان برآید نهنگ
“'For it is fitting that leopards wail in grief over this sorrow, and crocodiles emerge bellowing from the ocean,'”
#19
وگر مرغ با ماهیان اندر آب
✦
بخوانند نفرین به افراسیاب
“'And that birds alongside fish beneath the waters chant bitter curses upon Afrasiab!'”
#20
که اندر جهان چون سیاوش سوار
✦
نبندد کمر نیز یک نامدار
“'For never in this world will any famous knight belt his waist to equal a rider like Siyavash,'”
#21
به گردی و مردی و جنگ و نژاد
✦
باورنگ و فرهنگ و سنگ و بداد
“'In chivalry, valor, warfare, bloodline, royal glory, wisdom, dignity, and justice.'”
#22
بدو داد پیران مرا از نخست
✦
وگر نه ز ترکان همی زن نجست
“'Piran gave me to him at first; otherwise he never sought a wife among the Turks.'”
#23
نژاد تو از مادر و از پدر
✦
همه تاجدار و همه نامور
“'Your lineage on both mother's and father's side consists of crowned monarchs and renowned lords.'”
#24
تو پور چنان نامور مهتری
✦
ز تخم کیانی و کی‌منظری
“'You are the son of such a world-renowned chieftain, of the Kayanid seed and royal presence.'”
#25
کمربست باید بکین پدر
✦
بجای آوریدن نژاد و گهر
“'You must belt yourself to seek your father's blood-revenge, fulfilling the duty of your lineage and noble origin.'”
#26
چنین گفت ازان پس بمادر فرود
✦
کز ایران سخن با که باید سرود
“Thereupon Farud said to his mother: 'With whom among the Iranians should I speak?'”
#27
که باید که باشد مرا پایمرد
✦
ازین سرفرازان روز نبرد
“'Who among these exalted champions of battle should serve as my advocate and guide?'”
#28
کز ایشان ندانم کسی را بنام
✦
نیامد بر من درود و پیام
“'For I know none of them by name, nor has greeting or message reached me from them.'”
#29
بدو گفت ز ایدر برو با تخوار
✦
مدار این سخن بر دل خویش خوار
“She said to him: 'Go hence accompanied by Tokhar, and do not hold this counsel light in your heart.'”
#30
کز ایران که و مه شناسد همه
✦
بگوید نشان شبان و رمه
“'For he knows all the high and low of Iran, and can describe every mark of shepherd and flock.'”
#31
ز بهرام وز زنگهٔ شاوران
✦
نشان جو ز گردان و جنگ‌آوران
“'Seek news of Bahram and Zangeh-ye Shavaran from among the warriors and heroes.'”
#32
همیشه سر و نام تو زنده باد
✦
روان سیاوش فروزنده باد
“'May your head and name abide forever alive, and may the soul of Siyavash shine bright!'”
#33
ازین هر دو هرگز نگشتی جدای
✦
کنارنگ بودند و او پادشای
“'Siyavash was never parted from these two; they served as lieutenants while he was prince.'”
#34
نشان خواه ازین دو گو سرفراز
✦
کز ایشان مرا و ترا نیست راز
“'Seek guidance from these two exalted knights, for between them and us there are no secrets.'”
#35
سران را و گردنکشان را بخوان
✦
می و خلعت آرای و بالا و خوان
“'Invite the chieftains and leaders; prepare wine, robes of honor, elevated seats, and banquets.'”
#36
ز گیتی برادر ترا گنج بس
✦
همان کین و آیین به بیگانه کس
“'Your brother is treasure enough for you in this world; leave vengeance and stern custom for strangers.'”
#37
سپه را تو باش این زمان پیش رو
✦
تویی کینه‌خواه جهاندار نو
“'Be you the vanguard for the army at this hour; you are the blood-avenger of the new world-ruler!'”
#38
ترا پیش باید بکین ساختن
✦
کمر بر میان بستن و تاختن
“'You must step forward to seek vengeance, girding your waist and riding forth.'”
#39
بدو گفت رای تو ای شیر زن
✦
درفشان کند دوده و انجمن
“Farud said to her: 'Your wisdom, O lion-woman, illuminates our house and assembly!'”
#40
چو برخاست آوای کوس از چرم
✦
جهان کرد چون آبنوس از میم
“When the thunder of war drums rose from the leather, the world turned black as ebony from the dust.”
#41
یکی دیده‌بان آمد از دیده‌گاه
✦
سخن گفت با او ز ایران سپاه
“A scout arrived from the lookout tower and spoke to Farud concerning the host of Iran,”
#42
که دشت و در و کوه پر لشکرست
✦
تو خورشید گویی ببند اندرست
“'That plain, valley, and mountain are filled with troops; you would say the sun itself is held in chains!'”
#43
ز دربند دژ تا بیابان گنگ
✦
سپاهست و پیلان و مردان جنگ
“'From the pass of the fortress to the desert of Gang, there are troops, war-elephants, and fighting men.'”
#44
فرود از در دژ فرو هشت بند
✦
نگه کرد لشکر ز کوه بلند
“Farud released the heavy iron chains of the fortress gate and gazed upon the host from the high mountain.”
#45
وزان پس بیامد در دژ ببست
✦
یکی بارهٔ تیز رو بر نشست
“Thereupon he came and secured the fortress gate, mounting a swift-footed charger.”
#46
برفتند پویان تخوار و فرود
✦
جوان را سر بخت بر گرد بود
“Hastening on, Takhvar and Forud departed, while destiny spun a dark web around the youth's head.”
#47
از افراز چون کژ گردد سپهر
✦
نه تندی بکار آید از بن نه مهر
“When the high heavens turn askew with ill fate, neither fierce anger avails nor gentle warmth.”
#48
گزیدند تیغ یکی برز کوه
✦
که دیدار بد یکسر ایران گروه
“They chose the crest of a lofty mountain from which the entire host of Iran was in full view.”
#49
جوان با تخوار سرایند گفت
✦
که هر چت بپرسم نباید نهفت
“The youth spoke to the eloquent Takhvar: 'Whatever I ask of thee, thou must not conceal from me.'”
#50
کنارنگ وز هرک دارد درفش
✦
خداوند گوپال و زرینه کفش
“'Every marchlord and bearer of a banner, every lord of the heavy mace and golden boots—'”
#51
چو بینی به من نام ایشان بگوی
✦
کسی را که دانی از ایران بروی
“'As thou seest them, reveal to me their names—whomever among the Iranians thou canst recognize by face.'”