As the radiant sun ascended the vault of heaven, the echo of war-horns and heavy drums shattered the morning silence around the fortress of Kalat. Prince Farud sallied forth with desperate valour, his blade flashing as he cut through the Iranian ranks. The mountain ridges turned dark as pitch under the churning dust of battle and the rain of arrows. The Iranian host stood awestruck by the young prince's royal prowess, for he fought like a furious lion. Yet destiny had wove a dark thread; as Farud retreated alone toward the citadel, Rohham and Bizhan lay in ambush. Bizhan charged from the lower slope, drawing Farud's focus, whereupon Rohham crept behind him and struck a devastating blow with an Indian blade, severing the prince's shoulder. Bizhan then struck the hocks of his steed, but Farud, bleeding and mortally wounded, managed to drag himself within the fortress gates before they were barred.
Inside the citadel, Jarireh and her maidens lifted the dying lion onto an ivory couch. With fading breath, Farud urged the women to cast themselves from the fortress parapets rather than suffer captivity at Bizhan's hands. As his noble spirit departed, despair consumed Jarireh. She set fire to the royal treasury, reducing all wealth to ashes, and slaughtered the noble warhorses in their stalls. Then, clutching a steel dagger of bluish hue, she knelt beside Farud, pressed her face to his cold cheek, disemboweled herself, and surrendered her life upon her son's breast.
When the Iranian warriors finally broke into the stronghold, they were struck with horror and grief. Bahram and Goudarz wept bitterly at the bedside of the slain prince and his mother. Bahram warned the host of divine retribution and the wrath of King Kay Khosrow, while Goudarz harshly berated Tus for his arrogant obstinacy, which had brought ruin upon the royal line of Siyavash. In deep sorrow, the Iranian chieftains erected a grand royal tomb upon the mountain peak. They embalmed Farud's body with camphor, musk, and rosewater, laying him to rest upon a golden throne alongside Zarasp and Rivniz, leaving the wind to mourn over the peak of Spid-Kuh.
#1
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود چهر
✦
خرامان برآمد بخم سپهر
“As the radiant sun unveiled its face, ascending gracefully along the curve of the heavens,”
#2
ز هر سو برآمد خروش سران
✦
گراییدن گرزهای گران
“From every side arose the battle-cries of chieftains, and the swinging of heavy maces began.”
#3
غو کوس با نالهٔ کرنای
✦
دم نای سرغین و هندی درای
“The clamor of kettle-drums mingled with the wailing of war-horns, the drone of pipes, and Indian bells.”
#4
برون آمد از بارهٔ دژ فرود
✦
دلیران ترکان هرآنکس که بود
“Farud emerged from the fortress walls, accompanied by all the brave warriors of the Turks.”
#5
ز گرد سواران و ز گرز و تیر
✦
سر کوه شد همچو دریای قیر
“From the dust of horsemen, maces, and arrows, the mountain crest turned black like a sea of pitch.”
#6
نبد هیچ هامون و جای نبرد
✦
همی کوه و سنگ اسپ را خیره کرد
“There was no open plain for battle; the rugged mountain and stones stumbled the chargers.”
#7
ازین گونه تا گشت خورشید راست
✦
سپاه فرود دلاور بکاست
“Thus it continued until the sun reached zenith, as the host of brave Farud dwindled away.”
#8
فراز و نشیبش همه کشته شد
✦
سربخت مرد جوان گشته شد
“High and low, his men lay slain, and the fortune of the young prince turned to darkness.”
#9
بدو خیره ماندند ایرانیان
✦
که چون او ندیدند شیر ژیان
“The Iranians stood astonished at him, for they had never seen a fierce lion like unto him.”
#10
ز ترکان نماند ایچ با او سوار
✦
ندید ایچ تنها رخ کارزار
“No rider of the Turks remained with him; yet he shunned not the battle-front alone.”
#11
عنان را بپیچید و تنها برفت
✦
ز بالا سوی دژ خرامید تفت
“He turned his reins and rode away alone, hastening swiftly from the heights toward the citadel.”
#12
چو رهام و بیژن کمین ساختند
✦
فراز و نشیبش همی تاختند
“When Rohham and Bizhan set their ambush, scouring the crests and hollows of the mountain,”
#13
چو بیژن پدید آمد اندر نشیب
✦
سبک شد عنان و گران شد رکیب
“As Bizhan appeared from the slope below, he loosed his reins and pressed hard into the stirrups.”
#14
فرود جوان ترگ بیژن بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“Young Farud saw Bizhan's helmet; he laid hand upon his sword and drew it from his belt.”
#15
چو رهام گرد اندر آمد به پشت
✦
خروشان یکی تیغ هندی به مشت
“Then Rohham the warrior stole behind his back, roaring with an Indian blade held fast in hand,”
#16
بزد بر سر کتف مرد دلیر
✦
فرود آمد از دوش دستش به زیر
“He struck the valiant man upon the shoulder, severing his hand and shoulder down from his arm.”
#17
چو از وی جدا گشت بازوی و دوش
✦
همی تاخت اسپ و همی زد خروش
“Though arm and shoulder were severed from him, he galloped his steed onward, crying aloud in pain.”
#18
بنزدیک دژ بیژن اندر رسید
✦
بزخمی پی بارهٔ او برید
“Near the fortress Bizhan overtook him, and with a single stroke severed his charger's leg.”
#19
پیاده خود و چند زان چاکران
✦
تبه گشته از چنگ کنداوران
“On foot, with a few of his servants, broken and ruined by the hands of the mighty champions,”
#20
بدژ در شد و در ببستند زود
✦
شد آن نامور شیر جنگی فرود
“He entered the citadel and barred the gate swiftly—that illustrious, warlike lion, Farud.”
#21
بشد با پرستندگان مادرش
✦
گرفتند پوشیدگان در برش
“He went to his mother with her attendants; the veiled maidens gathered him into their arms.”
#22
بزاری فگندند بر تخت عاج
✦
نبد شاه را روز هنگام تاج
“Piteously they laid him upon an ivory throne; it was no day for a king to wear a crown.”
#23
همه غالیه موی و مشکین کمند
✦
پرستنده و مادر از بن بکند
“All the maidens and his mother tore out their musk-scented locks and tresses from the root.”
#24
همی کند جان آن گرامی فرود
✦
همه تخت مویه همه حصن رود
“The noble Farud was yielding up his soul; the throne was filled with lamentation, the citadel with tears.”
#25
چنین گفت چون لب ز هم برگرفت
✦
که این موی کندن نباشد شگفت
“Thus he spoke as his lips parted: 'Wonder not at this tearing of hair;'”
#26
کنون اندر آیند ایرانیان
✦
به تاراج دژ پاک بسته میان
“'Now the Iranians will enter, girded to plunder the fortress clean;'”
#27
پرستندگان را اسیران کنند
✦
دژ وباره کوه ویران کنند
“'They will make captives of the maidens, and lay waste the mountain citadel.'”
#28
دل هرک بر من بسوزد همی
✦
ز جانم رخش برفروزد همی
“'Whoever among you burns with grief for me, let her face glow with the passion of my soul:'”
#29
همه پاک بر باره باید شدن
✦
تن خویش را بر زمین بر زدن
“'You must all go up onto the ramparts and cast your bodies down to the earth below,'”
#30
کجا بهر بیژن نماند یکی
✦
نمانم من ایدر مگر اندکی
“'So that not one captive remains for Bizhan; for I myself shall remain here but a little while.'”
#31
کشنده تن و جان من درد اوست
✦
پرستار و گنجم چه در خورد اوست
“'The grief of my slayers burns my body and soul; of what worth to them are servants and treasure?'”
#32
بگفت این و رخسارگان کرد زرد
✦
برآمد روانش بتیمار و درد
“He spoke, his cheeks turned pale, and his spirit departed in sorrow and agony.”
#33
ببازیگری ماند این چرخ مست
✦
که بازی برآرد به هفتاد دست
“This drunken sphere resembles a juggler who performs his tricks with seventy hands:”
#34
زمانی بخنجر زمانی بتیغ
✦
زمانی بباد و زمانی بمیغ
“One moment with dagger, one moment with sword; one moment with wind, one moment with cloud;”
#35
زمانی بدست یکی ناسزا
✦
زمانی خود از درد و سختی رها
“One moment at the mercy of the unworthy; one moment delivered from pain and hardship;”
#36
زمانی دهد تخت و گنج و کلاه
✦
زمانی غم و رنج و خواری و چاه
“One moment granting throne, treasure, and crown; another bringing sorrow, toil, humiliation, and the pit.”
#37
همی خورد باید کسی را که هست
✦
منم تنگدل تا شدم تنگدست
“Man must enjoy whatever he possesses; my heart is heavy since my hands have become empty.”
#38
اگر خود نزادی خردمند مرد
✦
ندیدی ز گیتی چنین گرم و سرد
“Had a wise man never been born into the world, he would not have tasted such hot and cold from fortune.”
#39
بباید به کوری و ناکام زیست
✦
برین زندگانی بباید گریست
“One must live in blindness and against desire; over such a life one ought to weep.”
#40
سرانجام خاکست بالین اوی
✦
دریغ آن دل و رای و آیین اوی
“In the end, dust is his pillow—alas for that noble heart, judgment, and wisdom!”
#41
پرستندگان بر سر دژ شدند
✦
همه خویشتن بر زمین برزدند
“The maidservants ascended the citadel walls and cast themselves down upon the earth.”
#42
یکی آتشی خود جریره فروخت
✦
همه گنجها را به آتش بسوخت
“Then Jarireh kindled a great fire and burned all the treasures in the flames.”
#43
یکی تیغ بگرفت زان پس بدست
✦
در خانهٔ تازی اسپان ببست
“Thereafter she took a sword in hand, entered the stable of the Arabian chargers, and barred the door.”
#44
شکمشان بدرید و ببرید پی
✦
همی ریخت از دیده خوناب و خوی
“She ripped open their bellies and severed their legs, weeping tears of blood and sweat.”
#45
بیامد ببالین فرخ فرود
✦
یکی دشنه با او چو آب کبود
“She returned to the pillow of blessed Farud, holding a dagger of bluish hue like water.”
#46
دو رخ را بروی پسر بر نهاد
✦
شکم بردرید و برش جان بداد
“She laid her cheeks upon her son’s face, ripped open her stomach, and surrendered her life beside him.”
#47
در دژ بکندند ایرانیان
✦
بغارت ببستند یکسر میان
“The Iranians broke down the fortress gates and all bound their loins to plunder it entirely.”
#48
چو بهرام نزدیک آن باره شد
✦
از اندوه یکسر دلش پاره شد
“When Bahram drew near to that rampart, his heart was completely torn apart by grief.”
#49
بایرانیان گفت کین از پدر
✦
بسی خوارتر مرد و هم زارتر
“He said to the Iranians: 'This youth died far more wretchedly and lamentably than his father!'”
#50
کشنده سیاوش چاکر نبود
✦
ببالینش بر کشته مادر نبود
“'Siyavash’s slayer was no mere servant, nor did his mother die slain at his bedside.'”
#51
همه دژ سراسر برافروخته
✦
همه خان و مان کنده و سوخته
“The entire fortress was set ablaze; every home and hearth was upturned and consumed by fire.”
#52
بایرانیان گفت کز کردگار
✦
بترسید وز گردش روزگار
“He said to the Iranians: 'Fear the Creator, and beware the turnings of Fortune!'”
#53
ببد بس درازست چنگ سپهر
✦
به بیدادگر برنگردد بمهر
“'The hand of the heavens reaches far into evil, and it never turns with love toward the unjust.'”
#54
زکیخسرو اکنون ندارید شرم
✦
که چندان سخن گفت با طوس نرم
“'Do you feel no shame now before Kay Khosrow, who spoke so gently to Tus?'”
#55
بکین سیاوش فرستادتان
✦
بسی پند و اندرزها دادتان
“'He sent you forth to avenge Siyavash, loading you with many counsels and warnings!'”
#56
ز خون برادر چو آگه شود
✦
همه شرم و آزرم کوته شود
“'When he hears the news of his brother’s blood, all respect and modesty will come to an end.'”
#57
ز رهام وز بیژن تیز مغز
✦
نیاید بگیتی یکی کار نغز
“'From Rohham and hot-headed Bizhan, no good or noble deed shall ever come to pass in this world!'”
#58
همانگه بیامد سپهدار طوس
✦
براه کلات اندر آورد کوس
“At that moment came Tus, the commander, sounding his drums on the path toward Kalat.”
#59
چو گودرز و چون گیو کنداوران
✦
ز گردان ایران سپاهی گران
“Along with valiant heroes like Goudarz and Giv, leading a mighty host of Iranian warriors.”
#60
سپهبد بسوی سپدکوه شد
✦
وزانجا بنزدیکی انبوه شد
“The commander marched toward Speyd-Kuh, and from there approached the gathered army.”
#61
چو آمد ببالین آن کشته زار
✦
بران تخت با مادر افگنده خوار
“When he came to the bedside of that woeful slain prince, lying humbled on that bed beside his mother,”
#62
بیک دست بهرام پر آب چشم
✦
نشسته ببالین او پر ز خشم
“On one side sat tearful Bahram, seated at his pillow filled with rage,”
#63
بدست دگر زنگهٔ شاوران
✦
برو انجمن گشته کنداوران
“On the other side stood Zangeh-ye Shavaran, with all the brave warriors gathered around.”
#64
گوی چون درختی بران تخت عاج
✦
بدیدار ماه و ببالای ساج
“A hero like a tree upon that ivory throne, radiant as the moon and tall as a teak-wood tree.”
#65
سیاوش بد خفته بر تخت زر
✦
ابا جوشن و تیغ و گرز و کمر
“He lay like Siyavash sleeping upon a throne of gold, clad in coat of mail, sword, mace, and belt.”
#66
برو زار بگریست گودرز و گیو
✦
بزرگان چو گرگین و بهرام نیو
“Bitterly did Goudarz and Giv weep over him, as did nobles like Gorgin and the brave Bahram.”
#67
رخ طوس شد پر ز خون جگر
✦
ز درد فرود و ز درد پسر
“Tus’s face was soaked with his heart's blood, grieving for Forud and for his own lost son.”
#68
که تندی پشیمانی آردت بار
✦
تو در بوستان تخم تندی مکار
“For rash violence yields only regret; plant not the seeds of hasty anger in your garden.”
#69
چنین گفت گودرز با طوس و گیو
✦
همان نامداران و گردان نیو
“Thus spoke Goudarz to Tus and Giv, and to all the famous and valiant heroes:”
#70
که تندی نه کار سپهبد بود
✦
سپهبد که تندی کند بد بود
“'Rash violence is not the mark of a commander; a commander who acts with hasty rage is ill-fated.'”
#71
جوانی بدین سان ز تخم کیان
✦
بدین فر و این برز و یال و میان
“'A youth of such royal Kayanid lineage, with such divine glory, height, stature, and strength,'”
#72
بدادی بتیزی و تندی بباد
✦
زرسپ آن سپهدار نوذرنژاد
“'You gave over to the wind through your quick wrath—as you did Zarasp, that commander of Naudar's blood!'”
#73
ز تیزی گرفتار شد ریونیز
✦
نبود از بد بخت ما مانده چیز
“'Through rashness Rivniz was caught; nothing remained to spare us from our ill destiny!'”
#74
هنر بی‌خرد در دل مرد تند
✦
چو تیغی که گردد ز زنگار کند
“'Skill without wisdom in a rash man's heart is like a sword dulled and ruined by rust.'”
#75
چو چندین بگفتند آب از دو چشم
✦
ببارید و آمد ز تندی بخشم
“When they had spoken thus, tears fell from their eyes, and their hasty anger turned to grief.”
#76
چنین پاسخ آورد کز بخت بد
✦
بسی رنج وسختی بمردم رسد
“He answered thus: 'From ill fate, much suffering and hardship comes upon mankind.'”
#77
بفرمود تا دخمهٔ شاهوار
✦
بکردند بر تیغ آن کوهسار
“He commanded a royal tomb to be constructed upon the sharp peak of that mountain range.”
#78
نهادند زیراندرش تخت زر
✦
بدیبای زربفت و زرین کمر
“Beneath him they placed a golden throne, adorned with golden brocade and a jeweled belt.”
#79
تن شاهوارش بیاراستند
✦
گل و مشک و کافور و می خواستند
“They adorned his royal body, requesting rose-petals, musk, camphor, and wine.”
#80
سرش را بکافور کردند خشک
✦
رخش را بعطر و گلاب و بمشک
“They dried his head with camphor, and anointed his face with perfume, rosewater, and musk.”
#81
نهادند بر تخت و گشتند باز
✦
شد آن شیردل شاه گردن‌فراز
“They laid him upon the royal bier and turned back; thus passed away that lion-hearted, exalted king.”
#82
زراسپ سرافراز با ریونیز
✦
نهادند در پهلوی شاه نیز
“The proud Zarasp, together with Rivniz, were laid at the side of the king as well.”
#83
سپهبد بران ریش کافورگون
✦
ببارید از دیدگان جوی خون
“Upon his camphor-white beard, the commander wept streams of blood from his eyes.”
#84
چنینست هرچند مانیم دیر
✦
نه پیل سرافراز ماند نه شیر
“Such is the way of fate: however long we endure, neither the exalted elephant nor the mighty lion abides.”
#85
دل سنگ و سندان بترسد ز مرگ
✦
رهایی نیابد ازو بار و برگ
“Even the heart of stone and anvil dreads death; no fruit or leaf can ever escape its grasp.”