News of the vast Iranian army reached Afrasiab, casting a dark pall of dread over Turan. The borders swelled with warriors like a storm-tossed sea. Afrasiab urgently summoned his veteran commander Piran, counseling that they must muster troops from every corner of the realm before the rays of the sun and moon were forever extinguished by Key Khosrow's vengeance.
Meanwhile, the Iranian host reached the pass of Kaseh-Rud, only to be struck by a sudden, merciless tempest. A heavy cloud dense with bitter frost engulfed the mountains; lips froze against teeth, and pavilions hardened into sheer ice. For a full week, the surface of the plains vanished beneath mountains of snow. Thoughts of battle faded as starvation took hold; warriors were forced to slaughter and devour their own warhorses, and countless men and beasts perished in the freezing void.
On the eighth day, the sun burst through the clouds, melting the colossal snowdrifts into roaring torrents of water. Tus, the commander-in-chief, gathered the chieftains and suggested retreating from the cursed terrain of Kelat, Sped-Kuh, and Kaseh-Rud. But Bahram confronted Tus, accusing him of wavering in his holy vow to avenge Siyavash. Tus defended his record, recalling the tragic losses of Zarasp and Rivniz at Farud's fortress, declaring that Farud's fall was decreed by fate and that past griefs must now give way to resolute action.
It was then recalled that King Kay Khosrow had charged Giv son of Goudarz with a perilous quest: to ignite and destroy the towering mountain of timber blocking their advance through Kaseh-Rud. Bijan stepped forward, begging to take the toil upon his own young shoulders to spare his aging father. Yet Giv refused, declaring his spirit unyielding, and rode forth alone to the colossal pile of wood. Striking sparks from his steel arrowheads, Giv ignited the wooden mountain. For three weeks, infernal heat, towering blazes, and dense smoke sealed the pass. Only in the fourth week did the roaring inferno and floodwaters subside, allowing the Iranian host to march safely through the ashes and pitch their grand pavilions across the plains.
Nearby dwelt Tazhav, a fearsome Turanian warrior who guarded King Afrasiab's vast horse herds between the mountains. Learning of the Iranian army's encampment, Tazhav dispatched his trusted herdsman, Kabudeh, under the cover of night to scout their numbers and banners for a planned night assault. Kabudeh slunk into the darkness toward the Iranian lines, but Bahram, standing vigilant night guard, caught the muffled sound of Kabudeh's horse. Without a word, Bahram drew his bow and unleashed a deadly arrow through the obsidian dark. The shaft pierced Kabudeh's belt; he fell from his steed, begging for mercy and revealing Tazhav's scheme. Bahram, declaring Tazhav no match for a lion of Iran, severed Kabudeh's head with his dagger, tied it to his saddle-bow, and cast it down before the Iranian camp as a testament to their unwavering watch.
#1
ازان پس خبر شد بافراسیاب
✦
که شد مرز توران چو دریای آب
“Thereafter news reached Afrasiab that the realm of Turan had become like an ocean of water.”
#2
سوی کاسه‌رود اندر آمد سپاه
✦
زمین شد ز کین سیاوش سیاه
“The host entered Kaseh-Rud; the earth grew black from the vengeance for Siyavash.”
#3
سپهبد به پیران سالار گفت
✦
که خسرو سخن برگشاد از نهفت
“The chieftain spoke to Piran, the commander: 'The King Kay Khosrow has unveiled his hidden resolve.'”
#4
مگر کین سخن را پذیره شویم
✦
همه با درفش و تبیره شویم
“'Perhaps we should go forth to meet this conflict, all with banners and war drums;'”
#5
وگرنه ز ایران بیاید سپاه
✦
نه خورشید بینیم روشن نه ماه
“'Otherwise an army will come from Iran, and we shall behold neither the bright sun nor the moon.'”
#6
برو لشکر آور ز هر سو فراز
✦
سخنها نباید که گردد دراز
“'Gather an army toward me from every direction; this matter must not be prolonged.'”
#7
وزین رو برآمد یکی تندباد
✦
که کس را ز ایران نبد رزم یاد
“Meanwhile from the Iranian side a fierce wind arose, such that none from Iran recalled battle.”
#8
یکی ابر تند اندر آمد چو گرد
✦
ز سرما همی لب بدندان فسرد
“A harsh cloud rolled in like dust; from the bitter frost, lips froze against teeth.”
#9
سراپرده و خیمه‌ها گشت یخ
✦
کشید از بر کوه بر برف نخ
“Pavilions and tents turned to ice; snow stretched out line upon line from the mountain tops.”
#10
بیک هفته کس روی هامون ندید
✦
همه کشور از برف شد ناپدید
“For a whole week, none saw the face of the plain; the entire realm disappeared beneath snow.”
#11
خور و خواب و آرامگه تنگ شد
✦
تو گفتی که روی زمین سنگ شد
“Food, sleep, and rest grew scarce; you would say the surface of the earth had turned to stone.”
#12
کسی را نبد یاد روز نبرد
✦
همی اسپ جنگی بکشت و بخورد
“None remembered the day of combat; they slaughtered and ate their own warhorses.”
#13
تبه شد بسی مردم و چارپای
✦
یکی را نبد چنگ و بازو بجای
“Many men and beasts perished; none retained strength in hand or arm.”
#14
بهشتم برآمد بلند آفتاب
✦
جهان شد سراسر چو دریای آب
“On the eighth day the sun rose high; the world turned entirely into an ocean of water.”
#15
سپهبد سپه را همی گرد کرد
✦
سخن رفت چندی ز روز نبرد
“The commander assembled the troops, and words were exchanged regarding the battle day.”
#16
که ایدر سپه شد ز تنگی تباه
✦
سزد گر برانیم ازین رزمگاه
“'The host has been ruined here by hardship; it is fitting that we march away from this battlefield.'”
#17
مبادا برین بوم و برها درود
✦
کلات و سپدکوه گر کاسه رود
“'May there be no blessing upon this land—be it Kelat, Sped-Kuh, or Kaseh-Rud!'”
#18
ز گردان سرافراز بهرام گفت
✦
که این از سپهبد نشاید نهفت
“Bahram, exalted among champions, spoke: 'This should not be concealed from the commander.'”
#19
تو ما را بگفتار خامش کنی
✦
همی رزم پور سیاوش کنی
“'You silence us with words while dodging the battle for Siyavash's son!'”
#20
مکن کژ ابر خیره بر کار راست
✦
بیک جان نگه کن که چندین بکاست
“'Do not distort what is right so foolishly; consider a single soul that suffered such loss.'”
#21
هنوز از بدی تا چه آیدت پیش
✦
به چرم اندر است این زمان گاومیش
“'Consider what evil may yet befall you; the buffalo is still within its hide!'”
#22
سپهبد چنین گفت کاذرگشسپ
✦
نبد نامورتر ز جنگی زرسپ
“The commander replied: 'By Azargoshasp! None was more renowned than warrior Zarasp,'”
#23
بلشکر نگه کن که چون ریونیز
✦
که بینی بمردی و دیدار نیز
“'Look upon Rivniz in the army, whom you saw in bravery and stature as well.'”
#24
نه بر بی‌گنه کشته آمد فرود
✦
نوشته چنین بود بود آنچ بود
“'Nor was innocent Farud slain in vain; it was written thus, and what was destined came to pass.'”
#25
مرا جام ازو پر می و شیر بود
✦
جوان را ز بالا سخن تیر بود
“'My cup was full of wine and milk through him; yet that youth's words were arrows from above.'”
#26
کنون از گذشته نیاریم یاد
✦
به بیداد شد کشته او گر بداد
“'Now let us not recall the past; whether killed unjustly or justly, he is gone.'”
#27
چو خلعت ستد گیو گودرز ز شاه
✦
که آن کوه هیزم بسوزد براه
“'When Giv son of Goudarz received the robe of honor from the King to burn that mountain of wood on the road,'”
#28
کنونست هنگام آن سوختن
✦
به آتش سپهری برافروختن
“'Now is the time for that burning, to ignite the sky with fire,'”
#29
گشاده شود راه لشکر مگر
✦
بباشد سپه را بروبر گذر
“'So that the army's path may open and the troops may pass through.'”
#30
بدو گفت گیو این سخن رنج نیست
✦
وگر هست هم رنج بی‌گنج نیست
“Giv said to him: 'This task is no labor; and if it be labor, it is not without treasure.'”
#31
غمی گشت بیژن بدین داستان
✦
نباشم بدین گفت همداستان
“Bijan grew sorrowful at this tale and said: 'I shall not agree to this.'”
#32
مرا با جوانی نباید نشست
✦
بپیری کمر بر میان تو بست
“'It is not right for me to sit in my youth while you gird your waist in old age.'”
#33
برنج و بسختی بپروردیم
✦
بگفتار هرگز نیازردیم
“'You raised me through hardship and difficulty, and never pained me with words.'”
#34
مرا برد باید بدین کار دست
✦
نشاید تو با رنج و من با نشست
“'I must set my hand to this work; it is unfitting for you to suffer while I sit idle.'”
#35
بدو گفت گیو آنک من ساختم
✦
بدین کار گردن برافراختم
“Giv said to him: 'That which I pledged, I raised my neck to perform.'”
#36
کنون ای پسر گاه آرایشست
✦
نه هنگام پیری و بخشایشست
“'Now, my son, is the time for action and honor, not the time for old age's weakness or pity.'”
#37
ازین رفتن من ندار ایچ غم
✦
که من کوه خارا بسوزم به دم
“'Do not grieve over my departure, for I can burn a mountain of flint with my breath.'”
#38
بسختی گذشت از در کاسه‌رود
✦
جهان را همه رنج برف آب بود
“With great hardship he passed through the gate of Kaseh-Rud; the world was all trial of melted snow.”
#39
چو آمد بران کوه هیزم فراز
✦
ندانست بالا و پهناش باز
“When he reached that mountain of wood, he could not fathom its height or width.”
#40
ز پیکان تیر آتشی برفروخت
✦
بکوه اندر افگند و هیزم بسوخت
“He sparked a fire with an arrowhead, cast it into the mountain, and burned the timber.”
#41
ز آتش سه هفته گذرشان نبود
✦
ز تف زبانه ز باد و ز دود
“For three weeks none could pass because of the fire's heat, flames, wind, and smoke.”
#42
چهارم سپه برگذشتن گرفت
✦
همان آب و آتش نشستن گرفت
“On the fourth week, the army began to cross as both the water and the fire subsided.”
#43
سپهبد چو لشکر برو گرد شد
✦
ز آتش براه گروگرد شد
“When the army gathered around the commander, they passed through the trail of ashes.”
#44
سپاه اندر آمد چنانچون سزد
✦
همه کوه و هامون سراپرده زد
“The army advanced in noble fashion, pitching pavilions over both mountain and plain.”
#45
چنانچون ببایست برساختند
✦
ز هر سو طلایه برون تاختند
“They arranged everything as was fitting, and dispatched night outposts in every direction.”
#46
گروگرد بودی نشست تژاو
✦
سواری که بودیش با شیر تاو
“Garavgard was the dwelling of Tazhav, a knight who possessed strength equal to a ferocious lion.”
#47
فسیله بدان جایگه داشتی
✦
چنان کوه تا کوه بگذاشتی
“He kept his horse-herds in that region, leaving them to roam freely from mountain to mountain.”
#48
خبر شد که آمد ز ایران سپاه
✦
گله برد باید به یکسو ز راه
“Word arrived that the army of Iran was approaching, and that the herds must be moved out of their path.”
#49
فرستاد گردی هم اندر شتاب
✦
بنزدیک چوپان افراسیاب
“In great haste, he dispatched a champion to the shepherd of King Afrasiab.”
#50
کبوده بدش نام و شایسته بود
✦
بشایستگی نیز بایسته بود
“His name was Kabudah, a worthy man, who proved both capable and fit for the task.”
#51
بدو گفت چون تیره گردد سپهر
✦
تو ز ایدر برو هیچ منمای چهر
“He instructed him: 'When the heavens turn dark, depart from here and show your face to no one.'”
#52
نگه کن که چندست ز ایران سپاه
✦
ز گردان که دارد درفش و کلاه
“'Spy out the strength of the Iranian army, and see which of their heroes bear banners and crowns.'”
#53
ازیدر بر ایشان شبیخون کنیم
✦
همه کوه در جنگ هامون کنیم
“'So that we may launch a night surprise attack upon them from here, and level all these mountains into a plain of battle.'”
#54
کبوده بیامد چو گرد سیاه
✦
شب تیره نزدیک ایران سپاه
“Kabudah stole forth like a dark cloud through the pitch-black night toward the camp of Iran.”
#55
طلایه شب تیره بهرام بود
✦
کمندش سر پیل را دام بود
“Bahram was on night guard; his lasso was a snare capable of trapping the head of an elephant.”
#56
برآورد اسپ کبوده خروش
✦
ز لشکر برافراخت بهرام گوش
“Kabudah's steed uttered a loud neigh, and Bahram instantly pricked up his ears in alertness.”
#57
کمان را بزه کرد و بفشارد ران
✦
درآمد ز جای آن هیون گران
“He strung his bow, pressed his thighs against his charger, and surged forth from his post.”
#58
یکی تیر بگشاد و نگشاد لب
✦
کبوده نبود ایچ پیدا ز شب
“He loosed an arrow silently, though Kabudah was completely concealed by the dark of night.”
#59
بزد بر کمربند چوپان شاه
✦
همی گشت رنگ کبوده سیاه
“The shaft struck the king's shepherd at his waist belt, and Kabudah's face turned pale as death.”
#60
ز اسپ اندر افتاد و زنهار خواست
✦
بدو گفت بهرام برگوی راست
“He fell from his horse and begged for mercy; Bahram demanded, 'Speak the truth!'”
#61
که ایدر فرستندهٔ تو که بود
✦
کرا خواستی زین بزرگان بسود
“'Who sent you here, and which of these grandees did you intend to target?'”
#62
ببهرام گفت ار دهی زینهار
✦
بگویم ترا هرچ پرسی ز کار
“He replied to Bahram: 'If you grant me quarter, I shall reveal all that you ask concerning this affair.'”
#63
تژاوست شاها فرستنده‌ام
✦
بنزدیک او من پرستنده‌ام
“'O prince, Tazhav is the one who sent me, and I am but a humble servant in his house.'”
#64
مکش مر مرا تا نمایمت راه
✦
بجایی که او دارد آرامگاه
“'Do not slay me, so that I may guide you to the place where he resides.'”
#65
بدو گفت بهرام با من تژاو
✦
چو با شیر درنده پیکار گاو
“Bahram answered him: 'For Tazhav to contend with me is like an ox trying to battle a fierce lion!'”
#66
سرش را بخنجر ببرید پست
✦
بفتراک زین کیانی ببست
“He severed his head swift and low with a dagger, and bound it to the saddle-straps of his noble steed.”
#67
بلشکر گه آورد و بفگند خوار
✦
نه نام‌آوری بد نه گردی سوار
“He brought it back to the camp and cast it down with disdain, for he was neither a famous chief nor a noble warrior.”