When the devastating news of the young prince Farud's slain honor reached the high hall of King Kay Khosrow, a roaring fire of grief and terrible wrath consumed the monarch's heart. He summoned his wise scribe to lay bare his weeping eyes and agonizing soul upon the parchment. The decree began with profound praises unto the Sovereign of the Sun and the Moon—He who fashioned place and time, creating both the fragile ant and the mighty elephant, and from Whom alone victory, wisdom, and royal glory flow. Khosrow affirmed that every turn of fortune, from the radiant sky to the dark dust, manifests the sacred justice of the Almighty.
Then, the King poured his burning sorrow over the head of Tus, the ill-omened commander. Khosrow lamented how Tus had brazenly violated the royal command to avoid the high pass of Charam and the realm of Kalat, thereby driving his own high-born brother Farud—the radiant pillar of Iranian nobility—to an untimely grave. Consumed by the twin fires of his father Siyavash's unavenged blood and his brother's tragic loss, Khosrow revoked Tus's authority and bestowed the supreme command of the Iranian army upon Prince Fariburz. He commanded Fariburz to take up the Kavian Banner, to heed the sage counsel of Goudarz, to shun hasty battles and wine-laden revelry, and to place the formidable Giv at the vanguard of the host.
The royal messenger rode day and night without rest, swapping horses at every outpost until he reached the camp. Upon the reading of Khosrow's stern mandate, Tus surrendered the royal standard, war drums, and armored elephants to Fariburz. Stricken with shame, Tus turned back toward the capital, where the King's unyielding judgment awaited to cast the headstrong commander into iron chains.
#1
دبیر خردمند را پیش خواند
✦
دل آگنده بودش ز غم برفشاند
“He summoned the wise scribe before him, his heart laden with sorrow, and unburdened his grief.”
#2
یکی نامه بنوشت پر آب چشم
✦
ز بهر برادر پر از درد و خشم
“He wrote a letter with tearful eyes, filled with pain and wrath for the sake of his brother.”
#3
بسوی فریبرز کاوس شاه
✦
یکی سوی پرمایگان سپاه
“Addressed to Fariburz, son of King Kavus, and to the nobles of the host.”
#4
سر نامه بود از نخست آفرین
✦
چنانچون بود رسم آیین و دین
“The prelude of the letter began with divine praise, according to custom, tradition, and faith.”
#5
بنام خداوند خورشید و ماه
✦
کجا داد بر نیکوی دستگاه
“In the name of the Lord of the sun and the moon, Who gave power and mastery unto goodness.”
#6
جهان و مکان و زمان آفرید
✦
پی مور و پیل گران آفرید
“He Who created the world, space, and time; He Who created the track of the ant and the heavy elephant.”
#7
ازویست پیروزی و زو شکیب
✦
بنیک و ببد زو رسد کام و زیب
“From Him comes victory and patience; from Him comes every joy, grace, good, and adversity.”
#8
خرد داد و جان و تن زورمند
✦
بزرگی و دیهیم و تخت بلند
“He bestowed wisdom, soul, and a mighty body, along with greatness, crown, and exalted throne.”
#9
رهایی نیابد سر از بند اوی
✦
یکی را همه فر و اورند اوی
“No head can escape His bond; to one He grants all glory and royal throne,”
#10
یکی را دگر شوربختی دهد
✦
نیاز و غم و درد و سختی دهد
“While unto another He gives misfortune, distress, grief, pain, and hardship.”
#11
ز رخشنده خورشید تا تیره خاک
✦
همه داد بینم ز یزدان پاک
“From the radiant sun down to the dark earth, I behold all as justice from the pure Almighty.”
#12
بشد طوس با کاویانی درفش
✦
ز لشکر چهل مرد زرینه کفش
“Tus marched forth with the Kavian Banner, leading forty men adorned with golden shoes.”
#13
بتوران فرستادمش با سپاه
✦
برادر شد از کین نخستین تباه
“I sent him to Turan with an army, yet my brother was ruined before vengeance even began.”
#14
بایران چنو هیچ مهتر مباد
✦
وزین گونه سالار لشکر مباد
“May no such leader ever exist in Iran, nor such a commander of the host!”
#15
دریغا برادر فرود جوان
✦
سر نامداران و پشت گوان
“Alas for my young brother Farud, the lord of champions and backbone of heroes!”
#16
ز کین پدر زار و گریان بدم
✦
بران درد یک چند بریان بدم
“I was weeping and consumed by pain for my father's revenge, burning in grief for a season.”
#17
کنون بر برادر بباید گریست
✦
ندانم مرا دشمن و دوست کیست
“Now I must weep anew for my brother; I know not who in this world is my friend or my foe.”
#18
مرو گفتم او را براه چرم
✦
مزن بر کلات و سپدکوه دم
“I commanded him: 'Go not by the way of Charam, nor stir up strife at Kalat and Sepadkuh.'”
#19
بران ره فرودست و با لشکرست
✦
همان کی نژاد است و کنداور است
“'For upon that path lies Farud with his troops; he is of royal blood and a mighty champion.'”
#20
نداند که این لشکر از بن کیند
✦
از ایران سپاهند گر خود چیند
“'He knows not of what origin this host is—whether they be the army of Iran or of China.'”
#21
ازان کوه جنگ آورد بی‌گمان
✦
فراوان سران را سرآرد زمان
“'From that mountain peak he will surely wage war, bringing fate upon many chieftains.'”
#22
دریغ آنچنان گرد خسرونژاد
✦
که طوس فرومایه دادش بباد
“Alas for such a kingly warrior, whom worthless Tus destroyed and gave unto the wind!”
#23
اگر پیش از این او سپهبد بدست
✦
ز کاوس شاه اختر بد بدست
“If he was commander in times past, he was ever guided by an evil star under King Kavus.”
#24
برزم اندرون نیز خواب آیدش
✦
چو بی می‌نشیند شتاب آیدش
“In the midst of battle, sleep overtakes him; yet when sitting without wine, he acts with hasty madness!”
#25
هنرها همه هست نزدیک اوی
✦
مبادا چنان جان تاریک اوی
“He lacks all true virtues; may his dark soul be kept far from us!”
#26
چو این نامه خوانی هم‌اندر شتاب
✦
ز دل دور کن خورد آرام و خواب
“When you read this letter in all speed, cast far from your heart all rest, food, and sleep.”
#27
سبک طوس را بازگردان بجای
✦
ز فرمان مگرد و مزن هیچ رای
“Swiftly send Tus back to his place; stray not from my command nor take counsel with him.”
#28
سپهدار و سالار زرینه کفش
✦
تو می باش با کاویانی درفش
“You shall be the commander and leader of the golden shoes, holding high the Kavian Banner.”
#29
سرافراز گودرز ازان انجمن
✦
بهر کار باشد ترا رای زن
“Let the exalted Goudarz be your trusted counselor in every deed and undertaking.”
#30
مکن هیچ در جنگ جستن شتاب
✦
ز می دور باش و مپیمای خواب
“Make no haste in seeking battle; stay far from wine and indulge not in slumber.”
#31
بتندی مجو ایچ رزم از نخست
✦
همی باش تا خسته گردد درست
“Seek not battle in fury at first; wait until the situation is soundly prepared.”
#32
ترا پیش رو گیو باشد بجنگ
✦
که با فر و برزست و چنگ پلنگ
“You shall have Giv in the vanguard of fight—he who possesses glory, stature, and the claw of a tiger.”
#33
فرازآور از هر سوی ساز رزم
✦
مبادا که آید ترا رای بزم
“Gather war equipment from every side, and let no thought of feasting enter your mind.”
#34
نهاد از بر نامه بر مهر شاه
✦
فرستاده را گفت برکش براه
“He set the royal seal upon the letter and bade the courier: 'Set forth swiftly upon the road!'”
#35
ز رفتن شب و روز ماسای هیچ
✦
بهر منزلی اسپ دیگر بسیچ
“'Rest neither night nor day upon your journey; at every stage, prepare a fresh mount.'”
#36
بیامد فرستاده هم زین نشان
✦
بنزدیک آن نامور سرکشان
“The courier departed in this swift manner unto those renowned and majestic lords.”
#37
بنزد فریبرز شد نامه دار
✦
بدو داد پس نامهٔ شهریار
“The letter-bearer arrived before Fariburz and delivered unto him the monarch's missive.”
#38
فریبرز طوس و یلان را بخواند
✦
ز کار گذشته فراوان براند
“Fariburz summoned Tus and the heroes, speaking much of the past events.”
#39
همان نامور گیو و گودرز را
✦
سواران و گردان آن مرز را
“He called also the renowned Giv and Goudarz, alongside the horsemen and champions of that march.”
#40
چو برخواند آن نامهٔ شهریار
✦
جهان را درختی نو آمد ببار
“When he read aloud the king's letter, a new tree bore fruit for the world.”
#41
بزرگان و شیران ایران زمین
✦
همه شاه را خواندند آفرین
“All the chieftains and lions of Iran land offered high praise unto the King.”
#42
بیاورد طوس آن گرامی درفش
✦
ابا کوس و پیلان و زرینه کفش
“Tus brought forth that precious banner, together with the drums, elephants, and golden shoes.”
#43
بنزد فریبرز بردند و گفت
✦
که آمد سزا را سزاوار جفت
“They brought them before Fariburz and said: 'The worthy mate has arrived unto the worthy.'”
#44
همه ساله بخت تو پیروز باد
✦
همه روزگار تو نوروز باد
“'May your fortune be ever victorious, and may all your days be as Nowruz!'”
#45
برفت و ببرد آنک بد نوذری
✦
سواران جنگ‌آور و لشکری
“He departed, leading those of Nowzar's lineage, the warrior horsemen, and the host.”
#46
بنزدیک شاه آمد از دشت جنگ
✦
بره‌بر نکرد ایچ‌گونه درنگ
“He came before the King straight from the field of fight, / Nor paused nor tarried anywhere along his hurried flight.”
#47
زمین را ببوسید در پیش شاه
✦
نکرد ایچ خسرو بدو در نگاه
“He kissed the ground in homage prior to the sovereign's eyes, / But Khosrow deigned not look at him, nor broke his stern surmise.”
#48
بدشنام بگشاد لب شهریار
✦
بران انجمن طوس را کرد خوار
“The King opened his lips in wrathful curse and bitter blame, / Before the assembled noble court he covered Tus with shame.”
#49
ازان پس بدو گفت کای بدنشان
✦
که کمباد نامت ز گردنکشان
“"O ill-starred villain!" spoke the Shah, "Accursed be thy name, / Erased forever from the ranks of chiefs of noble fame!”
#50
نترسی همی از جهاندار پاک
✦
ز گردان نیامد ترا شرم و باک
“"Dost thou not dread the Holy Lord who rules the heaven above? / Hast thou no shame before the braves, no fear of rightful reprove?"”
#51
نگفتم مرو سوی راه چرم
✦
برفتی و دادی دل من به غم
“"Did I not bid thee not to march by Charam’s fateful pass? / Yet thou didst go and plunged my soul in sorrow and alas!"”
#52
نخستین بکین من آراستی
✦
نژاد سیاوش را کاستی
“"At first thou feignedst to avenge my father's tragic fate, / Yet didst curtail Siyavash's seed with thy senseless hate!"”
#53
برادر سرافراز جنگی فرود
✦
کجا هم چنو در زمانه نبود
“"My valiant, noble brother, brave Forud of high renown, / Whose peer in all the world was not beneath the starry crown!"”
#54
بکشتی کسی را که در کارزار
✦
چو تو لشکری خواستی روزکار
“"Thou slew'st a prince who in the fray of bloody strife and harm / Could rout an army such as thine with his sole mighty arm!"”
#55
وزان پس که رفتی بران رزمگاه
✦
نبودت به جز رامش و بزمگاه
“"And after heading to that field of bloody fight and doom, / Naught was thy care save feasting, ease, and revelling in gloom!"”
#56
ترا جایگه نیست در شارستان
✦
بزیبد ترا بند و بیمارستان
“"No place for thee remains within the city of the free; / A heavy chain and madman's ward are fit alone for thee!"”
#57
ترا پیش آزادگان کار نیست
✦
کجا مر ترا رای هشیار نیست
“"Thou hast no standing in the ranks of noblemen and wise, / For wisdom's light and prudent thought are absent from thine eyes."”
#58
سزاوار مسماری و بند و غل
✦
نه اندر خور تاج و دیهیم و مل
“"Deserving art thou of the spike, the fetter, and the chain, / Not worthy of the royal crown, the throne, or wine's domain."”
#59
نژاد منوچهر و ریش سپید
✦
ترا داد بر زندگانی امید
“"'Tis but Manuchehr's royal blood and thy grey beard of age / That grant thee hope of living still despite my righteous rage."”
#60
وگرنه بفرمودمی تا سرت
✦
بداندیش کردی جدا از برت
“"Else had I bade the executioner sever thy evil head / From off thy trunk, and leave thy fame forever doomed and dead!"”
#61
برو جاودان خانه زندان توست
✦
همان گوهر بد نگهبان توست
“"Begone! A dungeon dark shall be thy everlasting home; / Thy wicked nature guards thee now beneath its dreary dome."”
#62
ز پیشش براند و بفرمود بند
✦
به بند از دلش بیخ شادی بکند
“He drove him out and ordered him in fetters to be bound, / Eradicating from his heart all joy that could be found.”