As the radiant sun crowned the horizon and the dawn painted the world in white gold, the scattered and grief-stricken host of Iran gathered in sorrow. Champions and seasoned warriors spoke in hushed, bitter tones of their turned fortune and the lamentable death of Prince Farud. Brother wept over the spilled blood of brother, and the names of lost kin filled the air. Knowing they could tarry no longer in that ill-fated realm, they turned back toward Kasa Rud, their hearts heavy with grief yet burning with vengeful resolve to seek King Kai Khosrow's command for a greater reckoning.
Meanwhile, Turanian scouts, finding the battlefield utterly deserted, dispatched swift messengers to Piran Viseh. At first light, Piran marched into the abandoned camp, which lay like a rich garden adorned with lavish tents, armor, and treasures—yet devoid of a single living soul. Piran stood awestruck at the unpredictable turn of fate, reflecting deeply upon the fleeting ups and downs of human existence, which grants joy in one hour and terror in the next. Resigned to the cosmic cycle, he sought solace in wine and celebration.
Piran dispatched a swift courier to King Afrasiab with news of the Iranian retreat. Upon receiving the tidings, the Turanian monarch was liberated from all fear. The cities of Turan erupted in jubilee; coins were scattered, and for two full weeks, the melodies of harps and lutes echoed through Afrasiab's royal hall. In the third week, Afrasiab unlocked his vast treasuries, presenting Piran with an incomparable robe of honor: golden belts inlaid with gems, noble Arabian chargers with golden bridles, Indian blades in gilded scabbards, an exquisite throne of ivory and ebony, turquoise litters, ruby crowns, Chinese maidservants, Roman attendants, and turquoise goblets filled with rare musk and amber.
Yet along with these riches, Afrasiab offered stern and strategic counsel. He bade Piran remain ever vigilant, consult closely with wise mobads, protect the march of his army, and send discerning spies to every corner of the world. Afrasiab gravely warned him never to drop his guard against the young King Kai Khosrow—now exalted in wealth and justice—and above all, to beware of Rostam of Zabulistan; for wherever Rostam leads the Iranian host, true rest becomes an impossibility for Turan. Accepting his sovereign's counsel, Piran turned his face toward Khotan. Thus ended the tragic tale of Farud, opening the chapter for the grand battle against Kamus of Kashan.
#1
چو برزد سر از کوه تابنده شید
✦
برآمد سر تاج روز سپید
“When the sun shone brightly above the mountain peak, raising the crown of the white day,”
#2
سپاه پراگنده گردآمدند
✦
همی هر کسی داستانها زدند
“The scattered Iranian troops gathered together, each recounting their tragic tales,”
#3
که چندین ز ایرانیان کشته شد
✦
سربخت سالار برگشته شد
“Saying: 'So many of the Iranians have been slain, and the fortune of our commander has turned bad.”
#4
چنین چیره شد دست ترکان بجنگ
✦
سپه را کنون نیست جای درنگ
“Thus the Turks have gained the upper hand in battle; there is no longer any cause for us to delay here.”
#5
بر شاه باید شدن بی‌گمان
✦
ببینیم تا بر چه گردد زمان
“We must undoubtedly return to the King, to see how time and destiny will turn for us.”
#6
اگر شاه را دل پر از جنگ نیست
✦
مرا و تو را جای آهنگ نیست
“If the King's heart is not set on war, there is no place for you and me to make a stand.”
#7
پسر بی‌پدر شد پدر بی‌پسر
✦
بشد کشته و زنده خسته جگر
“Sons have been fatherless, fathers sonless; some are slain and the living are broken-hearted.'”
#8
اگر جنگ فرمان دهد شهریار
✦
بسازد یکی لشکر نامدار
“'If the monarch commands war, he will assemble a renowned army once more,”
#9
بیاییم و دلها پر از کین و جنگ
✦
کنیم این جهان بر بداندیش تنگ
“And we shall return with hearts full of vengeance and fury, making this world narrow for the ill-wishing foe.'”
#10
برین رای زان مرز گشتند باز
✦
همه دل پر از خون و جان پر گداز
“Upon this resolve they turned back from that border, their hearts full of blood and souls burning in anguish.”
#11
برادر ز خون برادر به درد
✦
زبانشان ز خویشان پر از یاد کرد
“Brother grieved in pain for brother's blood, their tongues lamenting their fallen kinsmen.”
#12
برفتند یکسر سوی کاسه رود
✦
روانشان ازان کشتگان پر درود
“They departed altogether toward Kasa Rud, their souls offering blessings to the slain.”
#13
طلایه بیامد بپیش سپاه
✦
کسی را ندید اندران جایگاه
“The vanguard of Turan approached the encampment, yet saw no one left in that place.”
#14
بپیران فرستاد زود آگهی
✦
کز ایرانیان گشت گیتی تهی
“They quickly sent word to Piran that the world was emptied of the Iranians.”
#15
چو بشنید پیران هم اندر زمان
✦
بهر سو فرستاد کارآگهان
“When Piran heard this, he instantly dispatched scouts in every direction.”
#16
چو برگشتن مهتران شد درست
✦
سپهبد روان را ز انده بشست
“When the departure of the Iranian chieftains was confirmed, the commander washed his soul of grief.”
#17
بیامد بشبگیر خود با سپاه
✦
همی گشت بر گرد آن رزمگاه
“He came at dawn with his army, riding around that battlefield.”
#18
همه کوه و هم دشت و هامون و راغ
✦
سراپرده و خیمه بد همچو باغ
“The mountains, plains, and valleys were filled with pavilions and tents, beautiful as a garden.”
#19
بلشکر ببخشید خود برگرفت
✦
ز کار جهان مانده اندر شگفت
“He distributed spoils to the army and took his share, marveling at the turn of earthly destiny,”
#20
که روزی فرازست و روزی نشیب
✦
گهی شاد دارد گهی با نهیب
“Reflecting that one day is high and another low; sometimes joyful and sometimes filled with terror.”
#21
همان به که با جام مانیم روز
✦
همی بگذرانیم روزی بروز
“'It is best that we remain with the wine goblet by day, passing our days one by one in pleasure.'”
#22
بدان آگهی نزد افراسیاب
✦
هیونی برافگند هنگام خواب
“He dispatched a swift courier with the tidings to Afrasiab while the king was asleep.”
#23
سپهبد بدان آگهی شاد شد
✦
ز تیمار و درددل آزاد شد
“The Turanian commander rejoiced at the news, becoming free from worry and heartache.”
#24
همه لشکرش گشته روشن‌روان
✦
ببستند آیین ره پهلوان
“All his army became joyous, preparing the royal celebrations in the champion's manner.”
#25
همه جامهٔ زینت آویختند
✦
درم بر سر او همی ریختند
“They hung ornate robes and garments, showering coins upon his head.”
#26
چو آمد بنزدیکی شهر شاه
✦
سپهبد پذیره شدش با سپاه
“When Piran drew near the royal city, the commander Afrasiab went out with his army to welcome him.”
#27
برو آفرین کرد بسیار و گفت
✦
که از پهلوانان ترا نیست جفت
“He offered him abundant praise, saying: 'Among all champions, you have no match!'”
#28
دو هفته ز ایوان افراسیاب
✦
همی بر شد آواز چنگ و رباب
“For two weeks from Afrasiab's palace, the music of harps and lutes resounded high.”
#29
سیم هفته پیران چنان کرد رای
✦
که با شادمانی شود باز جای
“In the third week, Piran resolved to return home in joy.”
#30
یکی خلعت آراست افراسیاب
✦
که گر برشماری بگیرد شتاب
“Afrasiab prepared a gift of robes so vast that listing it would take great haste:”
#31
ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار
✦
ز زرین کمرهای گوهرنگار
“Of dinars, royal jewels, and golden girdles studded with gems,”
#32
از اسپان تازی بزرین ستام
✦
ز شمشیر هندی بزرین نیام
“Arabian horses with golden bridles, and Indian swords in golden sheaths,”
#33
یکی تخت پرمایه از عاج و ساج
✦
ز پیروزه مهد و ز بیجاده تاج
“A precious throne of ivory and ebony, a turquoise litter, and a crown of rubies,”
#34
پرستار چینی و رومی غلام
✦
پر از مشک و عنبر دو پیروزه جام
“Chinese maidservants and Roman slaves, and two turquoise goblets filled with musk and ambergris.”
#35
بنزدیک پیران فرستاد چیز
✦
ازان پس بسی پندها داد نیز
“He sent all these treasures to Piran, and thereafter gave him much counsel besides,”
#36
که با موبدان باش و بیدار باش
✦
سپه را ز دشمن نگهدار باش
“Saying: 'Stay close to the wise mobads and remain alert; guard the army against the enemy.”
#37
نگه کن خردمند کارآگهان
✦
بهرجای بفرست گرد جهان
“Seek out wise informers and dispatch them across the whole world,”
#38
که کیخسرو امروز با خواستست
✦
بداد و دهش گیتی آراستست
“For today Kai Khosrow possesses royal power, adorning the world with justice and generosity.”
#39
نژاد و بزرگی و تخت و کلاه
✦
چو شد گرد ازین بیش چیزی مخواه
“He has lineage, greatness, throne, and crown; once these gather, expect nothing less than battle.”
#40
ز برگشتن دشمن ایمن مشو
✦
زمان تا زمان آگهی خواه نو
“Never feel safe from the enemy's return; seek fresh intelligence constantly.”
#41
بجایی که رستم بود پهلوان
✦
تو ایمن بخسپی بپیچد روان
“Where Rostam is the champion, if you sleep in peace, your soul will be twisted in calamity!'”
#42
پذیرفت پیران همه پند اوی
✦
که سالار او بود و پیوند اوی
“Piran accepted all his advice, for Afrasiab was his commander and his lord.”
#43
سپهدار پیران و آن انجمن
✦
نهادند سر سوی راه ختن
“Commander Piran and that assembly set off on the road toward Khotan.”
#44
بپای آمد این داستان فرود
✦
کنون رزم کاموس باید سرود
“This tale of Farud has come to an end; now the battle of Kamus must be sung.”