As the Iranian host marched back along the road of Charam, beneath the fortress of Kalat and the waters of Mayam, a suffocating veil of remorse and sorrow hung over every warrior. Their eyes streamed with blood and their hearts bled with guilt, for they had slain the King's own innocent brother, Farud, and left his realm to ruin. Entering the royal sanctuary like chastened servants, they stood before King Kay Khosrow with hands crossed over their chests.
When Khosrow looked upon them, his eyes burned with furious tears. Turning his heart toward Yazdan, the King cried out in anguish: 'O Just Creator, You granted me wisdom and sovereign judgment, yet today I feel utterly ashamed before You! Were it not for divine restraint, I would command a thousand gallows to be raised upon the plain, hanging Tus and every champion who followed his foolish banner. I burned with a desire to avenge my father Siyavash, but now a fresh tragedy bleeds within my heart—the innocent blood of my brother Farud, cut down by my own army!'
In his intense grief, the King cursed Tus, declaring him devoid of wisdom and fit only for the bottom of a dark pit. He barred the doors of his audience hall, weeping bitterly for his fallen kin. Seeing the monarch's heart consumed by agony, the Iranian nobles hurried to the court of Rostam Tahamtan, begging the mighty champion to intercede. They urged Rostam to explain that Tus had suffered grievous personal losses—his son Zarasp and son-in-law Rivniz—and that the army had acted out of ignorance, not malice.
As night descended over the earth, Rostam entered the King's presence and kissed the threshold. With profound eloquence and steady wisdom, Rostam calmed the monarch's rage, reminding Khosrow that no man dies without a fated cause, and that Tus had been blinded by the tragic deaths of his own offspring. Touched by Rostam's noble words, Khosrow accepted the counsel as medicine for his wounded soul.
The next morning, Tus approached the throne in deep humility, kissing the earth before the King. He repented his rashness and swore an oath never to wear anything but his iron helmet until he had washed away this shame in the blood of Turan. Reassured, King Kay Khosrow granted forgiveness, but decreed that henceforth Tus could not move the war-elephants or sound the war-horns without the wise counsel of Giv, ensuring that no further rashness would claim the lives of Iran's valiant sons.
#1
چو لشکر بیامد به راه چرم
✦
کلات از بر و زیر آب میم
“When the army marched back along the road of Charam, with Kalat above and the stream of Mayam below,”
#2
همی یاد کردند رزم فرود
✦
پشیمانی و درد و تیمار بود
“They recalled the tragic battle with Farud; all was regret, pain, and heavy grief.”
#3
همه دل پر از درد و از بیم شاه
✦
دو دیده پر از خون و تن پر گناه
“Their hearts filled with pain and dread of the King; their eyes flowed with blood and their bodies weighed with sin.”
#4
چنان شرمگین نزد شاه آمدند
✦
جگر خسته و پر گناه آمدند
“So ashamed, they came before the King, with broken livers and laden with guilt.”
#5
برادرش را کشته بر بی‌گناه
✦
به دشمن سپرده نگین و کلاه
“They had slain his brother innocently, leaving the crown and signet ring to the enemy.”
#6
همه یکسره دست کرده به کش
✦
برفتند پیشش پرستار فش
“All of them stood before him with hands folded on their chests like humble servants.”
#7
بدیشان نگه کرد خسرو به خشم
✦
دلش پر ز درد و پر از خون دو چشم
“Khosrow looked upon them with anger, his heart full of sorrow and his eyes filled with blood.”
#8
به یزدان چنین گفت کای دادگر
✦
تو دادی مرا هوش و رای و هنر
“He prayed to Yazdan: 'O God of Justice! You granted me wisdom, counsel, and virtue;'”
#9
همی شرم دارم من از تو کنون
✦
تو آگه‌تری بی‌شک از چند و چون
“'I now feel shame before You; You surely know best the truth of all matters.'”
#10
وگرنه بفرمودمی تا هزار
✦
زدندی به میدان پیکار دار
“'Otherwise, I would command a thousand gallows to be set up in the field of battle!'”
#11
تن طوس را دار بودی نشست
✦
هرانکس که با او میان را ببست
“'The gallows would be the seat for Tus's body, and for whoever allied with him!'”
#12
ز کین پدر بودم اندر خروش
✦
دلی داشتم پر غم و درد و جوش
“'I was burning with fury for vengeance for my father; my heart was full of sorrow, grief, and turmoil.'”
#13
کنون کینه نو شد ز کین فرود
✦
سر طوس نوذر بباید درود
“'Now a fresh vengeance has arisen from Farud's death; the head of Tus son of Nowzar should be reaped!'”
#14
بگفتم که سوی کلات و چرم
✦
مرو گر فشانند بر سر درم
“'I explicitly warned: Do not pass by Kalat and Charam, even if they shower coins upon your head!'”
#15
کزان ره فرودست و با مادرست
✦
سپهبد نژادست و کنداور است
“'For on that path is Farud with his mother; he is of commander's blood and a mighty warrior.'”
#16
دمان طوس نامرد ناهوشیار
✦
چرا برد لشکر به سوی حصار
“'Why did rash, foolish, and unmanly Tus lead the army toward that fortress?'”
#17
کنون لاجرم کردگار سپهر
✦
ز طوس و ز لشکر ببرید مهر
“'Now perforce, the God of the heavens has severed His love from Tus and his host!'”
#18
بد آمد به گودرزیان بر ز طوس
✦
که نفرین بر او باد و بر پیل و کوس
“'Disaster fell upon the House of Goudarz through Tus—curse be upon him, his elephant, and his war-drum!'”
#19
همی خلعت و پندها دادمش
✦
به جنگ برادر فرستادمش
“'I gave him robes of honor and advice, yet I sent him to fight my own brother!'”
#20
جهانگیر چون طوس نوذر مباد
✦
چنو پهلوان پیش لشکر مباد
“'May there never be a conqueror like Tus, son of Nowzar, nor such a commander leading an army!'”
#21
دریغ آن فرود سیاوش دریغ
✦
که با زور و دل بود و با گرز و تیغ
“'Alas for Farud, son of Siyavash! Who possessed strength, valor, mace, and sword!'”
#22
به سان پدر کشته شد بی‌گناه
✦
به دست سپهدار من با سپاه
“'Like his father, he was slain innocent by the hands of my own general and army!'”
#23
به گیتی نباشد کم از طوس کس
✦
که او از در بند چاهست و بس
“'In all the world, none is lower than Tus; he is worthy only of being bound in a pit!'”
#24
نه در سرش مغز و نه در تنش رگ
✦
چه طوس فرومایه پیشم چه سگ
“'Neither brain in his head nor blood-vein in his body; what difference between wretched Tus and a dog before me?'”
#25
ز خون برادر به کین پدر
✦
همی گشت پیچان و خسته جگر
“Seeking father's vengeance, his heart twisted and liver bled over the blood of his brother.”
#26
سپه را همه خوار کرد و براند
✦
ز مژگان همی خون به رخ برفشاند
“He humiliated the entire host and drove them away, shedding tears of blood down his cheeks.”
#27
در بار دادن بر ایشان ببست
✦
روانش به مرگ برادر بخست
“He shut the gate of his hall against them, his soul deeply wounded by his brother's death.”
#28
بزرگان ایران به ماتم شدند
✦
دلیران به درگاه رستم شدند
“The nobles of Iran fell into mourning; the champions went to Rostam's court.”
#29
به پوزش که این بودنی کار بود
✦
که را بود آهنگ رزم فرود
“They sought intercession: 'This was a fated deed; who intended to fight Farud?'”
#30
بدانگه کجا کشته شد پور طوس
✦
سر سرکشان خیره گشت از فسوس
“'When the son of Tus was slain, the minds of the chieftains were dazed with tragic pity.'”
#31
همان نیز داماد او ریونیز
✦
نبود از بد بخت مانند چیز
“'Likewise his son-in-law Rivniz met a terrible fate in that battle.'”
#32
که دانست نام و نژاد فرود
✦
کجا شاه را دل بخواهد شخود
“'Who knew the name and lineage of Farud, that the King's heart would be so broken?'”
#33
تو خواهشگری کن که برناست شاه
✦
مگر سر بپیچد ز کین سپاه
“'You must intercede, for the King is young; perhaps he will turn his heart from revenge against the host.'”
#34
نه فرزند کاوس‌کی ریونیز
✦
به جنگ اندرون کشته شد زار نیز
“'Was not Rivniz, son of Kay-Kavus, also miserably slain in battle?'”
#35
که کهتر پسر بود و پرخاشجوی
✦
دریغ آنچنان خسرو ماهروی
“'For he was a younger, warlike prince—alas for such a handsome moon-faced youth!'”
#36
چنین است انجام و فرجام جنگ
✦
یکی تاج یابد یکی گور تنگ
“'Such is the outcome and end of war: one gains a crown, another a narrow grave!'”
#37
چو شد روی گیتی ز خورشید زرد
✦
به خم اندر آمد شب لاژورد
“When the sun turned yellow upon the world and the lapis-lazuli night veiled the sky,”
#38
تهمتن بیامد به نزدیک شاه
✦
ببوسید خاک از در پیشگاه
“Tahamtan came before the King and kissed the dust of the royal threshold.”
#39
چنین گفت مر شاه را پیلتن
✦
که بادا سرت برتر از انجمن
“The elephant-bodied hero said to the King: 'May your head stand higher than all assemblies!'”
#40
به خواهشگری آمدم نزد شاه
✦
همان از پی طوس و بهر سپاه
“'I have come to intercede before the King, on behalf of Tus and for the sake of the army.'”
#41
چنان دان که کس بی‌بهانه نمرد
✦
از این در سخنها بباید شمرد
“'Know that no one dies without a fateful cause; these matters must be weighed carefully.'”
#42
و دیگر کزان بدگمان بد سپاه
✦
که فرخ برادر نبد نزد شاه
“'Furthermore, the army was suspicious, not knowing he was the blessed brother of the King.'”
#43
همان طوس تندست و هشیار نیست
✦
و دیگر که جان پسر خوار نیست
“'Also, Tus is hot-tempered and not prudent, and moreover, a son's life is not cheap to a father.'”
#44
چو در پیش او کشته شد ریونیز
✦
زرسپ آن جوان سرافراز نیز
“'When Rivniz was slain before his eyes, and Zarasp, that proud young hero, too—'”
#45
گر او برفروزد نباشد شگفت
✦
جهانجوی را کین نباید گرفت
“'If he flared up in rage, it is no surprise; the world-conquering King should not harbor resentment.'”
#46
بدو گفت خسرو که ای پهلوان
✦
دلم پر ز تیمار شد زان جوان
“Khosrow said to him, 'O noble champion, my heart is filled with anguish for that youth.'”
#47
کنون پند تو داروی جان بود
✦
وگرچه دل از درد پیچان بود
“'Now your counsel serves as a balm to my soul, even though my heart writhes in agony.'”
#48
به پوزش بیامد سپهدار طوس
✦
به پیش سپهبد زمین داد بوس
“Then Tus, the army commander, came forward in apology and kissed the ground before the monarch.”
#49
همی آفرین کرد بر شهریار
✦
که نوشه بدی تا بود روزگار
“He showered praises upon the sovereign, praying, 'May you live immortal as long as time endures!'”
#50
زمین بندهٔ تاج و تخت تو باد
✦
فلک مایهٔ فر و بخت تو باد
“'May the earth be subject to your crown and throne, and the heavens be the source of your glory and good fortune!'”
#51
منم دل پر از غم ز کردار خویش
✦
به غم بسته جان را ز تیمار خویش
“'My own heart is sorrowful over my deeds; my soul is bound in grief from my heavy distress.'”
#52
همان نیز جانم پر از شرم شاه
✦
زبان پر ز پوزش روان پر گناه
“'My spirit is full of shame before the King; my tongue is laden with apologies, my soul with guilt.'”
#53
ز پاکیزه جان فرود و زرسپ
✦
همی برفروزم چو آذرگشسپ
“'For the pure souls of Farud and Zarasp, I burn inside like the fiery lightning of Azargashasp.'”
#54
اگر من گنهکارم از انجمن
✦
همی پیچم از کردهٔ خویشتن
“'If I am guilty before this assembly, I writhe in remorse for what I have wrought.'”
#55
به ویژه ز بهرام وز ریونیز
✦
همی جان خویشم نیاید بچیز
“'Especially for Bahram and Rivniz, I count my own life as worth nothing at all.'”
#56
اگر شاه خشنود گردد ز من
✦
وزین نامور بی‌گناه انجمن
“'If the King will forgive me and this renowned, guiltless assembly,'”
#57
شوم کین این ننگ بازآورم
✦
سر شیب را برفراز آورم
“'I shall march to exact revenge for this disgrace, and turn our decline into triumph once more.'”
#58
همه رنج لشکر به تن برنهم
✦
اگر جان ستانم اگر جان دهم
“'I shall take all the hardship of the army upon myself, whether I claim lives or lay down my own.'”
#59
از این پس به تخت و کله ننگرم
✦
جز از ترگ رومی نبیند سرم
“'Henceforth I shall look upon no throne or crown; my head shall know nothing save a Roman helmet.'”
#60
ز گفتار او شاد شد شهریار
✦
دلش تازه شد چون گل اندر بهار
“The monarch was gladdened by his words, and his heart blossomed anew like a flower in spring.”
#61
چو تاج خور روشن آمد پدید
✦
سپیده ز خم کمان بردمید
“When the sun's radiant crown appeared and dawn broke from the curve of the sky's bow,”
#62
سپهبد بیامد به نزدیک شاه
✦
ابا او بزرگان ایران سپاه
“The commander came into the King's presence, accompanied by the noble chieftains of Iran's host.”
#63
بدیشان چنین گفت شاه جهان
✦
که هرگز پی کین نگردد نهان
“The King of the world addressed them, saying, 'The pursuit of vengeance must never remain hidden.'”
#64
ز تور و ز سلم اندر آمد سخن
✦
ازان کین پیشین و رزم کهن
“'Speech turned to Tur and Salm, to that ancient enmity and battle of old.'”
#65
چنین ننگ بر شاه ایران نبود
✦
زمین پر ز خون دلیران نبود
“'Never before had such shame befallen the King of Iran, nor was the land so drenched in brave men's blood.'”
#66
همه کوه پر خون گودرزیان
✦
به زنار خونین ببسته میان
“'All the mountain is soaked with the blood of Goudarz's clan, their waists bound in bloody girdles.'”
#67
همان مرغ و ماهی بر ایشان بزار
✦
بگرید به دریا و بر کوهسار
“'Even the birds and fish weep bitterly for them, in the seas and upon the mountain heights.'”
#68
از ایران همه دشت تورانیان
✦
سر و دست و پایست و پشت و میان
“'The entire plain of Turan is strewn with heads, hands, feet, torsos, and waists of Iranian warriors.'”
#69
شما را همه شادمانیست رای
✦
به کینه نجنبد همی دل ز جای
“'Yet you all seem intent only on pleasure; your hearts stir not with vengeance!'”
#70
دلیران همه دست کرده به کش
✦
به پیش خداوند خورشیدفش
“The brave warriors stood with hands folded upon their breasts before the sun-like monarch.”
#71
همه همگنان خاک دادند بوس
✦
چو رهام و گرگین، چو گودرز و طوس
“They all kissed the dust—Rohham, Gorgin, Goudarz, and Tus,”
#72
چو خراد با زنگهٔ شاوران
✦
دگر بیژن و گیو و کنداوران
“Along with Khorrad, Zangey-e Shavaran, Bizhan, Giv, and the rest of the valiant heroes,”
#73
که ای شاه نیک‌اختر و شیردل
✦
ببرده ز شیران به شمشیر دل
“Saying, 'O fortunate and lion-hearted King, who takes the heart out of lions with your sword!'”
#74
همه یک به یک پیش تو بنده‌ایم
✦
ز تشویر خسرو سرافگنده‌ایم
“'We are all your servants, one and all, our heads bowed in shame before Khosrow.'”
#75
اگر جنگ فرمان دهد شهریار
✦
همه سرفشانیم در کارزار
“'If the monarch commands war, we shall all lay down our heads upon the field of battle.'”
#76
سپهدار پس گیو را پیش خواند
✦
به تخت گرانمایگان برنشاند
“The commander then summoned Giv, and seated him upon the throne of the nobles.”
#77
فراوانش بستود و بنواختش
✦
بسی خلعت و نیکوی ساختش
“He praised him greatly and bestowed favors upon him, granting him many robes of honor and gifts.”
#78
بدو گفت کاندر جهان رنج من
✦
تو بردی و بی‌بهری از گنج من
“He said to him, 'In this world, you bore hardship for my sake, yet you gained no share of my treasure.'”
#79
نباید که بی رای تو پیل و کوس
✦
سوی جنگ راند سپهدار طوس
“'Let it not be that without your counsel Commander Tus lead the host to war with war-elephants and drums.'”
#80
به تندی مکن سهمگین کار خرد
✦
که روشن‌روان باد بهرام گرد
“'Do not rashly treat serious matters with levity; and may the soul of the hero Bahram shine ever bright!'”
#81
ز گفتار بدگوی وز نام و ننگ
✦
جهان کرد بر خویشتن تار و تنگ
“Driven by the words of malicious slanderers and bound by pride and shame, he made the wide world dark and narrow for himself.”