Darkness fell upon the Kianian court when tidings reached King Kay Khosrow that Piran Visseh had emerged victorious in battle, forcing General Tus and the surviving Iranian host to flee to the rugged slopes of Mount Hamavan. The ancient halls of Gudarz, son of Kashvad, stood emptied of their valiant champions, while the stars themselves seemed to weep over the fallen warriors whose blood soaked the dust. Seeing the fortune of Tus overturned and his realm endangered, the righteous King summoned the mighty Rostam, alongside the wisest mobads and counselors of the realm.
Before the assembled council, Kay Khosrow spoke with a heavy heart of the fickle nature of Fate and his fear that the empire's luck was slipping into darkness. Turning his gaze to Rostam, the King hailed him as the pillar of the crown, the radiant soul of Iran, whose spear-tip commands the heavens and whose hands ripped the heart from the White Demon. He recounted how Tus, Giv, and Gudarz were trapped on Mount Hamavan, praying to Yazdan for Rostam’s arrival. The King confessed that for three days he had wept in secret, calling upon the Creator, and now laid all the realm's gold, steeds, armor, and legions at Rostam's feet.
Rostam touched his forehead to the throne and swore eternal allegiance. He recounted his lifelong devotion since the reign of Kay Qobad—how he had traversed bleak deserts, conquered dragons, demons, and sorcerers, and faced the terrible iron maces of Mazandaran and Turan without a single day of unburdened joy. Grieved by the slaughter of the house of Gudarz, Rostam vowed to avenge the fallen and drive back the Turanians. Kay Khosrow wept tears of gratitude, placing the royal treasury and thirty thousand elite swordsmen under Rostam’s command. With Fariburz leading the advance guard to rally Tus, Rostam prepared to sweep toward Mount Hamavan like a roaring gale.
#1
ازان پس چو آمد به‌خسرو خبر
✦
که پیران شد از رزم پیروزگر
“Thereafter, when news reached King Kay Khosrow that Piran had emerged victorious from the battle,”
#2
سپهبد به‌کوه هماون کشید
✦
ز لشکر بسی گرد شد ناپدید
“The Iranian commander retreated to Mount Hamavan, while many a warrior vanished from the host,”
#3
در کاخ گودرز کشوادگان
✦
تهی شد ز گردان و آزادگان
“The portal of the hall of Gudarz, son of Kashvad, became emptied of noble heroes and freeborn warriors.”
#4
ستاره بر ایشان بنالد همی
✦
به‌بالینشان خون بپالد همی
“The very stars weep over their fate, as blood trickles down upon their pillows.”
#5
ازیشان جهان پر ز خاک است و خون
✦
بلند اختر طوس گشته نگون
“Because of their slaughter, the world is filled with dust and blood, and the high star of Tus has fallen low.”
#6
بفرمود تا رستم پیلتن
✦
خرامد به‌درگاه با انجمن
“The King commanded elephant-bodied Rostam to present himself at court with the assembly.”
#7
برفتند ز ایران همه بخردان
✦
جهاندیده و نامور موبدان
“All the wise men of Iran gathered, world-wise veterans and renowned mobads.”
#8
سر نامداران زبان برگشاد
✦
ز پیکار لشکر بسی کرد یاد
“The leader of champions opened his lips and spoke much of the army's bloody conflict.”
#9
به رستم چنین گفت کای سرفراز
✦
بترسم که این دولت دیریاز
“He said to Rostam: 'O exalted hero, I fear that this long-enduring fortune of ours,'”
#10
همی برگراید به‌سوی نشیب
✦
دلم شد ز کردار او پرنهیب
“'Is now turning downward toward decline; my heart has grown filled with dread at these events.'”
#11
توی پروارنندهٔ تاج و تخت
✦
فروغ از تو گیرد جهاندار بخت
“'Thou art the nurturer of crown and throne, and the fortune of the world's king derives its luster from thee.'”
#12
دل چرخ در نوک شمشیر تست
✦
سپهر و زمان و زمین زیر تست
“'The heart of the sky rests upon the point of thy sword; heaven, time, and earth are beneath thy power.'”
#13
تو کندی دل و مغز دیو سپید
✦
زمانه به مهر تو دارد امید
“'Thou didst tear out the heart and brains of the White Demon; Time itself anchors its hope upon thy favor.'”
#14
زمین گرد رخش ترا چاکر‌ست
✦
زمان بر تو چون مهربان مادر‌ست
“'The earth is a servant to the dust raised by thy Rakhsh; Time is unto thee like a loving mother.'”
#15
ز تیغ تو خورشید بریان شود
✦
ز گرز تو ناهید گریان شود
“'Before thy blade the sun itself is roasted, and under thy mace the planet Venus weeps.'”
#16
ز نیروی پیکان کلک تو شیر
✦
به‌روز بلا گردد از جنگ سیر
“'Through the power of thy reed-like arrow's tip, even the lion is sated with battle on the day of calamity.'”
#17
تو تا برنهادی به‌مردی کلاه
✦
نکرد ایچ دشمن به ایران نگاه
“'Since thou didst don the helm of manhood, no foe hath dared cast a greedy eye upon Iran.'”
#18
کنون گیو و گودرز و طوس و سران
✦
فراوان ازین مرز کنداوران
“'Now Giv, Gudarz, Tus, and the chieftains—many valiant warriors of this borderland—'”
#19
همه دل پر از خون و دیده پرآب
✦
گریزان ز ترکان افراسیاب
“'Have hearts filled with blood and eyes overflowing with tears, fleeing before the Turks of Afrasiab.'”
#20
فراوان ز گودرزیان کشته مرد
✦
شده خاک بستر به دشت نبرد
“'Many men of the lineage of Gudarz lie slain, their bedding turned to dust upon the battlefield.'”
#21
هرانکس کزیشان به جان رسته‌اند
✦
به کوه هماون همه خسته‌اند
“'And those among them who escaped with their lives are all trapped and wounded upon Mount Hamavan,'”
#22
همه سر نهاده سوی آسمان
✦
سوی کردگار مکان و زمان
“'All raising their faces toward the heavens, praying to the Creator of space and time,'”
#23
که ایدر بیاید گو پیلتن
✦
به نیروی یزدان و فرمان من
“'That the elephant-bodied hero might come hither, by the power of God and by my royal command.'”
#24
شب تیره کاین نامه بر خواندم
✦
بسی از جگر خون برافشاندم
“'On the dark night when I read this letter, I shed much blood from my suffering liver.'”
#25
نگفتم سه روز این سخن را به کس
✦
مگر پیش دادار فریاد‌رس
“'For three days I disclosed this word to no man, save in prayer before the Succoring Creator.'”
#26
کنون کار ز اندازه اندر گذشت
✦
دلم زین سخن پر ز تیمار گشت
“'Now the affair hath exceeded all measure, and my heart has grown heavy with sorrow over this matter.'”
#27
امید سپاه و سپهبد به تست
✦
که روشن‌روان بادی و تن درست
“'The hope of the host and the commander rests upon thee; mayest thou be enlightened of soul and healthy of body!'”
#28
سرت سبز باد و دلت شادمان
✦
تن زال دور از بد‌ِ بدگمان
“'May thy head remain green and thy heart joyful; may the body of Zal be kept far from evil intent!'”
#29
ز من هرچ باید فزونی بخواه
✦
ز اسپ و سلیح و ز گنج و سپاه
“'Ask of me whatever abundance thou needest—of horses, arms, treasure, and troops.'”
#30
برو با دلی شاد و رایی درست
✦
نشاید گرفت این چنین کار سست
“'Go forth with a joyful heart and a resolute mind; it is not fitting to treat such a grave task lightly.'”
#31
به پاسخ چنین گفت رستم به شاه
✦
که بی تو مبادا نگین و کلاه
“In response, Rostam said to the King: 'May signet and crown never be deprived of thy presence!'”
#32
که با فر و برزی و با‌رای و داد
✦
ندارد چو تو شاه گردون به‌یاد
“'For with such glory, stature, wisdom, and justice, the heavens remember no monarch like unto thee.'”
#33
شنیده‌ست خسرو که تا کیقباد
✦
کلاه بزرگی بسر بر نهاد
“'The King hath heard that since Kay Qobad placed the crown of greatness upon his head,'”
#34
به‌ایران به‌کین من کمر بسته‌ام
✦
به آرام یک روز ننشسته‌ام
“'I have girded my loins in vengeance for Iran, and have not sat in ease for even a single day.'”
#35
بیابان و تاریکی و دیو و شیر
✦
چه جادو چه از اژدهای دلیر
“'Through wilderness and dark wilderness, against demon and lion, against sorcery and fierce dragons,'”
#36
همان رزم توران و مازندران
✦
شب تیره و گرزهای گران
“'Likewise in the battles of Turan and Mazandaran, under dark nights against heavy maces,'”
#37
هم از تشنگی هم ز راه دراز
✦
گزیدن در رنج بر جای ناز
“'Enduring thirst and long travel, choosing hardship over ease and pleasure,'”
#38
چنین درد و سختی بسی دیده‌ام
✦
که روزی ز شادی نپرسیده‌ام
“'I have experienced such pain and hardship that I have never inquired after joy for even a day.'”
#39
تو شاه نو آیین و من چون رهی
✦
میان بسته‌ام چون تو فرمان دهی
“'Thou art the new-crowned King and I am thy servant; I have girded my loins to execute thy command.'”
#40
شوم با سپاهی کمر بر میان
✦
بگردانم این بد ز ایرانیان
“'I shall march with an army, my belt tight, to turn away this calamity from the Iranians.'”
#41
ازان کشتگان شاه بی‌درد باد
✦
رخ بدسگالان او زرد باد
“'May the King be freed of grief for those slain, and may the faces of his evil-wishers turn pale!'”
#42
ز گودرزیان خود جگر خسته‌ام
✦
کمر بر میان سوگ را بسته‌ام
“'My own heart is wounded for the Gudarzians; I have bound the belt of mourning about my waist.'”
#43
چو بشنید کیخسرو آواز اوی
✦
به رخ برنهاد از دو دیده دو جوی
“When Kay Khosrow heard his valiant voice, tears flowed like two streams down his cheeks.”
#44
بدو گفت بی‌تو نخواهم زمان
✦
نه اورنگ و تاج و نه گرز و کمان
“He said to him: 'Without thee I desire no life, nor throne, nor crown, nor mace and bow!'”
#45
فلک زیر خم کمند تو باد
✦
سر تاجداران به بند تو باد
“'May heaven be trapped beneath the loop of thy lasso, and the heads of crowned kings bound in thy snare!'”
#46
ز دینار و گنج و ز تاج و گهر
✦
کلاه و کمان و کمند و کمر
“Of gold dinars, precious treasures, crowns, and gems; of helmets, bows, lariats, and belts of war,”
#47
بیاورد گنجور خسرو کلید
✦
سر بدره‌های درم بردرید
“The monarch's treasurer brought forth the key, and tore open the seals upon the bags of silver coin.”
#48
همه شاه ایران به رستم سپرد
✦
چنین گفت کای نامبردار گرد
“The King of Iran committed everything to Rostam, saying: "O renowned and glorious paladin,”
#49
جهان گنج و گنجور شمشیر تست
✦
سر سروران جهان زیر تست
“The whole world is a treasure and thy sword its keeper; the heads of all the world's sovereigns are subject to thee.”
#50
تو با گرزداران زاولستان
✦
دلیران و شیران کابلستان
“Thou, alongside the mace-bearing warriors of Zavolestan, and the brave lions of Kabolestan,”
#51
همی‌رو به کردار باد دمان
✦
مجوی و مفرمای جستن زمان
“March forth swiftly like a roaring wind; seek no delay yourself, nor allow any linger on the way."”
#52
ز گردان شمشیر‌زن سی‌هزار
✦
ز لشکر گزین از در کارزار
“Select thirty thousand sword-wielding warriors from the army, choosing men suited for fierce combat.”
#53
فریبرز کاوس را ده سپاه
✦
که او پیش‌رو باشد و کینه‌خواه
“Give command of the vanguard host to Fariburz, son of Kavus, that he may lead the charge seeking vengeance.”
#54
تهمتن زمین را ببوسید و گفت
✦
که با من عنان و رکیب‌ست جفت
“Tahamtan kissed the earth and replied: "Reins and stirrup are ever my constant companions.”
#55
سران را سر اندر شتاب آوریم
✦
مبادا که آرام و خواب آوریم
“We shall spur the commanders into utmost haste, lest we indulge in rest or sleep."”
#56
سپه را درم دادن آغاز کرد
✦
به دشت آمد و رزم را ساز کرد
“He began disbursing coin to the troops, stepped into the open plain, and arrayed the war-gear.”
#57
فریبرز را گفت برکش پگاه
✦
سپاه اندر آور به پیش سپاه
“He commanded Fariburz: "Move out at early dawn, and bring thy force to join the front line.”
#58
نباید که روز و شبان بغنوی
✦
مگر نزد طوس سپهبد شوی
“Slumber neither by day nor by night, until thou hast reached Tous, the grand commander.”
#59
بگویی که در جنگ تندی مکن
✦
فریب زمان جوی و کندی مکن
“Tell him: 'Be not rash and impetuous in war; wait for opportune moments, yet do not lag behind.'”
#60
من اینک به کردار باد دمان
✦
بیایم نجویم بره بر زمان
“I shall follow like a rushing gale, wasting no time whatsoever along the journey."”
#61
چو گرگین میلاد کار آزمای
✦
سپه را زند بر بد و نیک رای
“Let Gurgin, son of Milad, the battle-tested warrior, counsel and guide the host through good and ill fortune.”
#62
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود چهر
✦
بسان بتی با دلی پر ز مهر
“When the radiant sun revealed its face, like a lovely fair idol filled with warm affection,”
#63
بر آمد خروشیدن کرنای
✦
تهمتن بیاورد لشکر ز جای
“The roar of the clarions resounded, and Tahamtan set the mighty host into motion.”
#64
پر اندیشه جان جهاندار شاه
✦
دو فرسنگ با او بیامد به‌راه
“The King of the world, his mind burdened with deep thought, accompanied him two leagues upon the road.”
#65
دو منزل همی‌کرد رستم یکی
✦
نیاسود روز و شبان اندکی
“Rostam covered two days' journey in a single day, resting not a single whit day or night.”