When the initial covenant between Zahhak and the Evil One was bound, Iblis devised a new and sinister ploy to deepen the root of dark magic upon the earth. Taking the form of an eloquent, insightful, and clever youth, he presented himself at the court of Zahhak as a master cook capable of preparing unheard-of delicacies. Zahhak entrusted him with the keys to the royal kitchen. In those ancient days, nourishing men upon the flesh of living creatures was uncommon; yet Iblis first served dishes of golden egg yolks, and then proceeded to entice the king with the flesh of partridges, white pheasants, tender lambs, and the loins of young bulls seasoned with saffron, rosewater, and aged wine. Through these blood-laden feasts, he infused the ruler's heart with the wild ferocity of a lion, binding his very soul to the demon's will.
On the fourth day, captivated by the unmatched flavors of the feast, Zahhak summoned his cook, lavished praises upon him, and bade him ask for whatever his heart desired. The deceitful demon feigned humbleness, declaring that his sole wish was to plant a kiss upon the king's shoulders. Zahhak, blind to the treachery, granted the request. The demon leaned forward, kissed both shoulders of the king, and instantly vanished into the earth like smoke. In that very moment, two writhing black serpents erupted from Zahhak's shoulders like branches sprouting from a tree. Distraught, the tyrant king ordered them severed, yet whenever they were cut away, they grew back anew.
Sages and physicians assembled from across the realm, attempting every potion, incantation, and remedy, yet none could heal the monarch's dreadful affliction. Then Iblis re-emerged, taking the guise of a venerable physician. He approached Zahhak and declared that these serpents were a cosmic destiny that must not be cut; rather, they had to be appeased with food. He laid down a terrible cure: the serpents must be fed nothing other than the brains of young human beings, so that through such nourishment they might eventually perish. Thus did Iblis set in motion his dark design—a stealthy scheme to wipe the human race from the face of the earth.
#1
چو ابلیس پیوسته دید آن سخن
✦
یکی بند بد را نو افگند بن
“When Iblis saw that his scheme had taken hold, he laid the foundation for a new and evil trap.”
#2
بدو گفت گر سوی من تافتی
✦
ز گیتی همه کام دل یافتی
“He said to him, 'Since you turned toward me, you have obtained all the heart's desires of the world.'”
#3
اگر همچنین نیز پیمان کنی
✦
نپیچی ز گفتار و فرمان کنی
“'If you keep this covenant likewise, and do not turn away from my words and commands...'”
#4
جهان سربه‌سر پادشاهی تو راست
✦
دد و مردم و مرغ و ماهی تو راست
“'...the world entirely shall be your realm; beasts, humans, birds, and fish shall all belong to you.'”
#5
چو این کرده شد ساز دیگر گرفت
✦
یکی چاره کرد از شگفتی شگفت
“When this covenant was sealed, he devised another trick—a wondrous and marvelously insidious plan.”
#6
جوانی برآراست از خویشتن
✦
سخنگوی و بینا دل و رایزن
“He disguised himself in the guise of a youth—eloquent, insightful, and wise in counsel.”
#7
همیدون به ضحاک بنهاد روی
✦
نبودش به جز آفرین گفت و گوی
“Thus he presented himself before Zahhak, speaking nothing but praise and admiration.”
#8
بدو گفت اگر شاه را در خورم
✦
یکی نامور پاک خوالیگرم
“He said to him, 'If I am worthy of the King, I am a renowned and spotless cook.'”
#9
چو بشنید ضحاک بنواختش
✦
ز بهر خورش جایگه ساختش
“When Zahhak heard this, he welcomed him and granted him a place to prepare food.”
#10
کلید خورش خانهٔ پادشا
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بدو داد دستور فرمانروا
“The ruler's minister handed him the key to the royal kitchen.”
#11
فراوان نبود آن زمان پرورش
✦
که کمتر بد از خوردنی‌ها خورش
“In those days, culinary arts were simple, and cooked dishes were few.”
#12
ز هر گوشت از مرغ و از چارپای
✦
خورشگر بیاورد یک یک به جای
“From the flesh of birds and beasts of four legs, the cook prepared dishes one by one.”
#13
به خونش بپرورد بر سان شیر
✦
بدان تا کند پادشا را دلیر
“He nourished the king with meat and blood like a fierce lion, to make him bold and ferocious.”
#14
سخن هر چه گویدش فرمان کند
✦
به فرمان او دل گروگان کند
“So that whatever Iblis commanded, Zahhak would obey, surrendering his heart completely to his will.”
#15
خورش زردهٔ خایه دادش نخست
✦
بدان داشتش یک زمان تندرست
“First he served him dishes made of egg yolks, maintaining his strength for a time.”
#16
بخورد و بر او آفرین کرد سخت
✦
مزه یافت خواندش ورا نیک‌بخت
“Zahhak ate and praised him fervently; delighting in the flavor, he called him fortunate.”
#17
چنین گفت ابلیس نیرنگ‌ساز
✦
که شادان زی ای شاه گردنفراز
“The deceitful Iblis replied, 'Live joyfully, O exalted king!'”
#18
که فردات از آن گونه سازم خورش
✦
کز او باشدت سربه‌سر پرورش
“'For tomorrow I shall prepare such a feast that will nourish you entirely.'”
#19
برفت و همه شب سگالش گرفت
✦
که فردا ز خوردن چه سازد شگفت
“He departed and pondered all night long what wondrous dish to prepare for the morning.”
#20
خورش‌ها ز کبک و تذرو سپید
✦
بسازید و آمد دلی پر امید
“He crafted delicacies from partridge and white pheasant, returning with a hopeful heart.”
#21
شه تازیان چون به نان دست برد
✦
سر کم خرد مهر او را سپرد
“As the Arab king reached for the food, his foolish head surrendered its affection entirely to him.”
#22
سیم روز خوان را به مرغ و بره
✦
بیاراستش گونه گون یک‌سره
“On the third day, he adorned the table with various dishes of fowl and lamb.”
#23
به روز چهارم چو بنهاد خوان
✦
خورش ساخت از پشت گاو جوان
“On the fourth day, as he laid the table, he served a dish made from the loin of a young bull.”
#24
بدو اندرون زعفران و گلاب
✦
همان سالخورده می و مشک ناب
“In it were saffron, rosewater, aged wine, and pure musk.”
#25
چو ضحاک دست اندر آورد و خورد
✦
شگفت آمدش زان هشیوار مرد
“When Zahhak tasted it, he marvelled at the wisdom and skill of that man.”
#26
بدو گفت بنگر که از آرزوی
✦
چه خواهی بگو با من ای نیک‌خوی
“He said to him, 'Consider what wish you hold in your heart, and speak it to me, O good-natured man!'”
#27
خورشگر بدو گفت کای پادشا
✦
همیشه بزی شاد و فرمانروا
“The cook replied, 'O King, live forever happy and ruling!'”
#28
مرا دل سراسر پر از مهر تو است
✦
همه توشهٔ جانم از چهر تو است
“'My heart is filled entirely with love for you, and all my soul's sustenance comes from seeing your face.'”
#29
یکی حاجتستم به نزدیک شاه
✦
و گرچه مرا نیست این پایگاه
“'I have a single plea before the King, though I am not worthy of such a rank.'”
#30
که فرمان دهد تا سر کتف اوی
✦
ببوسم بدو بر نهم چشم و روی
“'That he permit me to kiss the top of his shoulders, and lay my eyes and face upon them.'”
#31
چو ضحاک بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
نهانی ندانست بازار اوی
“When Zahhak heard his words, he did not discern the secret evil behind his display.”
#32
بدو گفت دارم من این کام تو
✦
بلندی بگیرد از این نام تو
“He said, 'I grant your request; your name shall be exalted by this.'”
#33
بفرمود تا دیو چون جفت او
✦
همی بوسه داد از بر سفت او
“He allowed the demon, like a companion, to plant kisses upon both his shoulders.”
#34
ببوسید و شد بر زمین ناپدید
✦
کس اندر جهان این شگفتی ندید
“He kissed them and vanished into the earth; no one in the world had ever seen such a marvel.”
#35
دو مار سیه از دو کتفش برست
✦
غمی گشت و از هر سویی چاره جست
“Two black serpents sprouted from his two shoulders; he grew distraught and sought remedies from every side.”
#36
سرانجام ببرید هر دو ز کفت
✦
سزد گر بمانی بدین در شگفت
“At last, he cut them both from his shoulders—a sight that leaves one frozen in wonder.”
#37
چو شاخ درخت آن دو مار سیاه
✦
برآمد دگر باره از کتف شاه
“Like tree branches, those two black serpents grew forth once again from the king's shoulders.”
#38
پزشکان فرزانه گرد آمدند
✦
همه یک به یک داستان‌ها زدند
“Wise physicians assembled from all around, discussing every remedy and ancient tale.”
#39
ز هر گونه نیرنگ‌ها ساختند
✦
مر آن درد را چاره نشناختند
“They devised potions and spells of every kind, yet found no cure for his agony.”
#40
به سان پزشکی پس ابلیس تفت
✦
به فرزانگی نزد ضحاک رفت
“Then Iblis swiftly returned in the guise of a wise physician and approached Zahhak.”
#41
بدو گفت کاین بودنی کار بود
✦
بمان تا چه گردد نباید درود
“He said to him, 'This was destined to happen; let it be and do not cut them down.'”
#42
خورش ساز و آرامشان ده به خورد
✦
نباید جز این چاره‌ای نیز کرد
“'Prepare food for them and soothe them by feeding; no other remedy will avail.'”
#43
به جز مغز مردم مده‌شان خورش
✦
مگر خود بمیرند از این پرورش
“'Feed them with nothing other than human brains; perchance they may die from such nourishment.'”
#44
نگر تا که ابلیس از این گفت‌وگوی
✦
چه کرد و چه خواست اندر این جستجوی
“Behold what Iblis intended by this advice, and what aim he pursued in this quest!”
#45
مگر تا یکی چاره سازد نهان
✦
که پردخته گردد ز مردم جهان
“He sought a hidden scheme so that the world might be emptied of humankind.”