By divine grace, fate took a compassionate turn for young Bizhan, shattering the ominous dark design cast upon him. As the executioners cleared the ground to erect the high gallows tree and secure the binding rope, Piran-e Veyse, the noble Turanian elder, appeared from afar. Seeing the heavily armed Turanian ranks and the high gallows, Piran halted his steed and inquired whose blood was to stain the earth. Garsivaz stepped forward, announcing that the bound captive was Bizhan—the bitter Iranian enemy who had brought disgrace upon King Afrasiab.
Piran rode closer to the youth. Seeing Bizhan stripped, wounded in heart, his lips parched and his face drained of color with his hands bound behind him like stone, Piran wept. He listened to Bizhan's tragic account of how misfortune had ensnared him. Filled with pity, Piran immediately commanded the guards to pause the execution, promising to seek an audience with the King to show him the righteous path indicated by the stars.
Piran hastened to the royal court, crossing his arms reverently before Afrasiab's throne and bestowing high praise upon the monarch. Afrasiab greeted his most trusted advisor with laughter, offering him gold, jewels, or rulership over any realm he desired. But Piran bowed, kissed the ground, and declared that his request was neither for wealth nor land, for no servant of the King lacked riches. Instead, he raised his voice to offer stern counsel.
He reminded Afrasiab of past foolishness, notably the murder of Prince Siyavash, which had brought devastating war upon Turan, trampling two-thirds of their people beneath Iranian hooves. "The sword of Zal's line has not yet rested in its scabbard!" Piran warned. "Rostam still shakes his head with fury, dripping blood upon the sun! If you shed Bizhan's blood now, a terrible fire of vengeance will rise once more. You know full well the wrath of Gev, the iron-clawed Gudarz, and Rostam the dragon of calamity!"
Piran's wise council poured water over Afrasiab's fiery rage. Though the King bemoaned the eternal shame brought upon his royal line by his reckless daughter Manizheh, he conceded to Piran's wisdom. He ordered Garsivaz to commute the death sentence to severe imprisonment: Bizhan was to be bound from head to toe in heavy iron chains, cast upside down into a deep, pitch-black pit, and the mouth of the pit was to be sealed with the legendary, massive stone of Akvan Div.
Furthermore, Afrasiab commanded that Manizheh be stripped of her royal robes, her treasures looted, and she be cast out bareheaded and barefoot into the wilderness beside the pit. Devastated and weeping tears of blood, Manizheh wandered the outskirts by day begging for crusts of bread, which she dropped through the small opening of the stone to keep her imprisoned lover alive.
#1
ببخشود یزدان جوانیش را
✦
بهم برشکست آن گمانیش را
“God pitied his youth and shattered the dark suspicion that hovered over him.”
#2
کننده همی کند جای درخت
✦
پدید آمد از دور پیران ز بخت
“As the woodcutter was preparing the place for the gallows tree, Piran appeared from afar by good fortune.”
#3
چو پیران ویسه بدانجا رسید
✦
همه راه ترک کمربسته دید
“When Piran-e Veyse arrived at that spot, he saw the road lined with armed Turanian guards.”
#4
یکی دار برپای کرده بلند
✦
کمندی برو بسته چون پای بند
“A tall gallows was set up, with a noose tied to it like a fetter.”
#5
ز ترکان بپرسید کین دار چیست
✦
در شاه را از در دار کیست
“He asked the Turks: 'What is this gallows for? Who is being brought to the gallows from the King's door?'”
#6
بدو گفت گرسیوز این بیژنست
✦
از ایران کجا شاه را دشمنست
“Garsivaz said to him: 'This is Bizhan, an enemy of the King from the land of Iran.'”
#7
بزد اسب و آمد بر بیژنا
✦
جگر خسته دیدش برهنه تنا
“Piran spurred his horse and came up to Bizhan; he saw him heart-wounded and naked of body.”
#8
دو دست از پس پشت بسته چو سنگ
✦
دهن خشک و رفته ز رخساره رنگ
“His two hands bound behind his back like stone, his mouth dry and the color drained from his face.”
#9
بپرسید و گفتش که چون آمدی
✦
از ایران همانا بخون آمدی
“Piran questioned him and said: 'How came you here? Surely you came from Iran seeking your own blood!'”
#10
همه داستان بیژن او را بگفت
✦
چنانچون رسیدش ز بدخواه جفت
“Bizhan told him his entire story, just as misfortune had befallen him through his ill-willed companion.”
#11
ببخشود پیران ویسه بروی
✦
ز مژگان سرشکش فرو شد بروی
“Piran-e Veyse took pity on him, and tears streamed from his eyelashes down his face.”
#12
بفرمود تا یک زمانش بدار
✦
نکردند و گفتا هم ایدر بدار
“He commanded them not to execute him for a while, saying: 'Hold him right here for a moment.'”
#13
بدان تا ببینم یکی روی شاه
✦
نمایم بدو اختر نیک راه
“'Until I see the King's face and show him the righteous path revealed by the stars.'”
#14
بکاخ اندر آمد پرستارفش
✦
بر شاه با دست کرده بکش
“He entered the palace respectfully, coming before the King with hands crossed over his chest.”
#15
بیامد دمان تا بنزدیک تخت
✦
بر افراسیاب آفرین کرد سخت
“Swiftly he approached the throne and offered magnificent praise to Afrasiab.”
#16
همی بود در پیش تختش بپای
✦
چو دستور پاکیزه و رهنمای
“He stood waiting before his throne, like a pure advisor and righteous guide.”
#17
سپهبد بدانست کز آرزوی
✦
بپایست پیران آزاده خوی
“The commander knew that noble Piran stood there with a heart full of request.”
#18
بخندید و گفتش چه خواهی بگوی
✦
ترا بیشتر نزد من آبروی
“Afrasiab smiled and said to him: 'Speak what you wish, for you hold high honor in my eyes.'”
#19
اگر زر خواهی و گر گوهرا
✦
و گر پادشاهی هر کشورا
“'Whether you desire gold, gems, or kingship over any realm...'”
#20
ندارم دریغ از تو من گنج خویش
✦
چرا برگزینی همی رنج خویش
“'I will not withhold my treasure from you; why do you choose hardship for yourself?'”
#21
چو بشنید پیران خسرو پرست
✦
زمین را ببوسید و بر پای جست
“When Piran, devoted servant of the King, heard this, he kissed the ground and sprang to his feet.”
#22
که جاوید بادا ترا بخت و جای
✦
مبادا ز تخت تو پردخته جای
“Saying: 'May your fortune and throne endure forever; may your realm never be empty of your rule!'”
#23
ز شاهان گیتی ستایش تراست
✦
ز خورشید برتر نمایش تراست
“'Praise from all the world's kings belongs to you; your splendor shines higher than the sun.'”
#24
مرا هرچ باید ببخت تو هست
✦
ز مردان وز گنج و نیروی دست
“'Whatever I require I possess through your fortune—men, treasure, and physical power.'”
#25
مرا این نیاز از در خویش نیست
✦
کس از کهتران تو درویش نیست
“'I have no personal need at your door, for none of your servants are poor.'”
#26
بداند شهنشاه برترمنش
✦
ستوده بهر کار بی‌سرزنش
“'Let the exalted King know, praised in every deed and free of fault...'”
#27
که من شاه را پیش ازین چند بار
✦
همی دادمی پند بر چند کار
“'That several times before, I offered counsel to the King on various matters.'”
#28
بفرمان من هیچ نامد فراز
✦
ازو داشتم کارها دست باز
“'My advice was not heeded, and so I washed my hands of those affairs.'”
#29
مکش گفتمت پور کاوس را
✦
که دشمن کنی رستم و طوس را
“'I told you: Do not kill the son of Kavus (Siyavash), lest you make bitter enemies of Rostam and Tus!'”
#30
کز ایران بپیلان بکوبندمان
✦
ز هم بگسلانند پیوندمان
“'For they will march from Iran with war-elephants to crush us and sever our ties forever!'”
#31
سیاوش که بود از نژاد کیان
✦
ز بهر تو بسته کمر بر میان
“'Siyavash was of noble Kianid blood, who had girded his loins in service to you.'”
#32
بکشتی بخیره سیاوش را
✦
بزهر اندر آمیختی نوش را
“'Yet you foolishly slew Siyavash; you mixed deadly poison into sweet elixir!'”
#33
بدیدی بدیهای ایرانیان
✦
که کردند با شهر تورانیان
“'You saw the calamities the Iranians inflicted upon the realm of Turan.'”
#34
ز ترکان دو بهره بپای ستور
✦
سپردند و شد بخت را آب شور
“'Two-thirds of the Turks were trampled under war-horses, and our good fortune turned bitter!'”
#35
هنوز آن سر تیغ دستان سام
✦
همانا نیاسود اندر نیام
“'The edge of the sword of Dastan-e Sam (Zal and Rostam) has surely not yet rested in its scabbard,'”
#36
که رستم همی سرفشاند ازوی
✦
بخورشید بر خون چکاند ازوی
“'For Rostam still shakes his head with fury, dripping blood upon the very sun!'”
#37
بآرام بر کینه جویی همی
✦
گل زهر خیره ببویی همی
“'Will you seek vengeance while seeking peace? Foolishly smelling the toxic blossom?'”
#38
اگر خون بیژن بریزی برین
✦
ز توران برآید همان گرد کین
“'If you shed Bizhan's blood now, the same dust of vengeance will rise from Turan!'”
#39
خردمند شاهی و ما کهترا
✦
تو چشم خرد باز کن بنگرا
“'You are a wise king and we are your servants; open the eye of wisdom and observe!'”
#40
نگه کن ازان کین که گستردیا
✦
ابا شاه ایران چه بر خوردیا
“'Look at the hatred you sowed before—what fruit did you reap from war with the King of Iran?'”
#41
هم آنرا همی خواستار آوری
✦
درخت بلا را ببار آوری
“'Will you seek the same mistake again, bringing the tree of calamity to bear fruit?'”
#42
چو کینه دو گردد نداریم پای
✦
ایا پهلوان جهان کدخدای
“'When vengeance doubles, we cannot withstand it, O lord-champion of the world!'”
#43
به از تو نداند کسی گیو را
✦
نهنگ بلا رستم نیو را
“'No one knows Gev better than you, or Rostam the brave dragon of calamity!'”
#44
چو گودرز کشواد پولادچنگ
✦
که آید ز بهر نبیره بجنگ
“'Or Gudarz-e Kashvad of iron claws, who will wage war for the sake of his grandson!'”
#45
چو برزد بران آتش تیز آب
✦
چنین داد پاسخ پس افراسیاب
“When Piran poured water on that fierce fire, Afrasiab answered him thus...”
#46
که بیژن نبینی که با من چه کرد
✦
بایران و توران شدم روی زرد
“Do you not see what Bijan hath done to me, making me pale with shame before Iran and Turan?”
#47
نبینی کزین بدهنر دخترم
✦
چه رسوایی آمد بپیران سرم
“Dost thou not behold what disgrace this vile daughter of mine hath brought upon my aged head?”
#48
همان نام پوشیده رویان من
✦
ز پرده بگسترد بر انجمن
“She hath laid bare the names of my veiled ladies of the harem, unveiling their secrets before the whole assembly.”
#49
کزین ننگ تا جاودان بر سرم
✦
بخندد همی کشور و لشکرم
“Because of this shame, my kingdom and my host shall mock me forevermore.”
#50
چنو یابد از من رهایی بجان
✦
گشایند بر من ز هر سو زبان
“If he escapeth from my hands with his life, tongues will wag against me from every side.”
#51
برسوایی اندر بمانم بدرد
✦
بپالایم از دیدگان آب زرد
“I shall remain bound in painful disgrace, shedding bitter, sallow tears from mine eyes.”
#52
دگر آفرین کرد پیران بدوی
✦
که ای شاه نیک اختر راست‌گوی
“Then Piran praised him once more, saying, 'O fortunate and truthful King,”
#53
چنینست کین شاه گوید همی
✦
جز از نیک نامی نجوید همی
“It is indeed as the King sayeth; he seeketh naught save a goodly name.”
#54
ولیکن بدین رای هشیار من
✦
یکی بنگرد ژرف سالار من
“Yet let my lord look deeply into this prudent counsel of mine:'”
#55
ببندد مر او را ببند گران
✦
کجا دار و کشتن گزیند بران
“Bind him in heavy fetters, choosing this over the gallows and execution.”
#56
هر آنکو بزندان تو بسته ماند
✦
ز دیوانها نام او کس نخواند
“Whoever remaineth imprisoned in thy dungeon shall have his name erased from all royal records.”
#57
ازو پند گیرند ایرانیان
✦
نبندند ازین پس بدی را میان
“Thus shall the Iranians take warning, and never again gird themselves for evil deeds.”
#58
چنان کرد سالار کو رای دید
✦
دلش با زبان شاه بر جای دید
“The sovereign acted as he deemed best, for he found the wisdom of his heart matched by the words of the kingly minister.”
#59
ز دستور پاکیزهٔ راهبر
✦
درفشان شود شاه بر گاه بر
“Through a pure and guiding minister, a monarch shines resplendent upon his throne.”
#60
بگرسیوز آنگه بفرمود شاه
✦
که بند گران ساز و تاریک چاه
“Then the King commanded Garsivaz, 'Prepare heavy chains and a pit of pitch darkness.”
#61
دو دستش بزنجیر و گردن بغل
✦
یکی بند رومی بکردار مل
“Bind both his hands in chains and his neck in a wooden collar, securing him with Roman bonds like liquid pitch.”
#62
ببندش به مسمار آهنگران
✦
ز سر تا بپایش ببند اندران
“Fasten him with iron nails; bind him tightly from head to foot.”
#63
چو بستی نگون اندر افگن بچاه
✦
چو بی‌بهره گردد ز خورشید و ماه
“When thou hast bound him, cast him upside down into the pit, so that he may be bereft of the sun and moon.”
#64
ببر پیل و آن سنگ اکوان دیو
✦
که از ژرف دریای گیهان خدیو
“Take elephants and bring that boulder of Akvan Div, which the sovereign of the world cast from the deep ocean,”
#65
فگندست در بیشهٔ چین ستان
✦
بیاور ز بیژن بدان کین ستان
“And dropped into the forest of China; fetch it to take vengeance upon Bijan.”
#66
بپیلان گردون کش آن سنگ را
✦
که پوشد سر چاه ارژنگ را
“Drag that stone with heavy-laden elephants, that it may seal the opening of Arzhang's pit.”
#67
بیاور سر چاه او را بپوش
✦
بدان تا بزاری برآیدش هوش
“Bring it and cover the top of his pit, so that his soul may depart in utter misery.”
#68
وز آنجا بایوان آن بی‌هنر
✦
منیژه کزو ننگ یابد گهر
“And from there go to the palace of that unworthy girl, Manijeh, through whom our lineage hath suffered shame.”
#69
برو با سواران و تاراج کن
✦
نگون‌بخت را بی سر و تاج کن
“Go with horsemen and plunder it completely; render that ill-fated girl crownless and headstrong.”
#70
بگو ای بنفرین شوریده بخت
✦
که بر تو نزیبد همی تاج و تخت
“Say unto her, 'O accursed and wretched one, neither crown nor throne befitteth thee!”
#71
به ننگ از کیان پست کردی سرم
✦
بخاک اندر انداختی افسرم
“With shame thou hast humbled my royal head, and cast my crown into the dust.'”
#72
برهنه کشانش ببر تا بچاه
✦
که در چاه بین آنک دیدی بگاه
“Drag her bare and lead her to the pit, that in the dungeon she may behold him whom she once saw upon the throne.”
#73
بهارش توی غمگسارش توی
✦
درین تنگ زندان زوارش توی
“Thou art his spring and his comforter; now be his visitor in this narrow prison!”
#74
خرامید گرسیوز از پیش اوی
✦
بکردند کام بداندیش اوی
“Garsivaz departed from his presence, and they carried out the malicious desire of the King.”
#75
کشان بیژن گیو از پیش دار
✦
ببردند بسته بران چاهسار
“Dragging Bijan, son of Giv, from before the gallows, they led him bound toward that dark pit.”
#76
ز سر تا به پایش به آهن ببست
✦
بر و بازوی و گردن و پای و دست
“They bound him in iron from head to foot—his chest, arms, neck, feet, and hands.”
#77
بپولاد خایسک آهنگران
✦
فروبرد مسمارهای گران
“With steel sledgehammers, the blacksmiths drove heavy iron nails into his fetters.”
#78
نگونش بچاه اندر انداختند
✦
سر چاه را بند بر ساختند
“They cast him headlong into the pit, and firmly secured the mouth of the well.”
#79
وز آنجا بایوان آن دخترش
✦
بیاورد گرسیوز آن لشکرش
“From there, Garsivaz led his host unto the palace of the King's daughter.”
#80
همه گنج و گوهر بتاراج داد
✦
ازین بدره بستد بدان تاج داد
“He gave all her treasure and jewels to plunder, taking from this purse and bestowing upon that crown.”
#81
منیژه برهنه بیک چادرا
✦
برهنه دو پای و گشاده سرا
“Manizheh was driven forth clad in a single veil, bare of foot and with her head unveiled.”
#82
کشیدش دوان تا بدان چاهسار
✦
دو دیده پر از خون و رخ جویبار
“They dragged her weeping swiftly to the pit, her eyes filled with blood and her cheeks streaming like rivers.”
#83
بدو گفت اینک ترا خان و مان
✦
زواری برین بسته تا جاودان
“They said to her: 'Behold now your home and abode; here shall you remain bound in grief forever.'”
#84
غریوان همی گشت بر گرد دشت
✦
چو یک روز و یک شب برو بر گذشت
“When a day and a night had passed over her, she wandered around the plain, weeping and wailing in misery.”
#85
خروشان بیامد بنزدیک چاه
✦
یکی دست را اندرو کرد راه
“Loudly lamenting, she came near the pit and reached her hand inside through the opening.”
#86
چو از کوه خورشید سر برزدی
✦
منیژه ز هر در همی نان چدی
“Whenever the sun crested the mountain peak, Manizheh would beg for bread from door to door.”
#87
همی گرد کردی بروز دراز
✦
بسوراخ چاه آوریدی فراز
“Throughout the long day she would gather morsels, and bring them up to the opening of the pit.”
#88
ببیژن سپردی و بگریستی
✦
بران شوربختی همی زیستی
“She would hand the bread to Bizhan and weep, enduring her life in such wretched misfortune.”