When Gorgin learned that Rostam had arrived at the royal court, he knew that the key to his deliverance had finally come. He dispatched a messenger to the Tahmatan, acknowledging his folly and expressing deep repentance, begging the mighty champion to intercede on his behalf with King Kay Khosrow. Rostam heaved a cold sigh upon receiving the message. He sent back a stern warning that Gorgin had yielded wisdom to base desire, yet promised that if Bizhan were brought back alive through Divine Providence, he would seek the Shah's pardon; otherwise, Goudarz and Giv would exact dire vengeance upon him.
The following day, as King Kay Khosrow sat upon his ivory throne, Rostam bowed deeply and pleaded for Gorgin, recalling his past loyalty and battle-proven valor alongside the King's ancestors. Moved by Rostam's counsel, the Shah revoked his harsh oath and ordered Gorgin freed from the dark dungeon. Khosrow then asked Rostam how he intended to lead an army into Turan to rescue Bizhan. Rostam prudently advised against an open military assault, explaining that the treacherous Afrasiab, driven by malice and fear, would instantly execute Bizhan at the first sound of Iranian war horns.
Instead, Rostam proposed a covert expedition: he and an elite band would disguise themselves as wealthy merchants, traveling into Turan with vast trading caravans to buy and sell while hunting for Bizhan's prison. King Kay Khosrow opened the ancient vaults of Iran, loading one hundred camels with gold dinars and another hundred with silver dirhams. Rostam then selected seven illustrious champions to accompany him: Gorgin, Zangeh-ye Shavaran, Gostaham, Gorazeh, Farhad, Roham, and Ashkash. Stripping away their royal armor and jeweled helmets, the heroes took up the guise of traders, embarking on a perilous secret mission into the heart of enemy territory.
#1
چو گرگین نشان تهمتن شنید
✦
بدانست کآمد غمش را کلید
“When Gorgin heard word of Tahmatan's arrival, he knew the key to his grief had finally come.”
#2
فرستاد نزدیک رستم پیام
✦
که ای تیغ بخت و وفا را نیام
“He sent a message to Rostam: 'O sheath of fortune's blade and noble loyalty!'”
#3
درخت بزرگی و گنج وفا
✦
در رادمردی و بند بلا
“'O tree of greatness and vault of faith, door of chivalry and binder of calamity!'”
#4
گرت رنج ناید ز گفتار من
✦
سخن گسترانی ز کردار من
“'If my words bring you no grievance, pray speak to the King of my wretched plight.'”
#5
نگه کن بدین گنبد گوژپشت
✦
که خیره چراغ دلم را بکشت
“'Look upon this crooked dome of heaven, how blindly it extinguished the lamp of my heart.'”
#6
بتاریکی اندر مرا ره نمود
✦
نوشته چنین بود بود آنچ بود
“'Fate guided me into darkness; thus was it written, and what was written came to pass.'”
#7
بر آتش نهم خویشتن پیش شاه
✦
گر آمرزش آرد مرا زین گناه
“'I would cast myself upon fire before the Shah, if only he might grant me forgiveness for this sin.'”
#8
مگر باز گردد ز بد نام من
✦
بپیران سر این بد سرانجام من
“'Perchance my ill name might turn away, in this old age of mine after such an evil end.'”
#9
مرا گر بخواهی ز شاه جوان
✦
چو غرم ژیان با تو آیم دوان
“'If you request my release from the young King, I shall run at your side like a fierce mountain ram.'”
#10
شوم پیش بیژن بغلتم بخاک
✦
مگر بازیابم من آن کیش پاک
“'I shall go before Bizhan and roll in the dust, that I might reclaim that pure faith of old.'”
#11
چو پیغام گرگین برستم رسید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“When Gorgin's message reached Rostam, he drew a cold sigh from deep within his chest.”
#12
بپیچید ازان درد و پیغام اوی
✦
غم آمدش ازان بیهده کام اوی
“He writhed in sorrow at that message, grieved by Gorgin's futile and selfish desires.”
#13
فرستاده را گفت رو باز گرد
✦
بگویش که ای خیره ناپاک مرد
“He said to the messenger: 'Return to him and say: O foolish and impure man!'”
#14
تو نشنیدی آن داستان پلنگ
✦
بدان ژرف دریا که زد با نهنگ
“'Have you not heard the fable of the leopard in the deep ocean that fought with the shark?'”
#15
که گر بر خرد چیره گردد هوا
✦
نیابد ز چنگ هوا کس رها
“'That if desire overcomes wisdom, no one can escape the clutches of passion?'”
#16
خردمند کرده هوا را بزیر
✦
بود داستانش چو شیر دلیر
“'The wise man who subdues his desires is recounted like a fearless lion in tale and song.'”
#17
نبایدش بردن بنخچیر روی
✦
نه نیز از ددان رنجش آید بدوی
“'He needs not set out for hunting, nor does he suffer harm from wild beasts.'”
#18
تو دستان نمودی چو روباه پیر
✦
ندیدی همی دام نخچیرگیر
“'You acted cunningly like an old fox, failing to see the hunter's snare.'”
#19
نشاید کزین بیهده کام تو
✦
که من پیش خسرو برم نام تو
“'It is not fitting for your idle wish that I should speak your name before Khosrow.'”
#20
ولیکن چو اکنون ببیچارگی
✦
فرو مانده گشتی بیکبارگی
“'Yet, seeing that you are now utterly helpless and stranded in despair,'”
#21
ز خسرو بخواهم گناه ترا
✦
بیفروزم این تیره ماه ترا
“'I shall request pardon for your sin from Khosrow, to illuminate your darkened moon.'”
#22
اگر بیژن از بند یابد رها
✦
بفرمان دادار گیهان خدا
“'If Bizhan gains release from his bonds by the command of the Creator of the world,'”
#23
رهاگشتی از بند و رستی بجان
✦
ز تو دور شد کینهٔ بدگمان
“'You too shall be freed from chains, your life spared, and bad malice turned away from you.'”
#24
وگر جز برین روی گردد سپهر
✦
ز جان و تن خویش بردار مهر
“'But if the heavens turn otherwise, abandon all love for your own body and soul.'”
#25
نخستین من آیم بدین کینه‌خواه
✦
بنیروی یزدان و فرمان شاه
“'I myself shall be the first to seek vengeance upon you, by the power of God and the King's decree.'”
#26
وگر من نیایم چو گودرز و گیو
✦
بخواهد ز تو کینهٔ پور نیو
“'And even if I come not, Goudarz and Giv shall demand the vengeance of that brave hero's son.'”
#27
برآمد برین کار یک روز و شب
✦
و زین گفته بر شاه نگشاد لب
“A day and night passed over this matter, and Rostam did not open his lips to the King.”
#28
دوم روز چون شاه بنمود تاج
✦
نشست از بر سیمگون تخت عاج
“On the second day, when the Shah revealed his crown, sitting upon a silver-encrusted ivory throne,”
#29
بیامد تهمتن بگسترد بر
✦
بخواهش بر شاه خورشید فر
“Tahmatan came forth, bowing low, and offered supplication before the sun-resplendent Shah.”
#30
ز گرگین سخن گفت با شهریار
✦
ازان گم شده بخت و بد روزگار
“He spoke to the monarch of Gorgin, of his lost fortune and miserable fate.”
#31
بدو گفت شاه ای سپهدار من
✦
همی بگسلی بند و زنهار من
“The King said to him: 'O my commander, you are breaking my covenant and my oath!'”
#32
که سوگند خوردم بتخت و کلاه
✦
بدارای بهرام و خورشید و ماه
“'For I swore by throne and crown, by the ruler Bahram, and by the sun and moon,'”
#33
که گرگین نبیند ز من جز بلا
✦
مگر بیژن از بند یابد رها
“'That Gorgin should see nothing from me but torment, unless Bizhan is released from his bonds!'”
#34
جزین آرزو هرچ باید بخواه
✦
ز تخت و ز مهر و ز تیغ و کلاه
“'Ask of me whatever else you wish—of throne, favor, sword, or crown—save this one desire!'”
#35
پس آنگه چنین گفت رستم بشاه
✦
که ای پرهنر نامور پیشگاه
“Then Rostam spoke thus to the King: 'O glorious and noble sovereign!'”
#36
اگر بد سگالید پیچد همی
✦
فدا کردن جان بسیچد همی
“'If an evildoer writhes in remorse and prepares to sacrifice his very life,'”
#37
گر آمرزش شاه نایدش پیش
✦
نبودیش نام و برآید ز کیش
“'If the King's forgiveness comes not to him, his name is destroyed and he strays from faith.'”
#38
هرآن کس که گردد ز راه خرد
✦
سرانجام پیچد ز کردار خود
“'Whoever turns aside from the path of wisdom shall ultimately writhe in agony at his own deeds.'”
#39
سزد گر کنی یاد کردار اوی
✦
همیشه بهر کینه پیکار اوی
“'It is fitting to remember his past deeds, his battle in every vengeful war,'”
#40
بپیش نیاکانت بسته کمر
✦
بهر کینه گه با یکی کینه ور
“'How he stood ready to serve your ancestors, fighting against every enemy in battle.'”
#41
اگر شاه بیند بمن بخشدش
✦
مگر اختر نیک بدرخشدش
“'If the King sees fit, grant him to me, that perchance his fortunate star may shine once more.'”
#42
برستم ببخشید پیروز شاه
✦
رهانیدش از بند و تاریک چاه
“The victorious Shah bestowed Gorgin upon Rostam, freeing him from chains and the dark pit.”
#43
ز رستم بپرسید پس شهریار
✦
که چون راند خواهی برین گونه کار
“Then the monarch asked Rostam: 'How do you intend to execute this grave affair?'”
#44
چه باید ز گنج و زلشکر بخواه
✦
که باید که با تو بیاید براه
“'Ask for whatever treasure and army you need, and who ought to accompany you on the road.'”
#45
بترسم ز بد گوهر افراسیاب
✦
که بر جان بیژن بگیرد شتاب
“'I fear evil-natured Afrasiab, lest he hasten to strike at Bizhan's life.'”
#46
یکی بادسارست دیو نژند
✦
بسی خوانده افسون و نیرنگ و بند
“A gloomy demon, swift and fickle as the wind, well-versed in spells, deception, and entangling snares.”
#47
بجنباندش اهرمن دل ز جای
✦
بیندازد آن تیغ زن را زپای
“Ahriman stirs his heart from its rightful place, casting down that mighty sword-wielding warrior.”
#48
چنین گفت رستم بشاه جهان
✦
که این کار ببسیچم اندر نهان
“Then Rostam spoke thus to the King of the World: 'I shall prepare for this task in utter secrecy.'”
#49
کلید چنین بند باشد فریب
✦
نباید برین کار کردن نهیب
“The key to unlocking such a fetter is guile; one must not rely on brute haste or loud alarm in this affair.”
#50
نه هنگام گرزست و تیغ و سنان
✦
بدین کار باید کشیدن عنان
“This is no hour for mace, sword, and spear; in this endeavor, we must rein in our overt force.”
#51
فراوان گهر باید و زرو سیم
✦
برفتن پر امید و بودن به بیم
“We require vast jewels, gold, and silver—setting forth filled with hope, yet walking with cautious dread.”
#52
بکردار بازارگانان شدن
✦
شکیبا فراوان بتوران بدن
“We must go disguised as traveling merchants, enduring with great patience while deep within Turan.”
#53
ز گستردنی هم ز پوشیدنی
✦
بباید بهایی و بخشیدنی
“Vast riches of precious carpets, fine apparel, costly wares to sell and gifts to bestow are needed.”
#54
چو بشنید خسرو ز رستم سخن
✦
بفرمود تا گنجهای کهن
“When Khosrow heard these words from Rostam, he commanded that the ancient treasuries be opened.”
#55
همه پاک بگشاد گنجور شاه
✦
بدینار و گوهر بیاراست گاه
“The King's treasurer unlocked every door, adorning the royal court with shining dinars and radiant gems.”
#56
تهمتن بیامد همه بنگرید
✦
هر آنچش ببایست زان برگزید
“Tahamtan came forth, inspected the riches, and chose whatever was needed for his journey.”
#57
ازان صد شتر بار دینار کرد
✦
صد اشتر ز گنج درم بار کرد
“He loaded a hundred camels with gold dinars, and another hundred with precious silver dirhams from the treasure.”
#58
بفرمود رستم بسالار بار
✦
که بگزین ز گردان لشکر هزار
“Rostam then commanded the chief marshal to select a thousand brave warriors from the army.”
#59
ز مردان گردنکش و نامور
✦
بباید تنی چند بسته کمر
“From among the noble and renowned heroes, a select few must gird their loins for the quest.”
#60
چو گرگین و چون زنگهٔ شاوران
✦
دگر گستهم شیر جنگ آوران
“Heroes like Gurgin and Zangeh, son of Shavaran, along with Gostaham, that lion of brave fighters.”
#61
چهارم گرازه که راند سپاه
✦
فروهل نگهبان تخت و کلاه
“The fourth is Gorazeh, commander of hosts; leave him as the guardian of the throne and crown.”
#62
چو فرهاد و رهام گرد دلیر
✦
چو اشکش که صید آورد نره شیر
“Along with Farhad and the brave knight Rohham, and Ashkash, who captures fierce lions as prey.”
#63
چنین هفت یل باید آراسته
✦
نگهبان این لشکر و خواسته
“Thus seven chosen heroes must be arrayed, guardians of this host and of all our treasure.”
#64
همه تاج و زیور بینداختند
✦
چنانچون ببایست برساختند
“They laid aside all royal crowns and ornaments, fitting themselves out in disguise as the mission required.”
#65
پس آگاهی آمد بگردنکشان
✦
بدان گرزداران دشمن کشان
“Then news reached the proud champions—those mace-wielding destroyers of foes.”
#66
بپرسید زنگه که خسرو کجاست
✦
چه آمد برویش که ما را بخواست
“Zangeh inquired: 'Where is Khosrow? What has come upon him that he hath summoned us?'”