In the Iranian war camp following the fierce encounters that claimed the lives of Homan and Nastihan, the venerable commander Goudarz called upon a trusted scribe, binding him to utmost secrecy. He commanded a royal letter to be drafted for King Kay Khosrow, detailing every turn of fortune: Giv's diplomatic mission to Piran and its rejection, the bloody clashes upon the plains of Gonabad, and the astonishing prowess displayed by Bijan against the Turanian mace-bearers. Goudarz then laid bare a grave warning: Afrasiab himself had arrived at the banks of the Oxus with a mighty, endless army. Should the Turanian monarch cross the river into Iran, the front-line forces could not withstand him alone unless King Khosrow personally marched to reinforce the host. Furthermore, Goudarz requested news of the mighty Rostam the Demon-Binder, Lohrasp, and the wise Ashkash.
Once the letter was folded and sealed, Goudarz summoned his son Hajir—a youth possessing the wisdom of the aged. Embracing him, the father instructed him to ride like the raging wind, resting neither by night nor day. Hajir selected two brave companions, and together they mounted swift steeds. Relaying fresh horses at every station and taking their food and sleep atop the saddle, they traversed the vast distance, arriving near the royal court within a single week.
Upon learning of the messenger's arrival, King Kay Khosrow dispatched Shammakh and a company of noble warriors to welcome him. Hajir entered the royal presence, touching his face to the ground in homage and delivering the greetings of the army's elders. Overjoyed, Khosrow welcomed him warmly, placed a radiant turquoise crown upon his head, and eagerly inquired after Goudarz and the commanders. The royal scribe was then called to read Goudarz's dispatch aloud.
As the heroic words echoed through the hall, Kay Khosrow's heart filled with pride. He commanded his treasurer to fill Hajir's mouth with brilliant rubies, showering him with purses of gold coin, brocade robes of state, and ten magnificent steeds caparisoned in gold. After an evening of celebration and council, as dawn broke, Kay Khosrow cleansed his body and spirit. He donned humble garments of devotion and knelt before Yazdan, weeping tears like spring rain. Bowing low, he prayed to the Almighty for victory, divine glory, and protection against the wickedness of Afrasiab.
#1
نویسندهٔ نامه را خواند و گفت
✦
برآورد خواهم نهان از نهفت
“He called upon the royal scribe and said: 'I wish to draw forth secret council from concealment.'”
#2
اگر برگشایی تو لب را ز بند
✦
زبان آورد بر سرت بر گزند
“'If you unbind your lips to speak of this, your tongue will bring harm upon your head.'”
#3
یکی نامه فرمود نزدیک شاه
✦
به آگاه کردن ز کار سپاه
“He commanded a letter to be written unto the King, to inform him of the army's state.”
#4
به خسرو نمود آن کجا رفته بود
✦
سخن هرچ پیران بدو گفته بود
“He made known to Khosrow all that had transpired, and every word that Piran had spoken to him.”
#5
فرستادن گیو و پیوند و مهر
✦
نمودن بدو کار گردان سپهر
“Of sending Giv with messages of love and alliance, and how the turning sky had wrought its work.”
#6
ز پاسخ که دادند مر گیو را
✦
بزرگان و فرزانهٔ نیو را
“And of the answer given unto Giv by the Turanian nobles and their clever chieftain.”
#7
وز آن لشکری کز پسش چون پلنگ
✦
بیاورد سوی کنابد به جنگ
“And of that army that came swift as a leopard behind him toward Gonabad to wage war.”
#8
از آن پس کجا رزمگه ساختند
✦
وز آن رزم دل را بپرداختند
“How thereafter they arranged the battlefield and freed their hearts for the combat.”
#9
ز هومان و نستیهن جنگجوی
✦
سراسر همه یاد کرد اندر اوی
“Of warlike Homan and Nastihan, he made full recount of all that had occurred.”
#10
ز کردار بیژن که روز نبرد
✦
بدان گرزداران توران چه کرد
“Of Bijan's deeds on the day of battle, and what he wrought upon the mace-bearers of Turan.”
#11
سخن سر به سر چون همه گفته بود
✦
ز پیکار و جنگ آن کجا رفته بود
“When all was recounted from end to end regarding the strife and the battle that had passed,”
#12
بپردخت زان پس به افراسیاب
✦
که با لشکر آمد به نزدیک آب
“He then turned to Afrasiab, who had arrived with a great host near the river's edge.”
#13
گر او از لب رود جیحون سپاه
✦
به ایران گذارد سپه را به راه
“'If he should cross his army over the Jayhun bank into Iran's realm,'”
#14
تو دانی که با او نداریم پای
✦
ایا فرخجسته جهان کدخدای
“'Thou knowest, O blessed ruler of the world, that we have not the strength to withstand him.'”
#15
مگر خسرو آید به پشت سپاه
✦
به سر بر نهد بندگان را کلاه
“'Unless Khosrow himself comes to back the army, crowning his servants with royal favor.'”
#16
ور ایدونک پیران کند دست پیش
✦
بخواهد سپه یاور از شاه خویش
“'Or if Piran reaches out his hand to seek help and reinforcements from his own King.'”
#17
به خسرو رسد زان سپس آگهی
✦
ک با او چه سازد به بختت رهی
“'Let tidings reach Khosrow thereafter, so through thy good fortune thy servant may know how to act.'”
#18
و دیگر که از رستم دیو بند
✦
ز لهراسب وز اشکش هوشمند
“'Furthermore, regarding demon-binding Rostam, and Lohrasp, and sagacious Ashkash,'”
#19
ز کردار ایشان به کهتر خبر
✦
رساند مگر شاه پیروزگر
“'May the victorious King send news of their deeds to his humble servant.'”
#20
چو نامه به مهر اندر آورد و بند
✦
بفرمود تا بر ستور نوند
“When the letter was sealed and bound, he ordered swift steeds to be readied.”
#21
نشستنگه خسروی ساختند
✦
فراوان تگاور برون تاختند
“They made royal preparations and dispatched numerous swift couriers.”
#22
بفرمود تا رفت پیشش هجیر
✦
جوانی به کردار هشیار و پیر
“He commanded Hajir to step forward, a youth possessing the wisdom of an elder.”
#23
بگفت آن سخن سر به سر پهلوان
✦
به پیش هشیوار پور جوان
“The champion spoke the entire matter before his wise and youthful son.”
#24
بدو گفت کای پور هشیاردل
✦
یکی تیز گردان بدین کار دل
“He said to him: 'O wise-hearted son, make thy mind swift and resolute for this deed!'”
#25
اگر مر تو را نزد من دستگاه
✦
همی جست باید کنونست گاه
“'If thou seekest status and glory in my eyes, now is the time to earn it.'”
#26
چو بستانی این نامه هم در زمان
✦
برو هم به کردار باد دمان
“'When thou takest this letter, set forth instantly like a raging wind!'”
#27
شب و روز ماسای و سر بر مخار
✦
ببر نامهٔ من بر شهریار
“'Rest not night or day, nor scratch thy head in ease; bear my letter unto the Monarch.'”
#28
به پدرود کردن گرفتش به بر
✦
برون آمد از پیش فرخ پدر
“To bid farewell, he took him to his chest, and the son departed from his noble father's presence.”
#29
ز لشکر دو تن را بر خویش خواند
✦
سبکشان به اسب تگاور نشاند
“He called two men from the army to his side and swiftly set them upon swift steeds.”
#30
برون شد ز پرده‌سرای پدر
✦
به هر منزلی بر هیونی دگر
“He went forth from his father's pavilion, taking a fresh steed at every staging post.”
#31
خور و خواب و آرامشان بر ستور
✦
چه تاریکی شب چه تابنده هور
“Their food, sleep, and rest were upon the saddle, through dark of night or radiant sun.”
#32
بر آن گونه پویان به راه آمدند
✦
به یک هفته نزدیک شاه آمدند
“Riding in such fashion along the road, they reached the King within a single week.”
#33
چو از راه ایران بیامد سوار
✦
کس آمد بر خسرو نامدار
“When the rider arrived from the Iranian path, word reached the renowned Khosrow.”
#34
پذیره فرستاد شماخ را
✦
چه مایه دلیران گستاخ را
“He sent Shammakh to greet him, alongside a host of bold and valiant warriors.”
#35
بپرسید چون دید روی هجیر
✦
که ای پهلوان‌زادهٔ شیرگیر
“When he saw Hajir's face he inquired: 'O lion-capturing hero's son!'”
#36
درودست باری که بس ناگهان
✦
رسیدی به نزدیک شاه جهان
“'Is all well, that thou hast arrived so suddenly before the King of the World?'”
#37
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
به اسبش ز درگاه بگذاشتند
“He ordered the royal curtains to be lifted, and had him ride his steed straight past the threshold.”
#38
هجیر اندر آمد چو خسرو بدوی
✦
نگه کرد پیشش بمالید روی
“Hajir entered; when he beheld Khosrow, he rubbed his face upon the ground before him.”
#39
بپرسید بسیار و بنشاندش
✦
هزاران هجیر آفرین خواندش
“The King asked much of him, seated him close, and chanted thousands of praises upon Hajir.”
#40
ز گوهر یکی تاج پیروزه شاه
✦
به سر بر نهادش چو رخشنده ماه
“He placed upon his head a royal jewel-encrusted turquoise crown that shone like the radiant moon.”
#41
ز گودرز وز مهتران سپاه
✦
ز هر یک یکایک بپرسید شاه
“The King asked one by one of Goudarz and the chieftains of the army.”
#42
درود بزرگان به خسرو بداد
✦
همه کار لشکر بر او کرد یاد
“Hajir delivered the greetings of the elders to Khosrow and recounted all deeds of the army.”
#43
بدو داد پس نامهٔ پهلوان
✦
جوان خردمند روشن‌روان
“Then the wise and luminous-minded youth handed the champion's letter to the King.”
#44
نویسنده را پیش بنشاندند
✦
بفرمود تا نامه برخواندند
“They seated the royal scribe before them and commanded the letter to be read aloud.”
#45
چو برخواند نامه به خسرو دبیر
✦
ز یاقوت رخشان دهان هجیر
“When the scribe read the letter to Khosrow, the King filled Hajir's mouth with gleaming rubies.”
#46
بیاگند وز آن پس به گنجور گفت
✦
که دینار و دیبا بیار از نهفت
“He sealed the letter, and then commanded his treasurer: 'Bring forth dinars and rich brocade from the treasury.'”
#47
بیاورد بدره چو فرمان شنید
✦
همی ریخت تا شد سرش ناپدید
“The treasurer brought bags of gold upon hearing the command, pouring them out until Hajir was almost hidden behind the heap.”
#48
بیاورد پس جامه زرنگار
✦
چنان چون بود از در شهریار
“He then presented gold-embroidered garments, magnificent as suited a sovereign king.”
#49
همیدون ببردند پیش هجیر
✦
ابا زین زرین ده اسب هژیر
“Likewise, they brought before Hajir ten swift and noble horses adorned with golden saddles.”
#50
به یارانش بر خلعت افگند نیز
✦
درم داد و دینار و هرگونه چیز
“He bestowed robes of honor upon Hajir's companions as well, presenting them with silver, gold, and every fine gift.”
#51
از آن پس چو از جای برخاستند
✦
نشستنگه می بیاراستند
“Thereafter, when they arose from that council, they prepared a hall for feasting and wine.”
#52
هجیر و بزرگان خسروپرست
✦
گرفتند یکسر همه می به دست
“Hajir and the noble loyalists of Khosrow all took goblets of wine in hand.”
#53
نشستند یک روز و یک شب به هم
✦
همی رای زد خسرو از بیش و کم
“They sat together for a day and a night, while Khosrow counselled on matters great and small.”
#54
به شبگیر خسرو سر و تن بشست
✦
به پیش جهانداور آمد نخست
“At dawn, Khosrow washed his head and body, presenting himself first before the Ruler of the World.”
#55
بپوشید نو جامهٔ بندگی
✦
دو دیده چو ابری به بارندگی
“He put on fresh garments of humility, his eyes weeping like a rain-heavy cloud.”
#56
دوتایی شده پشت و بنهاد سر
✦
همی آفرین خواند بر دادگر
“With a bent back he laid down his head, pouring out praise unto the Just Creator.”
#57
از او خواست پیروزی و فرهی
✦
بدو جست دیهیم و تخت مهی
“From Him he besought victory and divine glory, seeking through Him the crown and throne of greatness.”
#58
به یزدان بنالید ز افراسیاب
✦
به درد از دو دیده فرو ریخت آب
“He lamented before God concerning Afrasiab, as sorrowful tears streamed from both his eyes.”
#59
وز آنجا بیامد چو سرو سهی
✦
نشست از بر گاه شاههنشهی
“And departing thence erect as a stately cypress, he seated himself upon the imperial throne.”