At the break of dawn, as King Afrasiab set the royal crown upon his brow, he granted audience to Piran's messenger. The Turanian monarch commanded the envoy to return post-haste to his renowned commander, bearing a reply wrought of fierce pride, gratitude, and unyielding vengeance. Afrasiab began by exalting Piran's lifelong devotion, hailing him as a paragon among champions who had shielded the realm with his own body, spent his vast riches in service of the throne, and swept Turan's armies from Chin to the heart of Iran. Yet, Afrasiab sternly rejected Piran's remorseful reflections on fate and guilt regarding Kay Khosrow's flight. He disowned Kay Khosrow completely, refusing to acknowledge him as his grandson or grant him any royal legitimacy.
Afrasiab urged his general not to let sorrow rust his spirit, reminding him that the tide of war ebbs and flows by divine decree—lifting a warrior to the sun one day and casting him into affliction the next. He declared that dead warriors' tales were but a dream, and that the only cure for a brother's slain blood was unrelenting vengeance. The king swore a terrifying oath: before Kay Khosrow could strike first, Afrasiab himself would lead an overwhelming host across the Oxus River, leaving neither Goudarz, nor Tus, nor Kay Khosrow alive, and effacing the Iranian crown from the earth. He vowed to sever Kay Khosrow's head with his blade until the entire kingdom wept in horror.
To ensure Piran's victory in the fateful trial of the Twelve Combats, Afrasiab dispatched ten thousand elite, combat-proven cavalry. He instructed Piran that upon their arrival, he must hesitate no longer, storm Goudarz's mountain stronghold, and spare not a single Iranian life. The envoy, bowing reverently like a heavy blossom-laden branch, returned to Piran and delivered the sovereign's ruthless decree. Piran publicly rallied his troops to lift their spirits, yet in secret, his heart bled with deep agony, foreseeing the doom that this unyielding wrath would unleash upon both realms.
#1
به شبگیر چون تاج بر سر نهاد
✦
همانگه فرستاده را در گشاد
“At dawn, when he placed the crown upon his head, he immediately opened his doors to the messenger.”
#2
بفرمود تا بازگردد به جای
✦
سوی نامور بندهٔ کدخدای
“He commanded him to return to his place, back to the famous servant and ruler of the realm.”
#3
چنین پاسخ آورد کو را بگوی
✦
که ای مهربان نیکدل راستگوی
“He brought such an answer, saying: 'Tell that kind-hearted, noble, and truthful hero:'”
#4
تو تا زادی از مادر پاکتن
✦
سرافراز بودی به هر انجمن
“'Since the day you were born of a pure mother, you have been exalted in every assembly.'”
#5
ترا بیشتر نزد من دستگاه
✦
توی برتر از پهلوانان به جاه
“'Your rank and power with me are supreme; you stand higher in dignity than all other champions.'”
#6
همیشه یکی جوشنی پیش من
✦
سپر کرده جان و فدی کرده تن
“'You have ever worn armor before me, shielding my life and sacrificing your own body.'”
#7
همیدون به هر کار با گنج خویش
✦
گزیده ز بهر منی رنج خویش
“'In every task, you shared your own treasures, taking hardship upon yourself for my sake.'”
#8
تو بردی ز چین تا به ایران سپاه
✦
تو کردی دل و بخت دشمن سیاه
“'You led armies from Chin to Iran; you darkened the heart and fortune of the enemy.'”
#9
نبیند سپه چون تو سالار نیز
✦
نبندد کمر چون تو هشیار نیز
“'The host shall never see a commander like you, nor one so vigilant who girds his loins for battle.'”
#10
ز تور و پشنگ ار دراید به مهر
✦
چو تو پهلوان نیز نارد سپهر
“'From the lineage of Tur and Pashang down, the revolving sky brings forth no champion equal to you.'”
#11
نخست آنک گفتی من از انجمن
✦
گنهکار دارم همی خویشتن
“'First, concerning what you said before the gathering, taking the blame upon yourself,'”
#12
که کیخسرو آمد ز توران زمین
✦
به ایران و با ما بگسترد کین
“'That Kay Khosrow came from the land of Touran to Iran and spread enmity against us,'”
#13
بدین من که شاهم نیازرده‌ام
✦
به دل هرگز این یاد ناورده‌ام
“'I, who am king, feel no guilt for this, nor have I ever harbored such regret in my heart.'”
#14
نباید که باشی بدین تنگدل
✦
ز تیمار یابد ترا زنگ دل
“'You must not let your heart grow heavy with sorrow, lest grief cast rust upon your soul.'”
#15
که آن بودنی بود از کردگار
✦
نیامد بدین بد کس آموزگار
“'For that which transpired was decreed by God; no teacher taught mankind this misfortune.'”
#16
که کیخسرو از من نگیرد فروغ
✦
نبیره مخوانش که باشد دروغ
“'Kay Khosrow gains no light or glory from me; call him not my grandson, for that is a lie.'”
#17
نباشم همیدون من او را نیا
✦
نجویم همی ز این سخن کیمیا
“'I am not his grandfather, nor do I seek any alchemy or illusion from these words.'”
#18
بدین کار او کس گنهکار نیست
✦
مرا با جهاندار پیکار نیست
“'No man is to blame for this affair; my struggle is not with the Lord of the World.'”
#19
چنین بود و این بودنی کار بود
✦
مرا از تو در دل چه آزار بود
“'Thus it was, and thus it was destined to be; why should I harbor any anger toward you in my heart?'”
#20
و دیگر که گفتی ز کار سپاه
✦
ز گردیدن تیره خورشید و ماه
“'And secondary to that, what you spoke concerning the army, and how the bright sun and moon turn dark,'”
#21
همیشه چنینست کار نبرد
✦
ز هر سو همی گردد این تیره گرد
“'Such is ever the nature of battle: from every side this dark dust swirls high.'”
#22
گهی برکشد تا به خورشید سر
✦
گهی اندر آرد ز خورشید بر
“'Now it lifts its head unto the sun, and now it brings down fruit from the high heavens.'”
#23
به یکسان نگردد سپهر بلند
✦
گهی شاد دارد گهی مستمند
“'The exalted sphere turns not in a single fashion; now it bestows joy, and now it leaves one helpless.'”
#24
گهی با می و رود و رامشگران
✦
گهی با غم و گُرم و با اندهان
“'Now it surrounds one with wine, harps, and minstrels; now with sorrow, anguish, and distress.'”
#25
تو دل را بدین درد خسته مدار
✦
روان را بدین کار بسته مدار
“'Keep not your heart wounded by this pain, nor bind your soul fast in this distress.'”
#26
سخن گفتن کشتگان گشت خواب
✦
ز کین برادر تو سر برمتاب
“'Talk of the slain has turned to empty dreams; turn not your face away from avenging your brother!'”
#27
دلی کو ز درد برادر شخود
✦
علاج پزشکان نداردش سود
“'A heart that is clawed by the pain of a brother's death cannot be cured by any physician's medicine.'”
#28
سه دیگر که گفتی که خسرو پگاه
✦
به جنگ اندر آید همی با سپاه
“'Thirdly, concerning what you said—that Khosrow will come at dawn to wage war with his army:'”
#29
مبیناد چشم کس آن روزگار
✦
که او پیشدستی نماید به کار
“'May no eye ever behold the day when he takes the initiative in this war!'”
#30
که من خود بر آنم کز ایدر سپاه
✦
از آن سوی جیحون گذارم به راه
“'For I myself resolve to march from here and cross my hosts beyond the Oxus River.'”
#31
نه گودرز مانم نه خسرو نه طوس
✦
نه گاه و نه تاج و نه بوق و نه کوس
“'I shall leave neither Goudarz, nor Khosrow, nor Tus, nor throne, nor crown, nor trumpet, nor war-drum!'”
#32
به ایران از آن گونه رانم سپاه
✦
کزان پس نبیند کسی تاج و گاه
“'I shall drive such an army into Iran that after this, no one shall behold crown or throne.'”
#33
به کیخسرو این پس نمانم جهان
✦
به سر بر فرود آیمش ناگهان
“'I shall not leave the world to Kay Khosrow; I will descend upon his head without warning!'”
#34
به خنجر از آن سان ببرم سرش
✦
که گرید بدو لشکر و کشورش
“'I shall sever his head with my dagger in such a way that his army and nation shall weep over him!'”
#35
مگر کآسمانی دگرگونه کار
✦
فراز آید از گردش روزگار
“'Unless the heavens bring forth a different destiny through the turning of fortune.'”
#36
ترا ای جهاندیدهٔ سرافراز
✦
نکردست یزدان به چیزی نیاز
“'O exalted, experienced hero, God has left you in need of nothing.'”
#37
ز مردان وز گنج و نیروی دست
✦
همه ایزدی هرچ بایدت هست
“'From valiant men to treasure and strength of arm—whatever is required, God has granted you.'”
#38
یکی نامور لشکری ده هزار
✦
دلیر و خردمند و گرد و سوار
“'A renowned army of ten thousand—brave, wise, valiant, and mounted champions—'”
#39
فرستادم اینک به نزدیک تو
✦
که روشن کند جان تاریک تو
“'I have now dispatched to you, that it may illuminate your darkened spirit.'”
#40
از ایرانیان ده وز اینها یکی
✦
به چشم یکی ده سوار اندکی
“'Against ten Iranians, send one of these; in your eyes, ten of their horsemen are but few.'”
#41
چو لشکر به نزد تو آید مپای
✦
سر و تاج گودرز بگسل ز جای
“'When this army arrives before you, delay not; sever the head and tear the crown from Goudarz!'”
#42
همان کوه کو کرده دارد حصار
✦
به اسبان جنگی ز پا اندر آر
“'That very mountain which he has fortified—cast it down under the hooves of your war-steeds!'”
#43
مکش دست از ایشان به خون ریختن
✦
تو پیروز باشی به آویختن
“'Withhold not your hand from shedding their blood; in engaging them, you shall be victorious!'”
#44
ممان زنده ز ایشان به گیتی کسی
✦
که نزد تو آید از ایشان بسی
“'Leave no one among them alive upon the earth, for many of them will come against you.'”
#45
فرستاده بشنید پیغام شاه
✦
بیامد بر پهلوان سپاه
“The messenger heard the king's message and came back before the champion of the host.”
#46
به پیش اندر آمد به سان شمن
✦
خمیده چو از بار شاخ سمن
“He stepped forward in the manner of a priest, bent low like a branch of jasmine under its heavy bloom.”
#47
به پیران رسانید پیغام شاه
✦
وز آن نامداران جنگی سپاه
“He delivered the King's message to Piran, along with news of those renowned warriors of the host.”
#48
چو بشنید پیران سپه را بخواند
✦
فرستاده چون این سخن باز راند
“When Piran heard this message after the envoy had spoken, he summoned his entire army together.”
#49
سپه را سراسر همه داد دل
✦
که از غم بباشید آزاد دل
“He heartened all his troops, saying to them: 'Keep your hearts free from sorrow and despair!'”
#50
نهانی روانش پر از درد بود
✦
پر از خون دل و بخت برگرد بود
“Yet in secret, his own soul was filled with pain, his heart bleeding, and his fortune ill-turned.”
#51
که از هر سوی لشکر شهریار
✦
همی کاسته دید در کارزار
“For on every side of the Sovereign's army, he saw their strength diminishing in battle.”
#52
هم از شاه خسرو دلش بود تنگ
✦
بترسید کآید یکایک به جنگ
“His heart was also heavy regarding King Khosrow, fearing he might suddenly march into the fray himself.”
#53
به یزدان چنین گفت کای کردگار
✦
چه مایه شگفت اندر این روزگار
“He prayed to God, saying: 'O Creator, how wondrous and strange are the turnings of this world!”
#54
که را برکشیدی تو افگنده نیست
✦
جز از تو جهاندار دارنده نیست
“Whomever You elevate cannot be cast down; there is no master and ruler of the world save You.”
#55
به خسرو نگر تا جز از کردگار
✦
که دانست کآید یکی شهریار
“Look upon Khosrow: who but the Creator could have foreseen that he would become such a monarch?”
#56
نگه کن بدین کار گردنده دهر
✦
مر آن را که از خویشتن کرد بهر
“Consider the works of turning fate, and how it awards to everyone the portion meant for him.”
#57
برآرد گل تازه از خار خشک
✦
شود خاک با بخت بیدار مشک
“It brings forth a fresh rose from a dry thorn, and through vigilant good fortune, common dust turns into musk.”
#58
شگفتی‌تر آنک از پی آز مرد
✦
همیشه دل خویش دارد به درد
“More wondrous still is that man, out of his own greed, forever afflicts his heart with sorrow.'”
#59
میان نیا و نبیره دو شاه
✦
ندانم چرا باید این کینه‌گاه
“'Between grandfather and grandson, two kings—I know not why this battleground of vengeance must endure.”
#60
دو شاه و دو کشور چنین جنگجوی
✦
دو لشکر به روی اندر آورده روی
“Two kings and two nations so intent on war, two great armies standing face to face in clash!'”
#61
چه گویی سرانجام این کارزار
✦
که را برکشد گردش روزگار
“'What say you shall be the final outcome of this battle? Whom will the turn of fate elevate at last?'”
#62
پس آنگه به یزدان بنالید زار
✦
که ای روشن دادگر کردگار
“Then he wept bitterly before God, praying: 'O Luminous and Just Creator!”
#63
گر افراسیاب اندر این کینه‌گاه
✦
ابا نامداران توران سپاه
“If Afrasiab, in this place of vengeance, alongside the renowned champions of Turan's army,”
#64
بدین رزمگه کشته خواهد شدن
✦
سربخت ما گشته خواهد شدن
“Is destined to be slain on this battlefield, and the crown of our fortune is to be reversed,”
#65
چو کیخسرو آید ز ایران به کین
✦
بدو بازگردد سراسر زمین
“And when Kay Khosrow comes from Iran seeking revenge, taking full control over all the earth,”
#66
روا باشد ار خسته در جوشنم
✦
برآرد روان کردگار از تنم
“It were better if, wounded inside my mail, the Creator drew my soul out of my body!”
#67
مبیناد هرگز جهانبین من
✦
گرفته کسی راه و آیین من
“May my world-beholding eyes never see anyone walking in my footsteps or inheriting my fate!”
#68
که را گردش روز با کام نیست
✦
ورا زندگانی و مرگش یکیست
“For he whose fortune is not aligned with his desires—to him, living and dying are one and the same.'”
#69
وز آن پس ز ایران سپه کرنای
✦
برآمد دم بوق و هندی درای
“Thereafter, from the army of Iran, there arose the sound of clarions, the blast of war-horns, and the chime of Indian bells.”