Amidst the choking dust of the battlefield that obscured the very sun, the two venerable commanders of the age—Goudarz, son of Kashvad, and Piran, son of Viseh—met in an epic clash of ancient vengeance. The earth groaned beneath their armored steeds as blades flashed, maces crashed, and lassoes coiled. Yet the divine wheel of destiny had turned, bearing misfortune away from Iran and casting its dark shadow upon the realm of Turan. Piran, recognizing the decree of Fate, fought not with the hope of victory, but with the unyielding honor of a champion battling time itself. Both elders drew their bows, unleashing a hail of deadly arrows like an autumn gale stripping the forest.
A sharp shaft from Goudarz pierced the barding of Piran's charger. The mighty steed shuddered, collapsed, and pinned the valiant Turanian lord beneath its weight, shattering Piran's right arm. Knowing his hour had arrived, Piran dragged himself free and fled on foot up the steep, rocky slopes of the mountain to seek a final refuge. Seeing his great adversary fleeing like hunted game, Goudarz wept at the transience of worldly glory. He called out to Piran, offering him quarter so that he might be brought alive and unharmed before King Kay Khosrow. But Piran rejected surrender with absolute pride, declaring that all mortals are born for death and that he would never barter his soldier's honor for a captive's life.
Dropping his horse's reins, Goudarz raised his shield and scaled the rugged cliff with javelin in hand. From a high crag, Piran hurled a heavy dagger like an arrow, wounding Goudarz in the arm. Incensed by the pain and burning with vengeance, Goudarz gathered his remaining strength and cast his javelin. The weapon tore through Piran's coat of mail, piercing his liver and thrusting deep into his torso. With a final roar to the Just Judge of Heaven, the great champion of Turan fell upon the barren rock, his spirit departing as blood filled his mouth.
Ascending to the peak, Goudarz looked down upon the slain paragon of Turan. Remembering the tragic martyrdom of Prince Siyavash and his own seventy fallen sons, Goudarz touched the blood of Piran and smeared it across his face in solemn fulfillment of his vow, offering prayers of gratitude to God. Yet, in reverence for Piran's noble heart, Goudarz refused to sever his head; instead, he planted Piran's battle standard over him to shade his body. Wounded but victorious, Goudarz returned to the Iranian camp, where his desperate warriors greeted him with triumphant shouts. Goudarz commanded his son Rohham to ascend the peak and bind Piran's fully armored body onto a steed alongside his banner, bringing him down with dignity. Preparing for the ultimate arrival of King Kay Khosrow, the Iranian army bound the fallen champions atop their saddles, driving the captive villain Groy-e Zereh before them as the historic trials of the Twelve Combatants drew toward their glorious end.
#1
سپهدار ایران و توران دژم
✦
فراز آمدند اندر آن کین به هم
“The commanders of Iran and Turan, grim and sorrowful, met together in that arena of vengeance.”
#2
همی برنوشتند هر دو زمین
✦
همه دل پر از درد و سر پر ز کین
“They traversed both domains of the earth, their hearts filled with pain and their heads brimmed with hate.”
#3
به آوردگاه سواران ز گرد
✦
فروماند خورشید روز نبرد
“Upon the battlefield of horsemen, the sun of the day of war remained obscured by the thick dust.”
#4
به تیغ و به خنجر به گرز و کمند
✦
ز هر گونهٔ برنهادند بند
“With sword, dagger, heavy mace, and lasso, they cast every manner of bond and strike upon one another.”
#5
فراز آمد آن گردش ایزدی
✦
از ایران به توران رسید آن بدی
“Then arrived the divine turn of destiny; that calamity shifted from Iran and befell Turan.”
#6
ابا خواست یزدانش چاره نماند
✦
کرا کوشش و زور و یاره نماند
“When God wills a thing, no remedy remains; whoever lacks effort and strength finds no salvation.”
#7
نگه کرد پیران که هنگام چیست
✦
بدانست کان گردش ایزدیست
“Piran looked around to see what the hour portended, and he knew it was the turn of divine destiny.”
#8
ولیکن به مردی همی کرد کار
✦
بکوشید با گردش روزگار
“Yet with manhood he continued to fight, striving valiantly against the turn of time.”
#9
از آن پس کمان برگرفتند و تیر
✦
دو سالار لشکر دو هشیار پیر
“Thereupon both leaders of the armies, those two wise old men, took up bow and arrow.”
#10
یکی تیرباران گرفتند سخت
✦
چو باد خزان بر جهد بر درخت
“They unleashed a fierce rain of arrows, like an autumn wind whipping through a tree.”
#11
نگه کرد گودرز تیر خدنگ
✦
که آهن ندارد مر او را نه سنگ
“Goudarz aimed a poplar arrow so swift that neither iron armor nor stone could withstand it.”
#12
به برگستوان برزد و بردرید
✦
تگاور بلرزید و دم درکشید
“It struck the steed's armored covering and tore right through; the charger shuddered and drew in its breath.”
#13
بیفتاد و پیران درآمد به زیر
✦
بغلتید زیرش سوار دلیر
“The horse fell, and Piran tumbled down beneath it; the valiant rider was rolled under the beast.”
#14
بدانست کآمد زمانه فراز
✦
وز آن روز تیره نیابد جواز
“He knew that his time had come to an end, and from that dark day he would find no passage.”
#15
ز نیرو به دو نیم شد دست راست
✦
هم آنگه بغلتید و بر پای خاست
“From the violence of the crash, his right arm shattered in two; instantly he rolled free and stood upon his feet.”
#16
ز گودرز بگریخت و شد سوی کوه
✦
غمی شد ز درد دویدن ستوه
“He fled from Goudarz toward the mountain, exhausted and agonized by the pain of running.”
#17
همی شد بر آن کوهسر بر دوان
✦
کزو بازگردد مگر پهلوان
“He kept running up the mountain ridge, hoping perhaps the hero would turn back.”
#18
نگه کرد گودرز و بگریست زار
✦
بترسید از گردش روزگار
“Goudarz looked upon him and wept bitterly, struck with dread at the turning of fortune.”
#19
بدانست کش نیست با کس وفا
✦
میان بسته دارد ز بهر جفا
“He realized that time holds no loyalty to anyone, its waist ever girded for cruelty.”
#20
فغان کرد کای نامور پهلوان
✦
چه بودت که ایدون پیاده دوان
“He cried out: 'O renowned hero, what has befallen thee that thou art running thus on foot?'”
#21
به کردار نخچیر در پیش من
✦
کجات آن سپاه ای سر انجمن
“'Fleeing like game before me—where is that vast army now, O chief of the assembly?'”
#22
نیامد ز لشکر ترا یار کس
✦
وز ایشان نبینمت فریادرس
“'Not a single ally from thy host has come to help thee, nor do I see any savior for thee among them.'”
#23
کجات آنهمه زور و مردانگی
✦
سلیح و دل و گنج و فرزانگی
“'Where is all that strength and manhood, those arms, that heart, that treasure, and that wisdom?'”
#24
ستون گوان پشت افراسیاب
✦
کنون شاه را تیره گشت آفتاب
“'O pillar of the brave, support of Afrasiab—now the sun has turned dark for thy king!'”
#25
زمانه ز تو زود برگاشت روی
✦
به هنگام کینه تو چاره مجوی
“'Time has swiftly turned its face from thee; in the hour of vengeance seek no futility.'”
#26
چو کارت چنین گشت زنهار خواه
✦
بدان تات زنده برم نزد شاه
“'Since thy plight is such, ask for quarter, so that I may take thee alive to the King.'”
#27
ببخشاید از دل همی بر تو بر
✦
که هستی جهان پهلوان سر به سر
“'He will surely pity thee from his heart, for thou art a world-champion from head to heel.'”
#28
بدو گفت پیران که این خود مباد
✦
به فرجام بر من چنین بد مباد
“Piran replied to him: 'May this never be! May such an evil end never fall upon me!'”
#29
از این پس مرا زندگانی بود
✦
به زنهار رفتن گمانی بود
“'That I should live henceforth under surrender is a thought impossible for me.'”
#30
خود اندر جهان مرگ را زاده‌ایم
✦
بدین کار گردن ترا داده‌ایم
“'We are born for death in this world, and to this fate we have submitted our necks.'”
#31
شنیدستم این داستان از مهان
✦
که هرچند باشی به خرم جهان
“'I have heard this tale from the great ones: however long thou remainest in this joyful world,'”
#32
سرانجام مرگست زو چاره نیست
✦
به من بر بدین جای پیغاره نیست
“'The final end is death and there is no escape from it; there is no reproach upon me in this place.'”
#33
همی گشت گودرز بر گرد کوه
✦
نبودش بدو راه و آمد ستوه
“Goudarz circled around the mountain, but found no path up to him and grew distressed.”
#34
پیاده ببود و سپر برگرفت
✦
چو نخچیربانان که اندر گرفت
“He dismounted and took up his shield, pursuing him like a hunter closing in on game.”
#35
گرفته سپر پیش و ژوپین به دست
✦
به بالا نهاده سر از جای پست
“Holding the shield before him and javelin in hand, he raised his head toward the heights from below.”
#36
همی دید پیران مر او را ز دور
✦
بجست از بر سنگ سالار تور
“Piran saw him coming from afar; the Turanian lord leaped atop a high rock.”
#37
بینداخت خنجر به کردار تیر
✦
بیامد به بازوی سالار پیر
“He hurled his dagger like an arrow, striking the arm of the aged commander.”
#38
چو گودرز شد خسته بر دست اوی
✦
ز کینه به خشم اندر آورد روی
“When Goudarz was wounded by his hand, his face flushed with rage out of vengeance.”
#39
بینداخت ژوپین به پیران رسید
✦
زره بر تنش سر به سر بردرید
“He hurled his javelin, which reached Piran and tore his body's mail completely apart.”
#40
ز پشت اندر آمد به راه جگر
✦
بغرید و آسیمه برگشت سر
“It entered through his back along the path of his liver; he roared and his head spun in anguish.”
#41
برآمدش خون جگر بر دهان
✦
روانش برآمد هم اندر زمان
“The blood of his liver welled up into his mouth, and his spirit departed that very moment.”
#42
چو شیر ژیان اندر آمد به سر
✦
بنالید با داور دادگر
“Like a ferocious lion he fell upon his head, groaning to the Just Judge of Heaven.”
#43
بر آن کوه خارا زمانی تپید
✦
پس از کین و آوردگاه آرمید
“Upon that hard granite rock he writhed for a moment, then rested forever after all vengeance and battle.”
#44
زمانه به زهر آب دادست چنگ
✦
بدرد دل شیر و چرم پلنگ
“Fate has steeped its claws in poison; it tears the heart of lions and the hide of leopards.”
#45
چنین است خود گردش روزگار
✦
نگیرد همی پند آموزگار
“Such indeed is the turning of time; it heeds not the counsel of any teacher.”
#46
چو گودرز بر شد بر آن کوهسار
✦
بدیدش بر آن‌گونه افگنده خوار
“When Goudarz climbed up to that mountain peak, he saw him lying there, cast down in wretchedness.”
#47
دریده دل و دست و بر خاک سر
✦
شکسته سلیح و گسسته کمر
“His heart and hands torn, his head upon the dust, his weapons shattered and his belt undone.”
#48
چنین گفت گودرز کای نره شیر
✦
سر پهلوانان و گرد دلیر
“Goudarz spake thus: "O mighty lion, leader of heroes and brave champion!"”
#49
جهان چون من و چون تو بسیار دید
✦
نخواهد همی با کسی آرمید
“"The world hath witnessed many such as me and thee, and never will it abide in peace with anyone."”
#50
چو گودرز دیدش چنان مرده‌خوار
✦
به خاک و به خون بر تپیده به زار
“When Goudarz saw him lying thus lifeless, writhing piteously in dust and blood,”
#51
فروبرد چنگال و خون برگرفت
✦
بخورد و بیالود روی ای شگفت
“He plunged his claw into the wound, took up the blood, drank of it, and smeared his face—o wonder!”
#52
ز خون سیاوش خروشید زار
✦
نیایش همی کرد بر کردگار
“He wept bitterly over the avenging of Siavash's blood, and raised his prayers to the Creator.”
#53
ز هفتاد خون گرامی پسر
✦
بنالید با داور دادگر
“For the blood of seventy of his dear sons, he lamented before the Just Judge.”
#54
سرش را همی خواست از تن برید
✦
چنان بدکنش خویشتن را ندید
“He wished to sever his head from his body, yet refrained from showing himself so wicked a doer.”
#55
درفشی به بالینش بر پای کرد
✦
سرش را بدان سایه برجای کرد
“He set up a banner at his pillow, and placed his head beneath its solemn shade.”
#56
سوی لشکر خویش بنهاد روی
✦
چکان خون ز بازوش چون آب جوی
“He then turned his face back toward his own host, blood dripping from his arm like a flowing stream.”
#57
همه کینه‌جویان پرخاشجوی
✦
ز بالا به لشکر نهادند روی
“All the vengeful, battle-seeking warriors descended from the height toward the army.”
#58
ابا کشتگان بسته بر پشت زین
✦
بر ایشان سرآورده پرخاش و کین
“With the slain foes bound to their saddle-bows, having brought their vengeance and strife to an end.”
#59
چو با کینه‌جویان نبد پهلوان
✦
خروشی برآمد ز پیر و جوان
“But seeing that the commander was not among the vengeful heroes, a wail arose from young and old alike,”
#60
که گودرز بر دست پیران مگر
✦
ز پیری به خون اندر آورد سر
“Fearing that Goudarz, weakened by old age, had perchance fallen slain in blood at the hands of Piran.”
#61
همی زار بگریست لشکر همه
✦
ز نادیدن پهلوان رمه
“The entire army wept bitterly in despair at not beholding the guardian champion of their host.”
#62
درفشی پدید آمد از تیره گرد
✦
گرازان و تازان به دشت نبرد
“Suddenly a banner appeared from out the dark dust, moving proudly and swiftly across the field of fight.”
#63
برآمد ز لشکرگه آوای کوس
✦
همی گرد بر آسمان داد بوس
“The thunder of drums echoed from the camp, as clouds of dust rose to kiss the heavens.”
#64
بزرگان بر پهلوان آمدند
✦
پر از خنده و شادمان آمدند
“The nobles hurried forth to meet the chieftain, filled with laughter and beaming with joy.”
#65
چنین گفت لشکر مگر پهلوان
✦
از او بازگردید تیره روان
“The host exclaimed: "Perchance our hero hath returned from him with a darkened, sorrowful soul?"”
#66
که پیران یکی شیردل مرد بود
✦
همه ساله جویای آورد بود
“"For Piran was a man of lion-hearted valor, ever seeking combat throughout the years."”
#67
چنین یاد کرد آن زمان پهلوان
✦
سپرده بدو گوش پیر و جوان
“Then the grand champion spake thus, while old and young gave earnest ear to his words.”
#68
به انگشت بنمود جای نبرد
✦
بگفت آنک با او زمانه چه کرد
“He pointed with his finger to the place of battle, and recounted what Fate had wrought upon his foe.”
#69
به رهام فرمود تا برنشست
✦
به آوردن او میان را ببست
“He commanded Rohham to mount his steed and gird his loins to bring back the fallen commander's corpse.”
#70
بدو گفت او را به زین برببند
✦
بیاور چنان تازیان بر نوند
“He said to him: "Bind him fast upon the saddle, and bring him swiftly, riding upon a fleet steed."”
#71
درفش و سلیحش چنان هم که هست
✦
به درع و میانش مبر هیچ دست
“"Leave his banner and his armor just as they are; touch not his coat of mail nor his girdle."”
#72
بر آن گونه چون پهلوان کرد یاد
✦
برون تاخت رهام چون تندباد
“Exactly as the grand champion had instructed, Rohham galloped forth like a raging whirlwind.”
#73
کشید از بر اسب روشن تنش
✦
به خون اندرون غرقه بد جوشنش
“He lifted his noble corpse onto the steed, his coat of mail soaked through with blood.”
#74
چنان هم ببستش به خم کمند
✦
فرود آوریدش ز کوه بلند
“He bound him securely with the loop of his lasso, and brought him down from the high mountain peak.”
#75
درفشش چو از جایگاه نشان
✦
ندیدند گردان گردنکشان
“When the proud, victorious warriors saw that his banner was no longer in its place of honor,”
#76
همه خواندند آفرین سر به سر
✦
ابر پهلوان زمین در به در
“They all showered praise upon the supreme hero of the land, city by city and door to door.”
#77
که ای نامور پشت ایران سپاه
✦
پرستندهٔ تخت تو باد ماه
“Saying: "O glorious pillar of Iran's host, may even the moon render homage to thy throne!"”
#78
فدای سپه کرده‌ای جان و تن
✦
به پیری زمان روزگار کهن
“"Thou hast sacrificed thy life and body for the army, in old age at the twilight of thy days."”
#79
چنین گفت گودرز با مهتران
✦
که چون رزم ما گشت ز این سان گران
“Then Goudarz spake unto the chieftains: "Since our battle hath proven so fierce and momentous,”
#80
مرا در دل آید که افراسیاب
✦
سپه بگذراند بدین روی آب
“"It comes to my heart that Afrasiab may lead his army across this side of the river."”
#81
سپاه وی آسوده از رنج و تاب
✦
بمانده سپاهم چنین در شتاب
“His army rests untroubled by pain and strain, while my own troops remain thus in frantic haste.”
#82
ولیکن چنین دارم امید من
✦
که آید جهاندار خورشید من
“Yet such is my firm hope that the ruler of the world, my radiant sun, shall soon arrive.”
#83
بیفروزد این رزمگه را به فر
✦
بیارد سپاهی به نو کینه‌ور
“He will illuminate this battlefield with his royal glory, bringing forth a newly vengeful host.”
#84
یکی هوشمندی فرستاده‌ام
✦
بسی شاه را پندها داده‌ام
“I have sent a wise messenger to him, and given many words of counsel to the king.”
#85
که گر شاه ترکان بیارد سپاه
✦
نداریم پای اندر این کینه‌گاه
“Warning that if the king of the Turks brings his host, we cannot hold our ground in this field of vengeance.”
#86
گمانم چنان است کو با سپاه
✦
به یاری بیاید بدین رزمگاه
“My expectation is that he, along with his army, will come to our aid upon this battlefield.”
#87
مر این کشتگان را بر این دشت کین
✦
چنین هم بدارید بر پشت زین
“Keep these slain heroes on this battlefield of vengeance tied thus upon their saddles.”
#88
کز این کشتگان جان ما بیغم است
✦
روان سیاووش ز این خرم است
“For because of these fallen foes, our souls are free of grief, and the spirit of Siyavash is made joyful.”
#89
اگر هم چنین نزد شاه آوریم
✦
شود شاد و ز این پایگاه آوریم
“If we bring them thus before the King, he shall rejoice, and we shall gain noble prestige from this.”
#90
که آشوب ترکان و ایرانیان
✦
از این بد کجا کم شد اندر میان
“For the turmoil between the Turks and Iranians stemmed from this evil, which has now been diminished among us.”
#91
همه یکسره خواندند آفرین
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا زمان و زمین
“All with one accord sang out praises, exclaiming: 'May time and earth never exist without thee!'”
#92
همه سودمندی ز گفتار تست
✦
خور و ماه روشن بدیدار تست
“All wisdom and benefit spring from thy counsel; the bright sun and moon are honored by thy presence.”
#93
برفتند با کشتگان همچنان
✦
گروی زره را پیاده دوان
“Thus they set off with the bodies of the slain, forcing Garwi-ye Zereh to run bound on foot beside them.”