When nine hours of the day had passed and the sun began its descent across the revolving heavens, King Kay Khosrow entered the plain of battle. The chieftains, renowned champions, and warriors rushed forth to greet the sovereign, while the wise offered prayers of exaltation. The King remained astride his charger so that the entire host might behold his face, showering blessings upon his troops and praying for the earth to flourish through their valour.
Behind the main army, the commander Goudarz marched like an unshakable mountain with his kin. The heads of the slain Turanian champions hung downward from their saddles, their armor and garments drenched in gore. The ten defeated Turanian warlords were brought forward. When Goudarz beheld Khosrow from afar, he dismounted in reverence, fell upon the earth, and prostrated before the monarch. He presented each slain foe to Khosrow, describing the duels fought by each Iranian champion. Meanwhile, Giv brought forward Garwi Zereh bound in heavy chains, along with the lifeless body of the brave commander Piran Viseh.
Swiftly, King Khosrow dismounted and prostrated himself before Almighty God, giving thanks for the supreme victory and dominion bestowed upon his realm. He showered praises upon Goudarz and his illustrious clan, declaring that they had burned like a fierce fire to extinguish the enemies of Iran. The King pledged his treasures and royal patronage to his heroic champions, withholding nothing from them.
Thereafter, Khosrow inspected the fallen. When his eyes fell upon the corpse of Piran Viseh, tears of blood streamed from his eyes. Memories of Piran's past kindnesses flared like fire in his breast. The King lamented the cruelty of fate, comparing bad fortune to a savage dragon that entangles even the fiercest lion. He recalled how Piran had once protected him in his youth and grieved for Siyavash, yet how Ahriman had corrupted his heart, binding his destiny to the tyranny of Afrasiab. Khosrow wept that he had wished to bestow a throne and crown upon Piran, but fate decreed that Goudarz's javelin would end the commander's life.
Khosrow commanded that Piran's body be anointed with pure musk, camphor, ambergris, and rosewater, and shrouded in rich Roman silk. He ordered a towering tomb built whose roof touched the heavens, placing a golden throne within where Piran was laid to rest adorned with his crown and belt of state.
Then Khosrow turned his gaze upon Garwi Zereh—a hideous, demon-like wretch with matted hair. Invoking the Lord of the Universe, Khosrow swore vengeance for the innocent blood of his father Siyavash. He commanded that Garwi Zereh be stretched and bound tightly, his head severed like a sheep, and his carcass thrown into the river. Having restored justice, Khosrow remained on the field to organize his host, bestowing the realm of Isfahan along with a crown of greatness upon Goudarz for his supreme victory.
#1
چو از روز نه ساعت اندر گذشت
✦
خور از گنبد چرخ گردان بگشت
“As nine hours of the day passed by, and the sun turned upon the dome of the revolving sky,”
#2
جهاندار خسرو به نزد سپاه
✦
بیامد بدان دشت آوردگاه
“The world-conquering King Khosrow arrived before the army upon the battlefield.”
#3
پذیره شدندش سراسر سران
✦
همه نامداران و جنگاوران
“All the chieftains, renowned heroes, and warriors went forth to welcome him.”
#4
بر او خواندند آفرین بخردان
✦
که ای شهریار و سر موبدان
“The wise praised him, crying: 'O King and head of all wise priests!'”
#5
چنان هم همی بود بر اسب شاه
✦
بدان تا ببینند رویش سپاه
“Thus the King remained upon his steed so that the entire host might behold his face.”
#6
بر ایشان همی خواند شاه آفرین
✦
که آباد بادا به گردان زمین
“The King bestowed blessings upon them, praying: 'May the earth remain prosperous through brave warriors!'”
#7
به آیین پس پشت لشکر چو کوه
✦
همی رفت گودرز با آن گروه
“According to custom, Goudarz marched behind the host like a mountain with his clan.”
#8
سر کشتگان را فگنده نگون
✦
سلیح و تن و جامه هاشان به خون
“Heads of the slain hung downward, their armor, bodies, and garments drenched in blood.”
#9
همان ده مبارز کز آوردگاه
✦
بیاورده بودند گردان شاه
“And likewise the ten slain champions brought from the field of battle by the King's heroes.”
#10
پس لشکر اندر همی راندند
✦
ابر شهریار آفرین خواندند
“They rode behind the army, chanting praises unto the monarch.”
#11
چو گودرز نزدیک خسرو رسید
✦
پیاده شد از دور کو را بدید
“When Goudarz drew near Khosrow and saw him from afar, he dismounted from his horse.”
#12
ستایش کنان پهلوان سپاه
✦
بیامد بغلتید در پیش شاه
“Praising the sovereign, the commander of the host approached and prostrated before the King.”
#13
همه کشتگان را به خسرو نمود
✦
بگفتش که همرزم هر کس که بود
“He presented all the slain champions to Khosrow, recounting who had fought each rival.”
#14
گروی زره را بیاورد گیو
✦
دمان با سپهدار پیران نیو
“Giv brought forth Garwi Zereh captive, alongside the fallen brave commander Piran.”
#15
ز اسب اندر آمد سبک شهریار
✦
نیایش همی کرد بر کردگار
“Swiftly the King dismounted his steed and offered prayers of thanksgiving to the Creator.”
#16
ز یزدان سپاس و بدویم پناه
✦
که او داد پیروزی و دستگاه
“'Praise be to God, in Whom is my refuge, for He granted victory and dominion!'”
#17
ز دادار بر پهلوان آفرین
✦
همی خواند و بر لشکرش همچنین
“He invoked the Creator's blessings upon the champion Goudarz, and likewise upon the whole army.”
#18
که ای نامداران فرخنده پی
✦
شما آتش و دشمنان خشک نی
“'O auspicious and renowned heroes, ye are as fire, and the enemy as dry reeds!'”
#19
سپهدار گودرز با دودمان
✦
ز بهر دل من چو آتش دمان
“'Commander Goudarz and his lineage raged like blazing fire to cheer my heart.'”
#20
همه جان و تن ها فدا کرده‌اند
✦
دم از شهر توران برآورده‌اند
“'They sacrificed body and soul, extinguishing the breath of the land of Turan.'”
#21
کنون گنج و شاهی مرا با شماست
✦
ندارم دریغ از شما دست راست
“'Now my treasure and kingdom belong to you; I shall withhold nothing from your hand.'”
#22
از آن پس بدان کشتگان بنگرید
✦
چو روی سپهدار پیران بدید
“Thereafter he looked upon the fallen slain, and when his eyes met the face of Commander Piran,”
#23
فروریخت آب از دو دیده به درد
✦
که کردار نیکی همی یاد کرد
“Tears poured in pain from his eyes as he remembered Piran's former deeds of kindness.”
#24
به پیرانش بر دل از آن سان بسوخت
✦
تو گفتی به دلش آتشی برفروخت
“His heart burned so intensely for Piran that it seemed a flame had flared within his breast.”
#25
یکی داستان زد پس از مرگ اوی
✦
به خون دو دیده بیالود روی
“He recited a parable after his death, staining his face with tears of blood.”
#26
که بخت بد است اژدهای دژم
✦
به دام آورد شیر شرزه به دم
“'Ill fate is a fierce dragon that catches even the raging lion in its tail's snare.'”
#27
به مردی نیابد کسی زو رها
✦
چنین آمد این تیزچنگ اژدها
“'None escapes it through bravery alone; such is this sharp-clawed dragon of fate.'”
#28
کشیدی همه ساله تیمار من
✦
میان بسته بودی به پیکار من
“'All the year thou didst nurture me with care, yet thou wast girded to wage war against me!'”
#29
ز خون سیاوش پر از درد بود
✦
بدانگه کسی را نیازرد بود
“'His heart was full of grief for Siyavash's blood, and in those days he harmed no one.'”
#30
چنان مهربان بود دژخیم شد
✦
وز او شهر ایران پر از بیم شد
“'Once so merciful, he turned ruthless, filling the land of Iran with terror.'”
#31
مر او را ببرد اهرمن دل ز جای
✦
دگرگونه پیش اندر آورد پای
“'Ahriman led his heart astray, causing him to tread a different path.'”
#32
فراوان همی خیره دادمش پند
✦
نیامدش گفتار من سودمند
“'Much counsel did I offer him in vain, but my words availed him not.'”
#33
از افراسیابش نه برگشت سر
✦
کنون شهریارش چنین داد بر
“'He would not turn his head from Afrasiab, and now his king has yielded him this fruit.'”
#34
مکافات او ما جز این خواستیم
✦
همی گاه و دیهیمش آراستیم
“'We desired a different reward for him, intending to adorn him with a throne and crown!'”
#35
از اندیشهٔ ما سخن درگذشت
✦
فلک بر سرش بر دگرگونه گشت
“'Yet matters went beyond our intent, as heaven turned against him in another fashion.'”
#36
به دل بر جفا کرد بر جای مهر
✦
بدین سر دگرگونه بنمود چهر
“'He did cruelty to his heart instead of love, showing a different face unto the end.'”
#37
کنون پند گودرز و فرمان من
✦
بیفگند گفتار و پیمان من
“'Now he cast aside Goudarz's counsel and my command, breaking my pledge and speech.'”
#38
تبه کرد مهر دل پاک را
✦
به زهر اندر آمیخت تریاک را
“'He ruined the love of a pure heart, mixing antidote with deadly poison.'”
#39
که آمد به جنگ شما با سپاه
✦
که چندان شد از شهر ایران تباه
“'For he came with an army to fight you, causing so much ruin to the land of Iran.'”
#40
ز توران بسیچید و آمد دمان
✦
که ژوپین گودرز بودش زمان
“'He set out swiftly from Turan, yet Goudarz's javelin was destined to end his time.'”
#41
پسر با برادر کلاه و کمر
✦
سلیح و سپاه و همه بوم و بر
“'Sons, brothers, crowns and belts, weapons, host, and his entire homeland...'”
#42
بداد از پی مهر افراسیاب
✦
زمانه بر او کرد چندین شتاب
“'...All he surrendered out of devotion to Afrasiab, and fate hastened his doom so swiftly!'”
#43
بفرمود تا مشک و کافور ناب
✦
به عنبر برآمیخته با گلاب
“He commanded pure musk and camphor to be mixed with ambergris and rosewater.”
#44
تنش را بیالود زان سر به سر
✦
به کافور و مشکش بیاگند سر
“They anointed his body with it from head to foot, filling his head with camphor and musk.”
#45
به دیبای رومی تن پاک اوی
✦
بپوشید آن جان ناپاک اوی
“In Roman brocade they enveloped his body, covering that body whose soul had strayed.”
#46
یکی دخمه فرمود خسرو به مهر
✦
بر آورده سر تا به گردان سپهر
“Khosrow compassionately ordered a mausoleum to be built, its apex reaching up to the revolving sphere of heaven.”
#47
نهاد اندر او تختهای گران
✦
چنانچون بود در خور مهتران
“Inside it, he placed grand thrones of state, fitting for the highest of chieftains and nobles.”
#48
نهادند مر پهلوان را به گاه
✦
کمر بر میان و به سر بر کلاه
“They laid the hero upon the throne, with a belt around his waist and a crown upon his head.”
#49
چنین است کردار این پر فریب
✦
چه مایه فراز است و چندی نشیب
“Such is the way of this deceitful world: so many heights of glory, followed by so many depths of sorrow.”
#50
خردمند را دل ز کردار اوی
✦
بماند همی خیره از کار اوی
“The heart of a wise man remains forever astonished and bewildered by its unpredictable deeds.”
#51
از آن پس گروی زره را بدید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“Thereafter, Khosrow caught sight of Gurewi-ye Zereh, and drew a cold, deep sigh from his heart.”
#52
نگه کرد خسرو بدان زشت روی
✦
چو دیوی به سر بر فروهشته موی
“Khosrow gazed upon that hideous visage, like a demon with matted hair hanging down his head.”
#53
همی گفت کای کردگار جهان
✦
تو دانی همی آشکار و نهان
“He spoke: "O Creator of the universe! Thou knowest all that is manifest and all that is hidden.”
#54
همانا که کاووس بد کرده بود
✦
به پاداش از او زهر و کین آزمود
“Truly, Kavus must have committed evil, and in retribution tasted poison and enmity from fate,”
#55
که دیوی چنین بر سیاوش گماشت
✦
ندانم جز این کینه بر دل چه داشت
“That fate set such a demon against Siyavash; I know not what malice it harbored in its heart beyond this.”
#56
ولیکن به پیروزی یک خدای
✦
جهاندار نیکی ده و رهنمای
“Yet by the victory granted by the One God, the Sovereign ruler, Giver of good, and Guide...”
#57
که خون سیاوش ز افراسیاب
✦
بخواهم بدین کینه گیرم شتاب
“I shall exact the blood vengeance of Siyavash from Afrasiab, and hasten to execute this revenge.”
#58
گروی زره را گره تا گره
✦
بفرمود تا برکشیدند زه
“He commanded that Gurewi-ye Zereh be bound tightly joint by joint with bowstrings.”
#59
چو بندش جدا شد سرش را ز بند
✦
بریدند همچون سر گوسفند
“When his limbs were severed from his bindings, they cut off his head just like the head of a sheep.”
#60
بفرمود او را فگندن به آب
✦
بگفتا چنین بینم افراسیاب
“He ordered him to be cast into the water, saying, "Thus do I foresee the fate of Afrasiab as well."”
#61
ببد شاه چندی بر آن رزمگاه
✦
بدان تا کند ساز کار سپاه
“The king remained at that battlefield for a while, so that he might organize and equip his army.”
#62
دهد پادشاهی که را در خور است
✦
کسی کز در خلعت و افسر است
“He bestowed realms upon whoever was worthy, giving robes of honor and crowns to those deserving.”
#63
به گودرز داد آن زمان اصفهان
✦
کلاه بزرگی و تخت مهان
“At that time, he granted Isfahan to Gudarz, along with the coronet of greatness and the throne of nobles.”
#64
به اندازه اندرخور کارشان
✦
بیاراست خلعت سزاوارشان
“In proportion to their deeds, he prepared for them fitting robes of honor and royal rewards.”
#65
از آنها که بودند مانده به جای
✦
که پیرانشان بد سر و کدخدای
“Even for those survivors whose leader and master had been Piran.”