King Keykhosrow, weary of the endlessly dragging war and Shideh's boastful words, summoned the loyal general Qaren to convey his decisive reply. The Shah declared that the time for mere speeches had passed, for true warriors do not stall on the precipice of battle. He spurned any notion of ransom, gold, or worldly treasure, recalling that this fleeting world abides with no man. Swearing by the Almighty Creator and the divine crown of Kay Kavus, Keykhosrow pledged that the ultimate judgment lay with Heaven, and that the realm, crown, and treasures of Turan would soon fall to Iran.
Accepting Shideh's challenge to a single-handed duel, the Iranian monarch swore that no champion from his army would interfere. At the break of dawn, it would be only Keykhosrow, Shideh, the open field, and the sharp edge of the blade. He issued a grim prophecy: Shideh had not come by his own free will or desire for glory, but had been drawn by Divine Fate to answer for the innocent blood of Siyavash, slaughtered like a sheep. Should Khosrow prevail in the duel, he vowed to unleash the full force of his hosts immediately after, painting the battlefield red with blood.
When Qaren reached the black banners of the Turanian line and delivered every word of the fierce ultimatum, Shideh's heart burned with anguish. He hastened to his father, Afrasiab. Upon hearing Keykhosrow's unyielding defiance, the Turanian king turned pale and heaved a bitter sigh. In that terrifying instant, the prophetic nightmare he had kept hidden in his heart for so many years flared back to life. Afrasiab realized with sinking dread that his fortune had reached its precipitous end.
Filled with foreboding, Afrasiab begged his son to delay the battle for at least two days, confessing that his heart felt shattered and foreseeing a bloody slaughter of their men. Yet Shideh, blinded by youthful pride and fury, refused his father's plea. He vowed that as soon as the sun raised its purple banner at dawn, he would ride into the arena alone to face Keykhosrow and bring black dust upon the Iranian king.
#1
بفرمود تا قارن نیک‌خواه
✦
شود باز و پاسخ گزارد ز شاه
“He commanded the loyal Qaren to turn back and deliver the King's response,”
#2
که این کار ما دیر و دشوار گشت
✦
سخنها ز اندازه اندر گذشت
“Saying: 'This affair of ours has drawn out long and hard; words have exceeded all reasonable bounds.”
#3
هنر یافته مرد سنگی به جنگ
✦
نجوید گه رزم چندین درنگ
“A battle-proven man of steadfast resolve seeks no such delay in the hour of strife.”
#4
کنون تا خداوند خورشید و ماه
✦
که را شاد دارد بدین رزمگاه
“Now let us see whom the Lord of the Sun and Moon shall favor on this field of combat.”
#5
نخواهم ز تو اسب و دینار و گنج
✦
که بر کس نماند سرای سپنج
“I desire neither steeds nor dinars nor treasure from thee, for this transient abode abides with no man.”
#6
به زور جهان آفرین کردگار
✦
به دیهیم کاوس پروردگار
“By the strength of the World-Creator, God, and by the divine diadem of Kavus,”
#7
که چندان نمانم شما را زمان
✦
که بر گل جهد تندباد خزان
“I shall not grant thee even so much time as the fierce autumn gale bestows upon a rose.”
#8
بدان خواسته نیست ما را نیاز
✦
که از جور و بیدادی آمد فراز
“We have no need for wealth that hath been amassed through tyranny and injustice.”
#9
که را پشت گرمی به یزدان بود
✦
همیشه دل و بخت خندان بود
“Whosoever places his firm reliance in God, his heart and fortune shall ever smile.”
#10
بر و بوم و گنج و سپاهت مراست
✦
همان تخت و زرین کلاهت مراست
“Thy land, thy realm, thy treasure, and thy host are mine; even thy throne and golden crown belong to me.”
#11
پشنگ آمد و خواست از من نبرد
✦
زره‌دار بی لشکر و دار و برد
“The scion of Pashang came and demanded battle from me—an armored knight without his host or force.”
#12
سپیده‌دمان هست مهمان من
✦
به خنجر ببیند سرافشان من
“At early dawn he shall be my guest, to behold my decapitating dagger.”
#13
کسی را نخواهم ز ایران سپاه
✦
که با او بگردد به آوردگاه
“I shall request no warrior from the host of Iran to fight beside me in the arena.”
#14
من و شیده و دشت و شمشیر تیز
✦
برآرم به فرجام از او رستخیز
“Just I, Shideh, the open plain, and the sharp sword! In the end, I shall raise a doom upon him.”
#15
گر ایدون که پیروز گردم به جنگ
✦
نسازم بر این سان که گفتی درنگ
“Should I emerge victorious in battle, I shall make no such delay as thou didst suggest.”
#16
مبارز خروشان کنیم از دو روی
✦
ز خون دشت گردد پر از رنگ و بوی
“We shall set roaring champions against each other from both sides, till the plain grows vivid and scented with blood.”
#17
از آن پس یلان را همه همگروه
✦
به جنگ اندر آریم بر سان کوه
“Thereafter, we shall bring all the heroes together into battle, clashing like mountain against mountain.'”
#18
چو این گفت باشی به شیده بگوی
✦
که ای کم خرد مهتر کامجوی
“'When thou hast spoken this, say to Shideh: "O foolish, self-seeking leader!”
#19
نه تنها تو ایدر به کام آمدی
✦
نه بر جستن ننگ و نام آمدی
“Thou didst not come here merely for thy pleasure, nor solely in pursuit of fame or shame.”
#20
نه از بهر پیغام افراسیاب
✦
که کردار بد کرد بر تو شتاب
“Nor didst thou come merely carrying the embassy of Afrasiab, whose evil deeds rushed swiftly upon thee.”
#21
جهاندارت انگیخت از انجمن
✦
ستودانت ایدر بود هم کفن
“The World-Ruler drove thee forth from the assembly; thy grave here shall serve as thy shroud.”
#22
گزند آیدت زان سر بی‌گزند
✦
که از تن بریدند چون گوسفند
“Harm shall strike thee from that innocent head which they severed from its body like a sheep!"'”
#23
بیامد دمان قارن از نزد شاه
✦
به نزد یکی آن درفش سیاه
“Qaren departed swiftly from the King, hastening toward that black banner.”
#24
سخن هرچ بشنید با او بگفت
✦
نماند ایچ نیک و بد اندر نهفت
“Whatever he had heard he related to him, concealing nothing good or ill.”
#25
بشد شیده نزدیک افراسیاب
✦
دلش چون بر آتش نهاده کباب
“Shideh went before Afrasiab, his heart roasting like meat over a fire.”
#26
ببد شاه ترکان ز پاسخ دژم
✦
غمی گشت و برزد یکی تیز دم
“The King of the Turks grew gloomy at the reply; filled with sorrow, he heaved a bitter sigh.”
#27
از آن خواب کز روزگار دراز
✦
بدید و ز هر کس همی داشت راز
“Recalling that dream he had seen long ago, which he had kept secret from everyone,”
#28
سرش گشت گردان و دل پرنهیب
✦
بدانست کامد به تنگی نشیب
“His head reeled and his heart filled with terror; he realized that his downfall had come.”
#29
بدو گفت فردا بدین رزمگاه
✦
ز افگنده مردان نیابند راه
“He said to him: 'Tomorrow on this battlefield, fallen warriors shall block the paths.'”
#30
به شیده چنین گفت کز بامداد
✦
مکن تا دو روز ای پسر جنگ یاد
“He spoke to Shideh thus: 'My son, from tomorrow morn, make no mention of battle for two days.”
#31
بدین رزم بشکست گویی دلم
✦
بر آنم که دل را ز تن بگسلم
“My heart feels as though shattered by this fight; I am minded to sever my heart from my body.'”
#32
پسر گفت کای شاه ترکان و چین
✦
دل خویش را بد مکن روز کین
“His son replied: 'O King of Turks and Chin, make not thy heart despair on the day of vengeance!”
#33
چو خورشید فردا بر آرد درفش
✦
درفشان کند روی چرخ بنفش
“Tomorrow, when the sun unfurls its banner and illuminates the face of the purple sky,”
#34
من و خسرو و دشت آوردگاه
✦
برانگیزم از شاه گرد سیاه
“Me, Khosrow, and the field of combat! I shall raise black dust from the King!'”