Day and night, the name of Fereydun lingered upon Zahhak's lips; the dread of his inevitable downfall haunted the tyrant's every waking hour. Desperate to bolster his fragile legitimacy, the Serpent King summoned the sages, mobads, and chieftains of the realm, demanding they sign a forged scroll testifying that he was a just monarch who had sowed nothing but righteousness. Cowed by terror, the nobles bowed their heads and set their seals to the falsehood.
At that very moment, a clamor for justice echoed outside the palace gates. Kaveh, a grief-stricken blacksmith whose seventeen sons had already been sacrificed to feed the serpents upon Zahhak's shoulders, burst into the hall to save his last remaining child. Confronted with the false scroll, Kaveh’s anguish exploded into defiant fury. He condemned the cowed nobles as servants of demons, tore the parchment into pieces, trampled it beneath his feet, and marched out with his son.
Zahhak sat stunned in his high throne, paralyzed by an uncanny dread. He confessed to his court that as Kaveh spoke, it felt as though a mountain of iron had risen between them. Leaving the palace, Kaveh lifted his leather blacksmith's apron atop a spear and raised a battle cry in the marketplace. The oppressed populace flocked to his side. Leading the crowd, Kaveh marched to find Fereydun.
Upon beholding the leather banner, Fereydun recognized it as an omen of victory. He adorned the raw leather with glittering jewels, golden fabrics, and Roman silks, inaugurating it as the revered 'Derafsh-e Kaviani'—the eternal banner of Iranian freedom. Preparing for war, Fereydun bade a tearful farewell to his mother Faranak, entrusting her to God's care. He then called upon his elder brothers, Kiyanush and Purmaye, and gathered the finest artisans of the realm. Drawing the shape of a bull's head upon the earth, he commanded them to forge a heavy mace in its likeness. The smiths set to work, crafting the magnificent Ox-Headed Mace that gleamed like the sun, arming Fereydun for his holy vengeance against the serpent tyrant.
#1
چنان بُد که ضحاک را روز و شب
✦
به نام فریدون گشادی دو لب
“So it came to pass that day and night, Zahhak opened his lips only to speak the name of Fereydun.”
#2
بر آن برز بالا ز بیم نشیب
✦
شده ز آفریدون دلش پر نهیب
“From his tall stature, for fear of falling low, his heart became filled with dread of Fereydun.”
#3
چنان بُد که یک روز بر تخت عاج
✦
نهاده به سر بر ز پیروزه تاج
“It so happened that one day, seated upon an ivory throne, wearing a turquoise crown upon his head,”
#4
ز هر کشوری مهتران را بخواست
✦
که در پادشاهی کند پشت راست
“He summoned the chieftains from every land, seeking to fortify his royal rule.”
#5
از آن پس چنین گفت با موبدان
✦
که ای پرهنر باگهر بخردان!
“He then addressed the mobads, saying: 'O wise and noble men of virtue!”
#6
مرا در نهانی یکی دشمن‌ست
✦
که بر بخردان این سخن روشن است
“'I have a hidden enemy, as is plain to all wise minds.”
#7
به سال اندکی و به دانش بزرگ
✦
گوی بدنژادی دلیر و سترگ
“'Young in years, but great in wisdom; a brave, formidable champion of ill lineage.'”
#8
اگر چه به سال اندک ای راستان
✦
درین کار موبد زدش داستان
“'Though he be young in years, O righteous ones, a mobad once told a tale concerning this matter:'”
#9
که دشمن اگر چه بود خوار و خُرد
✦
نبایدت او را به پی بر سپرد
“'Though an enemy be low and small, thou must not crush him heedlessly beneath thy foot.'”
#10
ندارم همی دشمن خُرد خوار
✦
بترسم همی از بد روزگار
“'I hold no enemy as small or contemptible, for I fear the ill turns of Fate.'”
#11
همی زین فزون بایدم لشکری
✦
هم از مردم و هم ز دیو و پری
“'Therefore, I need a vast army, composed of men, divs, and fairies alike.'”
#12
یکی لشگری خواهم انگیختن
✦
ابا دیو مردم برآمیختن
“'I desire to raise a force wherein demonic hosts and mortals mingle together.'”
#13
بباید بدین بود هم‌داستان
✦
که من ناشکیبم بدین داستان
“'Ye must all agree to this plan, for I can endure no further anxiety in this affair.'”
#14
یکی محضر اکنون بباید نوشت
✦
که جز تخم نیکی سپهبد نکشت
“'Now a scroll of testimony must be written, attesting that the commander has sown naught but seeds of goodness,'”
#15
نگوید سخن جز همه راستی
✦
نخواهد به داد اندرون کاستی
“'That he speaks only the truth, and desires no flaw in justice.'”
#16
ز بیم سپهبد همه راستان
✦
بر آن کار گشتند هم‌داستان
“Out of terror of the commander, all the honest elders agreed to that decree.”
#17
بر آن محضر اژدها ناگزیر
✦
گواهی نوشتند برنا و پیر
“Upon that forced testimony to the Dragon King, young and old set their seals.”
#18
هم آنگه یکایک ز درگاه شاه
✦
برآمد خروشیدن دادخواه
“At that very moment, a cry for justice echoed from the court of the king.”
#19
ستم دیده را پیش او خواندند
✦
بر نامدارانش بنشاندند
“They called the oppressed seeker of justice inside, and seated him before the notables.”
#20
بِدو گفت مهتر به روی دژم
✦
که بر گوی تا از که دیدی ستم؟
“The ruler asked him with a gloomy face: 'Speak, from whom hast thou suffered oppression?'”
#21
خروشید و زد دست بر سر ز شاه
✦
که شاها منم کاوهٔ دادخواه
“He wept bitterly, struck his hands upon his head, and cried: 'O King, I am Kaveh, seeking justice!'”
#22
یکی بی‌زیان مرد آهنگرم
✦
ز شاه آتش آید همی بر سرم
“'I am a harmless blacksmith, yet fire from the King falls incessantly upon my head.'”
#23
تو شاهی و گر اژدها پیکری
✦
بباید بدین داستان داوری
“'Thou art the ruler—or if an ox-dragon thou art—thou must render judgment upon this matter!'”
#24
که گر هفت کشور به شاهی تو راست
✦
چرا رنج و سختی همه بهر ماست؟
“'If the sovereignty of seven climes is thine, why must all suffering and hardship fall to us?'”
#25
شماریت با من بباید گرفت
✦
بدان تا جهان ماند اندر شگفت
“'Thou must settle an account with me, so that all the world may stand in astonishment.'”
#26
مگر کز شمار تو آید پدید
✦
که نوبت ز گیتی به من چون رسید
“'So it may be made clear in this reckoning why the turn of slaughter hath reached me,'”
#27
که مارانت را مغز فرزند من
✦
همی داد باید ز هر انجمن
“'That the brains of my sons must forever feed thy serpents from every gathering!'”
#28
سپهبد به گفتار او بنگرید
✦
شگفت آمدش کآن سخن‌ها شنید
“The commander marveled at his speech, astounded to hear such fearless words.”
#29
بِدو باز دادند فرزند او
✦
به خوبی بجستند پیوند او
“They restored his remaining son to him and sought to soothe his heart with kindness.”
#30
بفرمود پس کاوه را پادشا
✦
که باشد بران محضر اندر گوا
“Then the king commanded Kaveh to add his witness to that scroll of righteousness.”
#31
چو بر خواند کاوه همه محضرش
✦
سبک سوی پیران آن کشورش
“When Kaveh read the full document, he turned swiftly toward the elders of the land,”
#32
خروشید کای پای مردان دیو
✦
بریده دل از ترس گیهان خدیو
“And roared: 'O ye henchmen of the Demon, who have severed your hearts from fear of the Lord of the World!'”
#33
همه سوی دوزخ نهادید روی
✦
سپردید دل‌ها به گفتار اوی
“'Ye have all turned your faces toward Hell, yielding your hearts to his deceitful words!'”
#34
نباشم بدین محضر اندر گوا
✦
نه هرگز براندیشم از پادشا
“'I shall never bear witness to this document, nor shall I ever fear the wrath of this ruler!'”
#35
خروشید و برجست لرزان ز جای
✦
بدرّید و بسپرد محضر به پای
“He roared, sprang trembling to his feet, tore the scroll to shreds, and trampled it beneath his feet.”
#36
گرانمایه فرزند او پیش اوی
✦
ز ایوان برون شد خروشان به کوی
“His precious son before him, he strode out of the palace, shouting into the streets.”
#37
مهان شاه را خواندند آفرین
✦
که ای نامور شهریار زمین!
“The nobles praised the King, saying: 'O renowned Monarch of the Earth!'”
#38
ز چرخ فلک بر سرت باد سرد
✦
نیارد گذشتن به روز نبرد
“'May no cold wind of fate pass over thy head on the day of battle!'”
#39
چرا پیش تو کاوهٔ خام‌گوی
✦
به سان همالان کند سرخ روی
“'Why should Kaveh, that raw-spoken smith, bolden his face before thee as if he were thine equal?'”
#40
همه محضر ما و پیمان تو
✦
بدرّد بپیچد ز فرمان تو
“'He tore up our covenant and thy mandate, turning away from thy supreme command!'”
#41
کیِ نامور پاسخ آورد زود
✦
که از من شگفتی بباید شنود
“The famous King answered quickly: 'Hear a wondrous truth from me:'”
#42
که چون کاوه آمد ز درگه پدید
✦
دو گوش من آواز او را شنید
“'When Kaveh appeared at the court and his voice struck my ears,'”
#43
میان من و او ز ایوان درست
✦
تو گفتی یکی کوه آهن برست
“'It was as if a mountain of iron had sprung up between him and me within this palace!'”
#44
ندانم چه شاید بدن زین سپس
✦
که راز سپهری ندانست کس
“'I know not what shall come to pass hereafter, for none hath ever known the secrets of the heavens.'”
#45
چو کاوه برون شد ز درگاه شاه
✦
بَرو انجمن گشت بازارگاه
“When Kaveh left the King's threshold, a crowd gathered around him in the marketplace.”
#46
همی بر خروشید و فریاد خواند
✦
جهان را سراسر سوی داد خواند
“He cried aloud and raised a bitter plea, summoning the whole world to the cause of justice.”
#47
از آن چرم کآهنگران پشت پای
✦
بپوشند هنگام زخم درای
“Using that very leather which smiths bind upon their feet to guard against the hammer's strike,”
#48
همان کاوه آن بر سر نیزه کرد
✦
همان‌گه ز بازار برخاست گَرد
“Kaveh fixed that leather apron to a spearhead, and at that instant a roar of dust arose from the market.”
#49
خروشان همی رفت نیزه به دست
✦
که ای نامداران یزدان‌پرست!
“Shouting, he marched forward spear in hand, crying: 'O noble worshipers of God!'”
#50
کسی کاو هوای فریدون کند
✦
دل از بند ضحاک بیرون کند
“'Whosoever longs for Fereydun’s cause must free their heart from Zahhak’s thrall!'”
#51
بپویید کاین مهتر آهرمن است
✦
جهان آفرین را به دل دشمن است
“'Hasten! For this ruler is Ahriman himself, at heart an enemy to the Creator of the world!'”
#52
بدان بی‌بها ناسزاوار پوست
✦
پدید آمد آوای دشمن ز دوست
“Through that humble, priceless hide of leather, the voice of friend was sundered from foe.”
#53
همی رفت پیش اندرون مرد گرد
✦
جهانی بَرو انجمن شد نه خُرد
“The valiant hero marched ahead, and a mighty host gathered round his banner.”
#54
بدانست خود کافریدون کجاست
✦
سر اندر کشید و همی رفت راست
“Well he knew where Fereydun abode; he set his face and marched directly toward him.”
#55
بیامد به درگاه سالار نو
✦
بدیدندش آن جا و برخاست غو
“He arrived at the threshold of the new leader, and as they beheld him, a great clamor arose.”
#56
چو آن پوست بر نیزه بر دید کِی
✦
به نیکی یکی اختر افگند پی
“When the King beheld that hide upon the spear, he hailed it as a blessed sign of good fortune.”
#57
بیاراست آن را به دیبای روم
✦
ز گوهر بر و پیکر از زر بوم
“He adorned it with brocade of Byzantium, studded it with jewels upon a field of gold.”
#58
بزد بر سر خویش چون گرد ماه
✦
یکی فال فرخ پی‌افکند شاه
“He raised it high like a halo framing the moon, and thus laid the foundation of a glorious omen.”
#59
فرو هشت ازو سرخ و زرد و بنفش
✦
همی خواندش کاویانی درفش
“Streamers of red, yellow, and violet hung from it, and he named it the Banner of Kaveh.”
#60
از آن پس هر آن کس که بگرفت گاه
✦
به شاهی به سر بر نهادی کلاه
“Thereafter, whenever a monarch ascended the throne and placed the crown of kingship on his head,”
#61
بر آن بی‌بها چرم آهنگران
✦
برآویختی نو به نو گوهران
“Upon that humble leather of the smiths, he would attach fresh, splendid jewels anew.”
#62
ز دیبای پرمایه و پرنیان
✦
بر آن گونه شد اختر کاویان
“Draped in precious silks and woven brocades, the Star of Kaveh shone so brilliantly,”
#63
که اندر شب تیره خورشید بود
✦
جهان را ازو دل پر امید بود
“That in the pitch-black night it burned like the sun, filling the heart of the world with hope.”
#64
بگشت اندرین نیز چندی جهان
✦
همی بودنی داشت اندر نهان
“Some time passed thus in the world, while destiny kept its hidden secrets veiled.”
#65
فریدون چو گیتی بر آن گونه دید
✦
جهان پیش ضحاک وارونه دید
“When Fereydun saw the world in such a plight, and perceived that fortune turned against Zahhak,”
#66
سوی مادر آمد کمر بر میان
✦
به سر بر نهاده کلاه کیان
“He came unto his mother, girt for battle, wearing the crown of kings upon his head.”
#67
که من رفتنی‌ام سوی کارزار
✦
تو را جز نیایش مباد ایچ کار
“He said: 'I am bound for the field of war; let your sole labor be in prayer.'”
#68
ز گیتی جهان‌آفرین را پرست
✦
ازو دان بهر نیکی زور دست
“'Worship only the Creator of the world, and know that every strength of arm comes from Him alone.'”
#69
فرو ریخت آب از مژه مادرش
✦
همی خواند با خون دل داورش
“Tears streamed down his mother's eyelashes, as with a heart of blood she called upon her Lord.”
#70
به یزدان همی گفت زنهار من
✦
سپردم تو را ای جهاندار من
“She prayed to God: 'O Ruler of the world, into Thy protection do I commend my child!'”
#71
بگردان ز جانش بد جاودان
✦
بپرداز گیتی ز نابخردان
“'Turn everlasting evil away from his soul, and cleanse the earth of the foolish and profane.'”
#72
فریدون سبک ساز رفتن گرفت
✦
سخن را ز هر کس نهفتن گرفت
“Fereydun quickly made ready for departure, keeping his counsel hidden from all.”
#73
برادر دو بودش دو فرخ همال
✦
ازو هر دو آزاده مهتر به سال
“He had two brothers, noble companions, both of them his seniors in years.”
#74
یکی بود ازیشان کیانوش نام
✦
دگر نام پرمایهٔ شادکام
“One of them was named Kiyanush, and the other was called the prosperous Purmaya.”
#75
فریدون بریشان زبان برگشاد
✦
که خرم زیید ای دلیران و شاد
“Fereydun addressed them, saying: 'Live happily and in gladness, O brave brothers!'”
#76
که گردون نگردد به جز بر بهی
✦
به ما بازگردد کلاه مهی
“'For the heavens turn only toward goodness, and the crown of sovereignty shall return to us.'”
#77
بیارید داننده آهنگران
✦
یکی گرز فرمود باید گران
“'Summon skillful blacksmiths, for a heavy mace must be forged at my command.'”
#78
چو بگشاد لب هر دو بشتافتند
✦
به بازار آهنگران تاختند
“As soon as he spoke, both brothers hastened and rushed off to the blacksmiths' market.”
#79
هر آن کس کز آن پیشه بُد نام‌جوی
✦
به سوی فریدون نهادند روی
“All those who sought renown in that craft turned their steps toward Fereydun.”
#80
جهان‌جوی پرگار بگرفت زود
✦
وزان گرز پیکر بٕدیشان نمود
“The world-seeker swiftly took up a compass, and sketched before them the shape of the mace.”
#81
نگاری نگارید بر خاک پیش
✦
همیدون به سان سر گاومیش
“He sketched a design upon the dust before them, fashioned in the likeness of an ox's head.”
#82
بر آن دست بردند آهنگران
✦
چو شد ساخته کار گرز گران
“The smiths set their hands to the task, until the heavy mace was fully forged.”
#83
به پیش جهان‌جوی بردند گرز
✦
فروزان به کردار خورشید بُرز
“They brought the mace before the world-seeker, gleaming bright like the radiant sun above.”
#84
پسند آمدش کار پولادگر
✦
ببخشیدشان جامه و سیم و زر
“The steelworkers' craftsmanship pleased him well, and he rewarded them with robes, silver, and gold.”
#85
بسی کردشان نیز فرخ امید
✦
بسی دادشان مهتری را نوید
“He inspired in them great and blessed hope, and promised them exaltation and high rank.”
#86
که گر اژدها را کنم زیر خاک
✦
بشویم شما را سر از گرد پاک
“Saying: 'If I cast that dragon into the earth, I shall cleanse your heads entirely of dust.'”