As the morning sun climbed above the mountain crests and hung its golden lamp in the heavens, a mighty shout echoed from the high battlements of Gang-Diz, sending King Kay Khosrow into deep contemplation. Presently, the heavy gates of the fortress swung open, revealing the hidden secret within. Prince Jahan, the wise and learned son of Afrasiab, rode forth accompanied by ten chosen horsemen, halting before the royal pavilion's outer portico. Manushan, the valiant Iranian champion, stepped forward to escort the Turanian envoy into the presence of the King of Kings.
Upon beholding Kay Khosrow seated in magnificent divine glory, Jahan was overcome with wonder; tears welled in his eyes, and he removed his noble helm in profound deference. Approaching the golden throne, he bowed low and offered eloquent praises, wishing the monarch eternal joy and asking leave to deliver Afrasiab's embassy. Kay Khosrow, respecting the envoy's lineage and wisdom, commanded a golden seat to be set for him. Jahan sat and recounted the Turanian king's words:
'Afrasiab sits in bitterness, his eyes brimming with tears, yet he praises the Almighty Creator for granting his grandson such regal majesty—a monarch whose paternal blood traces to Kay Qobad and maternal line to Tur himself. Yet he laments the foul sorcery of the dark demon that led his heart astray, causing the blood of innocent Prince Siyavash to be shed. Afrasiab swears that remorse leaves him without sleep or nourishment, for a demon stole the fear of God from his soul. He asks Khosrow to behold how many glorious realms, palaces, and noble warriors have been laid to waste in this endless feud. If Khosrow renounces vengeance, Afrasiab offers vast treasures, royal crowns, and the domains of China and Khorasan; but if war remains Khosrow's sole desire, Afrasiab warns of the impending bitter winter, the frost that freezes spears, and the unbreakable spirit of those who defend Gang-Diz.'
#1
دگر روز چون خور برآمد ز راغ
✦
نهاد از بر چرخ زرین چراغ
“On the next day, as the sun rose above the mountain ridge, it placed a golden lamp atop the spinning sky.”
#2
خروشی برآمد بلند از حصار
✦
پر اندیشه شد زان سخن شهریار
“A loud cry arose from the fortress, and the King became deep in thought at that sound.”
#3
همانگه در دژ گشادند باز
✦
برهنه شد از روی پوشیده راز
“At that very moment, the gates of the fortress were opened wide, and the covered secret was unveiled.”
#4
بیامد ز دژ جهن با ده سوار
✦
خردمند و بادانش و مایه دار
“From the fortress came Jahan with ten horsemen—a man of wisdom, knowledge, and high estate.”
#5
بشد پیش دهلیز پرده سرای
✦
همی بود با نامداران به پای
“He came before the portico of the royal pavilion and stood waiting alongside the grandees.”
#6
از آن پس بیامد منوشان گرد
✦
خرد یافته جهن را پیش برد
“Thereupon came the brave Manushan, who, discerning Jahan's wisdom, led him forward.”
#7
خردمند چون پیش خسرو رسید
✦
شد از آب دیده رخش ناپدید
“When the wise envoy came before Khosrow, his face vanished behind a veil of tears.”
#8
بماند اندر او جهن جنگی شگفت
✦
کلاه بزرگی ز سر بر گرفت
“Warlike Jahan was struck with awe at him, and removed the royal helmet from his head.”
#9
چو آمد به نزدیک تختش فراز
✦
بر او آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“As he drew near the throne, he uttered praises and bowed down in reverence.”
#10
چنین گفت کای نامور شهریار
✦
همیشه جهان را به شادی گذار
“He spoke thus: 'O renowned monarch, may you pass all your days in joy across the world!”
#11
بر و بوم ما بر تو فرخنده باد
✦
دل و چشم بدخواه تو کنده باد
“May our land and realm be blessed unto you, and may the eyes and heart of your ill-wisher be plucked out!”
#12
همیشه بدی شاد و یزدان پرست
✦
بر و بوم ما پیش گسترده دست
“May you ever be joyful and worship God, stretching your hand over our land and home.”
#13
خجسته شدن باد و باز آمدن
✦
به نیکی همی داستانها زدن
“Blessed be your going and your returning, and may all tales be told in goodness of you.”
#14
پیامی گزارم ز افراسیاب
✦
اگر شاه را زان نگیرد شتاب
“I bring a message from Afrasiab, if the King will not react with haste.'”
#15
چو از جهن گفتار بشنید شاه
✦
بفرمود زرین یکی پیشگاه
“When the King heard Jahan's words, he ordered a golden seat to be set before him.”
#16
نهادند زیر خردمند مرد
✦
نشست و پیام پدر یاد کرد
“They placed it beneath that wise man; he sat down and recounted his father's message.”
#17
چنین گفت با شاه کافراسیاب
✦
نشستست پر درد و مژگان پر آب
“He said to the King: 'Afrasiab sits immersed in pain, his eyelashes wet with tears.”
#18
نخستین درودی رسانم به شاه
✦
از آن داغ دل شاه توران سپاه
“First, I convey greetings to the King from that grief-stricken sovereign of the Turanian army,”
#19
که یزدان سپاس و بدویم پناه
✦
که فرزند دیدم بدین پایگاه
“Who gives thanks to God and takes refuge in Him that he sees his descendant at such high grandeur,”
#20
که لشکر کشد شهریاری کند
✦
به پیش سواران سواری کند
“Leading great hosts, wielding imperial rule, and riding at the head of noble cavaliers.”
#21
ز راه پدر شاه تا کیقباد
✦
ز مادر سوی تور دارد نژاد
“From his father's side his blood reaches Kay Qobad, while through his mother he traces his descent to Tur.”
#22
ز شاهان گیتی سرش برترست
✦
به چین نام او تخت را افسرست
“His head rises higher than all kings of the world; in China, his name is the very crown upon the throne.”
#23
به ابر اندرون تیز پران عقاب
✦
نهنگ دلاور به دریای آب
“He is like a swift-flying eagle in the clouds, like a valiant crocodile in the ocean waters.”
#24
همه پاسبانان تخت ویند
✦
دد و دام شادان به بخت ویند
“All creation stands guard over his throne; beasts and wild creatures rejoice in his fortune.”
#25
بزرگان که با تاج و با زیورند
✦
به روی زمین مر ترا کهترند
“The crowned and adorned nobles of the earth are all lesser than you upon the face of the world.”
#26
شگفتی تر از کار دیو نژند
✦
که هرگز نخواهد به ما جز گزند
“More wondrous yet is the deed of the wretched demon, who desires nothing for us but harm and ruin.”
#27
بدان مهربانی و آن راستی
✦
چرا شد دل من سوی کاستی
“With all that kindness and that uprightness, why did my heart turn toward flaw and crime,”
#28
که بر دست من پور کاووس شاه
✦
سیاووش رد کشته شد بی گناه
“That by my hand, noble Siyavash, the son of King Kavus, was slain guiltless?”
#29
جگر خسته‌ام ز این سخن پر ز درد
✦
نشسته به یکسو ز خواب و ز خورد
“My heart is wounded and full of anguish from this deed; I sit apart, deprived of food and sleep.”
#30
نه من کشتم او را که ناپاک دیو
✦
ببرد از دلم ترس گیهان خدیو
“It was not I who slew him, but an unholy demon that stole the fear of the Sovereign of the World from my heart.”
#31
زمانه ورا بد بهانه مرا
✦
به چنگ اندرون بد فسانه مرا
“Fate wove his destiny and made me the pretext; the bitter tale was trapped within my grasp.”
#32
تو اکنون خردمندی و پادشا
✦
پذیرندهٔ مردم پارسا
“You are now wise and sovereign, an accepter of pious and righteous men.”
#33
نگه کن که تا چند شهر فراخ
✦
پر از باغ و ایوان و میدان و کاخ
“Consider how many vast cities, filled with gardens, halls, squares, and palaces,”
#34
شدست اندر این کینه جستن خراب
✦
بهانه سیاووش و افراسیاب
“Have been laid to ruin in this vengeance, under the pretext of Siyavash and Afrasiab!”
#35
همان کارزاری سواران جنگ
✦
به تن همچو پیل و به زور نهنگ
“Likewise, battle-tested warriors—their bodies like elephants and their strength like dragons—”
#36
که جز کام شیران کفنشان نبود
✦
سری نیز نزدیک تنشان نبود
“Had no shroud save the jaws of lions, nor remained a head upon their trunks.”
#37
یکی منزل اندر بیابان نماند
✦
به کشور جز از دشت ویران نماند
“Not a single station remains in the wilderness; across the land, nothing is left but ruined wastes.”
#38
جز از کینه و زخم شمشیر تیز
✦
نماند ز ما نام تا رستخیز
“Nothing of us shall remain until Resurrection save enmity and the wounds of sharp swords.”
#39
نیاید جهان آفرین را پسند
✦
به فرجام پیچان شویم از گزند
“This shall not please the Creator of the world, and in the end we shall twist in torment from the harm.”
#40
وگر جنگ جویی همی بیگمان
✦
نیاساید از کین دلت یک زمان
“And if you seek war without doubt, your heart will never rest from vengeance for a moment.”
#41
نگه کن بدین گردش روزگار
✦
جز او را مکن بر دل آموزگار
“Look upon this turning of fortune; make none but Time the teacher of your heart.”
#42
که ما در حصاریم و هامون تراست
✦
سری پر ز کین دل پر از خون تراست
“For we are within the stronghold and the plain is yours; your head is filled with malice and your heart with blood.”
#43
همی گنگ خوانم بهشت منست
✦
برآوردهٔ بوم و کشت منست
“I call Gang my paradise; it is the child of my soil and my own cultivation.”
#44
هم ایدر مرا گنج و ایدر سپاه
✦
هم ایدر نگین و هم ایدر کلاه
“Here lies my treasure, here my army; here is my signet ring and here my crown.”
#45
هم اینجام کشت و هم اینجام خورد
✦
هم اینجام مردان روز نبرد
“Here too are my crops, my sustenance, and my warriors for the day of battle.”
#46
ترا گاه گرمی و خوشی گذشت
✦
گل و لاله و رنگ وشی گذشت
“Your days of warmth and pleasure have passed; the season of roses, tulips, and bright hues is gone.”
#47
زمستان و سرما به پیش اندرست
✦
که بر نیزه‌ها گردد افسرده دست
“Winter and harsh cold lie ahead, when hands will freeze upon the shafts of spears.”
#48
به دامن چو ابر اندرافگند چین
✦
بر و بوم ما سنگ گردد زمین
“When the dark clouds cast their wrinkled skirts, the ground of our realm will turn to hard ice and stone.”
#49
ز هر سو که خوانم بیاید سپاه
✦
نتابی تو با گردش هور و ماه
“From every side I call, armies will assemble; you cannot withstand the turns of the sun and moon.”
#50
ور ایدون گمانی که هر کارزار
✦
ترا بردهد اختر روزگار
“And if you imagine that in every battle, the star of fate will grant you victory,”
#51
از اندیشه گردون مگر بگذرد
✦
ز رنج تو دیگر کسی برخورد
“Know that heaven's design moves beyond human thought, and someone else may reap the fruits of your toil.”
#52
گر ایدونک گویی که ترکان چین
✦
بگیرم زنم آسمان بر زمین
“And if you say, 'I will capture the Turks of Chin and overthrow heaven to earth,'”
#53
به شمشیر بگذارم این انجمن
✦
به دست تو آیم گرفتار من
“Or that 'I will destroy this assembly with the sword, and Afrasiab will be captured by my hand,'”
#54
مپندار کاین نیز نابود نیست
✦
نساید کسی کو نفرسود نیست
“Do not think this impossible, for no one escapes decay who is subject to time.”
#55
نبیرهٔ سر خسروان زادشم
✦
ز پشت فریدون وز تخم جم
“Yet I am the grandson of Zadasham, leader of kings, descended from Fereydoun and the seed of Jamshid.”
#56
مرا دانش ایزدی هست و فر
✦
همان یاورم ایزد دادگر
“Divine wisdom and royal glory belong to me, and God the Just is my eternal helper.”
#57
چو تنگ اندر آید بد روزگار
✦
نخواهد دلم پند آموزگار
“When dire misfortune presses hard upon me, my heart will heed no teacher's advice.”
#58
به فرمان یزدان به هنگام خواب
✦
شوم چون ستاره بر آفتاب
“By God's command, while all are asleep, I can vanish like a star before the sun.”
#59
به دریای کیماک بر بگذرم
✦
سپارم ترا لشکر و کشورم
“I will cross the Sea of Kymak, leaving to you my army and my entire realm.”
#60
مرا گنگ و دژ باشد آرامگاه
✦
نبیند مرا نیز شاه و سپاه
“Gang-Dezh shall be my refuge, and neither king nor army shall behold me again.”
#61
چو آید مرا روز کین خواستن
✦
ببین آن زمان لشکر آراستن
“Yet when my day for seeking vengeance arrives, behold then the marshalling of my host!”
#62
بیایم بخواهم ز تو کین خویش
✦
به هر جای پیدا کنم دین خویش
“I shall return to demand my retribution, and manifest my sworn duty everywhere.”
#63
و گر کینه از مغز بیرون کنی
✦
به مهر اندر این کشور افسون کنی
“But if you cast out malice from your heart and cast a spell of love over this land,”
#64
گشایم در گنج تاج و کمر
✦
همان تخت و دینار و جام گهر
“I shall open the treasury doors of crowns, belts, thrones, dinars, and jeweled goblets,”
#65
که تور فریدون به ایرج نداد
✦
تو بردار وز کین مکن هیچ یاد
“Treasures such as Fereydoun's son Tur never bestowed on Iraj—take them, and recall no vengeance!”
#66
و گر چین و ماچین بگیری رواست
✦
بدان رای ران دل همی کت هواست
“And if you wish to possess Chin and Machin, it is granted; rule according to your heart's desire.”
#67
خراسان و مکران زمین پیش تست
✦
مرا شادکامی کم و بیش تست
“Khorasan and Makran lie open before you; my happiness lies in the measure of your fortune.”
#68
به راهی که بگذشت کاووس شاه
✦
فرستمت چندان که باید سپاه
“Along the path King Kay Kavus marched, I will send as many troops as you require.”
#69
همه لشکرت را توانگر کنم
✦
ترا تخت زرین و افسر کنم
“I will enrich your entire host, and grant you a golden throne and royal crown.”
#70
همت یار باشم به هر کارزار
✦
به هر انجمن خوانمت شهریار
“I will be your ally in every battle, and proclaim you sovereign in every assembly.”
#71
گر از پند من سر بپیچی همی
✦
و گر با نیاکان بسیچی همی
“Yet if you turn your face from my advice, and prepare to wage war against your forebears,”
#72
چو ز این باز گردی بیارای جنگ
✦
منم ساخته جنگ را چون پلنگ
“When you reject this peace, prepare for battle—for I am readied for war like a leopard!”