When the impregnable citadel of Afrasiab fell to the Iranian hosts and the royal banner fluttered above its battlements, King Kay Khosrow commanded his royal scribe to bring Chinese silk and precious parchment. Dipping the reed pen into ink steeped in musk and pitch, the triumphant monarch first offered profound praises to Almighty Yazdan—the Creator of both ant and elephant, by whose divine will the heavens turn. In his letter, Khosrow detailed the conquest of Afrasiab's vast retreat, the capture of forty war-elephants, and the rout of Turan's hosts, revealing his intention to march onward toward Chin, Machin, Makran, and across the Sea of Zareh.
Giv, riding like the swift wind, carried the triumphant dispatch to King Kavus in Iran. Learning of the hero's arrival, Kavus sent noble chieftains to welcome him. Giv entered the throne room, kissed the earth, and delivered the imperial letter along with vivid tidings of victory. Hearing the news, the aged King Kavus felt restored to youth; he stepped down from the Kianian throne, removed his imperial crown, and prostrated himself upon the dark soil in fervent thanksgiving to Yazdan.
The following morning, the royal court was adorned, and Giv was seated upon a golden throne beside Kavus. At the king's command, spoils and captives were brought forth. Seeing the secluded daughters of Afrasiab, Kavus's eyes brimmed with tears; he granted them honorable quarters behind royal curtains served by attentive maidens. But when his gaze fell upon the malicious Garsivaz—the traitor who had engineered the martyrdom of innocent Siyavash—Kavus poured bitter curses upon him and ordered him thrown into a dark, gloom-ridden dungeon near the tombs, while allocating a more lenient confinement for Jahan. Thereafter, Kavus distributed wealth and gems to the needy, dispatched victory epistles across all realms, and after weeks of joyful feasting, bestowed upon Giv unmatched robes of honor, golden trays, turquoise goblets, and gem-encrusted crowns.
#1
بفرمود تا پیش او شد دبیر
✦
بیاورد قرطاس و چینی حریر
“He commanded the scribe to come before him, bringing parchment and Chinese silk.”
#2
یکی نامه از قیر و مشک و گلاب
✦
بفرمود در کار افراسیاب
“He ordered a letter written with pitch, musk, and rosewater regarding the affairs of Afrasiab.”
#3
چو شد خامه از مشک وز قیر تر
✦
نخست آفرین کرد بر دادگر
“When the pen grew moist with musk and pitch, he first sang praises to the Just Judge of the world.”
#4
که دارنده و بر سر آرنده اوست
✦
زمین و زمان را نگارنده اوست
“For He is the Sustainer and the Fulfiller, the Painter of both the earth and time itself.”
#5
همو آفرینندهٔ پیل و مور
✦
ز خاشاک تا آب دریای شور
“He is the Creator of both the giant elephant and the tiny ant, from the dry stubble to the salty ocean's deep.”
#6
همه با توانایی او یکیست
✦
خداوند هست و خداوند نیست
“All things are as one before His omnipotence; He is the Master of all that exists and all that is not.”
#7
کسی را که او پروراند به مهر
✦
بر آن کس نگردد به تندی سپهر
“Whomever He nurtures with loving-kindness shall never suffer the harsh wrath of the turning heavens.”
#8
از او باد بر شاه گیتی درود
✦
کز او خیزد آرام را تار و پود
“From Him be blessings upon the king of the world, from whom springs the very warp and weft of peace.”
#9
رسیدم بدین دژ که افراسیاب
✦
همی داشت از بهر آرام و خواب
“I have reached this fortress that Afrasiab maintained for his rest and slumber.”
#10
بدو اندرون بود تخت و کلاه
✦
بزرگی و دیهیم و گنج و سپاه
“Within it lay his throne and crown, his majesty, diadem, treasure-hoards, and host.”
#11
چهل پیل ز ایشان همه بسته گشت
✦
هر آن کس که برگشت تن خسته گشت
“Forty war-elephants were captured from them, and whoever turned to flee was wounded.”
#12
بگوید کنون گیو یک یک به شاه
✦
سخن هرچه رفت اندر این رزمگاه
“Now Giv shall recount to the king step by step everything that transpired on this battlefield.”
#13
چو بر پیش یزدان گشایی دو لب
✦
نیایش کن از بهر من روز و شب
“When you open your lips in prayer before Yazdan, pray day and night for my victory.”
#14
کشیدیم لشکر به ماچین و چین
✦
وز آن روی رانم به مکران زمین
“We have led the army toward Machin and Chin, and from there I shall march to the lands of Makran.”
#15
وز آن پس بر آب زره بگذرم
✦
اگر پای یزدان بود یاورم
“And thereafter I shall cross the Sea of Zareh, if the help of Yazdan be my guide.”
#16
ز پیش شهنشاه برگشت گیو
✦
ابا لشکری گشن و مردان نیو
“Giv turned back from the presence of the King of Kings, accompanied by a mighty force and valiant warriors.”
#17
چو باد هوا گشت و ببرید راه
✦
بیامد به نزدیک کاووس شاه
“He swept like the wind across the realm until he reached the court of King Kavus.”
#18
پس آگاهی آمد به کاووس کی
✦
از آن پهلوان زادهٔ نیک پی
“News came to Kavus Kay of the arrival of that noble hero's son.”
#19
پذیره فرستاد چندی سپاه
✦
گرانمایگان بر گرفتند راه
“He sent a troop of warriors to welcome him, and noble grandees set out upon the road.”
#20
چو آمد بر شهر گیو دلیر
✦
سپاهی ز گردان چو یک دشت شیر
“When brave Giv reached the city, a host of warriors gathered like a plain full of lions.”
#21
چو گیو اندر آمد به نزدیک شاه
✦
زمین را ببوسید بر پیش گاه
“When Giv entered the presence of the king, he kissed the earth before the royal throne.”
#22
ورا دید کاووس بر پای جست
✦
بخندید و بسترد رویش به دست
“When Kavus saw him, he bounded to his feet, smiled, and wiped his face with his hand.”
#23
بپرسیدش از شهریار و سپاه
✦
ز گردنده خورشید و تابنده ماه
“He asked him of the monarch and the host, under the revolving sun and shining moon.”
#24
بگفت آن کجا دید گیو سترگ
✦
ز گردان وز شهریار بزرگ
“Mighty Giv recounted all that he had witnessed of the heroes and the great king.”
#25
جوان شد ز گفتار او مرد پیر
✦
پس آن نامه بنهاد پیش دبیر
“The old king grew young at his words; he then placed the letter before the royal scribe.”
#26
چو آن نامه بر شاه ایران بخواند
✦
همه انجمن در شگفتی بماند
“When the scribe read the letter to the king of Iran, the entire assembly remained lost in wonder.”
#27
همه شاد گشتند و خرم شدند
✦
ز شادی دو دیده پر از نم شدند
“All became joyful and cheerful; with pure delight, their eyes brimmed with tears.”
#28
همه چیز دادند درویش را
✦
بنفریده کردند بدکیش را
“They gave all manner of alms to the needy, and showered curses upon the wicked-faith Afrasiab.”
#29
فرود آمد از تخت کاووس شاه
✦
ز سر برگرفت آن کیانی کلاه
“King Kavus stepped down from his throne and removed the Kianian crown from his head.”
#30
بیامد بغلتید بر تیره خاک
✦
نیایش کنان پیش یزدان پاک
“He came and prostrated himself upon the dark dust, offering prayers before holy Yazdan.”
#31
وز آن جایگه شد به جای نشست
✦
به گرد دژ آیین شادی ببست
“From that place he returned to his throne and ordained festive celebrations all around the citadel.”
#32
همی گفت با شاه گیو آنچه دید
✦
سخن کز لب شاه ایران شنید
“Giv continued telling the king all he had seen and the words he had heard from the lips of the King of Iran.”
#33
می آورد و رامشگران را بخواند
✦
وز ایران نبرده سران را بخواند
“He brought wine, summoned minstrel-players, and gathered the battle-proven chieftains of Iran.”
#34
ز هر گونه‌ای گفت و پاسخ شنید
✦
چنین تا شب تیره اندر چمید
“They conversed on every topic and received replies, remaining in feast until the dark night closed in.”
#35
برفتند با شمع یاران ز پیش
✦
دلش شاد و خرم به ایوان خویش
“The companions departed before him bearing torches, his heart joyful and glad in his palace.”
#36
چو برزد خور از چرخ رخشان سنان
✦
بپیچید شب گرد کرده عنان
“When the sun raised its shining spear from the heavens, the night wheeled away its dark reins.”
#37
تبیره بر آمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
برفتند گردان بدان بارگاه
“Drums sounded from the king's threshold, and the heroes gathered in that royal court.”
#38
جهاندار پس گیو را پیش خواند
✦
بر آن نامور تخت شاهی نشاند
“The ruler of the world then called Giv forward and seated him upon a glorious royal throne.”
#39
بفرمود تا خواسته پیش برد
✦
همان نامور سرفرازان گرد
“He commanded wealth and treasures to be brought forth, along with the captured noble warriors.”
#40
همان بیگنه روی پوشیدگان
✦
پس پرده اندر ستم دیدگان
“Also the innocent veiled women who had suffered oppression behind the royal curtains.”
#41
همان جهن و گرسیوز بندسای
✦
که او برد پای سیاوش ز جای
“And also Jahan and fettered Garsivaz, who had uprooted Siyavash from his rightful place.”
#42
چو گرسیوز بدکنش را بدید
✦
بر او کرد نفرین که نفرین سزید
“When he saw evil-doing Garsivaz, he poured upon him curses, for he truly merited all curse.”
#43
همان جهن را پای کرده به بند
✦
ببردند نزدیک تخت بلند
“Likewise, Jahan, with his feet bound in heavy chains, was brought before the high throne.”
#44
بدان دختران رد افراسیاب
✦
نگه کرد کاووس مژگان پر آب
“Kavus looked upon the noble daughters of Afrasiab, his eyelashes wet with tears.”
#45
پس پردهٔ شاهشان جای کرد
✦
همانگه پرستنده بر پای کرد
“He gave them quarters behind the royal curtains and immediately assigned attentive maidservants to wait upon them.”
#46
اسیران و آن کس که بود از نوا
✦
بیاراست مر هر یکی را جدا
“The captives and all who were destitute he arranged and provided for, each one individually.”
#47
یکی را نگهبان یکی را به بند
✦
ببردند از پیش شاه بلند
“Some were placed under guard and others in chains, as they were led away from before the exalted king.”
#48
از آن پس همه خواسته هرچه بود
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر نابسود
“Thereafter, all the accumulated wealth, consisting of gold coins and unpierced, priceless gems,”
#49
به ارزانیان داد تا آفرین
✦
بخوانند بر شاه ایران زمین
“He bestowed upon the worthy and deserving, so that they might utter blessings upon the King of Iran.”
#50
دگر بردگان مهتران را سپرد
✦
به ایوان ببرد از بزرگان و خرد
“The remaining captives he entrusted to the nobles, bringing both the high and low into the palace halls.”
#51
بیاراستند از در جهن جای
✦
خورش با پرستنده و رهنمای
“They prepared a suitable lodging for Jahan, complete with food, servants, and a guiding attendant.”
#52
به دژ بر یکی جای تاریک بود
✦
ز دل دور با دخمه نزدیک بود
“Within the fortress lay a dark and dismal place, far from joy of heart and close to the gloom of a tomb.”
#53
به گرسیوز آمد چنان جای بهر
✦
چنینست کردار گردنده دهر
“Such a grim abode became the portion of Garsivaz; such indeed is the fickle way of the revolving heavens.”
#54
خنک آن کسی کو بود پادشا
✦
کفی راد دارد دلی پارسا
“Fortunate is the monarch who possesses a generous hand and a righteous, pious heart,”
#55
بداند که گیتی بر او بگذرد
✦
نگردد به گرد در بی خرد
“Who knows that the world is fleeting, and never circles around the door of the foolish.”
#56
خرد چون شود از دو دیده سرشک
✦
چنان هم که دیوانه خواهد پزشک
“When tears of remorse fall from the eyes of wisdom, it is as a madman requiring a wise physician.”
#57
از آن پس کز ایشان بپردخت شاه
✦
ز بیگانه مردم تهی کرد گاه
“After the king had concluded these affairs, he cleared the court of strangers and outsiders.”
#58
نویسنده آهنگ قرطاس کرد
✦
سر خامه بر سان الماس کرد
“The scribe turned his attention to parchment, making the tip of his reed pen as sharp as a diamond.”
#59
نبشتند نامه به هر کشوری
✦
به هر نامداری و هر مهتری
“They wrote letters to every realm, addressed to every chieftain and renowned leader,”
#60
که شد ترک و چین شاه را یکسره
✦
به آبشخور آمد پلنگ و بره
“Announcing that Turan and China had submitted fully to the King, such that leopard and lamb drank at the same stream.”
#61
درم داد و دینار درویش را
✦
پراگنده و مردم خویش را
“He showered silver and gold upon the needy, as well as upon his scattered subjects and close kinsmen.”
#62
به دو هفته در پیش درگاه شاه
✦
از انبوه بخشش ندیدند راه
“For two whole weeks before the king's portal, the overwhelming bounty left no room to walk.”
#63
سیم هفته بر جایگاه مهی
✦
نشست اندر آرام با فرهی
“In the third week, he seated himself in tranquility and royal glory upon the throne of grandeur.”
#64
ز بس نالهٔ نای و بانگ سرود
✦
همی داد گل جام می را درود
“Amidst the deep wailing of flutes and the cadence of song, the rose gave greetings to the cup of wine.”
#65
به یک هفته از کاخ کاووس کی
✦
همی موج برخاست از جام می
“For a whole week in the palace of Kay Kavus, waves of fine wine rose continuously from the goblets.”
#66
سر ماه نو خلعت گیو ساخت
✦
همی زر و پیروزه اندر نشاخت
“At the dawn of the new month, he prepared a robe of honor for Giv, adorned with gold and inlaid turquoise.”
#67
طبق‌های زرین و پیروزه جام
✦
کمرهای زرین و زرین ستام
“Trays of pure gold, turquoise cups, golden belts, and harnesses embedded with gold,”
#68
پرستار با طوق و با گوشوار
✦
همان یاره و تاج گوهر نگار
“Servants wearing torques and earrings, along with bracelets and a crown studded with jewels,”
#69
همان جامهٔ تخت و افگندنی
✦
ز رنگ و ز بو وز پراگندنی
“As well as royal robes, fine throne-coverings, rich in colors, perfumes, and scattered gifts,”
#70
فرستاد تا گیو را خواندند
✦
بر اورنگ زرینش بنشاندند
“He sent all these as he summoned Giv, seating him upon a golden throne.”
#71
ببردند خلعت به نزدیک اوی
✦
بمالید گیو اندر آن تخت روی
“They brought the magnificent robe of honor to Giv, and Giv pressed his face against the throne in deep homage.”