The victorious King Kay Khosrow, sensing the hour of his departure from the mortal dust, summoned the Iranians to bestow his final farewell. Embracing his paladins with weeping eyes, he prayed to Holy Yazdan to protect them once he had traversed this transient world. A mighty lamentation arose from the Iranian host; women and children poured into the streets, and mourning filled every alleyway for the righteous monarch. Khosrow exhorted them to rejoice under the care of the Sun's Creator, declaring that he had untied his heart from this fleeting abode, guided by the divine messenger Sorush.
Retiring to his inner palace, the King summoned his four sun-faced maidens and revealed the secret of his imminent departure. Devastated by the news of eternal parting, the maidens tore their hair, scratched their cheeks, and wept bitterly, begging to accompany him. Yet Khosrow reminded them of the universal fate of all mortals, recalling how even Jamshid's sisters, his own mother—the daughter of Afrasiab—and Mah-Afarid, the daughter of Tur, had all found their final pillow in the dark earth. He then summoned Luhrasp, entrusting the precious maidens to his care and charging him to treat them with such honor that he would feel no shame when standing before Siyavash and Khosrow in the realm beyond.
Bestowing the Kianian crown upon Luhrasp, Khosrow commanded him to sow only the seeds of virtue, never to grow proud of treasure or throne, and to pursue absolute justice. Luhrasp dismounted, kissed the earth in deep reverence, and vowed to uphold the King's sacred charge. Bidding farewell to the new monarch, Kay Khosrow set out toward the mountain peaks, accompanied by the noble champions of Iran—Zal, Rostam, Gudarz, Giv, Bizhan, Gostahm, Fariburz, and Tus—while a weeping populace and vast host followed in grief to the mountain edge.
#1
به ایرانیان گفت پیروز شاه
✦
که بدرود باد این دل افروز گاه
“The victorious King said to the Iranians, 'Farewell to this heart-delighting throne and realm!'”
#2
چو من بگذرم ز این فرومایه خاک
✦
شما را بخواهم ز یزدان پاک
“'When I pass from this low earth, I shall seek God's protection for you all.'”
#3
به پدرود کردن رخ هر کسی
✦
ببوسید با آب مژگان بسی
“In bidding farewell, he kissed the face of everyone with tearful eyes.”
#4
یلان را همه پاک در بر گرفت
✦
به زاری خروشیدن اندر گرفت
“He embraced all the heroes tightly and began to cry bitterly.”
#5
همی گفت کاجی من این انجمن
✦
توانستمی برد با خویشتن
“He kept saying, 'Would that I could take this great assembly with me!'”
#6
خروشی برآمد ز ایران سپاه
✦
که خورشید بر چرخ گم کرد راه
“A roar of weeping arose from the Iranian army, such that the sun lost its way in the sky.”
#7
پس پرده‌ها کودک خرد و زن
✦
به کوی و به بازار شد انجمن
“From behind the curtains, young children and women gathered in the streets and markets.”
#8
خروشیدن ناله و آه خاست
✦
به هر برزنی ماتم شاه خاست
“Wailing, groaning, and sighs resounded; mourning for the King arose in every quarter.”
#9
به ایرانیان آن زمان گفت شاه
✦
که فردا شما را همین است راه
“The King then said to the Iranians, 'Tomorrow, this same path awaits you all.'”
#10
هر آن کس که دارید نام و نژاد
✦
به دادار خورشید باشید شاد
“'Whoever among you has noble name and lineage, rejoice in the Creator of the sun.'”
#11
من اکنون روان را همی پرورم
✦
که بر نیک نامی مگر بگذرم
“'I now nurture my soul, hoping that I may pass away with a good name.'”
#12
نبستم دل اندر سپنجی سرای
✦
بدان تا سروش آمدم رهنمای
“'I bound not my heart to this transient inn until Sorush came as my divine guide.'”
#13
بگفت این و از پایگه اسب خواست
✦
ز لشکرگه آواز فریاد خاست
“He spoke thus and called for his steed; a cry of grief arose from the encampment.”
#14
بیامد به ایوان شاهی دژم
✦
به آزاد سرو اندر آورده خم
“Sad at heart, he came to the royal palace, his cypress-like stature bent with grief.”
#15
کنیزک بدش چار چون آفتاب
✦
ندیدی کسی چهر ایشان به خواب
“He had four handmaidens radiant as the sun, whose beauty none had ever seen even in dreams.”
#16
ز پرده بتان را بر خویش خواند
✦
همه راز دل پیش ایشان براند
“He called those beauties from behind the curtain and revealed the secret of his heart to them.”
#17
که رفتیم اینک ز جای سپنج
✦
شما دل مدارید با درد و رنج
“'Behold, we depart from this transient realm; harbour no grief or pain in your hearts.'”
#18
نبینید جاوید ز این پس مرا
✦
کز این خاک بیدادگر بس مرا
“'You shall see me no more forever, for I have had enough of this unjust dust.'”
#19
سوی داور پاک خواهم شدن
✦
نبینم همی راه بازآمدن
“'I am going toward the Holy Judge, and I see no way of return.'”
#20
بشد هوش زان چار خورشید چهر
✦
خروشان شدند از غم و درد و مهر
“Sense departed from those four sun-faced beauties; they cried out from grief, pain, and love.”
#21
شخودند روی و بکندند موی
✦
گسستند پیرایه و رنگ و بوی
“They scratched their cheeks, tore their hair, and cast aside their ornaments and scents.”
#22
از آن پس هر آن کس که آمد به هوش
✦
چنین گفت با ناله و با خروش
“Thereafter, whoever regained her senses spoke thus with groans and lamentation:”
#23
که ما را ببر ز این سرای سپنج
✦
رها کن تو ما را از این درد و رنج
“'Take us with you from this fleeting inn! Deliver us from this pain and suffering!'”
#24
بدیشان چنین گفت پر مایه شاه
✦
کز این پس شما را همین است راه
“The noble King said to them, 'Henceforth, this is the destiny that awaits all.'”
#25
کجا خواهران جهاندار جم
✦
کجا تاجداران با باد و دم
“'Where are the sisters of Jam, the ruler of the world? Where are the crowned lords of pride and breath?'”
#26
کجا مادرم دخت افراسیاب
✦
که بگذشت زآن سان بدریای آب
“'Where is my mother, the daughter of Afrasiab, who crossed the stormy sea in that manner?'”
#27
کجا دختر تور ماه آفرید
✦
که چون او کس اندر زمانه ندید
“'Where is Mah-Afarid, the daughter of Tur, whose like none ever saw in her time?'”
#28
همه خاک دارند بالین و خشت
✦
ندانم به دوزخ درند ار بهشت
“'All now have earth for pillow and brick for bed; I know not if they dwell in hell or paradise.'”
#29
مجویید از این رفتن آزار من
✦
که آسان شود راه دشوار من
“'Seek not to grieve me for this departure, so that my difficult journey may become easy.'”
#30
خروشید و لهراسب را پیش خواند
✦
از ایشان فراوان سخنها براند
“He cried out and summoned Luhrasp before him, speaking many words regarding the maidens.”
#31
به لهراسب گفت این بتان منند
✦
فروزندهٔ پاک جان منند
“He said to Luhrasp, 'These maidens are mine; they are the illuminators of my pure soul.'”
#32
بر این هم نشست اندر این هم سرای
✦
همی دارشان تا تو باشی به جای
“'In this same palace and assembly, protect them so long as you endure.'”
#33
نباید که یزدان چو خواندت پیش
✦
روان شرم دارد ز کردار خویش
“'Lest when God calls you to His presence, your soul should feel shame for its deeds.'”
#34
چو بینی مرا با سیاوش به هم
✦
ز شرم دو خسرو بمانی دژم
“'When you see me alongside Siyavash, you would remain grieved from shame before two kings.'”
#35
پذیرفت لهراسب زو هرچه گفت
✦
که با دیده‌شان دارم اندر نهفت
“Luhrasp accepted all that he commanded, saying, 'I shall guard them as my very eyes.'”
#36
وز آن جایگه تنگ بسته میان
✦
بگردید بر گرد ایرانیان
“From that place, firmly girded, he walked among the Iranians.”
#37
کز ایدر به ایوان خرامید زود
✦
مدارید در دل مرا جز درود
“He said, 'Depart quickly from here to your halls, and keep naught but blessings for me in your hearts.'”
#38
مباشید گستاخ با این جهان
✦
که او بدتری دارد اندر نهان
“'Be not overbold with this world, for it conceals worse evils within.'”
#39
مباشید جاوید جز راد و شاد
✦
ز من جز به نیکی مگیرید یاد
“'Live ever generous and joyful, and remember me only with goodness.'”
#40
همه شاد و خرم به ایوان شوید
✦
چو رفتن بود شاد و خندان شوید
“'Go to your palaces all happy and glad; when the time to depart comes, be joyful and smiling.'”
#41
همه نامداران ایران سپاه
✦
نهادند سر بر زمین پیش شاه
“All the renowned chieftains of the Iranian army bowed their heads to the ground before the King,”
#42
که ما پند او را به کردار جان
✦
بداریم تا جان بود جاودان
“Saying, 'We shall hold his counsel as our very soul so long as life endures.'”
#43
به لهراسب فرمود تا بازگشت
✦
بدو گفت روز من اندر گذشت
“He commanded Luhrasp to turn back, saying to him, 'My day has come to its close.'”
#44
تو رو تخت شاهی به‌آیین بدار
✦
به گیتی جز از تخم نیکی مکار
“'Go and maintain the royal throne in proper order; sow nothing in the world save the seeds of virtue.'”
#45
هر آن گه که باشی تن آسان ز رنج
✦
ننازی به تاج و ننازی به گنج
“'Whenever you are comfortable and free from pain, boast not of the crown nor glory in treasure.'”
#46
چنان دان که رفتنت نزدیک شد
✦
به یزدان ترا راه باریک شد
“Know that thy departure draweth near, and thy path before God hath grown narrow.”
#47
همه داد جوی و همه داد کن
✦
ز گیتی تن مهتر آزاد کن
“Seek justice ever, and ever act with equity; free the noble soul from the bonds of the world.”
#48
فرود آمد از باره لهراسب زود
✦
زمین را ببوسید و شادی نمود
“Swiftly Luhrasp dismounted from his steed; he kissed the ground and rejoiced.”
#49
بدو گفت خسرو که پدرود باش
✦
به داد اندرون تار گر پود باش
“Khosrow said unto him, "Farewell; be thou the warp and woof of justice."”
#50
برفتند با او ز ایران سران
✦
بزرگان بیدار و کنداوران
“The chieftains of Iran set forth alongside him—vigilant nobles and valiant heroes.”
#51
چو دستان و رستم چو گودرز و گیو
✦
دگر بیژن گیو و گستهم نیو
“Champions such as Dastan and Rostam, Gudarz and Giv, alongside Bijan the son of Giv, and brave Gustahm.”
#52
به هفتم فریبرز کاووس بود
✦
به هشتم کجا نامور طوس بود
“The seventh was Fariburz, son of Kay Kavus, and the eighth was the renowned Tus.”
#53
همی رفت لشکر گروهاگروه
✦
ز هامون بشد تا سر تیغ کوه
“Group upon group the army marched onward, departing from the plains up toward the high mountain peak.”
#54
ببودند یک هفته دم بر زدند
✦
یکی بر لب خشک نم بر زدند
“For a week they lingered there in quietude, barely moistening their dry lips with water.”
#55
خروشان و جوشان ز کردار شاه
✦
کسی را نبود اندر آن رنج راه
“Wailing and weeping at the King's departure, none among them felt the hardship of the road.”
#56
همی گفت هر موبدی در نهفت
✦
کز این سان همی در جهان کس نگفت
“Every Mobad whispered in secret: "Never hath anyone in the world spoken or acted thus."”
#57
چو خورشید بر زد سر از تیره کوه
✦
بیامد به پیشش ز هر سو گروه
“As the sun rose above the dark mountain peak, crowds approached him from every direction.”
#58
زن و مرد ایرانیان صدهزار
✦
خروشان برفتند با شهریار
“A hundred thousand Iranians, women and men alike, marched weeping along with the monarch.”
#59
همه کوه پر ناله و با خروش
✦
همی سنگ خارا برآمد به جوش
“The mountain reverberated with wailing and cries, until even the hard granite seemed to throb with grief.”
#60
همی گفت هر کس که شاها چه بود
✦
که روشن دلت شد پر از داغ و دود
“Everyone cried out, "O King, what hath happened that thy luminous heart is filled with anguish and sorrow?"”
#61
گر از لشکر آزار داری همی
✦
مر این تاج را خوار داری همی
“"If thou art aggrieved by the army, or if thou holdest this crown in disdain..."”
#62
بگوی و تو از گاه ایران مرو
✦
جهان کهن را مکن شاه نو
“"Speak to us, but leave not the throne of Iran; do not appoint a new king over this ancient realm!"”
#63
همه خاک باشیم اسب ترا
✦
پرستنده آذرگشسب ترا
“"We shall all be dust beneath thy steed's hooves, and true worshippers at thy Adar Gushnasp."”
#64
کجا شد ترا دانش و رای و هوش
✦
که نزد فریدون نیامد سروش
“"Whither has gone thy wisdom, counsel, and intellect? For Surosh did not descend even upon Fereydun!"”
#65
همه پیش یزدان ستایش کنیم
✦
به آتشکده در نیایش کنیم
“"We shall all offer praise before God, and utter prayers within the fire-temples..."”
#66
مگر پاک یزدانت بخشد به ما
✦
دل موبدان بردرخشد به ما
“"So that holy God may grant thee back to us, and the hearts of the Mobads may shine upon us once more."”
#67
شهنشاه زآن کار خیره بماند
✦
از آن انجمن موبدان را بخواند
“The King of kings was astonished by their plea; he summoned the Mobads from among the assembly.”
#68
چنین گفت ایدر همه نیکویست
✦
بر این نیکویها نباید گریست
“Thus he spoke: "All is good here; one ought not to weep over such blessings."”
#69
ز یزدان شناسید یکسر سپاس
✦
مباشید جز پاک یزدان‌شناس
“"Acknowledge all gratitude to God alone, and be nothing other than pure worshippers of the Divine."”
#70
که گرد آمدن زود باشد به هم
✦
مباشید ز این رفتن من دژم
“"For our reunion shall come swift and soon; be not sorrowful on account of my departure."”
#71
بدان مهتران گفت ز این کوهسار
✦
همه بازگردید بی‌شهریار
“He said to the nobles: "Return now from these mountains, without your king."”
#72
که راهی دراز است و بی‌آب و سخت
✦
نباشد گیاه و نه برگ درخت
“"For the journey ahead is long, waterless, and harsh; there is neither grass nor leaf upon a tree."”
#73
ز با من شدن راه کوته کنید
✦
روان را سوی روشنی ره کنید
“"Cut short your path of accompanying me, and direct your souls toward enlightenment."”
#74
بر این ریگ برنگذرد هر کسی
✦
مگر فره و برز دارد بسی
“"None can cross these sands unless he possesses abundant Divine Glory and stature."”
#75
سه مرد گرانمایه و سرفراز
✦
شنیدند گفتار و گشتند باز
“Three noble and exalted men listened to his words and turned back.”
#76
چو دستان و رستم چو گودرز پیر
✦
جهانجوی و بیننده و یادگیر
“Namely Dastan, Rostam, and the elderly Gudarz—world-seeking, wise, and perceptive heroes.”
#77
نگشتند ز او باز چون طوس و گیو
✦
همان بیژن و هم فریبرز نیو
“Yet others turned not back, such as Tus and Giv, along with Bijan and the valiant Fariburz.”
#78
برفتند یک روز و یک شب به هم
✦
شدند از بیابان و خشکی دژم
“They journeyed together for a day and a night, growing weary and distressed from the arid desert.”
#79
به ره بر یکی چشمه آمد پدید
✦
جهانجوی کیخسرو آنجا رسید
“Upon the trail, a spring came into view, and the world-seeking Kay Khosrow reached its side.”
#80
بدان آب روشن فرود آمدند
✦
بخوردند چیزی و دم بر زدند
“Beside that limpid water they dismounted; they partook of food and rested a while.”
#81
بدان مرزبانان چنین گفت شاه
✦
که امشب نرانیم ز این جایگاه
“Thus spoke the King unto those paladins: "This night we shall not ride forth from this place.”
#82
بجوییم کار گذشته بسی
✦
کز این پس نبینند ما را کسی
“Let us reflect deeply upon all that has passed, for henceforth no man shall ever behold me again.”
#83
چو خورشید تابان برآرد درفش
✦
چو زر آب گردد زمین بنفش
“When the radiant sun raises its bright banner, and the violet earth shines like molten gold,”
#84
مرا روزگار جدایی بود
✦
مگر با سروش آشنایی بود
“The time of my departure shall arrive, unless peradventure I meet in spirit with Soroush.”
#85
از این رای گر تاب گیرد دلم
✦
دل تیره گشته ز تن بگسلم
“If my heart should falter or turn back from this resolve, I shall sever this darkened soul from my body."”