While the capital lay empty of the tyrant Zahhak, a trusted and prudent steward named Kondrow oversaw the realm's treasures, throne, and royal halls. Entering the palace, Kondrow was stunned to behold a new crown-wearer resting upon the golden throne—towering like a noble cypress bathed in moonlight. Beside him sat the sun-bright princesses, Shahrnaz on one side and Arnavaz on the other, while the palace grounds swarmed with ready warriors lined in iron discipline.
Without hesitation or panic, Kondrow bowed low before the glorious newcomer, offering royal praises and acclaiming Fereydun as the rightful sovereign of the seven climes. Fereydun bade him draw near, revealing his divine purpose, and commanded him to prepare a royal banquet filled with radiant wine, court musicians, and worthy lords. Kondrow swiftly executed the orders, laying out a magnificent feast where sorrow was banished.
As silence settled over the capital at nightfall, Kondrow slipped away, mounted a swift steed, and rode tirelessly to reach Zahhak. Arriving before the serpent king, Kondrow delivered the fateful tidings: three noble champions had arrived from afar, led by a youth of cypress stature and royal countenance who wielded a mountain-shattering bull-headed mace. This youth had claimed the throne, shattered Zahhak's talismans, and slaughtered his guards. When Zahhak attempted to dismiss the intruder as a mere bold guest, Kondrow revealed the bitterest truth—that Fereydun was even now making merry in the inner chambers with Zahhak's beloved princesses, Shahrnaz and Arnavaz. Enraged beyond measure, Zahhak roared like a wounded beast, realizing his dark reign was tumbling into ruin.
#1
چو کشور ز ضحاک بودی تهی
✦
یکی مایه‌ور بد به سان رهی
“When the realm was left empty of Zahhak, there was a man of great worth acting as his steward.”
#2
که او داشتی گنج و تخت و سرای
✦
شگفتی به دلسوزگی کدخدای
“He held custody of the treasury, throne, and palace, managing the royal household with remarkable devotion.”
#3
ورا کندرو خواندندی بنام
✦
به کندی زدی پیش بیداد گام
“They called him Kondrow by name, for he walked with slow and deliberate steps before injustice.”
#4
به کاخ اندر آمد دوان کندرو
✦
در ایوان یکی تاجور دید نو
“Kondrow came running into the palace and saw a new crown-wearer sitting in the hall.”
#5
نشسته به آرام در پیشگاه
✦
چو سرو بلند از برش گرد ماه
“He sat in tranquil majesty upon the throne, like a tall cypress rising above the full moon.”
#6
ز یک دست سرو سهی شهرناز
✦
به دست دگر ماه‌روی ارنواز
“On one side sat Shahrnaz, grace like a straight cypress, and on the other sat Arnavaz, moon-faced and radiant.”
#7
همه شهر یک‌سر پر از لشکرش
✦
کمربستگان صف زده بر درش
“The entire city was filled with his army, all belt-girt and arrayed in ranks at his gate.”
#8
نه آسیمه گشت و نه پرسید راز
✦
نیایش‌کنان رفت و بردش نماز
“Kondrow neither panicked nor probed the mystery; he stepped forward with praises and offered deep homage.”
#9
بر او آفرین کرد کای شهریار
✦
همیشه بزی تا بود روزگار
“He blessed him, saying: 'O King! May you live forever as long as time endures!'”
#10
خجسته نشست تو با فرهی
✦
که هستی سزاوار شاهنشهی
“'Blessed is your seating with royal glory, for you are truly worthy of supreme kingship.'”
#11
جهان هفت کشور تو را بنده باد
✦
سرت برتر از ابر بارنده باد
“'May the seven climes of the earth be your servant, and may your head rise higher than the rain-bearing clouds!'”
#12
فریدونش فرمود تا رفت پیش
✦
بکرد آشکارا همه راز خویش
“Fereydun commanded him to step forward, whereupon Kondrow disclosed all his inner secrets.”
#13
بفرمود شاه دلاور بدوی
✦
که رو آلت تخت شاهی بجوی
“The brave king commanded him: 'Go and seek out the royal accoutrements of the royal throne!'”
#14
نبیذ آر و رامشگران را بخوان
✦
بپیمای جام و بیارای خوان
“'Bring clear wine, summon the minstrels, fill the goblets, and adorn the banquet table!'”
#15
کسی کاو به رامش سزای من است
✦
به دانش همان دلزدای من است
“'Gather those who are fit for my revelry and whose wisdom can dispel sorrow from my heart.'”
#16
بیار انجمن کن بر تخت من
✦
چنان چون بود در خور بخت من
“'Assemble a noble court before my throne, such as befits my high fortune and destiny.'”
#17
چو بشنید از او این سخن کدخدای
✦
بکرد آنچه گفتش بدو رهنمای
“When the steward heard these words from him, he executed all that his new guide had commanded.”
#18
می روشن آورد و رامشگران
✦
همان در خورش با گهر مهتران
“He brought sparkling wine, musicians, and noble lords adorned with jewels fit for the court.”
#19
فریدون غم افکند و رامش گزید
✦
شبی کرد جشنی چنان چون سزید
“Fereydun cast away sorrow and chose revelry; he held a grand night feast as was truly fitting.”
#20
چو شد رام گیتی دوان کندرو
✦
برون آمد از پیش سالار نو
“When the realm grew quiet, Kondrow ran swiftly and slipped away from the presence of the new ruler.”
#21
نشست از بر بارهٔ راه‌جوی
✦
سوی شاه ضحاک بنهاد روی
“He mounted a swift, road-seeking steed and set out in the direction of King Zahhak.”
#22
بیآمد چو پیش سپهبد رسید
✦
سراسر بگفت آنچه دید و شنید
“When he came before the warlord, he recounted in full everything he had seen and heard.”
#23
بدو گفت کای شاه گردنکشان
✦
به برگشتن کارت آمد نشان
“He said to him: 'O King of the arrogant! Signs have appeared that your fortune has turned!'”
#24
سه مرد سرافراز با لشکری
✦
فراز آمدند از دگر کشوری
“'Three exalted men with a great army have arrived from another country.'”
#25
از آن سه یکی کهتر اندر میان
✦
به بالای سرو و به چهر کیان
“'Of the three, the youngest is in the middle, tall as a cypress and bearing the face of kings.'”
#26
به سال است کهتر فزونیش بیش
✦
از آن مهتران او نهد پای پیش
“'Though younger in years, his greatness is superior; he steps forward ahead of those elders.'”
#27
یکی گُرز دارد چو یک لخت کوه
✦
همی تابد اندر میان گروه
“'He wields a heavy mace like a fragment of a mountain, which shines brightly amidst the throng.'”
#28
به اسپ اندر آمد به ایوان شاه
✦
دو پرمایه با او همیدون براه
“'He rode his horse straight into the King's palace, accompanied by those two noble companions.'”
#29
بیآمد به تخت کئی بر نشست
✦
همه بند و نیرنگ تو کرد پست
“'He came and sat upon the Kayanid throne, shattering all your spells and sorceries into dust.'”
#30
هر آن کس که بود اندر ایوان تو
✦
ز مردان مرد و ز دیوان تو
“'Whoever was present in your palace, whether of brave men or powerful divs—'”
#31
سر از پای یک‌سر فرو ریختشان
✦
همه مغز با خون برآمیختشان
“'He struck off their heads from their feet and mixed all their brains with blood upon the ground!'”
#32
بدو گفت ضحاک شاید بدن
✦
که مهمان بود شاد باید بدن
“Zahhak replied to him: 'It may well be that he is a guest; one must be cheerful toward a guest.'”
#33
چنین داد پاسخ ورا پیشکار
✦
که مهمان ابا گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“The steward answered him: 'A guest who comes wielding a heavy, bull-headed mace?!'”
#34
به مردی نشیند به آرام تو
✦
ز تاج و کمر بسترد نام تو
“'He sits in your place of power with manhood, wiping your name off from crown and girdle!'”
#35
به آیین خویش آورد ناسپاس
✦
چنین گر تو مهمان شناسی شناس
“'He establishes his own customs, ungrateful for yours; if you consider such a one a guest, then so be it!'”
#36
بدو گفت ضحاک چندین منال
✦
که مهمان گستاخ بهتر به فال
“Zahhak said to him: 'Lament not so much; an audacious guest is a omen of better fortune.'”
#37
چنین داد پاسخ بدو کندرو
✦
که آری شنیدم تو پاسخ شنو
“Kondrow answered him: 'Yes, I heard your words; now listen to my response!'”
#38
گر این نامور هست مهمان تو
✦
چه کارستش اندر شبستان تو
“'If this famous conqueror is indeed your guest, what business has he inside your private harem?'”
#39
که با دختران جهاندار جم
✦
نشیند زند رای بر بیش و کم
“'Where he sits with the daughters of the world-ruler Jam, counseling with them on every matter?'”
#40
به یک دست گیرد رخ شهرناز
✦
به دیگر عقیق لب ارنواز
“'With one hand he caresses the cheek of Shahrnaz, and with the other he holds the ruby lip of Arnavaz!'”
#41
شب تیره‌گون خود بتر زین کند
✦
به زیر سر از مشک بالین کند
“'In the dark night he does worse than this: he makes a musky pillow beneath his head out of their hair!'”
#42
چو مشک آن دو گیسوی دو ماه تو
✦
که بودند همواره دلخواه تو
“'Those two musky tresses of your two moon-like lovers, which were ever the desire of your heart!'”
#43
بگیرد به برشان چو شد نیم مست
✦
بدین گونه مهمان نباید به دست
“'He holds them in his embrace when half-intoxicated! Such a guest should not be tolerated!'”
#44
برآشفت ضحاک برسان کرگ
✦
شنید آن سخن کآرزو کرد مرگ
“Zahhak raged like a furious rhinoceros; he heard words that made him long for death.”
#45
به دشنام زشت و به آواز سخت
✦
شگفتی بشورید با شور بخت
“With foul curses and a harsh voice, he flew into a wild fury against his ill-omened steward.”
#46
بدو گفت هرگز تو در خان من
✦
از این پس نباشی نگهبان من
“He said to him: 'Never again within my house shalt thou remain as the guardian of my realm.'”
#47
چنین داد پاسخ ورا پیشکار
✦
که ایدون گمانم من ای شهریار
“Thus did the steward make reply to him: 'I too deem it even so, O sovereign King!'”
#48
کز آن بخت هرگز نباشدت بهر
✦
به من چون دهی کدخدایی شهر
“'For thou shalt have no share of good fortune anymore; how then couldst thou confer on me the stewardship of the city?'”
#49
چو بی‌بهره باشی ز گاه مهی
✦
مرا کارسازندگی چون دهی
“'When thou art deprived of the throne of majesty, how canst thou bestow authority upon me?'”
#50
چرا تو نسازی همی کار خویش
✦
که هرگز نیامدت از این کار پیش
“'Why dost thou not attend to thine own desperate cause? For never before hath such a plight confronted thee.'”
#51
ز تاج بزرگی چو موی از خمیر
✦
برون آمدی مهترا چاره گیر
“'Like a hair drawn from dough, thou art cast out from the crown of grandeur; seek a remedy now, O master!'”
#52
تو را دشمن آمد به گه برنشست
✦
یکی گُرزهٔ گاوپیکر به دست
“'Thine enemy hath come and seated himself upon thy throne, bearing in his hand a bull-headed mace.'”
#53
همه بند و نیرنگت از رنگ برد
✦
دلارام بگرفت و گاهت سپرد
“'He hath stripped all thy spells and sorcery of their power; he hath taken thy beloveds and usurped thy kingdom.'”