For two full weeks the desperate carnage raged between the hosts of Iran and Turan, as the sky over the battlefield grew darker with every passing hour. Out from the Iranian ranks bounded Prince Zarir the invincible, mounted upon a majestic golden steed. He plunged into the heart of the enemy lines like a roaring fire and a howling tempest tearing through dry grass. None among the Turanian ranks possessed the strength or spirit to withstand his wrath; wherever he swept his mace, corpses piled up like desolate hills.
Seeing his mighty host cut to pieces by a single man, King Arjasp of China and Turan fell into despair. He cried out to his commanders: 'Two weeks have slipped away in blood, and I see no end to this doom! If this lion-hearted prince is allowed another hour, neither China nor Khallukh nor Eytash shall survive his blades. Which among you valiant warriors will step into the arena to face him? Whosoever brings down this mad elephant shall receive my own daughter in marriage and command over all my armies!' Yet profound terror gripped the Turanian ranks, and no warrior dared utter a word in response.
At last, Bidarafsh—a vile and monstrous sorcerer, an ancient wolf of war—stepped forward to offer his service. Rejoycing, Arjasp bestowed upon him his own warhorse, his royal saddle, and a legendary javelin tempered in deadliest poison. Bidarafsh slunk onto the bloody plain toward Prince Zarir. Yet when he beheld Zarir from afar—covered in crimson and dust, swinging his heavy mace like the heroic Sam amidst mountains of slain Turanians—the coward's heart failed him. Lacking the courage to face Zarir eye-to-eye, Bidarafsh crept stealthily behind the champion and hurled the poisoned javelin into his back.
The wicked shaft pierced Zarir's royal mail, drowning his glorious form in venomous blood. The great prince fell from his charger to the red earth. Dismounting, the foul Bidarafsh stripped away Zarir's armor, his belt, his golden helmet, and his legendary Black Banner, taking them straight to Arjasp as triumphant trophies.
When victorious roars erupted from the enemy camp, King Goshtasp looked down from the heights and realized the shining star of his army—his beloved brother Zarir—was nowhere to be seen. A swift messenger returned with devastating tidings: Zarir was dead, slain by treachery from behind. Goshtasp tore his royal garments down to his feet, scattered ash upon his crown, and wept bitter tears of agonizing bereavement, crying out in terror at how he could ever face his aging father King Lohrasp. Though Goshtasp prepared to ride forth himself to avenge his brother, his wise vizier Jamasp restrained him. Goshtasp then called upon his mighty host, promising the hand of his royal daughter Homai to whichever brave champion would step forth, slay Bidarafsh, and reclaim the steed and Black Banner of Zarir.
#1
دو هفته برآمد برین کارزار
✦
که هزمان همی تیره‌تر گشت کار
“Two full weeks elapsed in this fierce battle, as the conflict grew darker and more dire with every passing moment.”
#2
به پیش اندر آمد نبرده زریر
✦
سمندی بزرگ اندر آورده زیر
“The battle-tested hero Zarir surged to the fore, riding upon a mighty bay charger.”
#3
به لشکرگه دشمن اندر فتاد
✦
چو اندر گیا آتش و تیز باد
“He plunged into the enemy's encampment like a raging fire and a fierce wind sweeping through dry grass.”
#4
همی کشت زیشان همی خوابنید
✦
مر او را نه استاد هرکش بدید
“He cut them down and laid them low, and none who beheld him had the strength to stand against his wrath.”
#5
چو ارجاسپ دانست کان پورشاه
✦
سپه را همی کرد خواهد تباه
“When Arjasp realized that the king's son was bent on laying his army waste,”
#6
بدان لشکر خویش آواز داد
✦
که چونین همی داد خواهید داد
“He raised his voice to his host, crying out, 'Is this how you intend to give battle and yield victory?'”
#7
دو هفته برآمد برین بر درنگ
✦
نبینم همی روی فرجام جنگ
“'Two weeks have been lost in hesitation and delay, yet I see no victorious end to this war!'”
#8
بکردند گردان گشتاسپ شاه
✦
بسی نامداران لشکر تباه
“'The warriors of King Goshtasp have destroyed many noble leaders of my army.'”
#9
کنون اندر آمد میانه زریر
✦
چو گرگ دژآگاه و شیر دلیر
“'Now Zarir has charged into the midst like a sharp-witted wolf and a fierce lion.'”
#10
بکشت او همه پاک مردان من
✦
سرافراز گردان و ترکان من
“'He has slain all my righteous men, my exalted heroes, and my Turanian chieftains.'”
#11
یکی چاره باید سگالیدنا
✦
و گرنه ره ترک مالیدنا
“'A remedy must be devised at once, lest the path of the Turkmans be wiped away entirely!'”
#12
برین گر بماند زمانی چنین
✦
نه ایتاش ماند نه خلخ نه چین
“'If he continues thus for a moment longer, neither Eytash, nor Khallukh, nor China itself shall remain!'”
#13
کدامست مرد از شما نام خواه
✦
که آید پدید از میان سپاه
“'Which man among you is seeker of renown, who will step forward from the ranks of the army?'”
#14
یکی ترگ داری خرامد به پیش
✦
خنیده کند در جهان نام خویش
“'Let a helmeted warrior advance and exalt his name throughout the world!'”
#15
هران کز میان باره انگیزند
✦
بگرداندش پشت و بگریزند
“'Whosoever spurs his charger from the midst to turn Zarir's back and make him flee,'”
#16
من او را دهم دختر خویش را
✦
سپارم بدو لشکر خویش را
“'To him I shall give my own daughter in marriage, and to him I shall entrust my entire host!'”
#17
سپاهش ندادند پاسوخ باز
✦
بترسیده بد لشکر سرفراز
“Yet his army offered no answer; the proud warriors were utterly seized with fear.”
#18
چو شیر اندرافتاد و چون پیل مست
✦
همی کشت زیشان همی کرد پست
“Meanwhile, Zarir charged like a lion and a furious elephant, slaying them and laying them low.”
#19
همی کوفتشان هر سوی زیر پای
✦
سپهدار ایران فرخنده رای
“The auspicious-minded commander of Iran trampled them underfoot on every side.”
#20
چو ارجاسپ دید آن چنان خیره شد
✦
که روز سپیدش شب تیره شد
“When Arjasp saw this, he was so bewildered that his bright day turned into dark night.”
#21
دگر باره گفت ای بزرگان من
✦
تگینان لشکر گزینان من
“Once more he spoke: 'O my nobles, brave warriors, and chosen champions of the army!'”
#22
ببینید خویشان و پیوستگان
✦
ببینید نالیدن خستگان
“'Look upon your kinsmen and allies! Hark to the lamentations of the wounded!'”
#23
ازان زخم آن پهلو آتشی
✦
که سامیش گرزست و تیر آرشی
“'From the blow of that fiery hero, whose mace is like Sam's and whose arrow is like Arash's,'”
#24
که گفتی بسوزد همی لشکرم
✦
کنون برفروزد همی کشورم
“'You would say my army is burning, and now my very kingdom is set ablaze!'”
#25
کدامست مرد از شما چیره دست
✦
که بیرون شود پیش این پیل مست
“'Which among you is mighty enough to step forward against this drunken elephant?'”
#26
هرانکو بدان گردکش یازدا
✦
مر او را ازان باره بندازدا
“'Whosoever reaches out to strike that brave warrior and hurls him down from his charger,'”
#27
چو بخشنده‌ام بیش بسپارمش
✦
کلاه از بر چرخ بگذارمش
“'As a generous king, I shall bestow upon him endless riches and raise his crown above the heavens!'”
#28
همیدون نداد ایچ کس پاسخش
✦
بشد خیره و زرد گشت آن رخش
“Yet still not a single man gave him an answer; he grew stunned and his face turned pale as dust.”
#29
سه بار این سخن را بریشان براند
✦
چو پاسخ نیامدش خامش بماند
“Three times he spoke these words unto them; when no answer came, he fell silent in despair.”
#30
بیامد پس آن بیدرفش سترگ
✦
پلید و بد و جادوی و پیر گرگ
“Then came forward Bidarafsh the mighty—foul, evil, a sorcerer, and an old wolf of war.”
#31
به ارچاسپ گفت ای بلند آفتاب
✦
به زور و به تن همچو افراسیاب
“He said to Arjasp, 'O exalted sun of power, equal in physical strength to Afrasiab himself!'”
#32
به پیش تو آوردم این جان خویش
✦
سپر کردم این جان شیرینت پیش
“'I bring before you my very life; I have made my sweet soul a shield before your command.'”
#33
شوم پیش آن پیل آشفته مست
✦
گر ایدونک یابم بران پیل دست
“'I shall go against that raging, drunken elephant, if perchance I can gain the upper hand over him.'”
#34
به خاک افگنم تنش ای شهریار
✦
مگر بر دهد گردش روزگار
“'I shall throw his body to the dust, O King, peradventure fortune will yield a good harvest.'”
#35
ازو شاد شد شاه و کرد آفرین
✦
بدادش بدو بارهٔ خویش و زین
“The king rejoiced at his words and praised him, bestowing upon him his own horse and saddle.”
#36
بدو داد ژوپین زهرابدار
✦
که از آهنین کوه کردی گذار
“He also gave him a poisoned javelin that could pierce through a mountain of solid iron.”
#37
چو شد جادوی زشت ناباکدار
✦
سوی آن خردمند گرد سوار
“When that ugly, reckless sorcerer set out toward the wise and valiant horseman,”
#38
چو از دور دیدش برآورد خشم
✦
پر از خاک روی و پر از خون دو چشم
“He saw Zarir from afar in fury, his face filled with dust and his eyes filled with blood.”
#39
به دست اندرون گرز چون سام یل
✦
به پیش اندرون کشته چون کوه تل
“In his hand was a mace like Sam the warrior's, and before him were slain bodies piled high like hills.”
#40
نیارست رفتنش بر پیش روی
✦
ز پنهان همی تاخت بر گرد اوی
“He dared not approach Zarir face-to-face; instead, he crept secretly around him from behind.”
#41
بینداخت ژوپین زهرابدار
✦
ز پنهان بران شاهزاده سوار
“He hurled the poisoned javelin from ambush at that royal prince mounted upon his charger.”
#42
گذاره شد از خسروی جوشنش
✦
به خون غرقه شد شهریاری تنش
“The javelin pierced through his royal coat of mail, soaking the prince's body in blood.”
#43
ز باره در افتاد پس شهریار
✦
دریغ آن نکو شاهزاده سوار
“The prince fell heavily from his mount—alas for that noble knight and royal prince!”
#44
فرود آمد آن بیدرفش پلید
✦
سلیحش همه پاک بیرون کشید
“That vile Bidarafsh dismounted and stripped off all of Zarir's weapons and armor.”
#45
سوی شاه چین برد اسپ و کمرش
✦
درفش سیه افسر پرگهرش
“He brought Zarir's charger, belt, Black Banner, and jewel-adorned crown to the King of China.”
#46
سپاهش همه بانگ برداشتند
✦
همی نعره از ابر بگذاشتند
“His entire army raised a mighty shout, sending their thunderous roar echoing beyond the clouds.”
#47
چو گشتاسپ از کوه سر بنگرید
✦
مر او را بدان رزمگه بر ندید
“When Goshtasp looked down from the mountain height, he could no longer behold him upon the battlefield.”
#48
گمانی برم گفت کان گرد ماه
✦
که روشن بدی زو همه رزمگاه
“He said, "I fear that moon-like champion, whose radiant light lit up the whole scene of strife,"”
#49
نبرده برادرم فرخ زریر
✦
که شیر ژیان آوریدی به زیر
“"My warlike brother, the glorious Zarir, who was wont to subdue even ferocious lions,"”
#50
فگندست بر باره از تاختن
✦
بماندند گردان ز انداختن
“"Has been thrown upon his warhorse in the fray, and the warriors have ceased their casting of weapons."”
#51
نیاید همی بانگ شه زادگان
✦
مگر کشته شد شاه آزادگان
“"No call comes from the noble princes—can it be that the king of noble men has been slain?"”
#52
هیونی بتازید تا رزمگاه
✦
به نزدیکی آن درفش سیاه
“"Gallop a swift camel to the scene of combat, straight toward that black banner,"”
#53
ببینید کان شاه من چون شدست
✦
کم از درد او دل پر از خون شدست
“"To see what has become of my noble king, for my heart is filled with blood from anguish for him."”
#54
بدین اندرون بود شاه جهان
✦
که آمد یکی خون ز دیده چکان
“While the king of the world was in these thoughts, a messenger arrived with tears of blood streaming from his eyes.”
#55
به شاه جهان گفت ماه ترا
✦
نگهدار تاج و سپاه ترا
“He said to the ruler of the earth, "Alas for thy moon! Look now to the protection of thy crown and army!"”
#56
جهان پهلوان آن زریر سوار
✦
سواران ترکان بکشتند زار
“"The world's supreme hero, the knightly Zarir—the Turanian horsemen have slain him most piteously!"”
#57
سر جادوان جهان بیدرفش
✦
مر او را بیفگند و برد آن درفش
“"Bidarafsh, chief of the world's sorcerers, struck him down and bore away that royal banner!"”
#58
چو آگاهی کشتن او رسید
✦
به شاه جهانجوی و مرگش بدید
“When the news of his death reached the world-seeking monarch and he saw the reality of his brother's demise,”
#59
همه جامه تا پای بدرید پاک
✦
بران خسروی تاج پاشید خاک
“He rent his robes completely down to his feet, and cast dark dust upon his royal crown.”
#60
همی گفت گشتاسپ کای شهریار
✦
چراغ دلت را بکشتند زار
“Goshtasp cried aloud in grief, "O noble prince, they have cruelly extinguished the lamp of thy heart!"”
#61
ز پس گفت داننده جاماسپ را
✦
چه گویم کنون شاه لهراسپ را
“Then he turned to the wise Jamasp and said, "What can I say now to King Lohrasp?"”
#62
چگونه فرستم فرسته بدر
✦
چه گویم بدان پیر گشته پدر
“"How can I send a messenger to his court? What words can I speak to my aged father?"”
#63
چه گویم چه کردم نگار ترا
✦
که برد آن نبرده سوار ترا
“"What shall I say I did to your precious gem? Who has borne away your warrior rider?"”
#64
دریغ آن گو شاهزاده دریغ
✦
چو تابنده ماه اندرون شد به میغ
“"Alas for that noble prince, alas! Like a radiant moon, he has sunk behind the clouds!"”
#65
بیارید گلگون لهراسپی
✦
نهید از برش زین گشتاسپی
“"Bring forth Lohrasp's rose-red steed (Golgun), and place upon him the saddle of Goshtasp!"”
#66
بیاراست مر جستن کینش را
✦
به ورزیدن دین و آیینش را
“He readied himself to seek vengeance for him, and to uphold the Faith and its sacred holy laws.”
#67
جهاندیده دستور گفتا به پای
✦
به کینه شدن مر ترا نیست رای
“The world-experienced counselor stood up and said, "It is not thy part, O King, to go forth in vengeance!"”
#68
به فرمان دستور دانای راز
✦
فرود آمد از باره بنشست باز
“At the command of the wise, mystery-knowing minister, he dismounted from his charger and sat down once more.”
#69
به لشکر بگفتا کدامست شیر
✦
که باز آورد کین فرخ زریر
“He addressed the host, "Who among you is the lion who will exact vengeance for the blessed Zarir?"”
#70
که پیش افگند باره بر کین اوی
✦
که باز آورد باره و زین اوی
“"Who will spur his steed forward to avenge him, and bring back his warhorse and his saddle?"”
#71
پذیرفتن اندر خدای جهان
✦
پذیرفتن راستان و مهان
“"I swear a solemn oath before the Lord of the World, making a promise such as righteous and noble men keep,"”
#72
که هر کز میانه نهد پیش پای
✦
مر او را دهم دخترم را همای
“"Whosoever among you steps forward, to him I shall give my daughter Homay in marriage."”
#73
نجنبید زیشان کس از جای خویش
✦
ز لشکر نیاورد کس پای پیش
“Yet not a single man among them stirred from his place; none in all that host brought his foot forward.”