A shadow of grief fell upon the Iranian host as dark tidings echoed through the camp: Zarir, the formidable knight and warrior prince, had fallen in the heat of battle. Consumed by anguish and fury, King Goshtasp declared before his warlords that whosoever should step forth to avenge his brother and crush the enemy would be granted his daughter, Princess Homay, in marriage—calling upon God Almighty as witness to his solemn oath.
Upon hearing of his uncle's death, Prince Esfandiyar struck his hands together in bitter sorrow, lamenting the cruel turn of fate. For long he had feared for the life of that unyielding hero who could rip iron mountains from the earth. Resolving to channel his grief into fierce resolve, Esfandiyar committed his banner and line command to his brothers, five wise and valiant princes, and strode into the heart of the battlefield. Taking the slain Zarir's place, he girt his loins for war and raised the blessed, sacred banner high into the air.
Standing like a majestic lion before the army, Esfandiyar rallied the noble warriors of Iran. He exhorted them to hold fast to the divine faith of the Creator and reminded them that no soul perishes before its allotted time; if death be decreed by fate, no end is more glorious than falling upon the field of honor. He commanded them not to turn back, nor to fear the clash of steel, but to hurl their spearpoints into the enemy ranks and display true chivalry.
As Esfandiyar's rousing words stirred the hearts of the troops, the mighty voice of King Goshtasp boomed down from the mountain heights. Goshtasp urged his host to stand firm against spear, mace, and blade, for none can escape divine destiny. Then, swearing by the holy faith and the blessed soul of Zarir now ascending to paradise, the king announced his sacred vow: as he had once promised his father Lohrasp, upon returning victorious from this bloody struggle, he would surrender the throne, the royal crown, and supreme command of Iran to his heroic son, Esfandiyar.
#1
پس آگاهی آمد به اسفندیار
✦
که کشته شد آن شاه نیزه گزار
“News came to Esfandiyar that the spear-wielding prince had been slain.”
#2
پدرت از غم او بکاهد همی
✦
کنون کین او خواست خواهد همی
“His father was consumed by grief over his loss and now sought fierce vengeance.”
#3
همی گوید آنکس کجاکین اوی
✦
بخواهد نهد پیش دشمنش روی
“He proclaimed that whoever should avenge Zarir and step forth against the foe,”
#4
مر او را دهم دخترم را همای
✦
وکرد ایزدش را برین بر گوای
“Would receive his daughter Homay in marriage, taking God as witness to this solemn vow.”
#5
کی نامور دست بر دست زد
✦
بنالید ازان روزگاران بد
“When that illustrious prince heard this, he clapped his hands in sorrow and wept for the evil turn of time.”
#6
همه ساله زین روز ترسیدمی
✦
چو او را به رزم اندرون دیدمی
“'All year long I feared this dark day whenever I saw him fighting in the battle,' he cried.”
#7
دریغا سوارا گوا مهترا
✦
که بختش جدا کرد تاج از سرا
“'Alas for that valiant knight, that noble leader, whose crown has been severed from his head by fate!'”
#8
که کشت آن سیه پیل نستوه را
✦
که کند از زمین آهنین کوه را
“'Who could have slain that unyielding black elephant who could tear iron mountains from the earth?'”
#9
درفش و سرلشکر و جای خویش
✦
برادرش را داد و خود رفت پیش
“He passed his banner, the army's command, and his position to his brother, and advanced to the front himself.”
#10
به قلب اندر آمد به جای زریر
✦
به صف اندر استاد چون نره شیر
“He stepped into the heart of the battle, taking Zarir's place, standing in line like a fierce lion.”
#11
به پیش اندر آمد میان را ببست
✦
گرفت آن درفش همایون به دست
“He stepped forward, girt his waist, and took that blessed, auspicious banner into his hand.”
#12
برادرش بد پنج دانسته راه
✦
همه از در تاج و همتای شاه
“He had five brothers skilled in the path, all worthy of crowns and equal to kings.”
#13
همه ایستادند در پیش اوی
✦
که لشکر شکستن بدی کیش اوی
“They all stood before him, heroes whose creed was breaking the enemy host.”
#14
به آزادگان گفت پیش سپاه
✦
که ای نامداران و گردان شاه
“He spoke to the freeborn chieftains before the army: 'O renowned warriors and king's champions!”
#15
نگر تا چه گویم یکی بشنوید
✦
به دین خدای جهان بگروید
“Hearken to what I say: believe in the sacred faith of the God of the World!”
#16
نگر تا نترسید از مرگ و چیز
✦
که کس بی‌زمانه نمردست نیز
“Fear neither death nor loss, for no one dies before their appointed hour has arrived!”
#17
کرا کشت خواهد همی روزگار
✦
چه نیکوتر از مرگ در کارزار
“If fate decrees one's death, what is more glorious than falling upon the battlefield?”
#18
بدانید یکسر که روزیست این
✦
که کافر پدید آید از پاک دین
“Know that today is the day of trial, when the infidel shall be severed from the pure of faith!”
#19
شما از پس پشتها منگرید
✦
مجویید فریاد و سر مشمرید
“Look not behind you, seek no cry for aid, and hold not your lives in trembling count!”
#20
نگر تا نبینید بگریختن
✦
نگر تا نترسید ز آویختن
“See that you flee not from battle, nor fear engaging in the fierce combat!”
#21
سر نیزه‌ها را به رزم افگنید
✦
زمانی بکوشید و مردی کنید
“Hurl your spearpoints into the fray, fight bravely for a space, and display your chivalry!'”
#22
بدین اندرون بود اسفندیار
✦
که بانگ پدرش آمد از کوهسار
“While Esfandiyar spoke thus, his father's voice resounded from the mountain heights:”
#23
که ای نامداران و گردان من
✦
همه مر مرا چون تن و جان من
“'O my renowned chieftains and warriors, dear to me as my own body and soul!”
#24
مترسید از نیزه و گرز و تیغ
✦
که از بخش‌مان نیست روی گریغ
“Fear not spears, maces, or swords, for there is no fleeing from our allotted destiny!”
#25
به دین خدا ای گو اسفندیار
✦
به جان زریر آن نبرده سوار
“By the sacred faith of God, O heroic Esfandiyar, and by the soul of Zarir, that brave rider,”
#26
که آید فرود او کنون در بهشت
✦
که من سوی لهراسپ نامه نوشت
“Who now enters the paradise above—I had written a letter to King Lohrasp of old:”
#27
پذیرفتم اندرز آن شاه پیر
✦
که گر بخت نیکم بود دستگیر
“I accepted the advice of that old king that if good fortune should aid my hand,”
#28
که چون بازگردم ازین رزمگاه
✦
به اسفندیارم دهم تاج و گاه
“When I return from this battlefield, I shall grant the crown and throne to Esfandiyar!”
#29
سپه را همه پیش رفتن دهم
✦
ورا خسروی تاج بر سر نهم
“I shall give full command of the host to him and place the royal crown of kingship upon his head.”
#30
چنانچون پدر داد شاهی مرا
✦
دهم همچنان پادشاهی ورا
“Just as my father passed the kingship unto me, I shall likewise surrender sovereignty to him!'”