High upon the battlements of the Gonbadan fortress, Nush-Azar, the noble son of Esfandiyar, kept a vigilant watch over the horizon, awaiting any sign of an Iranian host. A cloud of dust arose from the plains, revealing a lone horseman wearing a dark, two-plumed helmet. Nush-Azar hastened to his imprisoned father to report the rider's approach. At Esfandiyar's command, the heavy citadel gates swung open, and Jamasp, the sage vizier of Iran, entered, offering the greetings of King Goshtasp to the captive prince.
Yet Esfandiyar, his heart hardened by his father's tyranny and Gorazm's deadly slander, received the messenger with bitter disdain. He questioned the worth of greetings from a monarch who rewarded boundless loyalty with heavy chains and dark dungeons, taking Heaven as his witness to Goshtasp's injustice. Jamasp sought to reawaken the prince's royal honor and filial duty, recounting the tragedy at the Fire Temple of Nush-Azar, where the venerable King Lohrasp and eighty pious priests were slaughtered by the Turanians, and describing the agony of Esfandiyar's sisters, Homay and Beh-Afarid, who were dragged away in captivity, weeping barefoot across the desert. Still, Esfandiyar remained cold, reminding Jamasp that when he languished in the dark dungeon, neither father, nor sisters, nor brothers raised a single sigh for his deliverance.
It was only when Jamasp spoke of Farshidvard—Esfandiyar's beloved brother—describing him lying mortally wounded upon the battlefield, his armor shattered, calling out in agony for his brother, that Esfandiyar's resolve fractured. The tide of grief and fraternal love broke his bitterness. Finding the blacksmiths' work with files and heavy hammers too slow, the invincible prince flexed his mighty sinews; with a titanic effort of brute force, he shattered the heavy steel fetters and Roman iron cuffs from his limbs. The immense surge of power and pain caused him to collapse unconscious. Upon awakening, he purified his bruised body in a hot bath, donned his royal cuirass and heroic robes, restored his champion steed, and ordered his armor polished—ready to ride forth like a thunderbolt to avenge his house and reclaim the glory of Iran.
#1
یکی مایه‌ور پور اسفندیار
✦
که نوش آذرش خواندی شهریار
“There was a noble son of Esfandiyar, whom the prince had named Nush-Azar.”
#2
بران بام دژ بود و چشمش به راه
✦
بدان تا کی آید ز ایران سپاه
“He stood upon the fortress roof, gazing down the road to see when the host of Iran might arrive.”
#3
پدر را بگوید چو بیند کسی
✦
به بالای دژ درنمانده بسی
“Whenever he caught sight of anyone, he would hasten to inform his father, lingering little upon the height.”
#4
چو جاماسپ را دید پویان به راه
✦
به سربر یکی نغز توزی کلاه
“When he saw Jamasp speeding along the path, wearing a fine plumed helmet upon his head,”
#5
چنین گفت کامد ز توران سوار
✦
بپویم بگویم به اسفندیار
“He said to himself, 'A rider comes from the direction of Turan; I shall hasten to inform Esfandiyar.'”
#6
فرود آمد از بارهٔ دژ دوان
✦
چنین گفت کای نامور پهلوان
“He ran down from the fortress wall and spoke to the renowned champion:”
#7
سواری همی بینم از دیدگاه
✦
کلاهی به سر بر نهاده سیاه
“'From the lookout post I behold a horseman wearing a dark helmet upon his head.”
#8
شوم باز بینم که گشتاسپیست
✦
وگر کینه‌جویست و ارجاسپیست
“I shall go back to see if he is of Goshtasp's house, or a seeker of vengeance from Arjasp.”
#9
اگر ترک باشد ببرم سرش
✦
به خاک افگنم نابسوده برش
“If he be a Turk, I shall sever his head and strike his unblemished breast to the dust.'”
#10
چنین گفت پرمایه اسفندیار
✦
که راه گذر کی بوده بی‌سوار
“The noble Esfandiyar replied, 'When has a traveled highway ever been devoid of riders?”
#11
همانا کز ایران یکی لشکری
✦
سوی ما بیامد به پیغمبری
“Surely an envoy from Iran hath come bearing a message unto us,”
#12
کلاهی به سر بر نهاده دوپر
✦
ز بیم سواران پرخاشخر
“Wearing a helmet with two plumes upon his head out of dread for fierce warring horsemen.'”
#13
چو بشنید نوش آذر از پهلوان
✦
بیامد بران بارهٔ دژ دوان
“When Nush-Azar heard this from the champion, he ran back to the fortress wall.”
#14
چو جاماسپ تنگ اندر آمد ز راه
✦
هم از باره دانست فرزند شاه
“As Jamasp drew close along the path, the prince's son recognized him from the ramparts.”
#15
بیامد به نزدیک فرخ پدر
✦
که فرخنده جاماسپ آمد به در
“He came unto his blessed father and said, 'The fortunate Jamasp hath arrived at the gate.'”
#16
بفرمود تا دژ گشادند باز
✦
درآمد خردمند و بردش نماز
“He commanded the gates of the fortress to be opened; the wise counselor entered and bowed low in homage.”
#17
بدادش درود پدر سربسر
✦
پیامی که آورده بد در بدر
“He delivered the greetings of the Shahanshah in full, and conveyed the message brought door to door.”
#18
چنین پاسخ آورد اسفندیار
✦
که ای از خرد در جهان یادگار
“Esfandiyar answered him thus: 'O lingering monument of wisdom in this world,”
#19
خردمند و کنداور و سرفراز
✦
چرا بسته را برد باید نماز
“O wise, valiant, and exalted chieftain! Why should one render homage to a captive bound in fetters?”
#20
کسی را که بر دست و پای آهنست
✦
نه مردم نژادست کهرمنست
“One whose hands and feet are bound in iron is no longer of human stock, but a prisoner of wretchedness.”
#21
درود شهنشاه ایران دهی
✦
ز دانش ندارد دلت آگهی
“Thou bringest the greetings of the Shahanshah of Iran, yet thy heart is devoid of true knowledge.”
#22
درودم از ارجاسپ آمد کنون
✦
کز ایران همی دست شوید به خون
“To me, his greeting feels like Arjasp's insult, while he washes his hands of Iran in blood!”
#23
مرا بند کردند بر بی‌گناه
✦
همانا گه رزم فرزند شاه
“They bound me in chains without guilt—verily, in the hour of battle, I, the King's own son!”
#24
چنین بود پاداش رنج مرا
✦
به آهن بیاراست گنج مرا
“Such was the recompense for all my toil; he adorned my treasury with heavy iron chains.”
#25
کنون همچنین بسته باید تنم
✦
به یزدان گوای منست آهنم
“Now let my body remain thus imprisoned; my iron chains are witness before God,”
#26
که بر من ز گشتاسپ بیداد بود
✦
ز گفت گُرَزم اهرمن شاد بود
“That Goshtasp treated me with cruelty, and through Gorazm's slanderous words, Ahriman rejoiced.”
#27
مبادا که این بد فرامش کنم
✦
روان را به گفتار بیهش کنم
“May I never forget this evil deed, nor dull my soul with meaningless talk!'”
#28
بدو گفت جاماسپ کای راست‌گوی
✦
جهانگیر و کنداور و نیک‌خوی
“Jamasp said to him, 'O truthful warrior, conqueror of the world, valiant and noble of heart!”
#29
دلت گر چنین از پدر خیره گشت
✦
نگر بخت این پادشا تیره گشت
“If thy heart hath turned so bitter against thy father, consider how the fortune of this kingdom hath darkened.”
#30
چو لهراسپ شاه آن پرستنده مرد
✦
که ترکان بکشتندش اندر نبرد
“King Lohrasp, that devout worshiper of God, was slain by the Turks in the midst of battle.”
#31
همان هیربد نیز یزدان‌پرست
✦
که بودند با زند و استا به دست
“Likewise the high priest, the godly master, who held the sacred Zand and Avesta in hand,”
#32
بکشتند هشتاد از موبدان
✦
پرستنده و پاک‌دل بخردان
“Eighty holy Mobads were slain—pious, pure-hearted, and wise souls.”
#33
ز خونشان به نوش‌آذر آذر بمرد
✦
چنین بدکنش خوار نتوان شمرد
“From their blood, the sacred fire at Nush-Azar died; such evil foes cannot be lightly dismissed.”
#34
ز بهر نیا دل پر از درد کن
✦
برآشوب و رخسارگان زرد کن
“For the sake of thy grandsire, fill thy heart with grief; arise in anger and let thy cheeks turn pale with anguish.”
#35
ز کین یا ز دین گر نجنبی ز جای
✦
نباشی پسندیدهٔ رهنمای
“If neither vengeance nor faith stir thee to rise, thou shalt not be praised by the Divine Guide.'”
#36
چنین داد پاسخ که ای نیک‌نام
✦
بلنداختر و گرد و جوینده کام
“Esfandiyar answered him, 'O renowned traveler of bright fortune, brave and seeker of noble aims!”
#37
براندیش کان پیر لهراسپ را
✦
پرستنده و باب گشتاسپ را
“Consider that old Lohrasp was Goshtasp's devout father and worshiper of God.”
#38
پسر به که جوید همی کین اوی
✦
که تخت پدر داشت و ایین اوی
“Who better than his own son to seek vengeance for him, he who inherited his father's throne and laws?'”
#39
بدو گفت ار ایدونک کین نیا
✦
نجویی نداری به دل کیمیا
“Jamasp said to him, 'Even if thou seekest not vengeance for thy grandsire, hast thou no alchemy of noble empathy in thy heart?”
#40
همای خردمند و به آفرید
✦
که باد هوا روی ایشان ندید
“The wise Homay and Beh-Afarid, whose faces even the open wind had never beheld,”
#41
به ترکان اسیراند با درد و داغ
✦
پیاده دوان رنگ رخ چون چراغ
“Are now captives of the Turks, bound in sorrow, running barefoot with faces pale as lamps.'”
#42
چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که من بسته بودم چنین زار و خوار
“Esfandiyar replied to him, 'When I was fettered here so wretched and low,”
#43
نکردند زیشان ز من هیچ یاد
✦
نه برزد کس از بهر من سردباد
“They remembered me not at all, nor did anyone breathe a cold sigh on my behalf.”
#44
چه گویی به پاسخ که روزی همای
✦
ز من کرد یاد اندرین تنگ جای
“What answer hast thou if I say that Homay never remembered me in this narrow prison?”
#45
دگر نیز پرمایه به آفرید
✦
که گفتی مرا در جهان خود ندید
“And likewise the precious Beh-Afarid, who spoke as though she saw me not in all the world!'”
#46
بدو گفت جاماسپ کای پهلوان
✦
پدرت از جهان تیره دارد روان
“Jamasp said to him, 'O hero, your father's soul is darkened by the troubles of the world.'”
#47
به کوه اندرست این زمان با سران
✦
دو دیده پر از آب و لب ناچران
“'He is now stranded on the mountain with his nobles, his eyes filled with tears and his lips without food.'”
#48
سپاهی ز ترکان بگرد اندرش
✦
همانا نبینی سر و افسرش
“'An army of Turks surrounds him; in truth, you may never see his head and crown again.'”
#49
نیاید پسند جهان‌آفرین
✦
که تو دل بپیچی ز مهر و ز دین
“'It is not pleasing to the Creator of the world that you should turn your heart away from love and faith.'”
#50
برادر که بد مر ترا سی و هشت
✦
ازان پنج ماند و دگر درگذشت
“'Of the thirty-eight brothers you once had, only five remain, and all the rest have perished.'”
#51
چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که چندین برادر بدم نامدار
“Esfandiyar gave him such an answer: 'I had so many renowned brothers,'”
#52
همه شاد با رامش و من به بند
✦
نکردند یاد از من مستمند
“'All were joyful in delight while I was in chains, and not one remembered me in my misery.'”
#53
اگر من کنون کین بسیچم چه سود
✦
کزیشان برآورد بدخواه دود
“'If I now prepare for vengeance, what boots it, since the enemy has already raised smoke from them?'”
#54
چو جاماسپ زین گونه پاسخ شنود
✦
دلش گشت از درد پر داغ و دود
“When Jamasp heard such an answer, his heart became filled with painful scars and smoke.”
#55
همی بود بر پای و دل پر ز خشم
✦
به زاری همی راند آب از دو چشم
“He stood there with a heart full of anger, mournfully shedding tears from both his eyes.”
#56
بدو گفت کای پهلوان جهان
✦
اگر تیره گردد دلت با روان
“He said to him, 'O champion of the world, even if your heart and soul are darkened with resentment,'”
#57
چه گویی کنون کار فرشیدورد
✦
که بود از تو همواره با داغ و درد
“'What say you now of the plight of Farshidvard, who was ever grieving and suffering for your sake?'”
#58
به هر سو که بودی به رزم و به بزم
✦
پر از درد و نفرین بدی بر گُرَزم
“'Wherever he was, in battle or in feast, he was full of grief and curses against Gorazm.'”
#59
پر از زخم شمشیر دیدم تنش
✦
دریده برو مغفر و جوشنش
“'I saw his body covered with sword wounds, his helmet and mail torn upon him.'”
#60
همی زار می بگسلد جان اوی
✦
ببخشای بر چشم گریان اوی
“'His soul is mournfully leaving his body; have pity upon his weeping eyes!'”
#61
چو آواز دادش ز فرشیدورد
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و جان پر ز درد
“When he spoke to him of Farshidvard, Esfandiyar's heart turned to blood and his soul filled with pain.”
#62
چو باز آمدش دل به جاماسپ گفت
✦
که این بد چرا داشتی در نهفت
“When he recovered himself, he said to Jamasp, 'Why did you keep this tragedy concealed?'”
#63
بفرمای کاهنگران آورند
✦
چو سوهان و پتک گران آورند
“'Order blacksmiths to be brought, bearing files and heavy hammers!'”
#64
بیاورد جاماسپ آهنگران
✦
چو سندان پولاد و پتک گران
“Jamasp brought the blacksmiths, equipped with steel anvils and heavy hammers.”
#65
بسودند زنجیر و مسمار و غل
✦
همان بند رومی به کردار پل
“They filed at the chains, nails, and shackles, as well as the Roman fetters strong as a bridge.”
#66
چو شد دیر بر سودن بستگی
✦
به بد تنگدل بسته از خستگی
“As the filing of the fetters took too long, the captive grew distressed and weary from delay.”
#67
به آهنگران گفت کای شوربخت
✦
ببندی و بسته ندانی گسخت
“He cried to the blacksmiths, 'O wretched ones! You know how to bind, but not how to break the bond!'”
#68
همی گفت من بند آن شهریار
✦
نکردم به پیش خردمند خوار
“He said, 'Until now, I did not despise the King's fetters before the wise.'”
#69
بپیچید تن را و بر پای جست
✦
غمی شد به پابند یازید دست
“He wrung his body and sprang to his feet; in his wrath, he reached out his hands to the leg-irons.”
#70
بیاهیخت پای و بپیچید دست
✦
همه بند و زنجیر بر هم شکست
“He pulled back his legs and twisted his arms, shattering all the bonds and chains into pieces.”
#71
چو بگسست زنجیر بی‌توش گشت
✦
بیفتاد از درد و بیهوش گشت
“When he snapped the chains, he grew strengthless; he fell from agony and fainted away.”
#72
ستاره شمرکان شگفتی بدید
✦
بران تاجدار آفرین گسترید
“When the astrologer saw this wonder, he bestowed blessings upon that crowned prince.”
#73
چو آمد به هوش آن گو زورمند
✦
همی پیش بنهاد زنجیر و بند
“When that mighty hero regained consciousness, he placed the broken chains and bonds before him.”
#74
چنین گفت کاین هدیه‌های گُرَزم
✦
منش پست بادش به بزم و به رزم
“He spoke thus: 'These are the gifts of Gorazm; may his state be brought low in feast and fight!'”
#75
به گرمابه شد با تن دردمند
✦
ز زنجیر فرسوده و مستمند
“He entered the bathhouse with his aching body, worn out and distressed from the heavy chains.”
#76
چو آمد به در پس گو نامدار
✦
رخش بود همچون گل اندر بهار
“When the renowned hero emerged, his face blossomed like a rose in springtime.”
#77
یکی جوشن خسروانی بخواست
✦
همان جامهٔ پهلوانی بخواست
“He called for royal armor and noble heroic garments.”
#78
بفرمود کان بارهٔ گام زن
✦
بیارید و آن ترگ و شمشیر من
“He commanded, 'Bring forth my swift steed, my helmet, and my sword!'”
#79
چو چشمش بران تیزرو برفتاد
✦
ز یزدان نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“As his eyes fell upon his swift-running steed, he remembered God, the Bestower of Good.”
#80
همی گفت گر من گنه کرده‌ام
✦
ازینسان به بند اندر آزرده‌ام
“He said, 'If I had committed any sin, I have already been tormented enough in chains like this.'”
#81
چه کرد این چمان بارهٔ بربری
✦
چه بایست کردن بدین لاغری
“What has befallen this swift Barbary steed? What has caused it to grow so thin and weak?”
#82
بشویید و او را بی‌آهو کنید
✦
به خوردن تنش را به نیرو کنید
“Wash him well and free him of any flaw; restore his body's strength through goodly feed.”
#83
فرستاد کس نزد آهنگران
✦
هرانکس که استاد بود اندران
“He dispatched messengers unto the smiths, seeking out every master of that trade.”
#84
برفتند و چندی زره خواستند
✦
سلیحش یکایک بپیراستند
“They went and brought forth several suits of mail, preparing and polishing his weapons one by one.”