After the heavy chains were struck from Esfandiyar, he entered the royal pavilion to counsel with King Goshtasp on the fate of the realm. The king remembered with bitter anguish the fallen Lohrasp, the revenge due for Farshidvard, and the slain champions of that fateful battle. Turning to his mighty son, Goshtasp spake: How can thy heart know joy while thy sisters languish in the bonds of the Turks? Blest are those who fell upon the field of vengeance, never knowing the agony of captivity! What shall our subjects say when they behold us upon the throne while our own blood suffers beneath the tyrant's heel? So long as I breathe, I shall weep for this shame, for fire burneth within my brain. I have sworn a solemn covenant before the Almighty Creator: if thou goest unscathed unto Touran, brave the dragon's breath, and free thy sisters from captivity, I shall surrender unto thee the crown of kingship, the high throne, and all the treasures of the realm, seeking for myself only a secluded house of worship. Esfandiyar bowed low and replied: May no man behold the sun without thee! I am but a servant before my father, my soul devoted to thy command. I seek neither crown nor kingdom; I go forth to wreak vengeance upon Arjasp, to sweep the land of Touran, and by the King's good fortune bring my sisters back to glory. Goshtasp showered praise upon his prince, praying that Wisdom and the Divine Grace might protect his path. Mobilizing the host from all quarters, twelve thousand valiant, steel-clad horsemen were chosen. Treasures of coin were lavished upon the warriors, and a magnificent crown inlaid with regal gems was bestowed upon Esfandiyar. A mighty clamor arose from the royal gates as dust raised by the cavalry blackened the sun, and Esfandiyar rode out into the plain at the head of a formidable host.
#1
ازان پس بیامد به پرده‌سرای
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ز هرگونه انداخت با شاه رای
“Thereafter he entered the royal pavilion, taking counsel with the King on every matter.”
#2
ز لهراسپ وز کین فرشیدورد
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ازان نامداران روز نبرد
“They spoke of Lohrasp and the vengeance owed for Farshidvard, and of those renowned warriors on the day of battle.”
#3
بدو گفت گشتاسپ کای زورمند
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تو شادانی و خواهرانت به بند
“Goshtasp said to him: 'O mighty prince, art thou joyful while thy sisters lie in chains?'”
#4
خنک آنک بر کینه گه کشته شد
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نه در چنگ ترکان سرگشته شد
“'Blessed is he who was slain upon the battlefield of vengeance, and fell not bewildered into the hands of the Turks!'”
#5
چو بر تخت بینند ما را نشست
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چه گوید کسی کو بود زیر دست
“'When people see us seated upon the throne, what shall any subject say of us?'”
#6
بگریم برین ننگ تا زنده‌ام
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به مغز اندرون آتش افگنده‌ام
“'I shall weep for this shame so long as I live; fire hath been cast deep into my brain.'”
#7
پذیرفتم از کردگار بلند
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که گر تو به توران شوی بی‌گزند
“'I have pledged before the Almighty Lord that if thou goest unto Touran unscathed,'”
#8
به مردی شوی در دم اژدها
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کنی خواهران را ز ترکان رها
“'And bravely step into the dragon's breath to free thy sisters from the Turks,'”
#9
سپارم ترا تاج شاهنشهی
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همان گنج بی‌رنج و تخت مهی
“'I shall surrender to thee the royal crown, the boundless treasure, and the high throne.'”
#10
مرا جایگاه پرستش بس است
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نه فرزند من نزد دیگر کس است
“'For me, a place of holy worship is enough; let not my child remain in another's bond.'”
#11
چنین پاسخ آورد اسفندیار
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که بی‌تو مبیناد کس روزگار
“Esfandiyar answered thus: 'May no man behold life without thee!'”
#12
به پیش پدر من یکی بنده‌ام
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روان را به فرمانش آگنده‌ام
“'Before my father I am but a servant, my soul filled with obedience to his command.'”
#13
فدای تو دارم تن و جان خویش
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نخواهم سر و تخت و فرمان خویش
“'I offer my body and soul as thy sacrifice; I desire neither crown, throne, nor command for myself.'”
#14
شوم باز خواهم ز ارجاسپ کین
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نمانم بر و بوم توران زمین
“'I shall go and exact vengeance upon Arjasp, leaving no trace of Touran's realm standing.'”
#15
به تخت آورم خواهران را ز بند
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به بخت جهاندار شاه بلند
“'By the divine fortune of the exalted King, I shall restore my sisters from bonds to the royal throne.'”
#16
برو آفرین کرد گشتاسپ و گفت
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که با تو روان و خرد باد جفت
“Goshtasp praised him, saying: 'May thy spirit and wisdom ever be intertwined!'”
#17
برفتنت یزدان پناه تو باد
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به باز آمدن تخت گاه تو باد
“'May God be thy shelter on thy departure, and may the royal throne await thy return!'”
#18
بخواند آن زمان لشگر از هر سوی
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به جایی که بد موبدی گر گوی
“Then he summoned armies from every side, assembling them where the wise mobads resided.”
#19
ازیشان گزیده ده و دو هزار
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سواران مرد افگن و کینه‌دار
“From among them he selected twelve thousand warrior horsemen, brave and eager for vengeance.”
#20
بر ایشان ببخشید گنج درم
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نکرد ایچ کس را به بخشش دژم
“He distributed abundant treasures of silver coin among them, leaving no man discontented with his gift.”
#21
ببخشید گنجی بر اسفندیار
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یکی تاج پر گوهر شاهوار
“He bestowed a immense treasure upon Esfandiyar, along with a crown laden with regal jewels.”
#22
خروشی برآمد ز درگاه شاه
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شد از گرد خورشید تابان سیاه
“A thunderous clamor arose from the King's portal, and the radiant sun grew dark with rising dust.”
#23
ز ایوان به دشت آمد اسفندیار
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سپاهی گزید از در کارزار
“From the palace to the open plain marched Esfandiyar, choosing a formidable host fit for battle.”