When the night of victory passed and the dawn scattered its crimson radiance across the azure vault of heaven, the three noble princes of Iran arose. Stripping away the garb of trials, they adorned themselves in royal majesty and summoned wise Priests to ride at their side. They set forth with an army as vast as the firmament, accompanied by sun-faced paladins and glorious commanders.
When Sarv, the King of Yemen, learned of their triumphant approach, he arrayed his own army like the shimmering plumage of a pheasant. He sent forward a noble host of kin and sages to welcome them. Men and women of Yemen poured into the streets, showering saffron and gems upon the procession, blending pure musk with rose-red wine until the manes of the warhorses glistened with sweet aromatic perfumes and golden dinars paved the earth beneath their hooves.
The King of Yemen convened a magnificent banquet, gathering all the illustrious realm's grandees. He unlocked the doors of ancient, hidden treasuries and brought forth his three sun-faced daughters—radiant as the gardens of Paradise, far fairer than any cypress ever tended by a sage. He entrusted the three glowing moons into the hands of the three heroic princes. Though a pang of sorrow weighed upon the father's heart at the parting of his lineage, he declared before all the assembled priests that he bestowed the light of his eyes upon the princes in solemn according with ancient law, bidding them cherish the maidens as their very souls.
Thus, heavy litters of state were laden upon the backs of mighty, roaring camels, and Yemen glittered with the glow of boundless gems. With joyful hearts and royal brides at their side, the clear-sighted princes turned their faces toward Iran, returning to the court of King Fereydun.
#1
سوی خانه رفتند هر سه چو باد
✦
شب آمد بخفتند پیروز و شاد
“The three princes returned home like the wind, sleeping triumphant and joyful as night fell.”
#2
چو خورشید زد عکس برآسمان
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پراگند بر لاژورد ارغوان
“When the sun cast its glowing rays across the sky, scattering crimson hues over the azure vault...”
#3
برفتند و هر سه بیاراستند
✦
ابا خویشتن موبدان خواستند
“They arose and adorned themselves, requesting the presence of wise Priests to attend them.”
#4
کشیدند با لشکری چون سپهر
✦
همه نامداران خورشیدچهر
“They marched forth with an army magnificent as the heavens, filled with sun-faced illustrious champions.”
#5
چو از آمدنشان شد آگاه سرو
✦
بیاراست لشکر چو پر تذرو
“When Sarv received tidings of their approach, he arrayed his host like the radiant plumage of a pheasant.”
#6
فرستادشان لشکری گشن پیش
✦
چه بیگانه فرزانگان و چه خویش
“He sent forward a vast army to greet them, comprised of both wise strangers and his own kinsmen.”
#7
شدند این سه پرمایه اندر یمن
✦
برون آمدند از یمن مرد و زن
“As these three noble princes entered Yemen, men and women flocked from every corner of the city to welcome them.”
#8
همی گوهر و زعفران ریختند
✦
همی مشک با می برآمیختند
“Jewels and saffron were showered upon them, while the sweet scent of musk was blended with wine.”
#9
همه یال اسپان پر از مشک و می
✦
پراگنده دینار در زیر پی
“The manes of the horses were bathed in musk and wine, and gold dinars were scattered beneath their hooves.”
#10
نشستن گهی ساخت شاه یمن
✦
همه نامداران شدند انجمن
“The King of Yemen prepared a royal assembly, where all the illustrious nobles gathered together.”
#11
در گنجهای کهن کرد باز
✦
گشاد آنچه یک چند گه بود راز
“He opened the doors of ancient treasures, revealing what had long been kept secret.”
#12
سه خورشید رخ را چو باغ بهشت
✦
که موبد چو ایشان صنوبر نکشت
“He brought forth his three sun-faced daughters, like the gardens of Paradise, fairer than any cypress planted by a priest.”
#13
ابا تاج و با گنج نادیده رنج
✦
مگر زلفشان دیده رنج شکنج
“Crowned and endowed with treasures, they had known no hardship save the delicate twists of their own locks.”
#14
بیاورد هر سه بدیشان سپرد
✦
که سه ماه نو بود و سه شاه گرد
“He presented all three to the princes—three radiant new moons entrusted to three heroic kings.”
#15
ز کینه به دل گفت شاه یمن
✦
که از آفریدون بد آمد به من
“Yet in his heart, the King of Yemen lamented with sorrow, thinking: 'From Fereydun came grief upon my soul.'”
#16
بد از من که هرگز مبادم میان
✦
که ماده شد از تخم نره کیان
“'Woe is me! Would that I had never been, that daughters were born of the royal seed!'”
#17
به اختر کس آن‌دان که دخترش نیست
✦
چو دختر بود روشن اخترش نیست
“'Consider him fortunate who has no daughters; for he who has daughters has no bright star in his destiny.'”
#18
به پیش همه موبدان سرو گفت
✦
که زیبا بود ماه را شاه جفت
“Before all the wise Priests, Sarv spoke aloud: 'It is meet that the radiant moon be matched with a kingly spouse.'”
#19
بدانید کین سه جهان بین خویش
✦
سپردم بدیشان بر آیین خویش
“'Know ye that I have entrusted these three lights of my eyes to them according to our sacred customs.'”
#20
بدان تا چو دیده بدارندشان
✦
چو جان پیش دل بر نگارندشان
“'So that they may cherish them as their own eyes, and hold them dear as their very souls.'”
#21
خروشید و بار غریبان ببست
✦
ابر پشت شرزه هیونان مست
“He bade them farewell and bound the travel litters of the departing ones upon the backs of mighty, fierce camels.”
#22
ز گوهر یمن گشت افروخته
✦
عماری یک اندردگر دوخته
“Yemen glittered with precious jewels, and litters of state were lined and bound one after another.”
#23
چو فرزند را باشد آئین و فر
✦
گرامی به دل بر چه ماده چه نر
“When a child possesses noble custom and divine glory, whether male or female, they are dearly beloved to the heart.”
#24
به سوی فریدون نهادند روی
✦
جوانان بینادل راه جوی
“The wise, clear-sighted youths turned their faces toward Iran, returning to Fereydun.”