When the ancient chronicler spread the banquet of discourse, he unfolded the magnificent epic of Esfandiyar’s Seven Trials. Having won his freedom from the dark dungeons of King Goshtasp, Prince Esfandiyar marched out of Balkh with a heart heavy with grievance and a mind hardened by bitter fate. He pressed forward until he reached a fork in the ancient roads. There, he pitched his royal pavilions, commanded a grand feast to be prepared, and summoned harpers, singers, and golden goblets of wine. As the spirit of the wine kindled his heart, he ordered his Turanian captive, the fallen warrior Gorgsar, to be brought before him in chains.
Esfandiyar pressed four golden cups of wine upon Gorgsar in quick succession, then fixed him with a piercing gaze, saying: 'O ill-fated captive! If you answer my questions with absolute truth, I shall bestow upon you the throne and crown of Turan, raise your head to the blazing sun, and spare all your kin. But if you dare to weave a single thread of deceit, my blade shall cleave you in two, filling the hearts of all men with terror!'
Gorgsar bowed his head and swore that only truth would cross his lips. Esfandiyar then demanded: 'Where lies the Fortress of Brass—Ruin Dezh—and how many leagues separate us from it? What horrors guard the trails, and what manner of stronghold is King Arjasp's realm?' Gorgsar revealed that three paths led to the fortress: the first was a three-month trek through vast pastures, yet too long for a swift campaign; the second was a two-month trail plagued by scarce rations; and the third was a deadly seven-day passage that brought an army to the gates of Ruin Dezh on the eighth day. Yet this short path was the legendary Haft-Khwan—a nightmare realm filled with monstrous wolves as large as elephants, roaring lions, fire-breathing dragons, bloodthirsty enchantresses, howling arctic blizzards that rend trees, and the terrifying Simorgh whose wings cast mountains into darkness. Even should a warrior survive these, Ruin Dezh stood with walls scaling the dark storm-clouds, encircled by a deep, swift river, stocked with a hundred years of grain, water, and steel, impenetrable to any siege.
Esfandiyar listened, paused in deep reflection, and then declared firmly: 'We have no choice but this shortest path! A true champion turns not from peril.' Gorgsar warned him that no living soul had ever breached the Seven Trials by strength or shout alone, but Esfandiyar boasted of his divine glory and demon-crushing iron strength. When Esfandiyar asked what monster awaited in the First Stage, Gorgsar answered: 'Two colossal wolves, male and female, each as vast as an enraged war-elephant, armed with tusks like ivory spears and stag-like horns, possessed by the fierce fury of wild lions!'
At break of dawn, as the radiant sun crowned the heavens and the war-drums thundered across the plains, Esfandiyar bound Gorgsar once more and entrusted the main host to his noble and vigilant brother, Peshotan. 'Keep the army in strict array,' Esfandiyar commanded, 'for I shall ride alone into the abyss. If evil befalls me, let not the common soldiers perish.' Arming himself in heavy mail, he tightened the girth of his dark steed Shabrang and galloped toward the realm of the beasts.
As he entered the desolate gorge, the two monstrous, horned wolves charged from the plain like towering elephants. Undaunted, the brave prince notched his heavy bow, roared like a desert lion, and loosed a hail of steel-tipped arrows that shattered their colossal frames. As the bleeding beasts stumbled, Esfandiyar drew his poison-quenched longsword and hurled himself upon them, cleaving their thick hides until the dry dust turned to crimson mud. Dismounting from his steed, he washed the dark gore from his body and armor, bowed his brow toward the sun, and knelt in humble prayer to Yazdan, crying: 'O Just Creator! It is You who bestowed upon me strength and wisdom, and turned these monstrous beasts to dust.' When Peshotan and the Iranian army reached the spot and beheld the colossal carcasses, they were struck with awe, praising the eternal glory of Esfandiyar and praying that his royal throne and sword remain forever triumphant.
#1
سخن گوی دهقان چو بنهاد خوان
✦
یکی داستان راند از هفتخوان
“When the tale-teller Dehqan laid out the feast of words, he recounted a story of the Seven Trials,”
#2
ز رویین دژ و کار اسفندیار
✦
ز راه و ز آموزش گرگسار
“Of the Fortress of Brass and the deeds of Esfandiyar, of the road and the teachings of Gorgsar.”
#3
چنین گفت کو چون بیامد به بلخ
✦
زبان و روان پر ز گفتار تلخ
“He told how, when Esfandiyar came forth from Balkh, his tongue and soul were full of bitter words.”
#4
همی راند تا پیشش آمد دو راه
✦
سراپرده و خیمه زد با سپاه
“He rode on until two paths appeared before him; there he pitched his pavilion and tents with the army.”
#5
بفرمود تا خوان بیاراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“He ordered the banquet table to be laid out, and called for wine, the lute, and minstrels.”
#6
برفتند گردان لشکر همه
✦
نشستند بر خوان شاه رمه
“All the warriors of the army came forth and sat at the banquet of the king of champions.”
#7
یکی جام زرین به کف برگرفت
✦
ز گشتاسپ آنگه سخن برگرفت
“He took a golden goblet in his hand and then spoke of Goshtasp.”
#8
وز آن پس بفرمود تا گرگسار
✦
شود داغ دل پیش اسفندیار
“And thereafter he ordered that Gorgsar be brought before Esfandiyar, heavy-hearted in his bonds.”
#9
بفرمود تا جام زرین چهار
✦
دمادم ببستند بر گرگسار
“He ordered four golden goblets of wine to be served to Gorgsar one after another.”
#10
از آن پس بدو گفت کای تیره‌بخت
✦
رسانم ترا من به تاج و به تخت
“Then he said to him: 'O ill-fated one! I shall bring thee to a crown and throne,”
#11
گر ایدون که هرچت بپرسیم راست
✦
بگویی همه شهر ترکان تراست
“If thou speakest the truth to whatever I ask thee, the entire land of the Turks shall be thine.”
#12
چو پیروز گردم سپارم ترا
✦
به خورشید تابان برآرم ترا
“When I emerge victorious, I shall entrust it to thee and raise thee up to the shining sun.”
#13
نیازارم آن را که پیوند تست
✦
هم آن را که پیوند فرزند تست
“I shall not harm those who are bound to thee, nor those who are bound to thy children.”
#14
وگر هیچ گردی به گرد دروغ
✦
نگیرد بر من دروغت فروغ
“But if thou turnest toward deceit, thy lie shall gain no luster before me.”
#15
میانت به خنجر کنم به دو نیم
✦
دل انجمن گردد از تو به بیم
“I shall cleave thy waist in two with my dagger, so that the heart of the assembly shall tremble in fear of thee.'”
#16
چنین داد پاسخ ورا گرگسار
✦
که ای نامور فرخ اسفندیار
“Thus Gorgsar made answer to him: 'O renowned and glorious Esfandiyar!”
#17
ز من نشنود شاه جز گفت راست
✦
تو آن کن که از پادشاهی سزاست
“The king shall hear nothing from me but the truth; do thou that which is worthy of royalty.'”
#18
بدو گفت رویین دژ اکنون کجاست
✦
که آن مرز از این بوم ایران جداست
“Esfandiyar said to him: 'Now tell me, where lies the Fortress of Brass, which is severed from this realm of Iran?”
#19
بدو چند راهست و فرسنگ چند
✦
کدام آنک ازو هست بیم و گزند
“How many paths lead to it and how many leagues? Which is the one fraught with dread and danger?”
#20
سپه چند باشد همیشه در اوی
✦
ز بالای دژ هرچه دانی بگوی
“How vast is the host that ever dwells within it? Tell all thou knowest of the fortress’s height!'”
#21
چنین داد پاسخ ورا گرگسار
✦
که ای شیردل خسرو شهریار
“Thus Gorgsar answered him: 'O lion-hearted sovereign king!”
#22
سه راهست ز ایدر بدان شارستان
✦
که ارجاسپ خواندش پیکارستان
“Three paths lead from here to that city which Arjasp calls his battle-ground.”
#23
یکی در سه ماه و یکی در دو ماه
✦
گر ایدون خورش تنگ باشد به راه
“One is three months long, and another two months, though food be scarce along the way.”
#24
گیا هست و آبشخور چارپای
✦
فرود آمدن را نیابی تو جای
“There is grass and water for beasts of burden, yet thou shalt find no place to pitch camp.”
#25
سه دیگر به نزدیک یک هفته راه
✦
به هشتم به رویین دژ آید سپاه
“The third path is near to a single week’s journey; on the eighth day the army arrives at the Fortress of Brass.”
#26
پر از شیر و گرگست و پر اژدها
✦
که از چنگشان کس نیابد رها
“It is full of lions, wolves, and dragons, from whose clutches no man finds escape.”
#27
فریب زن جادو و گرگ و شیر
✦
فزونست از اژدهای دلیر
“The deception of sorceress-women, wolves, and lions is greater even than that of valiant dragons.”
#28
یکی را ز دریا برآرد به ماه
✦
یکی را نگون اندر آرد به چاه
“One shall raise a man from the sea up to the moon, and another drag him headlong down into a pit.”
#29
بیابان و سیمرغ و سرمای سخت
✦
که چون باد خیزد به درد درخت
“Then comes the desert, the Simorgh, and fierce cold that tears trees apart when the gale rises.”
#30
از آن پس چو رویین دژ آید پدید
✦
نه دژ دید از آن سان کسی نه شنید
“After that, when the Fortress of Brass appears, none has seen nor heard of such a fortress.”
#31
سر باره برتر ز ابر سیاه
✦
بدو در فراوان سلیح و سپاه
“The crest of its ramparts is higher than the black cloud, and within it dwell abundant weapons and warriors.”
#32
به گرد اندرش رود و آب روان
✦
که از دیدنش خیره گردد روان
“Around it lies a river of flowing water, the sight of which leaves the soul bewildered.”
#33
به کشتی بر او بگذرد شهریار
✦
چو آید به هامون ز بهر شکار
“The king crosses it by boat whenever he comes down to the plain to hunt.”
#34
به صد سال گر ماند اندر حصار
✦
ز هامون نیایدش چیزی به کار
“Though he should remain inside the fortress for a hundred years, he would need nothing from the plain.”
#35
هم‌اندر دژش کشتمند و گیا
✦
درخت برومند و هم آسیا
“For within the fortress itself are cultivated fields, grass, fruitful trees, and grinding mills.”
#36
چو اسفندیار آن سخنها شنید
✦
زمانی بپیچید و دم درکشید
“When Esfandiyar heard those words, he pondered for a moment and held his breath.”
#37
بدو گفت ما را جز این راه نیست
✦
به گیتی به از راه کوتاه نیست
“Then he said to Gorgsar: 'We have no path but this; in all the world there is no better way than the short one.'”
#38
چنین گفت با نامور گرگسار
✦
که این هفتخوان هرگز ای شهریار
“Thus spoke Gorgsar to the renowned prince: 'O King, through this Seven-Stage path no man ever passed,”
#39
به زور و به آواز نگذشت کس
✦
مگر کز تن خویش کردست بس
“Neither by strength nor by shouting, save that he brought an end to his own life.'”
#40
بدو نامور گفت گر با منی
✦
ببینی دل و زور آهرمنی
“The famed champion answered him: 'If thou art with me, thou shalt behold the heart and strength of Ahriman!'”
#41
به پیشم چه گویی چه آید نخست
✦
که باید ز پیکار او راه جست
“'Tell me, what shall come before me first, against whose fight I must seek the way?'”
#42
چنین داد پاسخ ورا گرگسار
✦
که ای نامور مرد ناباک دار
“Thus Gorgsar made answer to him: 'O fearless champion!”
#43
نخستین به پیش تو آید دو گرگ
✦
نر و ماده هریک چو پیلی سترگ
“First there shall come before thee two wolves, male and female, each like a monstrous elephant,”
#44
دو دندان به کردار پیل ژیان
✦
بر و کتف فربه و لاغر میان
“With two tusks like those of a fierce elephant, broad of chest and shoulder, and narrow of waist,”
#45
به سان گوزنان به سر بر سروی
✦
همی رزم شیران کند آرزوی
“Bearing horns upon their heads like deer, yet desiring to battle even against lions.'”
#46
بفرمود تا همچنانش به بند
✦
به خرگاه بردند ناسودمند
“He commanded that he be taken back bound and helpless to the royal pavilion, still in chains.”
#47
بیاراست خرم یکی بزمگاه
✦
به سر بر نظاره بر آن جشنگاه
“He adorned a joyful banquet hall, watching over the festive assembly from above.”
#48
چو خورشید بنمود تاج از فراز
✦
هوا با زمین نیز بگشاد راز
“When the sun displayed its glowing crown on high, dawn revealed the hidden secrets between heaven and earth.”
#49
ز درگاه برخاست آوای کوس
✦
زمین آهنین شد سپهر آبنوس
“The sound of battle drums arose from the royal court; the earth grew as hard as iron and the sky turned dark as ebony.”
#50
سوی هفتخوان رخ به توران نهاد
✦
همی رفت با لشکر آباد و شاد
“Turning his face toward Turan to begin the Seven Labors, he marched joyfully with a flourishing army.”
#51
چو از راه نزدیک منزل رسید
✦
ز لشکر یکی نامور برگزید
“As he drew near the first halting-place along the path, he selected a renowned champion from his host.”
#52
پشوتن یکی مرد بیدار بود
✦
سپه را ز دشمن نگهدار بود
“Peshotan was a vigilant and wise man, who guarded the army against enemy attacks.”
#53
بدو گفت لشکر به آیین بدار
✦
همی پیچم از گفتهٔ گرگسار
“He said to him, 'Keep the army in order, for my mind is troubled by the words of Gorgsar.'”
#54
منم پیش رو گر به من بد رسد
✦
بدین کهتران بد نیاید سزد
“'I shall go ahead as vanguard; if evil befalls me, it is fitting that these subordinates suffer no harm.'”
#55
بیامد بپوشید خفتان جنگ
✦
ببست از بر پشت شبرنگ تنگ
“He stepped forth, put on his battle mail, and tightly cinched the saddle onto his dark warhorse Shabrang.”
#56
سپهبد چو آمد به نزدیک گرگ
✦
چه گرگ آن سرافراز پیل سترگ
“When the commander approached the wolves—what ferocious wolves, monstrous like gigantic elephants!”
#57
بدیدند گرگان بر و یال اوی
✦
میان یلی چنگ و گوپال اوی
“The wolves beheld his broad chest and mane, his hero's waist, his powerful claws, and heavy mace.”
#58
ز هامون سوی او نهادند روی
✦
دو پیل سرافراز و دو جنگجوی
“From the plain they charged at him, like two fierce combatants and two towering elephants.”
#59
کمان را به زه کرد مرد دلیر
✦
بغرید بر سان غرنده شیر
“The valiant warrior strung his bow and roared aloud like a raging lion.”
#60
بر آهرمنان تیرباران گرفت
✦
به تندی کمان سواران گرفت
“He rained arrows upon those fiends, drawing the heavy bow of horsemen with intense fury.”
#61
ز پیکان پولاد گشتند سست
✦
نیامد یکی پیش او تن درست
“Pierced by steel arrowheads, they grew weak; neither of them could reach him unharmed.”
#62
نگه کرد روشن‌دل اسفندیار
✦
بدید آن که دد سست برگشت کار
“The clear-sighted Esfandiyar observed and saw that the wild beasts' strength was broken.”
#63
یکی تیغ زهرآبگون برکشید
✦
عنان را گران کرد و سر درکشید
“He drew a poison-tempered blade, reined in his steed, and charged headlong into combat.”
#64
سراسر به شمشیرشان کرد چاک
✦
گل انگیخت از خون ایشان ز خاک
“He hacked them into pieces with his sword, turning the dusty earth to bloody mire with their blood.”
#65
فرود آمد از نامور بارگی
✦
به یزدان نمود او ز بیچارگی
“He dismounted from his famous steed and humbly offered his helplessness before God.”
#66
سلیح و تن از خون ایشان بشست
✦
بر آن خارستان پاک جایی بجست
“He washed the blood from his arms and body, then found a clean spot in that thorny wasteland.”
#67
پر آژنگ رخ سوی خورشید کرد
✦
دلی پر ز درد و سری پر ز گرد
“With furrowed brow he turned toward the sun, his heart filled with anguish and his head dust-covered.”
#68
همی گفت کای داور دادگر
✦
تو دادی مرا هوش و زور و هنر
“He prayed, 'O Just Judge, You granted me wisdom, physical strength, and warrior skills!'”
#69
تو کردی تن گرگ را خاک جای
✦
تو باشی به هر نیک و بد رهنمای
“'You laid the bodies of the wolves in the dust; You are the guide through every good and evil fortune.'”
#70
چو آمد سپاه و پشوتن فراز
✦
بدیدند یل را به جای نماز
“When the army and Peshotan arrived, they beheld the hero engaged in prayer.”
#71
بماندند زان کار گردان شگفت
✦
سپه یکسر اندیشه اندر گرفت
“The champions were left in awe at the deed, and the entire army fell into deep wonder,”
#72
که این گرگ خوانیم گر پیل مست
✦
که جاوید باد این دل و تیغ و دست
“Exclaiming: 'Should we call these wolves or wild elephants? Eternal be this heart, blade, and arm!'”
#73
که بی فره اورنگ شاهی مباد
✦
بزرگی و رسم سپاهی مباد
“'May the royal throne never lack divine glory, nor martial honor and discipline fade!'”
#74
برفتند گردان فرخنده رای
✦
برابر کشیدند پرده‌سرای
“The noble warriors stepped forward and pitched the royal pavilions right opposite him.”