When the night attack of the wild wolves was thwarted and a golden banquet was prepared, the victorious Prince Esfandiyar ordered the trembling, bound captive Gorgsar to be brought before him. The young prince poured three goblets of wine for him and inquired about the perils that lay ahead. Gorgsar, filled with dread, warned him that the second stage belonged to ferocious lions so mighty that no formidable sea-beast or soaring eagle could endure their wrath. Esfandiyar laughed at the hostile captive's dire warnings and vowed to face the male lion with his sharp blade on the coming morn.
As night descended, the Iranian host marched under the starry dome, singing praises of their champion. At dawn, when the sun cast its golden mantle over the azure sky, Esfandiyar reached the wilderness of the beasts. He entrusted the command of his proud army to his noble brother Peshotan, imparting solemn counsel before advancing alone into the lions' domain.
As Esfandiyar drew near, darkness fell upon the spirits of the beasts. A fierce male and female lion charged forth. With a single lightning strike of his sword, Esfandiyar cleaved the male lion in two from head to waist, dyeing the sands crimson beneath its paws. Terrified yet enraged, the female lion leaped forward, but Esfandiyar severed her head with another mighty stroke, sending it rolling across the sand. Washing the blood from his arms and torso in a nearby stream, the invincible prince turned his heart to Yazdan, giving thanks to the Almighty who empowered him to slay such fearsome creatures. Upon beholding the vanquished beasts, Peshotan and the army showered Esfandiyar with praise and gathered once more in celebration.
#1
غم آمد همه بهرهٔ گرگسار
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ز گرگان جنگی و اسفندیار
“Sorrows fell entirely upon Gorgsar's share, from the warlike wolves and the heroic Esfandiyar.”
#2
یکی خوان زرین بیاراستند
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خورشها بخوردند و می خواستند
“They laid out a golden banquet table, partook of fine foods, and called for wine.”
#3
بفرمود تا بسته را پیش اوی
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ببردند لرزان و پرآب روی
“The prince commanded the bound prisoner to be brought before him, trembling and tearful.”
#4
سه جام میش داد و پرسش گرفت
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که اکنون چه گویی چه بینم شگفت
“He gave him three goblets of wine and questioned him: 'What sayest thou now? What marvel shall I behold next?'”
#5
چنین گفت با نامور گرگسار
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که ای نامور شیردل شهریار
“Thus spoke Gorgsar to the renowned prince: 'O famous and lion-hearted king,'”
#6
دگر منزلت شیری آید به جنگ
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که با جنگ او برنتابد نهنگ
“'The next stage brings a lion into battle, against whose fury even a sea-monster cannot contend.'”
#7
عقاب دلاور بر آن راه شیر
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نپرد وگر چند باشد دلیر
“'Even the brave eagle will not fly over the lion's path, no matter how valiant it may be.'”
#8
بخندید روشن‌دل اسفندیار
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بدو گفت کای ترک ناسازگار
“Bright-hearted Esfandiyar laughed and said to him: 'O hostile Turk,'”
#9
ببینی تو فردا که با نره‌شیر
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چگونه شوم من به جنگش دلیر
“'Tomorrow thou shalt witness how boldly I advance to fight that formidable male lion.'”
#10
چو تاریک شد شب بفرمود شاه
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از آن جایگاه اندر آمد سپاه
“When the night grew dark, the king gave command, and the army moved forth from that place.”
#11
شب تیره لشکر همی راندند
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بر او بر همی آفرین خواندند
“Through the dark night the host marched on, continually singing praises upon him.”
#12
چو خورشید ز آن چادر لاژورد
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یکی مطرفی کرد دیبای زرد
“When the sun raised a cloak of yellow silk from behind the lapis canopy of heaven,”
#13
سپهبد به جای دلیران رسید
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به هامون و پرخاش شیران رسید
“The commander arrived at the realm of the brave, reaching the plain and the furious lions' territory.”
#14
پشوتن بفرمود تا رفت پیش
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ورا پندها داد ز اندازه بیش
“He summoned Peshotan to come forward and imparted counsel beyond measure to him.”
#15
بدو گفت کاین لشکر سرفراز
✦
سپردم ترا من شدم رزمساز
“He said to him: 'I entrust this exalted army to thee, as I go forth to battle.'”
#16
بیامد چو با شیر نزدیک شد
✦
جهان بر دل شیر تاریک شد
“He advanced, and as he drew near the lions, the world turned dark upon the lions' hearts.”
#17
یکی بود نر و دگر ماده شیر
✦
برفتند پرخاشجوی و دلیر
“One was male and the other female; fierce and valorous, they rushed forward to fight.”
#18
چو نر اندر آمد یکی تیغ زد
✦
ببد ریگ زیرش به سان بسد
“As the male lion charged, Esfandiyar struck with his sword, such that the sand beneath turned red as coral.”
#19
ز سر تا میانش به دو نیم گشت
✦
دل شیر ماده پر از بیم گشت
“From head to waist the beast was cleaved in two; terror filled the heart of the female lion.”
#20
چو جفتش برآشفت و آمد فراز
✦
یکی تیغ زد بر سرش رزمساز
“When its mate flared in fury and lunged, the warrior struck a blow upon her head.”
#21
به ریگ اندر افگند غلتان سرش
✦
ز خون لعل شد دست و جنگی برش
“He cast her head rolling into the sand, his hands and warrior's chest crimsoned with blood.”
#22
به آب اندر آمد سر و تن بشست
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نگهدار جز پاک یزدان نجست
“He entered the stream and washed his head and body, seeking no protector save holy Yazdan.”
#23
چنین گفت کای داور داد و پاک
✦
به دستم ددان را تو کردی هلاک
“Thus he prayed: 'O Judge of justice and purity, by my hands Thou hast destroyed these wild beasts.'”
#24
هم اندر زمان لشکر آنجا رسید
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پشوتن سر و یال شیران بدید
“At that moment the host arrived, and Peshotan saw the heads and manes of the slain lions.”
#25
بر اسفندیار آفرین خواندند
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ورا نامدار زمین خواندند
“They sang praises upon Esfandiyar, calling him the illustrious lord of the earth.”
#26
وز آنجا بیامد کی رهنمای
✦
به نزدیک خرگاه و پرده‌سرای
“Thence the royal guide returned toward the pavilions and royal tents.”
#27
نهادند خوان و خورشهای نغز
✦
بیاورد سالار پاکیزه مغز
“They set out tables and delicious foods, which the pure-minded commander brought forth.”