When the first watch of the dark night had passed, the heavy clatter of the lead camels and the ringing of caravan bells pierced the obscurity. Prince Esfandiyar, full of royal grace, spurred his warhorse and rode laughing from the rear of the host to the vanguard. Reaching the front, he beheld a deep, bottomless sea churning beneath the gloom. The lead camel carrying the driver sank into the treacherous mire; but Esfandiyar swiftly reached out, seized both camel and driver by the thighs, and plucked them effortlessly from the abyss. Gorgsar, the villainous Turanian guide who had led them to this watery trap hoping to drown the army, trembled in mortal terror.
Esfandiyar ordered the bound captive Gorgsar brought before him in heavy fetters. 'O foul Gorgsar,' the prince roared, 'didst thou not swear there was no water in these wastes, hoping the scorched sun would consume us? Why hast thou turned dust into a drownable sea to destroy my host?' Gorgsar defiantly spat back: 'The death of thy army is to me as radiant as the sun and moon! What have I ever received from thee but chains and misery?' Esfandiyar marvelled at the captive's audacity. Suppressing his rage, he offered a royal pact: 'If thou speakest the truth and guide us safely across, I shall appoint thee ruler over Ruyin Dez once Arjasp falls, and spare all thy kin.' Heartened by this vow, Gorgsar kissed the dust, repented, and revealed the shallow ford through the surging waters.
The prince commanded his soldiers to drain their heavy waterskins into the sea to lighten the loads. The entire host entered the water together and emerged safely on the dry bank beyond, restoring their battle lines. They marched until they pitched camp just ten leagues from the legendary Ruyin Dez. Sitting down to a victory feast, Esfandiyar ordered his iron breastplate, helmet, and heavy blade brought forth, and summoned the now-unbound Gorgsar once more.
'Tell me,' Esfandiyar challenged, 'when I sever Arjasp's head to avenge my grandfather Lohrasp, and destroy Kahram and Andariman who slew our brave warriors—will thy heart rejoice or grieve?' Unable to contain his hatred, Gorgsar cursed the prince bitterly: 'May an evil star govern thy fate! May a blade cleave thy waist, and thy blood-soaked corpse lie unburied in the dust!' Enraged by his venomous tongue, Esfandiyar drew his Indian steel and struck Gorgsar upon the crown, cleaving him in two down to the chest, and cast his corpse into the waves for the fishes.
Thereafter, Esfandiyar ascended a high ridge to scout Ruyin Dez. Before him stood a colossal fortress of sheer iron, three leagues high and forty in girth, its ramparts so wide that four horsemen could ride abreast along the top. Realizing that brute force could never breach such an impregnable stronghold, the prince sighed in deep frustration. Looking down upon the desert, he spotted two Turanian hunters with four hounds. Descending swift as an eagle, Esfandiyar captured them at spearpoint and interrogated them. They revealed that 30,000 elite warriors held the fort under Arjasp, with ten years' worth of provisions sealed inside and 100,000 reinforcements available from China. Having extracted all vital intelligence, Esfandiyar put both hunters to the sword to safeguard his secrets, turning his mind toward strategy and cunning to conquer the Iron Fortress.
#1
چو یک پاس بگذشت از تیره شب
✦
به پیش اندر آمد خروش جلب
“As the first watch of the dark night passed, the clamor of the lead camels rang out ahead.”
#2
بخندید بر بارگی شاه نو
✦
ز دم سپه رفت تا پیش رو
“The young prince laughed atop his steed, riding swift from the rear of the host to the vanguard.”
#3
سپهدار چون پیش لشکر کشید
✦
یکی ژرف دریای بی‌بن بدید
“When the commander drew to the front of the army, he beheld a deep, bottomless sea.”
#4
هیونی که بود اندران کاروان
✦
کجا پیش رو داشتی ساروان
“A great camel that was in that caravan, which the lead driver rode at the front...”
#5
همی پیش رو غرقه گشت اندر آب
✦
سپهبد بزد چنگ هم در شتاب
“Began to drown in the deep waters, but the prince swiftly reached out his hand.”
#6
گرفتش دو ران بر کشیدش ز گل
✦
بترسید بدخواه ترک چگل
“He grabbed his legs and pulled him from the mire, while the villainous Turk of Chigil trembled in fear.”
#7
بفرمود تا گرگسار نژند
✦
شود داغ دل پیش بر پای بند
“He ordered that the sorrowful Gorgsar be brought forward in heavy leg-fetters with a grieved heart.”
#8
بدو گفت کای ریمن گرگسار
✦
گرفتار بر دست اسفندیار
“He said to him: 'O foul Gorgsar, bound captive in the hands of Esfandiyar!'”
#9
نگفتی که ایدر نیابی تو آب
✦
بسوزد ترا تابش آفتاب
“'Didst thou not claim we would find no water here, and that the sun's fiery glare would scorch us?'”
#10
چرا کردی ای بدتن از آب خاک
✦
سپه را همه کرده بودی هلاک
“'Why, O ill-natured fool, hast thou turned dust into water, bringing the host to the brink of ruin?'”
#11
چنین داد پاسخ که مرگ سپاه
✦
مرا روشناییست چون هور و ماه
“He answered: 'The death of thy host is to me a light bright as the sun and the moon!'”
#12
چه بینم همی از تو جز پای‌بند
✦
چه خواهم ترا جز بلا و گزند
“'What have I seen from thee except fetters? What should I wish for thee except calamity and harm?'”
#13
سپهبد بخندید و بگشاد چشم
✦
فرو ماند زان ترک و بفزود خشم
“The commander smiled, his eyes widening in stern wonder; amazed at the Turk's audacity, his wrath mounted.”
#14
بدو گفت کای کم خرد گرگسار
✦
چو پیروز گردم من از کارزار
“He said: 'O foolish Gorgsar, when I emerge victorious from this battle...'”
#15
به رویین دژت بر سپهبد کنم
✦
مبادا که هرگز بتو بد کنم
“'...I shall appoint thee commander over Ruyin Dez itself; never shall I bring harm upon thee.'”
#16
همه پادشاهی سراسر تراست
✦
چو با ما کنی در سخن راه راست
“'The whole realm shall be thine, provided thou speakest the straight truth to us.'”
#17
نیازارم آن را که فرزند تست
✦
هم آن را که از دوده پیوند تست
“'I shall spare thy children and all who are tied to thy kin and lineage.'”
#18
چو بشنید گفتار او گرگسار
✦
پرامید شد جانش از شهریار
“When Gorgsar heard the prince's words, his soul was filled with hope by the sovereign.”
#19
ز گفتار او ماند اندر شگفت
✦
زمین را ببوسید و پوزش گرفت
“Astounded by his promise, he kissed the earth and begged for pardon.”
#20
بدو گفت شاه آنچ گفتی گذشت
✦
ز گفتار خامت نگشت آب دشت
“The king said to him: 'What thou hast said is past; yet thy foolish words did not dry up the waters of this plain.'”
#21
گذرگاه این آب دریا کجاست
✦
بباید نمودن به ما راه راست
“'Where is the crossing ford of this sea water? Thou must show us the true path.'”
#22
بدو گفت با آهن از آبگیر
✦
نیابد گذر پر و پیکان تیر
“He replied: 'Laden with iron gear, not even an arrow's shaft and point can cross this deep basin.'”
#23
تهمتن فروماند اندر شگفت
✦
هم‌اندر زمان بند او برگرفت
“The hero was filled with marvel, and straightway he unloosed Gorgsar's bonds.”
#24
به دریای آب اندرون گرگسار
✦
بیامد هیونی گرفته مهار
“Gorgsar plunged into the sea waters, leading a pack camel by its reins to guide the way.”
#25
سپهبد بفرمود تا مشگ آب
✦
بریزند در آب و در ماهتاب
“The prince commanded that the heavy waterskins be emptied out beneath the moonlight into the sea.”
#26
به دریا سبک‌بار شد بارگی
✦
سپاه اندر آمد به یکبارگی
“Lightened of their burdens, the steeds entered the sea, and the whole army plunged in together.”
#27
چو آمد به خشکی سپاه و بنه
✦
ببد میسره راست با میمنه
“When the army and baggage reached dry land, the left flank stood aligned once more with the right.”
#28
به نزدیک رویین دژ آمد سپاه
✦
چنان شد که فرسنگ ده ماند راه
“The host drew near to Ruyin Dez, until a distance of mere ten leagues remained.”
#29
سر جنگجویان به خوردن نشست
✦
پرستنده شد جام باده به دست
“The chief of warriors sat down to feast, as attendants passed around goblets of wine.”
#30
بفرمود تا جوشن و خود و گبر
✦
ببردند با تیغ پیش هژبر
“He ordered his cuirass, helmet, mail coat, and sword to be brought before the lion-like hero.”
#31
گشاده بفرمود تا گرگسار
✦
بیامد به پیش یل اسفندیار
“Unbound by his command, Gorgsar was brought before the brave Esfandiyar.”
#32
بدو گفت کاکنون گذشتی ز بد
✦
ز تو خوبی و راست گفتن سزد
“He said to him: 'Now that thou hast escaped evil, it befitteth thee to speak only truth and goodness.'”
#33
چو از تن ببرم سر ارجاسپ را
✦
درخشان کنم جان لهراسپ را
“'When I sever Arjasp's head from his trunk, I shall illuminate the soul of King Lohrasp.'”
#34
چو کهرم که از خون فرشیدورد
✦
دل لشکری کرد پر خون و درد
“'And Kahram, who by shedding the blood of Farshidvard filled the hearts of the army with agony and grief...'”
#35
دگر اندریمان که پیروز گشت
✦
بکشت از دلیران ما سی و هشت
“'And likewise Andariman who was victorious, slaying thirty-eight of our brave champions...'”
#36
سرانشان ببرم به کین نیا
✦
پدید آرم از هر دری کیمیا
“'I shall strike off their heads in vengeance for my grandfather, creating wondrous feats at every turn.'”
#37
همه گورشان کام شیران کنم
✦
به کام دلیران ایران کنم
“'I shall make their graves the prey of lions, fulfilling the desires of Iran's valiant heroes.'”
#38
سراسر بدوزم جگرشان به تیر
✦
بیارم زن و کودکانشان اسیر
“'I shall pierce their livers through with arrows, bringing their women and children captive!'”
#39
ترا شاد خوانیم ازین گر دژم
✦
بگوی آنچ داری به دل بیش و کم
“'Tell me whether this makes thee joyful or sorrowful; speak all that lies within thy heart, great or small.'”
#40
دل گرگسار اندران تنگ شد
✦
روان و زبانش پر آژنگ شد
“Gorgsar's heart contracted in bitter distress; his spirit and tongue flared with malice and writhing wrath.”
#41
بدو گفت تا چند گویی چنین
✦
که بر تو مبادا به داد آفرین
“He said to him: 'How long wilt thou boast thus? May no praise of justice ever rest upon thee!'”
#42
همه اختر بد به جان تو باد
✦
بریده به خنجر میان تو باد
“'May every evil star strike thy soul! May thy waist be severed by the blade!'”
#43
به خاک اندر افگنده پر خون تنت
✦
زمین بستر و گرد پیراهنت
“'May thy body be cast into the dust drenched in blood, with the cold ground for thy bed and dust for thy shirt!'”
#44
ز گفتار او تیز شد نامدار
✦
برآشفت با تنگدل گرگسار
“At his defiance, the famed prince was enraged, firing up against the bitter Gorgsar.”
#45
یکی تیغ هندی بزد بر سرش
✦
ز تارک به دو نیم شد تا برش
“He struck him upon the head with an Indian blade, cleaving him in two from crown to chest!”
#46
به دریا فگندش هم‌اندر زمان
✦
خور ماهیان شد تن بدگمان
“Instantly he cast his corpse into the sea;
the evil-minded traitor became food for the fish.”
#47
وزان جایگه باره را بر نشست
✦
به تندی میان یلی را ببست
“From that place he mounted his charger once more,
and swiftly girded his hero's waist for battle.”
#48
به بالا برآمد به دژ بنگرید
✦
یکی ساده دژ آهنین باره دید
“He ascended a high vantage and gazed upon the fortress;
he beheld a sheer citadel with walls of solid iron.”
#49
سه فرسنگ بالا و پهنا چهل
✦
بجایی ندید اندر او آب و گل
“Three leagues in height and forty in breadth;
nowhere within it did he discern mere clay or water.”
#50
به پهنای دیوار او بر سوار
✦
برفتی برابر بروبر چهار
“So wide was the crest of its massive wall,
that four horsemen could ride abreast upon it.”
#51
چو اسفندیار آن شگفتی بدید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“When Esfandiyar beheld that wondrous sight,
he drew a cold sigh of dismay from his heart.”
#52
چنین گفت کاین را نشاید ستد
✦
بد آمد به روی من از راه بد
“He said: 'This citadel cannot be taken by storm;
misfortune has confronted me from this perilous path.'”
#53
دریغ این همه رنج و پیکار ما
✦
پشیمانی آمد همه کار ما
“'Alas for all our toil and fierce strife;
our endless labors have yielded naught but sorrow.'”
#54
به گرد بیابان همه بنگرید
✦
دو ترک اندران دشت پوینده دید
“He cast his eyes across the vast desert plain,
and saw two Turks traversing the wilderness.”
#55
همی رفت پیش اندرون چار سگ
✦
سگانی که گیرند آهو به تگ
“Before them ran four swift hunting hounds,
canines capable of seizing gazelles in mid-stride.”
#56
ز بالا فرود آمد اسفندیار
✦
به چنگ اندرون نیزهٔ کارزار
“Esfandiyar descended swiftly from the height,
grasping his battle lance firmly in his grip.”
#57
بپرسید و گفت این دژ نامدار
✦
چه جایست و چندست بر وی سوار
“He questioned them, saying: 'What is this famed fortress,
what manner of place is it, and how many guards hold it?'”
#58
ز ارجاسپ چندی سخن راندند
✦
همه دفتر دژ برو خواندند
“They spoke for a while of King Arjasp,
and recounted to him all the secrets of the citadel.”
#59
که بالا و پهنای دژ را ببین
✦
دری سوی ایران دگر سوی چین
“Saying: 'Look upon the vast height and width of this fort;
one gate faces Iran, and the other opens toward China.'”
#60
بدو اندرون تیغ‌زن سی‌هزار
✦
سواران گردنکش و نامدار
“'Within its walls are thirty thousand swordsmen,
all mighty champions and renowned warriors.'”
#61
همه پیش ارجاسپ چون بنده‌اند
✦
به فرمان و رایش سرافگنده‌اند
“'They stand before Arjasp like humble servants,
their heads bowed in obedience to his command and counsel.'”
#62
خورش هست چندانک اندازه نیست
✦
به خوشه درون بار اگر تازه نیست
“'Provisions abound within beyond all measure,
even if the grain stored in the ear be not fresh.'”
#63
اگر در ببندد به ده سال شاه
✦
خورش هست چندانک باید سپاه
“'Should the king close the gates for ten long years,
there is food enough to sustain the entire host.'”
#64
اگر خواهد از چین و ماچین سوار
✦
بیابد برش نامور صد هزار
“'And if he demands warriors from China and Machin,
a hundred thousand famed horsemen will rush to his side.'”
#65
نیازش نیابد به چیزی به کس
✦
خورش هست و مردان فریادرس
“'He lacks for nothing and needs no outside aid;
he possesses endless stores and valiant defenders.'”
#66
چو گفتند او تیغ هندی به مشت
✦
دو گردنکش ساده‌دل را بکشت
“As soon as they finished speaking, with Indian blade in hand,
he struck down those two simple-hearted captives.”