As the radiant sun withdrew from the celestial dome and the bustling market quieted, Homa and Beh-Afarid, the two royal sisters of Esfandiyar, emerged from the citadel bearing clay pitchers. Once princesses of Iran, they were now stripped of their dignity, walking barefoot and uncovered through the city square to draw water for their captors. Spotting the rich merchant's lodge, they approached with tearful eyes to seek tidings of their homeland. Seeing his sisters in such bitter degradation, Esfandiyar hid his face beneath a coarse blanket, his heart quaking with grief and the dread of betrayal.
The weeping maidens mistook him for an ordinary trader. They offered blessings upon his voyage and implored him for any news of King Goshtasp and Prince Esfandiyar, lamenting their miserable plight as water-bearers while their royal father slept in comfort. To preserve his disguise, Esfandiyar shouted harshly from beneath his mantle, cursing both Goshtasp and Esfandiyar and claiming to be a simple merchant concerned only with his livelihood. Yet Homa, quick of spirit, recognized the indelible cadence of her brother's voice beneath the rough disguise. Her heart leaped with newfound hope, yet she wisely concealed her discovery, weeping silently in her tattered garments.
Realizing that Homa had recognized him, Esfandiyar uncovered his face, eyes brimmed with blood-tinged tears. He bade his sisters keep absolute silence for a few days, revealing that he had come not for commerce, but through fiery peril to wreak vengeance and rescue them. Shortly thereafter, Esfandiyar—acting as Khorrad the merchant—gained audience with King Arjasp. He spun a cunning tale of a violent ocean storm that had nearly swallowed his ships, telling how he had sworn a solemn vow to God that should he survive, he would host a magnificent feast for the realm's great lords and give alms to the needy.
Flattered and greedy, Arjasp joyfully granted permission. Esfandiyar requested to host the celebration atop the lofty ramparts of the Bronze Fortress, citing the arrival of the sacred month of Mehr. He commanded vast stores of timber to be hauled up the battlements and slaughtered horses and sheep for the banquet. As the bonfire roared to life, a colossal pillar of smoke obscured the heavens—the prearranged signal to Pashotan and the Iranian host waiting outside. Wine flowed without stint, and Esfandiyar urged the Turanian commanders to drink deeply until every noble champion lay helplessly intoxicated upon the high walls, holding narcissus blossoms in their insensate hands.
#1
چو خورشید تابان ز گنبد بگشت
✦
خریدار بازار او در گذشت
“When the shining sun turned from the azure dome, the buyer of his market departed.”
#2
دو خواهرش رفتند ز ایوان به کوی
✦
غریوان و بر کفتها بر سبوی
“His two sisters went from the palace into the street, wailing with pitchers upon their shoulders.”
#3
به نزدیک اسفندیار آمدند
✦
دو دیده‌تر و خاکسار آمدند
“They came near Esfandiyar, their eyes wet with tears and humbled to the dust.”
#4
چو اسفندیار آن شگفتی بدید
✦
دو رخ کرد از خواهران ناپدید
“When Esfandiyar beheld that wonder, he hid his face from his sisters.”
#5
شد از کار ایشان دلش پر ز بیم
✦
بپوشید رخ را به زیر گلیم
“His heart grew filled with fear at their condition; he covered his face beneath a blanket.”
#6
برفتند هر دو به نزدیک اوی
✦
ز خون برنهاده به رخ‌بر دو جوی
“Both sisters approached him, two streams of blood running down their faces.”
#7
به خواهش گرفتند بیچارگان
✦
بران نامور مرد بازارگان
“Those helpless ones began to beg and implore that renowned merchant.”
#8
بدو گفت خواهر که ای ساروان
✦
نخست از کجا راندی کاروان
“The sister said to him: 'O caravan leader, from where did you first drive your caravan?'”
#9
که روز و شبان بر تو فرخنده باد
✦
همه مهتران پیش تو بنده باد
“'May your days and nights be blessed, and may all chieftains be as servants before you.'”
#10
ز ایران و گشتاسپ و اسفندیار
✦
چه آگاهی است ای گو نامدار
“'What tidings have you of Iran, of Goshtasp, and of Esfandiyar, O renowned hero?'”
#11
بدین سان دو دخت یکی پادشا
✦
اسیریم در دست ناپارسا
“'For in this manner, we two daughters of a king are captives in the hands of an unrighteous master.'”
#12
برهنه سر و پای و دوش آبکش
✦
پدر شادمان روز و شب خفته خوش
“'Bare of head, foot, and shoulder, carrying water, while our father sleeps happy day and night.'”
#13
برهنه دوان بر سر انجمن
✦
خنک آنک پوشد تنش را کفن
“'Running bare before the assembly; blessed is he whose body is clothed in a shroud!'”
#14
بگرییم چندی به خونین سرشک
✦
تو باشی بدین درد ما را پزشک
“'We weep bloody tears for a space; be you the physician to this pain of ours.'”
#15
گر آگاهیت هست از شهر ما
✦
برین بوم تریاک شد زهر ما
“'If you have tidings of our land... for in this realm, poison has become our antidote.'”
#16
یکی بانگ برزد به زیر گلیم
✦
که لرزان شدند آن دو دختر ز بیم
“He let out a shout from beneath the blanket, such that those two maidens trembled in fear.”
#17
که اسفندیار از بنه خود مباد
✦
نه آن کس به گیتی کزو کرد یاد
“'May Esfandiyar never exist at all, nor anyone who makes mention of him in this world!'”
#18
ز گشتاسپ آن مرد بیدادگر
✦
مبیناد چون او کلاه و کمر
“'And as for Goshtasp, that unjust man, may one like him never see crown or girdle!'”
#19
نبینید کایدر فروشنده‌ام
✦
ز بهر خور خویش کوشنده‌ام
“'Do you not see that I am a seller here, striving only for my own sustenance?'”
#20
چو آواز بشنید فرخ همای
✦
بدانست و آمد دلش باز جای
“When auspicious Homa heard that voice, she recognized it, and her heart returned to its place.”
#21
چو خواهر بدانست آواز اوی
✦
بپوشید بر خویشتن راز اوی
“When the sister recognized his voice, she concealed his secret within herself.”
#22
چنان داغ دل پیش او در بماند
✦
سرشک از دو دیده به رخ برفشاند
“Thus with a burning heart she stood before him, shedding tears from both eyes down her cheeks.”
#23
همه جامه چاک و دو پایش به خاک
✦
از ارجاسپ جانش پر از بیم و باک
“All her garments torn, her feet in the dust, her soul filled with fear and dread of Arjasp.”
#24
بدانست جنگاور پاک‌رای
✦
که او را همی بازداند همای
“The pure-minded warrior understood that Homa had recognized him.”
#25
سبک روی بگشاد و دیده پرآب
✦
پر از خون دل و چهره چون آفتاب
“Quickly he uncovered his face, his eyes full of water, his heart full of blood, and his face bright as the sun.”
#26
ز کار جهان ماند اندر شگفت
✦
دژم گشت و لب را به دندان گرفت
“He remained in wonder at the turn of the world; grieved, he bit his lip with his teeth.”
#27
بدیشان چنین گفت کاین روز چند
✦
بدارید هر دو لبان را به بند
“He spoke thus to them: 'Keep your lips sealed for these few days.'”
#28
من ایدر نه از بهر جنگ آمدم
✦
به رنج از پی نام و ننگ آمدم
“'I came not here for the sake of trade; I came through hardship in pursuit of fame and honor.'”
#29
کسی را که دختر بود آبکش
✦
پسر در غم و باب در خواب خوش
“'He whose daughter is a water-carrier, whose son is in grief, and whose father slumbers peacefully—'”
#30
پدر آسمان باد و مادر زمین
✦
نخوانم برین روزگار آفرین
“'Let the sky be his father and the earth his mother; I offer no blessings upon such fortune!'”
#31
پس از کلبه برخاست مرد جوان
✦
به نزدیک ارجاسپ آمد دوان
“Thereafter, the young man arose from the hut and went running to Arjasp.”
#32
بدو گفت کای شاه فرخنده باش
✦
جهاندار تا جاودان زنده باش
“He said to him: 'O King, be happy! May the ruler of the world live eternally!'”
#33
یکی ژرف دریا درین راه بود
✦
که بازارگان زان نه آگاه بود
“'A deep sea lay upon this path, of which the merchant was unaware.'”
#34
ز دریا برآمد یکی کژ باد
✦
که ملاح گفت آن ندارم به یاد
“'A tempestuous wind arose from the sea, such that the sailor said he remembered no the like of it.'”
#35
به کشتی همه زار و گریان شدیم
✦
ز جان و تن خویش بریان شدیم
“'In the ship we all wept and wailed, our souls and bodies burning with dread.'”
#36
پذیرفتم از دادگر یک خدای
✦
که گر یابم از بیم دریا رهای
“'I made a vow to the one God, the Just, that if I were delivered from the sea's peril,'”
#37
یکی بزم سازم به هر کشوری
✦
که باشد بران کشور اندر سری
“'I would hold a feast in every land where there reigns a sovereign lord,'”
#38
بخواهنده بخشم کم و بیش را
✦
گرامی کنم مرد درویش را
“'Giving gifts to all who ask, and honoring the needy man.'”
#39
کنون شاه ما را گرامی کند
✦
بدین خواهش امروز نامی کند
“'Now let the King honor us, and make us renowned today by granting this request.'”
#40
ز لشکر سرافراز گردان که‌اند
✦
به نزدیک شاه جهان ارجمند
“'Who are the exalted warriors of the host who are dear to the King of the World?'”
#41
چنین ساختستم که مهمان کنم
✦
وزین خواهش آرایش جان کنم
“'I have resolved to host them as guests, and through this request adorn my soul.'”
#42
چو ارجاسپ بشنید زان شاد شد
✦
سر مرد نادان پر از باد شد
“When Arjasp heard this, he was gladdened; the foolish man's head grew filled with wind.”
#43
بفرمود کانکو گرامی‌ترست
✦
وزین لشکر امروز نامی‌ترست
“He commanded that whoever was most dear and renowned in the army today,”
#44
به ایوان خراد مهمان شوند
✦
وگر می بود پاک مستان شوند
“Should become guests in Khorrad's hall, and if there be wine, become utterly intoxicated.”
#45
بدو گفت شاها ردا بخردا
✦
جهاندار و بر موبدان موبدا
“He said to him: 'O wise and noble King, monarch over priests and high priests,'”
#46
مرا خانه تنگست و کاخ بلند
✦
برین بارهٔ دژ شویم ارجمند
“'My house is narrow and your palace high; let us be honored upon the rampart of the fortress.'”
#47
در مهر ماه آمد آتش کنم
✦
دل نامداران به می خوش کنم
“'The month of Mehr has arrived; I shall kindle a fire and gladden the hearts of nobles with wine.'”
#48
بدو گفت زان راه روکت هواست
✦
به کاخ اندرون میزبان پادشاست
“Arjasp said: 'Go by whatever path you desire; within the palace, the host is king.'”
#49
بیامد دمان پهلوان شادکام
✦
فراوان برآورد هیزم به بام
“The champion went swiftly and joyfully, hauling vast stores of firewood up to the roof.”
#50
بکشتند اسپان و چندی بره
✦
کشیدند بر بام دژ یکسره
“They slaughtered horses and several sheep, dragging them all up to the roof of the fortress.”
#51
ز هیزم که بر بارهٔ دژ کشید
✦
شد از دود روی هوا ناپدید
“From the firewood hauled onto the ramparts, the face of the sky vanished beneath the smoke.”
#52
می آورد چون هرچ بد خورده شد
✦
گسارندهٔ می ورا برده شد
“Wine was brought, and whenever it was drained, the cupbearer replenished it.”
#53
همه نامدارن رفتند مست
✦
ز مستی یکی شاخ نرگس به دست
“All the renowned chieftains became drunk, holding branches of narcissus in their hands in their drunkenness.”