With the impregnable Bronze Fortress reduced to ruins and the bloodline of Arjasp snuffed out, the victorious Esfandiyar summoned an experienced scribe to record his monumental triumph. The noble scribe took his seat, dipped his reed pen into ink infused with musk and ambergris, and opened the scroll by exalting Almighty Yazdan—Lord of the Moon, Sun, Saturn, and Venus, Creator of the majestic elephant and the tiny ant, and Bestower of victory, glory, and kingship.
Through the scribe's hand, Esfandiyar recounted his harrowing journey across Turanian lands, his total annihilation of King Arjasp and Prince Kohram, and the uncompromising justice he meted out upon the enemies of Iran. Sealed with the prince's ring, the letter was entrusted to swift camel-riders who rode post-haste across the realm to the imperial court of Iran.
When King Goshtasp received the dispatch and learned of the absolute victory, his heart swelled with pride. He promptly dictated a magnificent reply, comparing his valiant son to a celestial tree planted in the gardens of Paradise—more fruitful than any tree planted by Fereydun of old—bearing red rubies and gold for fruit, draped in royal majesty. Goshtasp commended Esfandiyar for avenging the slain King Lohrasp and his thirty-eight fallen brothers. Yet, with sovereign wisdom, he urged the prince to temper his wrath, reminding him that the body of a ruler is precious, and that true kingcraft lies in knowledge, mercy, and restraint rather than unending bloodshed.
Concluding his royal missive, Goshtasp expressed his intense longing to behold his son's radiant face once more, commanding Esfandiyar to set out immediately for the Iranian court alongside his chieftains. As the swift couriers returned with the king's decree, the triumph echoed triumphantly across the heartlands of Iran.
#1
دبیر جهاندیده را پیش خواند
✦
ازان چاره و چنگ چندی براند
“He called forth an experienced scribe, and recounted his strategies and battles.”
#2
بر تخت بنشست فرخ دبیر
✦
قلم خواست و قرطاس و مشک و عبیر
“The fortunate scribe sat upon the throne, calling for pen, parchment, musk, and ambergris.”
#3
نخستین که نوک قلم شد سیاه
✦
گرفت آفرین بر خداوند ماه
“First, as the tip of his pen turned black, he began with praise for the Lord of the Moon.”
#4
خداوند کیوان و ناهید و هور
✦
خداوند پیل و خداوند مور
“Lord of Saturn, Venus, and the Sun; Lord of the elephant and Lord of the ant.”
#5
خداوند پیروزی و فرهی
✦
خداوند دیهیم و شاهنشهی
“Lord of victory and Divine Glory; Lord of the crown and supreme kingship.”
#6
خداوند جان و خداوند رای
✦
خداوند نیکی‌ده و رهنمای
“Lord of life and Lord of intellect; the Bestower of good and the divine Guide.”
#7
ازو جاودان کام گشتاسپ شاد
✦
به مینو همه یاد لهراسپ باد
“May Goshtasp's desires be joyfully fulfilled through Him forever, and may Lohrasp be remembered in Paradise.”
#8
رسیدم به راهی به توران زمین
✦
که هرگز نخوانم برو آفرین
“I traversed a path into the land of Turan upon which I would never utter praise.”
#9
اگر برگشایم سراسر سخن
✦
سر مرد نو گردد از غم کهن
“If I were to unfold the full account, even a young man's head would grow old with ancient grief.”
#10
چه دستور باشد مرا شهریار
✦
بخوانم برو نامهٔ کارزار
“How does the King command me? Shall I read to him the chronicle of battle?”
#11
به دیدار او شاد و خرم شوم
✦
ازین رنج دیرینه بی‌غم شوم
“I long to grow joyful and prosperous in his presence, freed from this long-standing toil.”
#12
وزان چاره‌هایی که من ساختم
✦
که تا دل ز کینه بپرداختم
“And of those stratagems I devised until my heart was cleansed of vengeance.”
#13
به رویین دژ ارجاسپ و کهرم نماند
✦
جز از مویه و درد و ماتم نماند
“In the Bronze Fortress, nothing remains of Arjasp and Kohram save for lamentation, pain, and mourning.”
#14
کسی را ندادم به جان زینهار
✦
گیا در بیابان سرآورد بار
“I granted quarter to no living soul among them; even the grass in the desert brought forth its fruit.”
#15
همی مغز مردم خورد شیر و گرگ
✦
جز از دل نجوید پلنگ سترگ
“The lion and wolf now feed upon human brains, while the fierce leopard seeks nothing but human hearts.”
#16
فلک روشن از تاج گشتاسپ باد
✦
زمین گلشن شاه لهراسپ باد
“May the heavens shine with the crown of Goshtasp, and may the earth be a garden for King Lohrasp!”
#17
چو بر نامه بر مهر اسفندیار
✦
نهادند و جستند چندی سوار
“When they placed Esfandiyar's seal upon the letter, they sought out several swift riders.”
#18
هیونان کفک‌افگن و تیزرو
✦
به ایران فرستاد سالار نو
“The new commander dispatched foam-mouthed, swift-footed camels toward Iran.”
#19
بماند از پی پاسخ نامه را
✦
بکشت آتش مرد بدکامه را
“He waited behind for the answer to his missive, having extinguished the fire of malignant foes.”
#20
بسی برنیامد که پاسخ رسید
✦
یکی نامه بد بند بد را کلید
“Not long after, the reply arrived—a letter that served as the key to unlock hard bonds.”
#21
سر پاسخ نامه بود از نخست
✦
که پاینده بادآنک نیکی بجست
“The opening of the response began: 'May he endure forever who sought righteousness!'”
#22
خرد یافته مرد یزدان شناس
✦
به نیکی ز یزدان شناسد سپاس
“'A wise man who knows God recognizes that gratitude for good comes from God.'”
#23
دگر گفت کز دادگر یک خدای
✦
بخواهیم کو باشدت رهنمای
“'Further he said: We ask the One Just God that He may ever be your guide.'”
#24
درختی بکشتم به باغ بهشت
✦
کزان بارورتر فریدون نکشت
“'I planted a tree in the garden of Paradise, more fruitful than any Fereydun ever planted.'”
#25
برش سرخ یاقوت و زر آمدست
✦
همه برگ او زیب و فر آمدست
“'Its fruit has come forth as red ruby and gold; all its foliage is adornment and divine glory.'”
#26
بماناد تا جاودان این درخت
✦
ترا باد شادان دل و نیک‌بخت
“'May this tree remain forever! May your heart be joyful and blessed!'”
#27
یکی آنک گفتی که کین نیا
✦
بجستم پر از چاره و کیمیا
“'First, concerning what you said: that you sought vengeance for our ancestor with skill and alchemy...'”
#28
دگر آنک گفتی ز خون ریختن
✦
به تنها به رزم اندر آویختن
“'And second, what you mentioned of shedding blood and fighting single-handedly in battle...'”
#29
تن شهریاران گرامی بود
✦
که از کوشش سخت نامی بود
“'The person of rulers is precious, though famous through hard striving.'”
#30
نگهدار تن باش و آن خرد
✦
که جان را به دانش خرد پرورد
“'Protect your body and safeguard wisdom, for intellect nourishes the soul with knowledge.'”
#31
سه دیگر که گفتی به جان زینهار
✦
ندادم کسی را ز چندان سوار
“'Third, what you said: that you gave quarter to no single warrior among so many...'”
#32
همیشه دلت مهربان باد و گرم
✦
پر از شرم جان لب پر آوای نرم
“'May your heart ever be kind and warm, your soul full of modesty, your lips filled with gentle speech.'”
#33
مبادا ترا پیشه خون ریختن
✦
نه بی‌کینه با مهتر آویختن
“'Let not blood-spilling be your trade, nor fighting with noble elders without cause.'”
#34
به کین برادرت بی سی و هشت
✦
از اندازه خون ریختن درگذشت
“'For the vengeance of your thirty-eight brothers, the bloodshed exceeded all measure.'”
#35
و دیگر کزان پیر گشته نیا
✦
ز دل دور کرده بد و کیمیا
“'And also for that aged grandfather, whose heart was free from evil and deceit.'”
#36
چو خون ریختندش تو خون ریختی
✦
چو شیران جنگی برآویختی
“'When they spilled his blood, you spilled theirs, fighting fiercely like warring lions.'”
#37
همیشه بدی شاد و به روزگار
✦
روان را خرد بادت آموزگار
“'May you ever be glad and favored by time, with wisdom as the instructor of your soul!'”
#38
نیازست ما را به دیدار تو
✦
بدان پر خرد جان بیدار تو
“'We stand in need of seeing your face, and that wise, awake soul of yours.'”
#39
چه نامه بخوانی بنه بر نشان
✦
بدین بارگاه آی با سرکشان
“'When you read this letter, make haste and come to this court together with the chieftains.'”
#40
هیون تگاور ز در بازگشت
✦
همه شهر ایران پرآواز گشت
“The swift camel-riders turned back from the portal, and the whole city of Iran filled with clamor.”
#41
سوار هیونان چو باز آمدند
✦
به نزد تهمتن فراز آمدند
“When the camel-riders returned, they came before the mighty champion.”