When the tidings of victory were read, the bronze-bodied prince Esfandiyar opened the royal treasuries of Ruin-Dezh. He distributed the boundless wealth of Arjasp and his kin among the Iranian soldiers until every warrior grew wealthy beyond measure. Ten thousand swift camels and herds of branded Turanian steeds were gathered from the hills and plains. Loaded upon them were a thousand camel-loads of gold, silk, royal thrones, crowns studded with fiery gems, and musk and amber, alongside three hundred camel-loads of fine Chinese brocade and damask.
Golden litters were prepared for the royal women of Arjasp—his mother, two sisters, and two daughters—who were taken as captives alongside Esfandiyar's rescued sisters and moon-faced maidens of Cathay. Then Esfandiyar commanded that the impregnable Iron Fortress be put to the torch. Flashing flames leapt to the high heavens, and the mighty ramparts of Ruin-Dezh were leveled to the dust of China.
Esfandiyar dispatched his three young sons with the vast convoy across the desert tracks while he himself traveled back through the dangerous path of the Seven Trials to ensure its safety. After meeting his sons at the spring hunting grounds when the winter snows melted, the triumphant prince led the great caravan into the heartland of Iran.
All of Iran was transformed into a realm of vibrant celebration. Tapestries of silk hung from the city walls, perfumed breezes of musk and amber filled the streets, and the music of minstrels echoed to the sky. When King Goshtasp heard of his son's safe and glorious return, he drank royal wine and rode out alongside mobads, sages, and banner-bearing generals to receive the hero. Esfandiyar spurred his dark steed, Shabrang, leapt down, and embraced his royal father. Goshtasp showered praises upon his son's divine glory, adorned the royal halls, and threw a magnificent banquet to celebrate the conquest of Turan and the completion of the Seven Trials.
#1
چو آن نامه برخواند اسفندیار
✦
ببخشید دینار و برساخت کار
“When Esfandiyar had read the letter through, he bestowed wealth and prepared for departure.”
#2
جز از گنج ارجاسپ چیزی نماند
✦
همه گنج خویشان او برفشاند
“Naught remained of Arjasp's hoard; he scattered all the treasures of his kin to the winds.”
#3
سپاهش همه زو توانگر شدند
✦
از اندازهٔ کار برتر شدند
“His entire host became wealthy through him, rising far beyond the standard of their former state.”
#4
شتر بود و اسپان به دشت و به کوه
✦
به داغ سپهدار توران گروه
“Camels and horses covered plain and hill, bearing the mark of the Turanian commander's herds.”
#5
هیون خواست از هر دری ده‌هزار
✦
پراگنده از دشت وز کوهسار
“He requested swift camels from every side by tens of thousands, gathered from mountain and plain.”
#6
همه گنج ارجاسپ در باز کرد
✦
به کپان درم سختن آغاز کرد
“He threw open all the doors of Arjasp's hoard and began weighing the coins upon the scales.”
#7
هزار اشتر از گنج دینار شاه
✦
چو سیصد ز دیبا و تخت و کلاه
“A thousand camel-loads of the king's gold coins, and three hundred of brocade, thrones, and crowns;”
#8
صد از مشک و ز عنبر و گوهران
✦
صد از تاج وز نامدار افسران
“A hundred loads of musk, amber, and jewels, and a hundred of crowns and noble diadems;”
#9
از افگندنیهای دیبا هزار
✦
بفرمود تا برنهادند بار
“A thousand loads of rich silk carpets and coverings he commanded to be laden on the beasts.”
#10
چو سیصد شتر جامهٔ چینیان
✦
ز منسوج و زربفت وز پرنیان
“Three hundred camels bore the garments of the Chinese, woven of gold thread, silk, and brocade.”
#11
عماری بسیچید و دیبا جلیل
✦
کنیزک ببردند چینی دو خیل
“Litters were readied with glorious silk, and two troops of Chinese maidens were led forth;”
#12
به رخ چون بهار و به بالا چو سرو
✦
میانها چو غرو و به رفتن تذرو
“Their faces like spring, their stature like the cypress, their waists slender as reeds, moving like pheasants.”
#13
ابا خواهران یل اسفندیار
✦
برفتند بت روی صد نامدار
“Along with the sisters of the hero Esfandiyar, a hundred idol-faced, renowned noblewomen departed.”
#14
ز پوشیده رویان ارجاسپ پنج
✦
ببردند بامویه و درد و رنج
“Five veiled ladies of Arjasp's own house were led away in lamentation, pain, and grief;”
#15
دو خواهر دو دختر یکی مادرش
✦
پر از درد و با سوک و خسته برش
“His two sisters, two daughters, and his mother—their hearts filled with sorrow and wounded with mourning.”
#16
چو آتش به رویین دژ اندر فگند
✦
زبانه برآمد به چرخ بلند
“When he cast fire into the heart of Ruin-Dezh, blazing tongues of flame rose up to the high heaven.”
#17
همه بارهٔ شهر زد بر زمین
✦
برآورد گرد از بر و بوم چین
“He razed the city's ramparts to the ground, casting dust over all the soil and realm of Chin.”
#18
سه پور جوان را سپهدار گفت
✦
پراگنده باشید با گنج جفت
“The commander said to his three young sons: 'Depart ye, accompanying the great treasure.”
#19
به راه ار کسی سر بپیچد ز داد
✦
سرانشان به خنجر ببرید شاد
“If anyone along the path turns his head from justice, sever their heads joyfully with your daggers.”
#20
شما راه سوی بیابان برید
✦
سنانها چو خورشید تابان برید
“Make your way through the desert, bearing your spear-heads glittering like the sun.”
#21
سوی هفتخوان من به نخجیر شیر
✦
بیابم شما ره مپویید دیر
“I shall return by way of my Seven Trials as though hunting lions; do not linger upon the path.”
#22
نخستین بگیرم سر راه را
✦
ببینم شما را سر ماه را
“I shall take the lead path first, and I will see you at the head of the month.'”
#23
سوی هفتخوان آمد اسفندیار
✦
به نخجیر با لشکری نامدار
“Esfandiyar came toward the Seven Trials, hunting upon the way with a renowned army.”
#24
چو نزدیک آن جای سرما رسید
✦
همه خواسته گرد بر جای دید
“When he drew near to the place of bitter cold, he found all the treasures gathered at that spot.”
#25
هوا خوش‌گوار و زمین پرنگار
✦
تو گفتی به تیر اندر آمد بهار
“The air was pleasant, the earth full of vibrant colors—thou wouldst say spring had arrived in the month of Tir.”
#26
وزان جایگه خواسته برگرفت
✦
همی ماند از کار اختر شگفت
“From that place he gathered the wealth, Marveling in wonder at the working of the stars.”
#27
چو نزدیکی شهر ایران رسید
✦
به جای دلیران و شیران رسید
“When he drew near the borders of Iran, he reached the domain of brave men and lions.”
#28
دو هفته همی بود با یوز و باز
✦
غمی بود از رنج راه دراز
“For two weeks he spent his time with cheetahs and falcons, weary from the hardships of the long journey.”
#29
سه فرزند پرمایه را چشم داشت
✦
ز دیر آمدنشان به دل خشم داشت
“He awaited his three glorious sons, and his heart grew wrathful at their delay.”
#30
به نزد پدر چو بیامد پسر
✦
بخندید با هر یکی تاجور
“When the sons arrived before their father, the crowned hero smiled upon each of them.”
#31
که راهی درشت این که من کوفتم
✦
ز دیر آمدنتان برآشوفتم
“He said: 'Hard was this path I have trodden; I was angered by your long delay.'”
#32
زمین بوسه دادند هر سه پسر
✦
که چون تو که باشد به گیتی پدر
“All three sons kissed the ground, saying: 'Who in all the world is a father such as thou?'”
#33
وزان جایگه سوی ایران کشید
✦
همه گنج سوی دلیران کشید
“From that place he marched toward Iran, carrying all the treasures toward the brave champions.”
#34
همه شهر ایران بیاراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“They decorated all the cities of Iran, calling for wine, harps, and sweet musicians.”
#35
ز دیوارها جامه آویختند
✦
زبر مشک و عنبر همی بیختند
“They hung rich tapestries upon the walls and scattered musk and amber overhead.”
#36
هوا پر ز آوای رامشگران
✦
زمین پر سواران نیزه‌وران
“The air was filled with the song of musicians, and the earth was crowded with spear-bearing horsemen.”
#37
چو گشتاسپ بشنید رامش گزید
✦
به آواز او جام می درکشید
“When Goshtasp heard the sound of revelry, he chose joy and raised the goblet of wine to its music.”
#38
ز لشکر بفرمود تا هرک بود
✦
ز کشور کسی کو بزرگی نمود
“He commanded every man of the army and everyone in the realm who held greatness;”
#39
همه با درفش و تبیره شدند
✦
بزرگان لشکر پذیره شدند
“All to advance with banners and drums; and the grandees of the army went out to welcome him.”
#40
پدر رفت با نامور بخردان
✦
بزرگان فرزانه و موبدان
“The royal father went forth alongside wise counselors, noble sages, and high mobads.”
#41
بیامد به پیش پسر تازه‌روی
✦
همه شهر ایران پر از گفت و گوی
“He came before his son with a radiant face, while all the realm of Iran echoed with praise.”
#42
چو روی پدر دید شاه جوان
✦
دلش گشت شادان و روشن‌روان
“When the young prince beheld his father's face, his heart grew joyful and his soul turned bright.”
#43
برانگیخت از جای شبرنگ را
✦
فروزندهٔ آتش جنگ را
“He spurred Shabrang, his black steed—that bright igniter of the fires of war.”
#44
بیامد پدر را به بر در گرفت
✦
پدر ماند از کار او در شگفت
“He rode forward and embraced his father, and the father marvelled at his heroic deeds.”
#45
بسی خواند بر فر او آفرین
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا زمان و زمین
“He bestowed countless blessings upon his divine glory, saying: 'May time and earth never be without thee!'”
#46
وزانجا به ایوان شاه آمدند
✦
جهانی ورا نیکخواه آمدند
“From there they journeyed to the royal court, while the whole world came forth to wish the king well.”
#47
بیاراست گشتاسپ ایوان و تخت
✦
دلش گشت خرم بدان نیک‌بخت
“Goshtasp adorned the royal throne and palace halls, his heart overjoyed by his fortunate son's return.”
#48
به ایوانها در نهادند خوان
✦
به سالار گفتا مهان را بخوان
“Sumptuous feasts were spread throughout the halls, and he charged the master of ceremonies to invite the grandees.”
#49
بیامد ز هر گنبدی میگسار
✦
به نزدیک آن نامور شهریار
“From under every domed pavilion arrived cupbearers, approaching that renowned and glorious monarch.”
#50
می خسروانی به جام بلور
✦
گسارنده می داد رخشان چو هور
“Royal wine was served in crystal goblets by wine-pourers radiant as the shining sun.”
#51
همه چهرهٔ دوستان برفروخت
✦
دل دشمنان را به آتش بسوخت
“The faces of all friends brightened with gladness, while the hearts of enemies burned in bitter fire.”
#52
پسر خورد با شرم یاد پدر
✦
پدر همچنان نیز یاد پسر
“In respectful modest silence, the son toasted his father, and the father likewise drank in honor of his son.”
#53
بپرسید گشتاسپ از هفتخوان
✦
پدر را پسر گفت نامه بخوان
“Goshtasp inquired about the Seven Labors, but the son replied, 'Read of it in the written chronicle.'”
#54
سخنهای دیرینه یاد آوریم
✦
به گفتار لب را به داد آوریم
“'Let us recall ancient tales and memories, and speak with truth and equity upon our lips.'”
#55
چو فردا به هشیاری آن بشنوی
✦
به پیروزی دادگر بگروی
“'When tomorrow you listen in full sobriety, you shall give praise to the victory granted by the Just Lord.'”
#56
برفتند هرکس که گشتند مست
✦
یکی ماه‌رخ دست ایشان به دست
“As the guests grew merry and intoxicated, each retired, guided hand in hand by a moon-faced beauty.”
#57
سرآمد کنون قصهٔ هفتخوان
✦
به نام جهان داور این را بخوان
“Thus ends the tale of the Seven Labors; recite it now in the name of the World's Sovereign Judge.”
#58
که او داد بر نیک و بد دستگاه
✦
خداوند خورشید و تابنده ماه
“For He has ordained power over good and evil, the Master of the sun and the glowing moon.”
#59
اگر شاه پیروز بپسندد این
✦
نهادیم بر چرخ گردنده زین
“If the victorious monarch approves this work, we have placed our saddle upon the revolving sphere of heaven itself!”