King Goshtasp answered his valiant son Esfandiyar with words that masked a deep, insidious malice beneath praise. Acknowledging Esfandiyar's unmatched victories across the earth, the king declared that one defiant shadow still loomed over the realm: Rostam, the son of Zal. Goshtasp bitterly recounted how Rostam ruled over Zabulistan, Bast, Ghaznin, and Kabulistan as an independent sovereign, boasting that he served only Kay Kavus and Kay Khosrow, while treating Goshtasp's newly won crown with disdain. Therefore, the monarch set the final, terrible condition for surrendering his throne: Esfandiyar must lead an army to Sistan, unsheathe his blade, and bind Rostam in heavy iron chains. Not stopping there, he ordered that Zal, Zavareh, and Faramarz be disarmed, and Rostam dragged on foot as a captive to the royal court to strike terror into all potential rebels.
Heartbroken and outraged by his father's decree, Prince Esfandiyar pleaded for reason, warning the king that he was abandoning the sacred traditions of the Kianian dynasty. He asked how a monarch could demand the humiliation of an aged hero who had been the pillar of Iran from the reign of Manuchehr to Kay Qobad and Kay Khosrow—a legendary protector who placed kings upon their thrones and struck terror into the hearts of foreign enemies. Esfandiyar proclaimed Rostam to be the most noble defender Iran had ever known and insisted that violating ancient covenants would undermine the very moral authority of Goshtasp's rule.
Yet Goshtasp remained unyielding, insidiously arguing that any who strayed from God's light forfeited their rights. He brought up the flaws of Kay Kavus—his foolish flight to the heavens, his captivity in Hamavaran, and the tragedy of Siyavash—arguing that Rostam shared in those ancient failures. Seeing through his father's cruel stratagem, Esfandiyar realized that Goshtasp did not truly care about subduing Rostam; he simply sought a pretext to send his own son to a fatal doom out of jealousy for the crown. With deep bitterness, Esfandiyar surrendered his claim to the throne, stating that a humble corner of the world would suffice for him, yet declared he would obey the royal command as a loyal servant. Rejecting Goshtasp's offer of massive armies and gold, Esfandiyar declared that if his hour of doom had arrived, no host could save him. Sighing with grief and burning with silent fury, the prince turned away from the court and returned to his hall in profound sorrow.
#1
به فرزند پاسخ چنین داد شاه
✦
که از راستی بگذری نیست راه
“The king gave answer to his son, saying: 'There is no path better than departing from untruth.'”
#2
از این بیش کردی که گفتی تو کار
✦
که یار تو بادا جهان کردگار
“'You have accomplished even more than you claim; may the Creator of the world be your constant helper!'”
#3
نبینم همی دشمنی در جهان
✦
نه در آشکارا نه اندر نهان
“'I see no enemy remaining in all the world, neither in secret nor out in the open,'”
#4
که نام تو یابد نه پیچان شود
✦
چه پیچان همانا که بیجان شود
“'Who, upon hearing your name, would not tremble—nay, would not lose their very life in terror!'”
#5
به گیتی نداری کسی را همال
✦
مگر بی‌خرد نامور پور زال
“'You have no peer or rival in the world, save for that foolish, famed son of Zal,'”
#6
که او راست تا هست زاولستان
✦
همان بست و غزنین و کاولستان
“'Who holds as his own domain all of Zabulistan, along with Bast, Ghaznin, and Kabulistan.'”
#7
به مردی همی ز آسمان بگذرد
✦
همی خویشتن کهتری نشمرد
“'In manhood and pride he raises his head above the heavens, refusing to count himself inferior to anyone.'”
#8
که بر پیش کاوس کی بنده بود
✦
ز کیخسرو اندر جهان زنده بود
“'He claims he was a servant to Kay Kavus of old, and owed his allegiance in the world only to Kay Khosrow.'”
#9
به شاهی ز گشتاسپ نارد سخن
✦
که او تاج نو دارد و ما کهن
“'He speaks not of the kingship of Goshtasp, boasting: "He holds a new crown, while ours is ancient!"'”
#10
به گیتی مرا نیست کس هم نبرد
✦
ز رومی و توری و آزاد مرد
“'I have no rival left in the world—neither among the Romans, nor the Turanians, nor any noble warrior.'”
#11
سوی سیستان رفت باید کنون
✦
به کار آوری زور و بند و فسون
“'Therefore, you must journey to Sistan now, employing strength, bonds, and artful strategy.'”
#12
برهنه کنی تیغ و گوپال را
✦
به بند آوری رستم زال را
“'Unsheathe your sword and lift your heavy mace; bring Rostam the son of Zal into fetters!'”
#13
زواره فرامرز را همچنین
✦
نمانی که کس برنشیند به زین
“'Do not allow Zavareh or Faramarz to mount their saddles either.'”
#14
به دادار گیتی که او داد زور
✦
فروزندهٔ اختر و ماه و هور
“'I swear by the Creator of the world who granted strength, the illuminator of the stars, moon, and sun,'”
#15
که چون این سخنها به جای آوری
✦
ز من نشنوی زین سپس داوری
“'That once you carry out these commands, you shall never hear another objection from me.'”
#16
سپارم به تو تاج و تخت و کلاه
✦
نشانم بر تخت بر پیشگاه
“'I shall hand over to you the crown, throne, and royal cap, and set you upon the high seat of sovereignty.'”
#17
چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که ای پرهنر نامور شهریار
“Esfandiyar answered him, saying: 'O virtuous and glorious monarch!'”
#18
همی دور مانی ز رسم کهن
✦
براندازه باید که رانی سخن
“'You are straying far from ancient customs; one ought to speak with measure and justice.'”
#19
تو با شاه چین جنگ جوی و نبرد
✦
از آن نامداران برانگیز گرد
“'Go seek battle against the King of China, and raise dust against those renowned warriors!'”
#20
چه جویی نبرد یکی مرد پیر
✦
که کاووس خواندی ورا شیرگیر
“'Why do you seek war against an aged man whom Kay Kavus called the lion-capturer?'”
#21
ز گاه منوچهر تا کیقباد
✦
دل شهریاران بدو بود شاد
“'From the time of Manuchehr to Kay Qobad, the hearts of all monarchs were made glad by him.'”
#22
نکوکارتر زو به ایران کسی
✦
نبودست کاورد نیکی بسی
“'There has been no one in Iran more benefactor-like than him, for he brought abundant goodness.'”
#23
همی خواندندش خداوند رخش
✦
جهانگیر و شیراوژن و تاج‌بخش
“'They used to call him the Master of Rakhsh, World-Conqueror, Lion-Overthrower, and Crown-Bestower.'”
#24
نه اندر جهان نامداری نوست
✦
بزرگست و با عهد کیخسروست
“'He is no newly arisen lord in the world; he is great and holds the solemn covenant of Kay Khosrow.'”
#25
اگر عهد شاهان نباشد درست
✦
نباید ز گشتاسپ منشور جست
“'If the covenants of former kings are not kept true, then no one should seek charters from Goshtasp either.'”
#26
چنین داد پاسخ به اسفندیار
✦
که ای شیر دل پرهنر نامدار
“Goshtasp answered Esfandiyar, saying: 'O lion-hearted, highly skilled champion!'”
#27
هر آن کس که از راه یزدان بگشت
✦
همان عهد او گشت چون باد دشت
“'Whosoever turns away from the path of God, their covenant becomes like the wind over the desert.'”
#28
همانا شنیدی که کاووس شاه
✦
به فرمان ابلیس گم کرد راه
“'Surely you have heard how King Kavus lost his way at the bidding of Iblis,'”
#29
همی بآسمان شد به پر عقاب
✦
به زاری به ساری فتاد اندر آب
“'Ascending into the sky on eagles' wings, only to fall miserably into the waters at Sari!'”
#30
ز هاماوران دیوزادی ببرد
✦
شبستان شاهی مر او را سپرد
“'He brought a demon-born woman from Hamavaran and entrusted the royal harem to her.'”
#31
سیاوش به آزار او کشته شد
✦
همه دوده زیر و زبر گشته شد
“'Through her malice, Siyavash was slain, and the entire royal lineage was turned upside down.'”
#32
کسی کو ز عهد جهاندار گشت
✦
به گرد در او نشاید گذشت
“'Whoever turns from the covenant of the World-Ruler, one should not even walk near their threshold.'”
#33
اگر تخت خواهی ز من با کلاه
✦
ره سیستان گیر و برکش سپاه
“'If you desire the crown and throne from me, take the road to Sistan and march your army forth!'”
#34
چو آن‌جا رسی دست رستم ببند
✦
بیارش به بازو فگنده کمند
“'When you arrive there, bind Rostam's hands and bring him with a lasso cast around his arms.'”
#35
زواره فرامرز و دستان سام
✦
نباید که سازند پیش تو دام
“'Suffer not Zavareh, Faramarz, and Zal the son of Sam to set any trap against you.'”
#36
پیاده دوانش بدین بارگاه
✦
بیاور کشان تا ببیند سپاه
“'Bring him walking on foot, dragged to this court, so that all the army may behold him.'”
#37
ازان پس نپیچد سر از ما کسی
✦
اگر کام اگر گنج یابد بسی
“'Thereafter, no one shall dare turn their head from us, whether they seek power or vast wealth.'”
#38
سپهبد بروها پر از تاب کرد
✦
به شاه جهان گفت زین بازگرد
“The prince knit his brows in anger and said to the monarch of the world: 'Turn back from this course!'”
#39
ترا نیست دستان و رستم به کار
✦
همی راه جویی به اسفندیار
“'You have no real quarrel with Zal or Rostam; you are simply seeking a way to destroy Esfandiyar!'”
#40
دریغ آیدت جای شاهی همی
✦
مرا از جهان دور خواهی همی
“'It breaks your heart to give up the seat of kingship; you wish to see me removed from this world!'”
#41
ترا باد این تخت و تاج کیان
✦
مرا گوشه‌ای بس بود زین جهان
“'May this Kianian crown and throne be yours forever! A quiet corner of this world is enough for me.'”
#42
ولیکن ترا من یکی بنده‌ام
✦
به فرمان و رایت سرافگنده‌ام
“'Yet I am your servant, and I bow my head in submission to your command and counsel.'”
#43
بدو گفت گشتاسپ تندی مکن
✦
بلندی بیابی نژندی مکن
“Goshtasp said to him: 'Do not speak so harshly; you shall attain greatness, so do not embrace sorrow.'”
#44
ز لشکر گزین کن فراوان سوار
✦
جهاندیدگان از در کارزار
“'Select numerous horsemen from the army—battle-tested veterans ready for war.'”
#45
سلیح و سپاه و درم پیش تست
✦
نژندی به جان بداندیش تست
“'Weapons, troops, and silver are before you; let sorrow belong only to the soul of your enemy!'”
#46
چه باید مرا بی‌تو گنج و سپاه
✦
همان گنج و تخت و سپاه و کلاه
“'What need have I for treasure or an army without you? Take the treasure, throne, army, and crown!'”
#47
چنین داد پاسخ یل اسفندیار
✦
که لشکر نیاید مرا خود به کار
“The heroic Esfandiyar answered: 'I have no need for an army at all.'”
#48
گر ایدونک آید زمانم فراز
✦
به لشکر ندارد جهاندار باز
“'If my appointed time of fate has arrived, no army in the world can hold back the Lord of the World.'”
#49
ز پیش پدر بازگشت او به تاب
✦
چه از پادشاهی چه از خشم باب
“He turned away from his father in fierce turmoil, heart-sick over both the kingdom and his father's wrath.”
#50
به ایوان خویش اندر آمد دژم
✦
لبی پر ز باد و دلی پر ز غم
“He entered his palace crestfallen, with lips breathing sighs of anger and a heart heavy with sorrow.”