Prince Esfandiyar summoned his young son, Bahman, to entrust him with a grave and momentous mission. He bade Bahman mount a coal-black steed, array his form in finest Chinese silk, and set upon his brow a crown adorned with royal jewels, accompanied by ten renowned mobads, so that any who beheld him would instantly recognize his sovereign lineage. With swift instructions, he commanded Bahman to ride toward the halls of Rostam, commanding him to soften his speech with eloquence, yet carry a message carved with stern imperial weight.
The embassy began with reflections upon the divine order—how every soul must render gratitude to the Almighty, for righteousness yields eternal joy, while evil brings ruin upon the transient world. But the heart of the message turned to sharp reproach: Rostam was reminded of the endless favors his lineage had received from the Kianian crown, yet throughout the reigns of Luhrasp and Goshtasp, he had abstained from attending the royal court. Though Goshtasp had embraced the Good Religion, banished darkness, defeated Arjasp of Turan, and brought the world under his sway, Rostam had remained in Zabulistan, aloof and negligent of his duty to the King of Kings. Esfandiyar disclosed that Goshtasp had grown wroth and sworn a sacred oath that Rostam should only appear before him bound in chains. Yet Esfandiyar offered a path of salvation: should Rostam willingly accept the royal decree and allow himself to be bound, Esfandiyar pledged by the bright sun and the soul of Zarir to plead before the King, soothing Goshtasp's wrath and ensuring no harm should ever touch the peerless champion of Iran.
#1
بفرمود تا بهمن آمدش پیش
✦
ورا پندها داد ز اندازه بیش
“He commanded Bahman to step forward, and bestowed upon him counsel beyond measure.”
#2
بدو گفت اسپ سیه بر نشین
✦
بیارای تن را به دیبای چین
“He said to him: 'Mount a sable horse, and adorn your body in Chinese silk.'”
#3
بنه بر سرت افسر خسروی
✦
نگارش همه گوهر پهلوی
“'Place upon your head a royal crown, inlaid with noble Persian gems,'”
#4
بر آن سان که هرکس که بیند ترا
✦
ز گردنکشان برگزیند ترا
“'So that whosoever beholds you shall single you out among all proud leaders,'”
#5
بداند که هستی تو خسرونژاد
✦
کند آفریننده را بر تو یاد
“'Knowing that you are of imperial blood, and giving praise to the Creator on your account.'”
#6
ببر پنج بالای زرین ستام
✦
سرافراز ده موبد نیک‌نام
“'Take five tall horses with golden bridles, and ten noble, reputable mobads.'”
#7
هم از راه تا خان رستم بران
✦
مکن کار بر خویشتن بر گران
“'Ride straight from the road to Rostam's hall, and make not the task arduous for yourself.'”
#8
درودش ده از ما و خوبی نمای
✦
بیارای گفتار و چربی فزای
“'Greet him from us and show graciousness; adorn your speech and add warmth.'”
#9
بگویش که هرکس که گردد بلند
✦
جهاندار وز هر بدی بی‌گزند
“'Say to him: Whosoever rises to high standing in the world, unharmed by any evil,'”
#10
ز دادار باید که دارد سپاس
✦
که اویست جاوید نیکی شناس
“'Must render gratitude to the Creator, for He alone is the eternal Appreciator of goodness.'”
#11
چو باشد فزایندهٔ نیکویی
✦
به پرهیز دارد سر از بدخویی
“'When one increases in virtue and restrains oneself from malice,'”
#12
بیفزایدش کامگاری و گنج
✦
بود شادمان در سرای سپنج
“'His success and treasure shall multiply, and he shall remain joyful in this transient abode.'”
#13
چو دوری گزیند ز کردار زشت
✦
بیابد بدان گیتی اندر بهشت
“'And when he turns away from foul deeds, he shall attain Paradise in the world to come.'”
#14
بد و نیک بر ما همی بگذرد
✦
چنین داند آن کس که دارد خرد
“'Good and evil alike pass over us; so knows the one who possesses wisdom.'”
#15
سرانجام بستر بود تیره‌خاک
✦
بپرد روان سوی یزدان پاک
“'In the end, our bed shall be the dark earth, and the soul shall fly toward pure God.'”
#16
به گیتی هرانکس که نیکی شناخت
✦
بکوشید و با شهریاران بساخت
“'In this world, whoever knew virtue strove well and lived in harmony with monarchs.'”
#17
همان بر که کاری همان بدروی
✦
سخن هرچه گویی همان بشنوی
“'As you sow, so shall you reap; whatever words you speak, the same you shall hear in return.'”
#18
کنون از تو اندازه گیریم راست
✦
نباید بر این بر فزون و نه کاست
“'Now we shall measure your conduct rightly; let there be neither excess nor deficiency in this.'”
#19
که بگذاشتی سالیان بی‌شمار
✦
به گیتی بدیدی بسی شهریار
“'For you have passed unnumbered years, and seen many a monarch in this world.'”
#20
اگر بازجویی ز راه خرد
✦
بدانی که چونین نه اندر خورد
“'If you search through the path of wisdom, you will know that such conduct is fitting for none.'”
#21
که چندین بزرگی و گنج و سپاه
✦
گرانمایه اسپان و تخت و کلاه
“'That so much greatness, treasure, and army, such noble horses, throne, and crown,'”
#22
ز پیش نیاکان ما یافتی
✦
چو در بندگی تیز بشتافتی
“'You received from our ancestors of old, when you rushed eagerly in loyal service.'”
#23
چه مایه جهان داشت لهراسپ شاه
✦
نکردی گذر سوی آن بارگاه
“'For how long did King Luhrasp rule the world, yet you never crossed the threshold of his court?'”
#24
چو او شهر ایران به گشتاسپ داد
✦
نیامد ترا هیچ زان تخت یاد
“'When he bestowed the realm of Iran upon Goshtasp, you gave no thought to that throne.'”
#25
سوی او یکی نامه ننوشته‌ای
✦
از آرایش بندگی گشته‌ای
“'You wrote not a single letter to him; you turned away from the ornament of homage.'”
#26
نرفتی به درگاه او بنده‌وار
✦
نخواهی به گیتی کسی شهریار
“'You did not approach his court like a feudatory; it seems you desire no monarch in the world.'”
#27
ز هوشنگ و جم و فریدون گرد
✦
که از تخم ضحاک شاهی ببرد
“'From heroic Hushang, Jamshid, and Fereydun, who wrested the kingship from the seed of Zahhak,'”
#28
همی رو چنین تا سر کیقباد
✦
که تاج فریدون به سر بر نهاد
“'And so on unto King Kay Qubad, who set Fereydun’s crown upon his head,'”
#29
چو گشتاسپ شه نیست یک نامدار
✦
به رزم و به بزم و به رای و شکار
“'Yet there is no illustrious ruler like King Goshtasp in battle, feast, counsel, and hunt.'”
#30
پذیرفت پاکیزه دین بهی
✦
نهان گشت گمراهی و بی‌رهی
“'He embraced the pure Good Religion, and error and straying were banished out of sight.'”
#31
چو خورشید شد راه گیهان خدیو
✦
نهان شد بدآموزی و راه دیو
“'The path of the Lord of the World became bright as the sun, while evil lore and the way of demons vanished.'”
#32
ازان پس که ارجاسپ آمد به جنگ
✦
سپه چون پلنگان و مهتر نهنگ
“'Thereafter, when Arjasp came to wage war, his host like leopards and his chief like a sea-monster,'”
#33
ندانست کس لشکرش را شمار
✦
پذیره شدش نامور شهریار
“'No one knew the count of his host, yet the famous king went forth to confront him.'”
#34
یکی گورستان کرد بر دشت کین
✦
که پیدا نبد پهن روی زمین
“'He turned the plain of vengeance into a graveyard, such that the broad face of the earth was hidden.'”
#35
همانا که تا رستخیز این سخن
✦
میان بزرگان نگردد کهن
“'Truly, until Resurrection Day, this tale shall not grow old among the great.'”
#36
کنون خاور او راست تا باختر
✦
همی بشکند پشت شیران نر
“'Now from East to West belongs to him; he breaks the backs of fierce lions.'”
#37
ز توران زمین تا در هند و روم
✦
جهان شد مر او را چو یک مهره موم
“'From the land of Turan to the borders of India and Rome, the world has become to him like a piece of wax.'”
#38
ز دشت سواران نیزه گزار
✦
به درگاه اویند چندی سوار
“'From the plain of spear-wielding horsemen, many riders stand loyal at his court.'”
#39
فرستندش از مرزها باژ و ساو
✦
که با جنگ او نیستشان زور و تاو
“'They send him tribute and tax from all borders, for none have the strength or endurance to fight him.'”
#40
ازان گفتم این با توای پهلوان
✦
که او از تو آزرده دارد روان
“'I spoke thus to you, O champion, because his soul is aggrieved by your conduct.'”
#41
نرفتی بدان نامور بارگاه
✦
نکردی بدان نامداران نگاه
“'You did not go to that illustrious court, nor did you pay heed to those renowned nobles.'”
#42
کرانی گرفتستی اندر جهان
✦
که داری همی خویشتن را نهان
“'You have taken a distant corner in the world, keeping yourself hidden away.'”
#43
فرامش ترا مهتران چون کنند
✦
مگر مغز و دل پاک بیرون کنند
“'How could the great leaders ever forget you, unless they were to rip out their very brains and hearts?'”
#44
همیشه همه نیکویی خواستی
✦
به فرمان شاهان بیاراستی
“'In truth, you always sought goodness, and adorned yourself with obedience to kings.'”
#45
اگر بر شمارد کسی رنج تو
✦
به گیتی فزون آید از گنج تو
“'If anyone were to recount your toil, it would surpass all the treasures in the world.'”
#46
ز شاهان کسی بر چنین داستان
✦
ز بنده نبودند همداستان
“Among kings of old, none have ever tolerated such headstrong conduct from a vassal.”
#47
مرا گفت رستم ز بس خواسته
✦
هم از کشور و گنج آراسته
“The Shah told me: Rostam, possessed of abundant wealth, adorned with whole realms and treasures,”
#48
به زاول نشستست و گشتست مست
✦
نگیرد کس از مست چیزی به دست
“Sits in Zabol, drunk with pride; yet no man can demand anything from one who is intoxicated.”
#49
برآشفت یک روز و سوگند خورد
✦
به روز سپید و شب لاژورد
“One day he flew into a rage and swore a solemn oath by the bright day and the azure night,”
#50
که او را به جز بسته در بارگاه
✦
نبیند ازین پس جهاندار شاه
“That the world-conquering king shall never again behold Rostam except bound in chains at his court.”
#51
کنون من ز ایران بدین آمدم
✦
نبد شاه دستور تا دم زدم
“Now I have come from Iran for this reason; the Shah gave no leave until I pleaded.”
#52
بپرهیز و پیچان شو از خشم اوی
✦
ندیدی که خشم آورد چشم اوی
“Beware and turn away from his wrath! You have not seen the terror in his eyes when anger overtakes him.”
#53
چو اینجا بیایی و فرمان کنی
✦
روان را به پوزش گروگان کنی
“When you come here, submit to his command, and pledge your soul to seeking pardon,”
#54
به خورشید رخشان و جان زریر
✦
به جان پدرم آن جهاندار شیر
“I swear by the radiant sun, by the soul of Zarir, and by the life of my father, that lion-king,”
#55
که من زین پشیمان کنم شاه را
✦
برافرزوم این اختر و ماه را
“That I will make the King repent of his anger, and cause your star and moon to shine brightly again.”
#56
که من زین که گفتم نجویم فروغ
✦
نگردم به هر کار گرد دروغ
“I seek no self-glory in what I say, nor do I ever turn toward deceit in any deed.”
#57
پشوتن برین بر گوای منست
✦
روان و خرد رهنمای منست
“Peshotan is my witness in this matter, and my own spirit and wisdom are my guides.”
#58
همی جستم از تو من آرام شاه
✦
ولیکن همی از تو دیدم گناه
“I sought to bring peace between you and the King, yet I have seen only offense and defiance on your part.”
#59
پدر شهریارست و من کهترم
✦
ز فرمان او یک زمان نگذرم
“My father is the sovereign monarch, and I am his humble servant; I shall not disobey his command for a single moment.”
#60
همه دوده اکنون بباید نشست
✦
زدن رای و سودن بدین کار دست
“Now all your noble clan must gather, take counsel together, and set hand to resolve this grave affair.”
#61
زواره فرامرز و دستان سام
✦
جهاندیده رودابهٔ نیک نام
“Zavareh, Faramarz, Dastan son of Sam, and the wise, world-experienced, renowned Roodabeh—”
#62
همه پند من یک به یک بشنوید
✦
بدین خوب گفتار من بگروید
“Let them all hear my advice one by one, and put their trust in these good words of mine.”
#63
نباید که این خانه ویران شود
✦
به کام دلیران ایران شود
“It must not come to pass that this dynasty is ruined, serving the desires of Iran's fierce warriors.”
#64
چو بسته ترا نزد شاه آورم
✦
بدو بر فراوان گناه آورم
“When I bring you bound before the King, I shall heap much blame upon him for his harshness,”
#65
بباشیم پیشش بخواهش به پای
✦
ز خشم و ز کین آرمش باز جای
“We shall stand before him in supplication, and turn his heart back from anger and malice.”
#66
نمانم که بادی بتو بر وزد
✦
بران سان که از گوهر من سزد
“I will not allow even a harsh breeze to blow upon you, as befits the nobility of my royal blood.”