When Prince Bahman concluded his delivery of Esfandiyar's stern demands, Rostam's veteran mind sank into profound reflection. Breaking his silence, the seasoned Champion of Iran addressed the young envoy, stating that his heart was gladdened by Bahman's presence, and bade him carry a carefully forged response back to the renowned Esfandiyar. Rostam began with solemn wisdom: any ruler whose soul is guided by intellect must look to the ultimate roots and consequences of his deeds. For a prince who already possesses matchless valor, victory, adorned treasuries, and high renown, it is unseemly to succumb to ill temper and arrogance. Men of noble birth must stand upon justice and the worship of Yazdan, refusing to take the hand of evil—for words spoken without reason are like a fruitless, scentless tree, and if the soul surrenders to the demon of Greed (*Az*), it embarks upon a long and profitless toil.
Rostam then showered praise upon Esfandiyar's unmatched fame, acknowledging that in courage, counsel, and wisdom, the prince surpassed his own ancestors, with his glory resounding across Hindustan, Rome, China, and the lands of sorcery. Rostam expressed how deeply he had yearned to behold Esfandiyar's face and to sit alongside him in fellowship, raising goblets in honor of the Sovereign. He declared his readiness to ride out alone, without an army, to meet Esfandiyar and recall the ancient covenants of just kings from Kay Qobad to Kay Khosrow. Yet, Rostam's tone hardened into magnificent defiance when addressing the demand for his arrest. He urged Esfandiyar to reflect upon the immense toil, wounds, and sacred service Rostam had rendered to the Iranian crown across centuries. If the ultimate reward for such lifelong devotion was to be fettered like a criminal by the Iranian king, then it were better for a champion never to have walked the earth.
With proud intensity, Rostam declared that no living soul had ever seen chains upon his feet, nor had any roaring elephant ever displaced him from his position. He implored Esfandiyar to cast away youthful arrogance and wrath, and not to seat the Demon of Greed at his right hand. Instead, Rostam warmly extended a royal invitation: let Esfandiyar cross the river and honor Zabulistan's halls for two full months, allowing his army and steeds to rest. Rostam promised to unlock his ancient treasuries—won by the prowess of his own blade—and bestow gold and silver upon the entire host. Once the grand feast concluded, Rostam offered to ride side-by-side with Esfandiyar to the court of King Goshtasp, where he would voluntarily stand before the throne, soften the King's wrath with gentle words, and directly ask why a lifetime of glory must end in iron chains.
#1
چو بشنید رستم ز بهمن سخن
✦
پراندیشه شد مغز مرد کهن
“When Rostam heard these words from Bahman, the veteran mind of the old warrior became filled with deep thought.”
#2
چنین گفت کآری شنیدم پیام
✦
دلم شد به دیدار تو شادکام
“He spoke thus: 'Indeed, I have heard the message, and my heart is gladdened by beholding your face.”
#3
ز من پاسخ این بر به اسفندیار
✦
که ای شیردل مهتر نامدار
“Take back this answer from me to Esfandiyar: O lion-hearted and renowned prince!”
#4
هرانکس که دارد روانش خرد
✦
سر مایهٔ کارها بنگرد
“Whosoever possesses wisdom in his soul will look closely to the root and outcome of all affairs.”
#5
چو مردی و پیروزی و خواسته
✦
ورا باشد و گنج آراسته
“When manhood, victory, wealth, and adorned treasuries are already his,',”
#6
بزرگی و گردی و نام بلند
✦
به نزد گرانمایگان ارجمند
“'And greatness, heroism, and high renown are held precious by noble souls,',”
#7
به گیتی بدین سان که اکنون تویی
✦
نباید که داری سر بدخویی
“'Being in such a exalted state in the world as you are now, it is not fitting for you to harbor evil temper.”
#8
بباشیم بر داد و یزدان‌پرست
✦
نگیریم دست بدی را به دست
“Let us stand upon justice and worship Yazdan, and let us not stretch our hands toward evil.”
#9
سخن هرچ بر گفتنش روی نیست
✦
درختی بود کش بر و بوی نیست
“Whatever word lacks fitting reason to be spoken is like a tree that bears neither fruit nor fragrance.”
#10
وگر جان تو بسپرد راه آز
✦
شود کار بی‌سود بر تو دراز
“And if your soul walks the path of greed, fruitless labor will become drawn out before you.”
#11
چو مهتر سراید سخن سخته به
✦
ز گفتار بد کام پردخته به
“When a prince speaks, weighed words are best; better that the mouth be cleansed of bad speech.”
#12
ز گفتارت آن کس بدی بنده شاد
✦
که گفتی که چون تو ز مادر نزاد
“From your speech I was gladdened like a happy servant, where you said none like you was ever born of mother.”
#13
به مردی و گردی و رای و خرد
✦
همی بر نیاکان خود بگذرد
“In manhood, heroism, counsel, and wisdom, he indeed surpasses his own ancestors.”
#14
پدیدست نامت به هندوستان
✦
به روم و به چین و به جادوستان
“Your name is renowned in Hindustan, in Rome, in China, and in the realm of sorcerers.”
#15
ازین پندها داشتم من سپاس
✦
نیایش کنم روز و شب در سه‌پاس
“I was thankful for these counsels and praises; day and night, in all three watches, I offer praise.”
#16
ز یزدان همی آرزو خواستم
✦
که اکنون بتو دل بیاراستم
“I wished from Yazdan that my heart might now be adorned by your presence,”
#17
که بینم پسندیده چهر ترا
✦
بزرگی و گردی و مهر ترا
“That I might behold your admired face, your greatness, your chivalry, and your affection.”
#18
نشینیم یک با دگر شادکام
✦
به یاد شهنشاه گیریم جام
“Let us sit joyfully with one another and raise goblets in honor of the King of Kings.”
#19
کنون آنچ جستم همه یافتم
✦
به خواهشگری تیز بشتافتم
“Now all that I sought I have found, and I hastened forward with eager longing.”
#20
به پیش تو آیم کنون بی‌سپاه
✦
ز تو بشنوم هرچ فرمود شاه
“I shall come before you now without an army, to hear from you whatever the King has commanded.”
#21
بیارم برت عهد شاهان داد
✦
ز کیخسرو آغاز تا کیقباد
“I shall bring before you the covenants of just kings, from Kay Khosrow back to Kay Qobad.”
#22
کنون شهریارا تو در کار من
✦
نگه کن به کردار و آزار من
“Now, O Prince, look closely upon my case—look upon my deeds and all my long toil.”
#23
گر آن نیکویها که من کرده‌ام
✦
همان رنجهایی که من برده‌ام
“Consider all the good deeds I have accomplished, and all the hardships I have borne,”
#24
پرستیدن شهریاران همان
✦
از امروز تا روز پیشی همان
“And my faithful service to the monarchs, from this present day back to ancient times;”
#25
چو پاداش آن رنج بند آیدم
✦
که از شاه ایران گزند آیدم
“If the reward for all that toil should be chains, and harm comes to me from the Shah of Iran,”
#26
همان به که گیتی نبیند کسی
✦
چو بیند بدو در نماند بسی
“Then it were better that no man see the world, or if he beholds it, remain not long within it.”
#27
بیابم بگویم همه راز خویش
✦
ز گیتی برافرازم آواز خویش
“I shall meet you and speak all my inner heart, raising my voice across the entire world.”
#28
به بازو ببندم یکی پالهنگ
✦
بیاویز پایم به چرم پلنگ
“I shall bind a lasso around my arm, and wrap my feet with leopard leather,”
#29
ازان سان که من گردن ژنده پیل
✦
ببستم فکندم به دریای نیل
“Just as I bound the necks of huge elephants and cast them into the River Nile.”
#30
چو از من گناهی بیابد پدید
✦
ازان پس سر من بباید برید
“If any fault or sin be proven against me, only then should my head be severed.”
#31
سخنهای ناخوش ز من دور دار
✦
به بدها دل دیو رنجور دار
“Keep unpleasant speech far from me; let the heart of the demon suffer from evil deeds.”
#32
مگوی آنچ هرگز نگفتست کس
✦
به مردی مکن باد را در قفس
“Do not utter what no man has ever said; do not attempt by manly strength to trap the wind in a cage.”
#33
بزرگان به دانش بیابند راه
✦
ز دریا گذر نیست بی‌آشناه
“The great find their path through wisdom; one cannot cross the ocean without knowing how to swim.”
#34
همان تابش مهر نتوان نهفت
✦
نه روبه توان کرد با شیر جفت
“Likewise, the brilliance of the sun cannot be hidden, nor can a fox be paired with a lion.”
#35
تو بر راه من بر ستیزه مریز
✦
که من خود یکی مایه‌ام در ستیز
“Do not pour hostility upon my path, for I myself am a master of war and combat.”
#36
ندیدست کس بند بر پای من
✦
نه بگرفت پیل ژیان جای من
“No living soul has ever seen fetters upon my feet, nor has a ferocious elephant ever displaced me.”
#37
تو آن کن که از پادشاهان سزاست
✦
مدار آز را دیو بر دست راست
“Do that which is worthy of sovereign monarchs; do not keep the demon of greed at your right hand.”
#38
به مردی ز دل دور کن خشم و کین
✦
جهان را به چشم جوانی مبین
“Through nobility clear wrath and malice from your heart; look not upon the world through youthful pride alone.”
#39
به دل خرمی دار و بگذر ز رود
✦
ترا باد از پاک یزدان درود
“Keep joy in your heart and cross the river; may the blessing of Holy Yazdan be upon you.”
#40
گرامی کن ایوان ما را به سور
✦
مباش از پرستندهٔ خویش دور
“Honor our palace with a banquet; stay not far from your devoted servant.”
#41
چنان چون بدم کهتر کیقباد
✦
کنون از تو دارم دل و مغز شاد
“Just as I was the humble servant of Kay Qobad, now my heart and mind are gladdened by you.”
#42
چو آیی به ایوان من با سپاه
✦
هم‌ایدر به شادی بباشی دو ماه
“When you come to my hall with your host, stay here in joy for two full months.”
#43
برآساید از رنج مرد و ستور
✦
دل دشمنان گردد از رشک کور
“Men and steeds shall rest from their toil, and the hearts of enemies shall grow blind with envy.”
#44
همه دشت نخچیر و مرغ اندر آب
✦
اگر دیر مانی بگیرد شتاب
“The plain is abundant with game and birds upon the water; if you delay, opportunity will swiftly slip away.”
#45
ببینم ز تو زور مردان جنگ
✦
به شمشیر شیر افگنی گر پلنگ
“I shall witness in you the prowess of valiant warriors, whether you strike down lions or leopards with your sword.”
#46
چو خواهی که لشکر به ایران بری
✦
به نزدیک شاه دلیران بری
“When you wish to lead your host back to Iran, before the brave King of the realm,”
#47
گشایم در گنجهای کهن
✦
که ایدر فکندم به شمشیر بن
“I shall unlock the doors of ancient treasuries that I established here with the strength of my sword.”
#48
به پیش تو آرم همه هرچ هست
✦
کجا گرد کردم به نیروی دست
“I will place before you everything there is, which I amassed by the power of my hand.”
#49
بخواه آنچ خواهی و دیگر ببخش
✦
مکن بر دل ما چنین روز دخش
“Take whatever you desire and bestow the rest; do not bring such a dark and bitter day upon our heart.”
#50
درم ده سپه را و تندی مکن
✦
چو خوبی بیابی نژندی مکن
“Bestow coin upon the army and abandon harshness; when goodness is at hand, bring not sorrow.”
#51
چو هنگام رفتن فراز آیدت
✦
به دیدار خسرو نیاز آیدت
“When the hour of departure draws near and you long to behold the Shah,”
#52
عنان با عنان تو بندم به راه
✦
خرامان بیایم به نزدیک شاه
“I shall tie my reins alongside yours on the road, and travel gracefully before the Sovereign.”
#53
به پوزش کنم نرم خشم ورا
✦
ببوسم سر و پای و چشم ورا
“With sincere apologies I shall soften his anger; I shall kiss his head, his feet, and his eyes.”
#54
بپرسم ز بیدار شاه بلند
✦
که پایم چرا کرد باید به بند
“I will ask the vigilant and noble King why my feet must ever be bound in fetters.”
#55
همه هرچ گفتم ترا یاد دار
✦
بگویش به پرمایه اسفندیار
“Remember all that I have spoken to you, and relate it entirely to the glorious Esfandiyar.'”