When Rostam departed from the banks of the Helmand river, his mind was heavy with foreboding. Peshotan, the wise and righteous brother of Esfandiyar, entered the prince's royal pavilion. Esfandiyar spoke bitterly to him, declaring that they had taken upon themselves a grievous and intractable task, swearing that he would neither seek out Rostam nor invite him to his banqueting table again.
Peshotan opened his lips in earnest counsel, urging his brother not to let a demon blind the eyes of wisdom. He reminded Esfandiyar that Rostam was the undisputed champion of the realm, a man whose greatness was bound to nobility and matchless valor, and that no chain could ever hold the feet of Dastan's son. He pleaded with the prince to seek peace rather than strife, for a feud between two such mighty lords would bring ruin upon the realm.
Yet Esfandiyar remained steadfast in his rigid duty, declaring that turning away from the command of King Goshtasp would bring disgrace in this world and divine reckoning in the next; he would not barter his faith and sacred oath for the sake of Rostam. When the hour of dining arrived, Esfandiyar ordered a feast to be spread, deliberately instructing his servants that Rostam was not to be summoned. As the wine flowed, Esfandiyar recounted his heroic deeds at the Bronze Fortress and drank to the glory of the King of Kings.
Meanwhile, Rostam waited patiently in his hall, honoring his pledge not to dine until invited. But as time wore on and no messenger appeared along the road, his patience turned to fierce indignation. Laughing in bitter scorn, he bade his brother set their own table for the noble guests. He then commanded Rakhsh to be caparisoned in finest silks and armor, mounting his mighty steed to ride directly to Esfandiyar's camp and call the royal prince to account for his insulting slight.
#1
چو رستم برفت از لب هیرمند
✦
پراندیشه شد نامدار بلند
“When Rostam departed from the banks of the Helmand river, that exalted and renowned hero became full of troubling thoughts.”
#2
پشوتن که بد شاه را رهنمای
✦
بیامد هم‌انگه به پرده سرای
“Peshotan, who was the wise guide and counselor to the prince, entered the royal pavilion at that very moment.”
#3
چنین گفت با او یل اسفندیار
✦
که کاری گرفتیم دشخوار خوار
“Thus spoke the brave hero Esfandiyar to him: 'We have taken upon ourselves a task that is bitter and full of hardship.'”
#4
به ایوان رستم مرا کار نیست
✦
ورا نزد من نیز دیدار نیست
“'I have no business at Rostam's hall, nor do I wish to behold his face near me again.'”
#5
همان گر نیاید نخوانمش نیز
✦
گر از ما یکی را سرآید قفیز
“'Likewise, if he comes not, I will not call him, even if the measure of life for one of us reaches its end.'”
#6
دل زنده از کشته بریان شود
✦
سر از آشناییش گریان شود
“'A living heart turns roasted by slain meat; eyes weep tears of blood from such an acquaintance.'”
#7
پشوتن بدو گفت کای نامدار
✦
برادر که یابد چو اسفندیار
“Peshotan said to him: 'O renowned prince! Where could any brother find one like Esfandiyar?'”
#8
به یزدان که دیدم شما را نخست
✦
که یک نامور با دگر کین نجست
“'By God! When I first saw the two of you, neither renowned chief sought vengeance against the other.'”
#9
دلم گشت زان کار چون نوبهار
✦
هم از رستم و هم از اسفندیار
“'My heart rejoiced like the springtime from beholding both Rostam and Esfandiyar.'”
#10
چو در کارتان باز کردم نگاه
✦
ببندد همی بر خرد دیو راه
“'Yet as I gaze deeper into your affair, a demon blocks the pathway of wisdom.'”
#11
تو آگاهی از کار دین و خرد
✦
روانت همیشه خرد پرورد
“'You are knowledgeable in matters of faith and wisdom; your soul is ever nourished by intellect.'”
#12
بپرهیز و با جان ستیزه مکن
✦
نیوشنده باش از برادر سخن
“'Refrain from folly and strive not against your own soul; listen carefully to the words of your brother.'”
#13
شنیدم همه هرچ رستم بگفت
✦
بزرگیش با مردمی بود جفت
“'I heard everything that Rostam uttered; his greatness was paired with true nobility and humanity.'”
#14
نساید دو پای ورا بند تو
✦
نیاید سبک سوی پیوند تو
“'His feet will never yield to your fetters, nor will he lightly bend to your terms.'”
#15
سوار جهان پور دستان سام
✦
به بازی سراندر نیارد به دام
“'The world-champion, son of Dastan and Sam, does not put his head into a trap in play.'”
#16
چنو پهلوانی ز گردنکشان
✦
ندادست دانا به گیتی نشان
“'The wise have shown no champion among all proud lords in the world like unto him.'”
#17
چگونه توان کرد پایش به بند
✦
مگوی آنکه هرگز نیاید پسند
“'How can one put fetters upon his feet? Speak not of that which can never be acceptable.'”
#18
سخنهای ناخوب و نادلپذیر
✦
سزد گر نگوید یل شیرگیر
“'It is unseemly for a lion-capturing hero to utter harsh and unpleasant words.'”
#19
بترسم که این کار گردد دراز
✦
به زشتی میان دو گردن فراز
“'I fear that this conflict will drag on long in ugliness between two exalted champions.'”
#20
بزرگی و از شاه داناتری
✦
به مردی و گردی تواناتری
“'You possess greatness and are wiser than the king; in manhood and valiance you are more powerful.'”
#21
یکی بزم جوید یکی رزم و کین
✦
نگه کن که تا کیست با آفرین
“'One seeks festivity while the other seeks war and revenge; look closely to see who deserves praise.'”
#22
چنین داد پاسخ ورا نامدار
✦
که گر من بپیچم سر از شهریار
“The renowned prince answered him thus: 'If I turn my head away from the king's command...'”
#23
بدین گیتی‌اندر نکوهش بود
✦
همان پیش یزدان پژوهش بود
“'...in this world there shall be reproach upon me, and before God there shall be severe inquiry.'”
#24
دو گیتی به رستم نخواهم فروخت
✦
کسی چشم دین را به سوزن ندوخت
“'I will not sell both worlds for the sake of Rostam; no man ever stitched the eye of faith with a needle!'”
#25
بدو گفت هر چیز کامد ز پند
✦
تن پاک و جان ترا سودمند
“Peshotan said to him: 'Whatever came to mind as wise counsel, beneficial to your pure body and soul...'”
#26
همه گفتم اکنون بهی برگزین
✦
دل شهریاران نیازد به کین
“'...I have spoken it all; now choose goodness, for the hearts of monarchs should not incline to malice.'”
#27
سپهبد ز خوالیگران خواست خوان
✦
کسی را نفرمود کو را بخوان
“The commander ordered the feast-table from his cooks, yet instructed no one to invite Rostam.”
#28
چو نان خورده شد جام می برگرفت
✦
ز رویین دژ آنگه سخن درگرفت
“When the bread was eaten, he took up the cup of wine, and then began to speak of the Bronze Fortress.”
#29
ازان مردی خود همی یاد کرد
✦
به یاد شهنشاه جامی بخورد
“He recalled his own brave deeds, and drank a beaker of wine to the memory of the King of Kings.”
#30
همی بود رستم به ایوان خویش
✦
ز خوردن نگه داشت پیمان خویش
“Meanwhile Rostam remained within his own hall, keeping his pledge not to dine yet.”
#31
چو چندی برآمد نیامد کسی
✦
نگه کرد رستم به ره بر بسی
“When a considerable time passed and no one came, Rostam looked frequently down the road.”
#32
چو هنگام نان خوردن اندر گذشت
✦
ز مغز دلیر آب برتر گذشت
“When the hour of dining passed away, water rose above the brain of the valiant hero (his anger flared).”
#33
بخندید و گفت ای برادر تو خوان
✦
بیارای و آزادگان را بخوان
“He laughed and said: 'O brother! Decorate the banquet table and call forth the noble men!'”
#34
گرینست آیین اسفندیار
✦
تو آیین این نامور یاد دار
“'If such be the custom of Esfandiyar, do you keep in mind the custom of this renowned hero!'”
#35
بفرمود تا رخش را زین کنند
✦
همان زین به آرایش چین کنند
“He commanded that Rakhsh be saddled, and that the saddle be adorned with Chinese ornaments.”
#36
شوم باز گویم به اسفندیار
✦
کجا کار ما را گرفتست خوار
“'I shall ride back to tell Esfandiyar where he has held our honor in slight regard.'”