When Salm's messenger set out on his return journey, King Fereydun sat in solitary contemplation and unburdened the heavy secrets of his heart. He summoned his beloved, radiant youngest son, Iraj, and laid before him all the venomous demands and warmongering messages sent by his elder brothers, Salm and Tur. The aged monarch warned Iraj that those two warlike brothers had turned their faces from the West and Turan in hatred, driven by a dark fate that found joy only in evil deeds. Fereydun counseled him with solemn wisdom: a brother remains a brother only so long as the crown rests upon one's head; should the blossom of youth fade, no ally will remain by the bedside. He urged Iraj that to offer love in the face of a drawn sword would bring ruin, advising him to unlock the treasuries, arm the host, and strike first lest he be devoured.
Noble Iraj listened intently and, with profound serenity, turned his eyes upon his pure-hearted father. He replied with deep wisdom: "O King, consider the swift passage of time, which sweeps over us like the wind. Why should a wise man burn with sorrow for a transient world? Its beginning is the gathering of wealth, its middle is toil, and its end is departure from this fleeting inn to a bed of dust and brick. Why plant a seed today that drinks blood into its roots and yields the bitter fruit of vengeance?" Iraj declared his utter indifference to royal power, stating he was ready to step down from the throne and travel unarmed before his brothers to remind them of the world's unfaithfulness—how even Jamshid, despite all his glory, vanished leaving crown and throne behind. He believed he could melt their vengeful hearts with brotherly love.
King Fereydun marvelled at his son's noble spirit, noting that it was no surprise for light to shine from the moon. Yet he warned Iraj of the deadly peril: "When a man sets no value on his own life, he thrusts his head into the dragon's jaws! And what can emerge from a dragon save biting poison?" Nevertheless, seeing Iraj's unyielding commitment to peace, Fereydun gave his blessing, instructing a small retinue of attendants to accompany him. Sorrowfully, the father prepared to write a poignant letter to Salm and Tur, praying to the heavens that he might once more behold his righteous son safe and whole.
#1
فرستادهٔ سلم چون گشت باز
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شهنشاه بنشست و بگشاد راز
“When Salm's envoy had taken his leave, the King of kings sat in solitude and unburdened his heart.”
#2
گرامی جهانجوی را پیش خواند
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همه گفتها پیش او بازراند
“He summoned his beloved, heroic son Iraj, and recounted to him all that had been said.”
#3
ورا گفت کان دو پسر جنگجوی
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ز خاور سوی ما نهادند روی
“He said to him: 'Those two warlike sons have set their faces from the West and Turan towards us.'”
#4
از اختر چنین استشان بهره خود
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که باشند شادان به کردار بد
“'Such is their destiny written in the stars—that they should take delight in evil deeds.'”
#5
دگر آنکه دو کشور آبشخورست
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که آن بومها را درشتی برست
“'Furthermore, those two realms nourish their anger, and harshness has taken root in those lands.'”
#6
برادرت چندان برادر بود
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کجا مر ترا بر سر افسر بود
“'A brother remains a brother to you only so long as you hold the crown upon your head.'”
#7
چو پژمرده شد روی رنگین تو
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نگردد دگر گرد بالین تو
“'Once the rosy color fades from your cheek, he will no longer linger by your bedside.'”
#8
تو گر پیش شمشیر مهرآوری
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سرت گردد آشفته از داوری
“'If you offer love in the face of the sword, your head shall be bewildered and undone by their judgment.'”
#9
دو فرزند من کز دو دوش جهان
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برینسان گشادند بر من زبان
“'My two sons, who from the two shoulders of the world have opened their tongues against me in such fashion,'”
#10
گرت سر بکارست بپسیچ کار
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در گنج بگشای و بربند بار
“'If you value your head, prepare for action; open the doors of the treasury and pack the war gear!'”
#11
تو گر چاشت را دست یازی به جام
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و گر نه خورند ای پسر بر تو شام
“'Stretch out your hand to the cup for breakfast, my son, lest they feast upon you for their dinner!'”
#12
نباید ز گیتی ترا یار کس
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بی‌آزاری و راستی یار بس
“'You need no ally in this world save purity; let harmlessness and truth be your sole companions.'”
#13
نگه کرد پس ایرج نامور
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برآن مهربان پاک فرخ پدر
“Then noble Iraj gazed upon his loving, pure, and auspicious father.”
#14
چنین داد پاسخ که ای شهریار
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نگه کن بدین گردش روزگار
“He made answer: 'O King, look upon the turning of this treacherous wheel of fortune!'”
#15
که چون باد بر ما همی بگذرد
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خردمند مردم چرا غم خورد
“'Since life passes over us like the wind, why should a wise man consume his heart with sorrow?'”
#16
همی پژمراند رخ ارغوان
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کند تیره دیدار روشن‌روان
“'It wilts the purple blossom of youth and darkens the sight of the luminous spirit.'”
#17
به آغاز گنج است و فرجام رنج
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پس از رنج رفتن ز جای سپنچ
“'In the beginning is wealth, and in the end is toil; and after toil, departure from this transient inn.'”
#18
چو بستر ز خاکست و بالین ز خشت
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درختی چرا باید امروز کشت
“'When our bed must be dust and our pillow a brick, why plant a seed today—'”
#19
که هر چند چرخ از برش بگذرد
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تنش خون خورد بار کین آورد
“'Which, as time passes over it, drinks blood into its trunk and yields the bitter fruit of vengeance?'”
#20
خداوند شمشیر و گاه و نگین
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چو ما دید بسیار و بیند زمین
“'The earth has seen countless masters of sword, throne, and signet ring like us, and shall see many more.'”
#21
از آن تاجور نامداران پیش
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ندیدند کین اندر آیین خویش
“'Those crowned rulers of renowned memory did not hold vengeance within their sacred code.'”
#22
چو دستور باشد مرا شهریار
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به بد نگذرانم بد روزگار
“'If the King grants me leave, I shall not spend these ill times in evil deeds.'”
#23
نباید مرا تاج و تخت و کلاه
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شوم پیش ایشان دوان بی‌سپاه
“'I desire neither crown, nor throne, nor royal helm; I shall go before them swiftly, without an army!'”
#24
بگویم که ای نامداران من
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چنان چون گرامی تن و جان من
“'I shall say: "O noble brothers of mine, who are dear to me as my very body and soul,"'”
#25
به بیهوده از شهریار زمین
✦
مدارید خشم و مدارید کین
“'"Do not harbor anger, nor bear revenge in vain against the Lord of the World!"'”
#26
به گیتی مدارید چندین امید
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نگر تا چه بد کرد با جمشید
“'"Place not such high hopes in this fleeting world; behold what ill fate it wrought upon Jamshid!"'”
#27
به فرجام هم شد ز گیتی بدر
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نماندش همان تاج و تخت و کمر
“'"In the end he too departed from this world, leaving behind his crown, his throne, and his royal girdle."'”
#28
مرا با شما هم به فرجام کار
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بباید چشیدن بد روزگار
“'"In the final reckoning, I too must taste with you the bitter adversity of time."'”
#29
دل کینه ورشان بدین آورم
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سزاوارتر زانکه کین آورم
“'I shall turn their revengeful hearts toward love; for this is far worthier than bringing forth revenge.'”
#30
بدو گفت شاه ای خردمند پور
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برادر همی رزم جوید تو سور
“The King said to him: 'O wise son! Your brothers seek battle, while you seek a feast of peace.'”
#31
مرا این سخن یاد باید گرفت
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ز مه روشنایی نیاید شگفت
“'I must cherish this wisdom; yet from the moon, light is no cause for wonder.'”
#32
ز تو پر خرد پاسخ ایدون سزید
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دلت مهر پیوند ایشان گزید
“'Such a response full of wisdom was indeed worthy of you, for your heart chose the bond of love.'”
#33
ولیکن چو جانی شود بی‌بها
✦
نهد پر خرد در دم اژدها
“'Yet when a soul becomes cheap to its possessor, the wise man steps right into the dragon's breath!'”
#34
چه پیش آیدش جز گزاینده زهر
✦
کش از آفرینش چنین است بهر
“'What can come forth from it save biting poison? For such is its destined share in creation.'”
#35
ترا ای پسر گر چنین است رای
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بیارای کار و بپرداز جای
“'If such is your resolve, my son, array your purpose and prepare your journey.'”
#36
پرستنده چند از میان سپاه
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بفرمای کایند با تو به راه
“'Order a few attendants from among the army to accompany you upon the road.'”
#37
ز درد دل اکنون یکی نامه من
✦
نویسم فرستم بدان انجمن
“'Now out of grief of heart I shall write a letter and send it to that council.'”
#38
مگر باز بینم ترا تن درست
✦
که روشن روانم به دیدار تست
“'That perchance I may see your body whole and healthy once more, for my luminous spirit lives by your sight.'”