Rostam stood before the bronze-bodied prince Esfandiyar and raised his voice in proud boast, declaring that only noble deeds and eternal renown endure through the ages. He recounted his unmatched exploits of old: his perilous journey through the Seven Labors of Mazandaran, where with his heavy mace he tore apart the heart and brain of the White Demon, wiped out the sorcerers without grave or shroud, and delivered King Kay Kavus, Giev, and Tus from cruel captivity. He spoke of the campaign in Hamavaran, where he led the hosts of Iran to victory, struck down their king, rescued Kavus and the realm's great lords, and then marched against Afrasiab, driving the Turanian invader back to the borders of China. With solemn pride, Rostam declared that without his sword, Kavus would have perished, Siyavash would never have been born, and Kay Khosrow would never have handed the imperial crown to Luhrasp—a ruler whose ascension Rostam's father Zal had witnessed with disdain. Rostam openly defied the authority of King Goshtasp, proclaiming that no power under heaven, nor the wheel of fate itself, could ever bind his hands.
Amused by the old hero's fierce words, Esfandiyar reached out and gripped Rostam's hand in a fierce test of physical power. The bronze prince compressed Rostam's palm with formidable strength until yellow fluid trickled from beneath the champion's fingernails, yet Rostam did not flinch nor move an inch. Rostam then seized Esfandiyar's hand in return, squeezing it with such colossal power that the prince's skin flushed red like blood, blood oozed from his nails, and his brows knit in agony. Laughing off the pain, Esfandiyar warned Rostam that tomorrow's battle would bring an end to feasts, boasting that he would unseat Rostam with his spear, bind his hands, and present him before King Goshtasp. Rostam retorted that tomorrow red wine would turn to red blood on the battlefield; instead of yielding, Rostam pledged to lift Esfandiyar from his mount, bear him to Zabulistan, place the crown of Kay Qobad upon his head, bestow the treasures of the Kians upon him, and personally enthrone him as the rightful king of Iran.
#1
چنین گفت رستم به اسفندیار
✦
که کردار ماند ز ما یادگار
“Thus spoke Rostam to Esfandiyar: 'Deeds alone remain behind us as our memory.'”
#2
کنون داد ده باش و بشنو سخن
✦
ازین نامبردار مرد کهن
“'Now be fair and listen to the words of this famous, aged man.'”
#3
اگر من نرفتی به مازندران
✦
به گردن برآورده گرز گران
“'Had I not gone to Mazandaran, bearing the heavy mace upon my shoulder,'”
#4
کجا بسته بد گیو و کاوس و طوس
✦
شده گوش کر یکسر از بانگ کوس
“'Where Giev, Kavus, and Tus were bound, and ears were deafened by the sound of drums,'”
#5
که کندی دل و مغز دیو سپید
✦
که دارد به بازوی خویش این امید
“'Who else could tear out the heart and brain of the White Demon? Who held such hope in his arm?'”
#6
سر جادوان را بکندم ز تن
✦
ستودان ندیدند و گور و کفن
“'I severed the heads of the sorcerers from their bodies; they saw neither grave nor shroud.'”
#7
ز بند گران بردمش سوی تخت
✦
شد ایران بدو شاد و او نیکبخت
“'I brought the king from heavy chains to the throne; Iran rejoiced in him and he grew fortunate.'”
#8
مرا یار در هفتخوان رخش بود
✦
که شمشیر تیزم جهان‌بخش بود
“'My companion in the Seven Labors was Rakhsh, while my sharp sword bestowed kingdoms upon the world.'”
#9
وزان پس که شد سوی هاماوران
✦
ببستند پایش به بند گران
“'And after he went toward Hamavaran, they bound his feet in heavy fetters.'”
#10
ببردم ز ایرانیان لشکری
✦
به جایی که بد مهتری گر سری
“'I led an army of Iranians to that realm, wherever a chief or commander stood.'”
#11
بکشتم به جنگ اندرون شاهشان
✦
تهی کردم آن نامور گاهشان
“'I slew their king in battle, and emptied their famous throne.'”
#12
جهاندار کاوس کی بسته بود
✦
ز رنج و ز تیمار دل خسته بود
“'The world-ruler Kay Kavus was bound, his heart weary with anguish and grief.'”
#13
بیاوردم از بند کاوس را
✦
همان گیو و گودرز و هم طوس را
“'I delivered Kavus from captivity, as well as Giev, Gudarz, and Tus.'”
#14
به ایران بد افراسیاب آن زمان
✦
جهان پر ز درد از بد بدگمان
“'At that time Afrasiab held Iran, and the world was filled with pain by that evil-minded foe.'”
#15
به ایران کشیدم ز هاماوران
✦
خود و شاه با لشکری بی‌کران
“'I led the king and an endless army back to Iran from Hamavaran.'”
#16
شب تیره تنها برفتم ز پیش
✦
همه نام جستم نه آرام خویش
“'In the dark night I rode ahead alone, seeking only renown, not my own rest.'”
#17
چو دید آن درفشان درفش مرا
✦
به گوش آمدش بانگ رخش مرا
“'When he saw my brilliant banner and heard the sound of my Rakhsh,'”
#18
بپردخت ایران و شد سوی چین
✦
جهان شد پر از داد و پر آفرین
“'He vacated Iran and fled toward China; the world became full of justice and praise.'”
#19
گر از یال کاوس خون آمدی
✦
ز پشتش سیاوش چون آمدی
“'Had blood flowed from Kavus's neck back then, how could Siyavash have come from his loins?'”
#20
وزو شاه کیخسرو پاک و راد
✦
که لهراسپ را تاج بر سر نهاد
“'And from him, the pure and noble King Kay Khosrow, who placed the crown upon Luhrasp's head?'”
#21
پدرم آن دلیر گرانمایه مرد
✦
ز ننگ اندران انجمن خاک خورد
“'My father, that noble warrior, swallowed dust in shame in that assembly,'”
#22
که لهراسپ را شاه بایست خواند
✦
ازو در جهان نام چندین نماند
“'That Luhrasp had to be called king, though no great fame of his remained in the world!'”
#23
چه نازی بدین تاج گشتاسپی
✦
بدین تازه آیین لهراسپی
“'Why do you take such pride in this Goshtaspi crown, and in this new faith of Luhrasp?'”
#24
که گوید برو دست رستم ببند
✦
نبندد مرا دست چرخ بلند
“'Who dares say: Go bind Rostam's hands? Not even the high heavens can bind my hands!'”
#25
که گر چرخ گوید مراکاین نیوش
✦
به گرز گرانش بمالم دو گوش
“'For if the heavens were to command me to yield to this, I would twist its ears with my heavy mace!'”
#26
من از کودکی تا شدستم کهن
✦
بدین گونه از کس نبردم سخن
“'From my childhood until I grew old, I have never endured such talk from anyone.'”
#27
مرا خواری از پوزش و خواهش است
✦
وزین نرم گفتن مرا کاهش است
“'For me, humiliation lies in pleading and entreaty, and speaking softly diminishes my honor.'”
#28
ز تیزیش خندان شد اسفندیار
✦
بیازید و دستش گرفت استوار
“At his sharpness, Esfandiyar laughed; he reached out and firmly gripped Rostam's hand.”
#29
بدو گفت کای رستم پیلتن
✦
چنانی که بشنیدم از انجمن
“He said to him: 'O elephant-bodied Rostam, you are indeed as I have heard in the assemblies!'”
#30
ستبرست بازوت چون ران شیر
✦
برو یال چون اژدهای دلیر
“'Your arm is thick like a lion's thigh, your chest and shoulders like a courageous dragon's!'”
#31
میان تنگ و باریک همچون پلنگ
✦
به ویژه کجا گرز گیرد به چنگ
“'Your waist is narrow like a leopard's, especially when your hand grips the mace.'”
#32
بیفشارد چنگش میان سخن
✦
ز برنا بخندید مرد کهن
“As he spoke, he compressed Rostam's hand; at the young prince's act, the old hero laughed.”
#33
ز ناخن فرو ریختش آب زرد
✦
همانا نجنبید زان‌درد مرد
“Yellow fluid oozed from under his nails, yet truly the hero did not flinch from the pain.”
#34
گرفت آن زمان دست مهتر به دست
✦
چنین گفت کای شاه یزدان‌پرست
“Then Rostam grasped the prince's hand in his own, and said: 'O God-worshipping king!'”
#35
خنک شاه گشتاسپ آن نامدار
✦
کجا پور دارد چو اسفندیار
“'Blessed is the renowned King Goshtasp, who has a son like Esfandiyar!'”
#36
خنک آنک چون تو پسر زاید او
✦
همی فر گیتی بیفزاید او
“'Blessed is he who fathers a son like you, one who increases the glory of the world!'”
#37
همی گفت و چنگش به چنگ اندرون
✦
همی داشت تا چهر او شد چو خون
“Thus Rostam spoke while keeping the prince's hand squeezed within his fist, until Esfandiyar's face turned red as blood.”
#38
همان ناخنش پر ز خوناب کرد
✦
سپهبد بروها پر از تاب کرد
“Blood oozed from under his fingernails as well, and the prince knit his brows in anguish.”
#39
بخندید ازو فرخ اسفندیار
✦
چنین گفت کای رستم نامدار
“Blessed Esfandiyar laughed at him and said: 'O renowned Rostam!'”
#40
تو امروز می خور که فردا به رزم
✦
بپیچی و یادت نیاید ز بزم
“'Drink wine today, for tomorrow in battle you will twist in agony and forget all feasts!'”
#41
چو من زین زرین نهم بر سپاه
✦
به سر بر نهم خسروانی کلاه
“'When I place the golden saddle upon my charger and set the royal helmet upon my head,'”
#42
به نیزه ز اسپت نهم بر زمین
✦
ازان پس نه پرخاش جویی نه کین
“'With my spear I shall unseat you from your horse to the ground; thereafter you will seek neither strife nor vengeance.'”
#43
دو دستت ببندم برم نزد شاه
✦
بگویم که من زو ندیدم گناه
“'I shall bind your two hands and take you to the king, and say: I saw no sin in him!'”
#44
بباشیم پیشش به خواهشگری
✦
بسازیم هرگونه‌ای داوری
“'We shall stand before him as intercessors, and settle every manner of judgment.'”
#45
رهانم ترا از غم و درد و رنج
✦
بیابی پس از رنج خوبی و گنج
“'I shall deliver you from sorrow, pain, and trouble; after your hardship you shall find goodness and treasure.'”
#46
بخندید رستم ز اسفندیار
✦
بدو گفت سیر آیی از کارزار
“Rostam laughed at Esfandiyar and said to him: 'You shall soon have your fill of battle.'”
#47
کجا دیده‌ای رزم جنگاوران
✦
کجا یافتی باد گرز گران
“'Where have you ever witnessed the combat of true warriors? Where have you felt the wind of a heavy mace?'”
#48
اگر بر جزین روی گردد سپهر
✦
بپوشید میان دو تن روی مهر
“'If fate should turn otherwise and love's countenance be hidden between us,'”
#49
به جای می سرخ کین آوریم
✦
کمند نبرد و کمین آوریم
“'Instead of red wine, we shall bring forth vengeance, taking up battle-lariat and ambush.'”
#50
غو کوس خواهیم از آوای رود
✦
به تیغ و به گوپال باشد درود
“'Instead of the lute's song, we shall seek the roar of war-drums; our greetings shall be conveyed by sword and mace.'”
#51
ببینی تو ای فرخ اسفندیار
✦
گراییدن و گردش کارزار
“'You shall witness, O fortunate Esfandiyar, the fierce thrusts and turnings of battle.'”
#52
چو فردا بیایی به دشت نبرد
✦
به آورد مرد اندر آید به مرد
“'When tomorrow you arrive upon the battlefield, man shall encounter man in true combat.'”
#53
ز باره به آغوش بردارمت
✦
ز میدان به نزدیک زال آرمت
“'I will lift you straight from your steed into my arms, and carry you off the field to Zal.'”
#54
نشانمت بر نامور تخت عاج
✦
نهم بر سرت بر دل‌افروز تاج
“'I shall seat you upon a renowned ivory throne, and place a heart-delighting crown upon your head,'”
#55
کجا یافتستم من از کیقباد
✦
به مینو همی جان او باد شاد
“'The very crown I received from Kay Qobad—may his soul rejoice in paradise!'”
#56
گشایم در گنج و هر خواسته
✦
نهم پیش تو یکسر آراسته
“'I shall throw open the doors of my treasures and riches, presenting them all adorned before you.'”
#57
دهم بی‌نیازی سپاه ترا
✦
به چرخ اندر آرم کلاه ترا
“'I will grant abundance to your army, and elevate your exalted crown to the heavens.'”
#58
ازان پس بیایم به نزدیک شاه
✦
گرازان و خندان و خرم به راه
“'Thereafter, I shall ride to the King, journeying with pride, laughter, and joy.'”
#59
به مردی ترا تاج بر سر نهم
✦
سپاسی به گشتاسپ زین بر نهم
“'By my own valor I will place the crown upon your head, bestowing thereby a favor upon Goshtasp.'”
#60
ازان پس ببندم کمر بر میان
✦
چنانچون ببستم به پیش کیان
“'Then I shall gird my loins to serve you, just as I bound my belt before the ancient Kayanid kings.'”
#61
همه روی پالیز بی خو کنم
✦
ز شادی تن خویش را نو کنم
“'I shall clear all weeds and thorns from the garden of state, renewing my own spirit with joy.'”
#62
چو تو شاه باشی و من پهلوان
✦
کسی را به تن در نباشد روان
“'When you reign as king and I serve as champion, no enemy soul shall dare remain within their body.'”