When Rostam stepped out from Prince Esfandiyar's pavilion, he paused by the threshold, his chest heavy with bitter grief over the young prince's arrogance. Turning to the high gateway, he called out: 'O hall of hope! How blessed were the days when Jamshid sat within your shade and divine grace shone upon you! How glorious was the era of Kay Kavus and the blessed Kay Khosrow! But now the door of Royal Glory is bolted shut against you, for an unworthy sovereign sits upon the throne.'
Hearing these scathing words, Prince Esfandiyar emerged on foot, his pride wounded. He confronted the world-hero, declaring: 'O headstrong champion, why unleash such harsh words upon this royal dwelling? When a guest has fed his fill, it ill becomes him to insult the gardener! You revile this pavilion for having sheltered Jamshid and Kavus—times when the earth was rent with turmoil, rapine, and blood, and kings strayed from Yazdan while seeking the stars. Today, the master of this realm is King Goshtasp; before him stands Jamasp the wise, and at his side sits holy Zoroaster, who brought the heavenly Zand-Avesta down from paradise. Beside him stands noble Peshotan, who has tasted the cold and heat of the cosmos, while I, Esfandiyar the triumphant, stand in the vanguard—he whose sword has delivered the world and revived the hearts of the righteous!'
Without another word, Rostam mounted Rakhsh and departed into the gathering dusk. Esfandiyar watched his retreating figure, deeply moved by the sight. Turning to his brother Peshotan, Esfandiyar confessed: 'Such valor and heroic stature cannot be concealed. Never in my life have I witnessed such a horse and rider! He is like a colossal war-elephant upon Mount Gong. His splendor touches the heavens, yet I fear that tomorrow his fortune will plummet. My heart burns with sympathy for his glory, yet I cannot sever my heart from the Creator's and the King's command. Tomorrow, I shall turn his bright day into darkest night.'
Peshotan, his heart overflowing with anguish, implored his brother: 'O renowned prince, I beseech you, refrain! Do not inflict pain upon a noble warrior who seeks no quarrel. Sleep tonight, and at dawn, go to his palace peacefully without an army. Speak with him in wisdom; his heart is true to his oath and he means no rebellion. Wash the hatred from your heart and the anger from your eyes!' But Esfandiyar's resolve hardened: 'Your words are like thorns growing on the edge of a rose garden! How can a righteous man advise me to break faith with the King? Holy Zoroaster decreed that whosoever turns from the King's command shall burn in hell. Shall I abandon my sovereign's order out of fear for my body? No man dies before his appointed hour!'
Peshotan lamented bitterly that a demon had seized Esfandiyar's mind, warning that when two lions clash, none can foresee whose back will be pinned to the dust. Yet Esfandiyar offered no answer, his heart consumed with wrath and his mind fixed upon the catastrophic clash to come.
#1
چو رستم بدر شد ز پرده‌سرای
✦
زمانی همی بود بر در به پای
“When Rostam emerged from the royal pavilion, he stood for a moment by the threshold.”
#2
به کریاس گفت ای سرای امید
✦
خنک روز کاندر تو بد جمشید
“He addressed the gateway, saying: 'O hall of hope! Fortunate was the day when Jamshid resided within you.'”
#3
همایون بدی گاه کاوس کی
✦
همان روز کیخسرو نیک‌پی
“Blessed was the era of Kay Kavus, and likewise the days of the noble Kay Khosrow.”
#4
در فرهی بر تو اکنون ببست
✦
که بر تخت تو ناسزایی نشست
“Now the door of Royal Glory is closed to you, for an unworthy king sits upon your throne.”
#5
شنید این سخنها یل اسفندیار
✦
پیاده بیامد بر نامدار
“The heroic Esfandiyar heard these words and came out on foot toward the famous champion.”
#6
به رستم چنین گفت کای سرگرای
✦
چرا تیز گشتی به پرده‌سرای
“He said to Rostam: 'O proud warrior, why have you become so sharp-tongued at the entrance of the pavilion?'”
#7
سزد گر برین بوم زابلستان
✦
نهد دانشی نام غلغلستان
“It would be fitting if a wise man were to name this land of Zabulistan the 'Land of Clamor'.”
#8
که مهمان چو سیر آید از میزبان
✦
به زشتی برد نام پالیزبان
“For when a guest is sated by the host, it is foul for him to speak ill of the gardener.”
#9
سراپرده را گفت بد روزگار
✦
که جمشید را داشتی بر کنار
“You spoke evil of the pavilion for having once held Jamshid by its side,”
#10
همان روز کز بهر کاوس شاه
✦
بدی پرده و سایهٔ بارگاه
“And likewise the days when it served as the royal tent and shade for King Kavus,”
#11
کجا راه یزدان همی بازجست
✦
همی خواستی اختران را درست
“Who sought the path of God yet sought to discern the stars directly.”
#12
زمین زو سراسر پرآشوب بود
✦
پر از خنجر و غارت و چوب بود
“In those times, the earth was filled with turmoil, brimming with daggers, plunder, and violence.”
#13
کنون مایه‌دار تو گشتاسپ است
✦
به پیش وی اندر چو جاماسپ است
“Now Goshtasp is your sovereign, and before him stands Jamasp,”
#14
نشسته به یک دست او زردهشت
✦
که با زند واست آمدست از بهشت
“Seated on one side is Zoroaster, who brought the Zand and Avesta from paradise.”
#15
به دیگر پشوتن گو نیک مرد
✦
چشیده ز گیتی بسی گرم و سرد
“On the other side is the good knight Peshotan, who has experienced much of the world's hot and cold.”
#16
به پیش اندرون فرخ اسفندیار
✦
کزو شاد شد گردش روزگار
“And in the vanguard stands auspicious Esfandiyar, through whom the turn of fortune was made joyful.”
#17
دل نیک‌مردان بدو زنده شد
✦
بد از بیم شمشیر او بنده شد
“The hearts of righteous men were quickened through him, and evil was brought into servitude through fear of his sword.'”
#18
بیامد بدر پهلوان سوار
✦
پس‌اندر همی دیدش اسفندیار
“The mounted champion (Rostam) departed from the gate, while Esfandiyar watched him from behind.”
#19
چو برگشت ازو با پشوتن بگفت
✦
که مردی و گردی نشاید نهفت
“When he turned back, he said to Peshotan: 'Valor and heroic knightliness cannot be concealed.”
#20
ندیدم بدین گونه اسپ و سوار
✦
ندانم که چون خیزد از کارزار
“I have never seen a steed and rider of such stature; I know not how he will fare in battle.”
#21
یکی ژنده پیل است بر کوه گنگ
✦
اگر با سلیح اندر آید به جنگ
“He is like a furious war-elephant upon Mount Gong if he enters battle fully armed.”
#22
اگر با سلیح نبردی بود
✦
همانا که آیین مردی بود
“If it comes to a contest of arms, his martial spirit surely embodies the true way of chivalry.”
#23
به بالا همی بگذرد فر و زیب
✦
بترسم که فردا ببیند نشیب
“His height, glory, and splendor rise to the heavens; I fear that tomorrow he will suffer a downfall.”
#24
همی سوزد از مهر فرش دلم
✦
ز فرمان دادار دل نگسلم
“My heart burns with love for his royal splendor, yet I cannot sever my heart from the Creator's command.”
#25
چو فردا بیاید به آوردگاه
✦
کنم روز روشن بروبر سیاه
“When tomorrow arrives at the battlefield, I shall turn his bright day into dark night.'”
#26
پشوتن بدو گفت بشنو سخن
✦
همی گویمت ای برادر مکن
“Peshotan said to him: 'Hear my counsel! I tell you, O brother, do not do this!”
#27
ترا گفتم و بیش گویم همی
✦
که از راستی دل نشویم همی
“I have told you before and say it again: I will not wash my heart of righteousness.”
#28
میازار کس را که آزاد مرد
✦
سر اندر نیارد به آزار و درد
“Do not injure anyone, for a noble man does not lower his head to inflict pain and torment.”
#29
بخسب امشب و بامداد پگاه
✦
برو تا به ایوان او بی‌سپاه
“Sleep tonight, and early at dawn, go to his palace without an army.”
#30
بایوان او روز فرخ کنیم
✦
سخن هرچ گویند پاسخ کنیم
“Let us make it an auspicious day at his hall, answering whatever is spoken with reason.”
#31
همه کار نیکوست زو در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“All his deeds in the world are noble, whether among the humble or the great.”
#32
همی سر نپیچد ز فرمان تو
✦
دلش راست بینم به پیمان تو
“He does not turn his head from your command; I see his heart is faithful to your pact.”
#33
تو با او چه گویی به کین و به خشم
✦
بشوی از دلت کین وز خشم چشم
“Why do you speak to him with malice and anger? Wash malice from your heart and anger from your eyes!'”
#34
یکی پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که بر گوشهٔ گلستان رست خار
“Esfandiyar gave him an answer: 'A thorn has grown on the edge of the rose garden!'”
#35
چنین گفت کز مردم پاک‌دین
✦
همانا نزیبد که گوید چنین
“He said: 'It ill fits a pure-hearted religious man to utter such things.”
#36
گر ایدونک دستور ایران توی
✦
دل و گوش و چشم دلیران توی
“If you are indeed the chief counselor of Iran, the heart, ear, and eye of its brave men,”
#37
همی خوب داری چنین راه را
✦
خرد را و آزردن شاه را
“How can you deem such a path good—abandoning wisdom and tormenting the King?”
#38
همه رنج و تیمار ما باد گشت
✦
همان دین زردشت بیداد گشت
“All our toil and hardship would turn to wind, and the faith of Zoroaster would become unjust!”
#39
که گوید که هر کو ز فرمان شاه
✦
بپیچد به دوزخ بود جایگاه
“For it is said that whoever turns from the King's command, his place shall be in hell.”
#40
مرا چند گویی گنهکار شو
✦
ز گفتار گشتاسپ بیزار شو
“How often will you tell me to become a sinner and turn away from Goshtasp's decree?”
#41
تو گویی و من خود چنین کی کنم
✦
که از رای و فرمان او پی کنم
“You speak thus, but how could I ever do such a thing—to break away from his counsel and order?”
#42
گر ایدونک ترسی همی از تنم
✦
من امروز ترس ترا بشکنم
“If it is for my life that you fear, today I shall shatter your fear.”
#43
کسی بی‌زمانه به گیتی نمرد
✦
نمرد آنک نام بزرگی ببرد
“No one dies in this world before their appointed time, nor does he die who leaves behind a great name.”
#44
تو فردا ببینی که بر دشت جنگ
✦
چه کار آورم پیش چنگی پلنگ
“Tomorrow you shall see what deeds I accomplish on the battlefield before that clawing leopard.'”
#45
پشوتن بدو گفت کای نامدار
✦
چنین چند گویی تو از کارزار
“Peshotan said to him: 'O renowned prince! How long will you speak thus of battle?”
#46
که تا تو رسیدی به تیر و کمان
✦
نبد بر تو ابلیس را این گمان
“Until you took up the bow and arrow, Ahriman himself never dreamed he could ensnare your soul.”
#47
به دل دیو را راه دادی کنون
✦
همی نشنوی پند این رهنمون
“Yet now you have granted passage to the demon in your heart, refusing to heed the counsel of this wise guide.”
#48
دلت خیره بینم همی پر ستیز
✦
کنون هرچ گفتم همه ریزریز
“I see your heart obstinately set on conflict; all the counsel I gave is now shattered and discarded.”
#49
چگونه کنم ترس را از دلم
✦
بدین سان کز اندیشه‌ها بگسلم
“How may I cast this haunting terror from my heart, so that I might sever myself from these grim forebodings?”
#50
دو جنگی دو شیر و دو مرد دلیر
✦
چه دانم که پشت که آید به زیر
“Two mighty warriors, two fierce lions, two valiant men—how can I foretell whose back shall be brought down to the earth?”
#51
ورا نامور هیچ پاسخ نداد
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر پر ز باد
“The renowned prince offered him no response; his heart was weighed down with pain, yet his mind remained filled with stubborn arrogance.”