When Rostam realized that all entreaties and soft words were in vain against the unyielding pride of Esfandiyar—who demanded nothing less than putting the World-Champion in chains—he reached for his bow with a heavy heart. He nocked the straight tamarisk arrow, which had been crafted under the Simorgh's guidance and tempered in wine and ancient magic. Turning his face toward the heavens, Rostam prayed to the Almighty Lord of the Sun: 'O Creator of wisdom, glory, and strength! You behold my pure soul and know how desperately I sought to turn Esfandiyar away from this unholy strife. You know he fights unjustly, boasting of his power; do not punish me in the afterlife for what I am forced to do!'
Seeing Rostam hesitate, Esfandiyar hurled taunts, calling him a faithless warrior of Sistan and boasting that the arrows of Goshtasp and spears of Lohrasp would now pierce his heart. He shot a shaft that grazed Rostam's helmet. But Tahamtan, obeying the exact counsel of the Simorgh, released the double-pointed tamarisk twig. The arrow struck with devastating precision straight into Esfandiyar's eye. The world went pitch black before the bronze-bodied prince; his tall, cypress-like posture collapsed, wisdom and divine farr departed from him, and his prized Chachi bow slipped from his hand. Clinging desperately to the mane of his black charger, his blood stained the battlefield scarlet.
Rostam, witnessing the unfolding of fate, declared: 'You have harvested the fruit of your own arrogance! You boasted of your impenetrable bronze body and that you would strike high heaven to earth. I took eight of your arrows without groaning for honor's sake, yet a single shaft has laid you low upon your mount!' With that, the glorious prince tumbled senseless from his horse onto the dust. After a moment, he regained consciousness, sat up in the dirt, and pulled the bloody shaft and feathers from his ruined eye.
News of the darkened royal farr swiftly reached Prince Bahman and Peshotan. Both ran barefoot across the field toward the fallen hero. Finding him drenched in blood, Peshotan tore his robes and cast dust upon his head, while Bahman threw himself down, rubbing his face in his father's warm blood. Peshotan wept bitterly: 'O mighty Esfandiyar! You who drew the sword of vengeance to establish the Good Religion and cleansed the realm of idolaters—how has your crowned head come to dust in the flower of your youth? Cursed be this throne, cursed be Goshtasp and Jamasp who dispatched such a lion to his doom!'
Esfandiyar opened his pain-filled eyes and comforted his brother: 'Do not destroy yourself in grief, Peshotan. Dust is the ultimate bed for all who are slain. Where are Fereydun, Hushang, and Jamshid? All must depart this transient inn. I strove to fulfill the will of Yazdan and block the path of Ahriman. But hear this: the son of Zal did not slay me through mortal heroism—look at this branch of tamarisk in my hand! It was this wood, the spellcraft of Zal, and the remedy of the Simorgh that brought my days to an end.' Hearing these words, Rostam wept bitterly, acknowledging that Esfandiyar spoke no lie, and that fate had merely used the tamarisk arrow as its chosen instrument.
#1
بدانست رستم که لابه به کار
✦
نیاید همی پیش اسفندیار
“Rostam knew that entreaties would be of no avail in the presence of Esfandiyar.”
#2
کمان را به زه کرد و آن تیر گز
✦
که پیکانش را داده بد آب رز
“He strung his bow and readied that tamarisk arrow whose tip was tempered in wine.”
#3
همی راند تیر گز اندر کمان
✦
سر خویش کرده سوی آسمان
“He drawn the tamarisk arrow onto the bow, turning his head toward the heavens.”
#4
همی گفت کای پاک دادار هور
✦
فزایندهٔ دانش و فر و زور
“He said: 'O pure Creator of the Sun, Increaser of wisdom, glory, and power!'”
#5
همی بینی این پاک جان مرا
✦
توان مرا هم روان مرا
“'You see this pure soul of mine, my strength, and my spirit,'”
#6
که چندین بپیچم که اسفندیار
✦
مگر سر بپیچاند از کارزار
“'How much I strove so that Esfandiyar might peradventure turn back from battle.'”
#7
تو دانی که بیداد کوشد همی
✦
همی جنگ و مردی فروشد همی
“'You know that he strives unjustly, boasting ever of war and combat.'”
#8
به بادافره این گناهم مگیر
✦
توی آفرینندهٔ ماه و تیر
“'Do not hold this sin against me in punishment—You are the Creator of Moon and Mercury!'”
#9
چو خودکامه جنگی بدید آن درنگ
✦
که رستم همی دیر شد سوی جنگ
“When the willful warrior saw that delay, that Rostam was slow in moving to fight,”
#10
بدو گفت کای سگزی بدگمان
✦
نشد سیر جانت ز تیر و کمان
“He said to him: 'O suspicious Sagzi! Has your soul not had its fill of bow and arrow?'”
#11
ببینی کنون تیر گشتاسپی
✦
دل شیر و پیکان لهراسپی
“'Now you shall witness Goshtasp's arrow, the lion's heart, and Lohrasp's spearhead!'”
#12
یکی تیر بر ترگ رستم بزد
✦
چنان کز کمان سواران سزد
“He shot an arrow at Rostam's helmet, just as bitteth the bow of mighty horsemen.”
#13
تهمتن گز اندر کمان راند زود
✦
بران سان که سیمرغ فرموده بود
“Tahamtan swiftly drove the tamarisk arrow into his bow, exactly as the Simorgh had directed.”
#14
بزد تیر بر چشم اسفندیار
✦
سیه شد جهان پیش آن نامدار
“He struck the arrow into Esfandiyar's eye; the world turned pitch black before that illustrious prince.”
#15
خم آورد بالای سرو سهی
✦
ازو دور شد دانش و فرهی
“His tall cypress stature bent low; wisdom and divine royal glory departed from him.”
#16
نگون شد سر شاه یزدان‌پرست
✦
بیفتاد چاچی کمانش ز دست
“The head of the God-worshipping king plunged downward; his Chachi bow slipped from his hand.”
#17
گرفته بش و یال اسپ سیاه
✦
ز خون لعل شد خاک آوردگاه
“He clung to the mane of his black charger, as blood turned the dirt of the field to rubies.”
#18
چنین گفت رستم به اسفندیار
✦
که آوردی آن تخم زفتی به بار
“Thus spoke Rostam to Esfandiyar: 'You have brought that seed of arrogance to harvest!'”
#19
تو آنی که گفتی که رویین تنم
✦
بلند آسمان بر زمین بر زنم
“'You are the one who boasted: I am bronze-bodied, I shall dash the high sky onto the earth!'”
#20
من از شست تو هشت تیر خدنگ
✦
بخوردم ننالیدم از نام و ننگ
“'I took eight poplar arrows from your bowstring and did not groan for the sake of honor and fame.'”
#21
به یک تیر برگشتی از کارزار
✦
بخفتی بران بارهٔ نامدار
“'Yet with a single arrow you turned from battle and fell asleep upon that renowned steed!'”
#22
هم‌اکنون به خاک اندر آید سرت
✦
بسوزد دل مهربان مادرت
“'Right now your head shall bite the dirt, and the heart of your loving mother will burn.'”
#23
همانگه سر نامبردار شاه
✦
نگون اندر آمد ز پشت سیاه
“At that very instant, the head of the famous prince tumbled downward from the back of the black horse.”
#24
زمانی همی بود تا یافت هوش
✦
بر خاک بنشست و بگشاد گوش
“He lay a moment until he regained his senses, sat upon the earth, and listened.”
#25
سر تیر بگرفت و بیرون کشید
✦
همی پر و پیکانش در خون کشید
“He took the shaft of the arrow and pulled it out, drawing its feathers and tip steeped in blood.”
#26
همانگه به بهمن رسید آگهی
✦
که تیره شد آن فر شاهنشهی
“At that moment news reached Bahman that the royal farr of the Shah had darkened.”
#27
بیامد به پیش پشوتن بگفت
✦
که پیکار ما گشت با درد جفت
“He came to Peshotan and said: 'Our conflict has been coupled with bitter grief!'”
#28
تن ژنده پیل اندر آمد به خاک
✦
دل ما ازین درد کردند چاک
“'The body of the mighty elephant has fallen to dust; our hearts are torn asunder by this anguish.'”
#29
برفتد هر دو پیاده دوان
✦
ز پیش سپه تا بر پهلوان
“Both ran on foot from the front of the host until they reached the champion.”
#30
بدیدند جنگی برش پر ز خون
✦
یکی تیر پرخون به دست اندرون
“They saw the warrior, his chest soaked in blood, holding a bloody arrow in his hand.”
#31
پشوتن بر و جامه را کرد چاک
✦
خروشان به سر بر همی کرد خاک
“Peshotan tore his garments in grief, wailing and casting dust upon his head.”
#32
همی گشت بهمن به خاک اندرون
✦
بمالید رخ را بدان گرم خون
“Bahman rolled upon the earth, smearing his face with that warm blood.”
#33
پشوتن همی گفت راز جهان
✦
که داند ز دین‌آوران و مهان
“Peshotan spoke of the secrets of the world: 'Who among the nobles and religious leaders truly knows...'”
#34
چو اسفندیاری که از بهر دین
✦
به مردی برآهیخت شمشیر کین
“'How a hero like Esfandiyar, who unsheathed the sword of vengeance for the sake of the Faith,'”
#35
جهان کرد پاک از بد بت‌پرست
✦
به بد کار هرگز نیازید دست
“'Who cleansed the world of evil idolaters and never laid hand to any misdeed,'”
#36
به روز جوانی هلاک آمدش
✦
سر تاجور سوی خاک آمدش
“'Should meet destruction in the days of his youth, his crowned head coming down to the dust!'”
#37
بدی را کزو هست گیتی به درد
✦
پرآزار ازو جان آزاد مرد
“'While the evil man, from whom the world suffers in pain and the noble spirit is grieved,'”
#38
فراوان برو بگذرد روزگار
✦
که هرگز نبیند بد کارزار
“'Abundant days shall pass over him, and he shall never see the misfortune of battle!'”
#39
جوانان گرفتندش اندر کنار
✦
همی خون ستردند زان شهریار
“The youths took him in their arms, wiping the blood from that prince.”
#40
پشوتن بروبر همی مویه کرد
✦
رخی پر ز خون و دلی پر ز درد
“Peshotan lamented over him, with a face covered in blood and a heart full of pain.”
#41
همی گفت زار ای یل اسفندیار
✦
جهانجوی و از تخمهٔ شهریار
“He said bitterly: 'O heroic Esfandiyar, world-seeker of royal lineage!'”
#42
که کند این چنین کوه جنگی ز جای
✦
که افگند شیر ژیان را ز پای
“'Who pulled up such a battle-mountain from its place? Who brought down the fierce lion?'”
#43
که کند این پسندیده دندان پیل
✦
که آگند با موج دریای نیل
“'Who extracted the prized tusk of this elephant? Who filled the surging waves of the Nile?'”
#44
چه آمد برین تخمه از چشم بد
✦
که بر بدکنش بی‌گمان بد رسد
“'What evil eye struck this line, when evil surely comes to the evil-doer?'”
#45
کجا شد به رزم اندرون ساز تو
✦
کجا شد به بزم آن خوش آواز تو
“'Where has gone your readiness in battle? Where has gone your sweet voice in the feast?'”
#46
کجا شد دل و هوش و آیین تو
✦
توانایی و اختر و دین تو
“Where now are your courage, wisdom, and noble customs? Where is your power, your fortunate star, and your faith?”
#47
چو کردی جهان را ز بدخواه پاک
✦
نیامدت از پیل وز شیر باک
“When you cleansed the world of evil foes, fearing neither elephant nor lion...”
#48
کنون آمدت سودمندی به کار
✦
که در خاک بیند ترا روزگار
“And now, has it profited you at last that Time should see you lying in the dust?”
#49
که نفرین برین تاج و این تخت باد
✦
بدین کوشش بیش و این بخت باد
“A curse be upon this crown and this throne! Cursed be such endless effort and such a tragic fate!”
#50
که چو تو سواری دلیر و جوان
✦
سرافراز و دانا و روشن‌روان
“That a warrior brave and young like you—proud, wise, and of enlightened soul—”
#51
بدین سان شود کشته در کارزار
✦
به زاری سرآید برو روزگار
“Should thus be slain in the midst of battle, and meet such a pitiful end!”
#52
که مه تاج بادا و مه تخت شاه
✦
مه گشتاسپ و جاماسپ و آن بارگاه
“May there be no crown, no royal throne, no Goshtasp, no Jamasp, nor that court!”
#53
چنین گفت پر دانش اسفندیار
✦
که ای مرد دانای به روزگار
“Thus spoke Esfandiyar full of wisdom: 'O noble man experienced in the world...'”
#54
مکن خویشتن پیش من بر تباه
✦
چنین بود بهر من از تاج و گاه
“'Do not ruin yourself with grief before me; such was my destined share of crown and throne.'”
#55
تن کشته را خاک باشد نهال
✦
تو از کشتن من بدین سان منال
“'The bed of a slain body is but the earth; weep not so bitterly over my slaying.'”
#56
کجا شد فریدون و هوشنگ و جم
✦
ز باد آمده باز گردد به دم
“'Where now are Fereydoun, Houshang, and Jamshid? That which came like wind departs in a single breath.'”
#57
همان پاک‌زاده نیاکان ما
✦
گزیده سرافراز و پاکان ما
“'And likewise our noble ancestors, the chosen, proud, and pure ones of our lineage...'”
#58
برفتند و ما را سپردند جای
✦
نماند کس اندر سپنجی سرای
“'They departed and left their place to us; no one remains forever in this transient inn.'”
#59
فراوان بکوشیدم اندر جهان
✦
چه در آشکار و چه اندر نهان
“'I strove abundantly in this world, both openly and in secret...'”
#60
که تا رای یزدان به جای آورم
✦
خرد را بدین رهنمای آورم
“'So that I might fulfill the will of God, and make wisdom my guiding light on this path.'”
#61
چو از من گرفت ای سخن روشنی
✦
ز بد بسته شد راه آهرمنی
“'When the True Faith gained enlightenment through me, the evil path of Ahriman was blocked.'”
#62
زمانه بیازید چنگال تیز
✦
نبد زو مرا روزگار گریز
“'Yet Fate stretched forth its sharp talons, and from it I had no way to escape.'”
#63
امید من آنست کاندر بهشت
✦
دل‌افروز من بدرود هرچ کشت
“'My hope is that in Paradise, my joyful soul shall reap whatever good it sowed.'”
#64
به مردی مرا پور دستان نکشت
✦
نگه کن بدین گز که دارم به مشت
“'The son of Dastan did not slay me by manhood alone; look upon this tamarisk arrow that I hold in my hand.'”
#65
بدین چوب شد روزگارم به سر
✦
ز سیمرغ وز رستم چاره‌گر
“'My life was brought to an end by this wood, through the Simurgh and resourceful Rostam.'”
#66
فسونها و نیرنگها زال ساخت
✦
که اروند و بند جهان او شناخت
“'Zal fashioned spells and stratagems, for he knew the mysteries and bounds of the world.'”
#67
چو اسفندیار این سخن یاد کرد
✦
بپیچید و بگریست رستم به درد
“As Esfandiyar spoke these words, Rostam writhed in agony and wept bitterly with sorrow.”
#68
چنین گفت کز دیو ناسازگار
✦
ترا بهره رنج من آمد به کار
“Rostam said: 'From the untamed Demon, the outcome of all my toil turned into your suffering.'”
#69
چنانست کو گفت یکسر سخن
✦
ز مردی به کژی نیفگند بن
“'Every word he spoke is the absolute truth; he did not base his chivalry upon falsehood.'”
#70
که تا من به گیتی کمر بسته‌ام
✦
بسی رزم گردنکشان جسته‌ام
“'Since the time I girded my loins in this world, I have fought many battle-hardened champions.'”
#71
سواری ندیدم چو اسفندیار
✦
زره‌دار با جوشن کارزار
“'Yet I have never seen a knight like Esfandiyar, so grand in armor and battle garb.'”
#72
چو بیچاره برگشتم از دست اوی
✦
بدیدم کمان و بر و شست اوی
“'When I returned helpless from his onslaught, having witnessed his bow, chest, and skill...'”
#73
سوی چاره گشتم ز بیچارگی
✦
بدادم بدو سر به یکبارگی
“'In my helplessness I turned to stratagem, surrendering my life completely to destiny.'”
#74
زمان ورا در کمان ساختم
✦
چو روزش سرآمد بینداختم
“'I fitted his appointed Time onto my bowstring; and when his final day arrived, I shot.'”
#75
گر او را همی روز باز آمدی
✦
مرا کار گز کی فراز آمدی
“'Had his day not reached its fateful end, how could the affair of the tamarisk arrow ever have availed me?'”
#76
ازین خاک تیره بباید شدن
✦
به پرهیز یک دم نشاید زدن
“'From this dark earth one must depart; not for a single moment can one escape death through caution.'”
#77
همانست کز گز بهانه منم
✦
وزین تیرگی در فسانه منم
“'Thus it is: I am merely the tool of the tamarisk, and in this darkness, I am the one remembered in tragic tale.'”