Following the tragic fall of the bronze-bodied Esfandiyar, Rostam ordered the construction of a heavy, solid coffin of pure iron. The interior was coated with fragrant pitch, musk, and ambergris, and laid with rich Chinese silk. Clothed in a gold-embroidered shroud and crowned with a turquoise diadem, Esfandiyar's body was sealed firmly inside. A procession of forty camels, draped in Chinese brocade, was prepared, with two carrying the solemn weight of the prince's coffin. Leading the mourners, Peshotan led Esfandiyar's legendary black warhorse—its mane and tail shorn, its saddle inverted, with his heavy mace and helmet hanging dolefully down.
In Zabulistan, young Bahman remained, shedding tears of blood, but Rostam embraced the prince like his own soul, promising to rear and protect him in his own palace. Meanwhile, as the funerary cortege reached the royal court of Iran, word reached King Goshtasp. The monarch tore his garments and cast dust upon his royal crown, as wailing filled the palace corridors. Yet the nobles and elders of Iran were consumed with bitter outrage. They turned their backs on Goshtasp, denouncing him as a tyrant who had sacrificed his own heroic son to preserve his throne, abandoning his royal hall in disgust.
Queen Katayoun and her daughters, Homa and Behafarid, rushed out barefoot and disheveled into the dust. Surrounding Peshotan and the black steed, the weeping women begged for one last look at the fallen prince. Moved to despair, Peshotan summoned blacksmiths with sharp rasps to break open the sealed iron lid. At the sight of Esfandiyar's serene face and musk-scented beard, fresh lamentations echoed to the heavens as Katayoun cast earth upon her head.
Peshotan then marched directly into the throne room, eschewing royal homage, and confronted King Goshtasp directly. He declared that the King had lost his Royal Glory and wisdom, shedding his own son's blood for worldly power, and warned of divine vengeance. Peshotan also roundly condemned Jamasp, the malevolent astrologer, whose dark counsel had sowed discord and steered the crown toward ruin. Listening to Peshotan's unvarnished truth and Esfandiyar's final testament, Goshtasp was plunged into overwhelming regret.
#1
یکی نغز تابوت کرد آهنین
✦
بگسترد فرشی ز دیبای چین
“He fashioned a splendid coffin of iron, and spread within it a carpet of Chinese silk.”
#2
بیندود یک روی آهن به قیر
✦
پراگند بر قیر مشک و عبیر
“He coated one side of the iron with pitch, and scattered musk and ambergris over the tar.”
#3
ز دیبای زربفت کردش کفن
✦
خروشان برو نامدار انجمن
“He made his shroud from gold-woven silk, while the renowned assembly wept loudly over him.”
#4
ازان پس بپوشید روشن برش
✦
ز پیروزه بر سر نهاد افسرش
“Thereafter he covered his radiant body, and placed upon his head a crown of turquoise.”
#5
سر تنگ تابوت کردند سخت
✦
شد آن بارور خسروانی درخت
“They tightly sealed the narrow coffin's lid; thus was enclosed that fruitful, royal tree.”
#6
چل اشتر بیاورد رستم گزین
✦
ز بالا فروهشته دیبای چین
“Rostam brought forty choice camels, draped from top to bottom with Chinese brocade.”
#7
دو اشتر بدی زیر تابوت شاه
✦
چپ و راست پیش و پس‌اندر سپاه
“Two camels carried the king's coffin, flanked left and right, front and rear, by the army.”
#8
همه خسته روی و همه کنده موی
✦
زبان شاه گوی و روان شاه‌جوی
“All had wounded faces and shorn hair, their tongues praising the king, their souls seeking him.”
#9
بریده بش و دم اسپ سیاه
✦
پشوتن همی برد پیش سپاه
“The mane and tail of the black steed were cut; Peshotan led it at the head of the host.”
#10
برو بر نهاده نگونسار زین
✦
ز زین اندرآویخته گرز کین
“Upon the steed was placed an inverted saddle, and from the saddle hung the mace of vengeance.”
#11
همان نامور خود و خفتان اوی
✦
همان جوله و مغفر جنگجوی
“Likewise his renowned helmet and mail coat, together with the warrior's armor and cap.”
#12
سپه رفت و بهمن به زابل بماند
✦
به مژگان همی خون دل برفشاند
“The army departed, but Bahman remained in Zabul, shedding tears of blood from his eyelashes.”
#13
تهمتن ببردش به ایوان خویش
✦
همی پرورانید چون جان خویش
“Tahamtan took him to his own palace, nurturing him even as his own dear soul.”
#14
به گشتاسپ آگاهی آمد ز راه
✦
نگون شد سر نامبردار شاه
“Word reached Goshtasp along the road, and the head of the renowned king bowed low in sorrow.”
#15
همی جامه را چاک زد بر برش
✦
به خاک اندر آمد سر و افسرش
“He tore the garments upon his chest, and his head and crown descended into the dust.”
#16
خروشی برآمد ز ایوان به زار
✦
جهان شد پر از نام اسفندیار
“A bitter cry arose from the royal palace; the whole world became filled with the name of Esfandiyar.”
#17
به ایران ز هر سو که رفت آگهی
✦
بینداخت هرکس کلاه مهی
“Wherever the news spread across Iran, everyone cast off their crown of greatness.”
#18
همی گفت گشتاسپ کای پاک دین
✦
که چون تو نبیند زمان و زمین
“Goshtasp lamented: 'O pure of faith, time and earth will never see another like thee!”
#19
پس از روزگار منوچهر باز
✦
نیامد چو تو نیز گردنفراز
“Since the era of Manuchehr until now, no such exalted hero hath ever arisen.'”
#20
بیالود تیغ و بپالود کیش
✦
مهان را همی داشت بر جای خویش
“'He stained his sword with blood and purified the faith, holding the nobles in their rightful place.'”
#21
بزرگان ایران گرفتند خشم
✦
ز آزرم گشتاسپ شستند چشم
“The grandees of Iran grew fierce with anger, washing their eyes of all reverence for Goshtasp.”
#22
به آواز گفتند کای شوربخت
✦
چو اسفندیاری تو از بهر تخت
“With loud voices they shouted: 'O ill-fated king! Dost thou slay one like Esfandiyar for the sake of the throne?”
#23
به زابل فرستی به کشتن دهی
✦
تو بر گاه تاج مهی برنهی
“Thou sendest him to Zabul to be slain, so that thou mayest place the supreme crown upon thy head!”
#24
سرت را ز تاج کیان شرم باد
✦
به رفتن پی اخترت نرم باد
“May thy head feel shame before the Kianian crown! May the path of thy destiny become harsh and bitter!'”
#25
برفتند یکسر ز ایوان او
✦
پر از خاک شد کاخ و دیوان او
“They all departed at once from his palace, and his court and hall became deserted and filled with dust.”
#26
چو آگاه شد مادر و خواهران
✦
ز ایوان برفتند با دختران
“When his mother and sisters learned the news, they rushed from the palace alongside the maidens.”
#27
برهنه سر و پای پرگرد و خاک
✦
به تن بر همه جامه کردند چاک
“Bareheaded, with feet covered in dust, they tore all their garments upon their bodies.”
#28
پشوتن همی رفت گریان به راه
✦
پس پشت تابوت و اسپ سیاه
“Peshotan moved weeping along the road, behind the coffin and the black steed.”
#29
زنان از پشوتن درآویختند
✦
همی خون ز مژگان فرو ریختند
“The women clung to Peshotan, shedding blood from their eyelashes.”
#30
که این بند تابوت را برگشای
✦
تن خسته یک بار ما را نمای
“Crying out: 'Unfasten the seals of this coffin! Show us once more his wounded body!'”
#31
پشوتن غمی شد میان زنان
✦
خروشان و گوشت از دو بازو کنان
“Peshotan became grief-stricken among the women, wailing and tearing the flesh of his arms.”
#32
به آهنگران گفت سوهان تیز
✦
بیارید کامد کنون رستخیز
“He said to the blacksmiths: 'Bring sharp files, for now the day of resurrection hath arrived!'”
#33
سر تنگ تابوت را باز کرد
✦
به نوی یکی مویه آغاز کرد
“He opened the narrow lid of the coffin, and afresh began a bitter lamentation.”
#34
چو مادرش با خواهران روی شاه
✦
پر از مشک دیدند ریش سیاه
“When his mother and sisters saw the king's face, with his black beard scented with musk,”
#35
برفتند یکسر ز بالین شاه
✦
خروشان به نزدیک اسپ سیاه
“They moved away from the king's pillow and went wailing toward the black horse.”
#36
بسودند پر مهر یال و برش
✦
کتایون همی ریخت خاک از برش
“They lovingly touched its mane and chest, while Katayoun poured dust over its head.”
#37
کزو شاه را روز برگشته بود
✦
به آورد بر پشت او کشته بود
“Saying: 'Through thee the king's fortune turned back, for he was slain upon thy back in battle!”
#38
کزین پس کرا برد خواهی به جنگ
✦
کرا داد خواهی به چنگ نهنگ
“Henceforth, whom wilt thou carry to war? Whom wilt thou deliver into the jaws of the dragon?'”
#39
به یالش همی اندرآویختند
✦
همی خاک بر تارکش ریختند
“They clung to its neck and mane, pouring earth upon its head.”
#40
به ابر اندر آمد خروش سپاه
✦
پشوتن بیامد به ایوان شاه
“The troops' lamentation rose up to the clouds; Peshotan then entered the king's hall.”
#41
خروشید و دیدش نبردش نماز
✦
بیامد به نزدیک تختش فراز
“He cried aloud and did not bow before him; he approached close to his throne.”
#42
به آواز گفت ای سر سرکشان
✦
ز برگشتن بختت آمد نشان
“He shouted: 'O chief of proud rulers, signs of thy fortune turning away have appeared!”
#43
ازین با تن خویش بد کرده‌ای
✦
دم از شهر ایران برآورده‌ای
“By this deed thou hast brought evil upon thyself, and raised sighs of pain from the land of Iran!”
#44
ز تو دور شد فره و بخردی
✦
بیابی تو بادافره ایزدی
“Divine Glory and wisdom have departed from thee; thou shalt suffer God's just retribution!”
#45
شکسته شد این نامور پشت تو
✦
کزین پس بود باد در مشت تو
“Thy renowned support is broken; henceforth thou shalt hold only wind in thy fist!”
#46
پسر را به خون دادی از بهر تخت
✦
که مه تخت بیناد چشمت مه بخت
“You surrendered your son unto blood for the throne’s sake; may your eyes behold neither crown nor good fortune evermore!”
#47
جهانی پر از دشمن و پر بدان
✦
نماند بتو تاج تا جاودان
“A world filled with foes and vile men shall not leave the crown in your possession forever.”
#48
بدین گیتیت در نکوهش بود
✦
به روز شمارت پژوهش بود
“In this world, reproached shall you be, and on your Day of Reckoning, heavily questioned.”
#49
بگفت این و رخ سوی جاماسپ کرد
✦
که ای شوم بدکیش و بدزاد مرد
“Having said this, he turned his face toward Jamasp, saying: 'O ill-omened, evil-faith, and vile-born man!'”
#50
ز گیتی ندانی سخن جز دروغ
✦
به کژی گرفتی ز هرکس فروغ
“'You know nought of the world save falsehood; through deceit have you drawn light from every man.'”
#51
میان کیان دشمنی افگنی
✦
همی این بدان آن بدین برزنی
“'You sow enmity among the noble monarchs, setting this one against that, and that against this!'”
#52
ندانی همی جز بد آموختن
✦
گسستن ز نیکی بدی توختن
“'You know nothing save learning evil, severing ties with goodness, and reaping wickedness.'”
#53
یکی کشت کردی تو اندر جهان
✦
که کس ندرود آشکار و نهان
“'You have sown a seed in this world that no man shall ever reap, openly or in secret.'”
#54
بزرگی به گفتار تو کشته شد
✦
که روز بزرگان همه گشته شد
“'Greatness was slain by your deceitful words, for the day of the noble ones turned to utter darkness.'”
#55
تو آموختی شاه را راه کژ
✦
ایا پیر بی‌راه و کوتاه و کژ
“'You taught the king the crooked path, O old man misguided, short-sighted, and perverse!'”
#56
تو گفتی که هوش یل اسفندیار
✦
بود بر کف رستم نامدار
“'You claimed that the doom of valiant Esfandiyar lay in the hand of renowned Rostam!'”
#57
بگفت این و گویا زبان برگشاد
✦
همه پند و اندرز او کرد یاد
“He spoke thus and opened his eloquent tongue, recalling all of Esfandiyar’s advice and counsels.”
#58
هم اندرز بهمن به رستم بگفت
✦
برآورد رازی که بود از نهفت
“He also related Bahman’s instruction to Rostam, bringing forth the secret that had been kept hidden.”
#59
چو بشنید اندرز او شهریار
✦
پشیمان شد از کار اسفندیار
“When the king heard his counsel, he repented deeply of what had been done to Esfandiyar.”
#60
پشوتن بگفت آنچ بودش نهان
✦
به آواز با شهریار جهان
“Pashotan voiced aloud to the monarch of the world all that had been concealed in secret.”
#61
چو پردخته گشت از بزرگان سرای
✦
برفتند به آفرید و همای
“When the palace was emptied of the nobles, Behafarid and Homay entered.”
#62
به پیش پدر بر بخستند روی
✦
ز درد برادر بکندند موی
“Before their father, they scratched their cheeks and tore their hair in agony for their brother.”
#63
به گشتاسپ گفتند کای نامدار
✦
نیندیشی از کار اسفندیار
“They said to Goshtasp: 'O renowned king, do you not reflect upon the fate of Esfandiyar?'”
#64
کجا شد نخستین به کین زریر
✦
همی گور بستد ز چنگال شیر
“'Where is he who first sought vengeance for Zarir, wresting the wild ass from the lion’s clutches?'”
#65
ز ترکان همی کین او بازخواست
✦
بدو شد همی پادشاهیت راست
“'He exacted retribution from the Turanians, and through him your kingdom was rendered secure.'”
#66
به گفتار بدگوش کردی به بند
✦
بغل گران و به گرز و کمند
“'Yet listening to evil slanders, you bound him in heavy chains, with mace and lasso.'”
#67
چو او بسته آمد نیا کشته شد
✦
سپه را همه روز برگشته شد
“'When he was fettered, our grandfather was slain, and the day turned black for all the host.'”
#68
چو ارجاسپ آمد ز خلخ به بلخ
✦
همه زندگانی شد از رنج تلخ
“'When Arjasp came from Khallukh to Balkh, all life became bitter with suffering.'”
#69
چو ما را که پوشیده داریم روی
✦
برهنه بیاورد ز ایوان به کوی
“'And us, whose faces were ever veiled, he dragged bareheaded from palace to street.'”
#70
چو نوش‌آذر زردهشتی بکشت
✦
گرفت آن زمان پادشاهی به مشت
“'When he slew Nush-Adhar of Zaratosht, he seized the throne and realm in his grip.'”
#71
تو دانی که فرزند مردی چه کرد
✦
برآورد ازیشان دم و دود و گرد
“'You know well what your heroic son accomplished: he raised smoke, dust, and sighs against them!'”
#72
ز رویین دژ آورد ما را برت
✦
نگهبان کشور بد و افسرت
“'He rescued us from the Fortress of Brass and brought us to you; he was the guardian of your realm and crown.'”
#73
از ایدر به زابل فرستادیش
✦
بسی پند و اندرزها دادیش
“'Yet from here you dispatched him to Zabol, showering him with deceitful counsels and admonitions,'”
#74
که تا از پی تاج بیجان شود
✦
جهانی برو زار و پیچان شود
“'So that he might perish in pursuit of a lifeless crown, leaving a world to weep and squirm for him.'”
#75
نه سیمرغ کشتش نه رستم نه زال
✦
تو کشتی مر او را چو کشتی منال
“'Neither Simurgh slew him, nor Rostam, nor Zal—it was you who killed him, so kill yourself not with lamenting now!'”
#76
ترا شرم بادا ز ریش سپید
✦
که فرزند کشتی ز بهر امید
“'Shame upon your white beard! For you sent your own son to death for the sake of empty hope.'”
#77
جهاندار پیش از تو بسیار بود
✦
که بر تخت شاهی سزاوار بود
“'Many were the sovereigns of the world before you, who truly deserved to sit upon the royal throne;'”
#78
به کشتن ندادند فرزند را
✦
نه از دودهٔ خویش و پیوند را
“'Yet never did they surrender their own sons to slaughter, nor betray those of their lineage and kin.'”
#79
چنین گفت پس با پشوتن که خیز
✦
برین آتش تیزبر آب ریز
“He then said to Pashotan: 'Rise now, and pour water upon this fierce burning fire!'”
#80
بیامد پشوتن ز ایوان شاه
✦
زنان را بیاورد زان جایگاه
“Pashotan came forth from the king’s hall, and led the weeping women away from that place.”
#81
پشوتن چنین گفت با مادرش
✦
که چندین به تنگی چه کوبی درش
“Peshotan thus addressed his mother: 'Why do you knock so fiercely upon the door of grief?'”
#82
که او شاد خفتست و روشن‌روان
✦
چو سیر آمد از مرز و از مرزبان
“'For he sleeps now in peace with an illumined soul, having grown weary of this realm and its ruler.'”
#83
بپذرفت مادر ز دین‌دار پند
✦
به داد خداوند کرد او پسند
“The mother accepted the pious brother's advice, yielding her heart to the divine justice of the Lord.”
#84
ازان پس به سالی به هر برزنی
✦
به ایران خروشی بد و شیونی
“Thereafter, for a full year in every quarter across Iran, there echoed bitter cries and deep lamentation.”
#85
ز تیر گز و بند دستان زال
✦
همی مویه کردند بسیار سال
“For many a long year they continued to mourn the fateful tamarisk arrow and the cunning artifice of Zal.”