As the pure-hearted Iraj approached his brothers' camp, he remained completely unaware of the dark designs lurking in their hearts. Salm and Tur rode forth in royal fashion to receive him, commanding their troops forward in greeting. When they beheld their younger brother's gentle face, they feigned warmth and smiles, yet jealousy gnawed at their souls. Thus entered the pavilion: two men consumed by wrath and envy, and one whose heart was pristine and devoid of guile. As the soldiers gazed upon Iraj, his radiant majesty convinced them all that he alone was worthy of the high crown and throne of kingship. Love for Iraj filled their hearts, and throughout the ranks, men whispered his name in reverence, deeming him the true Sovereign of the realm. Watching from afar, Salm felt a heavy weight settle upon his spirit as he witnessed his army's devotion shift away. With a heart brimming with malice and brows furrowed in rage, he returned to the camp, cleared the royal tent of all retainers, and sat in dark counsel with Tur. Salm warned his brother, noting how the eyes of both armies had remained fixed solely upon Iraj during their march. He declared that if they did not sever his root immediately, Iraj would inevitably cast them down from their lofty thrones. And so, through the long shadows of the night, the two brothers plotted the ruin of their innocent brother.
#1
چو تنگ اندر آمد به نزدیکشان
✦
نبود آگه از رای تاریکشان
“As he drew near unto them, he knew nothing of the dark counsel in their hearts.”
#2
پذیره شدندش به آیین خویش
✦
سپه سربسر باز بردند پیش
“They came forth to receive him according to their custom, advancing their whole army forward.”
#3
چو دیدند روی برادر به مهر
✦
یکی تازه‌تر برگشادند چهر
“When they saw their brother's affectionate face, they brightened their countenances with feigned warmth.”
#4
دو پرخاشجوی با یکی نیک خوی
✦
گرفتند پرسش نه بر آرزوی
“Two quarrelsome brothers and one of noble nature greeted each other, though not out of true affection.”
#5
دو دل پر ز کینه یکی دل به جای
✦
برفتند هر سه به پرده سرای
“Two hearts filled with hatred, one heart pure and steadfast—the three together entered the royal pavilion.”
#6
به ایرج نگه کرد یکسر سپاه
✦
که او بد سزاوار تخت و کلاه
“The entire army gazed upon Iraj, seeing that he alone was worthy of the throne and crown.”
#7
بی‌آرامشان شد دل از مهر او
✦
دل از مهر و دیده پر از چهر او
“Their hearts grew restless with love for him, their spirits filled with affection and their eyes with his visage.”
#8
سپاه پراگنده شد جفت جفت
✦
همه نام ایرج بد اندر نهفت
“The soldiers scattered in pairs and groups, and the name of Iraj was on every tongue in secret.”
#9
که هست این سزاوار شاهنشهی
✦
جز این را نزیبد کلاه مهی
“Saying, 'He alone is worthy of sovereignty; to none but him does the high crown belong.'”
#10
به لشکر نگه کرد سلم از کران
✦
سرش گشت از کار لشکر گران
“Salm looked upon the army from afar, and his spirit grew heavy and troubled at their mood.”
#11
به لشگرگه آمد دلی پر ز کین
✦
جگر پر ز خون ابروان پر ز چین
“He returned to the camp with a heart full of spite, his liver filled with blood, his brows heavily knit.”
#12
سراپرده پرداخت از انجمن
✦
خود و تور بنشست با رای زن
“He cleared the pavilion of all assembly, and sat alone with Tur and his counselors.”
#13
سخن شد پژوهنده از هردری
✦
ز شاهی و از تاج هر کشوری
“They began to discuss every matter, examining kingship and the crowns of every realm.”
#14
به تور از میان سخن سلم گفت
✦
که یک یک سپاه از چه گشتند جفت
“In the midst of their talk, Salm said to Tur, 'Why have the soldiers gathered thus two by two?'”
#15
به هنگامهٔ بازگشتن ز راه
✦
نکردی همانا به لشکر نگاه
“'Didst thou not perchance behold the troops as we returned upon our way?'”
#16
سپاه دو شاه از پذیره شدن
✦
دگر بود و دیگر به بازآمدن
“'The armies of both kings were one way during the greeting, and quite another upon the return!'”
#17
که چندان کجا راه بگذاشتند
✦
یکی چشم از ایرج نه برداشتند
“'For throughout the entire length of the road they traversed, they never took their eyes off Iraj!'”
#18
از ایران دلم خود به دو نیم بود
✦
به اندیشه اندیشگان برفزود
“'My heart was already broken over Iran, and now this anxiety has multiplied my cares.'”
#19
سپاه دو کشور چو کردم نگاه
✦
از این پس جز او را نخوانند شاه
“'As I observed the troops of both realms, henceforth they will call no one king save him!'”
#20
اگر بیخ او نگسلانی ز جای
✦
ز تخت بلندت کشد زیر پای
“'If thou dost not uproot him now, he will pull thee down from thy exalted throne!'”
#21
برین گونه از جای برخاستند
✦
همه شب همی چاره آراستند
“Thus they arose from their place, and all through the night they plotted their scheme.”