Thus ran the wheel of destiny: King Bahman possessed a son who burned with the spirit of a lion, named Sasan, and a daughter named Homay, adorned with wisdom, virtue, and radiant grace, whom the world called Chehrzad. Her presence brought joy to all who beheld her. According to the ancient Pahlavi rites, the king took Homay into high honor, and in time, she carried the seed of the sovereign within her womb.
When six months of her pregnancy had elapsed, a severe affliction took hold of Bahman's frame. Sensing his mortality, the ruler summoned the empire's grandees, astrologers, and wise mobads, seating Homay upon the imperial throne in full view of the assembly. Bahman proclaimed his final decree: 'To Chehrzad I entrust this glorious crown, the high throne, the imperial host, and all the treasures of the realm. She shall be my regent and sovereign in this world, and after her, the child she carries within her. Whether that child be born a daughter or a son, the crown and throne of the realm belong to them.'
When Prince Sasan heard his father’s testament, his heart darkened with shame and indignation. Refusing to live beneath the shadow of this bequest, he fled Iran like a wounded leopard, riding for two days and two nights until he reached the distant borders of Nishapur. There, deep in exile, he wedded a noblewoman of that realm, concealing his kingly bloodline from all mortals. In time, a son was born to him, whom he also named Sasan. But soon thereafter, the elder Sasan passed into the shadows, leaving his young son to grow up in bitter poverty.
Upon reaching manhood, the younger Sasan, unaware of his imperial destiny, took charge of the royal herds belonging to the ruler of Nishapur. Across the mountains and desolate plains, he guided the sheep, living as a simple shepherd while royal Kianian blood flowed silently through his veins. Meanwhile, back in the imperial heartland, Queen Homay assumed the realm's sacred burden following the death of Bahman.
#1
پسر بد مر او را یکی همچو شیر
✦
که ساسان همی خواندی اردشیر
“He had a son, bold as a brave lion, whom Ardashir (Bahman) called Sasan.”
#2
دگر دختری داشت نامش همای
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هنرمند و بادانش و نیک‌رای
“He also had a daughter named Homay, accomplished, wise, and of noble judgment.”
#3
همی خواندندی ورا چهرزاد
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ز گیتی به دیدار او بود شاد
“They called her Chehrzad, and the world rejoiced at the sight of her beauty.”
#4
پدر درپذیرفتش از نیکوی
✦
بران دین که خوانی همی پهلوی
“Her father wedded her in accordance with the ancient creed called Pahlavi.”
#5
همای دل‌افروز تابنده ماه
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چنان بد که آبستن آمد ز شاه
“Homay, the radiant moon of joy, became pregnant by the king.”
#6
چو شش ماه شد پر ز تیمار شد
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چو بهمن چنان دید بیمار شد
“When six months passed, she was filled with hardship; seeing her thus, Bahman fell mortally ill.”
#7
چو از درد شاه اندرآمد ز پای
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بفرمود تا پیش او شد همای
“As pain brought the king down, he commanded Homay to come before his presence.”
#8
بزرگان و نیک‌اختران را بخواند
✦
به تخت گرانمایگان بر نشاند
“He summoned the nobles and astrologers, and seated her upon the glorious throne.”
#9
چنین گفت کاین پاک‌تن چهرزاد
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به گیتی فراوان نبودست شاد
“He spoke thus: 'This pure-bodied Chehrzad has not enjoyed long happiness in this world.'”
#10
سپردم بدو تاج و تخت بلند
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همان لشکر و گنج با ارجمند
“'I entrust to her the high crown and throne, along with the army, treasury, and royal dignity.'”
#11
ولی عهد من او بود در جهان
✦
هم‌انکس کزو زاید اندر نهان
“'She is my true heir in the world, as well as the child she secretly carries within her.'”
#12
اگر دختر آید برش گر پسر
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ورا باشد این تاج و تخت پدر
“'Whether a daughter or a son is born to her, to them shall belong the crown and throne of the father.'”
#13
چو ساسان شنید این سخن خیره شد
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ز گفتار بهمن دلش تیره شد
“When Sasan heard these words he was stunned; his heart turned dark at Bahman's speech.”
#14
بدو روز و دو شب بسان پلنگ
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ز ایران به مرزی دگر شد ز ننگ
“For two days and two nights, like a leopard, he fled Iran to another realm out of shame and indignance.”
#15
دمان سوی شهر نشاپور شد
✦
پر آزار بد از پدر دور شد
“Swiftly he rode toward the city of Nishapur, filled with sorrow, distant from his father.”
#16
زنی را ز تخم بزرگان بخواست
✦
بپرورد و با جان و دل داشت راست
“He took to wife a noblewoman of that city, nurturing her and loving her with heart and soul.”
#17
نژادش به گیتی کسی را نگفت
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همی داشت آن راستی در نهفت
“He revealed his high lineage to no one in the world, keeping that secret safely hidden.”
#18
زن پاک‌تن خوب فرزند زاد
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ز ساسان پرمایه بهمن نژاد
“That pure-hearted woman gave birth to a noble child, descended from Sasan and high Bahman.”
#19
پدر نام ساسانش کرد آن زمان
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مر او را به زودی سرآمد زمان
“The father named him Sasan as well, but soon after, the father's life came to an end.”
#20
چو کودک ز خردی به مردی رسید
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دران خانه جز بینوایی ندید
“When the boy grew from childhood into manhood, he knew nothing in that house but dire poverty.”
#21
ز شاه نشاپور بستد گله
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که بودی به کوه و به هامون یله
“He took charge of the herds belonging to the King of Nishapur, which roamed the hills and plains.”
#22
همی بود یکچند چوپان شاه
✦
به کوه و بیابان و آرامگاه
“For a time he served as shepherd to the king, roaming the mountains, deserts, and pastures.”
#23
کنون بازگردم به کار همای
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پس از مرگ بهمن که بگرفت جای
“Now I return to the story of Homay, who took the crown after the death of Bahman.”