King Fereydun gazed intently down the highway, his heart filled with yearning for his youngest son. Across the realm, turquoise thrones were burnished, jewels were encrusted into golden crowns, war-elephants were draped in costly finery, and the air echoed with the music of harps and the thunder of drums. The world awaited the return of Prince Iraj, yet the aged monarch was blissfully unaware of the bloody catastrophe wrought by Salm and Tur.
Suddenly, a dark and ominous dust storm gathered on the horizon. Out of the swirling gloom emerged a solitary, grieving courier clad in garments of sorrow, carrying a casket of pure gold wrapped in fine silk. As the messenger drew near Fereydun, the silken veil was lifted, revealing the severed, pale head of Iraj. A collective shriek of horror pierced the heavens. Fereydun tumbled senseless from his steed onto the dust, while his generals and warriors tore their robes in unbearable agony. The radiant sun turned ash-black in the king's eyes, and the light of his vision began to fade.
The glorious royal reception instantly transformed into a nightmarish funeral procession. Royal banners were shredded, war-drums overturned, elephants painted black in grief, and the noble commanders dismounted to pour ashes upon their heads. Weeping bitterly and beating their breasts, the army marched toward Iraj's beloved gardens. Where once joyous banquets had flourished, only desolation remained. Fereydun cradled his son's severed head against his chest, staring at the empty throne and the tall cypress trees that Iraj had once tended. Driven by overwhelming heartache, he set fire to the royal halls, uprooted the rose beds, and cut down the sacred trees.
Binding a bloody girdle around his waist, Fereydun turned his tear-stained face toward the Divine Creator, crying out: 'O Just Arbiter of Heaven! Behold this innocent martyr whose blood was shed by his own brothers. Burn the wicked hearts of Salm and Tur so that they may never know a day of peace! Grant me life only until a champion springs from Iraj's seed to belt himself for revenge!' Day and night, the old king lay collapsed upon the bare earth, weeping so incessantly that wild herbs sprouted around his fallen form and total blindness consumed his eyes. Across the entire kingdom, men and women donned robes of dark blue and black, mourning the noble prince whose tender soul had been stolen by evil.
#1
فریدون نهاده دو دیده به راه
✦
سپاه و کلاه آرزومند شاه
“Fereydun kept his eyes fixed upon the road, while his army and nobles eagerly awaited the prince.”
#2
چو هنگام برگشتن شاه بود
✦
پدر زان سخن خود کی آگاه بود
“When the hour of the prince's return drew near, the father was yet unaware of the grim tragedy.”
#3
همی شاه را تخت پیروزه ساخت
✦
همی تاج را گوهر اندر نشاخت
“They fashioned a turquoise throne for the king and set bright gems into the crown.”
#4
پذیره شدن را بیاراستند
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستند
“They prepared all things for his welcoming, summoning wine, harps, and joyful minstrels.”
#5
تبیره ببردند و پیل از درش
✦
ببستند آذین به هر کشورش
“Drums were sounded, elephants brought to the gate, and festive decorations bound in every province.”
#6
به زین اندرون بود شاه و سپاه
✦
یکی گرد تیره برآمد ز راه
“As the king and his army mounted their steeds, a dark dust cloud rose up from the highway.”
#7
هیونی برون آمد از تیره گرد
✦
نشسته برو سوگواری به درد
“A swift camel emerged from the dark dust, carrying a rider steeped in sorrow and grief.”
#8
خروشی برآورد دل سوگوار
✦
یکی زر تابوتش اندر کنار
“The sorrowful courier uttered a piercing wail, holding a golden casket by his side.”
#9
به تابوت زر اندرون پرنیان
✦
نهاده سر ایرج اندر میان
“Within that golden casket, wrapped in fine silk, lay the severed head of Iraj.”
#10
ابا ناله و آه و با روی زرد
✦
به پیش فریدون شد آن شوخ مرد
“With groans, sighs, and a pale face, that sorrowful messenger stepped before Fereydun.”
#11
ز تابوت زر تخته برداشتند
✦
که گفتار او خوار پنداشتند
“They lifted the lid from the golden casket, discarding all thought of mere spoken words.”
#12
ز تابوت چون پرنیان برکشید
✦
سر ایرج آمد بریده پدید
“As the silk wrapping was pulled back from the casket, the severed head of Iraj was revealed.”
#13
بیافتاد ز اسپ آفریدون به خاک
✦
سپه سر به سر جامه کردند چاک
“Fereydun fell from his horse onto the earth, and the entire host tore their garments to shreds.”
#14
سیه شد رخ و دیدگان شد سپید
✦
که دیدن دگرگونه بودش امید
“His face turned black and his eyes turned white with weeping, for his hopes had been utterly shattered.”
#15
چو خسرو بران‌گونه آمد ز راه
✦
چنین بازگشت از پذیره سپاه
“Thus did the monarch return from the road, and thus did the welcoming army turn back in mournful despair.”
#16
دریده درفش و نگونسار کوس
✦
رخ نامداران به رنگ آبنوس
“Banners were shredded, war-drums were turned upside down, and the faces of famous heroes turned dark as ebony.”
#17
تبیره سیه کرده و روی پیل
✦
پراکنده بر تازی اسپانش نیل
“Drums were blackened, the faces of war-elephants darkened, and blue dust was scattered over the Arabian steeds.”
#18
پیاده سپهبد پیاده سپاه
✦
پر از خاک سر برگرفتند راه
“The commander dismounted and the troops marched on foot, their heads covered in dust as they took the path.”
#19
خروشیدن پهلوانان به درد
✦
کنان گوشت تن را بران رادمرد
“The champions wailed in torment, tearing their own flesh in anguish for that noble prince.”
#20
برین گونه گردد به ما بر سپهر
✦
بخواهد ربودن چو بنمود چهر
“Such is the turning of the sky above us; after showing its fair face, it snatches away what it gave.”
#21
مبر خود به مهر زمانه گمان
✦
نه نیکو بود راستی در کمان
“Place no reliance upon the love of fate, for there is no true straightness in its bent bow.”
#22
چو دشمنش گیری نمایدت مهر
✦
و گر دوست خوانی نبینیش چهر
“If you count it an enemy, it shows you affection; but if you call it a friend, you shall never see its face.”
#23
یکی پند گویم ترا من درست
✦
دل از مهر گیتی ببایدت شست
“I give thee a true counsel: thou must wash thy heart clean of affection for this temporal world.”
#24
سپه داغ دل شاه با های و هوی
✦
سوی باغ ایرج نهادند روی
“With heart-stricken grief and loud lamentations, the army and king turned their steps toward the garden of Iraj.”
#25
به روزی کجا جشن شاهان بدی
✦
وزان پیشتر بزمگاهان بدی
“Toward the spot where in bygone days royal feasts were held and kings assembled in joy.”
#26
فریدون سر شاه پور جوان
✦
بیامد ببر برگرفته نوان
“Fereydun arrived, holding the head of his young royal son close to his breast, trembling and weeping.”
#27
بر آن تخت شاهنشهی بنگرید
✦
سر شاه را نزدر تاج دید
“He looked upon the majestic royal throne, and saw the prince's severed head placed near the crown.”
#28
همان حوض شاهان و سرو سهی
✦
درخت گلفشان و بید و بهی
“He gazed upon the royal pool, the tall cypress, the blooming trees, the willows, and the quince groves.”
#29
تهی دید از آزادگان جشنگاه
✦
به کیوان برآورده گرد سیاه
“He saw the festive place stripped of noble souls, and black smoke of grief rising to the height of Saturn.”
#30
همی سوخت باغ و همی خست روی
✦
همی ریخت اشک و همی کند موی
“He burned the garden, scratched his face in torment, shed bitter tears, and tore out his hair.”
#31
میان را به زنار خونین ببست
✦
فکند آتش اندر سرای نشست
“He bound a bloody girdle around his waist and set fire to his own royal dwelling hall.”
#32
گلستانش برکند و سروان بسوخت
✦
به یکبارگی چشم شادی بدوخت
“He uprooted the rose garden, burned the cypresses, and forever closed his eyes to all joy.”
#33
نهاده سر ایرج اندر کنار
✦
سر خویشتن کرد زی کردگار
“Holding Iraj's head in his lap, he lifted his own face toward the Almighty Creator.”
#34
همی گفت کای داور دادگر
✦
بدین بی‌گنه کشته اندر نگر
“He cried out, 'O Just Judge! Look down upon this innocent murdered youth!'”
#35
به خنجر سرش کنده در پیش من
✦
تنش خورده شیران آن انجمن
“'His head severed by dagger before me, and his body devoured by the lions of that assembly!'”
#36
دل هر دو بیداد از آن سان بسوز
✦
که هرگز نبینند جز تیره روز
“'Burn the unrighteous hearts of those two in such wise that they never see anything but gloomy dark days!'”
#37
به داغی جگرشان کنی آژده
✦
که بخشایش آرد بریشان دده
“'Pierce their livers with such agony that even wild beasts of the wilderness take pity upon them!'”
#38
همی خواهم از روشن کردگار
✦
که چندان زمان یابم از روزگار
“'I ask of the Radiant Creator only to grant me enough time in this world,'”
#39
که از تخم ایرج یکی نامور
✦
بیاید برین کین ببندد کمر
“'That a renowned hero may arise from the seed of Iraj to gird himself for this vengeance!'”
#40
چو دیدم چنین زان سپس شایدم
✦
اگر خاک بالا بپیمایدم
“'When I have seen such vengeance, it matters not if the dark dust of the grave covers my body.'”
#41
برین‌گونه بگریست چندان بزار
✦
همی تا گیا رستش اندر کنار
“He wept so bitterly and so continuously in this manner that wild grass sprouted around his lap.”
#42
زمین بستر و خاک بالین او
✦
شده تیره روشن جهان‌بین او
“The ground became his bed and dust his pillow, while his bright eyes turned dark and blind with tears.”
#43
در بار بسته گشاده زبان
✦
همی گفت کای داور راستان
“With court doors closed to all, he constantly prayed: 'O Judge of the Righteous!'”
#44
کس از تاجداران بدین‌سان نمرد
✦
که مُرده‌ست این نامبردار گُرد
“'Never did any crowned king die in such a gruesome fashion as died this renowned hero.'”
#45
سرش را بریده به زار اهرمن
✦
تنش را شده کام شیران کفن
“'His head severed painfully by evil forces, and his body left to be shroud in the bellies of wild lions.'”
#46
خروشی به زاری و چشمی پرآب
✦
ز هر دام و دد برده آرام و خواب
“A cry of bitter lamentation and eyes overflowing with tears / Took away rest and sleep from every beast and bird.”
#47
سراسر همه کشورش مرد و زن
✦
به هر جای کرده یکی انجمن
“Throughout the realm, all people, both men and women, / Gathered in mourning assemblies in every corner.”
#48
همه دیده پرآب و دل پر ز خون
✦
نشسته به تیمار و گرم اندرون
“Their eyes brimming with tears and their hearts full of blood, / They sat in deep affliction, burning with inner sorrow.”
#49
همه جامه کرده کبود و سیاه
✦
نشسته به اندوه در سوگ شاه
“All clad in garments of dark blue and black, / Plunged in profound sorrow, they sat mourning for their prince.”
#50
چه مایه چنین روز بگذاشتند
✦
همه زندگی مرگ پنداشتند
“In such grief they spent many a day, / Regarding life itself as no different than death.”