When King Ardavan awoke at dawn, his heart grew dark, for the radiant face of Golnar—whose presence was his daily omen of good fortune—was nowhere to be seen. Incensed, he stepped into his court where the nobles and commanders were assembled. The master of ceremonies reported that the maiden had failed to attend the royal bedchamber. Moments later, the chief scribe arrived bearing grave news: in the dead of night, Ardashir had fled, taking with him the king's two most renowned steeds—one dapple-white and the other coal-black—along with royal treasures and the maiden Golnar.
A furious storm swept over Ardavan's soul. Without losing a breath, he assembled a battalion of swift horsemen and rode out in pursuit, raising clouds of dust across the plains. Along the way, he encountered travelers and herdsmen, asking if they had heard the thundering hooves of fleeing steeds in the early dawn. They recounted that two riders had swept past on a white steed and a black steed, followed closely by a radiant, pure ram that dashed like a stallion, kicking up dust in their wake. Turning to his vizier, Ardavan asked the meaning of the swift-running ram. The wise minister replied that the ram was none other than the divine Farrah—the Royal Glory of kingship—flying to rest upon Ardashir. He warned that if the ram caught up to Ardashir and united with him, the kingdom would be permanently sealed to his line, and any pursuit would prove futile.
Meanwhile, Ardashir and Golnar rode relentlessly like the rushing wind. Wearied by the grueling pace, Ardashir spotted a clear pool of water from a hilltop and urged Golnar to dismount so they could rest their exhausted bodies and water their faint steeds. But as they approached the water, two mysterious youths appeared by the spring and called out urgently: "Hold your reins! Do not dismount! You have escaped the very jaws of the dragon—now is no time for drink! Press on and save your life!" Recognizing their words as divine counsel, Ardashir pulled his reins, raised his gleaming spear, and galloped onward. When Ardavan reached a nearby city by midday, the elders informed him that the fugitives had already passed through, accompanied by the divine ram of Royal Glory. Realizing his luck had turned and his reign was slipping away, Ardavan accepted the advice of his wise counselors to abandon the futile chase, return home to muster his armies, and send word to his son, while offering praise to the Almighty.
#1
چنان بد که بی‌ماه روی اردوان
✦
نبودی شب و روز روشن‌روان
“So it was that without the moonlike face of Golnar, Ardavan’s spirit was never bright by night or day.”
#2
ز دیبا نبرداشتی دوش و یال
✦
مگر چهر گلنار دیدی به فال
“He would not lift his shoulders from the brocade cushions unless he took a good omen from Golnar's radiant face.”
#3
چو آمدش هنگام برخاستن
✦
به دیبا سر گاهش آراستن
“When the time came for him to rise and adorn the head of his throne with royal silks,”
#4
کنیزک نیامد به بالین اوی
✦
برآشفت و پیچان شد از کین اوی
“The maiden did not come to his pillow; he flew into a rage and twisted in vengeance.”
#5
بدربر سپاه ایستاده به پای
✦
بیاراسته تخت و تاج و سرای
“Outside the door, the army stood ready, while the throne, crown, and palace were fully arrayed.”
#6
ز درگاه برخاست سالار بار
✦
بیامد بر نامور شهریار
“From the court arose the chamberlain and entered the presence of the renowned monarch.”
#7
بدو گفت گردنکشان بر درند
✦
هر آنکس کجا مهتر کشورند
“He said to him: 'The proud nobles and leaders of the country stand outside the gates.'”
#8
پرستندگان را چنین گفت شاه
✦
که گلنار چون راه و آیین نگاه
“The king said to the servants: 'Why has Golnar neglected her customary duty?'”
#9
ندارد نیاید به بالین من
✦
که داند بدین داستان دین من
“'She has not come to my pillow; who knows the explanation behind this mystery?'”
#10
بیامد هم‌انگاه مهتر دبیر
✦
که رفتست بیگاه دوش اردشیر
“Just then, the chief scribe arrived and reported: 'Ardashir departed secretly late last night.'”
#11
وز آخور ببردست خنگ و سیاه
✦
که بد بارهٔ نامبردار شاه
“'And from the stable he took the dapple-white and coal-black, the king's most famous chargers.'”
#12
هم‌انگاه شد شاه را دلپذیر
✦
که گنجور او رفت با اردشیر
“Then it became apparent to the king that his treasure-keeper (Golnar) had fled alongside Ardashir.”
#13
دل مرد جنگی برآمد ز جای
✦
برآشفت و زود اندر آمد به پای
“The warrior king's heart flared with wrath; he grew enraged and quickly leaped to his feet.”
#14
سواران جنگی فراوان ببرد
✦
تو گفتی همی باره آتش سپرد
“He took a host of battle-ready warriors, riding so swiftly you would say their steeds galloped on fire.”
#15
بره‌بر یکی نامور دید جای
✦
بسی اندرو مردم و چارپای
“Along the road, he saw a populated place filled with people and livestock.”
#16
بپرسید زیشان که شبگیر هور
✦
شنیدی شما بانگ نعل ستور
“He asked them: 'At dawn's early light, did you hear the sound of horses' hooves?'”
#17
یکی گفت زیشان که اندر گذشت
✦
دو تن بر دو باره درآمد به دشت
“One of them answered: 'Two riders mounted on two steeds swept across the plain.'”
#18
همی برگذشتند پویان به راه
✦
یکی بارهٔ خنگ و دیگر سیاه
“'They sped swiftly along the path, one riding a white steed and the other a black.'”
#19
به دم سواران یکی غرم پاک
✦
چو اسپی همی بر پراگند خاک
“'And close at the heels of the riders ran a pure wild ram, kicking up dust like a horse.'”
#20
به دستور گفت آن زمان اردوان
✦
که این غرم باری چرا شد دوان
“Ardavan then asked his vizier: 'Why indeed was this wild ram running behind them?'”
#21
چنین داد پاسخ که آن فر اوست
✦
به شاهی و نیک‌اختری پر اوست
“The vizier replied: 'That ram is his Royal Glory (Farrah), filled with kingship and auspicious fortune.'”
#22
گر این غرم دریابد او را متاز
✦
که این کار گردد بمابر دراز
“'If this ram catches up with him, do not ride after him, for our pursuit will end in failure and long trouble.'”
#23
فرود آمد آن جایگه اردوان
✦
بخورد و برآسود و آمد دوان
“Ardavan dismounted at that place; he ate, rested, and then rode onward swiftly.”
#24
همی تاختند از پس اردشیر
✦
به پیش اندرون اردوان و وزیر
“They continued to ride hard after Ardashir, with Ardavan and his minister leading the charge.”
#25
جوان با کنیزک چو باد دمان
✦
نپردخت از تاختن یک زمان
“The young man and the maiden sped like a roaring wind, not slackening their pace for a single moment.”
#26
کرا یار باشد سپهر بلند
✦
بروبر ز دشمن نیاید گزند
“Whomsoever the high heavens succor shall suffer no harm from any enemy.”
#27
ازان تاختن رنجه شد اردشیر
✦
بدید از بلندی یکی آبگیر
“Ardashir grew exhausted from that hard riding, when from a height he spotted a pool of water.”
#28
جوانمرد پویان به گلنار گفت
✦
که اکنون که با رنج گشتیم جفت
“The noble youth said to Golnar: 'Now that we are overtaken by weariness,'”
#29
بباید بدین چشمه آمد فرود
✦
که شد باره و مرد بی‌تار و پود
“'We should dismount at this spring, for horse and man are bereft of strength.'”
#30
بباشیم بر آب و چیزی خوریم
✦
ازان پس بر آسودگی بگذریم
“'Let us rest by the water and eat something, and after that we shall press on refreshed.'”
#31
چو هر دو رسیدند نزدیک آب
✦
به زردی دو رخساره چون آفتاب
“As both reached near the water, their two faces were pale as the setting sun.”
#32
همی خواست کاید فرود اردشیر
✦
دو مرد جوان دید بر آبگیر
“Just as Ardashir was about to dismount, he saw two young men standing by the pool.”
#33
جوانان به آواز گفتند زود
✦
عنان و رکیبت بباید بسود
“The youths called out to him quickly: 'Touch your reins and stirrups immediately!'”
#34
که رستی ز کام و دم اژدها
✦
کنون آب خوردن نیارد بها
“'For you have escaped the jaws and breath of the dragon; now drinking water is not worth the risk!'”
#35
نباید که آیی به خوردن فرود
✦
تن خویش را داد باید درود
“'You must not dismount to eat; you must save your own life!'”
#36
چو از پندگوی آن شنید اردشیر
✦
به گلنار گفت این سخن یادگیر
“When Ardashir heard this from the advisor, he said to Golnar: 'Remember well these words!'”
#37
رکیبش گران شد سبک شد عنان
✦
به گردن برآورد رخشان سنان
“He pressed his stirrups heavy and loosened his reins, raising his gleaming spear to his shoulder.”
#38
پس‌اندر چو باد دمان اردوان
✦
همی تاخت با رنج و تیره‌روان
“Behind them came Ardavan like a rushing wind, riding with immense effort and a darkened soul.”
#39
بدانگه که بگذشت نیمی ز روز
✦
فلک را بپیمود گیتی فروز
“When half the day had passed and the world-illuminating sun reached the zenith of heaven,”
#40
یکی شارستان دید با رنگ و بوی
✦
بسی مردم آمد به نزدیک اوی
“He saw a pleasant, fragrant city, and many people came out to meet him.”
#41
چنین گفت با موبدان نامدار
✦
که کی برگذشت آن دلاور سوار
“The renowned king asked the noble mobads: 'When did that brave rider pass by here?'”
#42
چنین داد پاسخ بدو رهنمای
✦
که ای شاه نیک‌اختر و پاک‌رای
“The guide replied to him: 'O auspicious and pure-minded king,'”
#43
بدانگه که خورشید برگشت زرد
✦
بگسترد شب چادر لاژورد
“'At the time when the sun turned yellow and night spread its lapis-lazuli veil,'”
#44
بدین شهر بگذشت پویان دو تن
✦
پر از گرد وبی‌آب گشته دهن
“'Two riders passed through this town in haste, covered in dust and with dry, thirsty mouths.'”
#45
یکی غرم بود از پس یک سوار
✦
که چون او ندیدم به ایوان نگار
“'And behind one rider ran a wild ram, the likes of which I have never seen depicted even on palace walls.'”
#46
چنین گفت با اردوان کدخدای
✦
کز ایدر مگر بازگردی به جای
“Thus spoke the elder of the town unto Ardavan: 'It were best that thou shouldst turn back from this place unto thy seat,'”
#47
سپه سازی و ساز جنگ آوری
✦
که اکنون دگرگونه شد داوری
“'And assemble a host and prepare the instruments of war, for now the judgment of Fate hath turned anew.'”
#48
که بختش پس پشت او برنشست
✦
ازین تاختن باد ماند به دست
“'For his Royal Fortune hath mounted behind him on his steed; from this swift pursuit, naught but wind shall remain in thy hand.'”
#49
یکی نامه بنویس نزد پسر
✦
به نامه بگوی این سخن در به در
“'Write a letter unto thy son, and in that scroll recount this matter point by point,'”
#50
نشانی مگر یابد از اردشیر
✦
نباید که او دو شد از غرم شیر
“'That perchance he may find a trace of Ardashir, lest that divine ram of fortune transform into a mighty lion.'”
#51
چو بشنید زو اردوان این سخن
✦
بدانست کآواز او شد کهن
“When Ardavan heard these counselings from him, he knew full well that his own power had grown old and waned.”
#52
بدان شارستان اندر آمد فرود
✦
همی داد نیکی دهش را درود
“He dismounted within that city and offered praise unto the Bestower of all Goodness.”