When tidings of the Worm's demise reached Haftvad, his heart swelled with torment and his head burned with tempestuous rage. He rushed with all speed to reclaim his coastal fortress, only to find King Ardashir already standing victorious upon the high battlements, his grip on the citadel as firm as a lion's tread. The host of Haftvad gathered like a dense mountain beneath the walls, yet they stood bewildered and stricken with grief before the triumph of the Sasanian monarch.
From the heights of the walls, Ardashir called out to the besiegers, declaring how molten lead had been poured down the gullet of the idolized creature, sundering its dark magic and bringing its empire to ashes. As if by divine decree, the wind shifted against Haftvad's forces. Encircled on every side, Haftvad and his eldest son, the cunning commander Shahoy, were captured alive. Ardashir descended from the battlements, mounted a noble steed with a golden bridle, and commanded two tall gallows to be erected along the shores of the sea.
Bound alive upon the wooden frames, Haftvad and Shahoy were showered with a rain of arrows from the imperial archers, serving as a terrifying warning to all enemies of the crown. The vast treasures within the fortress were handed over to the troops, enriching the entire army. Riding onward to Ardashir-Khurrah, the King founded a splendid Fire Temple, breathing fresh glory into the sacred traditions of Mehregan and Sadeh. Having brought justice to the realm of Pars and garrisoned Kerman and Gur, Ardashir set out in supreme triumph for Ctesiphon.
#1
چو آگاه شد زان سخن هفتواد
✦
دلش گشت پردرد و سر پر ز باد
“When Haftvad learned of these tidings, his heart swelled with anguish and his head with tempestuous fury.”
#2
بیامد که دژ را کند خواستار
✦
بران باره بر شد دمان شهریار
“He marched swiftly to reclaim the citadel, but the triumphant King had already ascended its high battlements.”
#3
بکوشید چندی نیامدش سود
✦
که بر بارهٔ دژ پی شیر بود
“Haftvad strove in vain, gaining no avail, for the lion-king held the stronghold in an unshakeable grip.”
#4
وزان روی لشکر بیامد چو کوه
✦
بماندند با داغ و درد آن گروه
“From the other side, Haftvad's host surged like a mountain, yet they stood trapped in sorrow and deep despair.”
#5
چنین گفت زان باره شاه اردشیر
✦
که نزدیک جنگ آی ای شهرگیر
“From the battlements King Ardashir called out: 'Come forward to the fight, O conqueror of towns!'”
#6
اگر گم شود از میان هفتواد
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نماند به چنگ تو جز رنج و باد
“'If Haftvad perishes from this world, nothing shall remain in your hands save hardship and empty wind!'”
#7
که من کرم را دادم ارزیز گرم
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شد آن دولت و رفتن تیز نرم
“'For I poured molten lead down the Worm's throat; its fortune is undone, and its swift advance turned to dust.'”
#8
شنید آن همه لشکر آواز شاه
✦
به سر بر نهادند ز آهن کلاه
“Hearing the voice of the King echo from above, the imperial army donned their helmets of steel.”
#9
ازان دل گرفتند ایرانیان
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ببستند با درد کین را میان
“The hearts of the Iranians swelled with valor, and they girded their loins for revenge and vengeance.”
#10
سوی لشکر کرم برگشت باد
✦
گرفتار شد در میان هفتواد
“The wind turned against the forces of the Worm, and Haftvad was ensnared in the midst of the clash.”
#11
همان نیز شاهوی عیار اوی
✦
که مهتر پسر بود و سالار اوی
“Captured also was his crafty son Shahoy, his eldest heir and commander of his host.”
#12
فرود آمد از باره شاه اردشیر
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پیاده ببد پیش او شهرگیر
“King Ardashir descended from the high wall, and his warriors stood before him on foot in homage.”
#13
ببردند بالای زرین لگام
✦
نشست از برش مهتر شادکام
“They brought forth a noble steed with a golden bridle, and the joyful sovereign mounted its back.”
#14
بفرمود پس شهریار بلند
✦
زدن پیش دریا دو دار بلند
“Then the exalted King commanded two high gallows to be erected by the shore of the sea.”
#15
دو بدخواه را زنده بر دار کرد
✦
دل دشمن از خواب بیدار کرد
“He hanged the two adversaries alive upon the gallows, awakening the heart of every enemy from deceptive sleep.”
#16
بیامد ز قلب سپه شهرگیر
✦
بکشت آن دو تن را به باران تیر
“The victorious conqueror advanced from the center of the host and dispatched the pair under a hail of arrows.”
#17
به تاراج داد آن همه خواسته
✦
شد از خواسته لشکر آراسته
“He gave over the citadel's vast treasure to spoil, enriching and adorning his entire army.”
#18
به دژ هرچ بود از کران تا کران
✦
فرود آوریدند فرمانبران
“Everything contained within the walls from end to end was carried down by his obedient vassals.”
#19
ز پرمایه چیزی که بد دلپذیر
✦
همی تاخت تا خره اردشیر
“Transporting the precious and magnificent spoils, he rode onward to Ardashir-Khurrah.”
#20
بکرد اندران کشور آتشکده
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بدو تازه شد مهرگان و سده
“There he established a grand Fire Temple, renewing the ancient splendor of Mehregan and Sadeh.”
#21
سپرد آن زمان کشور و تاج و تخت
✦
بدان میزبانان بیدار بخت
“He entrusted the realm, crown, and throne to vigilant and fortunate governors.”
#22
وزان جایگه رفت پیروز و شاد
✦
بگسترد بر کشور پارس داد
“Triumphant and joyful, he departed thence and spread righteousness across the land of Fars.”
#23
چو آسوده‌تر گشت مرد و ستور
✦
بیاورد لشکر سوی شهر گور
“When the warriors and their steeds had rested, he led his army toward the city of Gur.”
#24
به کرمان فرستاد چندی سپاه
✦
یکی مرد شایستهٔ تاج و گاه
“To Kerman he dispatched a mighty division under a worthy leader fit for command.”
#25
وزان جایگه شد سوی طیسفون
✦
سر بخت بدخواه کرده نگون
“From there he marched toward Ctesiphon, having cast down the fortune of every adversary.”
#26
چنین است رسم جهان جهان
✦
همی راز خویش از تو دارد نهان
“Such is the way of the ever-revolving world; it conceals its secret designs from mortal eyes.”
#27
نسازد تو ناچار با او بساز
✦
که روزی نشیب است و روزی فراز
“It will not adapt to thee, so adapt thou to it; for one day brings low estate, and another high elevation.”
#28
چو از گفتهٔ کرم پرداختم
✦
دری دیگر از اردشیر آختم
“Having finished the tale of the Worm, I now open another chapter of Ardashir's glorious deeds.”