As the host of Rum broke in utter ruin, Prince Salm fled in desperate haste toward the coastal fortresses, hoping to find ships to carry him away from the vengeance of Iran. Yet the shore was barren and no vessels rode the waves. The plain was so choked with the fallen that horses stumbled amidst the carnage. Prince Manuchehr, his heart ablaze with the memory of Iraj, urged his swift steed forward, dismounting his heavy armor to gain blinding speed. Closing in upon the fleeing King of Rum, Manuchehr cried out in thunderous wrath: 'O wretched tyrant! You slew your own brother for the sake of a crown! Behold, I bring you the kingdom you so desired! Do not flee from the seat Fereydun has newly prepared for you—the tree you planted has borne its fruit, be it thorns or fine silk!'
Before the words had faded, Manuchehr struck with his brilliant blade, cleaving the King of Rum in twain. Salm's severed head was raised high upon a spear, striking awe and terror into all who beheld it. Left leaderless, the army of Rum scattered like a shepherdless flock swept by a winter blizzard, hiding among the mountains, seas, and wastes. A wise and eloquent elder of their ranks was chosen to approach Manuchehr. Bowing low, he pleaded: 'We are but humble herders and tillers of the soil, dragged into this dark war by force, not by our own desire. We yield our lives and spirits to your command. If the King seeks further blood, we have no power to resist; our innocent heads lie before your judgment.'
Manuchehr, guided by wisdom and divine grace, replied: 'My own desire I cast into the dust, seeking only the name of righteousness. Whatever strays from the Divine path belongs to Ahriman, and from such evil I turn my face. Now that the Almighty has granted us victory, the guilty are sundered from the innocent. This is the day of Justice; no more innocent blood shall stain the earth.' He proclaimed amnesty throughout the camp, commanding all vanquished warriors to lay down their weapons and return to their lands in peace. He then dispatched the seasoned hero Shiruy to claim the fortress and treasures of Salm, lading the vast wealth onto war elephants bound for the royal court.
With bronze drums sounding and colorful banners of violet, gold, and crimson fluttering in the wind, Manuchehr marched his triumphant army back from the coast toward Tamisheh. Old King Fereydun rode out to welcome his victorious grandson. The warriors of Gilan, adorned with golden collars and dark helmets, lined the way alongside Iran's fiercest champions and battle elephants. Seeing his grand-sire, Manuchehr dismounted, kissing the earth in homage. Fereydun embraced him, wiping the dust from his face, and lifted his eyes to heaven in tearful prayer, praising Yazdan for delivering justice to the oppressed and fulfilling the sacred blood-revenge.
Fereydun placed the Kayanid crown upon Manuchehr's head and bade him distribute the captured spoils among the army. But with vengeance complete, the leaves of Fereydun's royal life began to wither. The ancient monarch withdrew from the throne, placing the severed heads of his three sons—Iraj, Tur, and Salm—before him. For remaining years he sat in solitary grief, weeping bitterly over the tragedies of his house until his spirit departed the mortal realm. Manuchehr clad himself in dark mourning, bound a crimson girdle around his waist, and constructed a splendid tomb of lapis lazuli, red gold, and ivory. Hanging the royal crown above Fereydun's ivory couch, he sealed the sepulcher of the great Pishdadian king, reflecting upon the fleeting vanity of the world.
#1
تهی شد ز کینه سر کینه دار
✦
گریزان همی رفت سوی حصار
“The heart of the vengeful prince was emptied of malice as he fled in terror toward his fortress.”
#2
پس اندر سپاه منوچهر شاه
✦
دمان و دنان برگرفتند راه
“Behind him, the host of King Manuchehr charged forward, roaring and thunderous in pursuit.”
#3
چو شد سلم تا پیش دریا کنار
✦
ندید آنچه کشتی برآن رهگذار
“When Salm reached the shore of the sea, he found no ships awaiting him along the coastal pass.”
#4
چنان شد ز بس کشته و خسته دشت
✦
که پوینده را راه دشوار گشت
“The plain was so strewn with the fallen and wounded that the path became treacherous for any traveler.”
#5
پر از خشم و پر کینه سالار نو
✦
نشست از بر چرمهٔ تیزرو
“Filled with wrath and eagerness for vengeance, the new commander mounted his swift grey charger.”
#6
بیفگند برگستوان و بتاخت
✦
به گرد سپه چرمه اندر نشاخت
“He cast off his horse's armor to gain speed and spurred the charger around the army.”
#7
رسید آنگهی تنگ در شاه روم
✦
خروشید کای مرد بیداد شوم
“He drew close upon the King of Rum and shouted: 'O villainous and ill-fated man!'”
#8
بکشتی برادر ز بهر کلاه
✦
کله یافتی چند پویی براه
“'You slew your brother for the sake of a crown! You found your crown, so why do you now flee along the road?'”
#9
کنون تاجت آوردم ای شاه و تخت
✦
به بار آمد آن خسروانی درخت
“'Now I have brought you your crown and throne, O King! The royal tree has yielded its fruit!'”
#10
زتاج بزرگی گریزان مشو
✦
فریدونت گاهی بیاراست نو
“'Flee not from the crown of greatness; Fereydun has adorned a new throne for you!'”
#11
درختی که پروردی آمد به بار
✦
بیابی هم اکنون برش در کنار
“'The tree that you nurtured has now borne fruit; you shall straightway receive its harvest at your side!'”
#12
اگر بار خارست خود کشته‌ای
✦
و گر پرنیانست خود رشته‌ای
“'If its fruit be thorns, you yourself sowed them; if it be silk, you yourself spun it!'”
#13
همی تاخت اسپ اندرین گفت‌گوی
✦
یکایک به تنگی رسید اندر اوی
“As he spoke these words he urged his horse forward until he closed in upon him.”
#14
یکی تیغ زد زود بر گردنش
✦
بدو نیمه شد خسروانی تنش
“He swiftly struck a sword upon his neck, cleaving his royal body in two halves.”
#15
بفرمود تا سرش برداشتند
✦
به نیزه به ابر اندر افراشتند
“He ordered his head to be severed and raised high upon a spear toward the clouds.”
#16
بماندند لشکر شگفت اندر اوی
✦
ازان زور و آن بازوی جنگجوی
“The army stood in utter wonder at his strength and the power of his warrior arm.”
#17
همه لشکر سلم همچون رمه
✦
که بپراگند روزگار دمه
“The entire army of Salm became like a flock scattered by a winter blizzard.”
#18
برفتند یکسر گروها گروه
✦
پراگنده در دشت و دریا و کوه
“They fled in scattered bands across the plains, seas, and mountains.”
#19
یکی پرخرد مرد پاکیزه مغز
✦
که بودش زبان پر ز گفتار نغز
“A wise man of clear mind, whose tongue was filled with sweet and polished speech,”
#20
بگفتند تا زی منوچهر شاه
✦
شود گرم و باشد زبان سپاه
“Was chosen to go swiftly to King Manuchehr and act as the voice of the army.”
#21
بگوید که گفتند ما کهتریم
✦
زمین جز به فرمان او نسپریم
“To say: 'We said that we are your humble servants, and shall tread the earth only by your command.'”
#22
گروهی خداوند بر چارپای
✦
گروهی خداوند کشت و سرای
“'Some of us are owners of cattle, and some are tillers of the soil and keepers of homes.'”
#23
سپاهی بدین رزمگاه آمدیم
✦
نه بر آرزو کینه خواه آمدیم
“'We came to this battlefield as conscripted soldiers, not out of our own desire for vengeance.'”
#24
کنون سر به سر شاه را بنده‌ایم
✦
دل و جان به مهر وی آگنده‌ایم
“'Now we are all servants to the King, our hearts and souls filled with devotion to him.'”
#25
گرش رای جنگ است و خون ریختن
✦
نداریم نیروی آویختن
“'If his will be war and the shedding of blood, we have no power left to fight.'”
#26
سران یکسره پیش شاه آوریم
✦
بر او سر بیگناه آوریم
“'We shall bring all our leaders before the King, presenting our innocent heads to him.'”
#27
براند هر آن کام کو را هواست
✦
برین بیگنه جان ما پادشاست
“'Let him execute whatever desire he holds; he is sovereign over our blameless lives.'”
#28
بگفت این سخن مرد بسیار هوش
✦
سپهدار خیره بدو دادگوش
“When the sagacious envoy spoke these words, the general listened carefully and intently.”
#29
چنین داد پاسخ که من کام خویش
✦
به خاک افگنم برکشم نام خویش
“He gave answer: 'I shall cast my own desire into the dust and exalt only a worthy name.'”
#30
هر آن چیز کان نز ره ایزدیست
✦
از آهرمنی گر ز دست بدیست
“'Whatever comes not from the Divine path is of Ahriman and the hand of evil.'”
#31
سراسر ز دیدار من دور باد
✦
بدی را تن دیو رنجور باد
“'May all such things be far from my sight, and may the body of the demon of evil suffer pain!'”
#32
شما گر همه کینه‌دار منید
✦
وگر دوستدارید و یار منید
“'Whether you were all my vengeful foes, or whether you are now my friends and allies,'”
#33
چو پیروزگر دادمان دستگاه
✦
گنه کار پیدا شد از بیگناه
“'Since the Victorious God has granted us power, the guilty are now made distinct from the innocent.'”
#34
کنون روز دادست بیداد شد
✦
سران را سر از کشتن آزاد شد
“'Now is the day of justice and tyranny is past; the heads of your leaders are freed from slaughter.'”
#35
همه مهر جویید و افسون کنید
✦
ز تن آلت جنگ بیرون کنید
“'Seek affection, speak mild words, and strip off your armors of war.'”
#36
خروشی بر آمد ز پرده سرای
✦
که ای پهلوانان فرخنده رای
“A cry echoed from the royal pavilion: 'O auspicious and wise champions!'”
#37
ازین پس به خیره مریزید خون
✦
که بخت جفاپیشگان شد نگون
“'Shed blood no more in vain, for the fortune of the oppressive has turned upside down!'”
#38
همه آلت لشکر و ساز جنگ
✦
ببردند نزدیک پور پشنگ
“They brought all the military gear and war implements before the son of Pashang.”
#39
سپهبد منوچهر بنواختشان
✦
براندازه بر پایگه ساختشان
“General Manuchehr treated them with grace, granting each a place according to his rank.”
#40
سوی دژ فرستاد شیروی را
✦
جهاندیده مرد جهانجوی را
“He sent Shiruy to the fortress—that experienced man who sought the world.”
#41
بفرمود کان خواسته برگرای
✦
نگه کن همه هر چه یابی به جای
“He commanded him: 'Gather that wealth and guard everything you find in its place.'”
#42
به پیلان گردونکش آن خواسته
✦
به درگاه شاه‌آور آراسته
“'Load that wealth upon chariot-drawing elephants and bring it arrayed to the King's court.'”
#43
بفرمود تا کوس رویین و نای
✦
زدند و فرو هشت پرده سرای
“He commanded the bronze drums and pipes to sound, and the royal tents were taken down.”
#44
سپه را ز دریا به هامون کشید
✦
ز هامون سوی آفریدون کشید
“He led the army from the sea toward the plain, and from the plain back toward Fereydun.”
#45
چو آمد به نزدیک تمیشه باز
✦
نیا را بدیدار او بد نیاز
“When he returned near Tamisheh, his grandsire was yearning to behold his face.”
#46
برآمد ز در نالهٔ کر نای
✦
سراسر بجنبید لشکر ز جای
“From the royal gates arose the blare of brass trumpets, and the entire army stirred and marched from its place.”
#47
همه پشت پیلان ز پیروزه تخت
✦
بیاراست سالار پیروز بخت
“The fortune-favored leader adorned the backs of all the war-elephants with turquoise-studded thrones.”
#48
چه با مهد زرین به دیبای چین
✦
بگوهر بیاراسته همچنین
“With golden litters draped in Chinese silk, studded with precious gems, they decorated the procession.”
#49
چه با گونه گونه درفشان درفش
✦
جهانی شده سرخ و زرد و بنفش
“And with colorful, glittering banners waving, the whole world seemed transformed into red, yellow, and violet.”
#50
ز دریای گیلان چو ابر سیاه
✦
دمادم بساری رسید آن سپاه
“From the Sea of Gilan like a dark cloud, the army advanced continuously until it reached the city of Sari.”
#51
چو آمد بنزدیک شاه آن سپاه
✦
فریدون پذیره بیامد براه
“When that army drew near the monarch, Fereydoun came forth upon the road to welcome them.”
#52
همه گیل مردان چو شیر یله
✦
ابا طوق زرین و مشکین کله
“All the men of Gilan were like untamed lions, wearing golden torcs and black caps perfumed with musk.”
#53
پس پشت شاه اندر ایرانیان
✦
دلیران و هر یک چو شیر ژیان
“Behind the king marched the Iranian brave, valiant warriors, each like a raging lion.”
#54
به پیش سپاه اندرون پیل و شیر
✦
پس ژنده پیلان یلان دلیر
“In the vanguard of the host walked elephants and lions, followed by fearless heroes behind the giant pachyderms.”
#55
درفش درفشان چو آمد پدید
✦
سپاه منوچهر صف بر کشید
“As the resplendent banner came into view, Manuchehr's host drew up in ranks of honor.”
#56
پیاده شد از باره سالار نو
✦
درخت نوآیین پر از بار نو
“The new sovereign dismounted from his steed—a newly blooming tree laden with fresh fruit.”
#57
زمین را ببوسید و کرد آفرین
✦
بران تاج و تخت و کلاه و نگین
“He kissed the ground and paid homage to the royal crown, throne, cap, and signet ring.”
#58
فریدونش فرمود تا برنشست
✦
ببوسید و بسترد رویش به دست
“Fereydoun bade him remount, kissed his brow, and gently wiped his face with his hand.”
#59
پس آنگه سوی آسمان کرد روی
✦
که ای دادگر داور راست‌گوی
“Then Fereydoun turned his face toward the heavens, saying, 'O Just Sovereign and Truthful Judge!'”
#60
تو گفتی که من دادگر داورم
✦
به سختی ستم دیده را یاورم
“'Thou hast promised: I am the righteous Judge, and in times of distress I help the oppressed.'”
#61
همم داد دادی و هم داوری
✦
همم تاج دادی هم انگشتری
“'Thou hast granted me both justice and vindication, and bestowed upon me both the royal crown and signet ring.'”
#62
بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه
✦
نشست از بر تخت زر با کلاه
“He then commanded King Manuchehr to seat himself upon the golden throne wearing the royal crown.”
#63
سپهدار شیروی با خواسته
✦
به درگاه شاه آمد آراسته
“Shiruy, the grand commander, arrived arrayed in splendor at the royal court, bearing immense wealth.”
#64
بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه
✦
ببخشید یکسر همه با سپاه
“King Manuchehr then gave orders that all those riches be distributed entirely among the troops.”
#65
چو این کرده شد روز برگشت بخت
✦
بپژمرد برگ کیانی درخت
“When this was done, fortune turned away its face, and the leaves of the royal tree withered.”
#66
کرانه گزید از بر تاج و گاه
✦
نهاده بر خود سر هر سه شاه
“He stepped away from throne and crown, keeping near him the severed heads of all three of his kingly sons.”
#67
پر از خون دل و پر ز گریه دو روی
✦
چنین تا زمانه سرآمد بروی
“With a heart full of grief and a face wet with tears, he lived on until time ran its course for him.”
#68
فریدون شد و نام ازو ماند باز
✦
برآمد برین روزگار دراز
“Fereydoun passed away and only his name remained; and long ages have sped since that day.”
#69
همان نیکنامی به و راستی
✦
که کرد ای پسر سود برکاستی
“Only good name and truth endure; for who, O son, ever gained profit from wrongdoing?”
#70
منوچهر بنهاد تاج کیان
✦
بزنار خونین ببستش میان
“Manuchehr laid aside the royal crown and girded his waist with a bloody belt of mourning.”
#71
برآیین شاهان یکی دخمه کرد
✦
چه از زر سرخ و چه از لاژورد
“Following the ancient royal rites, he built a tomb adorned with red gold and lapis lazuli.”
#72
نهادند زیر اندرش تخت عاج
✦
بیاویختند از بر عاج تاج
“They placed an ivory throne beneath him, and suspended the crown above that throne of ivory.”
#73
بپدرود کردنش رفتند پیش
✦
چنان چون بود رسم آیین و کیش
“The mourners came forward to bid him farewell, just as prescribed by ancient faith and custom.”
#74
در دخمه بستند بر شهریار
✦
شد آن ارجمند از جهان زار و خوار
“They sealed the portal of the tomb upon the monarch; thus that noble king departed wretchedly from this world.”
#75
جهانا سراسر فسوسی و باد
✦
بتو نیست مرد خردمند شاد
“O world! Thou art entirely delusion and empty wind; no wise man ever places his joy in thee!”