For seven somber days, the young Manuchehr remained swathed in deep mourning for his slain ancestor Iraj, his eyes streaming with tears and his visage pale with grief. Yet on the eighth dawn, he cast aside the mantle of sorrow and placed the radiant Kiani crown upon his brow, ascending the throne of the Iranian realm. As the royal diadem settled upon his head, the champions of all the earth raised their voices in acclaim, welcoming the new dawn of sovereignty.
Manuchehr proclaimed his royal decree to the assembled nobles: that his reign would combine stern vengeance against evil with tender mercy for the righteous. Backed by Divine Providence and the eternal Kavian Banner, he warned that his blade would cut down any ruler across the seven climes who preyed upon the poor, abandoned the true path, or succumbed to greed, deeming such oppressors worse than Ahriman himself. Yet despite his awe-inspiring power, the young king humbly declared himself a mere servant of the Almighty, pledging to walk steadfastly in the footsteps of his glorious ancestor, King Fereydun.
Deeply moved by his words, the great paladins pledged their absolute devotion. Sam the World-Champion stepped forth from the ranks, praising the King's wisdom and reminding him that the crown was his divine birthright. Sam vowed to ride across the world, battle every hostile threat, and drag enemy chieftains in chains before the imperial seat so that King Manuchehr might rule in peace and joy. Graciously bestowing royal jewels upon the mighty warrior, Manuchehr accepted his pledge, inaugurating a brilliant era of justice and heroic splendor.
#1
منوچهر یک هفته با درد بود
✦
دو چشمش پر آب و رخش زرد بود
“For one full week Manuchehr abode in grief, his two eyes filled with tears, his countenance pale.”
#2
به هشتم بیامد منوچهر شاه
✦
به سر بر نهاد آن کیانی کلاه
“Upon the eighth day King Manuchehr emerged, and placed upon his head the imperial Kiani crown.”
#3
همه پهلوانان روی زمین
✦
بر او یکسره خواندند آفرین
“All the paladins across the face of the earth showered praise and blessings upon him.”
#4
چو دیهیم شاهی به سر بر نهاد
✦
جهان را سراسر همه مژده داد
“When he placed the crown of kingship on his head, he gave joyous tidings to the entire world.”
#5
به داد و به آیین و مردانگی
✦
به نیکی و پاکی و فرزانگی
“Tidings of justice, custom, and chivalry, of goodness, purity, and profound wisdom.”
#6
منم گفت بر تخت گردان سپهر
✦
همم خشم و جنگ است و هم داد و مهر
“He said: 'I sit upon the throne of the turning sphere; mine is both wrath and war, and justice and affection.'”
#7
زمین بنده و چرخ یار من است
✦
سر تاجداران شکار من است
“'The earth is my servant and the heavens my ally; the heads of crown-wearers are my quarry.'”
#8
همم دین و هم فرهٔ ایزدیست
✦
همم بخت نیکی و هم بخردیست
“'Mine are the true faith and the divine glory; mine are good fortune and deep sagacity.'”
#9
شب تار جویندهٔ کین منم
✦
همان آتش تیز برزین منم
“'I am the seeker of vengeance in the pitch-black night; I am the swift, blazing fire of Burzin.'”
#10
خداوند شمشیر و زرّینه کفش
✦
فرازندهٔ کاویانی درفش
“'Lord of the sword and golden footwear, the exalter of the glorious Kavian Banner.'”
#11
فروزندهٔ میغ و برّنده تیغ
✦
به جنگ اندرون جان ندارم دریغ
“'Illuminator of the raincloud and wielder of the severing blade; in battle I spare not my very life.'”
#12
گه بزم دریا دو دست من است
✦
دم آتش از بر نشست من است
“'In the feast, my hands are liberal as the sea; the very breath of fire is my throne.'”
#13
بدان را ز بد دست کوته کنم
✦
زمین را به کین رنگ دیبه کنم
“'I cut short the hands of the evil from wickedness; I dye the earth like brocade in vengeance.'”
#14
گراینده گرز و نماینده تاج
✦
فروزندهٔ ملک بر تخت عاج
“'Wielder of the mace, bestower of crowns, illuminator of the realm upon the ivory throne.'”
#15
ابا این هنرها یکی بنده‌ام
✦
جهان آفرین را پرستنده‌ام
“'Yet with all these virtues I am but a humble servant, a worshiper of the World-Creator.'”
#16
همه دست بر روی گریان زنیم
✦
همه داستان‌ها ز یزدان زنیم
“'Let us all place our hands upon our weeping faces, and speak only of the deeds of Yazdan.'”
#17
کز او تاج و تخت است ز اویم سپاه
✦
از اویم سپاس و بدویم پناه
“'For from Him come throne and crown, from Him my host; to Him my gratitude, and in Him my refuge.'”
#18
به راه فریدون فرّخ رویم
✦
نیامان کهن بود گر ما نویم
“'We walk the path of blessed Fereydun; our ancestors were ancient, though we are young.'”
#19
هر آن کس که در هفت کشور زمین
✦
بگردد ز راه و بتابد ز دین
“'Whosoever across the earth of seven climes turns away from righteousness and strays from faith,'”
#20
نمایندهٔ رنج درویش را
✦
زبون داشتن مردم خویش را
“'Or inflicts hardship upon the poor and vulnerable, or holds his own people in contempt,'”
#21
برافراختن سر به بیشی و گنج
✦
به رنجور مردم نماینده رنج
“'Or raises his head in pride over wealth and excess, causing misery to the afflicted,'”
#22
همه نزد من سر به سر کافرند
✦
و ز آهرمن بدکنش بدترند
“'All such men in my sight are utterly faithless, and worse than evil-doing Ahriman.'”
#23
هر آن کس که او جز بر این دین بود
✦
ز یزدان و از منش نفرین بود
“'Whosoever abides by any law but this, shall be cursed by Yazdan and by me.'”
#24
و زان پس به شمشیر یازیم دست
✦
کنم سر به سر کشور و مرز پست
“'And thereafter we shall stretch forth our hand to the sword, and bring low their realm and borders completely.'”
#25
همه پهلوانان روی زمین
✦
منوچهر را خواندند آفرین
“All the paladins across the realm raised their voices in blessings upon Manuchehr,”
#26
که فرّخ نیای تو ای نیک‌خواه
✦
تو را داد شاهی و تخت و کلاه
“Saying: 'Your blessed ancestor, O noble ruler, bestowed upon you the kingship, throne, and crown.'”
#27
تو را باد جاوید تخت ردان
✦
همان تاج و هم فرهٔ موبدان
“'May the throne of chieftains be yours eternally, alongside the crown and glory of the Mobads.'”
#28
دل ما یکایک به فرمان تو است
✦
همان جان ما زیر پیمان تو است
“'Every one of our hearts is obedient to your command, and our very lives are bound by your covenant.'”
#29
جهان پهلوان سام بر پای خاست
✦
چنین گفت کای خسرو داد راست
“Then Sam, the World-Champion, stood upon his feet and spoke thus: 'O righteous King!'”
#30
ز شاهان مرا دیده بر دیدن است
✦
ز تو داد و از ما پسندیدن است
“'My eyes are blessed by beholding kings; from you comes justice, and from us approval.'”
#31
پدر بر پدر شاه ایران تویی
✦
گزین سواران و شیران تویی
“'Father unto father, you are the King of Iran; you are the elect of knights and lions.'”
#32
تو را پاک یزدان نگه‌دار باد
✦
دلت شادمان بخت بیدار باد
“'May pure God be your protector; may your heart be joyful and your fortune vigilant.'”
#33
تو از باستان یادگار منی
✦
به تخت کئی بر بهار منی
“'You are my remembrance of ancient times; upon the Kiani throne, you are my spring.'”
#34
به رزم اندرون شیر پاینده‌ای
✦
به بزم اندرون شید تابنده‌ای
“'In battle, an enduring lion; in the feast, a radiant sun.'”
#35
زمین و زمان خاک پای تو باد
✦
همان تخت پیروزه جای تو باد
“'May heaven and earth be the dust under your feet, and may the turquoise throne be your permanent place.'”
#36
تو شستی به شمشیر هندی زمین
✦
به آرام بنشین و رامش گزین
“'You have washed the earth clean with your Indian blade; now sit in serenity and choose delight.'”
#37
از این پس همه نوبت ماست رزم
✦
تو را جای تخت است و شادی و بزم
“'Henceforth, fighting is our turn; for you, the throne, joy, and the feast await.'”
#38
شوم گرد گیتی برآیم یکی
✦
ز دشمن به بند آورم اندکی
“'I shall traverse the world and bring a multitude of enemies into chains.'”
#39
مرا پهلوانی نیای تو داد
✦
دلم را خرد مهر و رای تو داد
“'Your grandfather bestowed the warrior champion-ship upon me; wisdom, love, and judgment gave my heart to you.'”
#40
بر او آفرین کرد بس شهریار
✦
بسی دادش از گوهر شاهوار
“The sovereign praised Sam profusely, and bestowed upon him abundant royal gems.”
#41
چو از پیش تختش گرازید سام
✦
پسش پهلوانان نهادند گام
“When Sam stepped back from before his throne, the paladins followed behind his footsteps.”
#42
خرامید و شد سوی آرامگاه
✦
همی کرد گیتی به آیین و راه
“He departed proudly unto his resting place, ordering the world according to custom and law.”