As King Bahram Gur spent his days in endless feasts, hunting, and sports, news of his apparent negligence of border defenses spread across the known world—from India and Rome to Turkestan and China. Believing the Iranian monarch cared for nothing but pleasure and had left his frontiers unguarded, the Khaqan of China assembled a mighty army to invade Persia, while Caesar of Rome mobilized his legions. Panicked and enraged by the gathering storm, the mobads, elders, and noble commanders of Iran confronted Bahram, sternly chastising him for squandering the realm and jeopardizing the Kiānid crown. Bahram calmly replied that the Creator of the World was his protector, and that through divine favor, his sword, and his army, he would tear Iran from the claws of the wolf. Yet behind his carefree facade, the King was harboring a secret strategy known to none. Selecting thirty thousand elite warriors, Bahram appointed his wise and virtuous brother Narsi as regent over the royal throne and treasury, while he himself quietly marched his forces toward Adharbadagan.
Mistaking Bahram's northward movement for a cowardly flight, despair seized the hearts of the Iranians. Believing all was lost, the noble mobads met with Narsi and chose Homay, a pious and eloquent priest, to travel to the Khaqan with a submissive letter offering tribute and allegiance to avert total destruction. When Homay reached the Turanian camp and delivered the submission, informing the Khaqan that King Bahram had fled, the Khaqan's heart swelled with triumphant pride. Rewarding the envoy with lavish gifts, the Khaqan marched into Merv, firmly convinced he had conquered Iran without striking a single blow. Safe in Merv, the Khaqan abandoned himself to day-and-night banquets, wine, and music, setting no scouts or outposts upon the plains, entirely oblivious that the Persian falcon was secretly circling in the shadows, preparing to strike.
#1
برین‌گونه یک چند گیتی بخورد
✦
به رزم و به بزم و به ننگ و نبرد
“In this manner he enjoyed the world for a time—in battle and banquet, in pride and combat.”
#2
پس آگاهی آمد به هند و به روم
✦
به ترک و به چین و به آباد بوم
“Then news spread to India and Rome, to Turkestan, China, and all prosperous lands,”
#3
که بهرام را دل به بازیست بس
✦
کسی را ز گیتی ندارد به کس
“That Bahram's heart was devoted solely to games, and he held no ruler in the world in any regard.”
#4
طلایه نه و دیده‌بان نیز نه
✦
به مرز اندرون پهلوان نیز نه
“That there were neither outposts nor scouts, nor were there champions guarding the borders.”
#5
به بازی همی بگذارند جهان
✦
نداند همی آشکار و نهان
“That he spent his life in mere pastime, ignoring all matters both manifest and hidden.”
#6
چو خاقان چین این سخنها شنید
✦
ز چین و ختن لشکری برگزید
“When the Khaqan of China heard these reports, he mustered a mighty host from China and Khotan.”
#7
درم داد و سر سوی ایران نهاد
✦
کسی را نیامد ز بهرام یاد
“He distributed treasure and set forth toward Iran, while no one recalled Bahram with dread.”
#8
وزان سوی قیصر سپه برگرفت
✦
همه کشور روم لشگر گرفت
“On the other side, Caesar mobilized his troops, and all the realm of Rome was filled with soldiers.”
#9
به ایران چو آگاهی آمد ز روم
✦
ز هند و ز چین و ز آباد بوم
“When news reached Iran from Rome, India, China, and the settled lands,”
#10
که قیصر سپه کرد و لشکر کشید
✦
ز چین و ختن لشکر آمد پدید
“That Caesar had raised an army and marched, and massive forces had appeared from China and Khotan,”
#11
به ایران هرانکس که بد پیش‌رو
✦
ز پیران و از نامداران نو
“All the leaders in Iran, both the seasoned elders and the famous young chieftains,”
#12
همه پیش بهرام گور آمدند
✦
پر از خشم و پیکار و شور آمدند
“Came all together before Bahram Gur, filled with rage, strife, and turmoil.”
#13
بگفتند با شاه چندی درشت
✦
که بخت فروزانت بنمود پشت
“They spoke harshly to the king, saying: "Your radiant fortune has turned its back on you!”
#14
سر رزمجویان به رزم اندرست
✦
ترا دل به بازی و بزم اندرست
“"The heads of warriors are engaged in war, while your heart is set only on games and banquets!”
#15
به چشم تو خوارست گنج و سپاه
✦
همان تاج ایران و هم تخت و گاه
“"In your eyes, the treasury, army, throne, and crown of Iran are held cheap and worthless!"”
#16
چنین داد پاسخ جهاندار شاه
✦
بدان موبدان نماینده راه
“The world-possessing King thus answered those guidance-offering mobads:”
#17
که دادار گیهان مرا یاورست
✦
که از دانش برتران برترست
“"The Creator of the cosmos is my helper, He whose wisdom surpasses all the high!”
#18
به نیروی آن پادشاه بزرگ
✦
که ایران نگه دارم از چنگ گرگ
“"By the power of that supreme King, I shall guard Iran from the claws of the wolf!”
#19
به بخت و سپاه و به شمشیر و گنج
✦
ز کشور بگردانم این درد و رنج
“"Through fortune, army, sword, and treasury, I will turn this pain and affliction away from our country!"”
#20
همی کرد بازی بدان همنشان
✦
وزو پر ز خون دیدهٔ سرکشان
“Yet he continued his games as before, leaving the eyes of the nobles filled with blood.”
#21
همی گفت هرکس کزین پادشا
✦
بپیچد دل مردم پارسا
“Everyone said: "Because of this king, the hearts of righteous people will turn away!"”
#22
دل شاه بهرام بیدار بود
✦
ازین آگهی پر ز تیمار بود
“Yet King Bahram's heart was alert, and he was deeply concerned by these reports.”
#23
همی ساختی کار لشکر نهان
✦
ندانست رازش کس اندر جهان
“Secretly, he was preparing the army's organization, and no one in the world knew his secret strategy.”
#24
همه شهر ایران ز کارش به بیم
✦
از اندیشگان دل شده به دو نیم
“All the realm of Iran was terrified by his demeanor, their hearts split in two with worry.”
#25
همه گشته نومید زان شهریار
✦
تن و کدخدایی گرفتند خوار
“All had lost hope in that king, deeming their lives and households as good as ruined.”
#26
پس آگاهی آمد به بهرامشاه
✦
که آمد ز چین اندر ایران سپاه
“Then news reached King Bahram that an army from China had invaded Iran.”
#27
جهاندار گستهم را پیش خواند
✦
ز خاقان چین چند با او براند
“The ruler called Gostahm forward and discussed the Khaqan of China with him.”
#28
کجا پهلوان بود و دستور بود
✦
چو رزم آمدی پیش رنجور بود
“Gostahm was a warlord and trusted vizier, who became uneasy whenever war drew near.”
#29
دگر مهرپیروز به زاد را
✦
سوم مهربرزین خراد را
“Second was Mehr-Piruz son of Beh-Zad, and third was Mehr-Borzin son of Khorrad;”
#30
چو بهرام پیروز بهرامیان
✦
خزروان رهام با اندیان
“Likewise Bahram-e Piruz of the Bahramian, and Khazravan-e Rohham along with Andiyan;”
#31
یکی شاه گیلان یکی شاه ری
✦
که بودند در رای هشیار پی
“Also the King of Gilan and the King of Rayy, both wise and prudent in counsel;”
#32
دگر داد برزین رزم‌آزمای
✦
کجا زاولستان بدو بد به پای
“And Dad-Borzin the battle-tested, by whom Zabulistan was held firm;”
#33
بیاورد چون قارن برزمهر
✦
دگر دادبرزین آژنگ چهر
“He summoned Qaran son of Borzmehr, and Dad-Borzin of the stern countenance.”
#34
گزین کرد ز ایرانیان سی‌هزار
✦
خردمند و شایستهٔ کارزار
“He selected thirty thousand from the Iranians—wise warriors worthy of battle.”
#35
برادرش را داد تخت و کلاه
✦
که تا گنج و لشکر بدارد نگاه
“He entrusted the crown and throne to his brother, that he might guard the treasury and the military.”
#36
خردمند نرسی آزاد چهر
✦
همش فر و دین بود هم داد و مهر
“The wise Narsi of noble countenance, who possessed divine glory, faith, justice, and loving-kindness.”
#37
وزان جایگه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
سوی آذرآبادگان پرکشید
“From there he led his army forth and sped swiftly toward Adharbadagan.”
#38
چو از پارس لشکر فراوان ببرد
✦
چنین بود رای بزرگان و خرد
“As he led a large force out of Pars, the opinion of both elders and commoners was:”
#39
که از جنگ بگریخت بهرامشاه
✦
وزان سوی آذر کشیدست راه
“That King Bahram had fled from war and taken the path toward Azerbaijan out of fear!”
#40
چو بهرام رخ سوی دریا نهاد
✦
رسولی ز قیصر بیامد چو باد
“When Bahram turned his face toward the sea, an envoy from Caesar arrived like the wind.”
#41
به کاخیش نرسی فرود آورید
✦
گرانمایه جایی چنانچون سزید
“Narsi received him in the palace, lodging him in a grand place fit for his rank.”
#42
نشستند با رای‌زن بخردان
✦
به نزدیک نرسی همه موبدان
“The wise counselors and all the mobads gathered near Narsi in consultation.”
#43
سراسر سخنشان بد از شهریار
✦
که داد او به باد آن همه روزگار
“All their talk was about the King, complaining that he had squandered all those years.”
#44
سوی موبدان موبد آمد سپاه
✦
به آگاه بودن ز بهرامشاه
“The leaders approached the High Mobad (Mobadan Mobad) to get news of King Bahram.”
#45
که بر ما همی رنج بپراگند
✦
چرا هم ز لشکر نه گنج آگند
“Saying: "He spreads trouble upon us—why does he not fill the treasury for the army's sake?"”
#46
به هرجای زر برفشاند همی
✦
هم ارج جوانی نداند همی
“Everywhere he scattered gold lavishly, oblivious to the precious value of his youth.”
#47
پراگنده شد شهری و لشکری
✦
همی جست هرکس ره مهتری
“The citizens and the army fell into disarray, as each man sought his own path to power and supremacy.”
#48
کنون زو نداریم ما آگهی
✦
بما بازگردد بدی ار بهی
“"Now we have no news of him; whether good or ill betide, it shall ultimately recoil upon us."”
#49
ازان پس چو گفتارها شد کهن
✦
برین بر نهادند یکسر سخن
“Thereafter, when long speeches and debates had drawn to an end, they all agreed upon a single resolve:”
#50
کز ایران یکی مرد با آفرین
✦
فرستند نزدیک خاقان چین
“That they should dispatch a praiseworthy envoy from Iran unto the Khagan of China,”
#51
که بنشین ازین غارت و تاختن
✦
ز هرگونه باید برانداختن
“To say: "Cease from this plundering and assault; all manner of destruction must be brought to an end,”
#52
مگر بوم ایران بماند به جای
✦
چو از خانه آواره شد کدخدای
“So that the land of Iran may yet endure, now that the master of the house hath fled from his home."”
#53
چنین گفت نرسی که این روی نیست
✦
مر این آب را در جهان جوی نیست
“Thus spoke Narsi: "This course is fitting for us no longer; nowhere in the world is there a stream for such foul water!"”
#54
سلیحست و گنجست و مردان مرد
✦
کز آتش به خنجر برآرند گرد
“"We possess weapons, treasure, and valiant heroes who can raise dust even from fire with their daggers!"”
#55
چو نومیدی آمد ز بهرامشاه
✦
کجا رفت با خوارمایه سپاه
“Yet when total despair set in regarding King Bahram, who had departed with but a paltry host,”
#56
گر اندیشهٔ بد کنی بد رسد
✦
چه باید به شاهان چنین گشت بد
“"If you harbor ill thoughts, ill will surely arrive; why should such evil overcome our monarchs?"”
#57
شنیدند ایرانیان این سخن
✦
یکی پاسخ کژ فگندند بن
“The Iranians heard his words, yet laid the groundwork for a deceitful reply:”
#58
که بهرام ز ایدر سپاهی ببرد
✦
که ما را به غم دل بباید سپرد
“Saying: "Bahram led away our troops from here, leaving our hearts bound to grief.”
#59
چو خاقان بیاید به ایران به جنگ
✦
نماند برین بوم ما بوی و رنگ
“When the Khagan advances upon Iran for war, no trace or blossom shall remain in this realm.”
#60
سپاهی و نرسی نماند به جای
✦
بکوبند بر خیره ما را به پای
“Neither the army nor Narsi shall stand firm; they will trample us underfoot in vain.”
#61
یکی چاره سازیم تا جای ما
✦
بماند ز تن نگسلد پای ما
“Let us devise a remedy so that our homeland endures and our feet are not severed from our bodies."”
#62
یکی موبدی بود نامش همای
✦
هنرمند و بادانش و پاک‌رای
“There was a priest named Homay, accomplished, wise, and of noble judgment.”
#63
ورا برگزیدند ایرانیان
✦
که آن چاره را تنگ بندد میان
“Him did the Iranians select to gird his loins tightly for that stratagem.”
#64
نوشتند پس نامه‌ای بنده‌وار
✦
از ایران به نزدیک آن شهریار
“They then penned a subservient letter from Iran unto that foreign sovereign.”
#65
سرنامه گفتند ما بنده‌ایم
✦
به فرمان و رایت سرافگنده‌ایم
“At the head of the letter they wrote: "We are thy servants, bowed in submission to thy decree and counsel.”
#66
ز چیزی که باشد به ایران زمین
✦
فرستیم نزدیک خاقان چین
“Whatever treasures exist within the land of Iran, we shall send unto the Khagan of China,”
#67
همان نیز با هدیه و باژ و ساو
✦
که با جنگ ترکان نداریم تاو
“Along with gifts, tribute, and tax, for we possess not the strength to wage war against the Turks."”
#68
بیامد ز ایران خجسته همای
✦
خود و نامداران پاکیزه‌رای
“Blessed Homay set out from Iran, accompanied by noblemen of pure intellect.”
#69
پیام بزرگان به خاقان بداد
✦
دل شاه ترکان بدان گشت شاد
“He delivered the message of the Iranian elders to the Khagan, and the heart of the Turkic king was filled with joy.”
#70
وزان جستن تیز بهرامشاه
✦
گریزان بشد تازیان با سپاه
“And he spoke of King Bahram's swift flight, how he had galloped away in haste with his small host.”
#71
به پیش گرانمایه خاقان بگفت
✦
دل و جان خاقان چو گل برشکفت
“When he spoke thus before the grand Khagan, the Khagan's heart and soul bloomed like a rose.”
#72
به ترکان چنین گفت خاقان چین
✦
که ما برنهادیم بر چرخ زین
“To the Turks, the Khagan of China proclaimed: "We have placed our saddle upon the very heavens!”
#73
که آورد بی‌جنگ ایران به چنگ؟
✦
مگر ما به رای و به هوش و درنگ؟
“Who else hath ever conquered Iran without battle, save us through counsel, intellect, and patience?"”
#74
فرستاده را چیز بسیار داد
✦
درم داد چینی و دینار داد
“He bestowed rich rewards upon the envoy, giving Chinese dirhams and dinars in abundance.”
#75
یکی پاسخ نامه بنوشت و گفت
✦
که با جان پاکان خرد باد جفت
“He penned an answer to the letter, saying: "May wisdom ever be entwined with the souls of the pure!”
#76
بدان بازگشتیم همداستان
✦
که گفت این فرستادهٔ راستان
“We have fully agreed to that which this truthful messenger hath declared.”
#77
چو من با سپاه اندرآیم به مرو
✦
کنم روی کشور چو پر تذرو
“When I enter Merv with my army, I shall make the face of the land as colorful as a pheasant's plumage.”
#78
به رای و به داد و به رنگ و به بوی
✦
ابا آب شیر اندر آرم به جوی
“Through justice, judgment, color, and grace, I shall cause milk to flow beside water in the stream.”
#79
بباشیم تا باژ ایران رسد
✦
همان هدیه و ساو شیران رسد
“We shall abide there until the tribute of Iran arrives, along with the gifts and taxes of its brave men.”
#80
به مرو آیم و زاستر نگذرم
✦
نخواهم که رنج آید از لشکرم
“I shall come to Merv and advance no further than Astar, for I wish no harm to reach you from my host."”
#81
فرستاده تازان به ایران رسید
✦
ز خاقان بگفت آنچ دید و شنید
“The swift messenger arrived in Iran, bringing news of all he had seen and heard of the Khaqan.”
#82
به مرو اندر آورد خاقان سپاه
✦
جهان شد ز گرد سواران سیاه
“Into the city of Marv the Khaqan led his army, until the world grew dark from the dust of his horsemen.”
#83
چو آسوده شد سر بخوردن نهاد
✦
کسی را نیامد ز بهرام یاد
“Once at ease, he turned his mind to feasting, and no one brought Bahram to memory.”
#84
به مرو اندرون بانگ چنگ و رباب
✦
کسی را نبد جای آرام و خواب
“Within Marv resounded the melodies of harp and lute; none found a place for rest or slumber.”
#85
سپاهش همه باره کرده یله
✦
طلایه نه بردشت و نه راحله
“His troops had left their warhorses untethered, posting no vanguards on the plain nor sentries with the train.”
#86
شکار و می و مجلس و بانگ چنگ
✦
شب و روز ایمن نشسته ز جنگ
“Given to hunting, wine, assemblies, and the harp's strain, day and night they sat, secure from fear of war.”
#87
همی باژ ایرانیان چشم داشت
✦
ز دیر آمدن دل پر از خشم داشت
“He eagerly awaited the tribute of the Iranians, his heart burning with rage at its delay.”