Amidst the swirling dust and violent clashes of battle, Prince Nushzad was struck down by a fatal arrow. As life ebbed away, the unheeded wisdom of Piruz echoed within his fading mind. Pale and pierced, he pulled back to the heart of his Roman allies. Addressing the warriors of Rome, he lamented bitterly, confessing that taking up arms against one’s own father brings nothing but sorrow, humiliation, and ruin. Summoning the Christian bishop, Nushzad poured out his aching heart in tears. He spoke of the dark fate that had brought him to this tragic end and bade the bishop send a swift messenger to his mother once his spirit departed. He asked that she be told of his passing, comforting her with the truth that all living beings are born to die in this transient world. Nushzad harbored no bitterness over his death; his only deep regret was having earned the displeasure of his royal father, King Kasra. Finally, he requested a simple burial according to the Christian rite, eschewing extravagant tombs, royal thrones, camphor, or precious perfumes—for he died a warrior's death, pierced by an arrow.
#1
بگرد اندرون خسته شد نوش‌زاد
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بسی کرد از پند پیروز یاد
“Amidst the swirling battle dust, Nushzad was mortally wounded; he recalled many a wise counsel given by Piruz.”
#2
بیامد به قلب سپه پر ز درد
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تن از تیر خسته رخ از درد زرد
“He returned to the heart of the army filled with agony, his body pierced by an arrow and his face pale from pain.”
#3
چنین گفت پیش دلیران روم
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که جنگ پدر زار و خوارست و شوم
“Thus he spoke before the brave warriors of Rome: 'Waging war against one's father is wretched, ignominious, and ill-omened.'”
#4
بنالید و گریان سقف را بخواند
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سخن هرچ بودش به دل در براند
“He groaned and weepingly summoned the bishop, uttering every word that lay heavy upon his heart.”
#5
بدو گفت کین روزگارم دژم
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ز من بر من آورد چندین ستم
“He said to him: 'This dark fate of mine has brought so much tyranny upon me through my own deeds.'”
#6
کنون چون به خاک اندر آید سرم
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سواری برافگن بر مادرم
“'Now when my head returns to the dust, dispatch a rider to my mother.'”
#7
بگویش که شد زین جهان نوش‌زاد
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سرآمدبدو روز بیداد و داد
“'Tell her: Nushzad has departed from this world; his days of suffering and justice have come to an end.'”
#8
تو از من مگر دل نداری به رنج
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که اینست رسم سرای سپنج
“'Do not harbor grief in your heart for me, for such is the rule of this temporary abode.'”
#9
مرا بهره اینست زین تیره روز
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دلم چون بدی شاد و گیتی‌فروز
“'This was my portion from these dark days; how could my heart be glad when the world lit up with joy?'”
#10
نزاید جز از مرگ را جانور
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اگر مرگ دانی غم من مخور
“'No living creature is born except to face death; if you understand death's nature, do not mourn for me.'”
#11
سر من ز کشتن پر از دود نیست
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پدر بتر از من که خشنود نیست
“'My mind is not filled with anguish over my slain state; my only grief is that my father is displeased with me.'”
#12
مکن دخمه و تخت و رنج دراز
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به رسم مسیحا یکی گور ساز
“'Do not prepare a grand tomb, an elevated throne, or enduring labor; fashion a simple grave according to the Christian custom.'”
#13
نه کافور باید نه مشک و عبیر
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که من زین جهان کشته گشتم بتیر
“'Neither camphor nor musk and ambergris are needed, for I have been slain in this world by an arrow.'”