Time held no eternal promise, and before long, King Jamhur fell suddenly ill. On his deathbed, he bestowed his final counsel upon his queen, entrusting his realm and his young son, Gav, to her care and to the stewardship of his wise ministers. Yet Prince Gav was far too young to wear the crown, gird the royal belt, or command the throne. The noble chieftains and commanders were steeped in deep sorrow, for the world was filled with fond memories of Jamhur’s boundless generosity and radiant justice, and all feared that an empire left without a mature, formidable sovereign would soon descend into harm and ruin.
Assembly was called; soldiers, elders, and common folk gathered from Sandal to the marchlands of Kashmir and China to debate the fate of the realm. All concurred that a young child could neither lead armies in battle nor dispense royal justice and discipline. In the realm of Danbar dwelt Jamhur’s brother, May—a prince renowned for his wisdom, dignity, and fitness for the throne. The realm’s elders journeyed from Sandal to Danbar to offer him the crown. May accepted the call, traveled in state to the royal city, ascended the Kayanid throne, placed Jamhur’s crown upon his head, and flung wide the gates of bounty and righteousness.
Once his reign was secure, King May took Jamhur’s widow as his royal consort and raised young Gav with the devotion of a loving father. In time, the fair queen bore May a son. The king named the newborn prince Talkhand, his heart overflowing with fatherly affection. As seasons turned, Talkhand grew to two years of age while Gav reached seven—a bold, magnificent youth endowed with royal glory and champion stature, standing upon the threshold of destiny.
#1
برین برنیامد بسی روزگار
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که بیمار شد ناگهان شهریار
“Not much time passed upon this realm before the king suddenly fell ill.”
#2
به کدبانو اندرز کرد و به مرد
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جهانی پر از دادگو را سپرد
“He gave his final counsel to the queen and entrusted a world filled with justice to his people.”
#3
ز خردی نشایست گو بخت را
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نه تاج و کمر بستن و تخت را
“Due to his youth, Prince Gav was not yet fit to wear the crown, tie the belt, or ascend the throne.”
#4
سران راهمه سر پر از گرد بود
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ز جمهورشان دل پر از درد بود
“The heads of the nobles were covered in dust with grief, and their hearts were filled with pain over Jamhur's passing.”
#5
ز بخشیدن و خوردن و داد اوی
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جهان بود یک سر پر از یاد اوی
“Because of his generosity, feasts, and justice, the entire world was filled with his memory.”
#6
سپاهی و شهری همه انجمن
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زن و کودک و مرد شد رای زن
“Soldiers and citizens, all gathered together—women, children, and men joined in council.”
#7
که این خرد کودک نداند سپاه
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نه داد و نه خشم و نه تخت و کلاه
“They said: 'This young child knows nothing of commanding armies, nor of justice, royal wrath, throne, or helmet.'”
#8
همه پادشاهی شود پرگزند
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اگر شهریاری نباشد بلند
“'The entire kingdom will suffer great harm if there is no exalted sovereign to rule.'”
#9
به دنبر برادر بد آن شاه را
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خردمند وشایستهٔ گاه را
“Now the king had a brother in Danbar, wise and worthy of the royal throne.”
#10
کجا نام آن نامور مای بود
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به دنبر نشسته دلارای بود
“The name of that renowned man was May, who dwelt happily and contentedly in Danbar.”
#11
جهاندیدگان یک به یک شاه‌جوی
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ز سندل به دنبر نهادند روی
“The experienced elders, seeking a king, set out from Sandal toward Danbar.”
#12
بزرگان کشمیر تا مرز چین
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به شاهی بدو خواندند آفرین
“The nobles of Kashmir to the borders of China praised his reign and offered blessings.”
#13
ز دنبر بیامد سرافراز مای
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به تخت کیان اندر آورد پای
“Exalted May arrived from Danbar and stepped upon the Kayanid throne.”
#14
همان تاج جمهور بر سر نهاد
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بداد و ببخشش در اندر گشاد
“He placed Jamhur's crown upon his head and opened wide the doors of justice and generosity.”
#15
چو با سازشد مام گو را بخواست
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بپرورد و با جان همی‌داشت راست
“When settled in power, he took Gav's mother in marriage, nurturing Gav as dearly as his own soul.”
#16
پری چهره آبستن آمد ز مای
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پسر زاد ازین نامور کدخدای
“The fairy-faced queen became pregnant by May and bore a son to this renowned ruler.”
#17
ورا پادشا نام طلخند کرد
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روان را پر از مهر فرزند کرد
“The king named him Talkhand, filling his heart with deep paternal love.”
#18
دوساله شد این خرد و گو هفت سال
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دلاور گوی بود با فر و یال
“When this young one reached two years, Gav was seven—a heroic youth of majestic stature and royal glory.”