When Bahram Chubin seized the royal palace, he selected a formidable host of thirty thousand armored, sword-wielding warriors and placed them under the command of Bahram, the son of Siyavash, ordering him to hunt down Khosrow Parviz without mercy. Meanwhile, Khosrow fled across the desolate wilderness, seeking to preserve his life from the malice of his enemies. After a grueling journey, the fugitive king and his small retinue reached a majestic hospice whose soaring walls seemed to touch the sky—a sacred Christian sanctuary known as Yazdan-Sarai, home to monks and mourners led by the venerable bishop Sakuba and the archbishop Motran.
Exhausted and spent, King Khosrow inquired of the holy worshipers if any food could be provided. Sakuba humbly explained that in their austere refuge, there was nothing to eat save flat unleavened bread and wild stream-side herbs, though he prayed it would bring health to the royal guest. Khosrow dismounted, performed the ancient sacred rites with the barsam branches, murmured the traditional grace, and hastily consumed the simple meal. He then asked if any wine was to be had. Sakuba brought forth a vessel of date wine, crafted during the height of summer—red as sparkling garnet and clear as rosewater. Khosrow drank three golden goblets, and as the warm spirits flowed through his weary body, he laid his head upon the lap of his faithful uncle Bandoy and fell into a deep slumber upon the soft sand.
His rest was short-lived. Sakuba rushed to his side with grave news: a dark column of dust was rising from the horizon, signaling the swift approach of a massive army. Khosrow awoke in anguish, lamenting that fate had turned against him and that neither his men nor his steeds were fit for battle. In that desperate hour, the resourceful Bandoy stepped forward, offering to sacrifice his own life for the sovereign. He urged Khosrow to give him the royal golden crown, the earrings, the jeweled belt, and the scarlet Chinese robe. Bandoy vowed to don the royal attire and stand atop the battlements, deceiving the pursuers while Khosrow and his companions fled like a vessel riding the surging foam.
Recalling the ancient Chinese adage that when the main citadel falls, the outer battlements cannot stand, Khosrow accepted Bandoy's heroic sacrifice. Dressed in the king's glorious garb, Bandoy instructed the monks to hide in the surrounding mountains, barred the heavy iron gates of Yazdan-Sarai, and climbed to the roof. When the troops of Bahram son of Siyavash surrounded the sanctuary, they beheld the radiant figure upon the roof wearing the crown and jeweled girdle, taking him to be Khosrow Parviz himself. Bandoy, playing the role with masterly composure, called down to the commander, claiming the king was exhausted from prayer and travel, promising that at dawn he would surrender peacefully. Fooled by the stratagem, Bahram son of Siyavash ordered his army to encamp and light watchfires around the fortress until morning—unaware that the true King of Kings was already riding far away into the night.
#1
چوبهرام رفت اندر ایوان شاه
✦
گزین کرد زان لشکر کینه خواه
“When Bahram entered the royal palace, he chose from that vengeance-seeking host,”
#2
زره‌دار و شمشیر زن سی‌هزار
✦
بدان تا شوند از پس شهریار
“Thirty thousand armored warriors and swordsmen, to ride in pursuit of the monarch.”
#3
چنین لشکری نامبردار و گرد
✦
ببهرام پور سیاوش سپرد
“Such a renowned and heroic army he entrusted to Bahram, the son of Siyavash.”
#4
وزان روی خسرو بیابان گرفت
✦
همی از بد دشمنان جان گرفت
“Meanwhile, Khosrow fled across the desert, saving his life from the malice of his enemies.”
#5
چنین تا بنزد رباطی رسید
✦
سر تیغ دیوار او ناپدید
“Thus he rode until he reached a hospice, the top of whose walls was hidden in the heights.”
#6
کجا خواندندیش یزدان سرای
✦
پرستشگهی بود و فرخنده جای
“Which men called Yazdan-Sarai—a place of worship and a blessed refuge.”
#7
نشستنگه سوکواران بدی
✦
بدو در سکوبا و مطران بدی
“It was the dwelling of mourners and ascetics, where dwelt Sakuba the bishop and Motran the archbishop.”
#8
چنین گفت خسرو به یزدان پرست
✦
که از خوردنی چیست کاید بدست
“Khosrow asked the worshiper of God: 'What food is there to be found here?'”
#9
سکوبا بدو گفت کای نامدار
✦
فطیرست با ترهٔ جویبار
“Sakuba said to him: 'O noble monarch, there is unleavened bread and wild stream-herbs.”
#10
گرایدون که شاید بدین سان خورش
✦
مبادت جز از نوشه این پرورش
“If such fare befits thee, may it bring thee naught but health and nourishment!'”
#11
ز اسب اندر آمد سبک شهریار
✦
همان آنک بودند با اوسوار
“The king quickly dismounted his steed, as did those who rode beside him.”
#12
جهانجوی با آن دو خسرو پرست
✦
گرفت از پی واژ برسم بدست
“The world-seeker and those two king-worshiping companions took the sacred barsam branches to utter the holy prayer.”
#13
بخوردند با شتاب چیزی که بود
✦
پس آنگه به زمزم بگفتند زود
“They ate in haste whatever food was available, and then swiftly recited the grace over the holy water.”
#14
چنین گفت پس با سکوبا که می
✦
نداری تو ای پیرفرخنده پی
“Then Khosrow said to Sakuba: 'O blessed elder, hast thou no wine?'”
#15
بدو گفت ما می‌زخرما کنیم
✦
به تموز وهنگام گرما کنیم
“He replied: 'We brew wine from dates during the heat of the summer month of Tammuz.”
#16
کنون هست لختی چو روشن گلاب
✦
به سرخی چو بیجاده در آفتاب
“Now a little remains, clear as rosewater and red as garnet beneath the sun.'”
#17
هم آنگه بیاورد جامی نبید
✦
که شد رنگ خورشید زو ناپدید
“Thereupon he brought a goblet of wine, whose splendor obscured the bright sun.”
#18
بخورد آن زمان خسرو از می سه جام
✦
می و نان کشکین که دارد بنام
“Khosrow drank three cups of that wine, together with the coarse barley bread of renown.”
#19
چو مغزش شد از بادهٔ سرخ گرم
✦
هم آنگه بخفت از بر ریگ نرم
“When his mind grew warm with the red wine, he lay down to sleep upon the soft sand.”
#20
نهاد از بر ران بندوی سر
✦
روانش پر از درد و خسته جگر
“He laid his head upon the thigh of Bandoy, his soul filled with anguish and his heart wounded.”
#21
همان چون بخواب اندر آمد سرش
✦
سکوبای مهتر بیامد برش
“Just as sleep overtook his head, Sakuba the chief bishop came unto him,”
#22
که از راه گردی برآمد سیاه
✦
دران گرد تیره فراوان سپاه
“Warning: 'A dark cloud of dust has risen from the road, hiding a vast army within!'”
#23
چنین گفت خسرو که بد روزگار
✦
که دشمن بدین گونه شد خواستا ر
“Khosrow lamented: 'Wretched is my fortune, that the enemy pursueth me thus!”
#24
نه مردم به کارست و نه بارگی
✦
فراز آمد آن روز بیچارگی
“Neither men nor steeds are fit for battle; the day of utter helplessness has arrived.'”
#25
بدو گفت بندوی بس چاره ساز
✦
که آمدت دشمن بتنگی فراز
“The resourceful Bandoy said to him: 'The enemy draweth perilously near.'”
#26
بدو گفت خسرو که ای نیک خواه
✦
مرا اندرین کار بنمای راه
“Khosrow replied: 'O faithful well-wisher, show me the way in this dire plight!'”
#27
بدو گفت بندوی کای شهریار
✦
تو را چاره سازم بدین روزگار
“Bandoy said: 'O King, I shall devise a stratagem for thee in this hour,”
#28
ولیکن فدا کرده باشم روان
✦
به پیش جهانجوی شاه جهان
“Though I must sacrifice my very soul before the world-seeking King of the World!'”
#29
بدو گفت خسرو که دانای چین
✦
یکی خوب زد داستانی برین
“Khosrow said to him: 'A wise sage of China spoke a fine parable on this:”
#30
که هرکو کند بر درشاه کشت
✦
بیابد بدان گیتی اندر بهشت
“'Whosoever soweth loyalty at the king's gate shall reap his reward in Paradise in the afterlife.'”
#31
چو دیوار شهر اندر آمد زپای
✦
کلاته نباید که ماند بجای
“'When the wall of the city falls, the small fort should not remain standing.'”
#32
چو ناچیز خواهد شدن شارستان
✦
مماناد دیوار بیمارستان
“'If the main city is to perish, let not even the walls of the hospital remain.'”
#33
توگر چاره‌جویی دانی اکنون بساز
✦
هم از پاک یزدان نه‌ای بی‌نیاز
“'If thou knowest a remedy, prepare it now, for thou art not without the help of pure God.'”
#34
بدو گفت بندوی کاین تاج زر
✦
مرا ده همین گوشوار و کمر
“Bandoy said: 'Give me this golden crown, this earring, and this royal belt,”
#35
همان لعل زرین چینی قبای
✦
چو من پوشم این را تو ایدر مپای
“And that ruby-red Chinese golden robe; when I wear them, stay no longer here!”
#36
برو با سپاهت هم اندر شتاب
✦
چو کشتی که موجش درآرد ز آب
“Hasten away with thy companions like a ship riding upon surging waves!'”
#37
بکرد آن زمان هرچ بندوی گفت
✦
وزانجایگه گشت با باد جفت
“Khosrow did at once whatever Bandoy bade him, and sped away from that place like the wind.”
#38
چو خسرو برفت از بر چاره جوی
✦
جهاندیده سوی سقف کرد روی
“When Khosrow had departed from the resourceful warrior, the experienced Bandoy turned toward the roof.”
#39
که اکنون شما را بدین بر ز کوه
✦
بباید شدن ناپدید از گروه
“He said to the monks: 'Now you must vanish up into the mountains away from the army!'”
#40
خود اندر پرستشگه آمد چو گرد
✦
بزودی در آهنین سخت کرد
“He himself entered the place of worship like dust and swiftly barred the heavy iron doors.”
#41
بپوشید پس جامهٔ زرنگار
✦
به سر برنهاد افسر شهریار
“He then put on the gold-brocaded royal robes and set the sovereign's crown upon his head.”
#42
بران بام برشد نه بر آرزوی
✦
سپه دید گرد اندورن چارسوی
“He climbed up to the rooftop, not out of desire, and saw the army surrounding the place on all sides.”
#43
همی‌بود تا لشکر رزمساز
✦
رسیدند نزدیک آن دژ فراز
“He waited until the battle-ready forces drew near to the fortress walls.”
#44
ابرپای خاست آنگه از بام زود
✦
تن خویشتن را به لشکر نمود
“He then stood tall upon the roof and showed himself clearly to the army.”
#45
بدیدندش از دور با تاج زر
✦
همان طوق و آن گوشوار و کمر
“From afar they saw him wearing the golden crown, the royal necklace, earring, and girdle.”
#46
همی‌گفت هر کس که این خسروست
✦
که با تاج و با جامه‌های نوست
“Everyone was saying, "This indeed is Khosrow, who is dressed in royal garments and wears the crown."”
#47
چو بند وی شد بی‌گمان کان سپاه
✦
همی‌بازنشناسد او را ز شاه
“When Bandoy became certain that the army could not distinguish him from the King,”
#48
فرود آمد و جامهٔ خویش تفت
✦
بپوشید ناکام و بربام رفت
“He descended swiftly, put his own garments back on with reluctance, and went up onto the roof.”
#49
چنین گفت کای رزمسازان نو
✦
کرا خوانم اندر شما پیش رو
“He spoke thus: "O warrior champions, whom among you should I call your commander?"”
#50
که پیغام دارم ز شاه جهان
✦
بگویم شنیده به پیش مهان
“"For I bring a message from the King of the world, to deliver what I have heard before your great ones."”
#51
چو پور سیاووش دیدش ببام
✦
منم پیش رو گفت بهرام نام
“When the son of Siyavash saw him on the roof, he said: "I am the commander, my name is Bahram."”
#52
بدو گفت گوید جهاندار شاه
✦
که من سخت پیچانم از رنج راه
“Bandoy said to him: "Thus says the King of the world: 'I am greatly exhausted and pained by the hardship of the journey.”
#53
ستوران همه خسته و کوفته
✦
زراه دراز اندر آشوفته
“Our mounts are all wounded and weary, distressed by the long road.”
#54
بدین خانهٔ سوکواران به رنج
✦
فرود آمدستیم با یار پنج
“In distress, we have taken refuge in this house of mourners with only five companions.”
#55
چوپیدا شود چاک روز سپید
✦
کنم دل زکار جهان ناامید
“When the break of bright day appears, I shall turn my heart away from worldly affairs,”
#56
بیاییم با تو به راه دراز
✦
به نزدیک بهرام گردن فراز
“And we shall set out with you upon the long road, to go before the exalted Bahram.'"”
#57
برین بر که گفتم نجویم زمان
✦
مگر یارمندی کند آسمان
“" 'Upon what I have pledged, I seek no delay, unless Heaven itself grants us aid.'”
#58
نیاکان ماآنک بودند پیش
✦
نگه داشتندی هم آیین وکیش
“'Our ancestors who went before us ever preserved custom and faith;”
#59
اگرچه بدی بختشان دیر ساز
✦
ز کهتر نبرداشتندی نیاز
“Though their fortune was slow to favor them, they did not hold back their needs from their subordinates.'”
#60
کنون آنچ ما را به دل راز بود
✦
بگفتیم چون بخت ناساز بود
“'Now what was a secret in our heart we have revealed, since fortune has turned unkind.'”
#61
زرخشنده خورشید تا تیره خاک
✦
نباشد مگر رای یزدان پاک
“'From the shining sun to the dark earth, nothing comes to pass save by the decree of holy God.'”
#62
چو سالار بشنید زو داستان
✦
به گفتار او گشت همداستان
“When the commander heard this story from him, he agreed with his words and assented.”
#63
دگر هرکه بشنید گفتار اوی
✦
پر از درد شد دل ز کردار اوی
“And whoever else heard his speech, their heart grew full of sorrow at his plight.”
#64
فرود آمد آن شب بدانجا سپاه
✦
همی‌داشتی رای خسرو نگاه
“The army encamped there that night, abiding by the intention and request of Khosrow.”
#65
دگر روز بندوی بربام شد
✦
ز دیوار تا سوی بهرام شد
“The next day, Bandoy went up to the roof again, and addressed Bahram from the wall.”
#66
بدو گفت کامروز شاه از نماز
✦
همانا نیاید به کاری فراز
“He said to him: "Today, after his prayers, the King surely will not turn his mind to any business.”
#67
چنین هم شب تیره بیدار بود
✦
پرستندهٔ پاک دادار بود
“Likewise throughout the dark night he remained awake, worshipping the holy Creator.”
#68
همان نیز خورشید گردد بلند
✦
زگرما نباید که یابد گزند
“Moreover, as the sun rises high, he must not suffer harm from the intense heat.”
#69
بیاساید امروز و فردا پگاه
✦
همی‌راند اندر میان سپاه
“Let him rest today, and early tomorrow he will ride forth in the midst of the army."”
#70
چنین گفت بهرام با مهتران
✦
که کاریست این هم سبک هم گران
“Bahram spoke thus to his nobles: "This is a matter both simple and grave.”
#71
چو بر خسرو این کار گیریم تنگ
✦
مگر تیز گردد بیاید به جنگ
“If we press Khosrow too hard in this, he might grow fierce and come out to battle.”
#72
بتنها تن او یکی لشکرست
✦
جهانگیر و بیدار و کنداورست
“Single-handed, his person is a whole army—world-conquering, vigilant, and valiant.”
#73
وگر کشته آید به دشت نبرد
✦
برآرد ز ما نیز بهرام گرد
“And if he should be slain on the battlefield, Bahram too will bring destruction upon us.”
#74
هم آن به که امروز باشیم نیز
✦
وگر خوردنی نیست بسیار چیز
“It is better that we remain here today as well, even if there is not much food to eat.”
#75
مگر کو بدین هم نشان خوش منش
✦
بیاید به از جنگ وز سرزنش
“Perchance in this way, with good grace, he will come out, which is better than war and reproach."”
#76
چنان هم همی‌بود تا شب ز کوه
✦
برآمد بگرد اندر آمد گروه
“Thus they remained until night fell, when a cloud of dust rose from the mountain and a fresh troop arrived.”
#77
سپاه اندرآمد ز هر پهلوی
✦
همی‌سوختند آتش از هر سوی
“The army poured in from every side, lighting fires in all directions.”