As time rolled on and Bahram Chubin found a haven of rest under the favor of the Khaqan of China, a tragic sorrow of that realm came to light. Deep within the stony, pitch-black mountains of China dwelt a monstrous dragon-beast known as the Shir-Kapi—a creature larger than a warhorse, with a golden-yellow hide, pitch-black ears and maw, and a dark mane falling like twisted ropes of musk. Its talons mirrored those of a ferocious lion, its roars shook the clouds, and with its terrible breath and sweeping tail, it could drag boulders from the earth, casting a pall of dread over the noble lords of China.
Khatun, the Queen of China, had once possessed a daughter of breathtaking beauty—a maiden with hair black as night, lips like polished rubies, and eyes like sorrowful narcissus flowers, precious beyond measure to her parents. On a fateful day in the past, while the Khaqan was away hunting with his host, the maiden walked across the verdant meadows. Suddenly, the Shir-Kapi descended from its high granite crag, drew her into its ravenous maw with its sweeping tail, and vanished into the mountain mists. For years, the Queen and the Khaqan burned in heart-wrenching grief, for no champion in all of China dared face the monster.
Yet after Bahram Chubin slew the champion Muqatura and proved his matchless valor, his renown echoed through the royal realm. One day, Queen Khatun beheld Bahram riding forth, resplendent with divine glory and attended by a hundred noble Iranian knights. Deeply moved by his majestic bearing, she resolved to seek his aid. Though the Khaqan hesitated out of royal pride, reluctant to reveal that his own warriors had failed before the beast, Khatun’s maternal sorrow could not be silenced.
During a grand feast held by the Khaqan, where Bahram was seated upon a golden throne of honor, Queen Khatun stepped forth from behind the royal curtain. She showered praises upon the Iranian hero and recounted the horrific plight of the Shir-Kapi that plagued the spring meadows, devouring the youth and warriors of China. Moved by her grief, Bahram Chubin swore by Almighty Yazdan, the Creator of the sun and moon, that at the break of dawn he would march to the black crags of the mountain and destroy the dragon forever.
#1
چو چندی برآمد برین روزگار
✦
شب و روز آسایش آموزگار
“When some time had passed over this era, with night and day bringing rest to the teacher of men,”
#2
چنان بد که در کوه چین آن زمان
✦
دد و دام بودی فزون از گمان
“It so chanced that in the mountains of China at that time, wild beasts and predators existed beyond all reckoning.”
#3
ددی بود مهتر ز اسپی بتن
✦
فروهشته چون مشک گیسو رسن
“There was a beast larger than a horse in body, its hair hanging down like ropes of black musk.”
#4
به تن زرد و گوش و دهانش سیاه
✦
ندیدی کس او را مگر گرمگاه
“Its body was yellow, its ears and maw pitch-black; none ever caught sight of it save at the scorching heat of noon.”
#5
دو چنگش به کردار چنگ هژبر
✦
خروشش همی‌برگذشتی ز ابر
“Its two forepaws were like the claws of a lion, and its thunderous roar rose beyond the clouds.”
#6
همی سنگ را درکشیدی به دم
✦
شده روز ازو بر بزرگان دژم
“With its sweeping tail it would drag boulders, and because of it, the days of the nobles were darkened with grief.”
#7
ورا شیر کپی همی‌خواندند
✦
ز رنجش همه بوم در ماندند
“They called this beast the Shir-Kapi, and the entire land remained helpless under its affliction.”
#8
یکی دختری داشت خاتون چوماه
✦
اگر ماه دارد دو زلف سیاه
“Queen Khatun had a daughter fair as the moon—if ever the moon possessed two black tresses.”
#9
دو لب سرخ و بینی چو تیغ قلم
✦
دو بیجاده خندان و نرگس دژم
“Her two lips were ruby red, her nose straight as a reed pen, her ruby teeth smiling and her eyes like melancholy narcissus.”
#10
بران دخت لرزان بدی مام وباب
✦
اگر تافتی بر سرش آفتاب
“Her mother and father trembled for that daughter, lest even the sun shine too harshly upon her head.”
#11
چنان بد که روزی پیاده به دشت
✦
همی گرد آن مرغزاران بگشت
“It so chanced that one day on foot in the plain, she was strolling around those lush meadows.”
#12
جهاندار خاقان ز بهر شکار
✦
بدشتی دگر بود زان مرغزار
“The world-possessing Khaqan, for the sake of hunting, was in another plain far from that meadow.”
#13
همان نیز خاتون به کاخ اندورن
✦
همی رای زد با یکی رهنمون
“Likewise, Khatun inside the palace was taking counsel with a wise guide.”
#14
چو آن شیر کپی ز کوهش بدید
✦
فرود آمد او را به دم درکشید
“When the Shir-Kapi spotted her from its mountain, it swept down and drew her in with its sweeping tail.”
#15
بیک دم شد او از جهان در نهان
✦
سرآمد بران خوب چهره جهان
“In a single breath she vanished from the world; thus ended the life of that beautiful maiden.”
#16
چو خاقان شنید آن سیه کرد روی
✦
همان مادرش نیر بر کند موی
“When the Khaqan heard this, his face turned dark with sorrow, and her mother tore her hair in anguish.”
#17
ز دردش همه ساله گریان بدند
✦
چو بر آتش تیز بریان بدند
“In grief for her they wept through all the seasons, roasting as if laid upon a fierce fire.”
#18
همی چاره جستند زان اژدها
✦
که تا چین کی آید ز چنگش رها
“Constantly they sought a remedy against that dragon, wondering when China would be delivered from its grasp.”
#19
چو بهرام جنگ مقاتوره کرد
✦
وزان مرد جنگی برآورد گرد
“When Bahram fought the warrior Muqatura and raised the dust of battle from that warlike champion,”
#20
همی‌رفت خاتون بدیدار اوی
✦
بهر کس همی‌گفت کردار اوی
“Khatun went to behold him, as everyone spoke to her of his valiant deeds.”
#21
چنان بد که یک روز دیدش سوار
✦
از ایران همان نیز صد نامدار
“It so happened that one day she saw him riding, accompanied by a hundred renowned nobles of Iran.”
#22
پیاده فراوان به پیش اندرون
✦
همی‌راند بهرام با رهنمون
“With countless foot-soldiers marching ahead, Bahram rode forward alongside a guide.”
#23
بپرسید خاتون که این مرد کیست
✦
که با برز و با فرهٔ ایزدیست
“Khatun asked: 'Who is this man, possessing such stature and divine glory?'”
#24
بدو گفت کهتر که دوری ز کام
✦
که بهرام یل را ندانی بنام
“An attendant said to her: 'You are far from knowledge if you do not know the valiant Bahram by name!”
#25
به ایران یکی چند گه شاه بود
✦
سرتاج او برتر از ماه بود
“For a time he was king in Iran, his crown exalted higher than the moon.”
#26
بزرگانش خوانند بهرام گرد
✦
که از خسروان نام مردی ببرد
“The nobles call him Bahram the Hero, who bore away the fame of manhood from all kings.”
#27
کنون تا بیامد ز ایران بچین
✦
بلرزد همی زیر اسپش زمین
“Now that he has come from Iran to China, the earth trembles beneath his steed.”
#28
خداوند خواند همی مهترش
✦
همی تاج شاهی نهد بر سرش
“Our lord [the Khaqan] calls him his superior and places a royal crown upon his head.'”
#29
بدو گفت خاتون که با فر اوی
✦
سزد گر بنازیم در پر اوی
“Khatun replied: 'With his divine splendor, it is right that we pride ourselves under his shadow.”
#30
یکی آرزو زو بخواهم درست
✦
چو خاقان نگردد بدان کارسست
“I shall ask a direct request of him, since the Khaqan acts sluggish in this matter.”
#31
بخواهد مگر ز اژدها کین من
✦
برو بشنود درد و نفرین من
“Perhaps he will seek my vengeance against the dragon when he hears my pain and curse upon it.'”
#32
بدو گفت کهتر گر این داستان
✦
بخواند برو مهتر راستان
“The attendant said: 'If the chief of the righteous reads this tale before him,”
#33
تو از شیر کپی نیابی نشان
✦
مگر کشته و گرگ پایش کشان
“You shall find no trace of the Shir-Kapi, save slain with wolves dragging its feet!'”
#34
چو خاتون شنید این سخن شاد شد
✦
ز تیمار آن دختر آزاد شد
“When Khatun heard these words she rejoiced, feeling freed from the sorrow over her daughter.”
#35
همی‌تاخت تا پیش خاقان رسید
✦
یکایک بگفت آنچ دید وشنید
“She hastened until she came before the Khaqan and recounted one by one all she had seen and heard.”
#36
بدو گفت خاقان که عاری بود
✦
بجایی که چون من سواری بود
“The Khaqan said to her: 'It would be a shame in a place where a knight such as I exists,”
#37
همی شیر کپی خورد دخترم
✦
بگوییم و ننگی شود گوهرم
“That the Shir-Kapi should devour my daughter, and we speak of it to strangers, bringing disgrace upon my lineage!”
#38
ندانند کان اژدهای دژم
✦
همی کوه آهن رباید به دم
“They know not that this fierce dragon can snatch even a mountain of iron with its tail/breath!”
#39
اگر دختر شاه نامی بود
✦
همان شاه را جان گرامی بود
“Though she was the daughter of a renowned king, a king's life is also precious to him.'”
#40
بدو گفت خاتون که من کین خویش
✦
بخواهم ز بهر جهان بین خویش
“Khatun said: 'I shall seek my vengeance for the sake of the light of my eyes!”
#41
اگر ننگ باشد وگر نام من
✦
بگویم برآید مگر کام من
“Whether it brings shame or renown upon me, I shall speak out so that my desire may be fulfilled.'”
#42
برآمد برین نیز روز دراز
✦
نهانی ز هرکس همی‌داشت راز
“A long time passed over this, and she kept her secret hidden from everyone.”
#43
چنان بد که خاقان یکی سور کرد
✦
جهان را بران سور پر نور کرد
“It so happened that the Khaqan held a grand feast, illuminating the world with that royal banquet.”
#44
فرستاد بهرام یل رابخواند
✦
چو آمدش برتخت زرین نشاند
“He sent for the heroic Bahram, and when he arrived, seated him upon a golden throne.”
#45
چو خاتون پس پرده آوا شنید
✦
بشد تیز و بهرام یل را بدید
“When Khatun heard his voice from behind the curtain, she moved swiftly and saw the hero Bahram.”
#46
فراوانش بستود وکرد آفرین
✦
که آباد بادا بتو ترک و چین
“She praised him abundantly and offered blessings, saying, "May the lands of Turk and Chin flourish through you!"”
#47
یکی آرزو خواهم از شهریار
✦
که باشد بران آرزو کامگار
“"I have one wish to ask of the prince, and may he be triumphant in fulfilling this desire."”
#48
بدو گفت بهرام فرمان تو راست
✦
برین آرزو کام و پیمان تو راست
“Bahram replied to her, "Your command is mine to obey; your desire shall be met, and my promise to you is true."”
#49
بدو گفت خاتون کز ایدر نه دور
✦
یکی مرغزارست زیبای سور
“Khatun said to him, "Not far from here lies a lush meadow, a beautiful place fit for celebration."”
#50
جوانان چین اندران مرغزار
✦
یکی جشن سازند گاه بهار
“"In that meadow, the youths of Chin gather to hold a glorious festival in the season of spring."”
#51
ازان بیشه پرتاب یک تیروار
✦
یکی کوه بینی سیه‌تر ز قار
“"An arrow's flight away from that thicket, you will behold a mountain blacker than pitch."”
#52
بران کوه خارا یکی اژدهاست
✦
که این کشور چین ازو در بلاست
“"Upon that stony mountain dwells a dragon, bringing ruin and misery upon this realm of Chin."”
#53
یکی شیر کپیش خواند همی
✦
دگر نیز نامش نداند همی
“"Some call it the Shir-Kapi, while no one knows any other name for it."”
#54
یکی دخترم بد ز خاقان چین
✦
که خورشید کردی برو آفرین
“"I had a daughter by the Khaqan of Chin, so fair that even the sun would bestow praise upon her."”
#55
از ایوان بشد نزد آن جشنگاه
✦
که خاقان به نخچیر بد با سپاه
“"She went out from the palace to that festive grounds while the Khaqan was away hunting with his army."”
#56
بیامد ز کوه اژدهای دژم
✦
کشید آن بهار مرا او بدم
“"Down came the grim dragon from the mountain and snatched away my spring-like child with its tail."”
#57
کنون هر بهاری بران مرغزار
✦
چنان هم بیاید ز بهر شکار
“"Now, every spring, it descends upon that meadow in the same manner to hunt for prey."”
#58
برین شهر ما را جوانی نماند
✦
همان نامور پهلوانی نماند
“"In our city, no youth has been left alive, nor has any renowned champion survived."”
#59
شدند از پی شیرکپی هلاک
✦
برانگیخت از بوم آباد خاک
“"They all perished in pursuit of the Shir-Kapi, which turned our prosperous land into dust."”
#60
سواران چینی ومردان کار
✦
بسی تاختند اندران کوهسار
“"Many Chinese horsemen and battle-proven warriors rode into those mountains to challenge it."”
#61
چو از دور بینند چنگال اوی
✦
برو پشت و گوش و سر و یال اوی
“"Yet when from afar they behold its dread claws, its back, its ears, its head, and its mane,"”
#62
بغرد بدرد دل مرد جنگ
✦
مر او را چه شیر و چه پیل و نهنگ
“"It roars and strikes terror into brave hearts—to it, a lion, an elephant, or a crocodile are all the same!"”
#63
کس اندر نیارد شدن پیش اوی
✦
چوگیرد شمار کم و بیش اوی
“"None dares to step forward against it once they measure the vastness of its terrifying power."”
#64
بدو گفت بهرام فردا پگاه
✦
بیایم ببینم من این جشنگاه
“Bahram said to her, "Tomorrow at early dawn, I shall go and inspect this festival ground."”
#65
به نیروی یزدان که او داد زور
✦
بلند آفرینندهٔ ماه وهور
“"By the power of God who granted strength—the exalted Creator of the moon and the sun!"”
#66
بپردازم از اژدها جشنگاه
✦
چو شبگیر ما را نمایند راه
“"I shall clear the festive grounds of this dragon as soon as daybreak guides my path."”