As time passed, the shadow of Gustaham’s rebellion weighed heavily upon the heart of King Khosrow Parviz. Troubled by the news that his formidable uncle had taken Gordiyeh—the valiant sister of Bahram Chubin—as his bride, Khosrow foresaw a dangerous coalition. Intelligence from Amol confirmed that Khosrow’s own vanguard had been repulsed and shattered by Gustaham’s forces, leaving the king's heart consumed with distress.
When darkness fell and the royal hall was cleared of strangers, Khosrow sat in absolute secrecy with Garduy, the loyal brother of Gordiyeh. The King confessed that the throne was unstable so long as Gustaham drew breath, but proposed a subtle stratagem. He bade Garduy facilitate a covert missive to Gordiyeh, offering her royal affection, the highest place in the golden imperial harem, and immense realm-governing rewards for her kin if she were to rid the world of the treacherous Gustaham.
Garduy, pledging his total allegiance to the throne, agreed without hesitation. He suggested dispatching his own wife as a secret envoy to Gordiyeh in the Narvan Forest, carrying both the King's solemn decree and a personal letter of counsel. Delighted, Khosrow ordered fine parchment and black musk ink. He penned a magnificent letter filled with binding oaths, sealing it with black musk and his royal signet ring. Garduy also composed a letter, reminding his sister of the tragic fate of their brother Bahram Chubin and urging her not to stray from wisdom.
Garduy's wife wrapped the royal decrees in silk and rode swift as the wind to the Narvan Forest. Gordiyeh welcomed her sister-in-law warmly, weeping first over the memory of Bahram. But when she opened the secret scroll bearing King Khosrow’s signet and solemn oaths, a smile touched her lips. Recognizing the fate of the realm, she bound five trusted retainers to her cause under oath.
Late into the dark night, when Gustaham lay senseless in a heavy alcoholic stupor, Gordiyeh and her five conspirators crept to his bedside. They fell upon the drunken commander; Gordiyeh silenced his cries with her own hands until his breath ceased in the dark. As uproar and laments echoed through the city, the formidable Gordiyeh donned heavy Roman armor, summoned the Iranian commanders, and displayed the sealed royal decree of Khosrow Parviz. Moved by her strength and the King's words, the war-captains offered her their praise and reaffirmed their loyalty to the crown.
#1
چنین تا برآمد برین چندگاه
✦
ز گستهم پر درد شد جان شاه
“Thus time passed on, and the Shah’s soul grew filled with sorrow because of Gustaham.”
#2
برآشفت روزی به گردوی گفت
✦
که گستهم با گردیه گشت جفت
“One day, enraged and troubled, he said to Garduy: 'Gustaham has now taken Gordiyeh as his bride.'”
#3
سوی او شدند آن بزرگ انجمن
✦
برانم که او بودشان رای زن
“'That great assembly of nobles has aligned with him; I reckon she has become their chief counselor.'”
#4
از آمل کس آمد ز کارآگهان
✦
همه فاش کرد آنچ بودی نهان
“Intelligence officers arrived from Amol, laying bare all that had been kept secret.”
#5
همی‌گفت زین گونه تا تیره گشت
✦
ز گفتار چشم یلان خیره گشت
“He spoke in this manner until night fell, and from his words the eyes of the warriors grew dazed.”
#6
چو سازندگان شمع ومی‌خواستند
✦
همه کاخ او را بیاراستند
“When the candle-bearers set the lights and brought wine, they adorned his entire palace.”
#7
ز بیگانه مردم بپردخت جای
✦
نشست از بر تخت با رهنمای
“He emptied the hall of all strangers, and sat upon the throne with his trusted counselor.”
#8
همان نیز گردوی و خسرو بهم
✦
همی‌رفت از گردیه بیش و کم
“Then Garduy and Khosrow conversed at length, speaking of Gordiyeh in every detail.”
#9
بدو گفت ز ایدر فراوان سپاه
✦
به آمل فرستاده‌ام کینه خواه
“The King said to him: 'I dispatched a vast army from here to Amol to seek vengeance,'”
#10
همه خسته وکشته بازآمدند
✦
پرازناله وبا گداز آمدند
“'Yet all returned wounded and slain, filled with lamentation and consumed with grief.'”
#11
کنون اندرین رای ما را یکیست
✦
که از رای ما تاج و تخت اندکیست
“'Now in our counsel there is but one path, for without a remedy, crown and throne will not endure.'”
#12
چو بهرام چوبینه گم کرد راه
✦
همیشه بدی گردیه نیک خواه
“'When Bahram Chubin lost his path, Gordiyeh was ever a well-wisher.'”
#13
کنون چاره‌ای هست نزدیک من
✦
مگو این سخن بر سر انجمن
“'Now I hold a remedy in mind; reveal not this matter before the general assembly.'”
#14
سوی گردیه نامه باید نوشت
✦
چو جویی پر از می بباغ بهشت
“'A letter must be written to Gordiyeh, rich as a stream flowing with wine in the garden of Paradise,'”
#15
که با تو همی دوستداری کنم
✦
بهر جای و هر کار یاری کنم
“'Promising that I shall show her friendship, and assist her in every place and every task.'”
#16
برآمد برین روزگاری دراز
✦
زبان بر دلم هیچ نگشاد راز
“'A long time has passed during which my tongue revealed no secret from my heart.'”
#17
کنون روزگار سخن گفتن است
✦
که گردوی ما رابجای تنست
“'Now is the time to speak, for our Garduy is unto me as my own body.'”
#18
نگر تا چگونه کنی چاره‌ای
✦
کزان گم شود زشت پتیاره‌ای
“'Consider how thou mayest devise a scheme whereby that ugly calamity may be brought to ruin,'”
#19
که گستهم را زیر سنگ‌آوری
✦
دل وخانهٔ ما به چنگ آوری
“'So that thou mayest bring Gustaham beneath the stone, and gain control of our heart and house.'”
#20
چو این کرده باشی سپاه تو را
✦
همان در جهان نیک خواه تو را
“'When thou hast accomplished this, thy troops and whoever in the world wishes thee well,'”
#21
مر آن را که خواهی دهم کشوری
✦
بگردد بر آن کشور اندر سری
“'To whomever thou desirest I shall bestow a realm, that he may rule over that domain.'”
#22
توآیی به مشکوی زرین من
✦
سرآورده باشی همه کین من
“'Thou shalt come to my golden palace, having fulfilled all my desire for vengeance.'”
#23
برین برخورم سخت سوگند نیز
✦
فزایم برین بندها بند نیز
“'Upon this I shall take a mighty oath, and add solemn pledges upon pledges.'”
#24
اگر پیچم این دل ز سوگند من
✦
مبادا ز من شاد پیوند من
“'If I turn my heart from this oath of mine, may my kin never rejoice in me!'”
#25
بدو گفت گردوی نوشه بدی
✦
چو ناهید در برج خوشه بدی
“Garduy said to him: 'Mayest thou be immortal, shining like Venus in the constellation of Virgo!'”
#26
تو دانی که من جان و فرزند خویش
✦
برو بوم آباد و پیوند خویش
“'Thou knowest that my own life, my children, my cultivated lands, and my relatives,'”
#27
بجای سر تو ندارم به چیز
✦
گرین چیزها ارجمندست نیز
“'I hold as nothing compared to thy head, even though these things be dearly prized.'”
#28
بدین کس فرستم به نزدیک اوی
✦
درفشان کنم جان تاریک اوی
“'I shall send a messenger to her, to illuminate her darkened soul.'”
#29
یکی رقعه خواهم برو مهر شاه
✦
همان خط او چون درخشنده ماه
“'I request a scroll bearing the Shah’s seal, and his handwriting shining like the radiant moon.'”
#30
به خواهر فرستم زن خویش را
✦
کنم دور زین در بد اندیش را
“'I shall send my own wife to my sister, to banish that evil-minded foe from this threshold.'”
#31
که چونین سخن نیست جز کار زن
✦
به ویژه زنی کو بود رای زن
“'For such a subtle matter can only be accomplished by a woman, especially a woman of wise counsel.'”
#32
برین نیز هر چون همی‌بنگرم
✦
پیام تو باید بر خواهرم
“'Moreover, as I look upon this, thy message must be carried to my sister.'”
#33
بر آید بکام تو این کار زود
✦
برین بیش و کم بر نباید فزود
“'This work shall soon be fulfilled according to thy desire; nothing more nor less need be added.'”
#34
چو بشنید خسرو بران شاد شد
✦
همه رنجها بر دلش باد شد
“When Khosrow heard this, he rejoiced, and all sorrow vanished like wind from his heart.”
#35
هم آنگه ز گنجور قرطاس خواست
✦
ز مشک سیه سوده انقاس خواست
“He straightway called upon the treasurer for parchment, and asked for finely ground black musk ink.”
#36
یکی نامه بنوشت چون بوستان
✦
گل بوستان چون رخ دوستان
“He wrote a letter like a blooming garden, its flowers as bright as the faces of beloved friends.”
#37
پر از عهد و پیوند و سوگندها
✦
ز هر گونه‌ای لابه و پندها
“Filled with covenants, pledges, and solemn oaths, with every manner of entreaty and wise counsel.”
#38
چو برگشت عنوان آن نامه خشک
✦
نهادند مهری برو بر ز مشک
“When the address of that letter dried, they placed upon it a seal of fragrant musk.”
#39
نگینی برو نام پرویز شاه
✦
نهادند بر مهر مشک سیاه
“A signet bearing the name of King Parviz was set upon that seal of black musk.”
#40
یکی نامه بنوشت گردوی نیز
✦
بگفت اندرو پند و بسیار چیز
“Garduy also wrote a letter, offering counsel and many wise words therein.”
#41
سرنامه گفت آنک بهرام کرد
✦
همه دوده و بوم بدنام کرد
“At the head of the letter he wrote: 'What Bahram wrought brought shame upon our lineage and realm.'”
#42
که بخشایش آراد یزدان بروی
✦
مبادا پشیمان ازان گفت وگوی
“'May God grant him mercy, and may he not be repentant of those words.'”
#43
هرآنکس که جانش ندارد خرد
✦
کم و بیشی کارها ننگرد
“'Whosoever’s soul lacks wisdom will not consider the gain or loss in affairs.'”
#44
گر او رفت ما از پس اورویم
✦
بداد خدای جهان بگرویم
“'Though he has departed, we shall follow after him, trusting in the justice of the Creator of the world.'”
#45
چو جفت من آید به نزدیک تو
✦
درخشان کند جان تاریک تو
“'When my wife comes unto thee, she shall illuminate thy darkened soul.'”
#46
ز گفتار او هیچ گونه مگرد
✦
چو گردی شود بخت را روی زرد
“Deviate not in any way from his words; for if you turn away, fortune's face shall pale for you.”
#47
نهاد آن خط خسرو اندر میان
✦
بپیچید برنامه بر پرنیان
“He placed Khosrow's royal letter within, wrapping the decree in fine silk.”
#48
زن چاره گر بستد آن نامه را
✦
شنید آن سخنهای خود کامه را
“The resourceful woman took the letter, listening closely to those willful, urgent words.”
#49
همی‌تاخت تا بیشهٔ نارون
✦
فرستادهٔ زن به نزدیک زن
“She rode swiftly toward the Elm Forest, a woman messenger hastening to meet another woman.”
#50
ازو گردیه شد چو خرم بهار
✦
همان رخ پر از بوی و رنگ و نگار
“At her sight, Gordyeh blossomed like joyful spring, her countenance full of brilliance, color, and grace.”
#51
زبهرام چندی سخن راندند
✦
همی آب مژگان بر افشاندند
“For a time they spoke of Bahram, shedding mournful tears in his memory.”
#52
پس آن نامهٔ شوی با خط شاه
✦
نهانی بدو داد و بنمود راه
“Then secretly she gave her the brother's letter bearing the King’s script, revealing the path to take.”
#53
چو آن شیر زن نامهٔ شاه دید
✦
تو گفتی بروی زمین ماه دید
“When that lion-hearted woman beheld the royal decree, it was as if she saw the moon descended upon the earth.”
#54
بخندید و گفت این سخن رابه رنج
✦
ندارد کسی کش بود یار پنج
“She smiled and said, 'One who has five loyal companions will not consider this undertaking a hardship!'”
#55
بخواند آن خط شاه بر پنج تن
✦
نهان داشت زان نامدار انجمن
“She read the royal decree to five trusted men, keeping it hidden from the rest of the noble assembly.”
#56
چو بگشاد لب زود پیمان ببست
✦
گرفت آن زمان دست او را بدست
“As she spoke, she bound them to a swift pact, grasping their hands firmly in hers.”
#57
همان پنج تن را بر خویش خواند
✦
به نزدیکی خوابگه برنشاند
“She summoned those five men to her side and stationed them close to the bedchamber.”
#58
چو شب تیره شد روشنایی بکشت
✦
لب شوی بگرفت ناگه بمشت
“When dark night fell, she extinguished the light, and suddenly seized her husband's lips with her fist.”
#59
ازان مردمان نیز یار آمدند
✦
به بالین آن نامدار آمدند
“Her trusted men swiftly came to her aid, surrounding the bed of that renowned warrior.”
#60
بکوشید بسیار با مرد مست
✦
سر انجام گویا زبانش ببست
“She struggled long with the drunken man, until at last she silenced his speaking tongue forever.”
#61
سپهبد به تاریکی اندر بمرد
✦
شب و روز روشن به خسرو سپرد
“The commander perished in the darkness, leaving the bright day and night to King Khosrow.”
#62
بشهر اندرون بانگ و فریاد خاست
✦
بهر برزنی آتش وباد خاست
“A clamor and outcry arose within the city, and turmoil swept through every street like fire and wind.”
#63
چو آواز بشنید ناباک زن
✦
بخفتان رومی بپوشید تن
“When the fearless woman heard the sound, she put on Roman mail over her body.”
#64
شب تیره ایرانیان رابخواند
✦
سخنهای آن کشته چندی براند
“In the dark night she summoned the Iranians, speaking to them of the slain commander's end.”
#65
پس آن نامهٔ شاه بنمودشان
✦
دلیری و تندی بیفزودشان
“Then she revealed the King's missive to them, bolstering their courage and zeal.”
#66
همه سرکشان آفرین خواندند
✦
بران نامه برگوهر افشاندند
“All the noble chieftains sang praises, scattering jewels over that royal decree.”