Two weeks had passed since Gordyeh arrived at the Sasanian court when King Khosrow Parviz swore by the sun, the moon, and the royal crown, requesting that the famed warrior-woman recount her battles and demonstrate her legendary martial skill. Gordyeh bowed with utmost grace and requested a warhorse, saddle, bow, lasso, spear, armor, helmet, and a quiver packed with poplar arrows.
The King commanded his servants to adorn the lush Rose Garden and erect a magnificent throne among the blossoms. Twelve hundred beautiful maidens of Rome and Turkestan filled the garden until it seemed no path remained, led by Shirin, who walked before them like a radiant sun. Gordyeh dressed herself in finely forged armor, set her spear butt against the earth, and leapt into the saddle of a coal-black charger like the rushing wind. Wheeling her steed beneath the canopy of trees, she raised a roar like a dark storm cloud, recreating her fierce combats of the past.
Witnessing Gordyeh riding fully armed past the golden throne, Shirin grew apprehensive and jealous. She warned Khosrow against entrusting weapons of war to one of enemy blood while the King sat unarmed upon his seat. Yet Khosrow only laughed, reassuring Shirin that Gordyeh harbored nothing but loyalty and affection. Marveling at Gordyeh's towering stature and warrior spirit, the King praised her as flawless against the tides of fate.
Khosrow then revealed his grand design: just as his four supreme generals commanded twelve thousand cavalrymen each to guard the realm, his golden seraglio housed twelve thousand noble maidens. He bestowed upon Gordyeh the absolute guardianship and administration of all these women, decreeing that none might speak or act within the palace without her command. Gordyeh rejoiced at this high honor, which freed her from the malicious whispers of her foes, and pressed her face to the earth in grateful praise of the King's divine glory.
#1
دو هفته برآمد بدو گفت شاه
✦
به خورشید و ماه و به تخت و کلاه
“When two weeks had passed, the King spoke to her, swearing by the sun, the moon, the throne, and the crown,”
#2
که برگویی آن جنگ خاقانیان
✦
ببندی کمر همچنان بر میان
“'Recount that battle against the Khagan's forces, and gird your waist once again for action.'”
#3
بدو گفت شاها انوشه بدی
✦
روان را به دیدار توشه بدی
“She replied to him, 'O King, may you live immortally; beholding your countenance is nourishment for the soul!”
#4
بفرمای تا اسپ و زین آورند
✦
کمان و کمند و کمین آورند
“Command them to bring a steed and saddle, a bow, a lasso, and gear for an ambush,”
#5
همان نیزه و خود و خفتان جنگ
✦
یکی ترکش آگنده تیر خدنگ
“Along with a spear, a helmet, coat of mail, and a quiver filled with arrows of poplar wood.'”
#6
پرستنده‌ای را بفرمود شاه
✦
که درباغ گلشن بیارای گاه
“The King commanded an attendant to arrange a throne within the Rose Garden.”
#7
برفتند بیدار دل بندگان
✦
ز ترک و ز رومی پرستندگان
“The vigilant servants went forth—both Turkish and Roman maidens.”
#8
ز خوبان رومی هزار و دویست
✦
تو گفتی به باغ اندرون راه نیست
“Twelve hundred Roman beauties assembled; you would say there was no room left to walk in the garden.”
#9
چو خورشید شیرین به پیش اندرون
✦
خرامان به بالای سیمین ستون
“Shirin walked ahead like the radiant sun, stepping gracefully above silver columns.”
#10
بشد گردیه تا به نزدیک شاه
✦
زره خواست از ترک و رومی کلاه
“Gordyeh approached the King and asked the Turkish and Roman attendants for armor and a helmet.”
#11
بیامد خرامان ز جای نشست
✦
کمر بر میان بست و نیزه بدست
“She stepped forward gracefully from her seat, girded her waist, and took a spear in hand.”
#12
بشاه جهان گفت دستور باش
✦
یکی چشم بگشا ز بد دور باش
“She said to the King of the World, 'Give the word, open your eyes, and may evil be kept far from you!'”
#13
بدان پر هنر زن بفرمود شاه
✦
زن آمد به نزدیک اسپ سیاه
“The King gave leave to that accomplished woman, and she stepped toward a black steed.”
#14
بن نیزه را بر زمین برنهاد
✦
ز بالا بزین اندرآمد چوباد
“She planted the butt of her spear upon the ground and mounted into the saddle like the wind.”
#15
به باغ اندر آورد گاهی گرفت
✦
چپ وراست بیگانه راهی گرفت
“She rode into the garden and took the field; onlookers stepped aside to the left and right.”
#16
همی هر زمان باره برگاشتی
✦
وز ابر سیه نعره برداشتی
“Moment by moment she turned her warhorse, shouting out like a dark storm cloud.”
#17
بدو گفت هنگام جنگ تبرگ
✦
بدین گونه بودم چو غرنده گرگ
“She said to him, 'During the battle with Tabarg, I was just like this—a roaring wolf!'”
#18
چنین گفت شیرین که ای شهریار
✦
بدشمن دهی آلت کار زار
“Shirin spoke thus, 'O Sovereign! Why do you give the weapons of war to an enemy?”
#19
تو با جامه پاک بر تخت زر
✦
ورا هر زمان برتو باشد گذر
“You sit upon a golden throne in clean robes, while she rides past you fully armed at any moment!'”
#20
بخنده به شیرین چنین گفت شاه
✦
کزین زن جز از دوستداری مخواه
“The King laughed and said to Shirin, 'Expect nothing from this woman but loyalty and affection.'”
#21
همی‌تاخت گرد اندرش گردیه
✦
برآورد گاهی برش گردیه
“Gordyeh kept galloped in circles, raising clouds of dust and executing grand maneuvers.”
#22
بدو مانده بد خسرو اندر شگفت
✦
بدان برز و بالا و آن یال و کفت
“Khosrow remained in astonishment at her height, stature, arms, and powerful shoulders.”
#23
چنین گفت با گردیه شهریار
✦
که بی‌عیبی از گردش روزگار
“The Sovereign said to Gordyeh, 'You are truly flawless against the turns of fortune!”
#24
کنون تا ببینم که با جام می
✦
یکی سست باشی اگر سخت پی
“Now let us see with the goblet of wine whether you are weak or steadfast in spirit.'”
#25
بگرد جهان چار سالار من
✦
که هستند بر جان نگهبان من
“'Throughout the world I have four commanders who are the guardians of my life,”
#26
ابا هریکی زان ده و دو هزار
✦
ز ایران بپای اند جنگی سوار
“And each of them commands twelve thousand battle-ready horsemen of Iran.”
#27
چنین هم به مشکوی زرین من
✦
چه در خانهٔ گوهر آگین من
“Likewise, within my golden palace and jewel-adorned house,”
#28
پرستار باشد ده و دو هزار
✦
همه پاک با طوق و با گوشوار
“There are twelve thousand maidens, all pure, wearing torque collars and earrings.”
#29
ازان پس نگهدار ایشان توی
✦
که با رنج و تیمار خویشان توی
“From this moment forward, you shall be their guardian and overseer, bearing their care as though they were your own kin.”
#30
نخواهم که گویند زیشان سخن
✦
جز از تو اگر نو بود گر کهن
“I wish for no word to be spoken regarding them by anyone except you, whether new matters or old.'”
#31
شنید آن سخن گردیه شاد شد
✦
ز بیغارهٔ دشمن آزاد شد
“Gordyeh heard these words and rejoiced, freed from the mockery and slander of enemies.”
#32
همی‌رفت روی زمین را بروی
✦
همی آفرین خواند بر فر اوی
“She touched her face to the earth and offered praise upon the King's royal aura.”