When Shiruye ascended the throne, fear and trepidation cast a heavy pall over the Sasanian court. Those who had conspired to depose Khosrow Parviz lived in day and night terror of a reversal of fortune. Shiruye was young, timid, and inexperienced; the very throne he sat upon felt like a deadly trap. The astrologers foretold that the sun of the ancient grandees was swiftly setting.
The rebel chieftains gathered before Shiruye and declared ominously: 'Two kings cannot dwell in a single realm—one upon the throne and the other beneath it! Should reconciliation blossom between father and son, it is the heads of us servants that will roll first. You must resolve this matter once and for all.' Frightened and helpless in their grasp, Shiruye yielded, instructing them to secretly seek someone who could bring an end to Khosrow's life.
Yet no honorable man or warrior in the empire possessed the audacity to shed the blood of Khosrow Parviz, for taking the life of so formidable a monarch felt like hanging a mountain around one's neck. At last, the conspirators chanced upon an infamous, vile figure along the road—a hollow-bellied, dark-skinned wretch with pale blue eyes, dry hairy skin, and a ragged frame whose name none knew. This wretched creature went to Zad-Farrokh and pledged to perform the dark deed in exchange for food and gold. Zad-Farrokh handed him a pouch of dinars and a blade forged like water.
When Mehr-Hormozd entered the royal chambers with drawn dagger, Khosrow Parviz trembled at the sight of the sinister assassin, tears streaming down his face. Realizing his hour had arrived at the hands of the lowest of men, Khosrow commanded his young page to bring a golden basin, clean water, fine garments, and holy perfumes. The fallen emperor washed himself, held the sacred Barsam twigs, chanted the Zand prayers in hushed reverence, repented before God, and drew a fresh veil over his head so that he might not behold his killer's face. Mehr-Hormozd locked the doors, stepped forward swiftly, stripped the veil, and plunged the blade straight into the emperor's heart. Khosrow writhed, let out a icy sigh, and breathed his last upon his robes.
As news of Khosrow's assassination spread, the ruthless rebels rushed the royal prisons, slaughtering fifteen of Khosrow's innocent captive sons. When Shiruye learned of his brothers' massacre, he wept in secret, rendered powerless by the lords. He could do no more than dispatch twenty guards to protect the remaining women and children of the slain princes. Thus vanished the incomparable majesty, treasury, and glory of King Khosrow Parviz, offering a solemn reminder of the fickle nature of the mortal world.
#1
هر آنکس که بد کرد با شهریار
✦
شب و روز ترسان بد از روزگار
“Whoever had committed evil against the king lived day and night in fear of fate's turn.”
#2
چو شیروی ترسنده و خام بود
✦
همان تخت پیش اندرش دام بود
“For Shiruye was fearful and inexperienced, and the throne before him was but a trap.”
#3
بدانست اختر شمر هرک دید
✦
که روز بزرگان نخواهد رسید
“Every astrologer who observed the heavens knew that the days of the grandees were coming to an end.”
#4
برفتند هرکس که بد کرده بود
✦
بدان کار تاب اندر آورده بود
“All those who had committed misdeeds and endured the stress of that rebellion went forth.”
#5
ز درگاه یکسر به نزد قباد
✦
از آن کار بیداد کردند یاد
“They went directly from the court to Kobad (Shiruye) and spoke of that injustice.”
#6
که یک بار گفتیم و این دیگرست
✦
تو را خود جزین داوری درسرست
“Saying: 'We spoke once, but this is another matter; you harbor a different judgment in your mind.'”
#7
نشسته به یک شهر بی بر دو شاه
✦
یکی گاه دارد یکی زیرگاه
“'Two kings cannot dwell fruitfully in one realm—one holding the throne, the other beneath it.'”
#8
چو خویشی فزاید پدر با پسر
✦
همه بندگان راببرند سر
“'When affection grows between father and son, all the servants will have their heads cut off.'”
#9
نییم اندرین کار همداستان
✦
مزن زین سپس پیش ما داستان
“'We are not agreed upon this matter; spin no further stories before us!'”
#10
بترسید شیروی و ترسنده بود
✦
که در چنگ ایشان یکی بنده بود
“Shiruye grew frightened, for he was fearful, being like a captive servant in their hands.”
#11
چنین داد پاسخ که سرسوی دام
✦
نیارد مگر مردم زشت نام
“He answered: 'None but an ill-famed man would lead his own head into a snare.'”
#12
شما را سوی خانه باید شدن
✦
بران آرزو رای باید زدن
“'You must go to your homes and deliberate upon your desire.'”
#13
به جویید تا کیست اندر جهان
✦
که این رنج بر ما سرآرد نهان
“'Seek out who in the world can secretly bring an end to this toil of ours.'”
#14
کشنده همی‌جست بدخواه شاه
✦
بدان تا کنندش نهانی تباه
“The king's enemies sought a slayer, so that they might destroy Khosrow in secret.”
#15
کس اندر جهان زهرهٔ آن نداشت
✦
زمردی همان بهرهٔ آن نداشت
“No person in the world had the daring for it, nor possessed the manly courage for such a deed.”
#16
که خون چنان خسروی ریختی
✦
همی‌کوه در گردن آویختی
“For to shed the blood of such a Khosrow was like hanging a mountain around one's neck.”
#17
ز هر سو همی‌جست بدخواه شاه
✦
چنین تا بدیدند مردی به راه
“The king's foes searched everywhere, until they spotted a man along the road.”
#18
دو چشمش کبود و در خساره زرد
✦
تنی خشک و پر موی و رخ لاژورد
“His eyes were blue, his cheeks pale yellow, his body dry and hair-covered, his face lapis-hued.”
#19
پر از خاک پای و شکم گرسنه
✦
تن مرد بیدادگر برهنه
“His feet were covered in dust, his belly hungry; a naked and cruel villain.”
#20
ندانست کس نام او در جهان
✦
میان کهان و میان مهان
“No one in the world knew his name, neither among the lowly nor among the great.”
#21
بر زاد فرخ شد این مرد زشت
✦
که هرگز مبیناد خرم بهشت
“This hideous man went to Zad-Farrokh—may he never behold joyous Paradise!”
#22
بدو گفت کاین رزم کارمنست
✦
چو سیرم کنی این شکار منست
“He said to him: 'This fight is my task; if you fill my belly, this prey is mine.'”
#23
بدو گفت روگر توانی بکن
✦
وزین بیش مگشای لب بر سخن
“Zad-Farrokh said to him: 'Go, if you are able, and speak no further words of this.'”
#24
یکی کیسه دینار دادم تو را
✦
چو فرزند او یار دادم تو را
“He gave him a pouch of dinars, and provided him an accomplice like his own child.”
#25
یکی خنجری تیز دادش چوآب
✦
بیامد کشنده سبک پرشتاب
“He handed him a sharp dagger like clear water; the assassin moved swiftly and in haste.”
#26
چو آن بدکنش رفت نزدیک شاه
✦
ورا دیده پابند در پیش گاه
“When that evil-doer came near the king, he saw his eyes bound before the throne.”
#27
بلرزید خسرو چو او را بدید
✦
سرشکش ز مژگان به رخ برچکید
“Khosrow trembled when he saw him, tears dripping from his eyelashes onto his cheeks.”
#28
بدو گفت کای زشت نام تو چیست
✦
که زاینده را بر تو باید گریست
“He said to him: 'O wretched one, what is your name? She who birthed you must weep over you.'”
#29
مرا مِهرهرمزد خوانند گفت
✦
غریبم بدین شهر بی‌یار و جفت
“He replied: 'They call me Mehr-Hormozd; I am a stranger in this city, without friend or mate.'”
#30
چنین گفت خسرو که آمد زمان
✦
بدست فرومایهٔ بدگمان
“Khosrow said: 'My end has come, at the hand of a base and sinister villain.'”
#31
به مردم نماند همی‌چهراو
✦
به گیتی نجوید کسی مهر او
“'His countenance resembles no human; no one in the world seeks his affection.'”
#32
یکی ریدکی پیش او بد بپای
✦
بریدک چنین گفت کای رهنمای
“A young page was standing before him; Khosrow said to him: 'O guide...'”
#33
بروتشت آب آر و مشک و عبیر
✦
یکی پاک ترجامهٔ دلپذیر
“'Bring a basin of water, musk, and ambergris, and a clean, pleasing garment.'”
#34
پرستنده بشنید آواز اوی
✦
ندانست کودک همی راز اوی
“The servant heard his voice, though the child knew nothing of his master's secret.”
#35
ز پیشش بیامد پرستار خرد
✦
یکی تشت زرین بر شاه برد
“The young attendant came before him and brought a golden basin to the king.”
#36
ابا جامه و آبدستان وآب
✦
همی‌کرد خسرو ببردن شتاب
“With the robes, ewer, and water, Khosrow made haste to cleanse himself.”
#37
چو برسم بدید اندر آمد بواژ
✦
نه گاه سخن بود و گفتار ژاژ
“When he saw the Barsam twigs, he began to chant in Zand whispers; it was no time for idle words.”
#38
چو آن جامه‌ها را بپوشید شاه
✦
به زمزم همی توبه کرد از گناه
“When the king put on those garments, he repented of his sins with Zemzem prayers.”
#39
یکی چادر نو به سر در کشید
✦
بدان تا رخ جان ستان راندید
“He drew a new veil over his head, so that he might not behold the face of his murderer.”
#40
بشد مهر هرمزد خنجر بدست
✦
در خانهٔ پادشا راببست
“Mehr-Hormozd entered dagger in hand and locked the door of the king's house.”
#41
سبک رفت و جامه ازو در کشید
✦
جگرگاه شاه جهان بر درید
“He stepped swiftly, pulled away the veil, and ripped open the king of the world's heart.”
#42
بپیچید و بر زد یکی سرد باد
✦
به زاری بران جامه بر جان بداد
“Khosrow writhed, drew a cold breath, and mournfully surrendered his soul upon those garments.”
#43
برین گونه گردد جهان جهان
✦
همی راز خویش از تو دارد نهان
“In such a manner turns the revolving world, concealing its secrets from thee.”
#44
سخن سنج بی‌رنج گر مرد لاف
✦
نبیند ز کردار او جز گزاف
“A man of words without effort who boasts will see nothing from destiny but futility.”
#45
اگر گنج داری و گر گُرم و رنج
✦
نمانی همی در سرای سپنج
“Whether you possess treasures or suffer grief and toil, you shall not abide forever in this transient inn.”
#46
بی‌آزاری و راستی برگزین
✦
چو خواهی که یابی به داد آفرین
“Choose harmlessness and truth if you desire to be praised for your justice.”
#47
چو آگاهی آمد به بازار و راه
✦
که خسرو بران گونه برشد تباه
“When word reached the streets and bazaars that Khosrow had been tragically ruined and slain,”
#48
همه بدگمانان به زندان شدند
✦
به ایوان آن مستمندان شدند
“All the malevolent enemies rushed to the prison, entering the hall of those helpless captives.”
#49
گرامی ده و پنج فرزند بود
✦
به ایوان شاه آنک دربند بود
“Fifteen beloved children of the king were held in captivity within that royal palace.”
#50
به زندان بکشتندشان بی‌گناه
✦
بدانگه که برگشته شد بخت شاه
“They slaughtered them blameless in prison when the king's royal fortune turned to dark ruin.”
#51
جهاندار چیزی نیارست گفت
✦
همی‌داشت آن انده اندر نهفت
“The sovereign could utter not a word, keeping his intense sorrow suppressed in secret.”
#52
چو بشنید شیرویه چندی گریست
✦
از آن پس نگهبان فرستاد بیست
“When Shiruye heard of this, he wept for a time, and thereafter dispatched twenty guards,”
#53
بدان تا زن و کودکانشان نگاه
✦
بدارد پس از مرگ آن کشته شاه
“To guard and protect their women and children after the murder of those slain princes.”
#54
شد آن پادشاهی و چندان سپاه
✦
بزرگی و مردی و آن دستگاه
“Gone was that mighty empire and vast army, gone the greatness, valour, and splendor of state,”
#55
که کس را ز شاهنشهان آن نبود
✦
نه از نامداران پیشین شنود
“Such as no emperor of monarchs ever possessed, nor had ever been heard of among the ancients.”
#56
یکی گشت با آنک نانی فراخ
✦
نیابد نبیند برو بوم و کاخ
“He became equal to one who cannot even find a loaf of bread, possessing neither realm nor palace.”
#57
خردمند گوید نیارد بها
✦
هر آنکس که ایمن شد از اژدها
“The sage says that no value belongs to him who feels secure from the dragon of fate.”
#58
جهان رامخوان جز دلاور نهنگ
✦
بخاید به دندان چو گیرد به چنگ
“Consider the world as naught but a ferocious crocodile that chews with its teeth whatever it seizes in its claws.”
#59
سرآمد کنون کار پرویز شاه
✦
شد آن نامور تخت و گنج و سپاه
“Now the reign of King Parviz has reached its end; gone are that famous throne, treasure, and host.”