After mourning the passing of his noble father, King Manuchehr, Nowzar placed the royal Kayanid crown upon his head and ascended the throne. At first, he opened the royal treasuries and summoned the grandees of the realm, bestowing gifts upon all. Yet as time elapsed, the young king strayed into injustice and tyranny. He abandoned the righteous customs of his ancestors, dealt harshly with the priests and wise elders, and let his heart become enslaved by greed. As a result, chaos swept across Iran; humble farmers took up arms, and the realm trembled in unrest.
Sensing the peril to his throne, Nowzar dispatched an urgent letter to Sam Nariman, the renowned World-Champion stationed in Sagsar of Mazandaran, invoking the memory of Manuchehr and imploring the old hero to save the kingdom. Upon receiving the message, Sam sighed deeply over the young monarch's folly and at once marched his vast army toward Iran.
As he approached, the desperate nobles of Iran went out on foot to meet him, recounting Nowzar's misdeeds and pleading with Sam to take the golden crown for himself. But Sam sternly rejected their offer, declaring his unwavering loyalty to the line of Manuchehr and affirming that even if a daughter of Manuchehr sat upon the throne, he would serve her faithfully. Reminding them of the sacrosanct nature of the royal glory (farr), Sam persuaded the nobles to repent and seek reconciliation.
Entering the royal court, Sam was warmly welcomed by Nowzar. The ancient hero then opened his lips to offer profound counsel, invoking the glorious deeds and cosmic justice of Fereydun, Hushang, and Manuchehr. Swayed by Sam’s wisdom, Nowzar turned away from tyranny, embraced justice once more, and earned back the devotion of his people.
#1
چو سوگ پدر شاه نوذر بداشت
✦
ز کیوان کلاه کیی برفراشت
“When King Nowzar finished mourning his father, he raised the royal Kayanid crown higher than Saturn.”
#2
به تخت منوچهر بر بار داد
✦
بخواند انجمن را و دینار داد
“He sat upon the throne of Manuchehr, held court, summoned the assembly, and distributed gold coin.”
#3
برین برنیامد بسی روزگار
✦
که بیدادگر شد سر شهریار:
“Not long after this did time pass before the mind of the monarch turned toward injustice and tyranny.”
#4
ز گیتی برآمد به هر جای غَو
✦
جهان را کهن شد سر از شاه نو
“A clamor of despair arose from every corner of the world, and the ancient realm grew weary under its new king.”
#5
چو او رسمهای پدر درنَوَشت
✦
ابا موبدان و ردان تیز گشت؛
“As he cast aside the noble customs of his father, he grew harsh toward the priests and wise elders.”
#6
همی مردمی نزد او خوار شد
✦
دلش بردهٔ گنج و دینار شد
“Humanity and virtue became worthless in his eyes, and his heart became a slave to treasuries and gold.”
#7
کدیور یکایک سپاهی شدند
✦
دلیران سزاوار شاهی شدند
“One by one, humble farmers became warriors, and brave men felt worthy of claiming the kingship.”
#8
چو از روی کشور برآمد خروش
✦
جهانی سراسر برآمد به جوش
“As a cry of anguish rose across the land, the whole world erupted in commotion and turmoil.”
#9
بترسید بیدادگر شهریار
✦
فرستاد کس نزد سام سوار
“The tyrannical monarch grew fearful; he dispatched an envoy to the champion Sam the Rider.”
#10
به سگسار مازندران بود سام
✦
فرستاد نوذر بر او بر پیام
“Sam was then in Sagsar of Mazandaran; Nowzar sent forth his urgent message unto him.”
#11
«خداوند کیوان و بهرام و هور
✦
که هست آفرینندهٔ پیل و مور
“"In the name of the Lord of Saturn, Mars, and the Sun—the Creator of the elephant and the ant—”
#12
نه دشواری از چیز برترمنش
✦
نه آسانی از اندک اندر بوش
“For Whom no difficulty is beyond His majesty, nor is any ease derived from smallness in existence.”
#13
همه با توانایی او یکیست
✦
اگر هست بسیار و گر اندکیست
“All things are equal before His omnipotence, whether they be great or whether they be few.”
#14
کنون از خداوند خورشید و ماه
✦
ثنا بر روان منوچهر شاه
“Now, from the Lord of the sun and moon, let praise descend upon the soul of King Manuchehr!”
#15
ابر سام یل باد چندان درود
✦
که آید همی ز ابر باران فرود
“And upon Sam the Hero let there be as many blessings as the raindrops that pour down from the clouds!”
#16
مران پهلوان جهاندیده را
✦
سرافراز گرد پسندیده را
“Upon that world-experienced champion, that exalted and noble warrior:”
#17
همیشه دل و هوشش آباد باد
✦
روانش ز هر درد آزاد باد
“May his heart and intellect forever flourish, and may his soul remain free from every affliction!”
#18
شناسد مگر پهلوان جهان
✦
سخنها هم از آشکار و نهان
“Surely the world-champion knows the reality of matters, both manifest and hidden:”
#19
که تا شاه مژگان به هم برنهاد
✦
ز سام نریمان بسی کرد یاد
“That until the late King closed his eyes in death, he spoke incessantly of Sam Nariman;”
#20
همیدون مرا پشت گرمی بدوست
✦
که هم پهلوانست و هم شاه دوست
“Likewise, my own reliance and strength rest in him, for he is both a supreme hero and a friend to the crown.”
#21
نگهبان کشور به هنگام شاه
✦
ازویست رخشنده فرخ کلاه
“He was the protector of the realm during the King's life, and from him shines the glorious royal crown.”
#22
کنون پادشاهی پرآشوب گشت
✦
سخنها از اندازه اندر گذشت
“Now the kingdom has fallen into deep turmoil, and affairs have crossed beyond all reasonable bounds.”
#23
اگر برنگیرد وی آن گرز کین
✦
ازین تخت پردخته ماند زمین»
“If he does not lift his mace of vengeance, the earth will be stripped bare of this royal throne."”
#24
چو نامه بر سام نیرم رسید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“When the letter reached Sam, son of Nariman, he drew a cold sigh from his very heart.”
#25
به شبگیر هنگام بانگ خروس
✦
برآمد خروشیدن بوق و کوس
“At early dawn, when the rooster crowed, the thunderous roaring of horns and drums resounded.”
#26
یکی لشکری راند از گرگسار
✦
که دریای سبز اندرو گشت خوار
“He led forth a host from Gorgsar so vast that even the green sea seemed small beside it.”
#27
چو نزدیک ایران رسید آن سپاه
✦
پذیره شدندش بزرگان به راه
“When that mighty host drew near to Iran, the nobles of the realm went out along the road to welcome him.”
#28
پیاده همه پیش سام دلیر
✦
برفتند و گفتند هر گونه ویر
“They all dismounted and walked on foot before brave Sam, recounting every manner of sorrow and grief:”
#29
ز بیدادی نوذر تاجور
✦
که بر خیره گم کرد راه پدر
“Speaking of the injustice of crowned Nowzar, who had foolishly strayed from the path of his father.”
#30
جهان گشت ویران ز کردار اوی
✦
غنوده شد آن بخت بیدار اوی
“"The world has turned to ruin because of his deeds, and his once-vigilant fortune has fallen asleep!”
#31
بگردد همی از ره بخردی
✦
ازو دور شد فرهٔ ایزدی
“He strays constantly from the path of wisdom, and the Royal Divine Glory (Farr) has departed from him.”
#32
چه باشد اگر سام یل پهلوان
✦
نشیند برین تخت روشن روان
“What harm could there be if Sam, the Hero of luminous soul, were to sit upon this throne?”
#33
جهان گردد آباد با داد او
✦
برویست ایران و بنیاد او
“The world will flourish under his justice, for Iran and its very foundation rest upon his shoulders!”
#34
که ما بنده باشیم و فرمان کنیم
✦
روانها به مهرش گروگان کنیم
“For we shall be his servants and obey his commands, pledging our very souls to his love!"”
#35
بدیشان چنین گفت سام سوار
✦
که این کی پسندد ز من کردگار
“To them, Sam the Champion replied thus: "How could the Almighty God ever approve such a deed from me?”
#36
که چون نوذری از نژاد کیان
✦
به تخت کیی بر کمر بر میان
“That while one such as Nowzar, of the sacred lineage of the Kayanids, sits upon the crown with sword girt at his waist,”
#37
به شاهی مرا تاج باید بسود
✦
محالست و این کس نیارد شنود
“I should touch the crown of kingship myself? This is impossible, and no one should even dare to hear it!”
#38
خود این گفت یارد کس اندر جهان!
✦
چنین زهره دارد کس اندر نهان؟
“Who in this world would dare to speak such words? Who possesses such audacity even in their secret thoughts?”
#39
اگر دختری از منوچهر شاه
✦
بران تخت زرین شدی با کلاه
“Even if it were a daughter of King Manuchehr sitting upon that golden throne wearing the royal crown,”
#40
نبودی جز از خاک بالین من
✦
بدو شاد بودی جهانبین من
“My pillow would be nothing but the humble dust before her, and my eyes would rejoice in serving her!”
#41
دلش گر ز راه پدر گشت باز
✦
برین‌بر نیامد زمانی دراز
“If his heart has strayed from his father's righteous path, not much time has elapsed since this turn.”
#42
هنوز آهنی نیست زنگار خورد
✦
که رخشنده دشوار شایدش کرد
“It is not yet an iron so consumed by rust that polishing it back to radiance would be impossible!”
#43
من آن ایزدی فره باز آورم
✦
جهان را به مهرش نیاز آورم
“I shall bring back that Divine Glory (Farr) unto him, and cause the world to yearn once more for his love!”
#44
شما بر گذشته پشیمان شوید
✦
به نوی ز سر باز پیمان شوید
“As for you, repent of your past actions, and renew your allegiance and covenant with him!”
#45
گر آمرزش کردگار سپهر
✦
نیابید و از نوذر شاه مهر
“For if you do not seek the forgiveness of the Almighty Creator, nor obtain the favor of King Nowzar,”
#46
بدین گیتی اندر بود خشم شاه
✦
به برگشتن آتش بود جایگاه
“In this world, the king's wrath raged, making the realm a place consumed by the fires of turmoil.”
#47
بزرگان ز کرده پشیمان شدند
✦
یکایک ز سر باز پیمان شدند
“The nobles grew remorseful of their allegiance, and one by one, they broke their covenants with him.”
#48
چو آمد به درگاه سام سوار
✦
پذیره شدش نوذر شهریار
“When Sam the champion arrived at the court, King Nowzar went forth to welcome him with honor.”
#49
به فرخ پی نامور پهلوان
✦
جهان سر به سر شد به نوی جوان
“By the blessed presence of that renowned hero, the entire world felt rejuvenated and refreshed once more.”
#50
به پوزش مهان پیش نوذر شدند
✦
به جان و به دل ویژه کهتر شدند
“The nobles came before Nowzar with apologies, devoting themselves wholeheartedly as his loyal servants.”
#51
برافروخت نوذر ز تخت مهی
✦
نشست اندر آرام با فرهی
“Nowzar shone anew upon the grand throne, re-establishing himself in tranquility and royal splendour.”
#52
جهان پهلوان پیش نوذر به پای
✦
پرستنده او بود و هم رهنمای
“The World-Champion stood loyal before Nowzar, serving him both as a devoted attendant and a wise guide.”
#53
به نوذر در پندها را گشاد
✦
سخنهای نیکو بسی کرد یاد
“He opened the doors of wise counsel to Nowzar, recalling many profound and noble words of advice.”
#54
ز گرد فریدون و هوشنگ شاه
✦
همان از منوچهر زیبای گاه
“He spoke of Fereydoun the valiant, of King Houshang, and of Manuchehr, who adorned the royal throne.”
#55
که گیتی بداد و دهش داشتند
✦
به بیداد بر چشم نگماشتند
“Recalling how they ruled the world with justice and bounty, never turning their eyes toward oppression.”
#56
دل او ز کژی به داد آورید
✦
چنان کرد نوذر که او رای دید
“He turned the king's heart from injustice toward righteousness, and Nowzar acted as Sam deemed fit.”
#57
دل مهتران را بدو نرم کرد
✦
همه داد و بنیاد آزرم کرد
“He softened the hearts of the chieftains toward him, founding all things upon justice and mutual respect.”
#58
چو گفته شد از گفتنیها همه
✦
به گردنکشان و به شاه رمه
“When all that needed to be said was spoken—both to the proud chieftains and to the shepherd-king—”
#59
برون رفت با خلعت نوذری
✦
چه تخت و چه تاج و چه انگشتری
“Sam departed bearing royal robes of honor from Nowzar, along with thrones, crowns, and signet rings.”
#60
غلامان و اسپان زرین ستام
✦
پر از گوهر سرخ زرین دو جام
“Accompanied by servants, steeds with golden trappings, and two golden goblets filled with gleaming rubies.”
#61
برین نیز بگذشت چندی سپهر
✦
نه با نوذر آرام بودش نه مهر
“Time passed thus for a season under the heavens, yet Fate held neither peace nor love for Nowzar.”