Farrokhzad, son of Hormozd, crossed the Arvand River in a fury of grief and launched a desperate assault at Karkh. Despite valiant resistance, as the dark dust of battle billowed across the plain, fortune turned against the Iranians, and their ranks broke before the Arab host. Farrokhzad returned to King Yazdegard III, caked in dust and crimson armor, his eyes weeping blood and his heart melting with sorrow. Prostrating before the monarch, he cried out: 'O last jewel of the Kayanid lineage! You stand alone while the enemy numbers a hundred thousand. Do not cast away the soul of Iran upon a desperate hazard. Fall back to the lush forests of Narvan, to Amol and Sari, where the people remain your devoted servants. There, like King Fereydun of old, gather a new host and reclaim your sovereignty!'
The following morning, Yazdegard ascended the throne in full majesty, wearing the Kayanid crown, and convened an assembly of wise mobads, grandees, and seasoned commanders. He presented Farrokhzad’s proposal, but the nobles resisted, declaring that flight to the woods ill-befitted a king. Yazdegard concurred, declaring that facing the enemy in battle was far nobler than bearing the shame of retreat. Yet, the King harbored another design: he would journey east to Khorasan. There, he intended to forge an alliance with the Khagan of China by taking the Faghfhur's daughter as his bride, and to call upon the formidable armies of the eastern marches. Furthermore, he counted on Mahoy, the Kanarang of Merv—a man of low birth whom Yazdegard had raised from a humble shepherd to a high commander.
Farrokhzad struck his hands together in dismay and passionately warned the King: 'Do not place your trust in the base-born! No spell or royal favor can alter an ignoble nature; he who was plucked from nothingness will turn his face when dark days fall.' But Yazdegard, swept by the relentless tide of fate, set his resolve. At dawn, the royal caravan struck out on the road to Khorasan.
A lamentation arose from the Iranian nobility, local landlords, and allies as they wept bitterly over the King's departure. Yazdegard, his eyelashes wet with tears, urged his loyal subjects to preserve their lives and estates, submitting to the changing sky until the storm of the Arab conquest might abate. Thus, with a sorrowful heart and a brow furrowed by anguish, the last Sasanian Emperor journeyed stage by stage through Ray and Gorgan toward Bost, unaware of the treacherous destiny awaiting him in the far reaches of Khorasan.
#1
فرخ‌زاد هرمزد با آب چشم
✦
به اروندرود اندر آمد بخشم
“Farrokhzad, son of Hormozd, crossed the Arvand River in a rage, tears streaming from his eyes.”
#2
به کرخ اندر آمد یکی حمله برد
✦
که از نیزه‌داران نماند ایچ گُرد
“He launched a fierce charge into Karkh, leaving not a single warrior among the enemy spearmen standing.”
#3
هم آنگه ز بغداد بیرون شدند
✦
سوی رزم جستن به هامون شدند
“At that very moment, they marched out from Baghdad into the open plain to seek battle.”
#4
چو برخاست گرد نبرد از میان
✦
شکست اندر آمد به ایرانیان
“When the dust of battle rose high, defeat befell the Iranian host.”
#5
فرخ‌زاد برگشت و شد نزد شاه
✦
پر از گرد با آلت رزمگاه
“Farrokhzad turned back and came before the King, covered in dust and clad in battle gear.”
#6
فرود آمد از باره بردش نماز
✦
دو دیده پر از خون و دل پرگداز
“He dismounted his warhorse and paid homage, his eyes filled with blood and his heart melting with sorrow.”
#7
بدو گفت چندین چه مولی همی
✦
که گاه کیی را بشولی همی
“He said to him: 'Why do you delay so much, allowing the Kayanid royal realm to fall into ruin?”
#8
ز تخم کیان کس جز از تو نماند
✦
که با تاج بر تخت شاید نشاند
“No one remains of the Kayanid seed except you who is fit to sit upon the crown and throne.”
#9
توی یک تن و دشمنان صد هزار
✦
میان جهان چون کنی کارزار
“You are but a single man, and the enemies are a hundred thousand; how can you wage war in the midst of the world alone?”
#10
برو تا سوی بیشهٔ ناروَن
✦
جهانی شود بر تو بر انجمن
“Depart toward the forest of Narvan, where the whole world will gather around you in assembly.”
#11
وزان جایگاه چون فریدون برو
✦
جوانی یکی کار برساز نو
“And from that place, advance like King Fereydun, making a youthful, fresh start to your cause.'”
#12
فرخ‌زاد گفت و جهانبان شنید
✦
یکی دیگر اندیشه آمد پدید
“Farrokhzad spoke, and the ruler of the world listened, but another thought formed in his mind.”
#13
دگر روز برگاه بنشست شاه
✦
به سر برنهاد آن کیانی کلاه
“The next day, the King sat upon the throne and placed the royal Kayanid crown upon his head.”
#14
یکی انجمن کرد با بخردان
✦
بزرگان و بیداردل موبدان
“He gathered an assembly of wise men, nobles, and vigilant mobads.”
#15
چه بینید گفت اندرین داستان
✦
چه دارید یاد از گه باستان
“He said: 'What do you see in this matter? What do you recall from ancient lore?”
#16
فرخ‌زاد گوید که با انجمن
✦
گذر کن سوی بیشهٔ ناروَن
“Farrokhzad advises that I should go with an assembly toward the forest of Narvan,”
#17
به آمل پرستندگان تواَند
✦
به ساری همه بندگان تواَند
“For in Amol they are your worshippers, and in Sari they are all your loyal servants.”
#18
چو لشکر فراوان شود بازگرد
✦
به مردم توان ساخت ننگ و نبرد
“When the army grows vast, turn back; with men, battle and honor can be forged.'”
#19
شما را پسند آید این گفت‌وگوی
✦
به آواز گفتند کاین نیست روی
“Do you approve of this discourse?' They answered with one voice: 'This is not the proper path!'”
#20
شهنشاه گفت این سخن درخورَست
✦
مرا در دل اندیشهٔ دیگرَست
“The King of kings said: 'This talk is reasonable, yet a different thought rests in my heart.”
#21
بزرگان ایران و چندین سپاه
✦
بر و بوم آباد و تخت و کلاه
“Here are the nobles of Iran and so vast an army, prosperous lands, the crown, and the throne.”
#22
سرِ خویش گیرم بمانم بجای
✦
بزرگی نباشد نه مردی و رای
“If I flee to save my own head and abandon all, it would be neither grandeur, manhood, nor wisdom.”
#23
مرا جنگ دشمن به آید ز ننگ
✦
یکی داستان زد برین بر پلنگ
“Fighting the enemy is better to me than shame; a proverb was once struck about this concerning the leopard,”
#24
که خیره به بدخواه منمای پشت
✦
چو پیش آیدت روزگاری درشت
“That one should not foolishly turn one's back to the adversary when a harsh fortune confronts you.”
#25
چنان هم که کهتر به فرمان شاه
✦
بد و نیک باید که دارد نگاه
“Just as a subject must obey the King's command, upholding good and bad,”
#26
جهاندار باید که او را به رنج
✦
نماند بجای و شود سوی گنج
“So too must the monarch, in times of hardship, leave his place and move toward his treasury.'”
#27
بزرگان برو خواندند آفرین
✦
که اینست آیین شاهان دین
“The grandees showered praises upon him, saying: 'This is the true custom of righteous kings!”
#28
نگه کن کنون تا چه فرمان دهی
✦
چه خواهی و با ما چه پیمان نهی
“Consider now what command you give, what you desire, and what covenant you make with us.'”
#29
مهان را چنین پاسخ آورد شاه
✦
کز اندیشه گردد دل من تباه
“The King answered the nobles: 'My heart grows ruined with grief and contemplation.”
#30
همانا که سوی خراسان شویم
✦
ز پیکار دشمن تن‌آسان شویم
“Indeed, we shall head toward Khorasan, so that we may find rest from the enemy's assault.”
#31
کزان سو فراوان مرا لشکرست
✦
همه پهلوانان کنداورست
“For in that direction I have a vast army, all mighty, hero-valiant champions.”
#32
بزرگان و ترکان خاقان چین
✦
بیایند و بر ما کنند آفرین
“The nobles and the Turks of the Khagan of China will come and shower praises upon us.”
#33
بران دوستی نیز بیشی کنیم
✦
که با دختِ فغفور خویشی کنیم
“We shall strengthen that friendship even further by forming a alliance with the daughter of Faghfhur.'”
#34
بِیاری بیاید سپاهی گران
✦
بزرگان و ترکان جنگاوران
“'A mighty host will arrive in aid, grandees and warlike Turks.”
#35
کنارنگِ مروست ماهوی نیز
✦
ابا لشکر و پیل و هر گونه چیز
“Also Mahoy, the Kanarang of Merv, with army, war-elephants, and every manner of wealth,”
#36
کجا پیشکار شبانان ماست
✦
برآوردهٔ دشتبانان ماست
“He who was once the overseer of our shepherds, raised by our wilderness guardians.”
#37
ورا برکشیدم که گوینده بود
✦
همان رزم را نیز جوینده بود
“I elevated him because he was articulate and sought battle as well.”
#38
چو بی‌ارز را نام دادیم و ارز
✦
کنارنگی و پیل و مردان و مرز
“When we granted worth and title to the worthless, making him Kanarang with elephants, men, and marches,”
#39
اگر چند بی‌مایه و بی‌تنست
✦
برآوردهٔ بارگاه منست
“Though he be low-born and lacking stature, he is the creature of my royal court.'”
#40
ز موبد شنیدستم این داستان
✦
که برخواند از گفتهٔ باستان
“'I have heard this story from the Mobad, who read it from the lore of the ancients,”
#41
که پرهیز از آن کن که بد کرده‌ای
✦
که او را به بیهوده آزرده‌ای
“Beware of him to whom you have done bad, whom you have vexed in vain;”
#42
بدان دار اومید کو را به مهر
✦
سر از نیستی بردی اندر سپهر
“Place your hope in him whom you raised into the sky out of love from nonexistence.'”
#43
فرخ‌زاد برهم بزد هر دودست
✦
بدو گفت کای شاه یزدان‌پرست
“Farrokhzad clapped both hands together and said: 'O God-fearing King!”
#44
به بدگوهران بر بس ایمن مشو
✦
که این را یکی داستانست نو
“Do not be overly secure regarding men of bad origin, for there is a fresh fable concerning this:”
#45
که هر چند بر گوهر افسون کنی
✦
بکوشی کزو رنگ بیرون کنی
“Though you cast spells upon a person's nature and strive to strip away its color,”
#46
چو پروردگارش چنان آفرید
✦
تو بر بند یزدان نیابی کلید
“Since the Creator fashioned them thus, you shall find no key to unlock the bonds of God's decree.”
#47
ازیشان نبرّند رنگ و نژاد
✦
تو را جز بزرگی و شاهی مباد
“From them, lineage and blood cannot be severed; may nought befall thee save greatness and sovereignty.”
#48
بدو گفت شاه ای هژبر ژیان
✦
ازین آزمایش ندارد زیان
“The King said to him, 'O fierce lion, putting this to the test shall bring no harm.'”
#49
ببود آن شب و بامداد پگاه
✦
گرانمایگان برگرفتند راه
“That night passed, and at early dawn, the noble nobles set forth upon their way.”
#50
ز بغداد راه خراسان گرفت
✦
همه رنجها بر دل آسان گرفت
“From Baghdad he took the road to Khorasan, bearing all hardships lightly in his heart.”
#51
بزرگان ایران همه پر ز درد
✦
برفتند با شاه آزادمرد
“The nobles of Iran, their hearts heavy with sorrow, rode alongside the noble King.”
#52
برو بر همی‌خواندند آفرین
✦
که بی تو مبادا زمان و زمین
“They showered blessings upon him, crying, 'May neither time nor earth endure without thee!'”
#53
خروشی برآمد ز لشکر به زار
✦
ز تیمار وز رفتن شهریار
“A mournful cry arose from the host, wept over grief and the departure of the Sovereign.”
#54
ازیشان هر آنکس که دهقان بدند
✦
وگر خویش و پیوند خاقان بدند
“Whosoever among them were landed nobles (dehqans), or kin and allies of the Khaqan,”
#55
خروشان برِ شهریار آمدند
✦
همه دیده چون جویبار آمدند
“Came weeping before the King, their eyes streaming like flowing rills.”
#56
که ما را دل از بوم و آرامگاه
✦
چگونه بوَد شاد بی روی شاه
“Saying, 'How could our hearts find joy in homeland and hearth without the sight of the King's countenance?'”
#57
همه بوم آباد و فرزند و گنج
✦
بمانیم و با تو گزینیم رنج
“'We shall abandon settled lands, children, and treasure, to choose hardship in thy company.'”
#58
زمانه نخواهیم بی تخت تو
✦
مبادا که پیچان شود بخت تو
“'We desire not life without thy throne; may thy fortune never turn away in sorrow!'”
#59
همه با تو آییم تا روزگار
✦
چه بازی کند در دم کارزار
“'We shall all go with thee, to see what game Destiny will play in the hour of battle.'”
#60
ز خاقانیان آنک بُد چرب‌گوی
✦
به خاک سیه برنهادند روی
“Among the Khaqan’s kin, he who was most eloquent laid his face upon the dark dust,”
#61
که ما بوم آباد بگذاشتیم
✦
جهان در پناه تو پنداشتیم
“Saying, 'We left our prosperous lands, deeming the world secure under thy shelter.'”
#62
کنون داغ‌دل نزد خاقان شویم
✦
ز تازی سوی مرز دهقان شویم
“'Now, with grief-stricken hearts, must we return to the Khaqan, fleeing the Arabs toward the land of the Dehqans?'”
#63
شهنشاه مژگان پر از آب کرد
✦
چنین گفت با نامداران بدرد
“The King of Kings filled his eyelashes with tears, and spake thus in sorrow to the nobles:”
#64
که یکسر به یزدان نیایش کنید
✦
ستایش ورا در فزایش کنید
“'Offer prayers unto God, every one of you, and increase your praise of Him.'”
#65
مگر باز بینم شما را یکی
✦
شود تیزی تازیان اندکی
“'Perchance I may behold you once again, should the fierceness of the Arabs wane.'”
#66
همه پاک پروردگار منید
✦
همان از پدر یادگار منید
“'You are all my nurtured companions, as well as the cherished memory of my father.'”
#67
نخواهم که آید شما را گزند
✦
مباشید با من ببد یارمند
“'I wish no harm to reach you; do not share in my misfortune.'”
#68
ببینیم تا گرد گردان سپهر
✦
ازین سو کنون بر که گردد به مهر
“'Let us wait and see upon whom the revolving sphere of Heaven shall turn its loving grace.'”
#69
شما ساز گیرید با پای او
✦
گذر نیست با گردش و رای او
“'Adapt yourselves to its pace, for there is no escape from its movement and decree.'”
#70
وزان پس به بازارگانان چین
✦
چنین گفت کاکنون به ایران‌زمین
“And thereafter to the merchants of China he said, 'Now in the land of Iran,'”
#71
مباشید یک چند کز تازیان
✦
بدین سود جستن سرآید زیان
“'Stay not for a time, lest from the Arabs this quest for profit turn to sheer loss.'”
#72
ازو بازگشتند با درد و جوش
✦
ز تیمار با ناله و با خروش
“They turned back from him with grief and anguish, weeping and lamenting in their sorrow.”
#73
فرخ‌زاد هرمزد لشکر براند
✦
ز ایران جهاندیدگان را بخواند
“Farrukhzād, son of Hormozd, led the army forth and summoned the experienced elders of Iran.”
#74
همی‌رفت با ناله و درد شاه
✦
سپهبد به پیش اندرون با سپاه
“The King moved onward with lamentation and pain, while the commander marched ahead with the host.”
#75
چو منزل به منزل بیامد برِی
✦
برآسود یک چند با رود و می
“When stage by stage he reached Rayy, he rested a while with lute and wine.”
#76
ز ری سوی گرگان بیامد چو باد
✦
همی‌بود یک چند ناشاد و شاد
“From Rayy he came like the wind unto Gorgan, spending a time betwixt sorrow and delight.”
#77
ز گرگان بیامد سوی راه بُست
✦
پرآژنگ رخسار و دل نادرست
“From Gorgan he journeyed toward the road to Bost, his brow furrowed and his heart sick with grief.”