The war-drums resounded across the land as the royal retinue moved from Bust and Nishapur, marching all the way to the border of Tus. Word reached Mahuy Suri, the governor of Tus, that the royal army and the Monarch of Iran were approaching his marches. Straightway, Mahuy rode forth to meet them at the head of a formidable host of armored spearmen.
When the glorious banner of the throne and the royal splendor of King Yazdegerd came into view, Mahuy dismounted swiftly from his steed. Showing utmost humility, he walked softly upon the warm earth, his eyes filled with tears of feigned shame and deference. Kneeling before the King, he kissed the ground and remained prostrate in homage.
When Farrokhzad witnessed Mahuy's grand display and the arrayed rows of his troops, his heart was relieved. He addressed Mahuy with solemn counsel: 'Behold, I commit into thy charge this King of Kayanid lineage, that thou mayest gird thy loins in his true service. Let not even the passing wind blow harshly upon him. As for me, I must journey onward to Ray, and I know not when my eyes shall again behold this Crown of the Kayans. For alas, many a brave warrior like myself hath perished upon the battlefield against the enemy spearmen. A rider like Rostam never lived in all the world, nor had the ears of wise men ever heard of his equal, yet he fell. May Yazdan grant him a place among the righteous and bring sorrow upon his foes.'
Mahuy replied: 'O Hero, the King is the light of my eyes and the brilliance of my soul! I accept thy sacred trust and swear to guard the Sovereign of the Realm.' Thereupon, Farrokhzad-e Hormozd departed for Ray by royal decree.
Yet as time passed, the revolving heavens turned the traitor's mind. The devotion in the bad-hearted governor's brain withered away. Though he was but a shepherd in comparison to kings, the desire for the Imperial Throne took root within his heart. His nature transformed; he feigned illness to avoid serving the King, setting the stage for dark treachery.
#1
وزان جایگه برکشیدند کوس
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ز بُست و نشاپور شد تا به طوس
“From that spot they sounded the war-drums; from Bust and Nishapur the army marched unto Tus.”
#2
خبر یافت ماهوی سوری ز شاه
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که تا مرز طوس اندر آمد سپاه
“Mahuy Suri received tidings of the King, that the royal host had reached the borders of Tus.”
#3
پذیره شدش با سپاه گران
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همه نیزه‌داران جوشن‌وران
“He went forth to welcome him with a heavy army, all spearmen arrayed in coat-of-mail.”
#4
چو پیدا شد آن فر و اورند شاه
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درفش بزرگی و چندان سپاه
“When the divine majesty and throne of the King appeared, along with the glorious banner and the vast host,”
#5
پیاده شد از باره ماهوی زود
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بران کهتری بندگیها فزود
“Mahuy quickly dismounted from his horse, redoubling his humble acts of servitude.”
#6
همی‌رفت نرم از بر خاک گرم
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دو دیده پر از آب کرده ز شرم
“He walked softly upon the warm dust, his two eyes filled with tears out of reverence.”
#7
زمین را ببوسید و بردش نماز
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همی‌بود پیشش زمانی دراز
“He kissed the ground and paid homage, standing before the King for a long space of time.”
#8
فرخ‌زاد چون روی ماهوی دید
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سپاهی بران سان رده برکشید
“When Farrokhzad saw the face of Mahuy and observed his troops arrayed in such fine order,”
#9
ز ماهوی سوری دلش گشت شاد
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برو بر بسی پندها کرد یاد
“His heart grew joyful because of Mahuy Suri, and he imparted many counsels unto him:”
#10
که این شاه را از نژاد کیان
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سپردم تو را تا ببندی میان
“'I entrust to thee this King of Kayanid lineage, that thou mayest gird thy loins in his service.”
#11
نباید که بادی برو بر جهد
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وگر خود سپاسی برو برنهد
“Let not even a harsh breeze blow upon him, nor let any cause him affliction.'”
#12
مرا رفت باید همی سوی ری
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ندانم که کی بینم این تاج کی
“'I must needs depart toward Ray; I know not when I shall behold this Crown of the Kayans again.”
#13
که چون من فراوان به آوردگاه
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شد از جنگ آن نیزه‌داران تباه
“For many a warrior like unto me hath been destroyed on the battlefield by these spearmen.”
#14
چو رستم سواری به گیتی نبود
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نه گوش خردمند هرگز شنود
“There was no horseman in the whole world like Rostam, nor hath the ear of any wise man ever heard of his equal,”
#15
بدست یکی زاغ‌سر کشته شد
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به من بر چنین روز برگشته شد
“Yet he was slain by a crow-headed spearman, and such a dark fate hath turned against me.'”
#16
که یزدان ورا جای نیکان دهاد
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سیه‌زاغ را درد پیکان دهاد
“'May Yazdan grant him the abode of the righteous, and send pain of arrows upon the black crow!'”
#17
بدو گفت ماهوی کای پهلوان
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مرا شاه چشمست و روشن روان
“Mahuy said to him: 'O Champion, the King is the light of my eyes and the brightness of my soul.”
#18
پذیرفتم این زینهار تو را
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سپهر تو را شهریار تو را
“I accept this trust of thine, to guard thy King beneath the heavens.'”
#19
فرخ‌زاد هرمزد زان جایگاه
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سوی ری بیامد به فرمان شاه
“Farrokhzad, son of Hormozd, departed thence for Ray by command of the King.”
#20
برین نیز بگذشت چندی سپهر
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جدا شد ز مغز بداَندیش مهر
“A period of time passed in this manner, and love parted from the mind of that evil-thinker.”
#21
شبان را همی تخت کرد آرزوی
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دگرگونه‌تر شد به آیین و خوی
“The shepherd began to covet the royal throne; his ways and disposition changed entirely.”
#22
تن خویش یک چند بیمار کرد
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پرستیدن شاه دشوار کرد
“He feigned sickness for a time, making his service unto the King difficult and burdensome.”