In those dark and perilous days, a ruler named Bizhan—of the lineage of Tarkhan—held sway over the realm of Samarkand. Mahoy Suri, the treacherous governor of Merv whose heart had grown black with ambition, dispatched a secret letter to Bizhan, inciting him to strike. Mahoy promised that the supreme crown, throne, and vast ancient treasures of King Yazdegerd III were ripe for the taking, provided Bizhan marched immediately upon the unsuspecting monarch. Reading the letter, Bizhan consulted his trusted advisor, who counseled against Bizhan going in person—lest the Faghfur of China mock him as a greedy flatterer or a coward. Instead, the vizier urged him to send his valiant commander, Barsam, at the head of a formidable host.
Bizhan approved the strategy and dispatched Barsam with ten thousand sword-wielding, seasoned horsemen. Like swift pheasants, the army sped from Bukhara to Merv within a week. At the dark hour of dawn, the thundering of war drums shattered the silence. King Yazdegerd, entirely unaware of Mahoy's deep-seated treason, donned his heavy coat of mail as news arrived of the approaching force. Mounting his steed, the Shahanshah charged into battle like a furious elephant, drawing his razor-sharp Kabuli blade and carving a path through the enemy lines. Yet, at the critical moment, Mahoy Suri ordered his troops to withdraw, abandoning their sovereign amidst the surging tide of the enemy.
Realizing Mahoy's wicked betrayal, Yazdegerd fought with frantic bravery, slaying scores of Turanian warriors until, overwhelmed by numbers, he was forced to flee. Spurring his horse to a raging stream, he dismounted near a secluded watermill, leaving behind his golden-bridled charger, heavy mace, and jewel-adorned sword. He crept inside the mill and hid upon a patch of dry grass. The pursuing enemy cavalry swept the countryside, finding only his abandoned weapons and majestic steed.
At sunrise, an impoverished miller named Khosrow arrived to open his mill. He was a poor man whose daily bread came solely from grinding grain. Inside the dim mill, he was astonished to discover a tall, sun-bright youth sitting upon the dry straw, dressed in fine Chinese silks, gold-embroidered robes, and a gem-studded crown. Awestruck by the majestic divine glory emanating from this stranger, the miller called upon God and asked how such a royal figure had come to sit in a place filled with flour and dust. Yazdegerd replied that he was an Iranian warrior fleeing the Turanian army. With humble shame, the impoverished miller offered the king his only food: coarse barley bread and wild river herbs. The King accepted the humble offering, but required a bundle of *barsam* twigs to perform the sacred Zoroastrian grace over the meal. The simple miller hurried to the local Zoroastrian priest to request the twigs—unaware that his innocent quest would reveal the final refuge of the fallen Shahanshah to the treacherous Mahoy.
#1
یکی پهلوان بود گسترده‌کام
✦
نژادش ز طرخان و بیژن بنام
“There was a ambitious champion whose descent traced back to Tarkhan and Bizhan.”
#2
نشستش به شهر سمرقند بود
✦
بران مرز چندیش پیوند بود
“His capital was the city of Samarkand, and he had strong ties to that frontier region.”
#3
چو ماهوی بدبخت خودکامه شد
✦
ازو نزد بیژن یکی نامه شد
“When the ill-fated and self-willed Mahoy turned treacherous, he dispatched a letter to Bizhan,”
#4
که ای پهلوان زادهٔ بی‌گزند
✦
یکی رزم پیش آمدت سودمند
“Saying: 'O noble-born warrior, a battle lies ahead that shall bring you great profit!”
#5
که شاه جهان با سپاه ایدرست
✦
ابا تاج و گاهست و با افسرست
“For the King of the world is here with his army, bearing his crown, throne, and royal insignia.”
#6
گر آیی سر و تاج و گاهش تو راست
✦
همان گنج و چتر سیاهش تو راست
“If you march here, his head, crown, and throne shall be yours, as well as his treasure and black canopy!'”
#7
چو بیژن نگه کرد و آن نامه دید
✦
جهان پیش ماهوی خودکامه دید
“When Bizhan looked upon the letter and read it, he saw the whole world laid out by the willful Mahoy.”
#8
به دستور گفت ای سر راستان
✦
چه داری بیاد اندرین داستان
“He said to his vizier: 'O leader of the righteous, what is your counsel regarding this affair?”
#9
به یاری ماهوی گر من سپاه
✦
برانم شود کارم ایدر تباه
“If I drive my army to assist Mahoy, my reputation here might be ruined;”
#10
به من برکند شاه چینی فسوس
✦
مرا بی‌منش خواند و چاپلوس
“The Emperor of China will mock me and call me shameless and a flatterer;”
#11
وگرنه کنم گوید از بیم کرد
✦
همی‌ترسد از روز ننگ و نبرد
“Or if I do not go, he will say I refrained out of fear, terrified of the day of shame and battle.'”
#12
چنین داد دستور پاسخ بدوی
✦
که ای شیر‌دل مردِ پرخاشجوی
“The minister replied to him: 'O lion-hearted, warlike champion,”
#13
از ایدر تو را ننگ باشد شدن
✦
به یاریِ ماهوی و باز‌آمدن
“It would bring shame upon you to go yourself to assist Mahoy and then return.”
#14
به برسام فرمای تا با سپاه
✦
بِیاری شود سوی آن رزمگاه
“Command Barsam to march with an army toward that battlefield to assist him.”
#15
به گفتار سوری شوی سوی جنگ
✦
سبکسار خواند ترا مرد سنگ
“If you go to war merely at Suri's word, wise men will deem you rash and shallow.'”
#16
چنین گفت بیژن که اینست رای
✦
مرا خود نجنبید باید ز جای
“Bizhan said: 'This is indeed wise counsel; I myself ought not to stir from my seat.'”
#17
به برسام فرمود تا ده هزار
✦
نبرده‌سواران خنجرگزار
“He commanded Barsam to take ten thousand battle-tested, sword-wielding horsemen,”
#18
به مرو اندرون ساز جنگ آورد
✦
مگر گنج ایران به چنگ آورد
“And prepare for war in Merv, so that perchance he might capture the treasure of Iran.”
#19
سپاه از بخارا چو پرّان تذرو
✦
بیامد به یک هفته تا شهر مرو
“The host sped swiftly from Bukhara like flying pheasants, reaching Merv within a single week.”
#20
شب تیره هنگام بانگ خروس
✦
از آن مرز برخاست آواز کوس
“In the dark of night at cockcrow, the thunder of war drums arose from that borderland.”
#21
جهاندار زین خود نه آگاه بود
✦
که ماهوی سوریش بدخواه بود
“The King of the world was unaware that Mahoy Suri was his malevolent enemy.”
#22
به شبگیر گاه سپیده‌دمان
✦
سواری سوی خسرو آمد دوان
“At early morning, as dawn broke, a rider came galloping swiftly to the King,”
#23
که ماهوی گوید که آمد سپاه
✦
ز ترکان کنون بر چه رایست شاه
“Saying: 'Mahoy reports that an army of Turks has arrived; what is the King's resolve now?”
#24
سپهدارِ خانست و فغفور چین
✦
سپاهش همی برنتابد زمین
“It is led by the Khan's commander and the Faghfur of China, and the earth can barely sustain their numbers!'”
#25
بر‌آشفت و جوشن بپوشید شاه
✦
شد از گرد گیتی سراسر سیاه
“The King flared in anger and donned his coat of mail, while the world turned black from rising dust.”
#26
چو نیروی پرخاش ترکان بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When he saw the fierce onslaught of the Turks, he drew his sword from his waist.”
#27
به پیش سپاه اندر آمد چو پیل
✦
زمین شد به کردار دریای نیل
“He charged ahead of his army like a rogue elephant, making the earth resemble the blue Nile.”
#28
چو بر لشکر ترک بر حمله برد
✦
پس پشت او در نماند ایچ گُرد
“Yet as he launched his charge against the Turkish army, not a single warrior remained behind his back.”
#29
همه پشت بر تاجور گاشتند
✦
میان سوارانش بگذاشتند
“They all turned their backs on the crowned king and left him stranded amidst the enemy cavalry.”
#30
چو برگشت ماهوی شاه جهان
✦
بدانست نیرنگ او در نهان
“When Mahoy turned away, the King of the world perceived his hidden treachery.”
#31
چنین بود ماهوی را رای و راه
✦
که او ماند اندر میان سپاه
“Such had been Mahoy's plan and intent: to leave the King trapped inside the enemy ranks.”
#32
شهنشاه در جنگ شد ناشکیب
✦
همی‌زد به تیغ و به پای و رکیب
“The Sovereign fought relentlessly in battle, striking fiercely with sword, foot, and stirrup.”
#33
فراوان از آن نامداران بکشت
✦
چو بیچاره‌تر گشت بنمود پشت
“He slew many of those famous warriors, but when all hope was lost, he finally turned his back.”
#34
ز ترکان بسی بود در پشت اوی
✦
یکی کابلی‌تیغ در مشت اوی
“Many Turks pursued him, while he wielded a Kabuli sword in his grip.”
#35
همی‌تاخت جوشان چو از ابر برق
✦
یکی آسیا بُد بر آن آب زرق
“Galloping like lightning from a storm cloud, he reached a watermill situated upon the Zarq stream.”
#36
فرود آمد از باره شاه جهان
✦
ز بدخواه در آسیا شد نهان
“The King of the world dismounted from his steed and hid in the mill away from his enemies.”
#37
سواران بجستن نهادند روی
✦
همه زرق ازو شد پر از گفت‌وگوی
“The enemy horsemen set out in search of him, and rumors of his deceitful disappearance spread everywhere.”
#38
ازو بازماند اسپ زرین ستام
✦
همان گرز و شمشیر زرین‌نیام
“Behind him were left his horse with golden harness, and his mace and golden-scabbarded sword.”
#39
بجستنش ترکان خروشان شدند
✦
از آن باره و ساز جوشان شدند
“The Turks cried out as they searched, marveling at the left-behind horse and battle gear.”
#40
نهان گشته در خانهٔ آسیا
✦
نشست از بر خشک لختی گیا
“Hidden inside the structure of the mill, he sat upon a small patch of dry grass.”
#41
چنین است رسم سرای فریب
✦
فرازش بلند و نشیبش نشیب
“Such is the nature of this deceitful abode: its rise is high, and its fall is steep.”
#42
بدانگه که بیدار بُد بخت اوی
✦
بگردون کشیدی فلک تخت اوی
“When his fortune was awake, the heavens raised his throne above the cosmos;”
#43
کنون آسیابی بیامدش بهر
✦
ز نوشش فراوان فزون بود زهر
“Now his lot became a watermill, where poison far outweighed sweet elixir.”
#44
چه بندی دل اندر سرای فسوس
✦
که هزمان به گوش آید آواز کوس
“Why attach your heart to this house of illusion, where at any moment the drum of departure sounds?”
#45
خروشی برآید که بربند رخت
✦
نبینی به جز دخمهٔ گور تخت
“A cry shall arise commanding you to pack your goods; you shall see no throne save the tomb's crypt.”
#46
دهان ناچریده دو دیده پرآب
✦
همی‌بود تا برکشید آفتاب
“His mouth unfed, his eyes brimming with tears, he remained thus until the sun rose high.”
#47
گشاد آسیابان در آسیا
✦
به پشت اندرون بار و لختی گیا
“Then the miller opened the mill’s door, carrying a load upon his back alongside a handful of herbs.”
#48
فرومایه‌ای بود خسرو به نام
✦
نه تخت و نه گنج و نه تاج و نه کام
“He was a humble man named Khosrow—possessing neither throne nor treasure, crown nor fulfilled desire.”
#49
خور خویش زان آسیا ساختی
✦
به کاری جزین خود نپرداختی
“He earned his meager sustenance from that mill, engaging in no other craft or trade.”
#50
گوی دید بر سانِ سرو بلند
✦
نشسته بران سنگ چون مستمند
“He beheld a hero tall as a cypress, sitting upon that millstone like a soul in distress.”
#51
یکی افسری خسروی بر سرش
✦
درفشان ز دیبای چینی برش
“A royal crown adorned his head, and his chest shone in radiant Chinese brocade.”
#52
به پیکر یکی کفش زرین بپای
✦
ز خوشاب و زر آستین قبای
“Upon his feet were patterned golden shoes, his coat sleeves embroidered with fine pearls and gold.”
#53
نگه کرد خسرو بدو خیره ماند
✦
بدان خیرگی نام یزدان بخواند
“Khosrow gazed upon him and stood astounded; in his amazement, he invoked the name of God.”
#54
بدو گفت کای شاه خورشید‌روی
✦
برین آسیا چون رسیدی تو گوی
“He said to him, "O sun-faced king, tell me, how didst thou reach this humble mill?"”
#55
چه جای نشستت بود آسیا
✦
پر از گندم و خاک و چندی گیا
“"How can a mill be a fitting place for thee—a place filled with wheat, dust, and wild weeds?"”
#56
چه مردی بدین فرّ و این برز و چهر
✦
که چون تو نبیند همانا سپهر
“"What manner of man art thou, with such glory, stature, and face, the likes of which the heavens surely have never seen?"”
#57
از ایرانیانم بدو گفت شاه
✦
هزیمت گرفتم ز توران‌سپاه
“The King replied, "I am of the Iranians; I have fled defeated before the host of Turan."”
#58
بدو آسیابان به تشویر گفت
✦
که جز تنگ‌دستی مرا نیست جفت
“The miller answered him with embarrassment, "I have no companion save dire poverty."”
#59
اگر نان کشکینت آید به کار
✦
ورین ناسزا ترّهٔ جویبار
“"If coarse barley bread may serve thy need, along with these humble wild herbs from the stream..."”
#60
بیارم جزین نیز چیزی که هست
✦
خروشان بود مردم تنگ‌دست
“"I shall bring whatever else I possess; yet a poor man is ever in lament and distress."”
#61
به سه روز شاه جهان را ز رزم
✦
نبود ایچ پردازش خوان و بزم
“For three long days from battle, the King of the World had known no feast nor table laid.”
#62
بدو گفت شاه آنچ داری بیار
✦
خورش نیز با برسم آید به کار
“The King said to him, "Bring whatever thou hast; food too shall serve, if accompanied by sacred barsam twigs."”
#63
سبک مرد بی‌مایه چُبّین نهاد
✦
برو ترّه و نان کشکین نهاد
“Swiftly the poor man set down a wooden tray, placing upon it the herbs and coarse barley bread.”
#64
ببرسم شتابید و آمد به راه
✦
به جایی که بود اندران واژگاه
“He hastened to fetch the barsam twigs, journeying toward the place of Zoroastrian prayer.”
#65
برِ مهتر زرق شد بی‌گذار
✦
که برسم کند زو یکی خواستار
“He went directly to the chief priest, seeking from him a bundle of sacred barsam.”
#66
بهر سو فرستاد ماهوی کس
✦
ز گیتی همی شاه را جست و بس
“Meanwhile, Mahuy had sent riders in every direction, searching the world for the King and none else.”
#67
از آن آسیابان بپرسید مه
✦
که برسم کرا خواهی ای روزبه
“The chief priest asked the miller, "O good man, for whom dost thou seek this sacred barsam?"”
#68
بدو گفت خسرو که در آسیا
✦
نشستست کنداوری بر گیا
“Khosrow replied to him, "In the mill there sits a mighty hero upon the plain grass."”
#69
به بالا به کردار سرو سهی
✦
بدیدار خورشید با فرهی
“"In stature like an upright cypress, in countenance radiant as the sun with divine glory."”
#70
دو ابرو کمان و دو نرگس دژم
✦
دهن پر ز باد ابروان پر زخم
“"His eyebrows like bows, his eyes sorrowful narcisses, his mouth full of sighs and his brows furrowed with grief."”
#71
ببرسم همی واژ خواهد گرفت
✦
سزد گر بمانی ازو در شگفت
“"He wishes to recite the sacred prayer over the barsam; it would be fitting if thou were amazed by him!"”
#72
یکی کهنه چُبّین نهادم به پیش
✦
برو نان کشکین سزاوار خویش
“"I set an old wooden tray before him, with humble barley bread upon it, suited to my poor state."”
#73
بدو گفت مهتر کز ایدر بپوی
✦
چنین هم به ماهوی سوری بگوی
“The priest said to him, "Hasten from here, and tell this very tale to Mahuy Suri!"”
#74
نباید که آن بدنژاد پلید
✦
چو این بشنود گوهر آرد پدید
“"Lest that foul-born villain, upon hearing this news, reveal his evil nature!"”
#75
سبک مهتر او را بمردی سپرد
✦
جهان‌دیده را پیش ماهوی برد
“Swiftly the priest entrusted him to a soldier, who took the experienced miller straight before Mahuy.”
#76
بپرسید ماهوی زین چاره‌جوی
✦
که برسم کرا خواستی راست گوی
“Mahuy questioned this seeker of counsel: "Tell me truly, for whom didst thou request the barsam?"”
#77
چنین داد پاسخ ورا ترسکار
✦
که من بار کردم همی خواستار
“The fearful miller replied to him, "I was carrying my load when I opened the door..."”
#78
در آسیا را گشادم به خشم
✦
چنان دان که خورشید دیدم به چشم
“"When I opened the mill's door, believe me, it was as though I beheld the sun with my own eyes!"”
#79
دو نرگس چو نر آهو اندر هراس
✦
دو دیده چو از شب گذشته سه پاس
“"His two eyes were like a frightened male deer's, his gaze like one who had stayed awake through three watches of the night."”
#80
چو خورشید گشتست زو آسیا
✦
خورش نان خشک و نشستش گیا
“"The humble mill has become radiant like the sun through his presence—yet his food is dry bread and his seat but grass."”
#81
هر آنکس که او فر یزدان ندید
✦
ازین آسیابان بباید شنید
“Whoever has not witnessed the Divine Grace should hear the tale of this miller.”
#82
پر از گوهر نابسود افسرش
✦
ز دیبای چینی فروزان برش
“His crown was laden with unblemished gems, and his chest ablaze with radiant Chinese silk.”
#83
بهاریست گویی در اردیبهشت
✦
به بالای او سرو دهقان نکِشت
“He seemed a very vision of mid-spring in Ordibehesht; no gardener ever grew a cypress of such majestic height.”