When the tyrannical Mahuy heard the ruthless advice of his son, malice gripped his dark soul. He summoned the humble miller and commanded, 'Arise! Take my horsemen with thee and spill the blood of this hunted enemy!' The miller, troubled and pious, saw neither head nor tail to this wicked scheme; he departed Mahuy's court with eyes streaming tears and a heart bleeding with despair. The cruel ruler dispatched his horsemen close behind, strict in his order to strip the King of Kings of his crown, jeweled earrings, seal ring, and royal robes before any blood could spoil the precious silks.
In the deep gloom of a night in the month of Khordad, the trembling miller crept toward the weary monarch resting in the dark mill. Muttering prayers and lamentations to the heavens, he plunged a sharp dagger into Yazdegerd's flank. A single agonizing sigh tore from the king's lips as his royal head collapsed upon the dusty earth, right beside his unconsumed loaf of dry barley bread. Mahuy's ruthless riders unfastened the purple robe, the necklet, the golden shoes, and the crown, leaving the pierced, naked body of Persia's ruler to be cast into the roaring whirlpools of the stream.
When dawn broke over the horizon, a traveler caught sight of the king's body in the water and rushed to inform the nearby monastery. A mournful cry echoed among the Christian monks and senior bishops (soquba). Led by their holy elders, they hastened to the riverside, weeping bitterly over the tragic fate of Ardashir's descendant and Anushirvan's scion. The pious brothers gently pulled the noble body from the swirling waters, dried his wounds with pitch, gum, camphor, and musk, and draped his limbs in golden silk and azure brocade. In a serene garden nearby, they erected a lofty dakhmeh reaching toward the sky, enshrining the fallen emperor with sacred elegies.
#1
چو بشنید ماهوی بیدادگر
✦
سخن‌ها کجا گفت او را پسر
“When the unjust Mahuy heard the words that his son had spoken unto him,”
#2
چنین گفت با آسیابان که خیز
✦
سواران ببر خون دشمن بریز
“He said to the miller, 'Arise! Take horsemen with thee and spill the enemy's blood.'”
#3
چو بشنید از او آسیابان سخُن
✦
نه سر دید از آن کار پیدا نه بن
“When the miller heard this speech from him, he saw neither head nor tail in this deed.”
#4
شبانگاه نیران خرداد ماه
✦
سوی آسیا رفت نزدیک شاه
“In the nightfall of the month of Khordad, he went toward the mill near the King.”
#5
ز درگاه ماهوی چون شد برون
✦
دو دیده پر از آب، دل پر ز خون
“As he departed from Mahuy's court, his two eyes were full of tears, his heart filled with blood.”
#6
سواران فرستاد ماهوی زود
✦
پس آسیابان به کردار دود
“Mahuy quickly sent horsemen like smoke behind the miller,”
#7
بفرمود تا تاج و آن گوشوار
✦
همان مهر و آن جامهٔ شاه‌وار
“Commanding them to take the crown, the earrings, the seal ring, and the royal robe,”
#8
نباید که یک‌سر پر از خون کنند
✦
ز تن جامهٔ شاه بیرون کنند
“'Lest they be covered in blood; strip the royal garments from his body.'”
#9
بشد آسیابان دو دیده پرآب
✦
به زردی دو رخساره چون آفتاب
“The miller went with eyes full of tears, his cheeks yellowed like the sun.”
#10
همی گفت کای روشن کردگار
✦
تویی برتر از گردش روزگار
“He kept saying, 'O radiant Creator, Thou art higher than the turning of time!”
#11
تو زین ناپسندیده فرمان او
✦
هم اکنون بپیچان تن و جان او
“For this unseemly command of his, twist his body and soul right now!'”
#12
برِ شاه شد دل پر از شرم و باک
✦
رخانش پرآب و دهانش چو خاک
“He came near the King, his heart full of shame and fear, his cheeks wet with tears, his mouth dry as dust.”
#13
به نزدیک تنگ اندر آمد به هوش
✦
چنان چون کسی راز گوید به گوش
“He approached closely as if to whisper a secret into his ear,”
#14
یکی دشنه زد بر تهیگاه شاه
✦
رها شد به زخم اندر از شاه آه
“And struck a dagger into the King's flank; from that wound a groan escaped the King.”
#15
به خاک اندر آمد سر و افسرش
✦
همان نان کشکین به پیش اندرش
“Into the dust fell his head and crown, while the barley bread remained before him.”
#16
اگر راه یابد کسی زین جهان
✦
بباشد، ندارد خرد در نهان
“If anyone finds a path in this world and abides in it, he harbors no wisdom in secret.”
#17
ز پرورده سیر آید این هفت گرد
✦
شود کشته بر بی‌گنه یزدگرد
“The seven heavens grow sated with the one they reared, and innocent Yazdegerd is slain.”
#18
بر این گونه بر تاجداری بمرد
✦
که از لشکر او سواری نبرد
“In such a manner died the crown-wearer, that not a single knight from his army won the day.”
#19
خرد نیست با گرد گردان سپهر
✦
نه پیدا بود رنج و خشمش ز مهر
“There is no wisdom in the revolving sphere; its toil and wrath are not distinct from its love.”
#20
همان به که گیتی نبینی به چشم
✦
نداری ز کردار او مهر و خشم
“'Tis better that thou look not upon the world with thy eye, nor hold love or wrath for its deeds.”
#21
سواران ماهوی شوریده‌بخت
✦
بدیدند کآن خسروانی درخت
“The ill-fated horsemen of Mahuy saw that royal tree,”
#22
ز تخت و ز آوردگه آرمید
✦
بشد هر کسی روی او را بدید
“Had rested from the throne and battleground; each one came and looked upon his face.”
#23
گشادند بند قبای بنفش
✦
همان افسر و طوق و زرّینه‌کفش
“They unfastened the purple robe, the crown, the collar, and the golden shoes.”
#24
فگنده تن شاه ایران به خاک
✦
پر از خون و پهلو به شمشیر چاک
“The body of Iran's king was cast onto the dirt, covered in blood, his flank split by the blade.”
#25
ز پیش شهنشاه برخاستند
✦
زبان را به نفرین بیاراستند
“They rose from before the King of Kings, and adorned their tongues with curses,”
#26
که ماهوی را باد تن همچنین
✦
پر از خون فگنده به روی زمین
“Saying, 'May Mahuy's body be likewise cast upon the earth, covered in blood!'”
#27
به نزدیک ماهوی رفتند زود
✦
ابا یاره و گوهر نابسود
“They went quickly back to Mahuy with the armlets and unblemished jewels.”
#28
به ماهوی گفتند کآن شهریار
✦
بر آمد ز آرام و از کارزار
“They said to Mahuy, 'That monarch hath rested from war and throne.'”
#29
بفرمود کو را به هنگام خواب
✦
از آن آسیا افگنند اندر آب
“He commanded that at sleep's hour they should throw him from that mill into the water.”
#30
بشد تیز بدمهر دو پیشکار
✦
کشیدند پرخون تن شهریار
“The two cruel servants went swiftly and dragged the bloody body of the ruler,”
#31
کجا ارج آن کشته نشناختند
✦
به گرداب زرق اندر انداختند
“Knowing not the worth of that slain king, they cast him into the deceitful whirlpool.”
#32
چو شب روز شد مردم آمد پدید
✦
دو مرد گرانمایه آنجا رسید
“When night became day and people appeared, two noble men arrived there.”
#33
از آن سوگواران پرهیزگار
✦
بیامد یکی بر لب جویبار
“From among those pious mourners, one came to the edge of the stream.”
#34
تن او برهنه بدید اندر آب
✦
بشورید و آمد هم اندر شتاب
“He saw his naked body in the water; he was dismayed and came in haste.”
#35
چنین تا در خانه راهب رسید
✦
بدان سوگواران بگفت آن چه دید
“Thus he ran until he reached the monk's house, and told those mourners what he had seen:”
#36
که شاه زمانه به غرق اندرست
✦
برهنه به گرداب زرق اندرست
“'The king of the era is drowned, naked in the deceitful whirlpool!'”
#37
برفتند زان سوگواران بسی
✦
سُکوبا و رهبان ز هر در کسی
“Many of those mourners went forth, bishops (sokuba) and monks from every place.”
#38
خروشی بر آمد ز راهب به درد
✦
که ای تاجور شاه آزادمرد
“A wail arose from the monk in grief: 'O crowned king, noble man!”
#39
چنین گفت راهب که این کس ندید
✦
نه پیش از مسیح این سخن کس شنید
“Thus spoke the monk, 'None hath seen such a thing, nor heard it before Christ,”
#40
که بر شهریاری زند بنده‌ای
✦
یکی بدنژادی و افگنده‌ای
“That a servant should strike down a king—an ill-bred wretch casting him low!”
#41
بپرورد تا بر تنش بد رسد
✦
از این بهر ماهوی نفرین سزد
“He nurtured him only for evil to reach his body; for this share, Mahuy deserves curse!”
#42
دریغ آن سر و تاج و بالای تو
✦
دریغ آن دل و دانش و رای تو
“Alas for that head and crown and tall stature! Alas for that heart and wisdom and judgment!”
#43
دریغ آن سر تخمهٔ اردشیر
✦
دریغ این جوان و سوار هژیر
“Alas for the head of Ardashir's seed! Alas for this youth and valiant knight!”
#44
تنومند بودی خرد با روان
✦
ببردی خبر زین به نوشین‌روان
“Thou wert robust in body, wise in soul; who shall bear this news to Noshinravan?”
#45
که در آسیا ماه‌روی تو را
✦
جهاندار و دیهیم‌جوی تو را
“That in a mill, thy moon-like face, O ruler of the world and seeker of the crown,”
#46
به دشنه جگرگاه بشکافتند
✦
برهنه به آب اندر انداختند
“With a dagger they tore open his vitals, and cast his naked body into the stream.”
#47
سکوبا از آن سوگواران چهار
✦
برهنه شدند اندران جویبار
“The bishop and four of those mourners stripped themselves and entered the stream.”
#48
گشاده تن شهریار جوان
✦
نبیره‌ی جهاندار نوشین‌روان
“They retrieved the uncovered body of the young sovereign, the grandson of the world-conquering Anushirvan.”
#49
به خشکی کشیدند زان آبگیر
✦
بسی مویه کردند برنا و پیر
“They drew his body from the pool onto dry land; young and old wept bitterly over him.”
#50
به باغ اندرون دخمه‌ای ساختند
✦
سرش را به ابر اندر افراختند
“Within a garden they constructed a tomb, raising its crest high into the clouds.”
#51
سر زخم آن دشنه کردند خشک
✦
به دبق و به قیر و به کافور و مشک
“They dried the lip of his dagger wound, treating it with resin, pitch, camphor, and musk.”
#52
بیاراستندش به دیبای زرد
✦
قصب زیر و دستی زبر لاژورد
“They adorned him in golden silk, fine linen beneath, and lapis-hued fabric over all.”
#53
می و مشک و کافور و چندی گلاب
✦
سکوبا بیندود بر جای خواب
“Wine, musk, camphor, and abundant rosewater the bishop smeared upon his resting place.”
#54
چه گفت آن گرانمایه دهقان مرو
✦
که بنهفت بالای آن زادسرو
“What said that noble chanter of Merv, as he entombed that cypress-tall monarch?”
#55
که بخشش ز کوشش بود در نهان
✦
که خشنود بیرون شود زین جهان
“"Divine destiny lies hidden beyond human effort, so that one may depart content from this world."”
#56
دگر گفت اگر چند خندان بود
✦
چنان دان که از دردمندان بود
“Another said: "Though a man may appear smiling, know that he is among those plagued by sorrow."”
#57
که از چرخ گردان پذیرد فریب
✦
که او را نماید فراز و نشیب
“"For he is beguiled by the revolving sphere, which exposes him to every rise and fall."”
#58
دگر گفت کآن را تو دانا مخوان
✦
که تن را پرستد نه راه روان
“Another said: "Call him not wise who worships the body rather than the path of the soul."”
#59
همی خواسته جوید و نام بد
✦
بترسد روانش ز فرجام بد
“"Who continuously seeks wealth and incurs ill fame, while his soul dreads an evil end."”
#60
دگر گفت اگر شاه لب را ببست
✦
نبیند همی تاج و تخت نشست
“Another said: "Though the King has sealed his lips and no longer sees his crown, throne, and seat,"”
#61
نه مهر و پرستندهٔ بارگاه
✦
نه افسر نه کشور نه تاج و کلاه
“"Nor courtly servants, nor affection, nor crown, nor realm, nor royal helm,"”
#62
دگر گفت کز خوب گفتار اوی
✦
ستایش ندارم سزاوار اوی
“Another said: "From the splendor of his noble speeches, I have no praise worthy of his stature."”
#63
همی سرو کشت او به باغ بهشت
✦
ببیند روانش درختی که کشت
“"He planted a cypress in the garden of Paradise, and his soul shall behold the tree he sowed."”
#64
دگر گفت یزدان روانت ببرد
✦
تنت را بدین سوگواران سپرد
“Another said: "God has claimed thy spirit, and entrusted thy mortal frame to these mourners."”
#65
روان تو را سودمند این بود
✦
تن بدکنش را گزند این بود
“"For thy soul, this was a blessed gain; for the evil-doer’s body, a ruinous blight."”
#66
کنون در بهشت است بازار شاه
✦
به دوزخ کند جان بدخواه راه
“"Now the King’s abode prospers in Paradise, while the enemy’s soul wends its way to Hell."”
#67
دگر گفت کای شاه دانش‌پذیر
✦
که با شهریاری و با اردشیر
“Another said: "O wise and receptive King, who art now joined with Kingship and with Ardashir!"”
#68
درودی همان بر که کشتی به باغ
✦
درفشان شد آن خسروانی چراغ
“"Receive the blessings of the fruit thou didst cultivate; that royal lamp shines brightly once more."”
#69
دگر گفت کای شهریار جوان
✦
بخفتی و بیدار بودت روان
“Another said: "O young sovereign! Thou hast fallen asleep, yet thy spirit remains ever awake."”
#70
لبت خامش و جان به چندین گله
✦
برفت و تنت ماند ایدر یله
“"Thy lips are silent, thy soul departed with many grievances, leaving thy body abandoned here."”
#71
تو بیکاری و جان به کار اندر است
✦
تن بدسگالت به بار اندر است
“"Thou art at rest, yet thy soul is active; while thy enemy's body is weighed down with sins."”
#72
بگوید روان گر زبان بسته شد
✦
بیاسود جان گر تنت خسته شد
“"Thy soul shall speak though thy tongue be muted; thy spirit found peace though thy body grew weary."”
#73
اگر دست بیکار گشت از عنان
✦
روانت به چنگ اندر آرد سنان
“"Though thy hand no longer holds the reins, thy spirit shall grasp the spear in victory."”
#74
دگر گفت کای نامبردار نو
✦
تو رفتی و کردار شد پیش رو
“Another said: "O newly departed renowned monarch, thou art gone, and thy deeds lead the way."”
#75
تو را در بهشت است تخت این بس است
✦
زمین بلا بهر دیگر کس است
“"Thy throne awaits in Paradise—and this suffices; the earth of afflictions is left to others."”
#76
دگر گفت کآن کس که او چون تو کُشت
✦
ببیند کنون روزگار درشت
“Another said: "He who struck thee down shall now behold the harsh hand of fate."”
#77
سُقُف گفت ما بندگان تویم
✦
نیایش‌کن پاک‌جان تویم
“The bishop said: "We are thy servants, praying for thy pure and noble spirit."”
#78
که این دخمه پر لاله باغ تو باد
✦
کفن دشت شادی و راغ تو باد
“"May this tulip-filled tomb be thy garden, and thy shroud a meadow of joy and solace."”
#79
بگفتند و تابوت برداشتند
✦
ز هامون سوی دخمه بگذاشتند
“Having spoken, they raised the bier and bore it from the plain into the tomb.”
#80
بر آن خوابگه رفت ناکام شاه
✦
سر آمد بر او رنج و تخت و کلاه
“Unto that final rest went the ill-fated King; his suffering, throne, and crown all reached their end.”