When word reached King Nowzar that Qaren had departed, the desperate monarch spurred his steed into the barren wilderness, hoping to evade the dark turn of his destiny. Yet Afrasiab’s scouts were swift; learning of Nowzar's flight, the Turanian prince assembled a fierce host and gave chase like a ravenous lion. As night bled into the high heat of day, the desert churned with ruthless combat. Nowzar sought frantically for an escape, but the relentless heavens offered no sanctuary. Beneath clouds of swirling dust, the Iranian king was overtaken and captured.
Along with Nowzar, twelve hundred noble lords of Iran fell into the clutches of adversity. Bound in chains, the exalted sovereign and his leaders were dragged before the triumphant Turanian lord. Such is the fickle nature of the revolving heavens: it bestows crowns and royal thrones in one hour, only to cast men into gloom and ruin in the next. It wears the mask of a friend yet strikes like a foe; though a ruler's crown may touch the dark storm clouds, his ultimate home is the quiet dust.
With Nowzar imprisoned, Afrasiab commanded his scouts to search every cave, mountain, wilderness, and waterway so that Qaren the warrior might not escape. But when he learned that Qaren had slipped away earlier to defend the royal sanctuary, bitterness swallowed Afrasiab's heart. Sleep and sustenance abandoned him as he writhed in anger at the hero’s survival. Turning to the veteran commander Viseh, Afrasiab urged him to harden his heart despite the death of his own son, warning him: 'When Qaren son of Kaveh enters the fray, even the hunting leopard falters before his terrifying swiftness! Gird your loins, gather a formidable host, and ride forth to hunt him down.'
#1
چو بشنید نوذر که قارن برفت
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دمان از پسش روی بنهاد و تفت
“When Nowzar heard that Qaren had departed, he set off in haste and fury after him.”
#2
همی تاخت کز روز بد بگذرد
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سپهرش مگر زیر پی نسپرد
“He galloped hard to escape his ill fortune, lest heaven trample him underfoot.”
#3
چو افراسیاب آگهی یافت زوی
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که سوی بیابان نهادست روی
“When Afrasiab received tidings that the king had turned his face toward the wilderness,”
#4
سپاه انجمن کرد و پویان برفت
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چو شیر از پسش روی بنهاد و تفت
“He assembled his army and set out swiftly, pursuing him furiously like a lion.”
#5
چو تنگ اندر آمد بر شهریار
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همش تاختن دید و هم کارزار
“As he closed in upon the monarch, Nowzar saw both his swift assault and the battle before him.”
#6
بدان سان که آمد همی جست راه
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که تا بر سر آرد سری بی‌کلاه
“In such wise he sought a path of escape, seeking to save his crownless head.”
#7
شب تیره تا شد بلند آفتاب
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همی گشت با نوذر افراسیاب
“From dark night until the high sun rose, Afrasiab maneuvered and fought with Nowzar.”
#8
ز گرد سواران جهان تار شد
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سرانجام نوذر گرفتار شد
“The world grew dark with the dust of horsemen, and at last Nowzar was captured.”
#9
خود و نامداران هزار و دویست
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تو گفتی کشان بر زمین جای نیست
“He and twelve hundred illustrious nobles were taken, so many that earth seemed too small for them.”
#10
بسی راه جستند و بگریختند
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به دام بلا هم برآویختند
“Much did they search for ways to flee, yet they fell into the net of calamity.”
#11
چنان لشکری را گرفته به بند
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بیاورد با شهریار بلند
“Such an army he bound in chains and brought away along with the exalted king.”
#12
اگر با تو گردون نشیند به راز
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هم از گردش او نیابی جواز
“Though destiny should sit in secret counsel with you, from its turning wheel you shall find no immunity.”
#13
همو تاج و تخت بلندی دهد
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همو تیرگی و نژندی دهد
“It bestows the lofty crown and throne, yet it also brings darkness and humiliation.”
#14
به دشمن همی ماند و هم به دوست
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گهی مغز یابی ازو گاه پوست
“It resembles a enemy and yet acts as a friend; sometimes you taste its marrow, sometimes its bitter rind.”
#15
سرت گر بساید به ابر سیاه
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سرانجام خاک است ازو جایگاه
“Though your head should touch the black cloud, your final resting place is the dust.”
#16
وزان پس بفرمود افراسیاب
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که از غار و کوه و بیابان و آب
“Thereafter Afrasiab gave order that from caves, mountains, deserts, and waters,”
#17
بجویید تا قارن رزم زن
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رهایی نیابد ازین انجمن
“They should search, so that Qaren the warrior might not find release from this company.”
#18
چو بشنید کاو پیش ازان رفته بود
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ز کار شبستان برآشفته بود
“When he heard that Qaren had already departed, troubled over the state of the royal household,”
#19
غمی گشت ازان کار افراسیاب
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ازو دور شد خورد و آرام و خواب
“Afrasiab became grieved at this turn of events; food, rest, and sleep departed from him.”
#20
که قارن رها یافت از وی به جان
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بران درد پیچید و شد بدگمان
“That Qaren had escaped with his life wracked him with pain and filled him with grave suspicion.”
#21
چنین گفت با ویسهٔ نامور
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که دل سخت گردان به مرگ پسر
“He spoke thus to the renowned Vayseh: 'Harden your heart over the death of your son,'”
#22
که چون قارن کاوه جنگ آورد
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پلنگ از شتابش درنگ آورد
“'For when Qaren son of Kaveh wages war, even the leopard pauses before his speed.'”
#23
ترا رفت باید ببسته کمر
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یکی لشکری ساخته پرهنر
“'You must go forth with belt girded, leading an army filled with skill.'”