When the bitter tidings of King Nowzar's horrific execution reached his sons Tus and Gustaham, the royal glory was darkened in their eyes. Tearing their garments, plucking their hair, and scratching their faces, a lamenting cry arose across all of Iran. The heads of the proudest leaders were buried in dust, their eyes weeping blood, as they turned their faces toward Zabulistan to seek the aid of Zal, the champion of Iran.
Upon entering the presence of Dastan, they wept bitterly for King Nowzar, invoking the legacy of Fereydun that had lived through him. Deeply moved, Zal swore a solemn oath: until the Day of Resurrection, his sharp blade should know no scabbard, his saddle should serve as his throne, his spear as his tree of shade, and a dark helmet as his crown. He vowed unyielding vengeance against the Turanian oppressors, reminding the princes that while all mortals are born to face death, the justice of the Creator would surely strike down the wicked.
Meanwhile, the noble Iranian leaders held captive in Sari learned of Zal's impending vengeance. Terror seized them, for they knew that when Afrasiab felt the heat of the Iranian assault, he would slaughter every innocent captive in his fury. They sent a secret message to Prince Aghriras, the wise and righteous brother of Afrasiab, begging for his mercy and intervention.
Aghriras, possessing a compassionate heart, knew he could not openly defy his brother without unleashing Afrasiab's demonic wrath upon himself. He devised a clever ruse: when Zal's forces advanced toward Amol, Aghriras would retreat his own army toward Ray under the guise of tactical repositioning, leaving Sari undefended so the Iranians could liberate the captives without a fight.
A swift messenger delivered this secret compact to Zal in Zabulistan. Calling his champions together, Zal asked who among them was brave enough to undertake this perilous expedition. Kashvad the Army-Breaker stepped forward, offering his life for the realm. Blessed by Zal, Kashvad led a fierce host to Sari. True to his word, Aghriras moved his forces away, allowing Kashvad to unlock the chains of the captives, provide them with steeds, and escort them back to Zabulistan.
Upon hearing of Kashvad's triumphant return, Zal rejoiced, distributing treasures to the poor and bestowing his own royal robes upon the messenger. He met the freed nobles with weeping eyes, embracing them and restoring their high honors, halls, and wealth as in the days of King Nowzar, raising the spirit of Iran from the ash of despair.
#1
به گستهم و طوس آمد این آگهی
✦
که تیره شد آن فر شاهنشهی
“Tidings came to Gustaham and Tus that the majestic glory of the King of Kings had been darkened.”
#2
به شمشیر تیز آن سر تاجدار
✦
به زاری بریدند و برگشت کار
“With a sharp blade they piteously severed that crowned head, and the wheel of fate turned back.”
#3
بکندند موی و شخودند روی
✦
از ایران برآمد یکی های‌وهوی
“They tore their hair and scratched their faces, as a lamenting cry echoed throughout the land of Iran.”
#4
سر سرکشان گشت پرگرد و خاک
✦
همه دیده پر خون همه جامه چاک
“The heads of the proud leaders were covered in dust; their eyes wept blood and their robes were torn.”
#5
سوی زابلستان نهادند روی
✦
زبان شاه‌گوی و روان شاه‌جوی
“They set their faces toward Zabulistan, their tongues extolling the King, their souls seeking his memory.”
#6
بر زال رفتند با سوگ و درد
✦
رخان پر ز خون و سران پر ز گرد
“They came before Zal with sorrow and grief, their faces stained with blood and their heads clad in dust.”
#7
که زارا دلیرا شها نوذرا
✦
گوا تاجدارا مها مهترا
“Crying out: 'O sorrow! O brave King Nowzar! O heroic champion, crowned sovereign, and greatest of leaders!'”
#8
نگهبان ایران و شاه جهان
✦
سر تاجداران و پشت مهان
“'Guardian of Iran and sovereign of the world, crown of royalty and pillar of the great!'”
#9
سرت افسر از خاک جوید همی
✦
زمین خون شاهان ببوید همی
“'Your head seeks its crown from the dust, while the earth breathes the blood of kings!'”
#10
گیایی که روید بران بوم و بر
✦
نگون دارد از شرم خورشید سر
“'The very grass that grows upon that soil hangs its head in shame before the sun.'”
#11
همی داد خواهیم و زاری کنیم
✦
به خون پدر سوگواری کنیم
“'We seek justice and utter lamentations, mourning in sorrow for our father's blood.'”
#12
نشان فریدون بدو زنده بود
✦
زمین نعل اسپ ورا بنده بود
“'Through him the legacy of Fereydun lived on, and the earth was subject to the horseshoe of his steed.'”
#13
به زاری و خواری سرش را ز تن
✦
بریدند با نامدار انجمن
“'In grief and ignominy they severed his head from his body, alongside his noble assembly.'”
#14
همه تیغ زهرآبگون برکشید
✦
به کین جستن آیید و دشمن کشید
“'Unsheathe all your poison-tempered blades; rise to seek vengeance and slay the enemy!'”
#15
همانا برین سوگ با ما سپهر
✦
ز دیده فرو باردی خون به مهر
“'Truly, in this mourning, the very heavens would weep blood from their skies out of love for us.'”
#16
شما نیز دیده پر از خون کنید
✦
همه جامهٔ ناز بیرون کنید
“'Fill your eyes with blood as well, and strip away all garments of comfort!'”
#17
که با کین شاهان نشاید که چشم
✦
نباشد پر از آب و دل پر ز خشم
“'For when the blood of kings demands vengeance, no eye should lack tears nor any heart lack fury.'”
#18
همه انجمن زار و گریان شدند
✦
چو بر آتش تیز بریان شدند
“The entire assembly wept piteously, roasting as if cast upon a blazing fire.”
#19
زبان داد دستان که تا رستخیز
✦
نبیند نیام مرا تیغ تیز
“Dastan pledged his word: 'Until the Day of Resurrection, my sharp blade shall never see its scabbard!'”
#20
چمان چرمه در زیر تخت منست
✦
سنان‌دار نیزه درخت منست
“'My pacing bay horse shall be my throne, and the sharp spear my shading tree!'”
#21
رکابست پای مرا جایگاه
✦
یکی ترگ تیره سرم را کلاه
“'The stirrup shall be the dwelling for my feet, and a dark helmet the crown upon my head!'”
#22
برین کینه آرامش و خواب نیست
✦
همی چون دو چشمم به جوی آب نیست
“'There shall be no rest nor sleep in this vengeance, nor shall the streams lack water like my weeping eyes!'”
#23
روان چنان شهریار جهان
✦
درخشنده بادا میان مهان
“'May the soul of that world-sovereign shine radiantly among the greatest of spirits!'”
#24
شما را به داد جهان آفرین
✦
دل ارمیده بادا به آیین و دین
“'May your hearts find comfort in the justice of the Creator, according to right custom and faith.'”
#25
ز مادر همه مرگ را زاده‌ایم
✦
برینیم و گردن ورا داده‌ایم
“'From our mothers we are all born for death; such is our lot, and to it we bow our necks.'”
#26
چو گردان سوی کینه بشتافتند
✦
به ساری سران آگهی یافتند
“When the champions hastened toward vengeance, the leaders held in Sari received word.”
#27
ازیشان بشد خورد و آرام و خواب
✦
پر از بیم گشتند از افراسیاب
“Food, rest, and sleep fled from them, as fear of Afrasiab filled their hearts.”
#28
ازان پس به اغریرث آمد پیام
✦
که ای پرمنش مهتر نیک‌نام
“Thereupon a message was sent to Aghriras: 'O high-minded and renowned lord!'”
#29
به گیتی به گفتار تو زنده‌ایم
✦
همه یک به یک مر ترا بنده‌ایم
“'In this world we live by your word alone, and every one of us is your bound servant.'”
#30
تو دانی که دستان به زابلستان
✦
به جایست با شاه کابلستان
“'You know that Dastan remains in Zabulistan alongside the King of Kabulistan.'”
#31
چو برزین و چون قارن رزم‌زن
✦
چو خراد و کشواد لشکرشکن
“'With champions like Borzin and battle-tested Karin, like Khasrad and Kashvad, breaker of hosts.'”
#32
یلانند با چنگهای دراز
✦
ندارند از ایران چنین دست باز
“'They are mighty lions with long claws, who will never withhold their hands from defending Iran!'”
#33
چو تابند گردان ازین سو عنان
✦
به چشم اندر آرند نوک سنان
“'When those warriors turn their reins in this direction, they will plunge spear-points into our eyes.'”
#34
ازان تیز گردد رد افراسیاب
✦
دلش گردد از بستگان پرشتاب
“'Whereupon Afrasiab's fury will flare, and his heart will grow hasty regarding the captives.'”
#35
پس آنگه سر یک رمه بی‌گناه
✦
به خاک اندر آرد ز بهر کلاه
“'And then he will bring the heads of an innocent flock into the dust for the sake of a crown.'”
#36
اگر بیند اغریرث هوشمند
✦
مر این بستگان را گشاید ز بند
“'If the wise Aghriras sees fit, let him unbind these captive prisoners!'”
#37
پراگنده گردیم گرد جهان
✦
زبان برگشاییم پیش مهان
“'We shall scatter across the world, opening our tongues to praise you before the great.'”
#38
به پیش بزرگان ستایش کنیم
✦
همان پیش یزدان نیایش کنیم
“'We shall offer praise before nobles, and utter prayers of gratitude before God.'”
#39
چنین گفت اغریرث پرخرد
✦
کزین گونه گفتار کی درخورد
“The highly wise Aghriras replied: 'How could such open defiance be fitting?'”
#40
ز من آشکارا شود دشمنی
✦
بجوشد سر مرد آهرمنی
“'Open enmity would arise from me, and the mind of that demonic brother would boil with wrath.'”
#41
یکی چاره سازم دگرگونه زین
✦
که با من نگردد برادر به کین
“'I shall devise another scheme so that my brother does not turn against me in hatred.'”
#42
گر ایدون که دستان شود تیزچنگ
✦
یکی لشکر آرد بر ما به جنگ
“'If Dastan indeed bares his talons and brings an army against us in battle,'”
#43
چو آرد به نزدیک ساری رمه
✦
به دستان سپارم شما را همه
“'When he brings his host near Sari, I shall deliver you all to Dastan.'”
#44
بپردازم آمل نیایم به جنگ
✦
سرم را ز نام اندرآرم به ننگ
“'I shall vacate Amol and refrain from fight, though my head bear shame for the sake of honor.'”
#45
بزرگان ایران ز گفتار اوی
✦
بروی زمین برنهادند روی
“Upon hearing his words, the nobles of Iran placed their faces upon the earth in gratitude.”
#46
چو از آفرینش بپرداختند
✦
نوندی ز ساری برون تاختند
“When they finished offering praise to God, they dispatched a swift courier out from Sari.”
#47
بپویید نزدیک دستان سام
✦
بیاورد ازان نامداران پیام
“He hastened toward Dastan, son of Sam, bearing a message from those renowned nobles.”
#48
که بخشود بر ما جهاندار ما
✦
شد اغریرث پر خرد یار ما
“"The Lord of the World took pity upon us, and the wise Aghriras became our ally.”
#49
یکی سخت پیمان فگندیم بن
✦
بران برنهادیم یکسر سخن
“We laid down a firm covenant and agreed together upon a single pact:”
#50
کز ایران چو دستان آزادمرد
✦
بیایند و جویند با وی نبرد
“That when the noble Dastan arrives from Iran and seeks battle against his forces,”
#51
گرانمایه اغریرث نیک پی
✦
ز آمل گذارد سپه را به ری
“The illustrious and auspicious Aghriras shall move his army from Amol onward to Rayy,”
#52
مگر زنده از چنگ این اژدها
✦
تن یک جهان مردم آید رها
“So that perhaps a vast multitude of people may escape alive from the clutches of this dragon."”
#53
چو پوینده در زابلستان رسید
✦
سراینده در پیش دستان رسید
“When the swift messenger arrived in Zabolistan, he came into the presence of Dastan to deliver his word.”
#54
بزرگان و جنگ‌آوران را بخواند
✦
پیام یلان پیش ایشان براند
“Dastan summoned the elders and warriors, and delivered the message of the captive heroes before them.”
#55
ازان پس چنین گفت کای سروران
✦
پلنگان جنگی و نام‌آوران
“Then he addressed them, saying: "O chieftains, warlike leopards, and renowned champions!”
#56
کدامست مردی کنارنگ دل
✦
به مردی سیه کرده در جنگ دل
“Which of you is a valiant warrior who has steeled his heart for battle with courage?”
#57
خریدار این جنگ و این تاختن
✦
به خورشید گردن برافراختن
“Who will step forward for this battle and campaign, raising his head in glory unto the sun?"”
#58
ببر زد بران کار کشواد دست
✦
منم گفت یازان بدین داد دست
“Kashvad struck his chest in acceptance of the task, saying: "It is I who reach out to fulfill this righteous deed!"”
#59
برو آفرین کرد فرخنده زال
✦
که خرم بدی تا بود ماه و سال
“Blessed Zal bestowed his praise upon him, praying: "May you remain joyful as long as months and years endure!"”
#60
سپاهی ز گردان پرخاشجوی
✦
ز زابل به آمل نهادند روی
“An army of warlike heroes marched forth, setting their course from Zabol toward Amol.”
#61
چو از پیش دستان برون شد سپاه
✦
خبر شد به اغریرث نیک خواه
“As the host departed from Dastan's presence, news reached the well-meaning Aghriras.”
#62
همه بستگان را به ساری بماند
✦
بزد نای رویین و لشکر براند
“He left all the captives behind in Sari, sounded the brass trumpets, and marched his army away.”
#63
چو گشواد فرخ به ساری رسید
✦
پدید آمد آن بندها را کلید
“When auspicious Gashvad arrived at Sari, the key to those heavy bonds was at last revealed.”
#64
یکی اسپ مر هر یکی را بساخت
✦
ز ساری سوی زابلستان بتاخت
“He provided a mount for each of the freed captives, and galloped back from Sari toward Zabolistan.”
#65
چو آمد به دستان سام آگهی
✦
که برگشت گشواد با فرهی
“When news reached Dastan, son of Sam, that Gashvad had returned in divine glory and success,”
#66
یکی گنج ویژه به درویش داد
✦
سراینده را جامهٔ خویش داد
“He bestowed a special treasure upon the needy, and gave his own royal robe to the bearer of good tidings.”
#67
چو گشواد نزدیک زابل رسید
✦
پذیره شدش زال زر چون سزید
“As Gashvad drew near to Zabol, Zal of the Golden Hair went out to welcome him with due honor.”
#68
بران بستگان زار بگریست دیر
✦
کجا مانده بودند در چنگ شیر
“He wept bitterly for a long time over those captives who had been trapped in the clutches of the lion.”
#69
پس از نامور نوذر شهریار
✦
به سر خاک بر کرد و بگریست زار
“Mourning the renowned King Nowzar, he poured dust upon his head and wept sorrowfully.”
#70
به شهر اندر آوردشان ارجمند
✦
بیاراست ایوانهای بلند
“He brought the nobles into the city with great honor, and adorned the lofty palaces for them.”
#71
چنان هم که هنگام نوذر بدند
✦
که با تاج و با تخت و افسر بدند
“Restoring them to the state they enjoyed in King Nowzar's days, possessed of crown, throne, and diadem.”
#72
بیاراست دستان همه دستگاه
✦
شد از خواسته بی‌نیاز آن سپاه
“Dastan replenished all their provisions, so that the army was rendered wealthy and free from want.”