When forty years of his time remained

See what destiny God had ordained for his fate

One night, in the king's palace, late and long

He was asleep with Arnavaz

He saw from the palace of the sovereign kings

Three warriors suddenly appeared

Two elders, one younger in the middle

Tall as cypress and majestic as kings

They girded their waists and walked regally

Holding mace-heads shaped like a bull's head

They rushed to fight against Zahhak

And placed a yoke upon his neck

They rode swiftly to Mount Damavand

Dragging him as a group followed behind

The tyrant Zahhak twisted and writhed

Out of fear, it seemed his liver would tear

He shouted in his sleep aloud

The hundred-pillared hall shook with his cry

The sun-faced maidens leaped from their place

Startled by the roar of the famed lord

Thus spoke Arnavaz to Zahhak

O king, what has happened? Will you not reveal the secret?

While resting peacefully in your hall

You trembled so for your life like this

The lands of seven countries are under your rule

Beasts, men, and all creatures abide by your covenant

To the sun-faced ones, the ruler said

Such wonder must indeed be hidden

For if you hear this tale from me

You will lose all hope in my life

Arnavaz said to the noble king

You must reveal this secret to us

Perhaps we can find a solution

For every calamity has a remedy

The commander revealed the hidden secret

And told them the dream, piece by piece

Thus he spoke to the famous beauty

Do not leave this unresolved, find a remedy

The jewel of time is the crown on your head

The world shines bright from your noble fortune

You hold the world beneath your ring

Beasts, men, birds, demons, and fairies alike

From every land, gather the chiefs

Astrologers and sorcerers alike

Speak all to the wise priests' hearing,

Search for truth and its endearing.

Observe, whose hands steer your reason today,

From mankind, fiend, or the spirits' sway.

When the truth emerges, prepare a plan right then,

Do not fear ill deeds from suspicious men.

The words delighted the noble-minded king,

For they planted roots like a silver cypress in spring.

The world from night's darkness seemed like a crow's feather,

And suddenly the lamp rose from the mountain, breaking tether.

You’d say upon the azure dome above,

The sun had spread its yellow ruby, a light we love.

The commander called each sage priest around,

The wise and vigilant, their wisdom profound.

From every region, they were brought nearby,

To reveal the troubling dream that made his soul cry.

The secret words he shared without a bar,

Of good, of evil, and time’s turning scar.

When will time’s cycle bring my end so near?

And whose hands will bear this crown and gear?

If this secret with me must be spread wide,

Or bow my head humbly, setting pride aside.

The sages' lips were dry, faces pale and grim,

Their tongues shared whispered counsel, chances slim.

If we speak of destiny, truthfully say it,

It’s war against life; the soul may forfeit.

And if he hears not the truths of what’s fated,

We must abandon life, fully decimated.

Three days they pondered and time slipped away,

No one dared to speak, their thoughts in dismay.

On the fourth day, the king grew enraged in wrath,

Toward the priests who failed to illuminate his path.

If your lives are spared, you must serve my needs,

Reveal the truths of destiny that fate decrees.

All the sages bowed their heads in defeat,

Their hearts filled with dread, eyes reddened, incomplete.

Among the noble men of sharp intellect,

One stood out, discerning, his wisdom correct.

Wise, alert, and astute in his fame,

From all the sages, he led, unashamed.

His heart tightened, courage replacing fear,

With open words, he faced Zahhak clear.

He said, 'Rid your head of empty thought’s hold,'

'For none but death has a fate foretold.'

Rulers before you were many, indeed,

Worthy of the majestic throne they did lead

They counted much sorrow and joy in their stay,

Departed and passed the world another way

If with iron hoofs you stand firm on the ground,

The heavens will grind you, no trace will be found

Someone after you will claim your throne,

And lay low your head and your fortune alone

His name will be Fereydoun, noble and bright,

A ruler of earth with a fate of delight

That commander is yet unborn, you see,

His time of questioning has not yet come to be

When he is born from his mother of grace,

Like a tree he will grow, bearing fruit in his place

In manhood he’ll rise, his head reaching the moon,

Seeking belt, crown, and throne as his boon

He’ll stand tall as a cypress in pride,

With an iron mace swinging by his side

He’ll strike your head with the bull-headed mace,

Take you captive, and bind you in disgrace

To him spoke Zahhak, of impure creed,

Why should I fear him? What causes this seed?

The brave man replied, 'If wisdom you keep,

No one commits harm without reason deep

His father’s wisdom will be in your hand,

From this pain, his head will burn with demand

A noble cow will be his source of care,

A nurse for the world-seeker, rare and fair

That too will perish by your cruel will,

And thus, the bull-headed mace will fulfill

When Zahhak heard this, he opened his ear,

Fell from his throne, his senses unclear

The noble one turned from the lofty throne,

Averted his face from the harm yet unknown

When the great one's heart returned to its stead,

He placed his feet back on the throne instead

Signs of Fereydoun he sought near and far,

Searching for clues, both visible and bizarre

No peace, no sleep, nor food he could claim,

The bright day turned azure in his shame