Epic · 10th–11th century

The Blacksmith’s Banner

Ferdowsiفردوسی

چو کاوه برون شد ز درگاه شاه

When Kaveh came out from the king's court,

برو انجمن گشت بازارگاه

the market crowded round him.

همی بر خروشید و فریاد خواند

He cried out and called for help,

جهان را سراسر سوی داد خواند

and called the whole world to justice.

از آن چرم کآهنگران پشت پای

That leather which blacksmiths wear

بپوشند هنگام زخم درای

over their legs when the hammer rings,

همان کاوه آن بر سر نیزه کرد

Kaveh raised on the point of a spear,

همان‌گه ز بازار برخاست گرد

and at once dust rose from the market.

خروشان همی رفت نیزه به دست

He went crying out, spear in hand:

که ای نامداران یزدان‌پرست!

‘O men of name who worship God!

کسی کاو هوای فریدون کند

Whoever longs for Fereydun,

دل از بند ضحاک بیرون کند

let him free his heart from Zahhak's chains.

بپویید کاین مهتر آهرمن است

Hurry, for this lord is Ahriman,

جهان آفرین را به دل دشمن است

an enemy at heart of the Creator of the world.’

From: The Shahnameh
Translation: Persiahaus Editors
Source: Draft translation from the Ganjoor text
Persian text: Ganjoor

A note for readers

From the story of Zahhak, the tyrant from whose shoulders grew two serpents that fed on young men's brains. The blacksmith Kaveh, whose sons had been taken to feed the serpents, refuses to sign a declaration of the king's justice and walks out of the court. Here he raises his leather apron on a spear and calls the people to rise for Fereydun; the apron, later adorned with jewels, becomes the Kaviani banner of the kings of Iran.