#1
چو از آفرین گشت پرداخته
✦
بیاورد گلرنگ را ساخته
“When he had finished his prayers of praise, he brought forth Rakhsh, fully harnessed and ready.”
#2
نشست از بر زین و ره برگرفت
✦
خم منزل جادو اندر گرفت
“He mounted the saddle and rode forth, entering the winding paths that led to the realm of sorcery.”
#3
همی رفت پویان به راه دراز
✦
چو خورشید تابان بگشت از فراز
“Long did he travel the drawn-out path, until the radiant sun turned down from its zenith.”
#4
درخت و گیا دید و آب روان
✦
چنان چون بود جای مرد جوان
“He came upon trees, lush grass, and flowing water—a place delightful and suited for a youth.”
#5
چو چشم تذروان یکی چشمه دید
✦
یکی جام زرین برو پر نبید
“He saw a spring clear as a pheasant’s eye, beside which stood a golden goblet filled with wine.”
#6
یکی غرم بریان و نان از برش
✦
نمکدان و ریچال گرد اندرش
“A roasted mountain sheep and bread were set beside it, encircled with salt-cellars and savory relishes.”
#7
خور جادوان بد چو رستم رسید
✦
از آواز او دیو شد ناپدید
“This was the sorcerers' feast; yet as Rostam approached, the demon fled and vanished at his voice.”
#8
فرود آمد از باره زین برگرفت
✦
به غرم و بنان اندر آمد شگفت
“He dismounted his steed, removed its saddle, and marveling, fell to enjoying the roast meat and bread.”
#9
نشست از بر چشمه فرخنده‌پی
✦
یکی جام زر دید پر کرده می
“The auspicious champion sat by the spring and beheld the golden goblet brimming with wine.”
#10
ابا می یکی نیز تنبور یافت
✦
بیابان چنان خانهٔ سور یافت
“Beside the wine he also found a lute; thus did the barren desert seem like a hall of celebration.”
#11
تهمتن مر آن را به بر در گرفت
✦
بزد رود و گفتارها برگرفت
“Tahamtan embraced the instrument, struck its strings, and began to sing his heartfelt tales.”
#12
که آواره و بد نشان رستم است
✦
که از روز شادیش بهره غم است
“"An outcast and ill-fated is Rostam," sang he, "whose share of joyful days is but sorrow and grief.”
#13
همه جای جنگست میدان اوی
✦
بیابان و کوهست بستان اوی
“"His battleground is everywhere he turns; the wild mountains and deserts are his only gardens.”
#14
همه جنگ با شیر و نر اژدهاست
✦
کجا اژدها از کفش نا رهاست
“"His endless task is fighting lions and fierce dragons, though no dragon can ever escape his grasp.”
#15
می و جام و بویا گل و میگسار
✦
نکردست بخشش ورا کردگار
“"Wine, goblet, fragrant rose, and fair wine-bearer—these are blessings the Creator assigned not to him.”
#16
همیشه به جنگ نهنگ اندر است
✦
و گر با پلنگان به جنگ اندر است
“"Forever is he locked in strife with monsters of the deep, or battling wild leopards in the wastes."”
#17
به گوش زن جادو آمد سرود
✦
همان نالهٔ رستم و زخم رود
“The song reached the ears of the enchantress—the lamentations of Rostam and the strumming of the strings.”
#18
بیاراست رخ را بسان بهار
✦
وگر چند زیبا نبودش نگار
“She adorned her face like springtime blooming, though her true form possessed no beauty or grace.”
#19
بر رستم آمد پر از رنگ و بوی
✦
بپرسید و بنشست نزدیک اوی
“Decked in vibrant hues and sweet perfumes, she approached Rostam, greeted him, and sat by his side.”
#20
تهمتن به یزدان نیایش گرفت
✦
ابر آفرینها فزایش گرفت
“Tahamtan offered up praises unto Yazdan, multiplying his words of worship and thanksgiving,”
#21
که در دشت مازندران یافت خوان
✦
می و جام، با میگسار جوان
“Gratified to find in the wild desert of Mazandaran a rich banquet, wine, a goblet, and a youthful wine-bearer.”
#22
ندانست کاو جادوی ریمنست
✦
نهفته به رنگ اندر اهریمنست
“He knew not that she was a deceitful sorceress—an Ahrimanic beast concealed beneath alluring colors.”
#23
یکی طاس می بر کفش برنهاد
✦
ز دادار نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“He placed a goblet of wine in her hand, invoking once more the name of the beneficent Creator.”
#24
چو آواز داد از خداوند مهر
✦
دگرگونه‌تر گشت جادو به چهر
“But when he uttered the name of the God of Love, the sorceress's countenance instantly transformed.”
#25
روانش گمان نیایش نداشت
✦
زبانش توان ستایش نداشت
“Her demonic soul was incapable of prayer; her cursed tongue had no power to utter holy praise.”
#26
سیه گشت چون نام یزدان شنید
✦
تهمتن سبک چون درو بنگرید
“Her face turned black as night at the name of Yazdan; Tahamtan looked upon her and instantly understood.”
#27
بینداخت از باد خم کمند
✦
سر جادو آورد ناگه ببند
“Swifter than the wind he cast his lasso's coil, entrapping the sorceress by the neck in an instant.”
#28
بپرسید و گفتش چه چیزی بگوی
✦
بدان‌گونه کت هست بنمای روی
“He questioned her, saying: "Speak! What creature art thou? Reveal thy true form as it truly is!"”
#29
یکی گنده پیری شد اندر کمند
✦
پر آژنگ و نیرنگ و بند و گزند
“There in his snare she turned into a withered old crone—wrinkled, foul, steeped in trickery and malice.”
#30
میانش به خنجر به دو نیم کرد
✦
دل جادوان زو پر از بیم کرد
“With his dagger he cleaved her body in two, striking deep terror into the hearts of all sorcerers.”