#1
چو نامه به مهر اندر آورد شاه
✦
جهانجوی رستم بپیموده راه
“When the king put his seal upon the letter, the world-seeking Rostam set forth upon the road.”
#2
به زین اندر افگند گرز گران
✦
چو آمد به نزدیک مازندران
“He slung his heavy mace across his saddle as he drew near to the borders of Mazandaran.”
#3
به شاه آگهی شد که کاووس کی
✦
فرستادن نامه افگند پی
“Word reached the King of Mazandaran that Kay Kavus had dispatched a messenger with a missive.”
#4
فرستاده‌ای چون هژبر دژم
✦
کمندی به فتراک بر شست خم
“An envoy had arrived like an enraged lion, with a sixty-fold lasso bound to his saddle-straps.”
#5
به زیر اندرون باره‌ای گامزن
✦
یکی ژنده پیلست گویی به تن
“Beneath him was a swift-pacing steed, in body like a fierce, huge elephant.”
#6
چو بشنید سالار مازندران
✦
ز گردان گزین کرد چندی سران
“When the ruler of Mazandaran heard this, he chose several chieftains from among his brave warriors.”
#7
بفرمودشان تا چَپیره شدند
✦
هژبر ژیان را پذیره شدند
“He ordered them to gather in force and go out to meet that raging lion.”
#8
چو چشم تهمتن بدیشان رسید
✦
به ره بر درختی گشن شاخ دید
“When Tahamtan's eyes fell upon them, he saw a thick-branched, mighty tree along the road.”
#9
بکند و چو ژوپین به کف برگرفت
✦
بماندند لشکر همه در شگفت
“He uprooted it and held it in his grip like a javelin; all the army stood lost in utter amazement.”
#10
بینداخت چون نزد ایشان رسید
✦
سواران بسی زیر شاخ آورید
“As he reached them he cast it down, bringing many horsemen low beneath its boughs.”
#11
یکی دست بگرفت و بفشاردش
✦
همی آزمون را بیازاردش
“One of the demons seized Rostam's hand and squeezed it, seeking to test and pain him.”
#12
بخندید ازو رستم پیلتن
✦
شده خیره زو چشم آن انجمن
“Rostam, elephant-bodied, laughed aloud at him, while the eyes of that assembly stared in wonder.”
#13
بدان خنده اندر بیفشارد چنگ
✦
ببردش رگ از دست وز روی رنگ
“Amidst his laughter he squeezed the demon's hand, draining the veins of his hand and all color from his face.”
#14
بشد هوش از آن مرد رزم آزمای
✦
ز بالای اسب اندر آمد به پای
“Senses fled from that battle-tested warrior, and he tumbled down from his horse to the ground.”
#15
یکی شد بر شاه مازندران
✦
بگفت آنچ دید از کران تا کران
“One of them went swiftly to the King of Mazandaran and recounted all that he had witnessed.”
#16
سواری که نامش کلاهور بود
✦
که مازندران زو پر از شور بود
“There was a champion named Kalahur, whose fame filled all Mazandaran with turmoil.”
#17
بسان پلنگ ژیان بد به خوی
✦
نکردی به جز جنگ چیز آرزوی
“Fierce as a wild panther by nature, he desired nothing in life save battle.”
#18
پذیره شدن را فرا پیش خواند
✦
به مردیش بر چرخ گردان نشاند
“The king summoned him forward to meet the envoy, exalting his manhood to the turning heavens.”
#19
بدو گفت پیش فرستاده شو
✦
هنرها پدیدار کن نو به نو
“The king said to him, 'Go before the envoy and display your prowess anew time and again.”
#20
چنان کن که گردد رخش پر ز شرم
✦
به چشم اندر آرد ز شرم آب گرم
“Act so that his cheeks flush red with shame and hot tears fill his eyes in humiliation.'”
#21
بیامد کلاهور چون نره شیر
✦
به پیش جهاندار مرد دلیر
“Kalahur came forth like a male lion before the world-conquering, valiant champion.”
#22
بپرسید پرسیدنی چون پلنگ
✦
دژم روی زانپس بدو داد چنگ
“He greeted him like a ferocious panther; then with a grim face he offered his hand.”
#23
بیفشارد چنگ سرافراز پیل
✦
شد از درد دستش به کردار نیل
“He squeezed the hand of the exalted elephant-hero, until Rostam's hand turned dark as indigo from the pressure.”
#24
بپیچید و اندیشه زو دورداشت
✦
به مردی ز خورشید منشور داشت
“Rostam winced, yet banished all apprehension, for in valour he held a charter from the sun itself.”
#25
بیفشارد چنگ کلاهور سخت
✦
فرو ریخت ناخن چو برگ از درخت
“Rostam squeezed Kalahur's hand so fiercely that his nails rained down like autumn leaves from a tree.”
#26
کلاهور با دست آویخته
✦
پی و پوست و ناخن فروریخته
“Kalahur returned with his hand dangling limp, skin, sinews, and nails shattered and torn.”
#27
بیاورد و بنمود و با شاه گفت
✦
که بر خویشتن درد نتوان نهفت
“He brought his hand, showed it, and spoke to the king: 'One cannot hide such excruciating pain from oneself.”
#28
ترا آشتی بهتر آید ز جنگ
✦
فراخی مکن بر دل خویش تنگ
“Peace becomes you far better than war; do not narrow your expansive realm through rash pride.”
#29
ترا با چنین پهلوان تاو نیست
✦
اگر رام گردد به از ساو نیست
“You have no power to withstand such a hero; if he accedes to peace, even accepting tribute is best.'”
#30
پذیریم از شهر مازندران
✦
ببخشیم بر کهتر و مهتران
“'Let us yield tribute from the realm of Mazandaran, bestowing riches upon both high and low.”
#31
چنین رنج دشوار آسان کنیم
✦
به آید که جان را هراسان کنیم
“Let us turn this difficult hardship into ease; it is far better than plunging our lives into terror.'”
#32
تهمتن بیامد هم اندر زمان
✦
بر شاه برسان شیر ژیان
“Presently Tahamtan arrived before the king, bold and menacing like a fierce lion.”
#33
نگه کرد و بنشاند اندر خورش
✦
ز کاووس پرسید و از لشکرش
“The king looked upon him, seated him at the banquet, and inquired of Kavus and his host.”
#34
سخن راند از راه و رنج دراز
✦
که چون راندی اندر نشیب و فراز
“He spoke of the long journey and its trials, asking how he had fared through highs and lows.”
#35
ازان پس بدو گفت رستم توی
✦
که داری بر و بازوی پهلوی
“Then he said to him, 'Are you Rostam, who possesses such hero-like chest and arms?'”
#36
چنین داد پاسخ که من چاکرم
✦
اگر چاکری را خود اندر خورم
“Rostam replied, 'I am but his servant, if indeed I am worthy of being his servant.”
#37
کجا او بود من نیایم به کار
✦
که او پهلوانست و گرد و سوار
“Where he is present, I am of no account, for he is the supreme champion, knight, and lord.'”
#38
بدو داد پس نامور نامه را
✦
پیام جهانجوی خودکامه را
“Then he delivered the famed letter to him, bearing the message of his ambitious king.”
#39
بگفت آنک شمشیر بار آورد
✦
سر سرکشان در کنار آورد
“He declared the words of a monarch whose sword yields victory and brings low the heads of tyrants.”
#40
چو پیغام بشنید و نامه بخواند
✦
دژم گشت و اندر شگفتی بماند
“When the king heard the message and read the letter, he grew dark with anger and remained lost in wonder.”
#41
به رستم چنین گفت کاین جست و جوی
✦
چه باید همی خیره این گفت‌وگوی
“He said to Rostam, 'What is the purpose of this search, and why this empty, boastful talk?”
#42
بگویش که سالار ایران تویی
✦
اگرچه دل و چنگ شیران تویی
“Tell Kavus: You may be the lord of Iran, though your heart and claws match those of lions,”
#43
منم شاه مازندران با سپاه
✦
بر اورنگ زرین و بر سر کلاه
“Yet I am the King of Mazandaran with my mighty host, seated upon a golden throne with crown on head.”
#44
مرا بیهده خواندن پیش خویش
✦
نه رسم کیان بد نه آیین پیش
“Summoning me in vain before him was neither the custom of ancient Kianian kings nor the rule of old.”
#45
براندیش و تخت بزرگان مجوی
✦
کزین برتری خواری آید بروی
“Reflect wisely and seek not the throne of the great, lest from such arrogance disgrace fall upon your face.'”
#46
سوی گاه ایران بگردان عنان
✦
وگرنه زمانت سرآرد سنان
“Turn your reins back toward the realm of Iran, / Lest the tip of my spear bring your life to an end.”
#47
اگر با سپه من بجنبم ز جای
✦
تو پیدا نبینی سرت را ز پای
“Should I march forth from this place with my host, / You will no longer know your head from your feet.”
#48
تو افتاده‌ای بی‌گمان در گمان
✦
یکی راه برگیر و بفگن کمان
“You have surely fallen into foolish delusion; / Choose a path to depart, and lay down your bow.”
#49
چو من تنگ روی اندر آرم بروی
✦
سرآید شما را همه گفت‌وگوی
“The moment I charge forward to face you in battle, / All your boastful chatter shall come to a close.”
#50
نگه کرد رستم به روشن روان
✦
به شاه و سپاه و رد و پهلوان
“With an enlightened spirit, Rostam surveyed the scene— / Watching the king, his army, his chiefs, and his brave heroes.”
#51
نیامدش با مغز گفتار اوی
✦
سرش تیزتر شد به پیکار اوی
“The king's words seemed devoid of wisdom to his mind; / His resolve grew only fiercer to do battle with him.”
#52
تهمتن چو برخاست کاید به راه
✦
بفرمود تا خلعت آرند شاه
“As Tahamtan arose to depart on his way, / The King ordered robes of honor to be brought for him.”
#53
نپذرفت ازو جامه و اسپ و زر
✦
که ننگ آمدش زان کلاه و کمر
“He rejected the garments, the horses, and the gold, / Scornful of accepting gifts from such a crown and belt.”
#54
بیامد دژم از بر گاه اوی
✦
همه تیره دید اختر و ماه اوی
“He departed grimly from the royal presence, / Perceiving that the king's star and moon were eclipsed in doom.”
#55
برون آمد از شهر مازندران
✦
سرش گشته بد زان سخنها گران
“He rode out from the city of Mazandaran, / His mind weighed down by those arrogant words.”
#56
چو آمد به نزدیک شاه اندرون
✦
دل کینه‌دارش پر از جوش خون
“When he returned into the presence of the Iranian Shah, / His vengeful heart was seething with fury.”
#57
ز مازندران هرچ دید و شنید
✦
همه کرد بر شاه ایران پدید
“Whatever he had seen and heard in Mazandaran, / He laid entirely bare before the King of Iran.”
#58
وزان پس ورا گفت مندیش هیچ
✦
دلیری کن و رزم دیوان بسیچ
“And then he said to him, 'Have no fear at all; / Be courageous and prepare for war against the demons.'”
#59
دلیران و گردان آن انجمن
✦
چنان دان که خوارند بر چشم من
“Know that all the brave warriors and heroes of that realm / Are worthless and insignificant in my eyes.”