Seeing the Turanian host surging across the river, Giv galloped ahead to secure the bridge and afford the Iranian champions time to don their war gear. Yet Afrasiab had already crossed at the head of his legions. Rostam arrayed himself in the impenetrable Babr-e Bayan and mounted his colossal steed. At the sight of Rostam’s towering frame and massive mace, terror struck the heart of Afrasiab. Alongside Rostam stood the elite realm-guardians: Tus, Goudarz, Gorgin, Giv, Bahram, Zangeh of Shavaran, Farhad, and Barzin, all readied like enraged leopards.
Giv plunged into the ranks like a lion deprived of its prey, scattering the frontline warriors of Chin. Trembling before Rostam, Afrasiab retreated behind his lines and taunted Piran, sending him forward with ten thousand seasoned Turanian troops. But Rostam, foaming with incandescent rage, roared like a boiling sea and cut down two-thirds of Piran's host. Desperate, Afrasiab called upon Alkus, the champion who had boastfully vowed in drunkenness to slay Rostam and Giv.
Stung by the king's rebuke, Alkus mounted his dark charger Shabrang and charged with a thousand horsemen toward Zourah, mistaking him for Rostam due to his noble Neyramid lineage. Zourah fought valiantly, but a crushing blow from Alkus's mountain-like mace knocked him unconscious from his saddle. As Alkus dismounted to sever Zourah's head, Rostam's thunderous war cry echoed across the plain. Terror paralyzed Alkus, but before he could flee, Rostam impaled him on his lance, lifted him high above his saddle, and slammed him down onto the earth like a falling mountain. Led by Rostam, the seven champions swept through the Turanian ranks, leaving the battlefield paved with corpses and soaked in crimson.
#1
چنین گفت پس گیو با پهلوان
✦
که ای نازش شهریار و گوان
“Then Giv spoke to the grand champion, saying: 'O pride of the king and of all valiant heroes!'”
#2
شوم ره بگیرم به افراسیاب
✦
نمانم که آید بدین روی آب
“'I shall go and block Afrasiab’s path, not allowing him to cross to this side of the river.'”
#3
سر پل بگیرم بدان بدگمان
✦
بدارمش ازان سوی پل یک زمان
“'I will hold the bridgehead against that treacherous villain and keep him on the far bank for a time,'”
#4
بدان تا بپوشند گردان سلیح
✦
که بر ما سرآمد نشاط و مزیح
“'So that our champions may put on their armor, for our days of ease and banter are now at an end.'”
#5
بشد تازیان تا سر پل دمان
✦
به زه بر نهاده دو زاغ کمان
“He rode furiously to the head of the bridge, his bow already strung and bent with two sharp arrows ready.”
#6
چنین تا به نزدیکی پل رسید
✦
چو آمد درفش جفا پیشه دید
“Thus he rode until he neared the bridge, where he beheld the banner of the oppressive enemy.”
#7
که بگذشته بود او ازین روی آب
✦
به پیش سپاه اندر افراسیاب
“For Afrasiab had already crossed to this side of the water, marching at the forefront of his army.”
#8
تهمتن بپوشید ببر بیان
✦
نشست از بر ژنده پیل ژیان
“Then Rostam put on his coat of Babr-e Bayan and mounted his fierce, colossal charger.”
#9
چو در جوشن افراسیابش بدید
✦
تو گفتی که هوش از دلش بر پرید
“When Afrasiab saw him arrayed in war mail, you would say the spirit of reason fled his heart.”
#10
ز چنگ و بر و بازو و یال او
✦
به گردن برآوردهٔ گوپال او
“Afrasiab gaped at his broad chest, mighty arms, shoulder muscles, and the huge mace resting upon his neck.”
#11
چو طوس و چو گودرز نیزه‌گذار
✦
چو گرگین و چون گیو گرد و سوار
“Alongside were spear-wielding Tus and Goudarz, as well as Gorgin and the valiant rider Giv,”
#12
چو بهرام و چون زنگهٔ شادروان
✦
چو فرهاد و برزین جنگ‌آوران
“Together with Bahram, Zangeh-ye Shavaran, and the formidable warriors Farhad and Barzin.”
#13
چنین لشکری سرفرازان جنگ
✦
همه نیزه و تیغ هندی به چنگ
“Such a glorious army of battle-exalted champions, all grasping spears and Indian steel in hand.”
#14
همه یکسر از جای برخاستند
✦
بسان پلنگان بیاراستند
“They rose up together as one, arraying their ranks fiercely like hunting leopards.”
#15
بدان‌گونه شد گیو در کارزار
✦
چو شیری که گم کرده باشد شکار
“Giv plunged into the battlefield like a lion that has lost its prey.”
#16
پس و پیش هر سو همی کوفت گرز
✦
دو تا کرد بسیار بالای برز
“Striking his heavy mace forward and behind on every side, he doubled over many a tall, proud stature.”
#17
رمیدند ازو رزمسازان چین
✦
بشد خیره سالار توران زمین
“The battle-ready warriors of Chin fled before him, leaving the ruler of Turan stunned and dismayed.”
#18
ز رستم بترسید افراسیاب
✦
نکرد ایچ بر کینه جستن شتاب
“Afrasiab grew deeply terrified of Rostam and made no haste to seek vengeance.”
#19
پس لشکر اندر همی راند گرم
✦
گوان را ز لشکر همی خواند نرم
“Hasty in retreat, he rode behind his army, quietly calling his chieftains to his side.”
#20
ز توران فراوان سران کشته شد
✦
سر بخت گردنکشان گشته شد
“Many Turanian leaders were slain, and the fortune of those proud warriors turned to ruin.”
#21
ز پیران بپرسید افراسیاب
✦
که این دشت رزم‌ست گر جای خواب
“Afrasiab asked Piran: 'Is this a plain of battle, or a place of sleep?'”
#22
که در رزم جستن دلیران بدیم
✦
سگالش گرفتیم و شیران بدیم
“'We used to be brave in seeking war; we held council together and were fierce as lions!'”
#23
کنون دشت روباه بینم همی
✦
ز رزم آز کوتاه بینم همی
“'Now I see a field of foxes, where all desire for fighting has grown small!'”
#24
ز مردان توران خنیده تویی
✦
جهان‌جوی و هم رزمدیده تویی
“'You are the famed leader among Turanians, a seeker of world conquest and a veteran of war.'”
#25
سنان را به تندی یکی برگرای
✦
برو زود زیشان بپرداز جای
“'Wield your spear with fierce resolve and quickly clear the field of these enemies!'”
#26
چو پیروزگر باشی ایران تراست
✦
تن پیل و چنگال شیران تراست
“'If you emerge victorious, Iran shall be yours, for you possess the strength of an elephant and the claws of a lion!'”
#27
چو پیران ز افراسیاب این شنید
✦
چو از باد آتش دلش بردمید
“When Piran heard these words from Afrasiab, his heart flared up like fire fanned by the wind.”
#28
بسیچید با نامور ده‌هزار
✦
ز ترکان دلیران خنجرگذار
“He readied ten thousand renowned warrior-traders of blade and dagger from among the Turks.”
#29
چو آتش بیامد بر پیلتن
✦
کزو بود نیروی جنگ و شکن
“He charged like fire upon the elephant-bodied Rostam, in whom lay the true force of war and devastation.”
#30
تهمتن به لبها برآورده کف
✦
تو گفتی که بستد ز خورشید تف
“Rostam foamed at the lips in fury; you would say he snatched the fiery heat straight from the sun.”
#31
برانگیخت اسپ و برآمد خروش
✦
بران سان که دریا برآید بجوش
“He spurred his steed and raised a roar like the boiling surge of an ocean.”
#32
سپر بر سر و تیغ هندی به مشت
✦
ازان نامداران دو بهره بکشت
“Shield raised over his head and Indian blade in hand, he slew two-thirds of those renowned warriors.”
#33
نگه کرد افراسیاب از کران
✦
چنین گفت با نامور مهتران
“Afrasiab watched from the side and spoke thus to his prominent nobles:”
#34
که گر تا شب این جنگ هم زین نشان
✦
میان دلیران و گردنکشان
“'If this battle among these stubborn, brave warriors continues in this fashion until nightfall,'”
#35
بماند نماند سواری به جای
✦
نبایست کردن بدین رزم رای
“'Not a single rider will remain alive! We ought never to have resolved upon this war.'”
#36
بپرسید کالکوس جنگی کجاست
✦
که چندین همی رزم شیران بخواست
“He asked: 'Where is Alkus the warrior, who boasted so often of fighting against lions?'”
#37
به مستی همی گیو را خواستی
✦
همه جنگ با رستم آراستی
“'In his drunkenness he called out for Giv and sought to array full battle against Rostam!'”
#38
همیشه از ایران بدی یاد اوی
✦
کجا شد چنان آتش و باد اوی
“'He spoke constantly of overthrowing Iran—where now has all his fire and wind gone?'”
#39
به الکوس رفت آگهی زین سخن
✦
که سالار توران چه افگند بن
“Word of this speech reached Alkus, revealing what reproaches the ruler of Turan had uttered.”
#40
برانگیخت الکوس شبرنگ را
✦
به خون شسته بد بی‌گمان چنگ را
“Alkus spurred his dark steed Shabrang, his hands already washed in blood.”
#41
برون رفت با او ز لشکر سوار
✦
ز مردان جنگی فزون از هزار
“He rode out from the host accompanied by more than a thousand fierce combatants.”
#42
همه با سنان سرافشان شدند
✦
ابا جوشن و گرز و خفتان شدند
“All wore mail, maces, and padded jackets, their spearheads gleaming high.”
#43
زواره پدیدار بد جنگجوی
✦
بدو تیز الکوس بنهاد روی
“Zourah, the brave warrior, was visible on the field; toward him Alkus impetuously charged.”
#44
گمانی چنان برد کو رستم‌ست
✦
بدانست کز تخمهٔ نیرم‌ست
“He assumed Zourah was Rostam, recognizing that he sprang from the seed of Neyram (Sam).”
#45
زواره برآویخت با او به هم
✦
چو پیل سرافراز و شیر دژم
“Zourah locked in combat with him, like an exalted elephant battling an enraged lion.”
#46
سناندار نیزه به دو نیم کرد
✦
دل شیر چنگی پر از بیم کرد
“He snapped the spearman's lance in two, filling the heart of that clutching lion with dread.”
#47
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
✦
ز گرد سران شد زمین ناپدید
“He reached out and drew his blade from his waist; in the dust of the chieftains, the earth vanished from view.”
#48
ز کین‌آوران تیغ بر هم شکست
✦
سوی گرز بردند چون باد دست
“Their vengeful swords shattered against each other, and swift as the wind they reached for their maces.”
#49
بینداخت الکوس گرزی چو کوه
✦
که از بیم او شد زواره ستوه
“Alkus hurled a heavy mace like a mountain, whose terror left Zavareh overwhelmed and helpless.”
#50
به زین اندر از زخم بی‌توش گشت
✦
ز اسپ اندر افتاد و بیهوش گشت
“Bereft of strength in the saddle from the blow, he tumbled from his charger and lost consciousness.”
#51
فرود آمد الکوس تنگ از برش
✦
همی خواست از تن بریدن سرش
“Alkus dismounted right beside him, eager to sever his head from his body.”
#52
چو رستم برادر بران‌گونه دید
✦
به کردار آتش سوی او دوید
“When Rostam saw his brother in such distress, he charged toward him like a blaze of fire.”
#53
به الکوس بر زد یکی بانگ تند
✦
کجا دست شد سست و شمشیر کند
“He let out such a fierce shout at Alkus that Alkus's hand grew limp and his sword grew blunt.”
#54
چو الکوس آوای رستم شنید
✦
دلش گفتی از پوست آمد پدید
“When Alkus heard the roar of Rostam, you would say his heart leaped out of his very skin.”
#55
به زین اندر آمد به کردار باد
✦
ز مردی بدل در نیامدش یاد
“He leaped into his saddle like the wind, forgetting every thought of valor in his heart.”
#56
بدو گفت رستم که چنگال شیر
✦
نپیموده‌ای زان شدستی دلیر
“Rostam said to him: "You have never felt the lion's claws; that is why you were so bold!"”
#57
زواره به درد از بر زین نشست
✦
پر از خون تن و تیغ مانده به دست
“Zavareh painfully remounted his saddle, his body bloodied, blade still gripped in hand.”
#58
برآویخت الکوس با پیلتن
✦
بپوشید بر زین توزی کفن
“Alkus joined battle with the Elephant-bodied hero, donning his shroud of death upon the saddle.”
#59
یکی نیزه زد بر کمربند اوی
✦
ز دامن نشد دور پیوند اوی
“He thrust a lance at Rostam's belt, yet could not sunder his protective mail.”
#60
تهمتن یکی نیزه زد بر برش
✦
به خون جگر غرقه شد مغفرش
“Tahamtan drove a lance straight into his chest, until his helmet was drenched in lifeblood.”
#61
به نیزه همیدون ز زین برگرفت
✦
دو لشکر بمانده بدو در شگفت
“With that very spear he lifted him from the saddle, leaving both armies gazing in utter astonishment.”
#62
زدش بر زمین همچو یک لخت کوه
✦
پر از بیم شد جان توران گروه
“He slammed him to the earth like a mass of rock, and dread engulfed the souls of the Turanian host.”
#63
برین همنشان هفت گرد دلیر
✦
کشیدند شمشیر برسان شیر
“In the same manner, the seven brave champions drew their swords like ravening lions.”
#64
پس پشت ایشان دلاور سران
✦
نهادند بر کتف گرز گران
“Behind them, valiant commanders rested heavy maces upon their shoulders.”
#65
چنان برگرفتند لشکر ز جای
✦
که پیدا نیامد همی سر ز پای
“They uprooted the enemy army so violently that head could no longer be distinguished from foot.”
#66
بکشتند چندان ز جنگ‌آوران
✦
که شد خاک لعل از کران تا کران
“They slew so many of the warriors that the earth turned ruby-red from end to end.”
#67
فگنده چو پیلان به هر جای بر
✦
چه با تن چه بی‌تن جدا کرده سر
“Fallen everywhere like giant elephants lay corpses—some whole, some headless trunks.”
#68
به آوردگه جای گشتن نماند
✦
سپه را ره برگذشتن نماند
“No room remained upon the field to turn, nor any path left for the troops to pass.”