#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.”