When tidings reached King Afrasiab that young Sohrab had readied a fleet and assembled a mighty host, the monarch of Touran rejoiced. Though the fragrance of milk still lingered upon the youth's lips, his mind craved only the clash of steel, the flight of arrows, and a duel against King Kavus. Desiring to exploit this fierce newcomer, Afrasiab selected twelve thousand chosen war-veterans who wielded heavy maces, placing them under the command of his two premier generals, Houman and Barman.
In secrecy, the Touranian king instructed his captains that the supreme secret must be guarded at all costs: under no circumstances should Sohrab be allowed to recognize Rostam as his father. For if the son learned of his parentage, natural affection would stay his hand. Afrasiab nursed the dark hope that the veteran champion Rostam might fall by the hand of this lion-hearted boy, after which Sohrab himself could easily be disposed of, leaving Iran defenseless. Houman and Barman set forth bearing lavish royal tribute—ten saddled horses, ten laden mules, a turquoise throne, a ruby crown—and a cunning letter from Afrasiab offering military alliance and encouraging Sohrab to seize the Iranian throne.
Upon learning of the arriving host, Sohrab rode out to welcome Houman and Barman. Astonished by the boy's titan-like physique, Houman presented the King's missive and treasures. Enthralled, Sohrab immediately mobilized his armies and marched toward the Iranian frontier, sweeping aside all resistance. He soon reached the White Fortress (Dezh-e Sepid), a vital border bastion defended by the battle-tested warrior Hajir.
Spotting the oncoming vanguard, Hajir mounted his swift charger and galloped into the plain to confront the invaders. Sohrab drew his sword and rode out to meet him. Hajir haughtily demanded the youth's name and lineage, threatening to send his severed head to King Kavus. Sohrab merely laughed at his bravado and charged. The two warriors clashed violently with lances until Sohrab struck Hajir with the butt of his spear, hoisting him bodily out of the saddle like a gust of wind and slamming him to the earth. Sohrab dismounted, pinned Hajir down, and drew his blade to slay him. Desperate, Hajir begged for his life. Sohrab granted him mercy, bound his hands, and sent him captive to Houman's tent, leaving the defenders of the White Fortress weeping in terror.
#1
خبر شد به نزدیک افراسیاب
✦
که افگند سهراب کشتی بر آب
“Tidings reached Afrasiab that Sohrab had launched his ship upon the waters.”
#2
هنوز از دهن بوی شیر آیدش
✦
همی رای شمشیر و تیر آیدش
“Though the smell of milk still lingered on his breath, his mind was intent upon sword and bow.”
#3
زمین را به خنجر بشوید همی
✦
کنون رزم کاووس جوید همی
“He aimed to cleanse the earth with his blade and sought to wage battle against Kavus.”
#4
سپاه انجمن شد برو بر بسی
✦
نیاید همی یادش از هر کسی
“A vast army assembled around him, yet he recked little of any mortal soul.”
#5
سخن زین درازی چه باید کشید
✦
هنر برتر از گوهر آمد پدید
“Why prolong the tale? True worth and talent revealed themselves above mere noble birth.”
#6
چو افراسیاب آن سخنها شنود
✦
خوش آمدش خندید و شادی نمود
“When Afrasiab heard those words, he was pleased, laughed heartily, and showed great joy.”
#7
ز لشکر گزید از دلاور سران
✦
کسی کاو گراید به گرز گران
“From his army he chose brave chieftains who could wield the heavy mace.”
#8
ده و دو هزار از دلیران گرد
✦
چو هومان و مر بارمان را سپرد
“He entrusted twelve thousand valiant warriors to commanders like Houman and Barman.”
#9
به گردان لشکر سپهدار گفت
✦
که این راز باید که ماند نهفت
“The monarch warned his warlords: 'This secret must remain closely guarded.'”
#10
چو روی اندر آرند هر دو بروی
✦
تهمتن بود بی‌گمان چاره‌جوی
“'When they face each other, the mighty Rostam will surely seek a way out.'”
#11
پدر را نباید که داند پسر
✦
که بندد دل و جان به مهر پدر
“'The son must not know his father, lest his heart and soul be bound in love to him.'”
#12
مگر کان دلاور گو سالخورد
✦
شود کشته بر دست این شیرمرد
“'Perchance that aged hero may be slain by the hand of this lion-hearted youth.'”
#13
ازان پس بسازید سهراب را
✦
ببندید یک شب برو خواب را
“'Thereafter, you shall deal with Sohrab, and rob him forever of his restful sleep.'”
#14
برفتند بیدار دو پهلوان
✦
به نزدیک سهراب روشن‌روان
“The two vigilant warlords set forth, riding to meet the radiant-souled Sohrab.”
#15
به پیش اندرون هدیهٔ شهریار
✦
ده اسپ و ده استر به زین و به بار
“Before them went gifts from the monarch: ten horses and ten mules with saddles and packs.”
#16
ز پیروزه تخت و ز بیجاده تاج
✦
سر تاج زر پایهٔ تخت عاج
“A throne of turquoise and a crown of rubies, topped with gold upon an ivory-footed throne.”
#17
یکی نامه با لابه و دلپسند
✦
نبشته به نزدیک آن ارجمند
“Along with a flattering letter pleasing to the heart, addressed to that noble youth,”
#18
که گر تخت ایران به چنگ آوری
✦
زمانه برآساید از داوری
“Saying: 'If you seize the throne of Iran, the world shall be relieved of strife.'”
#19
ازین مرز تا آن بسی راه نیست
✦
سمنگان و ایران و توران یکی‌ست
“'The distance between these realms is short; Samangan, Iran, and Touran are but one.'”
#20
فرستمت هرچند باید سپاه
✦
تو بر تخت بنشین و برنه کلاه
“'I shall send as many troops as you need; sit upon the throne and don the crown.'”
#21
به توران چو هومان و چون بارمان
✦
دلیر و سپهبد نبد بی‌گمان
“'In Touran, none are as brave and noble as Houman and Barman.'”
#22
فرستادم اینک به فرمان تو
✦
که باشند یک چند مهمان تو
“'I have sent them under your command to be your guests for a while.'”
#23
اگر جنگ جویی تو جنگ آورند
✦
جهان بر بداندیش تنگ آورند
“'If you seek war, they shall fight, and narrow the world for your foes.'”
#24
چنین نامه و خلعت شهریار
✦
ببردند با ساز چندان سوار
“They bore such a royal missive and robe of honor, escorted by numerous horsemen.”
#25
به سهراب آگاهی آمد ز راه
✦
ز هومان و از بارمان و سپاه
“Sohrab received word from the road of Houman, Barman, and the approaching army.”
#26
پذیره بشد با نیا همچو باد
✦
سپه دید چندان دلش گشت شاد
“He rode like the wind to greet them with his grandfather; seeing the vast host, his heart rejoiced.”
#27
چو هومان ورا دید با یال و کفت
✦
فروماند هومان ازو در شگفت
“When Houman saw his broad chest and stature, he was lost in utter wonder.”
#28
بدو داد پس نامهٔ شهریار
✦
ابا هدیه و اسپ و استر به بار
“He delivered the monarch's letter, together with gifts, horses, and laden mules.”
#29
جهانجوی چون نامهٔ شاه خواند
✦
ازان جایگه تیز لشکر براند
“Having read the king's letter, the ambitious youth hastily marched his army forward.”
#30
کسی را نبد پای با او بجنگ
✦
اگر شیر پیش آمدی گر پلنگ
“None could stand before his wrath, were it a lion or a leopard that barred his way.”
#31
دژی بود کش خواندندی سپید
✦
بران دژ بد ایرانیان را امید
“There stood a stronghold named the White Fortress, upon which the Iranians placed their hopes.”
#32
نگهبان دژ رزم دیده هجیر
✦
که با زور و دل بود و با دار و گیر
“Its warden was battle-tested Hajir, possessed of strength, courage, and martial skill.”
#33
هنوز آن زمان گستهم خرد بود
✦
به خردی گراینده و گرد بود
“At that time, Gostaham was still young, small of stature yet brave and warrior-like.”
#34
یکی خواهرش بود گرد و سوار
✦
بداندیش و گردنکش و نامدار
“He had a sister, brave and a skilled knight, proud, hostile to foes, and renowned.”
#35
چو سهراب نزدیکی دژ رسید
✦
هجیر دلاور سپه را بدید
“As Sohrab approached the fortress, valiant Hajir caught sight of the invading army.”
#36
نشست از بر بادپای چو گرد
✦
ز دژ رفت پویان به دشت نبرد
“He mounted his swift courser like dust and galloped from the fort into the battle plain.”
#37
چو سهراب جنگ‌آور او را بدید
✦
برآشفت و شمشیر کین برکشید
“When warlike Sohrab saw him, he grew enraged and drew his sword of vengeance.”
#38
ز لشکر برون تاخت برسان شیر
✦
به پیش هجیر اندر آمد دلیر
“Like a lion he charged out from the host and boldly stepped before Hajir.”
#39
چنین گفت با رزم‌دیده هجیر
✦
که تنها به جنگ آمدی خیره خیر
“He spoke thus to battle-hardened Hajir: 'Why come you alone to war so rashly?'”
#40
چه مردی و نام و نژاد تو چیست
✦
که زاینده را بر تو باید گریست
“'What man are you, and what is your name and race, that your mother must weep for you?'”
#41
هجیرش چنین داد پاسخ که بس
✦
به ترکی نباید مرا یار کس
“Hajir replied to him: 'Cease! Against a Turk I need no companion.'”
#42
هجیر دلیر و سپهبد منم
✦
سرت را هم اکنون ز تن برکنم
“'I am Hajir, the brave commander; right now I shall sever your head from your body.'”
#43
فرستم به نزدیک شاه جهان
✦
تنت را کنم زیر گل در نهان
“'I shall send it to the King of the World and hide your corpse beneath the clay.'”
#44
بخندید سهراب کاین گفت‌وگوی
✦
به گوش آمدش تیز بنهاد روی
“Sohrab laughed at hearing these words, and charged forward swiftly.”
#45
چنان نیزه بر نیزه برساختند
✦
که از یکدگر بازنشناختند
“They clashed lance against lance so fiercely that neither could be distinguished from the other.”
#46
یکی نیزه زد بر میانش هجیر
✦
نیامد سنان اندرو جایگیر
“Hajir aimed a spear right at Sohrab's waist, yet the blade failed to pierce his mail.”
#47
سنان باز پس کرد سهراب شیر
✦
بن نیزه زد بر میان دلیر
“Sohrab, fierce as a lion, turned the spear-point aside and struck the brave warrior's waist with the shaft's butt.”
#48
ز زین برگرفتش به کردار باد
✦
نیامد همی زو بدلش ایچ یاد
“Swift as the wind he plucked him from his saddle, holding him in no regard at all.”
#49
ز اسپ اندر آمد نشست از برش
✦
همی خواست از تن بریدن سرش
“Leaping from his horse, he knelt upon his chest, preparing to sever his head from his body.”
#50
بپیچید و برگشت بر دست راست
✦
غمی شد ز سهراب و زنهار خواست
“Hajir writhed and turned onto his right side; dismayed by Sohrab's might, he begged for his life.”
#51
رها کرد ازو چنگ و زنهار داد
✦
چو خشنود شد پند بسیار داد
“Sohrab loosened his grip and granted him mercy; once appeased, he offered him much counsel.”
#52
ببستش ببند آنگهی رزمجوی
✦
به نزدیک هومان فرستاد اوی
“Then the warrior bound him in fetters and sent him away to Houman.”
#53
به دژ در چو آگه شدند از هجیر
✦
که او را گرفتند و بردند اسیر
“When word reached the White Fortress regarding Hajir—that he had been captured and borne off captive—”
#54
خروش آمد و نالهٔ مرد و زن
✦
که کم شد هجیر اندر آن انجمن
“Wailing and lamentation broke out among both men and women, for Hajir was lost to their company.”