When news of Hajir's defeat and the loss of the fort's commander reached the daughter of Gozhdeham, shame and righteous fury set Gordafarid's heart ablaze. She was a lion-hearted maiden, renowned in battle, skilled in warcraft and horse riding. Refusing to linger in grief, she donned full warrior armor, bound her long silky locks under a steel helmet, and rode out of the White Fortress like a roaring lioness. Mounting her swift warhorse, she charged before the Turanian ranks, her voice echoing like thunder as she challenged their brave champions to single combat.
Sohrab smiled with youthful disdain upon beholding this new challenger, deeming the warrior a wild zebra stepping straight into the hunter's snare. Donning his Chinese armor, Sohrab rode forth to meet her. Gordafarid bent her bow and unleashed a devastating rain of arrows. Enraged by her fierce assault, Sohrab raised his shield and charged like a blazing tempest. His heavy spear struck her waist-belt, tearing through her coat of mail and lifting her clean off the saddle. In a flash of martial brilliance, Gordafarid drew her sharp sword, sliced Sohrab’s spear in two, and swiftly reseated herself upon her steed.
Realizing she could not withstand his immense physical power in direct combat, Gordafarid turned her horse and fled. Yet Sohrab pursued her relentlessly, reaching out to snatch the helmet from her head. As the steel slipped away, a cascade of radiant dark hair poured down her shoulders, revealing a face as luminous as the rising sun. Sohrab stood spellbound, amazed that such fierce valiance belonged to a maiden. Casting his coiled lasso, he bound her waist and taunted her.
Trapped within the champion's grasp, Gordafarid realized strength alone would fail her, and turned to cunning stratagem. She looked upon him and spoke soft, wise words: 'O lion-like hero, it ill becomes a champion to let two armies watch him battle a maiden. They will mock your fame, saying you fought a woman to raise dust to the clouds. Let us make peace in secret; the fortress, its wealth, and all within are now yours.' Enchanted by her exquisite beauty and soothing tongue, Sohrab yielded to her words and escorted her to the fortress gate.
The moment she crossed the threshold, the heavy iron gates slammed shut behind her. Safe within, Gordafarid climbed the high parapets, looked down upon the Turanian prince, and laughed: 'O King of Turan, distress yourself no further, for wolves of Turan shall never mate with gazelles of Iran! When King Kay Kavus and mighty Rostam hear of your invasion, not one of your soldiers will remain alive!' Realizing he had been outwitted by a maiden's sharp wit, Sohrab burned with fury, vowing to reduce the White Fortress to dust when dawn broke.
#1
چو آگاه شد دختر گژدهم
✦
که سالار آن انجمن گشت کم
“When the daughter of Gozhdeham learned that the commander of that fortress was lost,”
#2
زنی بود برسان گردی سوار
✦
همیشه به جنگ اندرون نامدار
“She was a woman who rode like a warrior champion, ever renowned in the fray of battle.”
#3
کجا نام او بود گردآفرید
✦
زمانه ز مادر چنین ناورید
“Her name was Gordafarid; time itself had never brought forth such a child from any mother.”
#4
چنان ننگش آمد ز کار هجیر
✦
که شد لاله رنگش به کردار قیر
“So deeply was she shamed by Hajir’s defeat that her tulip-hued cheeks turned dark as pitch.”
#5
بپوشید دِرْع سواران جنگ
✦
نبود اندر آن کار جای درنگ
“She put on the heavy coat of mail of warrior riders, for there was no time for delay.”
#6
نهان کرد گیسو به زیر زره
✦
بزد بر سر ترگ رومی گره
“She concealed her tresses beneath her chainmail and tightly bound her helmet of Roman steel upon her head.”
#7
فرود آمد از دژ به کردار شیر
✦
کمر بر میان بادپایی به زیر
“She descended from the fortress like a fierce lion, bound her waist tight, and mounted her swift warhorse.”
#8
به پیش سپاه اندر آمد چو گرد
✦
چو رعد خروشان یکی ویله کرد
“She charged before the army like a swirling duststorm and let out a roar like thunder.”
#9
که گردان کدامند و جنگ‌آوران
✦
دلیران و کارآزموده سران
“Shouting: "Who are the champions and warriors here—the brave and battle-proven lords?"”
#10
چو سهراب شیراوژن او را بدید
✦
بخندید و لب را به دندان گزید
“When lion-felling Sohrab beheld her, he laughed and bit his lip in delight.”
#11
چنین گفت کامد دگر باره گور
✦
به دام خداوند شمشیر و زور
“He said: "Once again a wild zebra has walked into the trap of the lord of sword and strength!"”
#12
بپوشید خفتان و بر سر نهاد
✦
یکی ترگ چینی به کردار باد
“He donned his cuirass and, swift as the wind, fastened a helmet of Chinese steel upon his head.”
#13
بیامد دمان پیش گرد آفرید
✦
چو دخت کمندافگن او را بدید
“He came charging forward before Gordafarid, and when the lasso-throwing maiden saw him...”
#14
کمان را بزه کرد و بگشاد بر
✦
نبد مرغ را پیش تیرش گذر
“She strung her bow and drew it back full length; no bird could fly past her lethal arrows.”
#15
به سهراب بر تیر باران گرفت
✦
چپ و راست جنگ سواران گرفت
“She rained down arrows upon Sohrab, waging a furious knightly battle from left and right.”
#16
نگه کرد سهراب و آمدش ننگ
✦
برآشفت و تیز اندر آمد به جنگ
“Sohrab looked upon this with indignity; enraged, he swiftly lunged into the fray.”
#17
سپر بر سر آورد و بنهاد روی
✦
ز پیگار خون اندر آمد به جوی
“He raised his shield above his head and charged; from their combat, streams of blood began to flow.”
#18
چو سهراب را دید گردآفرید
✦
که برسان آتش همی بردمید
“When Gordafarid saw Sohrab flaring up like a blaze of fire,”
#19
کمان بزه را به بازو فگند
✦
سمندش برآمد به ابر بلند
“She slung her strung bow over her arm, while her golden steed reared high into the clouds.”
#20
سر نیزه را سوی سهراب کرد
✦
عنان و سنان را پر از تاب کرد
“She pointed her spear-head straight at Sohrab, twisting rein and spear point with fury.”
#21
برآشفت سهراب و شد چون پلنگ
✦
چو بدخواه او چاره گر بد به جنگ
“Sohrab boiled with anger and turned fierce as a leopard, seeing his enemy using cunning tactics in combat.”
#22
عنان برگرایید و برگاشت اسپ
✦
بیامد به کردار آذرگشسپ
“He reined his horse around, wheeled it about, and charged like the lightning flame of Azargashasp.”
#23
زدوده سنان آنگهی درربود
✦
درآمد بدو هم به کردار دود
“He brandished his polished spearhead and closed in upon her like a pillar of smoke.”
#24
بزد بر کمربند گردآفرید
✦
زره بر برش یک به یک بردرید
“He struck Gordafarid upon her waist-belt, rending the mail upon her breast link by link.”
#25
ز زین برگرفتش به کردار گوی
✦
چو چوگان به زخم اندر آید بدوی
“He lifted her off her saddle like a polo ball struck by the powerful blow of a mallet.”
#26
چو بر زین بپیچید گرد آفرید
✦
یکی تیغ تیز از میان برکشید
“As Gordafarid twisted upon the saddle, she drew a sharp sword from her belt.”
#27
بزد نیزهٔ او به دو نیم کرد
✦
نشست از بر اسپ و برخاست گرد
“She struck Sohrab's spear and sheared it in two, firmly reseated herself on her horse, and kicked up dust.”
#28
به آورد با او بسنده نبود
✦
بپیچید ازو روی و برگاشت زود
“Realizing she was no match for him in head-on battle, she turned her face away and fled swiftly.”
#29
سپهبد عنان اژدها را سپرد
✦
به خشم از جهان روشنایی ببرد
“The commander gave free rein to his dragon-like steed, his rage blackening the very light of the world.”
#30
چو آمد خروشان به تنگ اندرش
✦
بجنبید و برداشت خود از سرش
“As he came roaring close behind her, he reached out and snatched the helmet from her head.”
#31
رها شد ز بند زره موی اوی
✦
درفشان چو خورشید شد روی اوی
“Her hair poured forth free from the bonds of the mail, and her face shone bright as the sun.”
#32
بدانست سهراب کاو دخترست
✦
سر و موی او ازدر افسرست
“Then Sohrab knew that his opponent was a maiden, whose head and tresses were worthy of a royal crown.”
#33
شگفت آمدش گفت از ایران سپاه
✦
چنین دختر آید به آوردگاه
“Astonished, he said: "From the army of Iran comes such a maiden to the battlefield!"”
#34
سواران جنگی به روز نبرد
✦
همانا به ابر اندر آرند گرد
“"Surely the brave knights on the day of battle must raise dust into the highest clouds!"”
#35
ز فتراک بگشاد پیچان کمند
✦
بینداخت و آمد میانش ببند
“Unfastening his coiled lasso from his saddle-bow, he cast it, and it bound her around the waist.”
#36
بدو گفت کز من رهایی مجوی
✦
چرا جنگ جویی تو ای ماهروی
“He said to her: "Seek no escape from me! Why do you seek battle, O moon-faced beauty?"”
#37
نیامد بدامم بسان تو گور
✦
ز چنگم رهایی نیابی مشور
“"Never before has such a prized zebra fallen into my trap; you shall not escape my grasp, move not!"”
#38
بدانست کاویخت گردآفرید
✦
مر آن را جز از چاره درمان ندید
“Gordafarid realized she was caught in a deadly snare, and saw no remedy save clever trickery.”
#39
بدو روی بنمود و گفت ای دلیر
✦
میان دلیران به کردار شیر
“Turning her face toward him, she said: "O brave hero, lion-like among all valiant warriors!"”
#40
دو لشکر نظاره برین جنگ ما
✦
برین گرز و شمشیر و آهنگ ما
“"Both armies are watching this battle of ours—our maces, swords, and fierce resolve."”
#41
کنون من گشایم چنین روی و موی
✦
سپاه تو گردد پر از گفت‌وگوی
“"If I now unveil my face and tresses thus, your army will fill with mocking gossip,"”
#42
که با دختری او به دشت نبرد
✦
بدین سان به ابر اندر آورد گرد
“"Saying: 'It was with a girl in the field of battle that he raised dust up to the clouds!'"”
#43
نهانی بسازیم بهتر بود
✦
خرد داشتن کار مهتر بود
“"It is far better that we reach a secret concord; to possess wisdom is the true mark of great leaders."”
#44
ز بهر من آهو ز هر سو مخواه
✦
میان دو صف برکشیده سپاه
“"Do not invite reproach upon yourself from every side for my sake, between the two arrayed armies!"”
#45
کنون لشکر و دژ به فرمان تست
✦
نباید برین آشتی جنگ جست
“"Now both army and fortress are under your command; there is no need to seek war over this peace!"”
#46
دژ و گنج و دژبان سراسر تراست
✦
چو آیی بدان ساز کت دل هواست
“"The fortress, treasure, and its warden are all yours; enter as your heart desires when you wish."”
#47
چو رخساره بنمود سهراب را
✦
ز خوشاب بگشاد عناب را
“When she revealed her face to Sohrab, she unlocked her ruby lips of pearl-like speech.”
#48
یکی بوستان بد در اندر بهشت
✦
به بالای او سرو دهقان نکشت
“She was like a garden in Paradise; no farmer had ever nurtured a cypress as tall as her stature.”
#49
دو چشمش گوزن و دو ابرو کمان
✦
تو گفتی همی بشکفد هر زمان
“Her eyes were like a gazelle's and her brows like bows; you would say she blossomed anew at every moment.”
#50
بدو گفت کاکنون ازین برمگرد
✦
که دیدی مرا روزگار نبرد
“She said to him, 'Now turn not back from this place, for you have seen my prowess on the day of battle.'”
#51
برین بارهٔ دژ دل اندر مبند
✦
که این نیست برتر ز ابر بلند
“'Set not your heart upon taking these ramparts, though they reach no higher than the high cloud.'”
#52
بپای آورد زخم کوپال من
✦
نراندکسی نیزه بر یال من
“'The blow of my heavy mace fells any opponent, and no man has ever cast a spear at my neck.'”
#53
عنان را بپیچید گرد آفرید
✦
سمند سرافراز بر دژ کشید
“Gordafarid turned her reins and spurred her noble steed toward the fortress.”
#54
همی رفت و سهراب با او به هم
✦
بیامد به درگاه دژ گژدهم
“She rode onward with Sohrab by her side, until she reached the gates of Gazhdaham's fortress.”
#55
درِ باره بگشاد گرد آفرید
✦
تن خسته و بسته بر دژ کشید
“Gordafarid opened the citadel gate and brought her wounded, weary body inside.”
#56
در دژ ببستند و غمگین شدند
✦
پر از غم دل و دیده خونین شدند
“They barred the gate and fell into sorrow; their hearts filled with grief and their eyes wept blood.”
#57
ز آزار گردآفرید و هجیر
✦
پر از درد بودند برنا و پیر
“For the plight of Gordafarid and Hajir, both young and old were consumed with distress.”
#58
بگفتند کای نیکدل شیرزن
✦
پر از غم بد از تو دل انجمن
“They said, 'O noble-hearted lioness! The hearts of all the assembly were filled with sorrow for you.'”
#59
که هم رزم جستی هم افسون و رنگ
✦
نیامد ز کار تو بر دوده ننگ
“'For you displayed both courage in battle and clever deceit; no disgrace was brought upon your lineage by your deed.'”
#60
بخندید بسیار گرد آفرید
✦
به باره برآمد سپه بنگرید
“Gordafarid laughed heartily, mounted the wall, and looked down upon the host.”
#61
چو سهراب را دید بر پشت زین
✦
چنین گفت کای شاه ترکان چین
“When she saw Sohrab atop his saddle, she addressed him: 'O King of the Turks of Chin!'”
#62
چرا رنجه گشتی کنون بازگرد
✦
هم از آمدن هم ز دشت نبرد
“'Why trouble yourself further? Turn back now, both from your journey and from this battlefield.'”
#63
بخندید و او را به افسوس گفت
✦
که ترکان ز ایران نیابند جفت
“She laughed and told him mockingly: 'The Turks shall find no brides in Iran!'”
#64
چنین بود و روزی نبودت ز من
✦
بدین درد غمگین مکن خویشتن
“'So it was destined, and I was not meant for you; grieve not your heart with this pain.'”
#65
همانا که تو خود ز ترکان نه‌ای
✦
که جز بآفرین بزرگان نه‌ای
“'Indeed, you seem not to be of Turkic stock yourself, for you deserve only praise from great nobles.'”
#66
بدان زور و بازوی و آن کتف و یال
✦
نداری کس از پهلوانان همال
“'With such strength, arm, shoulder, and neck, you have no equal among all champions.'”
#67
ولیکن چو آگاهی آید به شاه
✦
که آورد گردی ز توران سپاه
“'Yet when word reaches the Shah that a warrior has brought an army from Turan...'”
#68
شهنشاه و رستم بجنبد ز جای
✦
شما با تهمتن ندارید پای
“'...the Emperor and Rostam will march forth, and you cannot stand against Tahamtan.'”
#69
نماند یکی زنده از لشکرت
✦
ندانم چه آید ز بد بر سرت
“'Not a single man of your army shall remain alive; I know not what ill fate will overtake you.'”
#70
دریغ آیدم کاین چنین یال و سفت
✦
همی از پلنگان بباید نهفت
“'It grieves me that such stature and neck must soon be hidden from wild leopards.'”
#71
ترا بهتر آید که فرمان کنی
✦
رخ نامور سوی توران کنی
“'It would be better for you to heed advice and turn your famous face back to Turan.'”
#72
نباشی بس ایمن به بازوی خویش
✦
خورد گاو نادان ز پهلوی خویش
“'Rely not too securely on your own arm; the foolish ox suffers harm from its own flank.'”
#73
چو بشنید سهراب ننگ آمدش
✦
که آسان همی دژ به چنگ آمدش
“When Sohrab heard this, shame seized him, for he had thought the fortress was easily within his grasp.”
#74
به زیر دژ اندر یکی جای بود
✦
کجا دژ بدان جای بر پای بود
“There was a spot beneath the citadel upon which the very foundation of the fort rested.”
#75
به تاراج داد آن همه بوم و رست
✦
به یکبارگی دست بد را بشست
“He surrendered all those surrounding lands to plunder, giving free rein to destruction.”
#76
چنین گفت کامروز بیگاه گشت
✦
ز پیگارمان دست کوتاه گشت
“He said, 'Today it has grown late, and our hand is stayed from combat.'”
#77
برآرم به شبگیر ازین باره گرد
✦
ببینند آسیب روز نبرد
“'At morning's light I will raise dust from this rampart, and they shall feel the brunt of battle.'”