#1
چو برگشت سهراب گژدهم پیر
✦
بیاورد و بنشاند مردی دبیر
“When Sohrab withdrew, the aged Gozhdaham summoned a scribe and sat him down.”
#2
یکی نامه بنوشت نزدیک شاه
✦
برافگند پوینده مردی به راه
“He wrote a letter addressed to the King, and set a swift courier upon the road.”
#3
نخست آفرین کرد بر کردگار
✦
نمود آنگهی گردش روزگار
“First he offered praise unto the Almighty Creator, then depicted the turns of Fortune.”
#4
که آمد بر ما سپاهی گران
✦
همه رزم جویان کندآوران
“Writing: 'A vast host hath come upon us, all battle-seeking champions and brave warriors.”
#5
یکی پهلوانی به پیش اندرون
✦
که سالش ده و دو نباشد فزون
“'At their head leads a heroic champion whose age exceedeth not twelve years.”
#6
به بالا ز سرو سهی برترست
✦
چو خورشید تابان بدو پیکرست
“'In stature taller than the upright cypress, his body radiant as the shining sun.”
#7
برش چون بر پیل و بالاش برز
✦
ندیدم کسی را چنان دست و گرز
“'His chest like that of an elephant, his frame heroic; I have seen none with such grip and mace.”
#8
چو شمشیر هندی به چنگ آیدش
✦
ز دریا و از کوه تنگ آیدش
“'When he clutcheth his Indian blade, both sea and mountain become too narrow for him.”
#9
چو آواز او رعد غرنده نیست
✦
چو بازوی او تیغ برنده نیست
“'There is no roaring thunder like his voice, nor any sharp blade like his mighty arm.”
#10
هجیر دلاور میان را ببست
✦
یکی بارهٔ تیزتگ برنشست
“'Brave Hajir girded his loins and mounted a swift, fleet-footed charger.”
#11
بشد پیش سهراب رزم‌آزمای
✦
بر اسپش ندیدم فزون زان به پای
“'He went forth against battle-tested Sohrab, yet I saw him last no time upon his steed.”
#12
که بر هم زند مژه را جنگ‌جوی
✦
گراید ز بینی سوی مغز بوی
“'In less time than a warrior blinks an eye or scent travels from nose to brain,”
#13
که سهرابش از پشت زین برگرفت
✦
برش ماند زان بازو اندر شگفت
“'Sohrab plucked him off the back of his saddle; all marvelled at the power of that arm.”
#14
درست‌ست و اکنون به زنهار اوست
✦
پراندیشه جان از پی کار اوست
“'Hajir is unharmed, currently held in his captivity, though his soul is full of angst for his fate.”
#15
سواران ترکان بسی دیده‌ام
✦
عنان پیچ زین‌گونه نشنیده‌ام
“'I have seen many horsemen among the Turks, but never heard of such rein-turning mastery.”
#16
مبادا که او در میان دو صف
✦
یکی مرد جنگ‌آور آرد بکف
“'Lest he catch between the two battle-lines a single warrior in his grasp!”
#17
بران کوه بخشایش آرد زمین
✦
که او اسپ تازد برو روز کین
“'The very earth taketh pity upon the mountain over which he gallopeth his steed on the day of battle.”
#18
عنان‌دار چون او ندیدست کس
✦
تو گفتی که سام سوارست و بس
“'None hath ever seen such a rider; thou wouldst say he is none other than Sam the Horseman himself!”
#19
بلندیش بر آسمان رفته گیر
✦
سر بخت گردان همه خفته گیر
“'Consider his stature as reaching the heavens, and the luck of all heroes as fallen asleep.”
#20
اگر خود شکیبیم یک چند نیز
✦
نکوشیم و دیگر نگوییم چیز
“'If we endure a while longer and fight no more, nor utter another word,”
#21
اگر دم زند شهریار زمین
✦
نراند سپاه و نسازد کمین
“'And if the Sovereign of the Earth delayeth, sending no host nor laying an ambush,”
#22
دژ و باره گیرد که خود زور هست
✦
نگیرد کسی دست او را به دست
“'He will seize fortress and wall by his sheer force; none can withstand his power hand-to-hand.”
#23
که این باره را نیست پایاب اوی
✦
درنگی شود شیر زاشتاب اوی
“'For this fortress hath no strength against him; even a lion would grow sluggish before his swift onset.'”
#24
چو نامه به مهر اندر آمد به شب
✦
فرستاده را جست و بگشاد لب
“When the letter was sealed at night, Gozhdaham sought the messenger and spoke:”
#25
بگفتش چنان رو که فردا پگاه
✦
نبیند ترا هیچکس زان سپاه
“He told him: 'Depart in such manner that tomorrow at dawn, none from that host shall behold thee.'”
#26
فرستاد نامه سوی راه راست
✦
پس نامه آنگاه بر پای خاست
“He sent the letter upon the direct path, and following the dispatch, he himself arose.”
#27
بنه برنهاد و سراندر کشید
✦
بران راه بی‌راه شد ناپدید
“He packed their goods, drew back his head, and vanished along secret, trackless mountain paths.”
#28
سوی شهر ایران نهادند روی
✦
سپردند آن بارهٔ دژ بدوی
“They turned their faces toward the land of Iran, leaving the fortress to him.”
#29
چو خورشید بر زد سر از تیره‌کوه
✦
میان را ببستند ترکان گروه
“When the sun raised its head above the dark mountain, the host of the Turks girded their loins.”
#30
سپهدار سهراب نیزه بدست
✦
یکی بارکش باره‌ای برنشست
“Commander Sohrab, spear in hand, mounted a strong warhorse.”
#31
سوی باره آمد یکی بنگرید
✦
به باره درون بس کسی را ندید
“He came toward the ramparts and looked, but saw not a soul within the fortress.”
#32
بیامد در دژ گشادند باز
✦
ندیدند در دژ یکی رزمساز
“He approached, and they opened wide the gates; no warriors were seen inside.”
#33
به فرمان همه پیش او آمدند
✦
به جان هرکسی چاره‌جو آمدند
“By his command all came before him, seeking refuge and salvation for their lives.”
#34
چو نامه به نزدیک خسرو رسید
✦
غمی شد دلش کان سخنها شنید
“When the letter reached King Kavus, his heart grew sorrowful at hearing those tidings.”
#35
گرانمایگان را ز لشکر بخواند
✦
وزین داستان چندگونه براند
“He summoned the nobles of his host and spoke at length concerning this tale.”
#36
نشستند با شاه ایران به هم
✦
بزرگان لشکر همه بیش و کم
“They sat together with the King of Iran, all the commanders of the army, great and small.”
#37
چو طوس و چو گودرز کشواد و گیو
✦
چو گرگین و بهرام و فرهاد نیو
“Commanders like Tus, Goudarz son of Kashvad, Giv, Gurgin, Bahram, and valiant Farhad.”
#38
سپهدار نامه بر ایشان بخواند
✦
بپرسید بسیار و خیره بماند
“The King read the letter unto them; he asked many questions and remained bewildered.”
#39
چنین گفت با پهلوانان براز
✦
که این کار گردد به ما بر دراز
“He spoke secretly to the heroes: 'This affair shall become long and dire for us.”
#40
برین سان که گژدهم گوید همی
✦
از اندیشه دل را بشوید همی
“'As Gozhdaham portrayeth it, anxiety washeth all hope from the heart.”
#41
چه سازیم و درمان این کار چیست
✦
از ایران هم آورد این مرد کیست
“'What measure shall we devise, and what is the remedy? Who in Iran can match this warrior?'”
#42
بر آن برنهادند یکسر که گیو
✦
به زابل شود نزد سالار نیو
“They all agreed together that Giv should go to Zabulistan to the brave Lord Rostam.”
#43
به رستم رساند از این آگهی
✦
که با بیم شد تخت شاهنشهی
“To convey this message to Rostam that the royal throne is imperiled and full of dread.”
#44
گو پیلتن را بدین رزمگاه
✦
بخواند که اویست پشت سپاه
“To summon that elephant-bodied hero to this battlefield, for he is the true pillar of the host.”
#45
نشست آنگهی رای زد با دبیر
✦
که کاری گزاینده بد ناگزیر
“The King then sat and consulted with his scribe, for a pressing and vital task lay ahead.”