#1
چو خورشید گشت از جهان ناپدید
✦
شب تیره بر دشت، لشکر کشید
“When the sun vanished from the world, the dark night drew its army over the plain.”
#2
تهمتن بیامد به نزدیک شاه
✦
میان بستهٔ جنگ و دل، کینه‌خواه
“Tahamtan came before the King, his waist girded for battle and his heart set on vengeance.”
#3
که دستور باشد مرا تاجور
✦
از ایدر شوم بی‌کلاه و کمر
“Saying: 'If the crowned King grants permission, I shall depart hence without helmet or belt,'”
#4
ببینم که این نوجهاندار کیست
✦
بزرگان کدامند و سالار کیست
“'To see who this new ruler of the world is, who the nobles are, and who commands the host.'”
#5
بدو گفت کاووس، کین کار تست
✦
که بیداردل بادی و تن‌درست
“Kay Kavus said to him: 'This task is worthy of thee; may thy heart remain vigilant and thy body sound!'”
#6
تهمتن یکی جامهٔ تُرکوار
✦
بپوشید و آمد دوان تا حصار
“Tahamtan donned a Turanian garment and ran swiftly toward the fortress wall.”
#7
بیامد چو نزدیکیِ دژ رسید
✦
خروشیدنِ نوشِ تُرکان شنید
“As he drew near the stronghold, he heard the loud shouts of drinking and feasting of the Turanians.”
#8
بران دژ درون رفت، مردِ دلیر
✦
چنان چون سوی آهوان، نره‌شیر
“The valiant champion slipped inside the fortress, like a fierce male lion stalking toward gazelles.”
#9
چو سهراب را دید بر تختِ بزم
✦
نشسته به یک دست او ژنده‌رزم
“When he beheld Sohrab upon the feasting throne, with Zhande-Razm seated at one side of him,”
#10
به دیگر چو هومان سوار دلیر
✦
دگر بارمان نام‌بُردار شیر
“And on the other side Human, the brave knight, and Barman, the renowned lion-hearted hero,”
#11
تو گفتی همه تخت سهراب بود
✦
بسان یکی سروِ شاداب بود
“Thou wouldst say Sohrab filled the entire throne, towering like a vibrant, flourishing cypress.”
#12
دو بازو به کردار ران هَیون
✦
بَرش چون بَرِ پیل و چهره چو خون
“His two arms were like the thighs of a giant camel, his chest like an elephant's chest, and his face flushed like blood.”
#13
ز تُرکان بگرد اندرش صد دلیر
✦
جوان و سرافراز چون نره‌شیر
“Around him stood a hundred brave Turanian youths, proud and lion-like.”
#14
پرستار، پنجاه با دست‌بند
✦
به پیش دل‌افروز تخت بلند
“Fifty attendants with golden armlets stood before his glorious, high throne,”
#15
همی یک به یک خواندند آفرین
✦
بران بُرز و بالا و تیغ و نگین
“One by one they chanted praise upon his stature, height, blade, and signet.”
#16
همی دید رستم مَر او را ز دور
✦
نشست و نگه کرد مردانِ سور
“Rostam watched him from afar, sitting quietly to observe the men of the banquet.”
#17
به شایسته‌کاری برون رفت، ژند
✦
گَوی دید بَرسان سروِ بلند
“Zhande-Razm stepped outside to attend to a matter and caught sight of a hero standing tall like a cypress.”
#18
بدان لشکر اندر چُنو کس نبود
✦
بَرِ رستم آمد بپرسید زود
“In all that Turanian army there was none of such stature; he approached Rostam and quickly demanded:”
#19
چه مردی؟ بدو گفت با من بگوی
✦
سوی روشنی آی و بِنْمای روی
“'What manner of man art thou? Speak to me! Step into the light and show thy face!'”
#20
تهمتن یکی مشت بر گردنش
✦
بزد تیز و برشد روان از تنش
“Tahamtan struck him a swift blow upon the neck with his fist, and his spirit instantly fled his body.”
#21
بدان جایگه خشک شد ژنده‌رزم
✦
نشد ژنده‌رزم آنگهی سوی بزم
“Right in that spot, Zhande-Razm froze dead and returned no more to the banquet.”
#22
زمانی همی بود سهراب دیر
✦
نیامد به نزدیک او ژند شیر
“Sohrab waited for a while, but the lion-like Zhande returned not to his side.”
#23
بپرسید سهراب تا ژنده‌رزم
✦
کجا شد که جایش تهی شد ز بزم؟
“Sohrab inquired: 'Where has Zhande-Razm gone, that his place at the feast is empty?'”
#24
برفتند و دیدنْش افگنده خوار
✦
برآسوده از بزم و از کارزار
“They went out and found him cast down on the ground, at rest forever from both feast and battle.”
#25
خروشان ازان درد بازآمدند
✦
شگفتیْ فرو مانده از کارِ ژَند
“Lamenting from that grief, they returned, utterly astonished by what had befallen Zhande.”
#26
به سهراب گفتند شد ژنده‌رزم
✦
سرآمد بَرو روزِ پیگار و بزم
“They said to Sohrab: 'Zhande-Razm is no more; his days of battle and feasting are ended!'”
#27
چو بشنید سهراب برجست زود
✦
بیامد بَرِ ژنده برسان دود
“When Sohrab heard this, he sprang up swiftly and rushed to Zhande's side like swirling smoke.”
#28
اباچاکر و شمع و خنیاگران
✦
بیامد وُرا دید مُرده چنان
“Accompanied by servants, torches, and musicians, he came and saw him dead like that.”
#29
شگفت آمدش سخت و خیره بماند
✦
دلیران و گردن‌کشان را بخواند
“Deeply amazed and stunned, he summoned his brave heroes and chieftains.”
#30
چنین گفت کامشب نباید غُنود
✦
همه‌شب همی نیزه باید بسود
“He spoke thus: 'Tonight we must not sleep; all night long we must grip our spears!'”
#31
که گرگ اندر آمد میان رمه
✦
سگ و مرد را آزمودش همه
“'For a wolf has entered the flock and tested both the hounds and the men.'”
#32
اگر یار باشد جهان‌آفرین
✦
چو نعل سمندم بساید زمین
“'If the Creator of the World aids me, when the shoe of my charger grinds the earth,'”
#33
ز فِتراک زین برگشایم کمند
✦
بخواهم از ایرانیان کینِ ژند
“'I shall unfasten my lasso from the saddle-bow and avenge Zhande upon the Iranians!'”
#34
بیامد نشست از برِ گاه خویش
✦
گرانمایگان را همه خوانْد پیش
“He returned and sat upon his throne, calling all his noble chieftains before him.”
#35
که گر کم شد از تخت من ژنده‌رزم
✦
نیامد همی سیر، جانم ز بزم
“Saying: 'Though Zhande-Razm is lost to my throne, my soul has not had its fill of glory or feast.'”
#36
چو برگشت رستم برِ شهریار
✦
از ایران سپه گیو بد پاسدار
“As Rostam turned back toward the Shah, Gev was standing guard over the Iranian army.”
#37
به ره بر گو پیلتن را بدید
✦
بزد دست و گرز از میان برکشید
“Spotting the Elephant-Bodied hero on the path, Gev reached for his mace and drew it from his belt.”
#38
یکی بر خروشید چون پیل مست
✦
سپر بر سر آورد و بنمود دست
“He bellowed like a mad elephant, raised his shield above his head, and prepared his attack.”
#39
بدانست رستم کز ایران سپاه
✦
به شب گیو باشد طلایه به راه
“Rostam realized that of the Iranian host, Gev was the night patrol on the road.”
#40
بخندید و زان پس فغان برکشید
✦
طلایه چو آواز رستم شنید
“He laughed and then let out a great shout; when the night watch heard Rostam's voice,”
#41
بیامد پیاده به نزدیک اوی
✦
چنین گفت کای مهتر جنگجوی
“He approached on foot to his side and said: 'O noble warrior lord!'”
#42
پیاده کجا بوده‌ای تیره شب
✦
تهمتن به گفتار بگشاد لب
“'Where hast thou been on foot in this dark night?' Tahamtan opened his lips to speak.”
#43
بگفتش به گیو آن کجا کرده بود
✦
چنان شیرمردی که آزرده بود
“He told Gev all that he had done, and how he had slain that valiant warrior.”
#44
وزان جایگه رفت نزدیک شاه
✦
ز ترکان سخن گفت وز بزم‌گاه
“Thence he went before the King and spoke of the Turanians and their banqueting place,”
#45
ز سهراب و از برز و بالای اوی
✦
ز بازوی و کتف دلارای اوی
“Of Sohrab, his towering stature and height, and his majestic arms and broad shoulders:”
#46
که هرگز ز ترکان چنین کس نخاست
✦
بکردار سروست بالاش راست
“Saying: 'Never among the Turanians has such a champion arisen; his height is straight like a cypress!'”
#47
به توران و ایران نماند به کس
✦
تو گویی که سام سوارست و بس
“'In all Turan and Iran he resembles no one; thou wouldst say he is Sam the Knight reborn, and none other!'”
#48
وزان مشت بر گردن ژنده‌رزم
✦
کزان پس نیامد به رزم و به بزم
“And he told of that single fist-blow upon Zhande-Razm's neck, after which he returned no more to battle or feast.”
#49
بگفتند و پس رود و می خواستند
✦
همه شب همی لشکر آراستند
“They spoke of these things, then called for harps and wine, and spent the rest of the night arraying their host for battle.”