When the sun veiled its face behind the dark curtains of night and shadows marched across the vast plain, Rostam the Elephant-Bodied approached King Kay Kavus. His heart burned with vengeance and his waist was girded for battle. He sought the monarch's leave to set aside his royal cloak and armor, and slip into the enemy's stronghold under cover of darkness to behold this new world-conqueror and discern who stood beside him. Kay Kavus blessed Rostam's vigilant heart and sound body. Dressing himself in Turanian garb, Rostam ran swiftly toward the fortress.
As he neared the citadel, the raucous shouts of Turanian feasting echoed through the night. Rostam slipped inside like a fierce lion amidst a herd of gazelles. His eyes fell upon the banqueting throne: there sat Sohrab, radiant and towering like a lush cypress. At his one hand sat Zhande-Razm, and at the other sat Human and Barman, renowned war-captains. Sohrab's arms were thick as a war-camel's thighs, his chest broad as an elephant's, and his cheeks flushed like blood. Around him stood a hundred brave Turanian youths and fifty attending maidens bearing golden vessels, all chanting praises to his stature, blade, and signet.
Rostam watched from the shadows. Then Zhande-Razm stepped out of the hall into the night. In the gloom, he caught sight of a majestic figure unlike any in their host. He approached quickly, demanding: "Who art thou? Come into the light and show thy face!" Without a word, Rostam struck him upon the neck with a thunderous fist. Life fled Zhande-Razm instantly, and he collapsed frozen upon the earth.
Inside, Sohrab waited long for his uncle Zhande-Razm. Sensing something amiss, he sent warriors to search for him. They found Zhande-Razm lying cold on the ground, his soul departed. Distraught, they returned to inform Sohrab. Sohrab leapt up like smoke, hastening to the spot with torches, musicians, and retainers. Amazed and enraged, he summoned his chieftains, declaring: "Tonight there shall be no sleep! Keep your spears in hand, for a wolf has entered our fold and tested both hound and shepherd! If the World-Creator aids me, tomorrow my lasso will avenge Zhande-Razm upon the Iranians!"
Meanwhile, Rostam returned toward the Iranian camp. Gev, patrolling the night, spotted the giant shape in the dark. Gev drew his mace, raised his shield, and bellowed a challenge. Rostam recognized Gev's voice, laughed aloud, and called out. Gev dismounted in relief, greeting the legendary champion and asking where he had been in the dead of night. Rostam recounted the slaying of Zhande-Razm and proceeded straight to King Kay Kavus's pavilion. There he reported Sohrab's awe-inspiring stature, declaring that no warrior in Iran or Touran could match him—he seemed none other than Sam the Knight reborn. Astonished, the Iranian host spent the remainder of the night with wine, music, and arraying their armaments for the dawn battle.
#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.”