#1
چو بشنید این گفتهای درشت
✦
نهان کرد ازو روی و بنمود پشت
“When he heard these harsh words, he hid his face from him and turned his back.”
#2
ز بالا زدش تند یک پشت دست
✦
بیفگند و آمد به جای نشست
“With a swift backhand from above he struck him down, then returned and sat in his place.”
#3
بپوشید خفتان و بر سر نهاد
✦
یکی خود چینی به کردار باد
“He put on his coat of mail and set upon his head a helmet of Chinese steel, swift as the wind.”
#4
ز تندی به جوش آمدش خون برگ
✦
نشست از بر بارهٔ تیزتگ
“In his fury, his noble blood boiled; he mounted his swift-running charger.”
#5
خروشید و بگرفت نیزه به دست
✦
به آوردگه رفت چون پیل مست
“He bellowed aloud, gripped his spear in hand, and charged into the arena like an enraged elephant.”
#6
کس از نامداران ایران سپاه
✦
نیارست کردن بدو در نگاه
“None among the renowned champions of the Iranian host dared even to look upon him.”
#7
ز پای و رکیب و ز دست و عنان
✦
ز بازوی وز آب داده سنان
“Such was the mastery in his stance, stirrups, hands, and reins, in his mighty arm and tempered spearhead.”
#8
ازان پس دلیران شدند انجمن
✦
بگفتند کاینت گو پیلتن
“Thereupon the brave warriors gathered together, saying: 'Behold this elephant-bodied hero!'”
#9
نشاید نگه کردن آسان بدوی
✦
که یارد شدن پیش او جنگجوی
“'He cannot be lightly regarded; what warrior would dare step forward to face him?'”
#10
ازان پس خروشید سهراب گرد
✦
همی شاه کاووس را بر شمرد
“Then Sohrab the valiant shouted aloud and called out to King Kay Kavus.”
#11
چنین گفت با شاه آزاد مرد
✦
که چون است کارت به دشت نبرد
“Thus spoke the noble-born warrior to the king: 'What is your capability upon the field of battle?'”
#12
چرا کرده‌ای نام کاووس کی
✦
که در جنگ نه تاو داری نه پی
“'Why do you bear the title of Kay Kavus, when in combat you have neither strength nor stamina?'”
#13
تنت را برین نیزه بریان کنم
✦
ستاره بدین کار گریان کنم
“'I shall roast your body upon this spear, making the stars weep at the sight!'”
#14
یکی سخت سوگند خوردم به بزم
✦
بدان شب کجا کشته شد ژنده‌رزم
“'I swore a solemn oath at the banquet, on that night when Zande-Razm was slain,'”
#15
کز ایران نمانم یکی نیزه‌دار
✦
کنم زنده کاووس کی را به دار
“'That I would leave not a single spearman in Iran, and hang Kay Kavus alive upon the gallows!'”
#16
که داری از ایرانیان تیز چنگ
✦
که پیش من آید به هنگام جنگ
“'Which sharp-clawed warrior among the Iranians do you have to step before me in the hour of battle?'”
#17
همی گفت و می بود جوشان بسی
✦
از ایران ندادند پاسخ کسی
“Thus he spoke, boiling with fierce anger, yet no man from Iran dared return an answer.”
#18
خروشان بیامد به پرده‌سرای
✦
به نیزه درآورد بالا ز جای
“Shouting, he charged toward the royal pavilion, and with his spear tore its high poles from their foundation.”
#19
خم آورد زان پس سنان کرد سیخ
✦
بزد نیزه برکند هفتاد میخ
“He leaned forward, leveled his spearpoint like a stake, struck hard, and uprooted seventy tent-pegs.”
#20
سراپرده یک بهره آمد ز پای
✦
ز هر سو برآمد دم کرنای
“A portion of the royal pavilion collapsed, and from every side arose the blare of war trumpets.”
#21
رمید آن دلاور سپاه دلیر
✦
به کردار گوران ز چنگال شیر
“That brave army fled in utter terror, like wild asses fleeing from the claws of a lion.”
#22
غمی گشت کاووس و آواز داد
✦
کزین نامداران فرخ نژاد
“Kay Kavus grew sorrowful and cried aloud: 'Let one among these noble-born heroes,'”
#23
یکی نزد رستم برید آگهی
✦
کزین ترک شد مغز گردان تهی
“'Hasten with news to Rustam, for this Turanian warrior has drained the courage from our champions!'”
#24
ندارم سواری ورا هم نبرد
✦
از ایران نیارد کس این کار کرد
“'I have no horseman to match him in fight; none in Iran can accomplish this task.'”
#25
بشد طوس و پیغام کاووس برد
✦
شنیده سخن پیش او برشمرد
“Tus went forth and carried the message of Kavus, recounting to Rustam all he had heard.”
#26
بدو گفت رستم که هر شهریار
✦
که کردی مرا ناگهان خواستار
“Rustam said to him: 'Whenever any king summoned me in sudden haste,'”
#27
گهی گنج بودی گهی ساز بزم
✦
ندیدم ز کاووس جز رنج رزم
“'At times there was treasure, at times a banquet; yet from Kavus I have known nothing but the toil of battle.'”
#28
بفرمود تا رخش را زین کنند
✦
سواران بروها پر از چین کنند
“He gave orders to saddle Rakhsh, while the warriors knitted their brows in grim resolve.”
#29
ز خیمه نگه کرد رستم بدشت
✦
ز ره گیو را دید کاندر گذشت
“From his tent Rustam looked out upon the plain, and saw Gev passing by along the path.”
#30
نهاد از بر رخش رخشنده زین
✦
همی گفت گرگین که بشتاب هین
“He set the gleaming saddle upon Rakhsh, while Gurgin urged him: 'Hurry now!'”
#31
همی بست بر باره رهام تنگ
✦
به برگستوان بر زده طوس چنگ
“Rohham tightened the girth upon the charger, while Tus gripped the armored steed-cloth.”
#32
همی این بدان آن بدین گفت زود
✦
تهمتن چو از خیمه آوا شنود
“Each urged the other in swift haste; when Tahamtan heard the commotion outside his tent,”
#33
به دل گفت کین کار آهرمنست
✦
نه این رستخیز از پی یک تنست
“He said in his heart: 'This is the work of Ahriman; such turmoil cannot be caused by a single man!'”
#34
بزد دست و پوشید ببر بیان
✦
ببست آن کیانی کمر بر میان
“He reached out and donned the Babr-e Bayan armor, and bound the royal Kayanid belt around his waist.”
#35
نشست از بر رخش و بگرفت راه
✦
زواره نگهبان گاه و سپاه
“He mounted Rakhsh and set forth, leaving Zavareh to guard his seat and army.”
#36
درفشش ببردند با او بهم
✦
همی رفت پرخاشجوی و دژم
“They brought along his banner as well, while the warlike and sullen warrior marched forward.”
#37
چو سهراب را دید با یال و شاخ
✦
برش چون بر سام جنگی فراخ
“When he beheld Sohrab with his mighty frame and neck, his chest as broad as that of Sam the warrior...”
#38
بدو گفت از ایدر به یکسو شویم
✦
به آوردگه هر دو همرو شویم
“He said to him: 'Let us step aside from here together, and advance unto the field of battle.'”
#39
بمالید سهراب کف را به کف
✦
به آوردگه رفت از پیش صف
“Sohrab rubbed his hands together with eagerness, and stepped forth into the battlefield from before the ranks.”
#40
به رستم چنین گفت کاندر گذشت
✦
ز من جنگ و پیکار سوی تو گشت
“He spoke thus to Rostam: 'The fight with others is now over; my combat and conflict have turned solely toward you.'”
#41
از ایران نخواهی دگر یار کس
✦
چو من با تو باشم بآورد بس
“'You shall need no other companion from Iran; when I am in battle against you, I alone am enough.'”
#42
به آوردگه بر ترا جای نیست
✦
ترا خود به یک مشت من پای نیست
“'There is no place for you in this arena; indeed, you cannot withstand even a single blow of my fist.'”
#43
به بالا بلندی و با کتف و یال
✦
ستم یافت بالت ز بسیار سال
“'Though tall in stature, with broad shoulders and mane, your strength has been worn away by many long years.'”
#44
نگه کرد رستم بدان سرفراز
✦
بدان چنگ و یال و رکیب دراز
“Rostam looked upon that proud young prince, observing his claws, his neck, and his long stirrups.”
#45
بدو گفت نرم ای جوان‌مرد گرم
✦
زمین سرد و خشک و سخن گرم و نرم
“Softly he said to him: 'O fiery young man, the earth is cold and dry, yet your words are bold and warm.'”
#46
به پیری بسی دیدم آوردگاه
✦
بسی بر زمین پست کردم سپاه
“'In my old age, I have seen many a battlefield, and many an army have I cast down to the dust.'”
#47
تبه شد بسی دیو در جنگ من
✦
ندیدم بدان سو که بودم شکن
“'Many a demon perished in battle against me; wherever I turned, I suffered no defeat.'”
#48
نگه کن مرا گر ببینی به جنگ
✦
اگر زنده مانی مترس از نهنگ
“'Look upon me when you see me in fight: if you survive, you need never fear a sea monster again!'”
#49
مرا دید در جنگ دریا و کوه
✦
که با نامداران توران گروه
“'The seas and mountains have witnessed my fight against the renowned warriors of the Turanian host.'”
#50
چه کردم ستاره گوای منست
✦
به مردی جهان زیر پای منست
“'The stars bear witness to what I have done; through my valor, the world lies beneath my feet.'”
#51
بدو گفت کز تو بپرسم سخن
✦
همه راستی باید افگند بن
“Sohrab said to him: 'I would ask a question of you, and truth alone must form the foundation of your reply.'”
#52
من ایدون گمانم که تو رستمی
✦
گر از تخمهٔ نامور نیرمی
“'I suspect that you yourself are Rostam, descended from the lineage of the famous Neyram.'”
#53
چنین داد پاسخ که رستم نیم
✦
هم از تخمهٔ سام نیرم نیم
“He answered: 'I am not Rostam, nor am I of the seed of Sam, son of Neyram.'”
#54
که او پهلوانست و من کهترم
✦
نه با تخت و گاهم نه با افسرم
“'For he is a grand champion and I am but a lesser soldier, possessing neither throne, rank, nor crown.'”
#55
از امید سهراب شد ناامید
✦
برو تیره شد روی روز سپید
“Despair overwhelmed Sohrab, dashing his hope, and the face of the bright day grew dark before his eyes.”