Rostam and Sohrab entered the narrow arena of doom. At first, they charged with long lances until the shafts shattered and spearheads broke away. Turning their steeds, they drew sharp Indian blades, raining blows so fiercely that sparks of fire erupted from colliding iron until the swords dissolved into splinters. Next, they gripped heavy maces; under their tremendous force, the iron clubs bent, the warhorses grew winded, and the champions' hearts turned grim. The armor slipped from the steeds and mail shredded across their torsos.
At last, both horses and warriors were completely exhausted; their bodies bathed in sweat, their mouths choked with dust, and their tongues cracked with unbearable thirst. They stepped back, staring at each other across the red dust—a father filled with unspoken agony and a son weighed down by weary strife, yet neither recognized the sacred bond, for wisdom had fled and fate veiled their eyes. Rostam marveled in secret, acknowledging that even his triumph over the White Demon paled before the raw prowess of this untamable youth.
After resting their warhorses, both bent their bows, but the sharp arrows could not pierce Rostam’s imperious tiger-skin armor (Babr-e Bayan). Rostam then sought to grip Sohrab’s girdle and wrench him from the saddle, yet the youth’s core remained rooted like a mountain. Sohrab struck back with a heavy mace blow against Rostam's shoulder, mocking the legend with bitter laughter.
Tired and sore, they broke apart. Rostam, fearing for the Iranian host, swept into the Turanian lines like a hungry panther among sheep, scattering their ranks. In vengeance, Sohrab descended upon the Iranian army, bathing the field in blood. Hearing the slaughter, Rostam rushed back and confronted Sohrab for striking unoffending soldiers. Sohrab answered that Rostam had drawn first blood upon his innocent Turanians. With dusk settling over the blood-stained soil, the two mighty champions pledged a truce, agreeing to settle their mortal contest at the break of dawn.
#1
به آوردگه رفت نیزه بکفت
✦
همی ماند از گفت مادر شگفت
“He rode onto the battlefield and shattered his spear, still marveling at what his mother had told him.”
#2
یکی تنگ میدان فرو ساختند
✦
به کوتاه نیزه همی بافتند
“They forged a narrow ring of combat, intertwining blows with short spears.”
#3
نماند ایچ بر نیزه بند و سنان
✦
به چپ باز بردند هر دو عنان
“No joints or heads remained upon their lances; both swung their reins to the left.”
#4
به شمشیر هندی برآویختند
✦
همی ز آهن آتش فرو ریختند
“They clashed with sharp Indian blades, causing showers of sparks to rain from the iron.”
#5
به زخم اندرون تیغ شد ریز ریز
✦
چه زخمی که پیدا کند رستخیز
“Under the force of their strikes, the swords shattered into fragments—blows that seemed to conjure the day of resurrection.”
#6
گرفتند زان پس عمود گران
✦
غمی گشت بازوی کندآوران
“Next, they seized heavy maces, until the arms of the valiant warriors grew weary.”
#7
ز نیرو عمود اندر آورد خم
✦
دمان باد پایان و گردان دژم
“The iron maces bent under their immense force; the swift steeds gasped and the heroes grew grim.”
#8
ز اسپان فرو ریخت برگستوان
✦
زره پاره شد بر میان گوان
“The bards and armor fell away from the steeds, and armor was torn to shreds around the heroes' waists.”
#9
فرو ماند اسپ و دلاور ز کار
✦
یکی را نبد چنگ و بازو به کار
“Both steeds and warriors sank into utter exhaustion, neither having strength left in claw or arm.”
#10
تن از خوی پر آب و همه کام خاک
✦
زبان گشته از تشنگی چاک چاک
“Their bodies were drenched in sweat, their palates filled with dust, and their tongues cracked with parching thirst.”
#11
یک از یکدگر ایستادند دور
✦
پر از درد باب و پر از رنج پور
“They stood apart from one another—the father laden with pain, the son crushed by suffering.”
#12
جهانا شگفتی ز کردار تست
✦
هم از تو شکسته هم از تو درست
“O World! How wondrous are thy deeds—from thee comes both breaking and restoring!”
#13
ازین دو یکی را نجنبید مهر
✦
خرد دور بد مهر ننمود چهر
“In neither of their hearts did affection stir; wisdom was far away, and love showed not its face.”
#14
همی بچه را باز داند ستور
✦
چه ماهی به دریا چه در دشت گور
“Even beasts recognize their own offspring—be it fish in the sea or wild ass on the plain.”
#15
نداند همی مردم از رنج و آز
✦
یکی دشمنی را ز فرزند باز
“Yet human beings, blinded by grief and greed, cannot distinguish an enemy from their own child.”
#16
همی گفت رستم که هرگز نهنگ
✦
ندیدم که آید بدین سان به جنگ
“Rostam pondered to himself: "Never have I seen a sea-monster enter battle in such a terrifying fashion."”
#17
مرا خوار شد جنگ دیو سپید
✦
ز مردی شد امروز دل ناامید
“"My combat with the White Demon now seems trivial; today my heart has lost hope in sheer manhood."”
#18
جوانی چنین ناسپرده جهان
✦
نه گردی نه نام‌آوری از مهان
“"A youth who has not yet trodden the wide world, not counted among famous champions or great lords!"”
#19
به سیری رسانیدم از روزگار
✦
دو لشکر نظاره بدین کارزار
“"He has filled me with weary disgust of existence, while both armies stand watching this battle."”
#20
چو آسوده شد بارهٔ هر دو مرد
✦
ز آورد و ز بند و ننگ و نبرد
“When the steeds of both heroes had rested from the heavy strain, binding, shame, and clash of battle...”
#21
به زه بر نهادند هر دو کمان
✦
جوانه همان سالخورده همان
“Both bent their bows to the string—the youth as well as the aged warrior.”
#22
زره بود و خفتان و ببر بیان
✦
ز کلک و ز پیکانش نامد زیان
“Coat of mail, armor, and Babr-e Bayan protected them, so no harm came from shaft or arrowhead.”
#23
غمی شد دل هر دو از یکدگر
✦
گرفتند هر دو دوال کمر
“Gloom filled the hearts of both against the other; both laid hands upon the strap of their belts.”
#24
تهمتن که گر دست بردی به سنگ
✦
بکندی ز کوه سیه روز جنگ
“Tahamtan, who could tear a black rock from the mountain on the day of battle...”
#25
کمربند سهراب را چاره کرد
✦
که بر زین بجنباند اندر نبرد
“Tried his strength upon Sohrab’s girdle, seeking to lift him from his saddle in combat.”
#26
میان جوان را نبود آگهی
✦
بماند از هنر دست رستم تهی
“Yet the young champion's waist yielded not, and Rostam's skilled hand was left powerless.”
#27
دو شیراوژن از جنگ سیر آمدند
✦
همه خسته و گشته دیر آمدند
“The two lion-subduers grew sick of battle; both were wounded, exhausted, and delayed.”
#28
دگر باره سهراب گرز گران
✦
ز زین برکشید و بیفشارد ران
“Once more, Sohrab drew his heavy mace from the saddle and spurred his thigh against his steed.”
#29
بزد گرز و آورد کتفش به درد
✦
بپیچید و درد از دلیری بخورد
“He struck a mace blow that brought pain to Rostam's shoulder; Rostam winced, yet swallowed the pain with courage.”
#30
بخندید سهراب و گفت ای سوار
✦
به زخم دلیران نه‌ای پایدار
“Sohrab laughed and mocked: "O rider, thou art not steadfast against the blows of true brave men!"”
#31
به رزم اندرون رخش گویی خرست
✦
دو دست سوار از همه بترست
“"In battle thy Rakhsh is like a donkey, and the arms of the rider are worse than useless!"”
#32
اگرچه گوی سرو بالا بود
✦
جوانی کند پیر کانا بود
“"Though a champion be tall as a cypress, if he be old, he acts foolishly before a youth!"”
#33
به سستی رسید این ازان آن ازین
✦
چنان تنگ شد بر دلیران زمین
“Weakness overtook both champions, one from the other; the earth grew so narrow for the brave ones...”
#34
که از یکدگر روی برگاشتند
✦
دل و جان به اندوه بگذاشتند
“That they turned their faces away from each other, leaving their hearts and souls in sorrow.”
#35
تهمتن به توران سپه شد به جنگ
✦
بدانسان که نخچیر بیند پلنگ
“Tahamtan charged into battle against the Turanian army, just as a leopard falls upon its prey.”
#36
میان سپاه اندر آمد چو گرگ
✦
پراگنده گشت آن سپاه بزرگ
“He plunged into their host like a wolf, and that immense army was scattered.”
#37
عنان را بپچید سهراب گرد
✦
به ایرانیان بر یکی حمله برد
“Champion Sohrab wheeled his reins and launched a fierce assault upon the Iranians.”
#38
بزد خویشتن را به ایران سپاه
✦
ز گرزش بسی نامور شد تباه
“He hurled himself into the Iranian host; beneath his mace, many a renowned warrior perished.”
#39
دل رستم اندیشه‌ای کرد بد
✦
که کاووس را بی‌گمان بد رسد
“Rostam's heart was seized with dark foreboding that harm would surely come upon Kavus.”
#40
ازین پرهنر ترک نوخاسته
✦
بخفتان بر و بازو آراسته
“From this accomplished young Turk, adorned with coat of mail and mighty arms.”
#41
به لشکرگه خویش تازید زود
✦
که اندیشهٔ دل بدان گونه بود
“He galloped swiftly back to his own camp, driven by the fearful thoughts of his mind.”
#42
میان سپه دید سهراب را
✦
چو می لعل کرده به خون آب را
“Midst the host he beheld Sohrab, who had dyed the water red like ruby wine with blood.”
#43
غمی گشت رستم چو او را بدید
✦
خروشی چو شیر ژیان برکشید
“Rostam grew sorrowful when he saw him, and let forth a roar like a furious lion.”
#44
بدو گفت کای ترک خونخواره مرد
✦
از ایران سپه جنگ با تو که کرد
“He said to him: "O bloodthirsty Turk, who among the Iranian army waged war on thee?"”
#45
چرا دست یازی به سوی همه
✦
چو گرگ آمدی در میان رمه
“"Why layest thou hands upon them all? Thou hast come like a wolf into the midst of the flock!"”
#46
بدو گفت سهراب توران سپاه
✦
ازین رزم بودند بر بی‌گناه
“Sohrab replied to him: "The Turanian host was innocent in this fray!"”
#47
تو آهنگ کردی بدیشان نخست
✦
کسی با تو پیگار و کینه نجست
“"Thou didst attack them first; no one sought fight or vengeance against thee!"”
#48
بدو گفت رستم که شد تیره‌روز
✦
چه پیدا کند تیغ گیتی فروز
“Rostam said to him: "Day has turned dark; what can the world-illuminating sword reveal now?"”
#49
برین دشت هم دار و هم منبرست
✦
که روشن جهان زیر تیغ‌اندرست
“"On this plain lie both gallows and pulpit, for the bright world is ruled beneath the edge of the sword."”
#50
گر ایدون که شمشیر با بوی شیر
✦
چنین آشنا شد تو هرگز ممیر
“"If indeed the sword has become so acquainted with the scent of milk, mayest thou never die!"”
#51
بگردیم شبگیر با تیغ کین
✦
برو تا چه خواهد جهان آفرین
“"Let us return at dawn with blades of vengeance; go now, until we see what the Creator of the World decrees!"”