#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!"”