Darkness descended over the blood-soaked battlefield like a veil of pitch, yet the heavens remained in awe of Sohrab’s unrelenting fury. It seemed as though his warhorse were forged of solid iron and his body enveloped in brass. Deep within the Turanian encampment, his belt unbuckled and his blade sheathed, Sohrab turned to Houman, questioning why no champion among the Iranians had dared to meet him in single combat, save for that one mountain-like hero who stepped forth alone. Houman replied that King Afrasiab’s command had restricted the army from a general charge, preventing the rest of their warriors from engaging. Seeking respite from the burden of war, Sohrab called for a feast and goblets of wine to banish sorrow before the morning dawn.
Meanwhile, in the Iranian lines, Rostam summoned Gev to inquire of Sohrab's onslaught against the main host. Gev recounted how the young warrior had swept through the center, routing Tus and Gorgin, knocking helmets off legendary heads with his curved mace, leaving the Iranian ranks scattered in terror, for none possessed the stature to withstand him save Rostam himself. Sorrow weighed heavily on the elephant-bodied champion upon hearing these words, and he hastened to the royal pavilion of King Kay Kavus.
Before the sovereign of Iran, Rostam unveiled the astounding truth of Sohrab’s power. He described how the youth’s shoulders touched the stars and his thighs surpassed those of a war-elephant. Most terrifying of all, Rostam confessed that he had seized Sohrab’s belt with all his mythic strength to wrench him from his saddle as he had done to a thousand knights before, yet the young warrior had not budged so much as a grain of sand—standing immovable like a granite peak. Rostam declared that on the morrow, no weapon could avail; he must close in and wrestle him body to body, entrusting the outcome to Yazdan, the Almighty Lord of the Sun and Moon. King Kavus bent his knees in prayer, imploring the Creator to grant Rostam victory and preserve the crown of Iran.
Returning to his quarters, Rostam was met by his loyal brother Zourareh, whose heart was pierced with anxiety. Rostam partook of food to calm his mind and then laid bare his solemn last testament. He charged Zourareh to guard his royal banner, throne, and steed at dawn, instructing: 'If I am victorious, I shall return. But if fate decrees otherwise and I fall upon the dust, make no lamentation, nor engage the enemy in futile vengeance. Lead the host back to Zabulistan, to white-haired Zal and my mother Rudabeh. Tell her not to grieve for me, for death is the ultimate destination of every living soul. I have slain lions, demons, leopards, and sea-monsters, and no fortress ever stood against my mace, yet when the appointed hour strikes, no man can evade the grave.' Thus passed half the night in sacred counsel and solemn farewells, while the remaining hours surrendered to quiet sleep before the tragedy of the coming dawn.
#1
برفتند و روی هوا تیره گشت
✦
ز سهراب گردون همی خیره گشت
“They departed as the air turned dark; the heavens remained astounded by Sohrab's prowess.”
#2
تو گفتی ز جنگش سرشت آسمان
✦
نیارامد از تاختن یک زمان
“You would say heaven fashioned him purely for war, never letting him rest from charging even for a moment.”
#3
وگر باره زیر اندرش آهنست
✦
شگفتی روانست و رویین تنست
“And if iron were the steed beneath him, he himself moved wondrously as though bronzen-bodied.”
#4
شب تیره آمد سوی لشکرش
✦
میان سوده از جنگ و از خنجرش
“Dark night arrived at his camp, his waist worn from combat and the gripping of his dagger.”
#5
به هومان چنین گفت کامروز هور
✦
برآمد جهان کرد پر چنگ و شور
“He spoke thus to Houman: 'Today when the sun rose, it filled the world with turmoil and violent clamor.'”
#6
شما را چه کرد آن سوار دلیر
✦
که یال یلان داشت و آهنگ شیر
“'What became of you all before that brave rider, who possessed the mane of heroes and the charge of a lion?'”
#7
بدو گفت هومان که فرمان شاه
✦
چنان بد کز ایدر نجنبد سپاه
“Houman answered him: 'The king's command was that the army should not stir from this place.'”
#8
همه کار ماسخت ناساز بود
✦
به آورد گشتن چه آغاز بود
“'All our affairs were ill-fitted; how could a general battle be joined under such terms?'”
#9
بیامد یکی مرد پرخاشجوی
✦
برین لشکر گشن بنهاد روی
“'A single battle-seeking man came forth and turned his face toward this vast host.'”
#10
تو گفتی ز مستی کنون خاستست
✦
وگر جنگ بایک تن آراستست
“'You would say he had just risen from drunkenness, or that he prepared to fight all alone.'”
#11
چنین گفت سهراب کاو زین سپاه
✦
نکرد از دلیران کسی را تباه
“Sohrab said: 'Out of this army, he did not destroy any of the warriors from his heart.'”
#12
از ایرانیان من بسی کشته‌ام
✦
زمین را به خون و گل آغشته‌ام
“'Yet I have slain many of the Iranians, staining the earth with blood and mud.'”
#13
کنون خوان همی باید آراستن
✦
بباید به می غم ز دل کاستن
“'Now a feast must be prepared; wine must be sought to diminish the heart's grief.'”
#14
وزان روی رستم سپه را بدید
✦
سخن راند با گیو و گفت و شنید
“And on the other side, Rostam surveyed the army, conversing and exchanging words with Gev.”
#15
که امروز سهراب رزم آزمای
✦
چگونه به جنگ اندر آورد پای
“Asking: 'How did battle-tested Sohrab set foot into the fighting today?'”
#16
چنین گفت با رستم گرد گیو
✦
کزین گونه هرگز ندیدیم نیو
“Gev, the valiant hero, said to Rostam: 'We have never seen a brave warrior of such nature.'”
#17
بیامد دمان تا به قلب سپاه
✦
ز لشکر بر طوس شد کینه خواه
“'He came roaring to the center of the host, seeking vengeance near Tus's position.'”
#18
که او بود بر زین و نیزه بدست
✦
چو گرگین فرود آمد او برنشست
“'While Tus was mounted with spear in hand, he dismounted like Gorgin and sat back up.'”
#19
بیامد چو با نیزه او را بدید
✦
به کردار شیر ژیان بردمید
“'When he saw Tus with his spear, he roared like a roaring lion.'”
#20
عمودی خمیده بزد بر برش
✦
ز نیرو بیفتاد ترگ از سرش
“'He struck him on the chest with a curved mace; by the force of it, the helmet flew from his head.'”
#21
نتابید با او بتابید روی
✦
شدند از دلیران بسی جنگ جوی
“'No one could withstand him, so they turned their faces; many battle-seeking heroes fled before him.'”
#22
ز گردان کسی مایهٔ او نداشت
✦
جز از پیلتن پایهٔ او نداشت
“'Among the warriors, none possessed his stature; none held his rank save the elephant-bodied champion.'”
#23
هم آیین پیشین نگه داشتیم
✦
سپاهی برو ساده بگماشتیم
“'We kept the ancient tradition, assigning a simple guard against him.'”
#24
سواری نشد پیش او یکتنه
✦
همی تاخت از قلب تا میمنه
“'Not a single rider went single-handed against him, while he charged from the center to the right wing.'”
#25
غمی گشت رستم ز گفتار اوی
✦
بر شاه کاووس بنهاد روی
“Rostam became grieved by his words and set his face toward King Kay Kavus.”
#26
چو کاووس کی پهلوان را بدید
✦
بر خویش نزدیک جایش گزید
“When Kay Kavus saw the champion, he chose a seat for him close to his own royal throne.”
#27
ز سهراب رستم زبان برگشاد
✦
ز بالا و برزش همی کرد یاد
“Rostam opened his tongue regarding Sohrab, recounting his height and immense stature.”
#28
که کس در جهان کودک نارسید
✦
بدین شیرمردی و گردی ندید
“Saying: 'No one in the world has ever seen an underage child with such lion-like bravery and heroism.'”
#29
به بالا ستاره بساید همی
✦
تنش را زمین برگراید همی
“'His height touches the stars; the very earth seems to bend under his heavy weight.'”
#30
دو بازو و رانش ز ران هیون
✦
همانا که دارد ستبری فزون
“'His two arms and thighs possess thickness surely greater than the thighs of a giant elephant.'”
#31
به گرز و به تیغ و به تیر و کمند
✦
ز هرگونه‌ای آزمودیم بند
“'With mace, sword, arrow, and lasso, we tested every kind of war technique.'”
#32
سرانجام گفتم که من پیش ازین
✦
بسی گرد را برگرفتم ز زین
“'In the end I said to myself: Before this, I lifted many a warrior out of his saddle.'”
#33
گرفتم دوال کمربند اوی
✦
بیفشاردم سخت پیوند اوی
“'I seized the strap of his belt and squeezed his limbs tightly with force.'”
#34
همی خواستم کش ز زین برکنم
✦
چو دیگر کسانش به خاک افگنم
“'I wished to pluck him from the saddle and fling him to the dirt like all the rest.'”
#35
گر از باد جنبان شود کوه خار
✦
نجنبید بر زین بر آن نامدار
“'Though a granite mountain might shake from the wind, that famous warrior did not budge in his saddle.'”
#36
چو فردا بیاید به دشت نبرد
✦
به کشتی همی بایدم چاره کرد
“'When he comes to the battlefield tomorrow, I must seek a remedy in wrestling.'”
#37
بکوشم ندانم که پیروز کیست
✦
ببینیم تا رای یزدان به چیست
“'I shall strive, not knowing who will triumph; we shall see what Yazdan's will decrees.'”
#38
کزویست پیروزی و فر و زور
✦
هم او آفرینندهٔ ماه و هور
“'For from Him comes victory, divine glory, and strength; He is the Creator of both moon and sun.'”
#39
بدو گفت کاووس یزدان پاک
✦
دل بدسگالت کند چاک چاک
“Kavus said to him: 'May holy Yazdan tear your evil-wishing enemy into pieces!'”
#40
من امشب به پیش جهان آفرین
✦
بمالم فراوان دو رخ بر زمین
“'Tonight before the Creator of the world, I shall rub my cheeks repeatedly upon the dust.'”
#41
کزویست پیروزی و دستگاه
✦
به فرمان او تابد از چرخ ماه
“'For victory and power come from Him; by His command the moon shines from the heavens.'”
#42
کند تازه این بار کام ترا
✦
برآرد به خورشید نام ترا
“'May He renew your heart's desire this time, and exalt your name unto the sun!'”
#43
بدو گفت رستم که با فر شاه
✦
برآید همه کامهٔ نیک خواه
“Rostam answered him: 'With the king's royal glory, all desires of well-wishers shall be fulfilled.'”
#44
به لشکر گه خویش بنهاد روی
✦
پراندیشه جان و سرش کینه جوی
“He turned his face toward his own army encampment, his heart full of anxiety and his head seeking vengeance.”
#45
زواره بیامد خلیده روان
✦
که چون بود امروز بر پهلوان
“Zourareh came with a pierced, sorrowful soul, asking how the champion had fared today.”
#46
ازو خوردنی خواست رستم نخست
✦
پس آنگه ز اندیشگان دل بشست
“Rostam first called for food, and thereupon cleansed his heart of anxious thoughts.”
#47
چنین راند پیش برادر سخن
✦
که بیدار دل باش و تندی مکن
“He then addressed his brother thus: 'Keep a watchful heart, and act not in anger.”
#48
به شبگیر چون من به آوردگاه
✦
روم پیش آن ترک آوردخواه
“At dawn, when I go forth unto the battlefield before that challenge-seeking Turk,”
#49
بیاور سپاه و درفش مرا
✦
همان تخت و زرینه کفش مرا
“Bring forth my army and my banner, as well as my royal throne and golden boots.”
#50
همی باش بر پیش پرده‌سرای
✦
چو خورشید تابان برآید ز جای
“And remain standing before the royal pavilion when the radiant sun rises high.'”
#51
گر ایدون که پیروز باشم به جنگ
✦
به آوردگه بر نسازم درنگ
“'If it so happens that I emerge victorious in battle, I shall not linger upon the field;”
#52
و گر خود دگرگونه گردد سخن
✦
تو زاری میاغاز و تندی مکن
“But if fate should ordain otherwise, begin not to wail, nor yield to sudden rage.”
#53
مباشید یک تن برین رزمگاه
✦
مسازید جستن سوی رزم راه
“Let not a single one of you linger on this battlefield, nor seek any path toward combat.”
#54
یکایک سوی زابلستان شوید
✦
از ایدر به نزدیک دستان شوید
“Depart at once, all of you, unto Zabolestan, and go from here to the side of Dastan.”
#55
تو خرسند گردان دل مادرم
✦
چنین کرد یزدان قضا بر سرم
“Do thou comfort the heart of my mother, for such was the destiny God decreed for me.”
#56
بگویش که تو دل به من در مبند
✦
که سودی ندارت بودن نژند
“Tell her: "Bind not thy heart to me, for being sorrowful will bring thee no avail."”
#57
کس اندر جهان جاودانه نماند
✦
ز گردون مرا خود بهانه نماند
“No man remains in this world forever, and I have no grievance against the spinning heavens.”
#58
بسی شیر و دیو و پلنگ و نهنگ
✦
تبه شد به چنگم به هنگام جنگ
“Full many a lion, demon, leopard, and dragon perished by my grasp in time of war;”
#59
بسی باره و دژ که کردیم پست
✦
نیاورد کس دست من زیر دست
“Full many a fortress and stronghold have I leveled, and no man ever brought my hand beneath his own.”
#60
در مرگ را آن بکوبد که پای
✦
باسپ اندر آرد بجنبد ز جای
“Whosoever puts his foot into the stirrup and rides forth, knocks upon the door of death.”
#61
اگر سال گشتی فزون ازهزار
✦
همین بود خواهد سرانجام کار
“Even were one's years to exceed a thousand, such will inevitably be the final end of life.”
#62
چو خرسند گردد به دستان بگوی
✦
که از شاه گیتی مبرتاب روی
“When she is consoled, say unto Dastan: "Turn not thy face away from the king of the world."”
#63
اگر جنگ سازد تو سستی مکن
✦
چنان رو که او راند از بن سخن
“If he prepares for war, show no weakness; proceed exactly as he decrees from the root.”
#64
همه مرگ راییم پیر و جوان
✦
به گیتی نماند کسی جاودان
“We are all bound for death, both old and young; no one abides in this world forever.'”
#65
ز شب نیمه‌ای گفت سهراب بود
✦
دگر نیمه آرامش و خواب بود
“For half the night, 'tis said, he spoke of Sohrab; the other half was spent in peaceful sleep.”