#1
چو خورشید تابان برآورد پر
✦
سیه زاغ پران فرو برد سر
“When the radiant sun spread its golden wings, the dark-feathered raven of night lowered its head.”
#2
تهمتن بپوشید ببربیان
✦
نشست از بر ژنده پیل ژیان
“Rostam clad himself in his leopard-skin cuirass and mounted his colossal, enraged elephant-like steed.”
#3
کمندی به فتراک بر بست شست
✦
یکی تیغ هندی گرفته بدست
“He bound a sixty-fold lariat to his saddle-bow and grasped a sharpened Indian sword in his hand.”
#4
بیامد بران دشت آوردگاه
✦
نهاده به سر بر ز آهن کلاه
“He rode forth onto the field of battle, wearing a helmet wrought of solid iron upon his head.”
#5
همه تلخی از بهر بیشی بود
✦
مبادا که با آز خویشی بود
“All bitterness stems from excess greed; may no man ever fall captive to his own avarice!”
#6
وزان روی سهراب با انجمن
✦
همی می گسارید با رودزن
“Meanwhile, Sohrab sat among his company, drinking wine and listening to the minstrel's lute.”
#7
به هومان چنین گفت کاین شیرمرد
✦
که با من همی‌گردد اندر نبرد
“He spoke thus to Houman: 'This lion-hearted man who battles against me in the field—”
#8
ز بالای من نیست بالاش کم
✦
برزم اندرون دل ندارد دژم
“His height is no less than mine, and in the heat of battle, his heart knows no dismay.”
#9
بر و کتف و یالش همانند من
✦
تو گویی که داننده بر زد رسن
“His chest, shoulders, and neck are just like mine—you would say a wise master fashioned us by the same cord.'”
#10
نشان‌های مادر بیابم همی
✦
بدان نیز لختی بتابم همی
“'I recognize the signs my mother gave me, and my heart leans toward him with great emotion.'”
#11
گمانی برم من که او رستمست
✦
که چون او بگیتی نبرده کمست
“'I suspect that he is Rostam himself, for such a warrior is rare in the world.'”
#12
نباید که من با پدر جنگجوی
✦
شوم خیره‌روی اندر آرم بروی
“'It would be ill if I, seeking battle against my father, should shamelessly raise my hand against him.'”
#13
بدو گفت هومان که در کارزار
✦
رسیدست رستم به من اند بار
“Houman said to him: 'I have met Rostam in battle several times before.'”
#14
شنیدم که در جنگ مازندران
✦
چه کرد آن دلاور به گُرز گران
“'I heard what deeds that champion performed with his heavy mace in the war of Mazandaran.'”
#15
بدین رخش ماند همی رخش اوی
✦
ولیکن ندارد پی و پخش اوی
“'His horse resembles Rakhsh, yet it lacks Rakhsh's true hooves and legendary stride.'”
#16
به شبگیر چون بردمید آفتاب
✦
سر جنگجویان برآمد ز خواب
“At early morning, as the sun shone forth, the heads of the warriors arose from sleep.”
#17
بپوشید سهراب خفتان رزم
✦
سرش پر ز رزم و دلش پر ز بزم
“Sohrab put on his battle armor, his head full of fighting spirit and his heart full of feast.”
#18
بیامد خروشان بران دشت جنگ
✦
به چنگ اندرون گُرزهٔ گاورنگ
“He came bellowing unto the field of battle, holding in his grip a bull-headed mace.”
#19
ز رستم بپرسید خندان دو لب
✦
تو گفتی که با او به هم بود شب
“With smiling lips he questioned Rostam, as though he had spent the whole night in his company.”
#20
که شب چون بدت روز چون خاستی
✦
ز پیگار بر دل چه آراستی
“'How was your night, and how did you rise today? What purpose of conflict have you set in your heart?'”
#21
ز کف بفگن این گُرز و شمشیر کین
✦
بزن جنگ و بیداد را بر زمین
“'Cast down this mace and sword of vengeance from your grip; strike combat and injustice to the ground!'”
#22
نشینیم هر دو پیاده به هم
✦
به می تازه داریم روی دژم
“'Let us both sit together on foot, refreshing our gloomy faces with wine.'”
#23
به پیش جهاندار پیمان کنیم
✦
دل از جنگ جستن پشیمان کنیم
“'Let us pledge a covenant before the Sovereign of the World, repenting in our hearts of seeking war.'”
#24
همان تا کسی دیگر آید به رزم
✦
تو با من بساز و بیارای بزم
“'Until someone else comes forth to fight, join with me and arrange a banquet.'”
#25
دل من همی با تو مهر آورد
✦
همی آب شرمم به چهر آورد
“'My heart feels a deep affection toward you, and the tears of shame well in my eyes.'”
#26
همانا که داری ز گردان نژاد
✦
کنی پیش من گوهر خویش یاد
“'Surely you come from noble lineage; recount your noble heritage to me!'”
#27
بدو گفت رستم که‌ای نامجوی
✦
نبودیم هرگز بدین گفت‌وگوی
“Rostam said to him: 'O seeker of fame, last night we spoke not of such words!'”
#28
ز کشتی گرفتن سخن بود دوش
✦
نگیرم فریب تو زین در مکوش
“'Our agreement last night was to wrestle; I shall not accept your deceit, so strive not in this path.'”
#29
نه من کودکم گر تو هستی جوان
✦
به کشتی کمر بسته‌ام بر میان
“'I am no child, though you are young; I have girded my waist for wrestling.'”
#30
بکوشیم و فرجام کار آن بود
✦
که فرمان و رای جهانبان بود
“'Let us wrestle, and the outcome shall be whatever the Sovereign of the World decrees.'”
#31
بسی گشته‌ام در فراز و نشیب
✦
نیم مرد گفتار و بند و فریب
“'I have experienced many ups and downs; I am no man of idle talk, cunning, or trickery.'”
#32
بدو گفت سهراب کز مرد پیر
✦
نباشد سخن زین نشان دلپذیر
“Sohrab said to him: 'From an aged warrior, such harsh speech is far from pleasing.'”
#33
مرا آرزو بد که در بسترت
✦
برآید به هنگام هوش از برت
“'I desired that your end would come peacefully in your own bed when your time arrived.'”
#34
کسی کز تو ماند ستودان کند
✦
بپرد روان تن به زندان کند
“'Whoever remains after you will build your tomb; the soul shall fly away, leaving the body in a prison.'”
#35
اگر هوش تو زیر دست منست
✦
به فرمان یزدان بساییم دست
“'Yet if your fate is at my hands, we shall submit to God's decree.'”
#36
از اسپان جنگی فرود آمدند
✦
هشیوار با گبر و خود آمدند
“They dismounted from their warhorses, alert and clad in armor and helmets.”
#37
ببستند بر سنگ اسپ نبرد
✦
برفتند هر دو روان پر ز گرد
“They bound their battle-steeds to a rock and stepped forward, their souls filled with resolve.”
#38
بکشتی گرفتن برآویختند
✦
ز تن خون و خوی را فرو ریختند
“They locked together in wrestling, sweat and blood pouring down from their bodies.”
#39
بزد دست سهراب چون پیل مست
✦
برآوردش از جای و بنهاد پست
“Sohrab reached out like a furious elephant, lifted Rostam high, and slammed him down.”
#40
به کردار شیری که بر گور نر
✦
زند چنگ و گور اندر آید به سر
“Like a lion swooping upon a wild ass, striking its claws so the prey falls upon its head.”
#41
نشست از بر سینهٔ پیلتن
✦
پر از خاک چنگال و روی و دهن
“He sat upon the elephant-bodied warrior's chest, his claws, face, and mouth covered in dust.”
#42
یکی خنجری آبگون برکشید
✦
همی‌خواست از تن سرش را برید
“He drew a gleaming steel dagger, intending to sever Rostam's head from his body.”
#43
به سهراب گفت ای یل شیرگیر
✦
کمندافگن و گرد و شمشیرگیر
“Rostam said to Sohrab: 'O lion-capturing hero, wielder of the lariat and master of the sword!'”
#44
دگرگونه‌تر باشد آیین ما
✦
جزین باشد آرایش دین ما
“'Our custom is quite different, and the practice of our faith is otherwise.'”
#45
کسی کاو بکشتی نبرد آورد
✦
سر مهتری زیر گرد آورد
“'Whoever brings a champion low in wrestling does not cut off his head the first time he throws him.'”
#46
نخستین که پشتش نهد بر زمین
✦
نبرد سرش گرچه باشد به کین
“The first time a champion pins his rival to the earth, he severs not his head, though hatred burn within his heart.”
#47
گرش بار دیگر به زیر آورد
✦
ز افگندنش نام شیر آورد
“Only if he brings him down a second time may he win the renown of a lion by his triumph.”
#48
بدان چاره از چنگ آن اژدها
✦
همی‌خواست کاید ز کشتن رها
“By this ruse, Rostam sought to slip from the dragon's grasp and escape a fatal end.”
#49
دلیر جوان سر به گفتار پیر
✦
بداد و ببود این سخن دلپذیر
“The brave youth gave ear to the elder's words, and found his speech agreeable to his heart.”
#50
یکی از دلی و دوم از زمان
✦
سوم از جوانمردیش بی‌گمان
“First out of native valor, second by the decree of fate, and third without a doubt from his noble chivalry.”
#51
رها کرد زو دست و آمد به دشت
✦
چو شیری که بر پیش آهو گذشت
“He let him go and strode across the plain, like a lion that passes by a gazelle untouched.”
#52
همی‌کرد نخچیر و یادش نبود
✦
ازان کس که با او نبرد آزمود
“He engaged in hunting, oblivious to the warrior with whom he had just tested his strength.”
#53
همی دیر شد تا که هومان چو گرد
✦
بیامد بپرسیدش از هم نبرد
“A long time elapsed until Human rode up like dust and asked him of his adversary.”
#54
به هومان بگفت آن کجا رفته بود
✦
سخن هرچه رستم بدو گفته بود
“Sohrab recounted to Human all that had occurred, and every word that Rostam had told him.”
#55
بدو گفت هومان گرد ای جوان
✦
به سیری رسیدی همانا ز جان
“The warrior Human said to him, 'O youth! Truly, you must be weary of your own life!'”
#56
دریغ این بر و بازو و یال تو
✦
میان یلی چنگ و گوپال تو
“'Alas for your mighty chest, arm, and neck, your heroic frame, your claws, and heavy mace!'”
#57
هژبری که آورده بودی بدام
✦
رها کردی از دام و شد کار خام
“'The fierce lion you had caught in your trap, you set free, leaving your work undone and spoiled!'”
#58
نگه کن کزین بیهده کارکرد
✦
چه آرد به پیشت به دیگر نبرد
“'Consider now what grief this foolish act of yours shall bring upon you in the coming duel!'”
#59
بگفت و دل از جان او برگرفت
✦
پرانده همی ماند ازو در شگفت
“Thus he spoke, giving up hope for Sohrab's life, left astonished and filled with anxious thought by his folly.”
#60
به لشکرگه خویش بنهاد روی
✦
به خشم و دل از غم پر از کار اوی
“He turned his face toward his own encampment, full of anger and with a heart heavy with grief over Sohrab's action.”
#61
یکی داستان زد برین شهریار
✦
که دشمن مدار ارچه خردست خوار
“A proverb was struck concerning this prince: never hold an enemy cheap, however small he may appear.”
#62
چو رستم ز دست وی آزاد شد
✦
بسان یکی تیغ پولاد شد
“When Rostam was set free from his grasp, he became re-energized like a blade of tempered steel.”
#63
خرامان بشد سوی آب روان
✦
چنان چون شده باز یابد روان
“He walked swiftly toward the flowing stream, as though a departed soul had returned to its body.”
#64
بخورد آب و روی و سر و تن بشست
✦
به پیش جهان‌آفرین شد نخست
“He drank of the water, washed his head and body, and first turned in prayer before the Creator of the world.”
#65
همی خواست پیروزی و دستگاه
✦
نبود آگه از بخشش هور و ماه
“He prayed for victory and divine might, unaware of what the sun and moon had ordained.”
#66
که چون رفت خواهد سپهر از برش
✦
بخواهد ربودن کلاه از سرش
“That as the revolving sphere turns above him, it was about to snatch the crown of joy from his head.”
#67
وزان آبخور شد به جای نبرد
✦
پراندیشه بودش دل و روی زرد
“From that stream he returned to the place of battle, his heart weighed down with anxiety and his countenance pale.”
#68
همی‌تاخت سهراب چون پیل مست
✦
کمندی به بازو کمانی به دست
“Sohrab rode furiously like an enraged elephant, with a lasso on his arm and a bow in hand.”
#69
گرازان و بر گور نعره‌زنان
✦
سمندش جهان و جهان راکنان
“Proudly charging and roaring at the wild prey, his golden steed leapt and shook the world beneath its hooves.”
#70
همی‌ماند رستم ازو در شگفت
✦
ز پیگارش اندازه‌ها برگرفت
“Rostam remained marvelling at his prowess, carefully measuring the extent of his formidable strength.”
#71
چو سهراب شیراوژن او را بدید
✦
ز باد جوانی دلش بردمید
“When the lion-slaying Sohrab caught sight of him, his heart swelled with the arrogance and vigor of youth.”
#72
چنین گفت کای رسته از چنگ شیر
✦
جدا مانده از زخم شیر دلیر
“He spoke thus: 'O you who escaped the lion's claws, spared from the blow of a valiant beast!'”