As the sun unfolded its golden wings and swept away the shadows of night, Rostam donned his impervious cuirass of tiger-skin, mounted his majestic steed, and rode out to the battlefield clad in steel. On the opposing side, young Sohrab drank wine among his chieftains and confided in Houman. Touched by an inner instinct, Sohrab observed the mighty frame and majestic stature of the Iranian champion, noting how closely he mirrored the descriptions of his legendary father Rostam. He expressed his deep reluctance to fight a man who might be his own kin. However, the treacherous Houman, fearing a peaceful reunion that would ruin Turan's campaign, willfully deceived the youth, assuring him that this champion was merely an ordinary fighter whose steed only superficially resembled the true Rakhsh.
At dawn, Sohrab rode into the field holding his bull-headed mace, his heart brimming with a sudden, inexplicable affection. Smiling warmth, he hailed Rostam and proposed laying down their weapons. He urged that they sit together in brotherhood, exchange vows of peace, and leave the war to lesser men. But Rostam, hardened by decades of battle and suspecting a youth's cunning trickery, sternly rejected the peaceful offer, demanding that they honor their agreement from the previous evening and wrestle to the death.
Dismounting their warhorses and tethering them to rocks, the two titan warriors bound their waists and grappled. With ferocious power like a furious elephant, Sohrab seized Rostam, lifted him off his feet, and slammed him hard upon the dust. Like a lion pinning a wild ass, Sohrab knelt upon Rostam's chest and drew his gleaming dagger to sever his head. In that dire moment of mortal peril, Rostam used swift wits to save his life. He claimed that according to ancient Iranian warrior code, a champion never slays an opponent on the first throw; he must pin him a second time before taking his head. The honorable and naive Sohrab believed the legendary warrior, sheathed his blade, and released him to roam the plains.
When Houman learned that Sohrab had set free the trapped lion, he fiercely rebuked the youth for his tragic simplicity. Meanwhile, Rostam hastened to a clear stream, washed the dust and sweat from his face and body, and prayed fervently to the Almighty Creator for restored strength, unaware of the tragic fate the heavens held in store for them both.
#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!'”