#1
سواران گزین کرد پیران هزار
✦
همه جنگجوی و همه نامدار
“Piran selected a thousand elite horsemen, all renowned and eager for battle.”
#2
بدیشان چنین گفت پیران که زود
✦
عنان تگاور بباید بسود
“He spoke to them thus: 'We must make haste and spur our swift steeds without delay.'”
#3
شب و روز رفتن چو شیر ژیان
✦
نباید گشادن به ره بر میان
“'Riding night and day like fierce lions, we must not unbuckle our belts along the way.'”
#4
که گر گیو و خسرو به ایران شوند
✦
زنان اندر ایران چه شیران شوند
“'For if Gev and Khosrow reach Iran, even the women of Iran will turn into fierce lions!'”
#5
نماند برین بوم و بر خاک و آب
✦
وزین داغ دل گردد افراسیاب
“'No prosperity will remain in this land, and Afrasiab's heart will be branded with grief.'”
#6
به گفتار او سر برافراختند
✦
شب و روز یکسر همی تاختند
“At his words, they raised their heads high and galloped forward without rest, night and day.”
#7
نجستند روز و شب آرام و خواب
✦
وزین آگهی شد به افراسیاب
“They sought neither sleep nor rest by day or night, and news of this reached Afrasiab.”
#8
چنین تا بیامد یکی ژرف رود
✦
سپه شد پراگنده چون تار و پود
“Thus they rode until they reached a deep river, where the army scattered like warp and weft.”
#9
بنش ژرف و پهناش کوتاه بود
✦
بدو بر به رفتن دژآگاه بود
“Its bed was deep and its width narrow, making its crossing treacherous and difficult.”
#10
نشسته فرنگیس بر پاس گاه
✦
به دیگر کران خفته بد گیو و شاه
“Farangis was sitting on watch, while on the far bank slept Gev and the young King.”
#11
فرنگیس زان جایگه بنگرید
✦
درفش سپهدار توران بدید
“Farangis looked out from that high spot and beheld the banner of Turan's commander.”
#12
دوان شد بر گیو و آگاه کرد
✦
بران خفتگان خواب کوتاه کرد
“She ran to Gev and alerted him, cutting short the sleepers' rest.”
#13
بدو گفت کای مرد با رنج خیز
✦
که آمد ترا روزگار گریز
“She said to him: 'O man of toil, arise! For the day of flight has come upon you.'”
#14
ترا گر بیابند بیجان کنند
✦
دل ما ز درد تو پیچان کنند
“'If they find you, they will end your life and wring our hearts with sorrow for you.'”
#15
مرا با پسر دیده گردد پرآب
✦
برد بسته تا پیش افراسیاب
“'They will drag me and my son with tearful eyes bound into the presence of Afrasiab.'”
#16
وزان پس ندانم چه آید گزند
✦
نداند کسی راز چرخ بلند
“'And after that, I know not what harm shall befall us, for no one knows the secrets of the lofty sky.'”
#17
بدو گفت گیو ای مه بانوان
✦
چرا رنجه کردی بدینسان روان
“Gev said to her: 'O noble queen, why do you distress your soul so?'”
#18
تو با شاه برشو به بالای تند
✦
ز پیران و لشکر مشو هیچ کند
“'Ascend the steep height with the King, and be not afraid of Piran and his host.'”
#19
جهاندار پیروز یار منست
✦
سر اختر اندر کنار منست
“'The victorious Lord of the World is my ally, and my star shines bright in the heavens.'”
#20
بدوگفت کیخسرو ای رزمساز
✦
کنون بر تو بر کار من شد دراز
“Kai Khosrow said to him: 'O warrior, now my plight has weighed too heavily upon you.'”
#21
ز دام بلا یافتم من رها
✦
تو چندین مشو در دم اژدها
“'I have escaped the snare of calamity; do not throw yourself into the dragon's jaws.'”
#22
به هامون مرارفت باید کنون
✦
فشاندن به شمشیر بر شید خون
“'Now I must go out upon the plain and shed blood with my sword beneath the sun.'”
#23
بدو گفت گیو ای شه سرفراز
✦
جهان را به نام تو آمد نیاز
“Gev said to him: 'O exalted King, the world stands in desperate need of your noble name!'”
#24
پدر پهلوانست و من پهلوان
✦
به شاهی نپیچیم جان و روان
“'My father is a champion and I am a champion; we do not trade our lives for kingship.'”
#25
برادر مرا هست هفتاد و هشت
✦
جهان شد چو نام تو اندر گذشت
“'I have seventy-eight brothers; yet the world turned dark when your royal father passed away.'”
#26
بسی پهلوانست شاه اندکی
✦
چه باشد چو پیدا نباشد یکی
“'There are many heroes, but few true Kings; what matters if one champion is slain?'”
#27
اگر من شوم کشته دیگر بود
✦
سر تاجور باشد افسر بود
“'If I am slain, another will stand in my place; but the crowned head must wear the crown.'”
#28
اگر تو شوی دور از ایدر تباه
✦
نبینم کسی از در تاج و گاه
“'If you perish away from here, I shall see no one worthy of the crown and throne.'”
#29
شود رنج من هفت ساله به باد
✦
دگر آنک ننگ آورم بر نژاد
“'My seven years of toil would go to dust, and I would bring shame upon my lineage.'”
#30
تو بالا گزین و سپه را ببین
✦
مرا یاد باشد جهان آفرین
“'Choose the high ground and watch the army; as for me, the Creator of the World remembers me.'”
#31
بپوشید درع و بیامد چو شیر
✦
همان باره دستکش را به زیر
“He donned his chainmail and came forth like a lion, leading his warhorse beneath him.”
#32
ازین سوی شه بود ز آنسو سپاه
✦
میانچی شده رود و بر بسته راه
“On this side stood the King, on that side the army; between them flowed the river, blocking the path.”
#33
چو رعد بهاران بغرید گیو
✦
ز سالار لشکر همی جست نیو
“Gev roared like spring thunder, demanding a brave champion from the army's commander.”
#34
چو بشنید پیرانش دشنام داد
✦
بدو گفت کای بد رگ دیوزاد
“When Piran heard him, he shouted abuse and said: 'O ill-bred spawn of a demon!'”
#35
چو تنها بدین رزمگاه آمدی
✦
دلاور به پیش سپاه آمدی
“'Though you came alone to this battlefield, you stand boldly before a whole army!'”
#36
کنون خوردنت نوک ژوپین بود
✦
برت را کفن چنگ شاهین بود
“'Now your food shall be the tip of javelins, and your body's shroud the falcon's talons!'”
#37
اگر کوه آهن بود یک سوار
✦
چو مور اندر آید به گردش هزار
“'Though a single horseman were an iron mountain, a thousand warriors would swarm around him like ants.'”
#38
شود خیره سر گرچه خردست مور
✦
نه مورست پوشیده مرد و ستور
“'Even if the ant is small, it dazzles the mind—and these are not ants, but armed men and steeds!'”
#39
کنند این زره بر تنش چاک چاک
✦
چو مردار گردد کشندش به خاک
“'They shall tear this armor upon your body to shreds, and drag your corpse into the dirt!'”
#40
یکی داستان زد هژبر دمان
✦
که چون بر گوزنی سرآید زمان
“Gev quoted a proverb of raging lions: 'When a deer's appointed time arrives,'”
#41
زمانه برو دم همی بشمرد
✦
بیاید دمان پیش من بگذرد
“'Destiny counts its breaths, and it runs straight toward me.'”
#42
زمان آوریدت کنون پیش من
✦
همان پیش این نامدار انجمن
“'Destiny has now brought you before me, and before this renowned assembly.'”
#43
بدو گفت گیو ای سپهدار شیر
✦
سزد گر به آب اندر آیی دلیر
“Gev said to him: 'O lion-hearted general, it would be fitting for you to cross into the water with courage!'”
#44
ببینی کزین پرهنر یک سوار
✦
چه آید ترا بر سر ای نامدار
“'To see what a single accomplished warrior shall bring upon your head, O famous lord!'”
#45
هزارید و من نامور یک دلیر
✦
سر سرکشان اندر آرم به زیر
“'You are a thousand, and I am one famous brave; yet I shall bring low the heads of the mighty!'”
#46
چو من گُرزهٔ سرگرای آورم
✦
سران را همه زیر پای آورم
“When I bring forth my heavy, head-striking mace, I shall trample all great leaders underfoot.”
#47
چو بشنید پیران برآورد خشم
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و پرآب چشم
“When Piran heard these words, wrath flared within him; his heart grew heavy with grief and blood, and his eyes filled with tears.”
#48
برانگیخت اسپ و بیفشارد ران
✦
به گردن برآورد گُرز گران
“He spurred his steed and pressed his thighs, raising his heavy mace up to his neck.”
#49
چو کشتی ز دشت اندر آمد به رود
✦
همی داد نیکی دهش را درود
“Like a vessel cutting through the plain into the river, he crossed, giving praise to the Giver of All Goodness.”
#50
نکرد ایچ گیو آزمون را شتاب
✦
بدان تا برآمد سپهبد ز آب
“Giv made no hasty move to test his foe, waiting patiently until the chieftain emerged from the waters.”
#51
ز بالا به پستی بپیچید گیو
✦
گریزان همی شد ز سالار نیو
“Giv turned from the high ground toward the low, appearing to flee before the brave leader.”
#52
چو از آب وز لشکرش دور کرد
✦
به زین اندر افگند گُرز نبرد
“Once he had drawn him far from the river and his army, Giv slung his heavy battle-mace back upon his saddle.”
#53
گریزان ازو پهلوان بلند
✦
ز فتراک بگشاد پیچان کمند
“While the lofty hero pursued him thinking he fled, Giv unfastened his coiled lasso from the saddle-bow.”
#54
هم‌آورد با گیو نزدیک شد
✦
جهان چون شب تیره تاریک شد
“As the adversary closed in on Giv, the bright world turned dark as pitch-black night.”
#55
بپیچید گیو سرافراز یال
✦
کمند اندرافگند و کردش دوال
“Giv twisted his proud neck and shoulders, cast his lasso, and made a tight loop around his foe.”
#56
سر پهلوان اندر آمد به بند
✦
ز زین برگرفتش به خم کمند
“The chieftain's head fell into the snare, and Giv lifted him straight off his saddle with the loop of his lasso.”
#57
پیاده به پیش اندر افگند خوار
✦
ببردش دمان تا لب رودبار
“He cast him down to walk before him in disgrace, dragging him swiftly toward the riverbank.”
#58
بیفگند بر خاک و دستش ببست
✦
سلیحش بپوشید و خود بر نشست
“He threw him upon the earth and bound his hands, stripped him of his armor, donned it himself, and mounted up.”
#59
درفشش گرفته به چنگ اندرون
✦
بشد تا لب آب گلزریون
“Grasping Piran's banner in his hand, Giv rode straight to the banks of the Gulzariyun River.”
#60
چو ترکان درفش سپهدار خویش
✦
بدیدند رفتند ناچار پیش
“When the Turanian troops beheld the banner of their commander, they had no choice but to march forward.”
#61
خروش آمد و نالهٔ کرنای
✦
دم نای رویین و هندی درای
“A roar arose with the wail of war-trumpets, the blast of brass flutes, and the ringing of Indian gongs.”
#62
جهاندیده گیو اندر آمد به آب
✦
چو کشتی که از باد گیرد شتاب
“The world-experienced Giv plunged into the water, swift as a vessel caught in a driving wind.”
#63
برآورد گُرز گران را به کفت
✦
سپه ماند از کار او در شگفت
“He raised his heavy mace in his grip, leaving the whole army astonished by his valor.”
#64
سبک شد عنان وگران شد رکیب
✦
سر سرکشان خیره گشت از نهیب
“Reins slackened and stirrups grew heavy; the minds of the proud warriors were dazed with terror.”
#65
به شمشیر و با نیزهٔ سرگرای
✦
همی کشت ازیشان یل رهنمای
“With sword and head-striking spear, the guiding warrior slaughtered them relentlessly.”
#66
از افگنده شد روی هامون چون کوه
✦
ز یک تن شدند آن دلیران ستوه
“The face of the plain rose like mountains of fallen slain, and those brave warriors grew helpless before a single man.”
#67
قفای یلان سوی او شد همه
✦
چو شیر اندر آمد به پیش رمه
“The backs of all the heroes turned to flee before him, as he fell upon them like a lion upon a flock.”
#68
چو لشکر هزیمت شد از پیش گیو
✦
چنان لشکری گشن و مردان نیو
“When that vast army and its valiant warriors were routed and fled before Giv,”
#69
چنان خیره برگشت و بگذاشت آب
✦
که گفتی ندیدست لشکر به خواب
“They fled so bewildered and crossed the river so swiftly, as if they had never seen an army even in a dream.”
#70
دمان تا به نزدیک پیران رسید
✦
همی خواست از تن سرش را برید
“Giv rushed back to Piran and wished to sever his head from his shoulders.”
#71
به خواری پیاده ببردش کشان
✦
دمان و پر از درد چون بیهشان
“He dragged him along in humiliation on foot, distressed and bewildered like one out of his senses.”
#72
چنین گفت کاین بددل و بی‌وفا
✦
گرفتار شد در دم اژدها
“Giv said: 'This treacherous and faithless traitor has finally fallen into the dragon's jaws!'”
#73
سیاوش به گفتار او سر بداد
✦
گر او باد شد این شود نیز باد
“Siyavash lost his head because of Piran's deceit; if Siyavash was reduced to wind, this man too must vanish like wind!”
#74
ابر شاه پیران گرفت آفرین
✦
خروشان ببوسید روی زمین
“Piran began to utter praise to Prince Kay Khosrow, weeping loudly and kissing the earth.”
#75
همی گفت کای شاه دانش پژوه
✦
چو خورشید تابان میان گروه
“He said: 'O wisdom-seeking prince, who shines like the radiant sun amidst the people!'”
#76
تو دانسته‌ای درد و تیمار من
✦
ز بهر تو با شاه پیگار من
“You know full well my pain and sorrow, and that my struggle with the King was for your sake.”
#77
سزد گر من از چنگ این اژدها
✦
به بخت و به فر تو یابم رها
“It is fitting if, through your good fortune and royal grace, I obtain release from the jaws of this dragon.'”
#78
به کیخسرو اندر نگه کرد گیو
✦
بدان تا چه فرمان دهد شاه نیو
“Giv looked toward Kay Khosrow to see what command the brave prince would issue.”
#79
فرنگیس را دید دیده پرآب
✦
زبان پر ز نفرین افراسیاب
“He saw Farangis with eyes full of tears, her tongue pouring curses upon Afrasiyab.”
#80
به گیو آن زمان گفت کای سرافراز
✦
کشیدی بسی رنج راه دراز
“She then said to Giv: 'O exalted hero, you have endured great hardship on this long journey...'”
#81
چنان دان که این پیرسر پهلوان
✦
خردمند و رادست و روشن روان
“Know full well that this aged paladin is wise, magnanimous, and pure of spirit.”
#82
پس از داور دادگر رهنمون
✦
بدان کاو رهانید ما را ز خون
“After the righteous God who guides our way, know that it was he who saved us from death.”
#83
ز بد مهر او پردهٔ جان ماست
✦
وزین کردهٔ خویش زنهار خواست
“Against harm, his kindness became the shield for our lives; and for what he did, he now sought safe conduct.”
#84
بدو گفت گیو ای سر بانوان
✦
انوشه روان باش تا جاودان
“Giv answered her, 'O lady of noble women! May your soul remain immortal for all time.'”
#85
یکی سخت سوگند خوردم به ماه
✦
به تاج و به تخت شه نیک‌خواه
“'Yet I have sworn a solemn oath by the moon, and by the throne and crown of our benevolent King,'”
#86
که گر دست یابم برو روز کین
✦
کنم ارغوانی ز خونش زمین
“'That if I gained power over him on the day of vengeance, I would dye the earth purple with his blood.'”
#87
بدو گفت کیخسرو ای شیرفش
✦
زبان را ز سوگند یزدان مکش
“Kay Khosrow said to him, 'O lion-hearted warrior, do not retract an oath sworn in God’s name.'”
#88
کنونش به سوگند گستاخ کن
✦
به خنجر وراگوش سوراخ کن
“'Fulfill your pledge now with boldness: pierce his earlobe with your dagger instead.'”
#89
چو از خنجرت خون چکد بر زمین
✦
هم از مهر یاد آیدت هم ز کین
“'When blood drips onto the dust from your blade, both mercy and vengeance shall be fulfilled.'”
#90
بشد گیو و گوشش به خنجر بسفت
✦
ز سوگند برتر درشتی نگفت
“Giv stepped forward and pierced his ear with the dagger, uttering no harsh word beyond his oath.”
#91
چنین گفت پیران ازان پس به شاه
✦
که کلباد شد بی‌گمان با سپاه
“Thereupon Piran spoke to the young King: 'Kulbad has surely fled along with the army.'”
#92
بفرمای کاسپم دهد باز نیز
✦
چنان دان که بخشیده‌ای جان و چیز
“'Command that my steed be returned to me as well; consider that you have granted me both life and wealth.'”
#93
بدو گفت گیو ای دلیر سپاه
✦
چرا سست گشتی به آوردگاه
“Giv said to him, 'O valiant warrior of the host, why did you show such weakness upon the battlefield?'”
#94
به سوگند یابی مگر باره باز
✦
دو دستت ببندم به بند دراز
“'Only through a solemn oath shall you regain your horse, for I will bind both your hands with a long cord,'”
#95
که نگشاید این بند تو هیچکس
✦
گشاینده گلشهر خواهیم و بس
“'Such that no man along the way shall untie this knot; we mandate that Golshahr alone shall loose it,'”
#96
کجا مهتر بانوان تو اوست
✦
وزو نیست پیدا ترا مغز و پوست
“'Who is the chief among your noble ladies, without whom your very spirit and flesh are as nothing.'”
#97
بدان گشت همداستان پهلوان
✦
به سوگند بخرید اسپ و روان
“The chieftain agreed to these conditions, ransoming his steed and his very life with that oath.”
#98
که نگشاید آن بند را کس به راه
✦
ز گلشهر سازد وی آن دستگاه
“Swearing that no one on his journey should untie those bonds, leaving that task solely for Golshahr.”
#99
بدو داد اسپ و دو دستش ببست
✦
ازان پس بفرمود تا برنشست
“Giv restored his horse to him, bound both his hands, and then ordered him to mount and depart.”