#1
سپهبد بشد تیز و برگشت شاه
✦
سوی کاخ با رستم و با سپاه
“The commander departed swiftly, and the King returned to the palace alongside Rostam and the host.”
#2
یکی مجلس آراست با پیلتن
✦
رد و موبد و خسرو رای زن
“He arrayed a grand council with the elephant-bodied hero, the noble lords, wise priests, and prudent counselors.”
#3
فراوان سخن گفت ز افراسیاب
✦
ز رنج تن خویش وز درد باب
“He spoke at length of Afrasiab, of his own body's suffering, and of the anguish over his slain father.”
#4
ز آزردن مادر پارسا
✦
که با ما چه کرد آن بد پرجفا
“He recalled the torment of his chaste mother, and what that cruel oppressor had wrought upon them.”
#5
مرا زی شبانان بی‌مایه داد
✦
ز من کس ندانست نام و نژاد
“'He delivered me into the hands of humble shepherds, where none knew my name or royal lineage.'”
#6
فرستادم این بار طوس و سپاه
✦
ازین پس من و تو گذاریم راه
“'This time I sent Tus and the army ahead; henceforth, you and I shall set forth together on this road.'”
#7
جهان بر بداندیش تنگ آوریم
✦
سر دشمنان زیر سنگ آوریم
“'We shall turn the world narrow for the malevolent, and bring the heads of our foes beneath stones.'”
#8
ورا پیلتن گفت کین غم مدار
✦
به کام تو گردد همه روزگار
“The elephant-bodied hero said to him: 'Keep no such grief in your heart; all Time shall turn to your desire.'”
#9
وزان روی منزل بمنزل سپاه
✦
همی رفت و پیش‌اندر آمد دو راه
“Meanwhile, the host marched on stage by stage, until two diverging paths opened before them.”
#10
ز یک سو بیابان بی آب و نم
✦
کلات از دگر سوی و راه چرم
“On one side lay a arid, waterless desert; on the other lay Kalat and the road of Charm.”
#11
بماندند بر جای پیلان و کوس
✦
بدان تا بیاید سپهدار طوس
“The elephants and war drums halted in their places, awaiting the arrival of Tus, the commander of the host,”
#12
کدامین پسند آیدش زین دو راه
✦
بفرمان رود هم بران ره سپاه
“To see which of these two paths would meet his choice, so the army might march by his command.”
#13
چو آمد بر سرکشان طوس نرم
✦
سخن گفت ازان راه بی‌آب و گرم
“When Tus came softly among the chieftains, he spoke of that dry and scorching desert route.”
#14
بگودرز گفت این بیابان خشک
✦
اگر گرد عنبر دهد باد مشک
“He said to Gudarz: 'If the musk-scented wind should turn even this dry desert into amber dust,'”
#15
چو رانیم روزی به تندی دراز
✦
بآب و بآسایش آید نیاز
“'Yet if we ride hard for a single long day, the army will stand in desperate need of water and rest.'”
#16
همان به که سوی کلات و چرم
✦
برانیم و منزل کنیم از میم
“'It is far better that we head toward Kalat and Charm, and make our camp in joy and ease.'”
#17
چپ و راست آباد و آب روان
✦
بیابان چه جوییم و رنج روان
“'Left and right are prosperous lands and flowing waters; why seek the desert and torment our spirits?'”
#18
مرا بود روزی بدین ره گذر
✦
چو گژدهم پیش سپه راهبر
“'I once passed along this very route when Gazhdaham was the guide leading the host.'”
#19
ندیدیم از این راه رنجی دراز
✦
مگر بود لختی نشیب و فراز
“'We saw no lingering hardship along this way, save for a few ascents and descents.'”
#20
بدو گفت گودرز پرمایه شاه
✦
ترا پیش‌رو کرد پیش سپاه
“Gudarz, the noble chief, said to him: 'The King made you vanguard over the army,'”
#21
بران ره که گفت او سپه را بران
✦
نباید که آید کسی را زیان
“'You must march the host along the path he commanded, lest harm befall anyone.'”
#22
نباید که گردد دل‌آزرده شاه
✦
بد آید ز آزار او بر سپاه
“'Beware lest the King's heart grow aggrieved, for bad omens fall upon the host from his displeasure.'”
#23
بدو گفت طوس ای گو نامدار
✦
ازین گونه اندیشه در دل مدار
“Tus replied to him: 'O famous hero, harbor no such anxious thoughts in your heart!'”
#24
کزین شاه را دل نگردد دژم
✦
سزد گر نداری روان جفت غم
“'For the King's heart will not grow bitter over this; it is fitting that your spirit be not bound to grief.'”
#25
همان به که لشکر بدین سو بریم
✦
بیابان و فرسنگها نشمریم
“'It is far better to lead the troops this way and not count the weary parasangs of the desert.'”
#26
بدین گفته بودند همداستان
✦
برین بر نزد نیز کس داستان
“They agreed upon these words, and no one raised any further counsel against it.”
#27
براندند ازان راه پیلان و کوس
✦
بفرمان و رای سپهدار طوس
“They drove the elephants and sounded the war drums along that path, by the command and counsel of Spahbod Tus.”