#1
سه روزش درنگ آمد اندر چرم
✦
چهارم برآمد ز شیپور دم
“For three days he tarried in the land of Charm; on the fourth day, the blast of the war-horn resounded.”
#2
سپه برگرفت و بزد نای و کوس
✦
زمین کوه تا کوه گشت آبنوس
“He mobilized the host and struck the trumpets and drums; the earth turned as dark as ebony from mountain to mountain.”
#3
هرآنکس که دیدی ز توران سپاه
✦
بکشتی تنش را فگندی براه
“Whomever he encountered of the Turanian army, he slew and cast their bodies beside the road.”
#4
همه مرزها کرد بی‌تار و پود
✦
همی رفت پیروز تا کاسه‌رود
“He unravelled the fabric of all their borders, marching triumphantly until he reached Kasa-Rud.”
#5
بدان مرز لشکر فرود آورید
✦
زمین گشت زان خیمه‌ها ناپدید
“He brought the army to a halt in that borderland; the ground disappeared beneath the vastness of their tents.”
#6
خبر شد بترکان کز ایران سپاه
✦
سوی کاسه رود اندر آمد براه
“Word reached the Turks that an army from Iran was marching towards Kasa-Rud.”
#7
ز ترکان بیامد دلیری جوان
✦
پلاشان بیداردل پهلوان
“From the Turks there came a brave young man, Pelashan, a vigilant and courageous champion.”
#8
بیامد که لشکر همی بنگرد
✦
درفش سران را همی بشمرد
“He came to reconnoiter the army, counting the banners of the Iranian leaders.”
#9
بلشکرگه اندر یکی کوه بود
✦
بلند و بیکسو ز انبوه بود
“Within the encampment stood a high mountain, rising apart from the main throng.”
#10
نشسته برو گیو و بیژن بهم
✦
همی رفت هرگونه از بیش و کم
“Atop it sat Giv and Bizhan together, discussing matters great and small of the coming war.”
#11
درفش پلاشان ز توران سپاه
✦
بدیدار ایشان برآمد ز راه
“The banner of Pelashan of the Turanian host came into their view from down the road.”
#12
چو از دور گیو دلاور بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When valiant Giv caught sight of him from afar, he reached down and drew his sword from his waist.”
#13
چنین گفت کامد پلاشان شیر
✦
یکی نامداری سواری دلیر
“He said, "Pelashan the lion has arrived—a renowned, lion-hearted knight!”
#14
شوم گر سرش را ببرم ز تن
✦
گرش بسته آرم بدین انجمن
“I shall go either to sever his head from his body, or bring him bound before this assembly!"”
#15
بدو گفت بیژن که گر شهریار
✦
مرا داد خلعت بدین کارزار
“Bizhan answered him, "Since the Shah granted me the honor of leading this battle,”
#16
بفرمان مرا بست باید کمر
✦
برزم پلاشان پرخاشخر
“By his command it is I who must gird myself for combat against bloodthirsty Pelashan."”
#17
به بیژن چنین گفت گیو دلیر
✦
که مشتاب در چنگ این نره شیر
“Valiant Giv said to Bizhan, "Do not rush headlong into the clutches of this fierce lion!”
#18
نباید که با او نتابی بجنگ
✦
کنی روز بر من برین جنگ تنگ
“Beware lest you fail to withstand him in battle, and turn this day dark and narrow for me.”
#19
پلاشان چو شیر است در مرغزار
✦
جز از مرد جنگی نجوید شکار
“Pelashan is like a lion in the meadow; he hunts none but seasoned warriors!"”
#20
بدو گفت بیژن مرا زین سخن
✦
به پیش جهاندار ننگی مکن
“Bizhan replied, "Do not bring shame upon me with such words before the ruler of the world!”
#21
سلیح سیاوش مرا ده بجنگ
✦
پس آنگه نگه کن شکار پلنگ
“Give me the armor of Siyavash for battle, and then behold how the leopard hunts!"”
#22
بدو داد گیو دلیر آن زره
✦
همی بست بیژن زره را گره
“Valiant Giv handed him the armor, and Bizhan buckled the mail tight around him.”
#23
یکی بارهٔ تیزرو برنشست
✦
بهامون خرامید نیزه بدست
“He mounted a swift warhorse and galloped into the plain, spear in hand.”
#24
پلاشان یکی آهو افگنده بود
✦
کبابش بر آتش پراگنده بود
“Pelashan had brought down a gazelle, and its roast meat was scattered over the fire.”
#25
همی خورد و اسپش چران و چمان
✦
پلاشان نشسته به بازو کمان
“He was eating while his horse grazed nearby, Pelashan sitting with his bow upon his arm.”
#26
چو اسپش ز دور اسپ بیژن بدید
✦
خروشی برآورد و اندر دمید
“When his steed caught sight of Bizhan’s horse from afar, it let out a loud neighing roar.”
#27
پلاشان بدانست کامد سوار
✦
بیامد بسیچیدهٔ کارزار
“Pelashan realized that a warrior had arrived, and stepped forward fully prepared for battle.”
#28
یکی بانگ برزد به بیژن بلند
✦
منم گفت شیراوژن و و دیوبند
“He shouted loudly at Bizhan, "I am the lion-feller and the demon-binder!”
#29
بگو آشکارا که نام تو چیست
✦
که اختر همی بر تو خواهد گریست
“Declare openly what your name is, for the stars are about to weep for your fate!"”
#30
دلاور بدو گفت من بیژنم
✦
برزم اندرون پیل و رویین‌تنم
“The warrior replied, "I am Bizhan! In battle I am an elephant and bronzed of body!”
#31
نیا شیر جنگی پدر گیو گرد
✦
هم اکنون ببینی ز من دستبرد
“My grandfather is a warlike lion, my father is Giv the hero, and now you shall behold my prowess!”
#32
بروز بلا در دم کارزار
✦
تو بر کوه چون گرگ مردار خوار
“On the day of reckoning in the heat of battle, you crouch upon the mountain like a scavenger wolf,”
#33
همی دود و خاکستر و خون خوری
✦
گه آمد که لشکر بهامون بری
“Consuming smoke, ash, and blood; now the time has come for you to bring your host to the plain!"”
#34
پلاشان بپاسخ نکرد ایچ یاد
✦
برانگیخت آن پیل‌تن را چو باد
“Pelashan made no verbal reply, but spurred his elephantine steed forward like the wind.”
#35
سواران بنیزه برآویختند
✦
یکی گرد تیره برانگیختند
“The two horsemen engaged with spears, raising a dark cloud of dust into the air.”
#36
سنانهای نیزه بهم برشکست
✦
یلان سوی شمشیر بردند دست
“The spear-tips snapped against each other, and the heroes reached for their swords.”
#37
بزخم اندرون تیغ شد لخت لخت
✦
ببودند لرزان چو شاخ درخت
“Under the blows, their blades shattered into pieces, leaving them trembling like tree branches.”
#38
بآب اندرون غرقه شد بارگی
✦
سرانشان غمی گشت یکبارگی
“Their steeds sank into the river water, and the leaders grew utterly exhausted.”
#39
عمود گران برکشیدند باز
✦
دو شیر سرافراز و دو رزمساز
“Then they drew their heavy maces once more—two exalted lions and two masters of war.”
#40
چنین تا برآورد بیژن خروش
✦
عمودگران برنهاده بدوش
“Until Bizhan let out a thunderous roar, hoisting his heavy mace upon his shoulder.”
#41
بزد بر میان پلاشان گرد
✦
همه مهرهٔ پشت بشکست خرد
“He struck valiant Pelashan square in the waist, shattering every vertebra of his spine to pieces.”
#42
ز بالای اسپ اندر آمد تنش
✦
نگون شد بر و مغفر و جوشنش
“Pelashan's body fell headlong from his horse, his chest, helmet, and coat of mail tumbling into the dirt.”
#43
فرود آمد از باره بیژن چو گرد
✦
سر مرد جنگی ز تن دور کرد
“Bizhan dismounted like dust from his horse and severed the warrior's head from his neck.”
#44
سلیح و سر و اسپ آن نامجوی
✦
بیاورد و سوی پدر کرد روی
“Gathering the arms, head, and horse of that renowned warrior, he turned back towards his father.”
#45
دل گیو بد زان سخن پر ز درد
✦
که چون گردد آن باد روز نبرد
“Giv’s heart had been heavy with pain, wondering how the fateful wind of battle would blow.”
#46
خروشان و جوشان بدان دیده‌گاه
✦
که تا گرد بیژن کی آید ز راه
“Straining eagerly at the lookout post, he watched intently to see when the dust of Bijan's return would rise from the road.”
#47
همی آمد از راه پور جوان
✦
سر و جوشن و اسپ آن پهلوان
“Presently the young warrior arrived along the road, bearing the severed head, coat of mail, and steed of that champion.”
#48
بیاورد و بنهاد پیش پدر
✦
بدو گفت پیروز باش ای پسر
“He brought them and placed them before his father, who blessed him saying: "May victory ever be yours, my son!"”
#49
برفتند با شادمانی ز جای
✦
نهادند سر سوی پرده‌سرای
“In high spirits they departed from that place and directed their course toward the commander's pavilion.”
#50
بیاورد پیش سپهبد سرش
✦
همان اسپ با جوشن و مغفرش
“He presented before the commander-in-chief the warrior's head, along with his warhorse, coat of mail, and helmet.”
#51
چنان شاد شد زان سخن پهلوان
✦
که گفتی برافشاند خواهد روان
“The chieftain was so overjoyed at the news that you would say he was ready to surrender his very soul for joy.”
#52
بدو گفت کای پور پشت سپاه
✦
سر نامداران و دیهیم شاه
“He said to him: "O noble son, pillar of the host, chief among warriors, and glory of the royal crown!"”
#53
همیشه بزی شاد و برترمنش
✦
ز تو دور بادا بد بدکنش
“"May you live ever joyful and noble-minded, and may the harm of malevolent foes be kept far from you!"”