#1
ازان پس خبر شد بافراسیاب
✦
که شد مرز توران چو دریای آب
“Thereafter news reached Afrasiab that the realm of Turan had become like an ocean of water.”
#2
سوی کاسه‌رود اندر آمد سپاه
✦
زمین شد ز کین سیاوش سیاه
“The host entered Kaseh-Rud; the earth grew black from the vengeance for Siyavash.”
#3
سپهبد به پیران سالار گفت
✦
که خسرو سخن برگشاد از نهفت
“The chieftain spoke to Piran, the commander: 'The King Kay Khosrow has unveiled his hidden resolve.'”
#4
مگر کین سخن را پذیره شویم
✦
همه با درفش و تبیره شویم
“'Perhaps we should go forth to meet this conflict, all with banners and war drums;'”
#5
وگرنه ز ایران بیاید سپاه
✦
نه خورشید بینیم روشن نه ماه
“'Otherwise an army will come from Iran, and we shall behold neither the bright sun nor the moon.'”
#6
برو لشکر آور ز هر سو فراز
✦
سخنها نباید که گردد دراز
“'Gather an army toward me from every direction; this matter must not be prolonged.'”
#7
وزین رو برآمد یکی تندباد
✦
که کس را ز ایران نبد رزم یاد
“Meanwhile from the Iranian side a fierce wind arose, such that none from Iran recalled battle.”
#8
یکی ابر تند اندر آمد چو گرد
✦
ز سرما همی لب بدندان فسرد
“A harsh cloud rolled in like dust; from the bitter frost, lips froze against teeth.”
#9
سراپرده و خیمه‌ها گشت یخ
✦
کشید از بر کوه بر برف نخ
“Pavilions and tents turned to ice; snow stretched out line upon line from the mountain tops.”
#10
بیک هفته کس روی هامون ندید
✦
همه کشور از برف شد ناپدید
“For a whole week, none saw the face of the plain; the entire realm disappeared beneath snow.”
#11
خور و خواب و آرامگه تنگ شد
✦
تو گفتی که روی زمین سنگ شد
“Food, sleep, and rest grew scarce; you would say the surface of the earth had turned to stone.”
#12
کسی را نبد یاد روز نبرد
✦
همی اسپ جنگی بکشت و بخورد
“None remembered the day of combat; they slaughtered and ate their own warhorses.”
#13
تبه شد بسی مردم و چارپای
✦
یکی را نبد چنگ و بازو بجای
“Many men and beasts perished; none retained strength in hand or arm.”
#14
بهشتم برآمد بلند آفتاب
✦
جهان شد سراسر چو دریای آب
“On the eighth day the sun rose high; the world turned entirely into an ocean of water.”
#15
سپهبد سپه را همی گرد کرد
✦
سخن رفت چندی ز روز نبرد
“The commander assembled the troops, and words were exchanged regarding the battle day.”
#16
که ایدر سپه شد ز تنگی تباه
✦
سزد گر برانیم ازین رزمگاه
“'The host has been ruined here by hardship; it is fitting that we march away from this battlefield.'”
#17
مبادا برین بوم و برها درود
✦
کلات و سپدکوه گر کاسه رود
“'May there be no blessing upon this land—be it Kelat, Sped-Kuh, or Kaseh-Rud!'”
#18
ز گردان سرافراز بهرام گفت
✦
که این از سپهبد نشاید نهفت
“Bahram, exalted among champions, spoke: 'This should not be concealed from the commander.'”
#19
تو ما را بگفتار خامش کنی
✦
همی رزم پور سیاوش کنی
“'You silence us with words while dodging the battle for Siyavash's son!'”
#20
مکن کژ ابر خیره بر کار راست
✦
بیک جان نگه کن که چندین بکاست
“'Do not distort what is right so foolishly; consider a single soul that suffered such loss.'”
#21
هنوز از بدی تا چه آیدت پیش
✦
به چرم اندر است این زمان گاومیش
“'Consider what evil may yet befall you; the buffalo is still within its hide!'”
#22
سپهبد چنین گفت کاذرگشسپ
✦
نبد نامورتر ز جنگی زرسپ
“The commander replied: 'By Azargoshasp! None was more renowned than warrior Zarasp,'”
#23
بلشکر نگه کن که چون ریونیز
✦
که بینی بمردی و دیدار نیز
“'Look upon Rivniz in the army, whom you saw in bravery and stature as well.'”
#24
نه بر بی‌گنه کشته آمد فرود
✦
نوشته چنین بود بود آنچ بود
“'Nor was innocent Farud slain in vain; it was written thus, and what was destined came to pass.'”
#25
مرا جام ازو پر می و شیر بود
✦
جوان را ز بالا سخن تیر بود
“'My cup was full of wine and milk through him; yet that youth's words were arrows from above.'”
#26
کنون از گذشته نیاریم یاد
✦
به بیداد شد کشته او گر بداد
“'Now let us not recall the past; whether killed unjustly or justly, he is gone.'”
#27
چو خلعت ستد گیو گودرز ز شاه
✦
که آن کوه هیزم بسوزد براه
“'When Giv son of Goudarz received the robe of honor from the King to burn that mountain of wood on the road,'”
#28
کنونست هنگام آن سوختن
✦
به آتش سپهری برافروختن
“'Now is the time for that burning, to ignite the sky with fire,'”
#29
گشاده شود راه لشکر مگر
✦
بباشد سپه را بروبر گذر
“'So that the army's path may open and the troops may pass through.'”
#30
بدو گفت گیو این سخن رنج نیست
✦
وگر هست هم رنج بی‌گنج نیست
“Giv said to him: 'This task is no labor; and if it be labor, it is not without treasure.'”
#31
غمی گشت بیژن بدین داستان
✦
نباشم بدین گفت همداستان
“Bijan grew sorrowful at this tale and said: 'I shall not agree to this.'”
#32
مرا با جوانی نباید نشست
✦
بپیری کمر بر میان تو بست
“'It is not right for me to sit in my youth while you gird your waist in old age.'”
#33
برنج و بسختی بپروردیم
✦
بگفتار هرگز نیازردیم
“'You raised me through hardship and difficulty, and never pained me with words.'”
#34
مرا برد باید بدین کار دست
✦
نشاید تو با رنج و من با نشست
“'I must set my hand to this work; it is unfitting for you to suffer while I sit idle.'”
#35
بدو گفت گیو آنک من ساختم
✦
بدین کار گردن برافراختم
“Giv said to him: 'That which I pledged, I raised my neck to perform.'”
#36
کنون ای پسر گاه آرایشست
✦
نه هنگام پیری و بخشایشست
“'Now, my son, is the time for action and honor, not the time for old age's weakness or pity.'”
#37
ازین رفتن من ندار ایچ غم
✦
که من کوه خارا بسوزم به دم
“'Do not grieve over my departure, for I can burn a mountain of flint with my breath.'”
#38
بسختی گذشت از در کاسه‌رود
✦
جهان را همه رنج برف آب بود
“With great hardship he passed through the gate of Kaseh-Rud; the world was all trial of melted snow.”
#39
چو آمد بران کوه هیزم فراز
✦
ندانست بالا و پهناش باز
“When he reached that mountain of wood, he could not fathom its height or width.”
#40
ز پیکان تیر آتشی برفروخت
✦
بکوه اندر افگند و هیزم بسوخت
“He sparked a fire with an arrowhead, cast it into the mountain, and burned the timber.”
#41
ز آتش سه هفته گذرشان نبود
✦
ز تف زبانه ز باد و ز دود
“For three weeks none could pass because of the fire's heat, flames, wind, and smoke.”
#42
چهارم سپه برگذشتن گرفت
✦
همان آب و آتش نشستن گرفت
“On the fourth week, the army began to cross as both the water and the fire subsided.”
#43
سپهبد چو لشکر برو گرد شد
✦
ز آتش براه گروگرد شد
“When the army gathered around the commander, they passed through the trail of ashes.”
#44
سپاه اندر آمد چنانچون سزد
✦
همه کوه و هامون سراپرده زد
“The army advanced in noble fashion, pitching pavilions over both mountain and plain.”
#45
چنانچون ببایست برساختند
✦
ز هر سو طلایه برون تاختند
“They arranged everything as was fitting, and dispatched night outposts in every direction.”
#46
گروگرد بودی نشست تژاو
✦
سواری که بودیش با شیر تاو
“Garavgard was the dwelling of Tazhav, a knight who possessed strength equal to a ferocious lion.”
#47
فسیله بدان جایگه داشتی
✦
چنان کوه تا کوه بگذاشتی
“He kept his horse-herds in that region, leaving them to roam freely from mountain to mountain.”
#48
خبر شد که آمد ز ایران سپاه
✦
گله برد باید به یکسو ز راه
“Word arrived that the army of Iran was approaching, and that the herds must be moved out of their path.”
#49
فرستاد گردی هم اندر شتاب
✦
بنزدیک چوپان افراسیاب
“In great haste, he dispatched a champion to the shepherd of King Afrasiab.”
#50
کبوده بدش نام و شایسته بود
✦
بشایستگی نیز بایسته بود
“His name was Kabudah, a worthy man, who proved both capable and fit for the task.”
#51
بدو گفت چون تیره گردد سپهر
✦
تو ز ایدر برو هیچ منمای چهر
“He instructed him: 'When the heavens turn dark, depart from here and show your face to no one.'”
#52
نگه کن که چندست ز ایران سپاه
✦
ز گردان که دارد درفش و کلاه
“'Spy out the strength of the Iranian army, and see which of their heroes bear banners and crowns.'”
#53
ازیدر بر ایشان شبیخون کنیم
✦
همه کوه در جنگ هامون کنیم
“'So that we may launch a night surprise attack upon them from here, and level all these mountains into a plain of battle.'”
#54
کبوده بیامد چو گرد سیاه
✦
شب تیره نزدیک ایران سپاه
“Kabudah stole forth like a dark cloud through the pitch-black night toward the camp of Iran.”
#55
طلایه شب تیره بهرام بود
✦
کمندش سر پیل را دام بود
“Bahram was on night guard; his lasso was a snare capable of trapping the head of an elephant.”
#56
برآورد اسپ کبوده خروش
✦
ز لشکر برافراخت بهرام گوش
“Kabudah's steed uttered a loud neigh, and Bahram instantly pricked up his ears in alertness.”
#57
کمان را بزه کرد و بفشارد ران
✦
درآمد ز جای آن هیون گران
“He strung his bow, pressed his thighs against his charger, and surged forth from his post.”
#58
یکی تیر بگشاد و نگشاد لب
✦
کبوده نبود ایچ پیدا ز شب
“He loosed an arrow silently, though Kabudah was completely concealed by the dark of night.”
#59
بزد بر کمربند چوپان شاه
✦
همی گشت رنگ کبوده سیاه
“The shaft struck the king's shepherd at his waist belt, and Kabudah's face turned pale as death.”
#60
ز اسپ اندر افتاد و زنهار خواست
✦
بدو گفت بهرام برگوی راست
“He fell from his horse and begged for mercy; Bahram demanded, 'Speak the truth!'”
#61
که ایدر فرستندهٔ تو که بود
✦
کرا خواستی زین بزرگان بسود
“'Who sent you here, and which of these grandees did you intend to target?'”
#62
ببهرام گفت ار دهی زینهار
✦
بگویم ترا هرچ پرسی ز کار
“He replied to Bahram: 'If you grant me quarter, I shall reveal all that you ask concerning this affair.'”
#63
تژاوست شاها فرستنده‌ام
✦
بنزدیک او من پرستنده‌ام
“'O prince, Tazhav is the one who sent me, and I am but a humble servant in his house.'”
#64
مکش مر مرا تا نمایمت راه
✦
بجایی که او دارد آرامگاه
“'Do not slay me, so that I may guide you to the place where he resides.'”
#65
بدو گفت بهرام با من تژاو
✦
چو با شیر درنده پیکار گاو
“Bahram answered him: 'For Tazhav to contend with me is like an ox trying to battle a fierce lion!'”
#66
سرش را بخنجر ببرید پست
✦
بفتراک زین کیانی ببست
“He severed his head swift and low with a dagger, and bound it to the saddle-straps of his noble steed.”
#67
بلشکر گه آورد و بفگند خوار
✦
نه نام‌آوری بد نه گردی سوار
“He brought it back to the camp and cast it down with disdain, for he was neither a famous chief nor a noble warrior.”