When the golden sun raised its banner across the heavenly vault and the blade of dawn severed the dark mantle of night, Tazhav the Turanian march-warden felt the shadow of doom fall upon him. His black charger, Kabudeh, had not returned, and the morning breeze carried the bitter scent of calamity. Summoning his remaining horsemen, Tazhav advanced, but the alert Iranian lookouts upon the heights raised a resounding cry, warning that a Turanian host led by a dragon-like chieftain beneath a leopard banner was marching toward the field.
Giv, the renowned Iranian knight, rode forth with a band of proven warriors to confront him. Beholding Tazhav's modest force, Giv admonished him for stepping blindly into the dragon's maw. Tazhav boastfully proclaimed his royal status as Afrasiab's son-in-law and the ruler of Goravgard, declaring that no Iranian could ever lower his banner. Giv offered him a peaceful path—to present himself before General Tus and receive robes of honor and riches—but Tazhav contemptuously refused. Seeing his father attempt to reason with the enemy, young Bijan interjected, declaring that Turanians deserved only the cold steel of maces and swords, and spurred his steed directly into the fray.
A fierce battle erupted, raising clouds of dust so thick the sun was blotted out. Giv and Bijan cut through the Turanian ranks like unleashed storms until three quarters of the enemy lay dead. Overwhelmed, Tazhav turned to flee, but Bijan pursued him like a ravenous lion. Striking Tazhav's waist with a heavy spear, Bijan shattered the fasteners of his armor and snatched the precious crown of Afrasiab straight from the chieftain's head.
Tazhav galloped frantically toward his fortress, where his fair beloved, Espanoy, stood weeping at the gates, begging not to be abandoned. Moved by her pleas, Tazhav pulled her onto his saddle. However, his exhausted horse soon faltered. Realizing they would both be caught, Tazhav left Espanoy behind and fled on foot. Bijan arrived, marveled at the maiden's radiant beauty, and brought her back to the Iranian camp while Tus's army plundered the fort and captured the vast herds of Turanian mares.
A humiliated Tazhav arrived tearfully before King Afrasiab, recounting the catastrophe. Enraged, Afrasiab berated his commander Piran Viseh for slowness and cowardice. Stung by the king's rebuke, Piran swiftly assembled a formidable host of one hundred thousand warriors, placing Barman, Tazhav, and Nastihan at key commands. Learning from spies that the Iranian army in Bavard and Sarakhs had abandoned all vigilance to feast and drink, Piran ordered a secret, rapid night march to launch a devastating surprise attack upon the unsuspecting Iranians.
#1
چو خورشید بر زد ز گردون درفش
✦
دم شب شد از خنجر او بنفش
“When the sun raised its banner in the heavens, the blade of dawn severed the dark cloak of night.”
#2
غمی شد دل مرد پرخاشجوی
✦
بدانست کو را بد آمد بروی
“The heart of the warrior grew heavy with sorrow, knowing that misfortune had turned its face upon him.”
#3
برآمد خروش خروس و چکاو
✦
کبوده نیامد بنزد تژاو
“The rooster crowed and the skylark sang, yet Kabudeh returned not to Tazhav.”
#4
سپاهی که بودند با او بخواند
✦
وزان جایگه تیز لشکر براند
“He summoned the warriors who were with him, and swiftly led his troop forward from that place.”
#5
تژاو سپهبد بشد با سپاه
✦
بایران خروش آمد از دیده‌گاه
“Commander Tazhav marched forth with his host, and from the Iranian lookout posts arose a loud cry.”
#6
که آمد سپاهی ز ترکان بجنگ
✦
سپهبد نهنگی درفشی پلنگ
“They shouted: 'An army of Turanians arrives for battle, led by a commander like a dragon under a leopard banner!'”
#7
ز گردنکشان پیش او رفت گیو
✦
تنی چند با او ز گردان نیو
“From among the proud chieftains, Giv rode out to meet him, accompanied by a brave band of noble heroes.”
#8
برآشفت و نامش بپرسید زوی
✦
چنین گفت کای مرد پرخاشجوی
“Giv grew enraged and demanded his name, saying: 'O battle-seeking warrior!'”
#9
بدین مایه مردم بجنگ آمدی
✦
ز هامون بکام نهنگ آمدی
“Have you come to battle with so meager a host? From the plain, you have walked straight into the jaws of a dragon!”
#10
بپاسخ چنین گفت کای نامدار
✦
ببینی کنون رزم شیر سوار
“Tazhav replied: 'O famous knight! You shall now witness the combat of a lion-riding champion!'”
#11
بگیتی تژاوست نام مرا
✦
بهر دم برآرند کام مرا
“My name throughout the world is Tazhav; at every moment my desires are fulfilled.”
#12
نژادم بگوهر از ایران بدست
✦
ز گردان وز پشت شیران بدست
“By blood and lineage, my stock originates in Iran; I am sprung from heroes and the loins of lions.”
#13
کنون مرزبانم بدین تخت و گاه
✦
نگین بزرگان و داماد شاه
“Now I am the warden of the marches upon this throne, the jewel of the nobles and son-in-law to the King!”
#14
بدو گفت گیو اینکه گفتی مگوی
✦
که تیره شود زین سخن آبروی
“Giv said to him: 'Speak no more of such words, lest your honor be utterly blackened!'”
#15
از ایران بتوران که دارد نشست
✦
مگر خوردنش خون بود گر کبست
“Who that hails from Iran would choose to dwell in Turan, unless his food be blood or bitter colocynth?”
#16
اگر مرزبانی و داماد شاه
✦
چرا بیشتر زین نداری سپاه
“If you are indeed the march-warden and son-in-law to the King, why do you not command a grander army than this?”
#17
بدین مایه لشکر تو تندی مجوی
✦
بتندی بپیش دلیران مپوی
“With so small a force, do not seek fiercely to fight, nor charge impetuously against brave champions!”
#18
که این پرهنر نامدار دلیر
✦
سر مرزبان اندر آرد بزیر
“For this valiant and glorious champion will bring low the head of any march-warden!”
#19
گر اایدونک فرمان کنی با سپاه
✦
بایران خرامی بنزدیک شاه
“If you obey my counsel with your army, ride back to Iran and present yourself before the King.”
#20
کنون پیش طوس سپهبد شوی
✦
بگویی و گفتار او بشنوی
“Go now before General Tus, speak your piece, and listen to his words.”
#21
ستانمت زو خلعت و خواسته
✦
پرستنده و اسپ آراسته
“I shall obtain for you robes of honor, treasures, handmaidens, and caparisoned steeds from him!”
#22
تژاو فریبنده گفت ای دلیر
✦
درفش مرا کس نیارد بزیر
“Deceitful Tazhav replied: 'O brave knight! No man alive can bring down my banner!'”
#23
مرا ایدر اکنون نگینست و گاه
✦
پرستنده و گنج و تاج و سپاه
“I possess here and now ring, throne, handmaids, treasure, crown, and host.”
#24
همان مرز و شاهی چو افراسیاب
✦
کس این را ز ایران نبیند بخواب
“With such a realm and a king like Afrasiab, no Iranian can ever dream of taking this!”
#25
پرستار وز مادیانان گله
✦
بدشت گروگرد کرده یله
“I have handmaidens and herds of broodmares roaming freely across the plains of Goravgard!”
#26
تو این اندکی لشکر من مبین
✦
مراجوی با گرز بر پشت زین
“Look not upon the smallness of my host; seek me upon the saddle with my mace in hand!”
#27
من امروز با این سپاه آن کنم
✦
کزین آمدن تان پشیمان کنم
“Today, with this very army, I shall act in such wise that I make you rue your coming!”
#28
چنین گفت بیژن بفرخ پدر
✦
که ای نامور گرد پرخاشخر
“Then Bijan spoke to his glorious father: 'O famous warrior and lover of battle!'”
#29
سرافراز و بیداردل پهلوان
✦
به پیری نه آنی که بودی جوان
“O exalted and vigilant knight! In your old age, you are no longer as fierce as when you were young!”
#30
ترا با تژاو این همه پند چیست
✦
بترکی چنین مهر و پیوند چیست
“Why do you waste so many counsels upon Tazhav? Why show such affection and tolerance to a Turanian?”
#31
همی گرز و خنجر بباید کشید
✦
دل و مغز ایشان بباید درید
“We ought to draw mace and dagger, and tear out their hearts and brains!”
#32
برانگیخت اسپ و برآمد خروش
✦
نهادند گوپال و خنجر بدوش
“He spurred his steed and a shout arose; they hoisted their maces and daggers to their shoulders.”
#33
یکی تیره گرد از میان بردمید
✦
بدان سان که خورشید شد ناپدید
“A dark cloud of dust rose up between them, so thick that the sun disappeared from sight.”
#34
جهان شد چو آبار بهمن سیاه
✦
ستاره ندیدند روشن نه ماه
“The world turned as dark as the heavy snows of Bahman; neither bright star nor moon could be seen.”
#35
بقلب سپاه اندرون گیو گرد
✦
همی از جهان روشنایی ببرد
“In the center of the host, valiant Giv fought so furiously he stripped all light from the world.”
#36
بپیش اندرون بیژن تیزچنگ
✦
همی بزمگاه آمدش جای جنگ
“In the vanguard, swift-clawed Bijan made the battleground feel like a feast of victory.”
#37
وزان سوی با تاج بر سر تژاو
✦
که بودیش با شیر درنده تاو
“On the other side stood Tazhav with the crown upon his head, who possessed the strength to wrestle ferocious lions.”
#38
یلانش همه نیک‌مردان و شیر
✦
که هرگز نشدشان دل از رزم سیر
“His warriors were all valiant men and lions, whose hearts were never sated with battle.”
#39
بسی برنیامد برین روزگار
✦
که آن ترک سیر آمد از کارزار
“Not long had passed in this conflict before that Turanian grew utterly weary of battle.”
#40
سه بهره ز توران سپه کشته شد
✦
سربخت آن ترک برگشته شد
“Three quarters of the Turanian army were slain, and fortune turned its back upon that chieftain.”
#41
همی شد گریزان تژاو دلیر
✦
پسش بیژن گیو برسان شیر
“Brave Tazhav fled from the field, while Bijan son of Giv gave chase like a roaring lion.”
#42
خروشان و جوشان و نیزه بدست
✦
تو گفتی که غرنده شیرست مست
“Shouting and boiling with fury, spear in hand, he was like an enraged, roaring lion.”
#43
یکی نیزه زد بر میان تژاو
✦
نماند آن زمان با تژاو ایچ تاو
“He struck a lance blow full upon Tazhav's waist, leaving Tazhav with no strength left to endure.”
#44
گراینده بدبند رومی زره
✦
بپیچید و بگشاد بند گره
“The firm ties of his Roman coat of mail twisted and burst open.”
#45
بیفگند نیزه بیازید چنگ
✦
چو بر کوه بر غرم تازد پلنگ
“Bijan dropped his spear and reached out his hand, like a leopard leaping upon a mountain goat.”
#46
بدان سان که شاهین رباید چکاو
✦
ربود آن گرانمایه تاج تژاو
“Just as a falcon snatches up a lark, he swept away Tazhav's precious crown.”
#47
که افراسیابش بسر برنهاد
✦
نبودی جدا زو بخواب و بیاد
“A crown Afrasiab himself had placed upon his head, from which he was never parted, whether in sleep or waking thought.”
#48
چنین تا در دژ همی تاخت اسپ
✦
پس‌اندرش بیژن چو آذرگشسپ
“Thus he galloped his steed all the way to the fortress gate, with Bijan giving chase behind him like the blazing fire of Azargashasp.”
#49
چو نزدیکی دژ رسید اسپنوی
✦
بیامد خروشان پر از آب روی
“As he neared the fortress, Ispanoy came forth weeping, her face bathed in tears.”
#50
که از کین چنین پشت برگاشتی
✦
بدین دژ مرا خوار بگذاشتی
“She cried: "Have you turned your back on the fight in this way, leaving me abandoned and wretched in this castle?"”
#51
سزد گر ز پس برنشانی مرا
✦
بدین ره بدشمن نمانی مرا
“"It is fitting that you take me up behind you on your horse, and not leave me on this road to the mercy of the enemy!"”
#52
تژاو سرافراز را دل بسوخت
✦
بکردار آتش رخش برفروخت
“The proud Tazhav's heart burned with pity, and his face flared bright like fire.”
#53
فراز اسپنوی و تژاو از نشیب
✦
بدو داد در تاختن یک رکیب
“Ispanoy reached up from above, and Tazhav from below extended a stirrup to her as he galloped on.”
#54
پس اندر نشاندش چو ماه دمان
✦
برآمد ز جا باره زیرش دنان
“He set her behind him like a radiant moon, and the warhorse beneath him leaped forward with a snort.”
#55
همی تاخت چون گرد با اسپنوی
✦
سوی راه توران نهادند روی
“He galloped like swift dust alongside Ispanoy, setting their course towards Turan.”
#56
زمانی دوید اسپ جنگی تژاو
✦
نماند ایچ با اسپ و با مرد تاو
“For a while Tazhav's warhorse ran, but soon neither steed nor rider had any strength left.”
#57
تژاو آن زمان با پرستنده گفت
✦
که دشوار کار آمد ای خوب جفت
“Tazhav then said to his beloved maiden: "O fair partner, our plight has turned dire!"”
#58
فروماند این اسپ جنگی ز کار
✦
ز پس بدسگال آمد و پیش غار
“"This charger is exhausted from work; the foe comes from behind, and a ravine lies ahead."”
#59
اگر دور از ایدر به بیژن رسم
✦
بکام بداندیش دشمن رسم
“"If I am overtaken by Bijan far from safety, I shall fall into the hands of my malevolent enemy."”
#60
ترا نیست دشمن بیکبارگی
✦
بمان تا برانم من این بارگی
“"The enemy seeks not your death completely; stay behind so that I may spur this steed onward alone!"”
#61
فرود آمد از اسپ او اسپنوی
✦
تژاو از غم او پر از آب روی
“Ispanoy dismounted from the horse, while Tazhav's eyes filled with tears at losing her.”
#62
سبکبار شد اسپ و تندی گرفت
✦
پسش بیژن گیو کندی گرفت
“Relieved of weight, the horse surged forward swiftly, while Bijan, Giv's son, slowed his pursuit behind.”
#63
چو دید آن رخ ماه‌روی اسپنوی
✦
ز گلبرگ روی و پر از مشک موی
“When Bijan beheld the moon-like face of Ispanoy, her rose-petal cheeks and hair fragrant like musk...”
#64
پس پشت خویش اندرش جای کرد
✦
سوی لشکر پهلوان رای کرد
“He seated her behind himself upon his steed and set off towards the champion's army.”
#65
بشادی بیامد بدرگاه طوس
✦
ز درگاه برخاست آوای کوس
“Joyfully he arrived at Tus's court, and from the court arose the sound of battle drums.”
#66
که بیدار دل شیر جنگی سوار
✦
دمان با شکار آمد از مرغزار
“Proclaiming: "The vigilant warrior, the brave lion, has returned exultant from the meadow with his prize!"”
#67
سپهدار و گردان پرخاشجوی
✦
بویرانی دژ نهادند روی
“The commander and the aggressive warriors then turned their focus to destroying the fortress.”
#68
ازان پس برفتند سوی گله
✦
که بودند بر دشت ترکان یله
“Afterwards they rode towards the herds that the Turanians had left roaming upon the plain.”
#69
گرفتند هر یک کمندی بچنگ
✦
چنانچون بود ساز مردان جنگ
“Each warrior took a lasso in hand, in the manner fitting for men of war.”
#70
بخم اندر آمد سر بارگی
✦
بیاراست لشکر بیکبارگی
“The reins of the horses were pulled tight, and the army was fully arrayed and restored.”
#71
نشستند بر جایگاه تژاو
✦
سواران ایران پر از خشم و تاو
“The Iranian horsemen, filled with wrath and vigor, took their station at Tazhav's former domain.”
#72
تژاو غمی با دو دیده پرآب
✦
بیامد بنزدیک افراسیاب
“Grief-stricken Tazhav, his eyes overflowing with tears, presented himself before Afrasiab.”
#73
چنین گفت کامد سپهدار طوس
✦
ابا لشکری گشن و پیلان کوس
“He said: "Commander Tus has arrived with a vast army, war elephants, and drums!"”
#74
پلاشان و آن نامداران مرد
✦
بخاک اندر آمد سرانشان ز گرد
“"Plashan and those renowned chieftains—their heads have fallen into the dust of battle."”
#75
همه مرز و بوم آتش اندر زدند
✦
فسیله سراسر بهم برزدند
“"They set fire to all the land and rounded up and scattered all the herds of horses."”
#76
چو بشنید افراسیاب این سخن
✦
غمی گشت و بر چاره افگند بن
“When Afrasiab heard these words, he grew sorrowful and began seeking a strategy.”
#77
بپیران ویسه چنین گفت شاه
✦
که گفتم بیاور ز هر سو سپاه
“The king said to Piran, Viseh's son: "I commanded you to gather troops from every realm..."”
#78
درنگ آمدت رای از کاهلی
✦
ز پیری گران گشته و بددلی
“"...but your resolve was delayed through sloth, weighted down by old age and faint-heartedness!"”
#79
نه دژ ماند اکنون نه اسپ و نه مرد
✦
نشستن نشاید بدین مرز کرد
“"Neither fortress remains now, nor horses, nor men; it is no longer fitting to sit idly in this borderland!"”
#80
بسی خویش و پیوند ما برده گشت
✦
بسی مرد نیک‌اختر آزرده گشت
“"Many of our kinsmen and relatives have been taken captive, and many fortunate men have been wounded and slain."”
#81
کنون نیست امروز روز درنگ
✦
جهان گشت بر مرد بیدار تنگ
“Now is no time for hesitation or delay; the world has grown narrow for the vigilant and brave.”
#82
جهاندار پیران هم اندر شتاب
✦
برون آمد از پیش افراسیاب
“The world-ruler Piran then hastened forth from the presence of King Afrasiab.”
#83
ز هر مرز مردان جنگی بخواند
✦
سلیح و درم داد و لشکر براند
“He summoned warriors from every realm, distributed weapons and treasure, and marched the army forward.”
#84
چو آمد ز پهلو برون پهلوان
✦
همی نامزد کرد جای گوان
“When the chieftain marched out from the region of Pahlu, he began assigning battle positions to the warriors.”
#85
سوی میمنه بارمان و تژاو
✦
سواران که دارند با شیر تاو
“Upon the right wing he appointed Barman and Tezhav—riders who possess the strength to fight lions.”
#86
چو نستیهن گرد بر میسره
✦
کجا شیر بودی بچنگش بره
“And on the left wing he placed the valiant Nastihan, in whose fierce grip a lion was but a lamb.”
#87
جهان پر شد از نالهٔ کرنای
✦
ز غریدن کوس و هندی درای
“The realm resounded with the wail of war-trumpets, the thunder of drums, and the clatter of Indian bells.”
#88
هوا سربسر سرخ و زرد و بنفش
✦
ز بس نیزه و گونه‌گونه درفش
“The very sky turned red, yellow, and violet beneath the endless forest of spears and colorful banners.”
#89
سپاهی ز جنگ‌آوران صدهزار
✦
نهاده همه سر سوی کارزار
“An army of one hundred thousand warriors advanced, all focusing their intent toward the battlefield.”
#90
ز دریا بدریا نبود ایچ راه
✦
ز اسپ و ز پیل و هیون و سپاه
“From sea to sea no open path remained, jammed with chargers, war-elephants, dromedaries, and troops.”
#91
همی رفت لشکر گروها گروه
✦
نبد دشت پیدا نه دریا نه کوه
“Company by company the host advanced; neither plain, nor sea, nor mountain could any longer be discerned.”
#92
بفرمود پیران که بیره روید
✦
از ایدر سوی راه کوته روید
“Piran commanded: 'Travel off the beaten track; proceed from here along the shortest secret path,”
#93
نباید که یابند خود آگهی
✦
ازین نامداران با فرهی
“'Lest those glorious and famous Iranian nobles gain any forewarning of our advance,”
#94
مگر ناگهان بر سر آن گروه
✦
فرود آرم این گشن لشکر چو کوه
“'So that I may suddenly bring down this mountain-like, vast host upon their heads.'”
#95
برون کرد کارآگهان ناگهان
✦
همی جست بیدار کار جهان
“He swiftly dispatched scouts into the field, vigilantly probing the state of the world.”
#96
بتندی براه اندر آورد روی
✦
بسوی گروگرد شد جنگجوی
“With fierce resolve he rode swiftly along the road, heading straight toward Girogard.”
#97
میان سرخس است نزدیک طوس
✦
ز باورد برخاست آوای کوس
“Which lies between Sarakhs and close to Tus; from Bavard rose the thunderous echo of war-drums.”
#98
بپیوست گفتار کارآگهان
✦
بپیران بگفتند یک یک نهان
“The reports of the intelligence-seekers came together, and secretly they revealed everything one by one to Piran:”
#99
که ایشان همه میگسارند و مست
✦
شب و روز با جام پر می بدست
“'The Iranians are all drinking wine and intoxicated, holding full goblets of wine day and night.”
#100
سواری طلایه ندیدم براه
✦
نه اندیشهٔ رزم توران سپاه
“'I saw no advance scout posted along the road, nor any thought among them of fighting Turan's army.'”
#101
چو بشنید پیران یلان را بخواند
✦
ز لشکر فراوان سخنها براند
“When Piran heard this, he summoned his champions and spoke many encouraging words concerning the army:”
#102
که در رزم ما را چنین دستگاه
✦
نبودست هرگز بایران سپاه
“'Never before in battle have we possessed such advantage over the forces of Iran!'”