When half the night had passed and darkness enveloped the plains, Piran Viseh, the shrewd commander of Turan, handpicked thirty thousand elite sword-wielding cavalrymen. Striking forward in absolute silence without the sound of drums, trumpets, or clarions, they traversed seven leagues under cover of the moonless night.
In the Iranian camp, reckless revelry had lulled the host into fatal vulnerability. Expecting no attack, the warriors lay scattered inside their tents, overcome by heavy wine and sleep, having unbuckled their waistbands. Only the vigilant Goudarz and his valiant son Giv remained alert. Suddenly, the roaring war-cries of Turan and the shattering blows of battle-axes pierced the dark. Giv sprang forth like a furious leopard, mounted his armored warhorse, and rushed to the main pavilion to warn the commander Tus, while rallying young Bizhan and the sleeping troops, crying out that the field of war had been turned into a banqueting hall at their mortal peril.
It was too late to form ranks. The Turanian horsemen swarmed the camp like ants and locusts. A deluge of arrows rained upon sleeping champions whose soft pillows became their deathbeds, crushed beneath iron maces before they could draw their blades. As dawn broke and the sun rose into the constellation of Leo, Giv looked out upon a scene of utter horror: the vast plain was blanketed with slain Iranian warriors, broken banners, overturned drums, and faces darkened like ebony with despair. Fathers had lost sons, sons had lost fathers, and two-thirds of the royal army lay butchered in their blood.
Leaving behind their pavilions, baggage, royal thrones, and supplies, the shattered remnants fled helpless toward Mount Kasa-rud. The relentless Turanian cavalry pursued them, raining mace blows upon their helmets until the survivors took refuge among the rugged cliffs.
Tus, stripped of his arrogance, wandered near-mad with shame and grief. Old Goudarz wept tears of blood over his fallen sons and grandsons, with no physicians or food to comfort the wounded. Sentinels were stationed atop the peaks, and a swift messenger was dispatched to the imperial court of Kay Khosrow to convey the horrific calamity wrought by Tus's hubris. When the news reached King Kay Khosrow, his grief over the murder of his innocent half-brother Farud burned even fiercer. Deeply wounded by the slaughter of his host, the King spent the entire night until the cock's crow bitterly invoking curses upon Tus.
#1
گزین کرد زان لشکر نامدار
✦
سواران شمشیرزن سی‌هزار
“From that renowned host he selected thirty thousand sword-wielding horsemen.”
#2
برفتند نیمی گذشته ز شب
✦
نه بانگ تبیره نه بوق و جلب
“They set forth when midnight had passed, in absolute silence without sound of drum, trumpet, or clarion.”
#3
چو پیران سالار لشکر براند
✦
میان یلان هفت فرسنگ ماند
“As Piran, the leader of the army, spurred forward, seven leagues lay between him and the heroes.”
#4
نخستین رسیدند پیش گله
✦
کجا بود بر دشت توران یله
“First they came upon the herds that grazed untethered across the Turanian plain.”
#5
گرفتند بسیار و کشتند نیز
✦
نبود از بد بخت مانند چیز
“They captured many and slew many as well; from ill fortune no remedy remained.”
#6
گله‌دار و چوپان بسی کشته شد
✦
سر بخت ایرانیان گشته شد
“Many herdsmen and shepherds were slain, and the fortune of the Iranians turned to darkness.”
#7
وزان جایگه سوی ایران سپاه
✦
برفتند برسان گرد سیاه
“And from that place toward the Iranian host they charged like a swirling black dust cloud.”
#8
همه مست بودند ایرانیان
✦
گروهی نشسته گشاده میان
“The Iranians were all intoxicated, a group sitting with their belts unbuckled.”
#9
بخیمه درون گیو بیدار بود
✦
سپهدار گودرز هشیار بود
“Inside his tent, Giv was awake, and Goudarz the army commander was watchful.”
#10
خروش آمد و بانگ زخم تبر
✦
سراسیمه شد گیو پرخاشخر
“Clamor arose and the loud strike of axes; Giv the warlike warrior was startled.”
#11
ستاده ابر پیش پرده‌سرای
✦
یکی اسپ برگستوان‌ور به پای
“Standing before his royal pavilion was an armored steed ready for battle.”
#12
برآشفت با خویشتن چون پلنگ
✦
ز بافیدن پای آمدش ننگ
“He burned within himself like a leopard, holding it a shame to delay even a moment.”
#13
بیامد باسپ اندر آورد پای
✦
بکردار باد اندر آمد ز جای
“He came forward, put his foot in the stirrup, and leaped into motion swift as the wind.”
#14
بپرده‌سرای سپهبد رسید
✦
ز گرد سپه آسمان تیره دید
“He reached the commander's tent and saw the sky darkened by the dust of the approaching host.”
#15
بدو گفت برخیز کامد سپاه
✦
یکی گرد برخاست ز اوردگاه
“He said to him: 'Arise, for the army has arrived! A vast dust cloud has risen from the battlefield!'”
#16
وزان جایگه رفت نزد پدر
✦
به چنگ اندرون گُرزهٔ گاو سر
“Thence he went unto his father, holding in his clutch a bull-headed mace.”
#17
همی گشت بر گرد لشکر چو دود
✦
برانگیخت آن را که هشیار بود
“He circled round the army like smoke, rousing whomever possessed alertness.”
#18
یکی جنگ با بیژن افگند پی
✦
که این دشت رزم است گر باغ می
“He stirred Bizhan to combat, saying: 'Is this plain a battleground or a banquet of wine?'”
#19
وزان پس بیامد سوی کارزار
✦
بره برشتابید چندی سوار
“And thereafter he rushed toward the battlefield, while several horsemen hurried along the way.”
#20
بدان اندکی برکشیدند نخ
✦
سپاهی ز ترکان چو مور و ملخ
“Against those few drawn-up ranks, a host of Turks poured in like ants and locusts.”
#21
همی کرد گودرز هر سو نگاه
✦
سپاه اندر آمد بگرد سپاه
“Goudarz looked in every direction; army after army encircled the camp.”
#22
سراسیمه شد خفته از داروگیر
✦
برآمد یکی ابر بارانش تیر
“The sleeping warriors were bewildered by the clash; a cloud arose that rained down arrows.”
#23
بزیر سر مست بالین نرم
✦
ز بر گُرز و گوپال و شمشیر گرم
“Beneath the head of the drunkard was a soft pillow; from above came maces, heavy bludgeons, and warm swords.”
#24
سپیده چو برزد سر از برج شیر
✦
به لشکر نگه کرد گیو دلیر
“When morning raised its head from the palace of the Lion, valiant Giv looked out upon the army.”
#25
همه دشت از ایرانیان کشته دید
✦
سر بخت بیدار برگشته دید
“He saw the whole plain filled with slain Iranians, the head of their vigilant fortune turned away.”
#26
دریده درفش و نگونسار کوس
✦
رخ زندگان تیره چون آبنوس
“Torn were the banners, inverted were the war-drums, and the faces of the living were dark as ebony.”
#27
سپهبد نگه کرد و گردان ندید
✦
ز لشکر دلیران و مردان ندید
“The commander looked and saw no champions left; he saw neither brave men nor warriors of the host.”
#28
همه رزمگه سربسر کشته بود
✦
تنانشان بخون اندر آغشته بود
“The entire battlefield was filled with the slain, their bodies drenched in blood.”
#29
پسر بی‌پدر شد پدر بی‌پسر
✦
همه لشگر گشن زیر و زبر
“Son was left fatherless, father left sonless; the mighty host was completely thrown into upheaval.”
#30
به بیچارگی روی برگاشتند
✦
سراپرده و خیمه بگذاشتند
“In utter helplessness they turned their faces and abandoned their pavilions and tents.”
#31
نه کوس و نه لشکر نه بار و بنه
✦
همه میسره خسته و میمنه
“Neither drums remained, nor army, nor baggage, nor supplies; both left and right wings were shattered.”
#32
ازین گونه لشکر سوی کاسه‌رود
✦
برفتند بی‌مایه و تار و پود
“In such plight the army went toward Mount Kasa-rud, broken, destitute, and shattered.”
#33
چنین آمد این گنبد تیزگرد
✦
گهی شادمانی دهد گاه درد
“Such is the way of this swift-turning vault of heaven: at times it grants joy, and at times grief.”
#34
سواران توران پس پشت طوس
✦
دلان پر ز کین و سران پر فسوس
“The horsemen of Turan came behind Tus, their hearts filled with vengeance and their heads with mockery.”
#35
همی گُرز بارید گویی ز ابر
✦
پس پشت بر جوشن و خود و گبر
“It was as if maces rained from the clouds upon their backs, upon cuirass, helmet, and armor.”
#36
نبد کس برزم اندرون پایدار
✦
همه کوه کردند گردان حصار
“There was no one to stand firm in combat; all the warriors made the mountain their fortress.”
#37
فرومانده اسپان و مردان جنگ
✦
یکی را نبد هوش و توش و نه هنگ
“The horses were exhausted and the warriors broken; none had consciousness, strength, or resolve remaining.”
#38
سپاهی ازین گونه گشتند باز
✦
شده مانده از رزم و راه دراز
“In such a state the host returned, weary from battle and the long march.”
#39
ز هامون سپهبد سوی کوه شد
✦
ز پیکار ترکان بی‌اندوه شد
“From the plain the commander went up into the mountain, escaping the relentless fight of the Turks.”
#40
فراوان کم آمد ز ایرانیان
✦
برآمد خروشی بدرد از میان
“A great number of Iranians were lost, and a painful cry rose from their midst.”
#41
همه خسته و بسته بد هرک زیست
✦
شد آن کشته بر خسته باید گریست
“All who survived were wounded and bound; one had to weep for the wounded as much as the slain.”
#42
نه تاج و نه تخت و نه پرده‌سرای
✦
نه اسپ و نه مردان جنگی بپای
“No crown remained, nor throne, nor pavilions, nor horses, nor battle-ready men on their feet.”
#43
نه آباد بوم نه مردان کار
✦
نه آن خستگانرا کسی خواستار
“No prosperous land remained, nor men of action, nor anyone to tend to those wounded.”
#44
پدر بر پسر چند گریان شده
✦
وزان خستگان چند بریان شده
“How many fathers wept for their sons, and how many hearts burned for those wounded!”
#45
چنین است رسم جهان جهان
✦
که کردار خویش از تو دارد نهان
“Such is the custom of this world: it keeps its inner deeds concealed from thee.”
#46
همی با تو در پرده بازی کند
✦
ز بیرون ترا بی‌نیازی کند
“It plays its game with thee behind the veil, while making thee outwardly independent of all things.”
#47
ز باد آمدی رفت خواهی به گرد
✦
چه دانی که با تو چه خواهند کرد
“From wind thou camest, into dust shalt thou go; how canst thou know what Fate hath in store for thee?”
#48
ببند درازیم و در چنگ آز
✦
ندانیم باز آشکارا ز راز
“Bound in the long chains of destiny and trapped in the clutches of greed, we cannot distinguish the hidden truth from the obvious.”
#49
دو بهره ز ایرانیان کشته بود
✦
دگر خسته از رزم برگشته بود
“Two-thirds of the Iranians had been slain, while the rest turned back from combat, wounded and defeated.”
#50
سپهبد ز پیکار دیوانه گشت
✦
دلش با خرد همچو بیگانه گشت
“The commander grew distracted and crazed by the battle, his heart becoming a total stranger to wisdom.”
#51
بلشکرگه اندر می و خوان و بزم
✦
سپاه آرزو کرد بر جای رزم
“Within the camp, the army had craved wine, feasting, and revelry in place of battle readiness.”
#52
جهاندیده گودرز با پیر سر
✦
نه پور و نبیره نه بوم و نه بر
“The experienced, aged Goudarz stood grief-stricken—bereft of sons, grandsons, land, and possessions.”
#53
نه آن خستگان را خورش نه پزشک
✦
همه جای غم بود و خونین سرشک
“For those wounded, there was neither food nor physician; everywhere was grief and tears of blood.”
#54
جهاندیدگان پیش اوی آمدند
✦
شکسته دل و راه‌جوی آمدند
“The experienced elders approached him, broken-hearted and seeking a way forward.”
#55
یکی دیدبان بر سر کوه کرد
✦
کجا دیدگان سوی انبوه کرد
“He stationed a lookout upon the mountain peak, to gaze attentively toward the enemy host.”
#56
طلایه فرستاد بر هر سویی
✦
مگر یابد آن درد را دارویی
“He dispatched vanguard patrols in every direction, hoping to find a remedy for that dire misfortune.”
#57
یکی نامداری ز ایرانیان
✦
بفرمود تا تنگ بندد میان
“He commanded a renowned noble among the Iranians to gird his loins tightly for a journey,”
#58
دهد شاه را آگهی زین سخن
✦
که سالار لشکر چه افگند بن
“To inform the King of these events, and what disastrous foundation the army commander had laid.”
#59
چه روز بد آمد بایرانیان
✦
سران را ز بخشش سرآمد زیان
“What evil day had fallen upon the Iranians! The leaders suffered ultimate loss from Fate's decree.”
#60
رونده بر شاه برد آگهی
✦
که تیره شد آن روزگار مهی
“The courier brought word to the King that the glorious days of greatness had turned dark and grim.”
#61
چو شاه دلیر این سخنها شنید
✦
بجوشید وز غم دلش بردمید
“When the valiant King heard these words, he boiled with anger and his heart swelled with profound grief.”
#62
ز کار برادر پر از درد بود
✦
بران درد بر درد لشکر فزود
“His heart was already aching for his brother's slain fate; to that anguish was now added the calamity of the army.”
#63
زبان کرد گویا بنفرین طوس
✦
شب تیره تا گاه بانگ خروس
“He gave his tongue to cursing Tus, crying out through the dark night until the rooster's crow at dawn.”