#1
دوان رفت بهرام پیش پدر
✦
که ای پهلوان یلان سر به سر
“Swiftly Bahram ran before his father, saying: 'O champion among all heroes,'”
#2
بدانگه که آن تاج برداشتم
✦
به نیزه بابراندر افراشتم
“'At that moment when I seized the crown and raised it high on my spear unto the clouds,'”
#3
یکی تازیانه ز من گم شده‌ست
✦
چو گیرند بی‌مایه ترکان به دست
“'A whip of mine was lost; if the base Turanians take it into their hands,'”
#4
به بهرام بر چند باشد فسوس
✦
جهان پیش چشمم شود آبنوس
“'How great shall be the mockery of Bahram! The world will turn black as ebony before my eyes.'”
#5
نبشته بران چرم نام منست
✦
سپهدار پیران بگیرد به دست
“'My name is written upon its leather, and Piran, the chieftain, will take it in hand.'”
#6
شوم تیز و تازانه بازآورم
✦
اگر چند رنج دراز آورم
“'I shall go swiftly and bring back the whip, though it cost me long pain and labor.'”
#7
مرا این ز اختر بد آید همی
✦
که نامم به خاک اندر آید همی
“'I dread this ill omen from the stars, that my name should fall into the dust.'”
#8
بدو گفت گودرز پیر ای پسر
✦
همی بخت خویش اندر آری به‌سر
“Old Gudarz said to him: 'O son, you are bringing your own fortune to a tragic end!'”
#9
ز بهر یکی چوب‌ِ بسته‌دوال
✦
شوی در دَم ِ اختر‌ِ شوم‌فال
“'For the sake of a leather-strapped piece of wood, will you plunge into the maw of an evil fate?'”
#10
چنین گفت بهرام جنگی که من
✦
نیم بهتر از دوده و انجمن
“Warlike Bahram replied: 'I am no better than the rest of my kin and company.'”
#11
به جایی توان مرد کاید زمان
✦
به کژی چرا برد باید گمان؟
“'One must die wherever time decrees; why should we harbor crooked doubts?'”
#12
بدو گفت گیو ای برادر مشو
✦
فراوان مرا تازیانه‌ست نو
“Giv said to him: 'O brother, do not go! I have many brand-new whips for you.'”
#13
یکی شوشهٔ زر به سیم اندر است
✦
دو شیبش ز خوشاب وز گوهر‌ست
“'One has an ingot of gold set in silver, with its two ends studded with pearls and gems.'”
#14
فرنگیس چون گنج بگشاد سر
✦
مرا داد چندان سلیح و کمر
“'When Farangis opened her treasury, she gave me so many arms and waistbands.'”
#15
من آن درع و تازانه برداشتم
✦
به توران دگر خوار بگذاشتم
“'I took that chainmail armor and whip, and left the rest carelessly in Turan.'”
#16
یکی نیز بخشید کاوس شاه
✦
ز زر وز گوهر چو تابنده ماه
“'King Kavus also bestowed one upon me, gleaming with gold and gems like the radiant moon.'”
#17
دگر پنج دارم همه زرنگار
✦
برو بافته گوهر شاهوار
“'I have five others, all golden, woven with royal jewels.'”
#18
ترا بخشم این هفت ز ایدر مرو
✦
یکی جنگ خیره میارای نو
“'I bestow all seven upon you—do not go hence! Do not provoke a vain, new battle.'”
#19
چنین گفت با گیو بهرام گرد
✦
که این ننگ را خرد نتوان شمرد
“Bahram the brave said to Giv: 'This shame cannot be weighed lightly.'”
#20
شما را ز رنگ و نگار‌ست گفت
✦
مرا آنک شد نام با ننگ جفت
“'You talk of colors and ornament; but for me, my name has become wedded to disgrace.'”
#21
گر ایدونک تازانه بازآورم
✦
وگر سر ز کوشش بگاز آورم
“'Whether I bring back that whip, or yield my head in the attempt.'”
#22
بر او رای یزدان دگرگونه بود
✦
همان گردش بخت وارونه بود
“Yet God's decree was otherwise, and the wheel of fortune turned against him.”
#23
هرانگه که بخت اندر آید به خواب
✦
ترا گفت دانا نیاید صواب
“Whenever fortune falls asleep, the wise say that no right judgment will avail.”
#24
بزد اسپ و آمد بران رزمگاه
✦
درخشان شده روی گیتی ز ماه
“He struck his horse and came to the battleground, while the face of the world shone beneath the moon.”
#25
همی زار بگریست بر کشتگان
✦
بران داغ دل بخت‌برگشتگان
“He wept bitterly over the slain—those heart-broken victims of reversed destiny.”
#26
تن ریونیز اندران خون و خاک
✦
شده غرق و خفتان برو چاک چاک
“The body of Rivniz lay drowned in blood and dust, his mail-shirt torn to shreds.”
#27
همی زار بگریست بهرام شیر
✦
که زار ای جوان سوار دلیر
“Lion-hearted Bahram wept piteously, crying: 'Alas for you, brave young rider!'”
#28
چو تو کشته اکنون چه یک مشت خاک
✦
بزرگان به ایوان، تو اندر مغاک
“'Now that you are slain, what are you but a handful of dust? The nobles dwell in palaces, while you lie in a grave.'”
#29
بران کشتگان بر یکایک بگشت
✦
که بودند افگنده بر پهن‌دشت
“He walked one by one among the dead who lay strewn across the broad plain.”
#30
ازان نامداران یکی خسته بود
✦
به شمشیر ازیشان به جان رسته بود
“Among those famed warriors lay one wounded man who had survived the sword with his life.”
#31
همی بازدانست بهرام را
✦
بنالید و پرسید زو نام را
“Recognizing Bahram, he groaned and asked him his name.”
#32
بدو گفت کای شیر من زنده‌ام
✦
بر کشتگان خوار افگنده‌ام
“He said to him: 'O lion, I am still alive, lying helpless among the slain!'”
#33
سه روزست تا نان و آب آرزوست
✦
مرا بر یکی جامه خواب آرزوست
“'For three days I have craved bread and water, and long for a bed to rest.'”
#34
بشد تیز بهرام تا پیش اوی
✦
به دل مهربان و به تن خویش اوی
“Bahram went swiftly to his side, his heart filled with loving-kindness for his kin.”
#35
برو گشت گریان و رخ را بخست
✦
بدرید پیراهن او را ببست
“He wept over him, scratched his own face in grief, tore his own shirt, and bound the man's wounds.”
#36
بدو گفت مندیش کز خستگی‌ست
✦
تبه بودن این ز نابستگی‌ست
“He said to him: 'Grieve not; your weakness comes from open wounds left unbound.'”
#37
چو بستم کنون سوی لشکر شوی
✦
وزین خستگی زود بهتر شوی
“'Now that I have bound them, you shall return to the army and soon recover from these wounds.'”
#38
یکی تازیانه بدین رزمگاه
✦
ز من گم شده‌ست از پی تاج شاه
“'A whip of mine was lost on this battlefield when I fought for the royal crown.'”
#39
چو آن بازیابم بیایم برت
✦
رسانم به زودی سوی لشکرت
“'When I find it, I shall return to your side and quickly carry you to our army.'”
#40
وزانجا سوی قلب لشکر شتافت
✦
همی جست تا تازیانه بیافت
“From there he hastened to the center of the battlefield, searching until he found his whip.”
#41
میان تل کشتگان اندرون
✦
برآمیخته خاک بسیار و خون
“It lay amidst the heap of corpses, intermingled with much dust and blood.”
#42
فرود آمد از باره آن برگرفت
✦
وزانجا خروشیدن اندر گرفت
“He dismounted from his horse and picked it up, whereupon his steed began to whinny.”
#43
خروش دم مادیان یافت اسپ
✦
بجوشید برسان آذرگشسپ
“Hearing the call of a mare, the horse boiled over like the sacred fire Azargashasp.”
#44
سوی مادیان روی بنهاد تفت
✦
غمی گشت بهرام و از پس برفت
“The horse dashed swiftly toward the mare, leaving Bahram grieved as he ran after it.”
#45
همی شد دمان تا رسید اندروی
✦
ز ترگ و ز خفتان پر از آب روی
“He ran breathing heavily until he reached it, his face streaming with sweat beneath helmet and mail.”
#46
چو بگرفت هم در زمان برنشست
✦
یکی تیغ هندی گرفته به دست
“As soon as he picked it up, he mounted his steed, holding an Indian sword fast in his hand.”
#47
چو بفشارد ران هیچ نگذارد پی
✦
سوار و تن باره پرخاک و خوی
“When he pressed his thighs, the steed could take no step; both rider and horse were covered in dust and sweat.”
#48
چنان تنگدل شد به یکبارگی
✦
که شمشیر زد بر پی بارگی
“So utterly heart-stricken did he become in that moment, that he struck his own steed's hock with his blade.”
#49
وزان جایگه تا بدین رزمگاه
✦
پیاده بپیمود چون باد راه
“And from that spot back to the battlefield, he traversed the road on foot like the swift wind.”
#50
سراسر همه دشت پرکشته دید
✦
زمین چون گل و ارغوان کشته دید
“He saw the entire plain strewn with the slain, and the earth dyed like red Judas-blossoms with blood.”
#51
همی گفت کاکنون چه سازیم روی
✦
بر این دشت بی‌بارگی راه‌جوی
“He kept saying, 'What course shall I take now, seeking a path across this plain without a steed?'”
#52
ازو سرکشان آگهی یافتند
✦
سواری صد از قلب بشتافتند
“The enemy chieftains got word of his plight, and a hundred horsemen rushed forth from the host's center.”
#53
که او را بگیرند زان رزمگاه
✦
برندش بر پهلوان سپاه
“Intending to capture him upon that battlefield and bring him before the commander of the army.”
#54
کمان را به زه کرد بهرام شیر
✦
ببارید تیر از کمان دلیر
“Lion-hearted Bahram strung his bow and valiantly showered arrows from it.”
#55
چو تیری یکی در کمان راندی
✦
به پیرامنش کس کجا ماندی
“Whenever he set an arrow to his string, who around him could dare remain alive?”
#56
ازیشان فراوان بخست و بکشت
✦
پیاده نپیچید و ننمود پشت
“Many of them he wounded and slew; though on foot, he flinched not nor turned his back.”
#57
سواران همه بازگشتند ازوی
✦
بنزدیک پیران نهادند روی
“All the horsemen retreated from him and turned their steps back toward Piran.”
#58
چو لشکر ز بهرام شد ناپدید
✦
ز هر سو بسی تیر گرد آورید
“When the army vanished from Bahram's view, he gathered many arrows from every side.”
#59
چو لشکر بیامد بر پهلوان
✦
بگفتند با او سراسر گوان
“When the troop reached their chief, all the warriors recounted the tale to him.”
#60
فراوان سخن رفت زان رزمساز
✦
ز پیکار او آشکارا و راز
“Much discourse passed regarding that warrior, revealing the details of his combat both open and secret.”
#61
بگفتند کاینت هژبر دلیر
✦
پیاده نگردد خود از جنگ سیر
“They said, 'Behold this fierce lion, who even on foot never tireth of battle!'”
#62
بپرسید پیران که این مرد کیست
✦
ازان نامداران ورا نام چیست
“Piran asked, 'Who is this man, and by what name is he known among the famous champions?'”
#63
یکی گفت بهرام شیراوژن است
✦
که لشکر سراسر بدو روشن است
“One replied, 'It is Bahram, the lion-overthrower, by whom the whole army is brightened.'”
#64
به رویین چنین گفت پیران که خیز
✦
که بهرام را نیست جای گریز
“Piran then spake to Ruyin: 'Arise, for Bahram hath no way left for flight.”
#65
مگر زنده او را به چنگ آوری
✦
زمانه براساید از داوری
“Perchance you may capture him alive, so that the times may rest from this contention.”
#66
ز لشکر کسی را که باید ببر
✦
کجا نامدار‌ست و پرخاشخر
“Take with you from the army whomever you need—anyone renowned and eager for strife.'”
#67
چو بشنید رویین بیامد دمان
✦
نبودش بس اندیشهٔ بدگمان
“When Ruyin heard this, he charged fiercely forward, harboring no ill foreboding.”
#68
بر تیر بنشست بهرام شیر
✦
نهاده سپر بر سر و چرخ زیر
“Lion-hearted Bahram crouched ready to shoot, shield set over his head and his bow beneath.”
#69
یکی تیرباران به رویین بکرد
✦
که شد ماه تابنده چون لاژورد
“He poured such a rain of arrows upon Ruyin that the bright moon turned dark as lapis lazuli.”
#70
چو رویین پیران ز تیرش بخست
✦
یلان را همه کند شد پای و دست
“When Piran's son Ruyin was wounded by his arrow, the strength of all the heroes failed them.”
#71
به سستی بر پهلوان آمدند
✦
پر از درد و تیره‌روان آمدند
“Faintly they returned to their commander, filled with pain and darkened in soul,”
#72
که هرگز چنین یک پیاده به جنگ
✦
ز دریا ندیدیم جنگی نهنگ
“Saying, 'Never in war have we seen a single foot-soldier like a fierce crocodile from the sea!'”
#73
چو بشنید پیران غمی گشت سخت
✦
بلرزید برسان برگ درخت
“When Piran heard this, he became grievously sorrowful and trembled like a leaf upon a tree.”
#74
نشست از بر بارهٔ تند تاز
✦
همی‌رفت با او بسی رزمساز
“He mounted his swift-galloping steed, accompanied by many a battle-ready champion.”
#75
بیامد بدو گفت کای نامدار
✦
پیاده چرا ساختی کارزار
“He drew near him and said, 'O famous knight, why do you fight this combat on foot?”
#76
نه تو با سیاوش به توران بدی
✦
همانا به پرخاش و سوران بدی
“Were you not with Siyavash in Turan, sharing in both strife and celebrations?”
#77
مرا با تو نان و نمک خوردن است
✦
نشستن همان مهر پروردن است
“We have shared bread and salt together, sat together, and nurtured mutual warmth.”
#78
نباید که با این نژاد و گهر
✦
بدین شیرمردی و چندین هنر
“It must not be that one of such noble lineage, such lion-like valor, and so many arts,”
#79
ز بالا به خاک اندر آید سرت
✦
بسوزد دل مهربان مادرت
“Should have his head brought down from on high to the dust, burning the heart of his loving mother.'”
#80
بیا تا بسازیم سوگند و بند
✦
براهی که آید دلت را پسند
“'Come, let us frame a covenant and oath in whatever manner your heart desires.'”
#81
ازان پس یکی با تو خویشی کنیم
✦
چو خویشی بود رای بیشی کنیم
“"Thereafter, we shall forge a bond of kinship with thee; and once bound in kin, we shall strive for thy high advancement."”
#82
پیاده تو با لشکری نامدار
✦
نتابی مخور باتنت زینهار
“"On foot, thou canst not withstand a famous host; do not gamble with thy life nor bring ruin upon thy frame."”
#83
بدو گفت بهرام کای پهلوان
✦
خردمند و بینا و روشن‌روان
“Bahram answered him, "O illustrious champion! Wise, discerning, and bright of soul!"”
#84
مرا حاجت از تو یکی بارگی‌ست
✦
وگر نه مرا جنگ یکبارگی‌ست
“"My sole desire from thee is a single steed; else, nothing remains for me but relentless combat unto death."”
#85
بدو گفت پیران که ای نامجوی
✦
ندانی که این رای را نیست روی
“Piran replied to him, "O seeker of renown! Dost thou not see that this wish of thine is impossible to grant?"”
#86
ترا این به آید که گفتم سخن
✦
دلیری و بر خیره تندی مکن
“"It were far better for thee to heed my counsel; display not vain bravado, nor act with rash fury."”
#87
ببین تا سواران آن انجمن
✦
نهند این چنین ننگ بر خویشتن
“"Consider whether the horsemen of this assembly would ever suffer such disgrace upon themselves:"”
#88
که چندین تن از تخمهٔ مهتران
✦
ز دیهیم داران و کنداوران
“"That so many noble scions of chieftains, crown-bearing lords, and valiant warriors..."”
#89
ز پیکار تو کشته و خسته شد
✦
چنین رزم ناگاه پیوسته شد
“"...should lie slain and wounded by thy battle, and that such a bloody clash should suddenly be joined?"”
#90
که جوید گذر سوی ایران کنون
✦
مگر آنک جوشد ورا مغز و خون
“"Who now would dare seek passage toward Iran, save one whose mind and blood boil with utter madness?"”
#91
اگر نیستی رنج افراسیاب
✦
که گردد سرش زین سخن پرشتاب
“"Were it not for fear of Afrasiab's anger, whose soul would flare with rage at this tale,"”
#92
ترا بارگی دادمی ای جوان
✦
بدان تات بردی بر پهلوان
“"I would have granted thee a charger, O youth, that it might carry thee back to thy general."”
#93
بگفت این و برگشت و شد باز جای
✦
دلش پر ز کین و سرش پر ز رای
“He spoke thus and turned, returning to his post, his heart heavy with grief and his mind teeming with resolve.”
#94
برفت او و آمد ز لشکر تژاو
✦
سواری که بودیش با شیر تاو
“He departed, and Tazhav stepped forth from the army—a horseman endowed with the fury of a lion.”
#95
ز پیران بپرسید و پیران بگفت
✦
که بهرام را از یلان نیست جفت
“He questioned Piran, and Piran declared, "Bahram hath no match among all the champions of the world."”
#96
به مهر‌ش بدادم بسی پند خوب
✦
نمودم بدو راه و پیوند خوب
“"Out of goodwill I offered him sound advice, showing him a noble path and an honourable alliance."”
#97
سخن را نبد بر دلش هیچ راه
✦
همی راه جوید به ایران سپاه
“"Yet my words found no entrance to his heart; he seeks only to rejoin the army of Iran."”
#98
به پیران چنین گفت جنگی تژاو
✦
که با مهر جان ترا نیست تاو
“The warlike Tazhav spoke thus to Piran: "Thy tender heart lacks the steel to match thy sympathy."”
#99
شوم گر پیاده به چنگ آرمش
✦
سر اندر زمان زیر سنگ آرمش
“"Though he be on foot, I shall capture him, and straightway crush his head beneath a stone!"”
#100
بیامد شتابان بدان رزمگاه
✦
کجا بود بهرام یل بی‌سپاه
“Swiftly he rode onto that field of battle, where the hero Bahram stood alone, stripped of his host.”
#101
چو بهرام را دید نیزه به دست
✦
یکی برخروشید چون پیل مست
“When he saw Bahram spear in hand, he roared out like a wild, enraged elephant.”
#102
بدو گفت ازین لشکر نامدار
✦
پیاده یکی مرد و چندین سوار
“He shouted at him, "Against this famed host—a single man on foot defying so many horsemen!"”
#103
به ایران گرازید خواهی همی
✦
سرت برفرازید خواهی همی
“"Dost thou still dream of striding proudly toward Iran, and raising thy head high in triumph?"”
#104
سران را سپردی سر اندر زمان
✦
گه آمد که بر تو سرآید زمان
“"Thou hast consigned many a chief to death in an instant; now the hour hath arrived for thine own end!"”
#105
پس آنگه بفرمود کاندر نهید
✦
به تیر و به گرز و به ژوپین دهید
“Then he commanded his troops, "Fall upon him! Smite him with arrow, mace, and javelin!"”
#106
برو انجمن شد یکی لشکری
✦
هرانکس که بد از دلیران سری
“An army swarmed against him—every captain and chieftain among the brave.”
#107
کمان را به زه کرد بهرام گرد
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به تیر از هوا روشنایی ببرد
“Bahram the warrior strung his bow, and with his flight of arrows, blotted out the light of the sky.”
#108
چو تیر اسپری شد سوی نیزه گشت
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چو دریای خون شد همه کوه و دشت
“When his arrows were spent, he took up the spear; mountain and plain became a sea of blood.”
#109
چو نیزه قلم شد به گرز و به تیغ
✦
همی خون چکانید بر تیره میغ
“When his spear shattered like a reed, he fought with mace and blade, making blood rain up to the dark clouds.”
#110
چو رزمش برین گونه پیوسته شد
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به تیرش دلاور بسی خسته شد
“As his fierce combat raged on in this manner, many a warrior fell wounded by his blows.”
#111
چو بهرام یل گشت بی‌توش و تاو
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پس پشت او اندر آمد تژاو
“When Bahram the hero was drained of strength and power, Tazhav stole up behind his back.”
#112
یکی تیغ زد بر سر کتف اوی
✦
که شیر اندر آمد ز بالا به روی
“He struck a heavy sword-blow upon his shoulder, causing the lion-like warrior to crash face-downward to the earth.”
#113
جدا شد ز تن دست خنجر‌گزار
✦
فروماند از رزم و برگشت کار
“Severed from his body was the sword-wielding hand; he was halted from fight, and fortune turned against him.”
#114
تژاو ستمگاره را دل بسوخت
✦
به کردار آتش رخش برفروخت
“Even the ruthless Tazhav felt his heart burn with pity; his face flamed red like fire.”
#115
بپیچید ازو روی پر درد و شرم
✦
بجوش آمدش در جگر خون گرم
“He turned his face away from him in pain and shame, as warm blood boiled within his breast.”