#1
درم داد و روزی‌دهان را بخواند
✦
بسی با سپهبد سخنها براند
“He bestowed treasures and summoned those who provide sustenance, holding long discourse with the commander.”
#2
همان رای زد با تهمتن بر آن
✦
چنین تا رخ روز شد در نهان
“He consulted with Tahamtan on the matter, continuing until the face of day was hidden.”
#3
چو خورشید بر زد سنان از نشیب
✦
شتاب آمد از رفتن با نهیب
“When the sun raised its spear from below, urgency came to march forth with awe.”
#4
سپهبد بیامد به نزدیک شاه
✦
ابا گیو گودرز و چندی سپاه
“The commander came before the King, accompanied by Giv, Gudarz, and a detachment of the army.”
#5
بدو داد شاه اختر کاویان
✦
بران سان که بودی به رسم کیان
“The King handed him the banner of Kaveh, in the manner established by the Kianian lineage.”
#6
ز اختر یکی روز فرخ بجست
✦
که بیرون شدن را کی آید درست
“He sought a fortunate day from the stars, to determine when it was proper to march out.”
#7
همی رفت با کوس خسرو بدشت
✦
بدان تا سپهبد بدو برگذشت
“Khosrow went to the plain with war-drums, so that the commander might pass before him.”
#8
یکی لشکری همچو کوه سیاه
✦
گذشتند بر پیش بیدار شاه
“An army like a dark mountain passed before the watchful King.”
#9
پس لشکر اندر سپهدار طوس
✦
بیامد بر شه زمین داد بوس
“Behind the host came Commander Tus; he approached the King and kissed the ground.”
#10
برو آفرین کرد و بر شد خروش
✦
جهان آمد از بانگ اسپان بجوش
“The King praised him and a clamor arose; the world boiled with the neighing of horses.”
#11
یکی ابر بست از بر گرد سم
✦
برآمد خروشیدن گاو دم
“A cloud formed above from the dust of hooves; the roar of cow-horn trumpets ascended.”
#12
ز بس جوشن و کاویانی درفش
✦
شده روی گیتی سراسر بنفش
“From the abundance of armor and the Kavian banner, the face of the earth turned entirely violet.”
#13
تو خورشید گفتی به آب اندر است
✦
سپهر و ستاره بخواب اندر است
“You would say the sun was plunged into water, and heaven and stars were fast asleep.”
#14
نهاد از بر پیل پیروزه مهد
✦
همی رفت زین گونه تا رود شهد
“He placed a turquoise litter upon an elephant; in this manner he marched unto the Shahd River.”
#15
هیونی بکردار باد دمان
✦
بدش نزد پیران هم اندر زمان
“A messenger swift as roaring wind was sent to Piran without delay:”
#16
که من جنگ را گردن افراخته
✦
سوی رود شهد آمدم ساخته
“'With head held high for battle, I have come fully prepared to the Shahd River.'”
#17
چو بشنید پیران غمی گشت سخت
✦
فروبست بر پیل ناکام رخت
“When Piran heard this he grew deeply grieved; he reluctantly bound his gear upon elephants.”
#18
برون رفت با نامداران خویش
✦
گزیده دلاور سواران خویش
“He rode out with his renowned leaders, his chosen brave horsemen,”
#19
که ایران سپه را ببیند که چیست
✦
سرافراز چندست و با طوس کیست
“To behold what manner of army Iran possessed, how many nobles there were, and who stood with Tus.”
#20
رده برکشیدند زان سوی رود
✦
فرستاد نزد سپهبد درود
“They drew up ranks across the river, and sent greetings to the commander.”
#21
وزین روی لشکر بیاورد طوس
✦
درفش همایون و پیلان و کوس
“And from this side Tus brought forward the army, with the auspicious banner, elephants, and drums.”
#22
سپهدار پیران یکی چرب گوی
✦
ز ترکان فرستاد نزدیک اوی
“Commander Piran dispatched a sweet-tongued messenger from among the Turks unto him,”
#23
بگفت آنک من با فرنگیس و شاه
✦
چه کردم ز خوبی بهر جایگاه
“Saying: 'Tell him what goodness I rendered unto Farangis and the Shah in every place.'”
#24
ز درد سیاوش خروشان بدم
✦
چو بر آتش تیز جوشان بدم
“'I wept in grief over Siyavash; I boiled as if cast upon a sharp flame.'”
#25
کنون بار تریاک زهر آمدست
✦
مرا زو همه رنج بهر آمدست
“'Now the fruit of my antidote has turned to poison; from it, only toil and trouble have become my portion.'”
#26
دل طوس غمگین شد از کار اوی
✦
بپیچید زان درد و پیکار اوی
“Tus's heart grew sorrowful over his plight; he was moved by his grief and impending battle.”
#27
چنین داد پاسخ که از مهر تو
✦
فراوان نشانست بر چهر تو
“He replied: 'Indeed, abundant signs of your affection are visible upon your face.'”
#28
سر آزاد کن دور شو زین میان
✦
ببند این در بیم و راه زیان
“'Free yourself and step away from this conflict; close this door of fear and path of loss.'”
#29
بر شاه ایران شوی با سپاه
✦
مکافات یابی به نیکی ز شاه
“'Go unto the Shah of Iran with your army, and you shall receive a noble reward from the King.'”
#30
بایران ترا پهلوانی دهد
✦
همان افسر خسروانی دهد
“'In Iran he will grant you high command, as well as the royal crown of honor.'”
#31
چو یاد آیدش خوب کردار تو
✦
دلش رنجه گردد ز تیمار تو
“'When he remembers your noble deeds, his heart will be moved with care for you.'”
#32
چنین گفت گودرز و گیو و سران
✦
بزرگان و تیمارکش مهتران
“Thus spoke Gudarz, Giv, and the chieftains, the nobles and compassionate elders.”
#33
سرایندهٔ پاسخ آمد چو باد
✦
بنزدیک پیران ویسه نژاد
“The bearer of the reply returned like the wind to Piran of Viseh's lineage.”
#34
بگفت آنچ بشنید با پهلوان
✦
ز طوس و ز گودرز روشن‌روان
“He related all he had heard from Tus and the enlightened Gudarz unto the hero.”
#35
چنین داد پاسخ که من روز و شب
✦
بیاد سپهبد گشایم دو لب
“Piran answered: 'Day and night I open my lips in remembrance of the commander.'”
#36
شوم هرچ هستند پیوند من
✦
خردمند کو بشنود پند من
“'I shall gather all who are my kin, every wise man who heeds my counsel,'”
#37
بایران گذارم بر و بوم و رخت
✦
سر نامور بهتر از تاج و تخت
“'And transfer my land, realm, and possessions to Iran; a noble head is better than crown and throne.'”
#38
وزین گفتها بود مغزش تهی
✦
همی جست نو روزگار بهی
“Yet his mind was empty of these promises; he was merely seeking time for a new turn of fortune.”
#39
هیونی برافگند هنگام خواب
✦
فرستاد نزدیک افراسیاب
“At the time of sleep he dispatched a courier, sending him swiftly unto Afrasiab,”
#40
کزایران سپاه آمد و پیل و کوس
✦
همان گیو و گودرز و رهام و طوس
“Saying: 'An army from Iran has arrived with elephants and drums—Giv, Gudarz, Roham, and Tus!'”
#41
فراوان فریبش فرستاده‌ام
✦
ز هر گونه‌ای پندها داده‌ام
“'I have sent him abundant deceptions, and given him counsels of every sort.'”
#42
سپاهی ز جنگاوران برگزین
✦
که بر زین شتابش بیاید ز کین
“'Select an army of warriors who will ride swiftly in vengeance from their saddles,'”
#43
مگر بومشان از بنه برکنیم
✦
بتخت و بگنج آتش اندر زنیم
“'So that we may uproot their land entirely and set fire to their throne and treasure.'”
#44
وگر نه ز کین سیاوش سپاه
✦
نیاساید از جنگ هرگز نه شاه
“'Otherwise, over the revenge of Siyavash, neither the army nor the Shah will ever rest from battle.'”
#45
چو بشنید افراسیاب این سخن
✦
سران را بخواند از همه انجمن
“When Afrasiab heard these words, he summoned the chieftains from every assembly.”
#46
یکی لشکری ساخت افراسیاب
✦
که تاریک شد چشمهٔ آفتاب
“Afrasiab mustered such a vast host that the very fountain of the sun grew dark beneath their dust.”
#47
دهم روز لشکر بپیران رسید
✦
سپاهی کزو شد زمین ناپدید
“On the tenth day, the army reached Piran—a force so immense the earth vanished beneath their tread.”
#48
چو لشکر بیاسود روزی بداد
✦
سپه برگرفت و بنه برنهاد
“When the army had rested for a day, he gathered his troops and packed the baggage to march on.”
#49
ز پیمان بگردید وز یاد عهد
✦
بیامد دمان تا لب رود شهد
“Turning away from his pact and forgetting his pledge, he rushed fiercely toward the banks of the Shahd River.”
#50
طلایه بیامد بنزدیک طوس
✦
که بربند بر کوههٔ پیل کوس
“The vanguard came unto Tus, crying: 'Bind the war-drums onto the backs of the elephants!'”
#51
که پیران نداند سخن جز فریب
✦
چو داند که تنگ اندر آمد نهیب
“'For Piran knows no speech save deceit when he senses that danger draws near.'”
#52
درفش جفا پیشه آمد پدید
✦
سپه بر لب رود صف برکشید
“The banner of that deceitful host appeared, and the army drew up its ranks along the river's edge.”
#53
بیاراست لشکر سپهدار طوس
✦
بهامون کشیدند پیلان و کوس
“Tus, the commander of Iran, arrayed his host, bringing the war-elephants and drums into the open plain.”
#54
دو رویه سپاه اندر آمد چو کوه
✦
سواران ترکان و ایران گروه
“Like mighty mountains, the two opposing forces faced each other: the Turanian horsemen and the host of Iran.”
#55
چنان شد ز گرد سپاه آفتاب
✦
که آتش برآمد ز دریای آب
“The sun was so shrouded in army dust that fire seemed to leap from the deep waters.”
#56
درخشیدن تیغ و ژوپین و خشت
✦
تو گفتی شب اندر هوا لاله کشت
“The gleam of swords, javelins, and darts in the dark air was like a field of tulips planted in the night.”
#57
ز بس ترگ زرین و زرین سپر
✦
ز جوشن سواران زرین کمر
“So many were the golden helmets, golden shields, and mail-clad warriors with golden belts.”
#58
برآمد یکی ابر چون سندروس
✦
زمین گشت از گرد چون آبنوس
“A cloud like yellow sandarac rose above, while the earth below turned black as ebony from dust.”
#59
سر سروران زیر گرز گران
✦
چو سندان شد و پتک آهنگران
“The heads of mighty leaders beneath heavy maces became as anvils under blacksmiths' hammers.”
#60
ز خون رود گفتی میستان شدست
✦
ز نیزه هوا چون نیستان شدست
“They said the river of blood became a tavern of wine, and the air bristled like a reed-bed of spears.”
#61
بسی سر گرفتار دام کمند
✦
بسی خوار گشته تن ارجمند
“Many a head was ensnared in lassoes' loops, and many a noble body was humbled in the dust.”
#62
کفن جوشن و بستر از خون و خاک
✦
تن نازدیده بشمشیر چاک
“Mail served as shrouds and blood-streaked soil as beds, while tender bodies were rent asunder by the sword.”
#63
زمین ارغوان و زمان سندروس
✦
سپهر و ستاره پرآوای کوس
“The earth turned purple, the sky grew yellow-grey, and the stars echoed with the roar of war-drums.”
#64
اگر تاج جوید جهانجوی مرد
✦
وگر خاک گردد بروز نبرد
“Whether a world-seeking hero strives for a crown, or falls into the dust on the day of battle,”
#65
بناکام می‌رفت باید ز دهر
✦
چه زو بهر تریاک یابی چه زهر
“In the end, he must leave this world unwillingly, whether his portion herein be antidote or poison.”
#66
ندانم سرانجام و فرجام چیست
✦
برین رفتن اکنون بباید گریست
“I know not what the end and destiny shall be; over this inevitable departure, one can only weep.”
#67
یکی نامداری بد ارژنگ نام
✦
بابر اندر آورده از جنگ نام
“There was a famed warrior named Arzhang, who had raised his renown to the clouds through battle.”
#68
برآورد از دشت آورد گرد
✦
از ایرانیان جست چندی نبرد
“He raised the dust of battle from the field and sought combat with several warriors of Iran.”
#69
چو از دور طوس سپهبد بدید
✦
بغرید و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When Commander Tus saw him from afar, he roared like thunder and drew his blade from its sheath.”
#70
بپور زره گفت نام تو چیست
✦
ز ترکان جنگی ترا یار کیست
“He cried to the son of Zareh: 'What is thy name? Among Turan's warriors, who is thy companion?'”
#71
بدو گفت ارژنگ جنگی منم
✦
سرافراز و شیر درنگی منم
“He answered: 'I am the warlike Arzhang, a proud knight and a fierce lion of battle!'”
#72
کنون خاک را از تو رخشان کنم
✦
به آوردگه برسرافشان کنم
“'Now shall I make the earth radiant with thy blood, and scatter severed heads upon the battle-plain!'”
#73
چو گفتار پور زره شد ببن
✦
سپهدار ایران شنید این سخن
“When the son of Zareh finished his speech, the commander of Iran heard these arrogant words.”
#74
بپاسخ ندید ایچ رای درنگ
✦
همان آبداری که بودش بچنگ
“He saw no cause to delay his answer, but raised the tempered blade he held in his grip.”
#75
بزد بر سر و ترگ آن نامدار
✦
تو گفتی تنش سر نیاورد بار
“He struck upon that hero's head and helmet, such that it seemed his body had never borne a head.”
#76
برآمد ز ایران سپه بوق و کوس
✦
که پیروز بادا سرافراز طوس
“Trumpets and war-drums resounded from the Iranian army, shouting: 'Victorious be the proud Tus!'”
#77
غمی گشت پیران ز توران سپاه
✦
ز ترکان تهی ماند آوردگاه
“Piran grew sorrowful among Turan's host, for the battlefield was emptied of Turanian champions.”
#78
دلیران توران و کنداوران
✦
کشیدند شمشیر و گرز گران
“Then the brave heroes and valiant warriors of Turan drew their swords and heavy maces.”
#79
که یکسر بکوشیم و جنگ آوریم
✦
جهان بر دل طوس تنگ آوریم
“Saying: 'Let us all strive together and do battle, to make the world narrow for Tus!'”
#80
چنین گفت هومان که امروز جنگ
✦
بسازید و دل را مدارید تنگ
“Thus spoke Homan: 'Array for battle today, and let not your hearts be dismayed!'”
#81
گر ایدونک زیشان یکی نامور
✦
ز لشکر برارد به پیکار سر
“If indeed one renowned warrior from their host should step forth to offer single combat,”
#82
پذیره فرستیم گردی دمان
✦
ببینیم تا بر که گردد زمان
“We shall send a fierce champion to meet him, to see against whom the wheel of fate turns.”
#83
وزیشان بتندی نجویید جنگ
✦
بباید یک امروز کردن درنگ
“Seek not battle with them in haste today; we must exercise patience for this one day.”
#84
بدانگه که لشکر بجنبد ز جای
✦
تبیره برآید ز پرده‌سرای
“When the main host advances from its ground and the war-drums resound from the royal pavilion,”
#85
همه یکسره گرزها برکشیم
✦
یکی از لب رود برتر کشیم
“We shall all unsheathe our heavy maces together and push our lines further past the riverbank.”
#86
بانبوه رزمی بسازیم سخت
✦
اگر یار باشد جهاندار و بخت
“We shall wage a formidable, full-scale battle, if the Lord of the World and fate favor us.”