Following a devastating engagement, Commander Tus tempered his fury with strategic calculation, ordering the weary Iranian host to withdraw toward the rugged heights of Mount Hamavon. Hearts heavy with grief for their fallen kin and lips parched from endless marching, the soldiers moved night and day. Upon reaching the rocky slopes of Mount Hamavon, Tus turned to the valiant Giv, acknowledging his three sleepless days of relentless combat, and urged him to take rest while fresh troops prepared positions atop the peak, assigning the vigilance of the plain to young Bijan.
The Iranians carried their wounded up the cliffs and stationed lookouts along every ridge. The clatter of armor, shouts of sentinels, and ringing of war-bells resonated through the gorges so intensely that the very stones of Hamavon seemed to boil. As dawn broke, casting golden light across the horizon, the vast expanse below sparkled like a turbulent ocean.
Meanwhile, in the Turanian camp, scouts discovered the Iranian war-camp completely deserted, leaving only empty tents behind. A great cheer erupted through the ranks of Piran Viseh. The veteran Turanian commander gathered his chieftains to deliberate their next move. Piran advised patience, advocating that they wait for King Afrasiab’s massive reinforcements. However, Houman, the fiery Turanian champion, passionately countered his commander's caution. Houman warned that granting the Iranians respite would allow them to regroup with King Khosrow’s main army—or worse, allow Rostam of Zabulistan to march to their rescue, which would spell doom for Turan. He insisted on an immediate strike to capture the sacred Kavian Banner and annihilate the Iranian leadership.
Piran acknowledged the wisdom in Houman’s aggressive strategy and sanctioned the pursuit. He dispatched Lahhak with two hundred swift horsemen to scout the enemy's position. Sweeping across the dark plain, Lahhak approached the mountain only to hear the echoing bells and stern shouts of the Iranian sentinels, confirming that Tus and Goudarz had fortified the heights of Mount Hamavon, ready to make a fierce stand.
#1
سپه برنشاند و بنه برنهاد
✦
وزان کشتگان کرد بسیار یاد
“He mounted the troops and loaded the baggage, remembering mournfully the many who had fallen.”
#2
ازین سان همی رفت روز و شبان
✦
پر از غم دل و ناچریده لبان
“Thus they marched day and night, their hearts laden with grief and their lips unfed.”
#3
همه دیده پر خون و دل پر ز داغ
✦
ز رنج روان گشته چون پر زاغ
“Their eyes full of tears of blood and hearts full of wounds, their spirits grew dark as a raven's wing.”
#4
چو نزدیک کوه هماون رسید
✦
بران دامن کوه لشکر کشید
“When he drew near Mount Hamavon, he pitch camp upon the mountain's lower slopes.”
#5
چنین گفت طوس سپهبد بگیو
✦
که ای پر خرد نامبردار نیو
“Thus spoke General Tus to Giv: 'O wise and renowned hero!'”
#6
سه روزست تا زین نشان تاختی
✦
بخواب و بخوردن نپرداختی
“'For three days you have ridden in this manner, yielding neither to sleep nor to nourishment.'”
#7
بیا و بیاسا و چیزی بخور
✦
برامش و جامه بنمای سر
“'Come, rest, and take some food; show your head to comfort and fresh garments.'”
#8
که من بی‌گمانم که پیران بجنگ
✦
پس ما بیاید کنون بی‌درنگ
“'For I have no doubt that Piran will pursue us into battle without delay.'”
#9
کسی را که آسوده‌تر زین گروه
✦
به بیژن بمان و تو برشو بکوه
“'Leave whoever is less weary among this host to Bijan, and ascend the mountain yourself.'”
#10
همه خستگان را سوی که کشید
✦
ز آسودگان لشکری برگزید
“He led all the wounded up toward the mountain, and selected a force from those who were rested.”
#11
چنین گفت کین کوه سر جای ماست
✦
بباید کنون خویشتن کرد راست
“He said: 'This mountain is our stronghold; now we must prepare ourselves properly.'”
#12
طلایه ز کوه اندر آمد بدشت
✦
بدان تا بریشان نشاید گذشت
“The advance guard descended from the mountain to the plain, so that no enemy could pass them unnoticed.”
#13
خروش نگهبان و آوای زنگ
✦
تو گفتی بجوش آمد از کوه سنگ
“The guards' shouts and the clatter of bells made it seem as if the stones of the mountain were boiling.”
#14
هم‌آنگه برآمد ز چرخ آفتاب
✦
جهان گشت برسان دریای آب
“At that moment the sun arose from the heavens, and the world glistened like a sea of water.”
#15
ز درگاه پیران برآمد خروش
✦
چنان شد که برخیزد از خاک جوش
“From Piran's court a roar arose, as if tumult was boiling up from the earth itself.”
#16
بهومان چنین گفت کاکنون بجنگ
✦
نباید همانا فراوان درنگ
“Houman said to Piran: 'Now we must not delay the battle long.'”
#17
سواران دشمن همه کشته‌اند
✦
وگر خسته از جنگ برگشته‌اند
“'The enemy's horsemen are all slain, or have turned back wounded from the fight.'”
#18
بزد کوس و از دشت برخاست غو
✦
همی رفت پیش سپه پیشرو
“He struck the war-drums and a clamor rose from the plain; the vanguard advanced before the army.”
#19
رسیدند ترکان بدان رزمگاه
✦
همه رزمگه خیمه بد بی‌سپاه
“The Turks reached that battle-ground, but the battlefield was filled with tents without troops.”
#20
بشد نزد پیران یکی مژده‌خواه
✦
که کس نیست ایدر ز ایران سپاه
“A messenger went to Piran with good news: 'There is no sign of the Iranian army here!'”
#21
ز لشکر بشادی برآمد خروش
✦
بفرمان پیران نهادند گوش
“A shout of joy arose from the host, and all listened attentively to Piran's command.”
#22
سپهبد چنین گفت با بخردان
✦
که ای نامور پرهنر موبدان
“The commander said to his counselors: 'O renowned and skillful priests and chieftains!'”
#23
چه سازیم و این را چه دانید رای
✦
که اکنون ز دشمن تهی ماند جای
“'What should we devise, and what is your counsel, now that the ground is empty of the enemy?'”
#24
سواران لشکر ز پیر و جوان
✦
همه تیز گفتند با پهلوان
“The horsemen of the host, both old and young, spoke eagerly to the chieftain:”
#25
که لشکر گریزان شد از پیش ما
✦
شکست آمد اندر بداندیش ما
“'The army has fled from before us; defeat has fallen upon our ill-wishing foe.'”
#26
یکی رزمگاهست پر خون و خاک
✦
ازیشان نه هنگام بیم است و باک
“'Here is a battlefield full of blood and dust; now is not the time for dread and caution.'”
#27
بباید پی دشمن اندر گرفت
✦
ز مولش سزد گر بمانی شگفت
“'We must pursue the enemy; it would be wondrous if you were to hesitate!'”
#28
گریزان ز باد اندرآید به آب
✦
به آید ز مولیدن ایدر شتاب
“'A fugitive flees like wind over water; speed here is far better than delay.'”
#29
چنین گفت پیران که هنگام جنگ
✦
شود سست پای شتاب از درنگ
“Piran said: 'In time of war, the foot of haste grows weak through lack of delay.'”
#30
سپاهی بکردار دریای آب
✦
شدست انجمن پیش افراسیاب
“'An army like an ocean of water has gathered before King Afrasiab.'”
#31
بمانیم تا آن سپاه گران
✦
بیایند گردان و جنگ‌آوران
“'Let us wait until that heavy force of champions and warriors arrives.'”
#32
ازان پس بایران نمانیم کس
✦
چنین است رای خردمند و بس
“'Thereafter we shall leave no one alive in Iran; this alone is the counsel of the wise.'”
#33
بدو گفت هومان که ای پهلوان
✦
مرنجان بدین کار چندین روان
“Houman said to him: 'O chieftain, do not distress your spirit so over this matter!'”
#34
سپاهی بدان زور و آن جوش و دم
✦
شدی روی دریا ازیشان دژم
“'An army with such force, boiling fury, and breath would make the sea's face turn grim.'”
#35
کنون خیمه و گاه و پرده‌سرای
✦
همه مانده برجای و رفته ز جای
“'Now their tents, thrones, and pavilions are left behind, and they have departed.'”
#36
چنان دان که رفتن ز بیچارگیست
✦
نمودن بما پشت یکبارگیست
“'Know that their retreat comes from helplessness—they have turned their backs to us completely.'”
#37
نمانیم تا نزد خسرو شوند
✦
بدرگاه او لشکری نو شوند
“'We must not let them reach King Khosrow and form a new army at his court.'”
#38
ز زابلستان رستم آید بجنگ
✦
زیانی بود سهمگین زین درنگ
“'If Rostam comes from Zabulistan to fight, great harm will come from this delay.'”
#39
کنون ساختن باید و تاختن
✦
فسونها و نیرنگها ساختن
“'Now we must prepare and charge, wielding all strategies and wiles.'”
#40
چو گودرز را با سپهدار طوس
✦
درفش همایون و پیلان و کوس
“'When Goudarz and Commander Tus, along with the blessed banner, elephants, and drums,'”
#41
همه بی‌گمانی بچنگ آوریم
✦
بد آید چو ایدر درنگ آوریم
“'Are all captured without doubt, victory is ours; delay will only bring evil.'”
#42
چنین داد پاسخ بدو پهلوان
✦
که بیداردل باش و روشن‌روان
“The hero answered him: 'May your heart be watchful and your mind luminous!'”
#43
چنان کن که نیک‌اختر و رای تست
✦
که چرخ فلک زیر بالای تست
“'Act according to your good fortune and judgment, for the wheel of heaven is beneath your height.'”
#44
پس لشکر اندر گرفتند راه
✦
سپهدار پیران و توران سپاه
“Then Commander Piran and the Turanian army set out along the path behind the enemy.”
#45
به لهاک فرمود کاکنون مایست
✦
بگردان عنان با سواری دویست
“He commanded Lahhak: 'Now do not tarry; turn your reins with two hundred horsemen.'”
#46
بدو گفت مگشای بند از میان
✦
ببین تا کجایند ایرانیان
“He said to him: 'Do not unbuckle your belt; go and see where the Iranians have positioned themselves.'”
#47
همی رفت لهاک برسان باد
✦
ز خواب و ز خوردن نکرد ایچ یاد
“Lahhak sped forth like the swift wind, thinking nothing of sleep or food.”
#48
چو نیمی ز تیره شب اندر گذشت
✦
طلایه بدیدش بتاریک دشت
“When half of the dark night had elapsed, the Iranian vanguard spotted him in the pitch-black plain.”
#49
خروش آمد از کوه و آوای زنگ
✦
ندید ایچ لهاک جای درنگ
“A clamor arose from the mountain along with the toll of war-bells, and Lahhak saw no cause for delay.”
#50
بنزدیک پیران بیامد ز راه
✦
بدو آگهی داد ز ایران سپاه
“He returned posthaste to Piran and informed him of the host of Iran,”
#51
که ایشان بکوه هماون درند
✦
همه بسته بر پیش راه گزند
“Telling him that they were entrenched upon Mount Hamavan, closing off every path to danger.”
#52
بهومان بفرمود پیران که زود
✦
عنان و رکیبت بباید بسود
“Piran then commanded Houman, saying: 'Swiftly touch your reins and stirrups into action!'”
#53
ببر چند باید ز لشکر سوار
✦
ز گردان گردنکش نامدار
“'Take as many horsemen from the army as needed, drawn from the proud and famed warriors,'”
#54
که ایرانیان با درفش و سپاه
✦
گرفتند کوه هماون پناه
“'For the Iranians, with their royal banner and host, have sought refuge upon Mount Hamavan.'”
#55
ازین رزم رنج آید اکنون بروی
✦
خرد تیز کن چارهٔ کار جوی
“'From this battle hardship will now confront us; sharpen your wit and seek a strategy.'”
#56
گر آن مرد با کاویانی درفش
✦
بیاری، شود روی ایشان بنفش
“'If you can capture that leader with the Kavian Banner, their faces will turn purple with grief.'”
#57
اگر دستیابی بشمشیر تیز
✦
درفش و همه نیزه کن ریزریز
“'Or if you gain the upper hand with sharp steel, hack their flag and all their spears into pieces.'”
#58
من اینک پس‌اندر چو باد دمان
✦
بیایم نسازم درنگ و زمان
“'Behold, I shall follow hard behind like a roaring wind, delaying not a single moment.'”
#59
گزین کرد هومان ز لشکر سوار
✦
سپردار و شمشیرزن سی‌هزار
“Houman chose thirty thousand elite horsemen from the host—all shield-bearers and sword-wielders.”
#60
چو خورشید تابنده بنمود تاج
✦
بگسترد کافور بر تخت عاج
“When the radiant sun revealed its golden crown, spreading camphor light over the ivory throne of dawn,”
#61
پدید آمد از دور گرد سپاه
✦
غو دیده‌بان آمد از دیده‌گاه
“The dust of the marching host appeared in the distance, and the lookout raised a cry from his post,”
#62
که آمد ز ترکان سپاهی پدید
✦
بابر سیه گردشان برکشید
“Shouting: 'An army of Turks has appeared, their heavy dust reaching the dark clouds!'”
#63
چو بشنید جوشن بپوشید طوس
✦
برآمد دم بوق و آوای کوس
“When Tus heard this, he donned his chainmail armor; the clarion's blast and the drum's rumble resounded.”
#64
سواران ایران همه همگروه
✦
رده برکشیدند بر پیش کوه
“The horsemen of Iran, all gathered in unison, drew up their battle lines before the mountain.”
#65
چو هومان بدید آن سپاه گران
✦
گراییدن گرز و تیغ سران
“When Houman beheld that mighty host and saw the leaders raising high their maces and swords,”
#66
چنین گفت هومان بگودرز و طوس
✦
کز ایران برفتید با پیل و کوس
“He addressed Goudarz and Tus, crying: 'You set forth from Iran with war-elephants and drums,'”
#67
سوی شهر ترکان بکین آختن
✦
بدان روی لشکر برون تاختن
“'To march toward the city of the Turks for vengeance, bringing your forces to this distant side.'”
#68
کنون برگزیدی چو نخچیر کوه
✦
شدستی ز گردان توران ستوه
“'Now you have chosen the mountain like hunted game, growing weary and terrified of Turan's braves!'”
#69
نیایدت زین کار خود شرم و ننگ
✦
خور و خواب و آرام بر کوه و سنگ
“'Do you feel no shame or dishonor at this conduct—seeking food, sleep, and shelter upon bare rocks?'”
#70
چو فردا برآید ز کوه آفتاب
✦
کنم زین حصار تو دریای آب
“'When tomorrow the sun ascends from the mountain, I shall turn this mountain stronghold of yours into a sea of blood!'”
#71
بدانی که این جای بیچارگیست
✦
برین کوه خارا بباید گریست
“'You shall learn that this place is one of utter helplessness, and upon this hard granite you must weep!'”
#72
هیونی بپیران فرستاد زود
✦
که اندیشهٔ ما دگرگونه بود
“He swiftly dispatched a swift courier to Piran, saying: 'Our expectation was of a different kind!'”
#73
دگرگونه بود آنچ انداختیم
✦
بریشان همی تاختن ساختیم
“'What we had calculated was far different from what we found when we launched our charge upon them.'”
#74
همه کوه یکسر سپاهست و کوس
✦
درفش از پس پشت گودرز و طوس
“'The entire mountain is packed with soldiers and drums, with standards raised behind Goudarz and Tus!'”
#75
چنان کن که چون بردمد چاک روز
✦
پدید آید از چرخ گیتی فروز
“'Make ready, so that when the break of day dawns and the sun shines forth from the heavens,'”
#76
تو ایدر بوی ساخته با سپاه
✦
شده روی هامون ز لشکر سیاه
“'You will stand prepared here with your host, making the face of the plain black with troops.'”