#1
بپوشید رستم سلیح نبرد
✦
به آوردگه رفت با داروبرد
“Rostam put on his battle armor and advanced to the field ready for martial trial.”
#2
زره زیر بد جوشن اندر میان
✦
ازان پس بپوشید ببربیان
“Beneath was his mail, with cuirass in the middle, and over it he donned the Babr-e Bayan.”
#3
گرانمایه مغفر بسر بر نهاد
✦
همی کرد بدخواهش از مرگ یاد
“He set the glorious helmet upon his head, while reminding his foes of imminent death.”
#4
بنیروی یزدان میان را ببست
✦
نشست از بر رخش چون پیل مست
“Through God's divine power he girt his loins and mounted Rakhsh like an enraged elephant.”
#5
ز بالای او آسمان خیره گشت
✦
زمین از پی رخش او تیره گشت
“The sky marveled at his stature, and the ground grew dark under Rakhsh's hoofs.”
#6
برآمد ز هر دو سپه بوق و کوس
✦
زمین آهنین شد سپهر آبنوس
“From both armies raised the sound of horns and drums; the earth turned to iron, the sky to ebony.”
#7
جهان لرز لرزان شد و دشت و کوه
✦
زمین شد ز نعل ستوران ستوه
“The world trembled, plain and mountain alike; the earth grew weary under the hooves of chargers.”
#8
وزین روی کاموس بر میمنه
✦
پس پشت او ژنده پیل و بنه
“On this side stood Kamus upon the right wing, backed by massive war elephants and baggage.”
#9
ابر میسره لشکر آرای هند
✦
زره‌دار با تیغ و هندی پرند
“Upon the left stood the commander of India, armored and wielding an Indian steel blade.”
#10
بقلب اندرون جای خاقان چین
✦
شده آسمان تار و جنبان زمین
“In the center was the place of the Khagan of China; the sky grew dark and the earth shook.”
#11
وزین رو فریبرز بر میسره
✦
چو خورشید تابان ز برج بره
“And on the Iranian side, Fariburz held the left wing, shining like the sun in the constellation Aries.”
#12
سوی میمنه پور کشواد بود
✦
که کتفش همه زیر پولاد بود
“Upon the right wing was the son of Keshvad, whose shoulders were entirely clad in steel.”
#13
بقلب اندرون طوس نوذر بپای
✦
به پیش سپه کوس با کرنای
“In the center stood Tus, son of Nowzar, before the army with drum and trumpets.”
#14
همی دود آتش برآمد ز آب
✦
نبیند چنین رزم جنگی بخواب
“It was as if smoke of fire rose from the waters; no warrior had ever seen such a battle even in dreams.”
#15
برآمد ز هر سوی لشکر خروش
✦
همی پیل را زان بدرید گوش
“Shouts arose from every corner of the hosts, deafening the ears of war elephants.”
#16
نخستین که آمد میان دو صف
✦
ز خون جگر بر لب آورده کف
“The first who stepped between the two lines had foam of liver-blood upon his lips.”
#17
سپهبد سرافراز کاموس بود
✦
که با لشکر و پیل و با کوس بود
“It was the exalted commander Kamus, leading his army, elephants, and drums.”
#18
همی برخروشید چون پیل مست
✦
یکی گُرزهٔ گاو پیکر بدست
“He roared like a frantic elephant, holding a bull-headed mace in his grip.”
#19
که آن جنگجوی پیاده کجاست
✦
که از نامداران چنین رزم خواست
“He shouted: 'Where is that dismounted warrior who dared challenge renowned heroes to battle?'”
#20
کنون گر بیاید به آوردگاه
✦
تهی ماند از تیر او جایگاه
“'Now if he enters the field of fight, his seat will soon be left vacant by his arrows!'”
#21
ورا دیده بودند گردان نیو
✦
چو طوس سرافراز و رهام و گیو
“The brave champions had seen his terror—exalted heroes like Tus, Rohham, and Giv.”
#22
کسی را نیامد همی رزم رای
✦
ز گردان ایران تهی ماند جای
“None dared step forth to fight him; the place stood empty of Iranian champions.”
#23
که با او کسی را نبد تاو جنگ
✦
دلیران چو آهو و او چون پلنگ
“For none possessed the strength to combat him; the brave were like deer before his leopard-like rage.”
#24
یکی زابلی بود الوای نام
✦
سبک تیغ کین برکشید از نیام
“There was a warrior of Zabulistan named Alva'i, who swiftly drew his sword of vengeance.”
#25
کجا نیزهٔ رستم او داشتی
✦
پس پشت او هیچ نگذاشتی
“It was he who held Rostam's spear, and never fell behind his shadow in battle.”
#26
بسی رنج برده بکار عنان
✦
بیاموخته گُرز و تیر و سنان
“He had endured great toil in mastering the reins, and had learned the arts of mace, arrow, and lance.”
#27
برنج و بسختی جگر سوخته
✦
ز رستم هنرها بیاموخته
“Through hardship and suffering he had honed his spirits, acquiring arts directly from Rostam.”
#28
بدو گفت رستم که بیدار باش
✦
بآورد این ترک هشیار باش
“Rostam said to him: 'Be vigilant! Be cautious in engaging this wise Turk warrior.'”
#29
مشو غرق ز آب هنرهای خویش
✦
نگه‌دار بر جایگه پای خویش
“'Do not drown in pride of your own skills; hold firm to your ground and posture.'”
#30
چو قطره بر ژرف دریا بری
✦
بدیوانگی ماند این داوری
“'For a drop to challenge the deep sea is sheer folly and madness.'”
#31
شد الوای آهنگ کاموس کرد
✦
که جوید بآورد با او نبرد
“Yet Alva'i rode forth toward Kamus, seeking to engage him in direct single combat.”
#32
نهادند آوردگاهی بزرگ
✦
کشانی بیامد بکردار گرگ
“They set a great arena of battle, and the lord of Kashan approached like a fierce wolf.”
#33
بزد نیزه و برگرفتش ز زین
✦
بینداخت آسان بروی زمین
“He struck with his lance, lifted Alva'i from the saddle, and cast him easily to the ground.”
#34
عنان را گران کرد و او را بنعل
✦
همی کوفت تا خاک او کرد لعل
“He tightened his reins and crushed him with his horse's hooves, turning the dirt crimson with his blood.”
#35
تهمتن ز الوای شد دردمند
✦
ز فتراک بگشاد پیچان کمند
“Rostam grieved deeply for Alva'i, and unfastened his coiled lasso from the saddle-bow.”
#36
چو آهنگ جنگ سران داشتی
✦
کمندی و گُرزی گران داشتی
“Whenever he intended to fight great commanders, he carried both heavy mace and lasso.”
#37
بیامد بغرید چون پیل مست
✦
کمندی به بازو و گُرزی به دست
“He came roaring like a furious elephant, a lasso upon his arm and a heavy mace in hand.”
#38
بدو گفت کاموس چندین مدم
✦
بنیروی این رشتهٔ شصت خم
“Kamus said to him: 'Boast not so loudly of the strength of this sixty-ringed rope!'”
#39
چنین پاسخ آورد رستم که شیر
✦
چو نخچیر بیند بغرد دلیر
“Rostam replied: 'When a lion beholds his prey, he roars boldly and valiantly!'”
#40
نخستین برین کینه بستی کمر
✦
ز ایران بکشتی یکی نامور
“'First in this vengeance you girded your loins and slew a renowned hero of Iran.'”
#41
کنون رشته خوانی کمند مرا
✦
ببینی همی تنگ و بند مرا
“'Now you mock my lasso as a mere string; soon shall you feel its tight coils binding you!'”
#42
زمانه ترا از کشانی براند
✦
چو ایدر بدت خاک جایت نماند
“'Fate has driven you from Kashan; since your death is destined here, no place remains for you!'”
#43
برانگیخت کاموس اسپ نبرد
✦
هم آورد را دید با دارو برد
“Kamus spurred his battle steed, seeing his adversary prepared with mighty war gear.”
#44
بینداخت تیغ پرند آورش
✦
همی خواست از تن بریدن سرش
“He swung his bright steel sword, aiming to sever Rostam's head from his body.”
#45
سر تیغ بر گردن رخش خورد
✦
ببرید برگستوان نبرد
“The edge of the blade struck Rakhsh's neck, but severed only his battle armor.”
#46
تن رخش را زان نیامد گزند
✦
گو پیلتن حلقه کرد آن کمند
“Rakhsh's body suffered no harm from that blow, as the elephant-bodied hero looped his lasso.”
#47
بینداخت و افگندش اندر میان
✦
برانگیخت از جای پیل ژیان
“He cast the lasso and looped it around him, then stirred his furious elephant-steed into action.”
#48
بزین اندر آورد و کردش دوال
✦
عقابی شده رخش با پر و بال
“He pulled the lasso tight to his saddle-bow, while Rakhsh became like a winged eagle in flight.”
#49
سوار از دلیری بیفشارد ران
✦
گران شد رکیب و سبک شد عنان
“Out of bravery, the rider pressed his thighs; heavy grew the stirrups and swift sped the reins.”
#50
همی خواست کان خم خام کمند
✦
بنیرو ز هم بگسلاند ز بند
“He sought to break the untamed loop of the lasso by force and free himself from its bind.”
#51
شد از هوش کاموس و نگسست خام
✦
گو پیلتن رخش را کرد رام
“Kamus lost consciousness, yet the raw leather did not snap; the elephant-bodied hero reined in Rakhsh.”
#52
عنان را بیچید و او را ز زین
✦
نگون اندر آورد و زد بر زمین
“He turned his reins, pulled Kamus down from the saddle, and slammed him headlong onto the earth.”
#53
بیامد ببستش بخم کمند
✦
بدو گفت کاکنون شدی بی‌گزند
“He came forward, bound him tightly in the loop of the lasso, and mockingly said to him: 'Now you are safe from harm!'”
#54
ز تو تنبل و جادوی دور گشت
✦
روانت بر دیو مزدور گشت
“'Your trickery and sorcery have fled from you; your soul has become a mercenary to the demon!'”
#55
سرآمد بتو بر همه روز کین
✦
نبینی زمین کشانی و چین
“'Your days of battle have come to an end; never again shall you see the lands of Kushan and China!'”
#56
گمان تو آن بد که هنگام جنگ
✦
کسی چون تو نگرفت خنجر بچنگ
“'You thought that in the hour of battle, none could wield a dagger in hand like you.'”
#57
مبادا که کین آورد سرفراز
✦
که بس زود بیند نشیب و فراز
“'May no proud chief harbor vengeance, for all too soon he shall taste the turns of fortune.'”
#58
دو دست از پس پشت بستش چو سنگ
✦
بخم کمند اندر آورد چنگ
“He bound both Kamus's hands behind his back like stone, clutching firmly the loop of the lasso.”
#59
بیامد خرامان بایران سپاه
✦
بزیر کش اندر تن کینه‌خواه
“Proudly he rode toward the Iranian army, tucking the vengeful warrior beneath his arm.”
#60
بگردان چنین گفت کین رزمجوی
✦
ز بس زور و کین اندر آمد بروی
“He said to the warriors: 'This seeker of battle has fallen on his face through excess of pride and malice.'”
#61
چنین است رسم سرای فریب
✦
گهی در فراز و گهی در نشیب
“'Such is the way of this abode of deceit: at times exalted high, at times cast down low.'”
#62
بایران همی شد که ویران کند
✦
کنام پلنگان و شیران کند
“'He marched upon Iran to lay it waste, intending to make it a lair for leopards and lions.'”
#63
به زابلستان و به کابلستان
✦
نه ایوان بود نیز و نه گلستان
“'So that in Zabulistan and Kabulistan, no palace nor rose garden should remain.'”
#64
نیندازد از دست گوپال را
✦
مگر گم کند رستم زال را
“'He swore never to set down his mace until he had brought low Rostam, son of Zal!'”
#65
کفن شد کنون مغفر و جوشنش
✦
ز خاک افسر و گرد پیراهنش
“'Now his helmet and coat of mail have become his shroud; earth is his crown and dust his shirt.'”
#66
شما را بکشتن چگونست رای
✦
که شد کار کاموس جنگی ز پای
“'What is your counsel regarding his slaying, now that warlike Kamus has been brought down?'”
#67
بیفگند بر خاک پیش سران
✦
ز لشکر برفتند کنداوران
“He cast him onto the earth before the chiefs, and forth stepped the brave champions from the host.”
#68
تنش را بشمشیر کردند چاک
✦
بخون غرقه شد زیر او سنگ و خاک
“They hacked his body to pieces with their swords, till the stones and earth beneath him were soaked in blood.”
#69
بمردی نباید شد اندر گمان
✦
که بر تو درازست دست زمان
“Never be blinded by pride in your manhood, for the hand of Fate reaches far over you.”
#70
بپایان شد این رزم کاموس گرد
✦
همی شد که جان آورد جان ببرد
“Thus ended the battle of Kamus the champion; he who came to take life ended by yielding his own.”