#1
کنون ای خردمند روشن‌روان
✦
بجز نام یزدان مگردان زبان
“Now, O wise one of enlightened soul, turn your tongue to none but the name of God,”
#2
که اویست بر نیک و بد رهنمای
✦
وزویست گردون گردان بجای
“For He alone is the guide to both good and evil, and by Him the revolving heavens stand.”
#3
همی بگذرد بر تو ایام تو
✦
سرایی جزین باشد آرام تو
“Your days pass swiftly over you; a dwelling other than this world shall be your resting place.”
#4
چو باشی بدین گفته همداستان
✦
که دهقان همی گوید از باستان
“When you agree with this chronicle which the chronicler recounts from ancient times:”
#5
ازان پس خبر شد بخاقان چین
✦
که شد کشته کاموس بر دشت کین
“Thereafter news reached the Khagan of China that Kamos had been slain upon the plain of vengeance.”
#6
کشانی و شگنی و گردان بلخ
✦
ز کاموس‌شان تیره شد روز و تلخ
“The Kashanis, the Shaghnis, and the heroes of Balkh found their days turned dark and bitter because of Kamos.”
#7
همه یک بدیگر نهادند روی
✦
که این پرهنر مرد پرخاشجوی
“They all turned to one another, asking: 'Who is this warrior of skill and warlike might?”
#8
چه مردست و این مرد را نام چیست
✦
هم آورد او در جهان مرد کیست
“What kind of man is he, and what is his name? Who in the world could be his match in battle?'”
#9
چنین گفت هومان به پیران شیر
✦
که امروز شد جانم از رزم سیر
“Thus spoke Houman to the lion-like Piran: 'Today my heart has grown weary of battle,”
#10
دلیران ما چون فرازند چنگ
✦
که شد کشته کاموس جنگی بجنگ
“How can our brave champions raise their claws in combat, now that warlike Kamos has been slain in battle?”
#11
بگیتی چنو نامداری نبود
✦
وزو پیلتن تر سواری نبود
“There was no hero in the world like him, nor was there any rider more elephant-bodied than he.”
#12
چو کاموس گو را بخم کمند
✦
به آوردگه بر توان کرد بند
“Who could ever bind the hero Kamos in the loops of a lasso upon the field of conflict?”
#13
سزد گر سر پیل را روز کین
✦
بگیرد برآرد زند بر زمین
“He was worthy to seize the head of an elephant on the day of battle and hurl it to the ground!'”
#14
سپه سربسر پیش خاقان شدند
✦
ز کاموس با درد و گریان شدند
“The entire host went before the Khagan, weeping and filled with anguish over Kamos,”
#15
که آغاز و فرجام این رزمگاه
✦
شنیدی و دیدی بنزد سپاه
“Saying: 'You have heard and seen the beginning and the end of this battlefield before the army.”
#16
کنون چارهٔ کار ما بازجوی
✦
بتنها تن خویش و کس را مگوی
“Now seek a remedy for our affair by your own counsel alone, and reveal it to no one.”
#17
بلشکر نگه کن ز کارآگهان
✦
کسی کو سخن باز جوید نهان
“Look upon the army for experienced spies who can secretly uncover the truth of the matter,”
#18
ببیند که این شیر دل مرد کیست
✦
وزین لشکر او را هم آورد کیست
“To see who this lion-hearted champion is, and who in our host could be his match.”
#19
از آن پس همه تن بکشتن دهیم
✦
به آوردگه بر سر و تن نهیم
“Thereafter, we shall all give our bodies to death and lay down our heads and lives upon the battle-ground.'”
#20
بپیران چنین گفت خاقان چین
✦
که خود درد ازینست و تیمار ازین
“The Khagan of China spoke thus to Piran: 'This indeed is the source of our sorrow and affliction,”
#21
که تا کیست زان لشکر پرگزند
✦
کجا پیل گیرد بخم کمند
“To know who this warrior from that destructive army is, who can bind an elephant with his lasso.”
#22
ابا آنک از مرگ خود چاره نیست
✦
ره خواهش و پرسش و یاره نیست
“Yet, though there is no escape from death, nor any path of pleading, questioning, or capability,”
#23
ز مادر همه مرگ را زاده‌ایم
✦
بناکام گردن بدو داده‌ایم
“We are all born of mothers unto death, and involuntarily have surrendered our necks to it.”
#24
کس از گردش آسمان نگذرد
✦
وگر بر زمین پیل را بشکرد
“None can escape the turnings of the sky, even if he hunts wild elephants upon the earth.”
#25
شما دل مدارید ازو مستمند
✦
کجا کشته شد زیر خم کمند
“Do not lose heart over him because he was slain beneath the coils of a lasso.”
#26
مر آن را که کاموس ازو شد هلاک
✦
ببند کمند اندر آرم بخاک
“I shall bring down to the dust with lasso bonds the very man who brought about Kamos's demise!”
#27
همه شهر ایران کنم رود آب
✦
بکام دل خسرو افراسیاب
“I shall turn every city of Iran into a river of water, according to the heart's desire of King Afrasiab.'”
#28
ز لشکر بسی نامور گرد کرد
✦
ز خنجرگزاران و مردان مرد
“He gathered many renowned warriors from his host—blade-wielders and valiant men of war.”
#29
چنین گفت کین مرد جنگی بتیر
✦
سوار کمندافگن و گردگیر
“Thus he spoke: 'This warrior who fights with arrows, this lasso-throwing rider and conqueror of heroes—”
#30
نگه کرد باید که جایش کجاست
✦
بگرد چپ لشکر و دست راست
“We must watch to see where his place is, whether on the left wing of the army or on the right.”
#31
هم از شهر پرسد هم از نام او
✦
ازانپس بسازیم فرجام او
“Let us inquire of his city and his name, and thereafter we shall determine his end.'”
#32
سواری سرافراز و خسروپرست
✦
بیامد ببر زد برین کار دست
“A proud and king-revering rider came forward and set his hand to this task;”
#33
که چنگش بدش نام و جوینده بود
✦
دلیر و به هر کار پوینده بود
“His name was Changash, a seeker of glory, brave and energetic in every endeavor.”
#34
بخاقان چنین گفت کای سرفراز
✦
جهان را بمهر تو بادا نیاز
“He spoke to the Khagan, saying: 'O exalted ruler, may the world ever be in need of your favor!”
#35
گر او شیر جنگیست بیجان کنم
✦
بدانگه که سر سوی ایران کنم
“Though he be a fierce lion, I will render him lifeless when I turn my face toward Iran.”
#36
بتنها تن خویش جنگ‌آورم
✦
همه نام او زیر ننگ آورم
“Single-handedly I shall do battle with him, and bring all his fame under the shadow of disgrace.”
#37
ازو کین کاموس جویم نخست
✦
پس از مرگ نامش بیارم درست
“First I shall seek vengeance for Kamos from him, and after his death I shall bring back his true name.'”
#38
برو آفرین کرد خاقان چین
✦
بپیشش ببوسید چنگش زمین
“The Khagan of China bestowed praises upon him, and Changash kissed the ground before him.”
#39
بدو گفت ار این کینه بازآوری
✦
سوی من سر بی‌نیاز آوری
“The Khagan said to him: 'If you accomplish this vengeance and bring back a head free of need to me,”
#40
ببخشمت چندان گهرها ز گنج
✦
کزان پس نباید کشیدنت رنج
“I shall grant you so many jewels from the royal treasury that you shall never suffer hardship again.'”