From the Turanian lines, the warrior Shangash spurred his steed, charging into the open field like the swift and blazing fire of Azargashasp. Pulling keen poplar arrows from his quiver, he shouted a defiant challenge toward the Iranian host: 'Where is the warrior who ensnared Kamus? Let him step forth into this arena, for I shall not suffer him to leave this battleground alive!' Hearing this boast, Rostam gripped his heavy mace and swung himself atop the mighty Rakhsh. He roared back that he was indeed the lion-overthrower who had brought low Kamus, and promised to lay Shangash in the same grave of dust.
Shangash demanded to know the champion's name and lineage, but Rostam scoffed at his wretched foe, declaring that the point of his spear and his very name were synonymous with Shangash's death. Shangash swiftly nocked his arrows, raining down a barrage like a dark storm cloud, forcing Rostam to raise his shield. Yet as Shangash looked closer upon the Iranian giant—beholding Rostam's cypress-like stature, elephantine build, and the mountain-like form of Rakhsh underneath—terror seized his soul. Realizing that fighting such a force meant certain doom, he turned his horse and fled toward his army.
Like a flash of consuming fire, Rostam unleashed Rakhsh in pursuit. In an instant, the hero caught up with the fleeing warrior and seized the tail of Shangash's charger. As both armies watched in awe, Rostam held the horse fast until the helpless Shangash tumbled hard to the earth. Though the defeated warrior lost his helmet and begged for mercy, Rostam leveled him into the dust and severed his head, bringing all his proud ambitions to a sudden end. The Iranian host erupted in praise, while Rostam stood proudly between the armies, holding a gleaming javelin.
On the opposing side, the Khagan of China was filled with dismay and fury at the ill turn of fortune. Terrified by Rostam's terrifying prowess, he turned to Human, commanding him to discover the identity of this invincible warrior or send a message. Human acknowledged that no warrior in the world had rivaled Kamus, yet this unknown rider had bound Kamus effortlessly in his lasso. Warning the Khagan not to underestimate this giant, Human departed to discover what destiny the Creator of the World had ordained upon the field of battle.
#1
ازان دشت چنگش برانگیخت اسپ
✦
همی رفت برسان آذرگشسپ
“From that plain, Shangash spurred his horse, rushing forth like the sacred lightning fire of Azargashasp.”
#2
چو نزدیک ایرانیان شد بجنگ
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ز ترکش برآورد تیر خدنگ
“As he drew near the Iranian ranks to fight, he pulled poplar arrows from his quiver.”
#3
چنین گفت کین جای جنگ منست
✦
سر نامداران بچنگ منست
“He cried, 'This is the battleground for my prowess; the heads of great champions are within my grasp!'”
#4
کجا رفت آن مرد کاموس گیر
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که گاهی کمند افگند گاه تیر
“'Where has that man gone who captured Kamus—he who at times casts a lasso and at times shoots an arrow?'”
#5
کنون گر بیاید به آوردگاه
✦
نمانم که ماند بنزد سپاه
“'If he steps into the arena now, I will not suffer him to return to his host alive!'”
#6
بجنبید با گرز رستم ز جای
✦
همانگه برخش اندر آورد پای
“Thereupon Rostam stirred with mace in hand, mounting Rakhsh without delay.”
#7
منم گفت شیراوژن و گردگیر
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که گاهی کمند افگنم گاه تیر
“Rostam declared, 'I am the lion-feller and captor of heroes—he who casts the lasso and shoots the arrow!'”
#8
هم اکنون ترا همچو کاموس گرد
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بدیده همی خاک باید سپرد
“'Right now I shall fill your eyes with dust, sending you to your fate just as I did to Kamus the brave!'”
#9
بدو گفت چنگش که نام تو چیست
✦
نژادت کدامست و کام تو چیست
“Shangash asked him, 'What is your name? What is your lineage, and what is your heart's desire?'”
#10
بدان تا بدانم که روز نبرد
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کرا ریختم خون چو برخاست گرد
“'So that I may know, when the dust settles on this field of combat, whose blood I have spilled.'”
#11
بدو گفت رستم که ای شوربخت
✦
که هرگز مبادا گل آن درخت
“Rostam replied, 'O wretched soul! May the tree that brought you forth never bloom again!'”
#12
کجا چون تو در باغ بار آورد
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چو تو میوه اندر شمار آورد
“'A garden that yields such fruit as you—a harvest so worthless and ill-fated!'”
#13
سر نیزه و نام من مرگ تست
✦
سرت را بباید ز تن دست شست
“'The point of my spear and my very name are your doom; prepare to bid farewell to your head!'”
#14
بیامد همانگاه چنگش چو باد
✦
دو زاغ کمان را بزه بر نهاد
“At once Shangash charged like the wind, nocking the notch of his bowstring.”
#15
کمان جفا پیشه چون ابر بود
✦
هم آورد با جوشن و گبر بود
“The bow of the ruthless warrior poured forth arrows like a storm cloud, piercing mail and armor alike.”
#16
سپر بر سرآورد رستم چو دید
✦
که تیرش زره را بخواهد برید
“Seeing that the arrows threatened to slice through his coat of mail, Rostam raised his shield over his head.”
#17
بدو گفت باش ای سوار دلیر
✦
که اکنون سرت گردد از رزم سیر
“Rostam cried to him, 'Hold, valiant rider! For now your heart shall have its fill of war!'”
#18
نگه کرد چنگش بران پیلتن
✦
ببالای سرو سهی بر چمن
“Shangash gazed upon that elephant-bodied hero, towering like a straight cypress in a meadow.”
#19
بد آن اسپ در زیر یک لخت کوه
✦
نیامد همی از کشیدن ستوه
“Beneath him was a steed like a mountain rock, unwearied by any burden or exertion.”
#20
بدل گفت چنگش که اکنون گریز
✦
به از با تن خویش کردن ستیز
“Shangash whispered to his own heart, 'Flight is better now than waging war against my own flesh and blood!'”
#21
برانگیخت آن بارکش را ز جای
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سوی لشکر خویشتن کرد رای
“He turned his charger and galloped away, steering his path toward his own army.”
#22
بکردار آتش دلاور سوار
✦
برانگیخت رخش از پس نامدار
“Like blazing fire, the valiant champion Rostam spurred Rakhsh in swift pursuit of the fleeer.”
#23
همانگاه رستم رسید اندروی
✦
همه دشت زیشان پر از گفت و گوی
“In an instant Rostam overtook him, while the whole battlefield resounded with shouts and clamor.”
#24
دم اسپ ناپاک چنگش گرفت
✦
دو لشکر بدو مانده اندر شگفت
“Rostam seized the tail of the horse of the wretched Shangash, leaving both armies spellbound in wonder.”
#25
زمانی همی داشت تا شد غمی
✦
ز بالا بزد خویشتن بر زمی
“Rostam held him fast until Shangash grew utterly helpless, and was hurled from high atop his steed down to the earth.”
#26
بیفتاد زو ترگ و زنهار خواست
✦
تهمتن ورا کرد با خاک راست
“His helmet tumbled off as he begged for mercy; but the Elephant-Bodied Rostam leveled him straight into the dust.”
#27
همانگاه کردش سر از تن جدا
✦
همه کام و اندیشه شد بی‌نوا
“In that same breath, Rostam severed his head from his body, casting all his grand ambitions into total ruin.”
#28
همه نامداران ایران زمین
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گرفتند بر پهلوان آفرین
“All the illustrious lords of the land of Iran showered praise and blessings upon their invincible champion.”
#29
همی بود رستم میان دو صف
✦
گرفته یکی خشت رخشان بکف
“Rostam stood between the opposing battlelines, holding a gleaming javelin in his grip.”
#30
وزان روی خاقان غمی گشت سخت
✦
برآشفت با گردش چرخ و بخت
“On the other side, the Khagan grew deeply tormented, enraged at the turn of fate and the wheel of heaven.”
#31
بهومان چنین گفت خاقان چین
✦
که تنگست بر ما زمان و زمین
“The Khagan of China said to Human, 'Time and earth have grown narrow and oppressive for us!'”
#32
مران نامور پهلوان را تو نام
✦
شوی بازجویی فرستی پیام
“'Go and discover the true name of that famous warrior, or send a message to him.'”
#33
بدو گفت هومان که سندان نیم
✦
برزم اندرون پیل دندان نیم
“Human answered him, 'I am not made of anvil, nor am I an iron-tusked elephant in battle!'”
#34
بگیتی چو کاموس جنگی نبود
✦
چنو رزم‌خواه و درنگی نبود
“'In all the world there was no warrior like Kamus—none so avid for battle, nor so steadfast in fight!'”
#35
بخم کمندش گرفت این سوار
✦
تو این گرد را خوار مایه مدار
“'Yet this rider snared him in the loop of his lasso; do not hold this warrior lightly!'”
#36
شوم تا چه خواهد جهان آفرین
✦
که پیروز گردد بدین دشت کین
“'I shall go to see what the Creator of the World decrees, and who shall emerge victorious upon this field of vengeance.'”