#1
گهار گهانی بدان جایگاه
✦
گوی شیرفش با درفش سیاه
“Gahar Gahani stood in that place, a warrior of lion-like fury beneath a black banner.”
#2
برآشفت چون ترگ رستم بدید
✦
خروشی چو شیر ژیان برکشید
“He grew enraged when he caught sight of Rostam's helmet, and let out a roar like a fierce lion.”
#3
بدو گفت من کین ترکان چین
✦
بخواهم ز سگزی برین دشت کین
“He declared: 'I shall exact the vengeance of the Turks of China from this Segzi upon this battlefield!'”
#4
برانگیخت اسپ از میان سپاه
✦
بیامد بر پیلتن کینه‌خواه
“He spurred his horse from the midst of the army and came vengefully toward the elephant-bodied hero.”
#5
ز نزدیک چون ترگ رستم بدید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“Yet as he drew near and saw Rostam's helm up close, he drew a cold sigh from his chest.”
#6
بدل گفت پیکار با ژنده پیل
✦
چو غوطه است خوردن بدریای نیل
“He thought to himself: 'Fighting this huge elephant is like plunging oneself into the River Nile!'”
#7
گریزی بهنگام با سر بجای
✦
به از رزم جستن بنام و برای
“'To flee in time with head intact is far better than seeking battle for fame and judgment.'”
#8
گریزان بیامد سوی قلبگاه
✦
برو بر نظاره ز هر سو سپاه
“Fleeing, he returned toward the center of his host, while warriors from all sides gazed upon him.”
#9
درفش تهمتن میان گروه
✦
بسان درخت از بر تیغ کوه
“Meanwhile, the banner of Tahamtan towered amidst the crowd like a tree atop a mountain peak.”
#10
همی تاخت رستم پس او چو گرد
✦
زمین لعل گشت و هوا لاژورد
“Rostam gave chase behind him like a dust storm; the earth turned ruby-red and the air grew lapis-blue.”
#11
گهار گهانی بترسید سخت
✦
کزو بود برگشتن تاج و تخت
“Gahar Gahani was gripped by terror, realizing that fortune had turned its back on his crown and throne.”
#12
برآورد یک بانگ برسان کوس
✦
که بشنید آواز گودرز و طوس
“He let out a cry like the boom of a war-drum, heard clearly by Goudarz and Tous.”
#13
همی خواست تا کارزاری کند
✦
ندانست کین بار زاری کند
“He attempted to make a fight of it, unaware that this time his struggle would end in lamentation.”
#14
چه نیکو بود هر که خود را شناخت
✦
چرا تا ز دشمن ببایدش تاخت
“How noble is he who knows his own measure; why pursue that which forces one to flee before the foe?”
#15
پس او گرفته گو پیلتن
✦
که هان چارهٔ گور کن گر کفن
“Behind him came the elephant-bodied hero, crying out: 'Prepare now your shroud or your grave!'”
#16
یکی نیزه زد بر کمربند اوی
✦
بدرید خفتان و پیوند اوی
“Rostam struck a spear into his belt, tearing through his armor and his body's joints.”
#17
بینداختش همچو برگ درخت
✦
که بر شاخ او بر زند باد سخت
“He cast him down like a leaf torn from a tree when a fierce gale strikes its boughs.”
#18
نگونسار کرد آن درفش کبود
✦
تو گفتی گهار گهانی نبود
“He overturned that dark banner; it was as though Gahar Gahani had never even existed.”
#19
بدیدند گردان که رستم چه کرد
✦
چپ و راست برخاست گرد نبرد
“When the warriors beheld what Rostam accomplished, battle-dust arose left and right.”
#20
درفش همایون ببردند و کوس
✦
بیامد سرافراز گودرز و طوس
“They brought forward the auspicious banner and war-drums, as the exalted Goudarz and Tous advanced.”
#21
خروشی برآمد ز ایران سپاه
✦
چو پیروز شد گرد لشکر پناه
“A roar echoed from the Iranian army as their champion, the refuge of the host, emerged victorious.”
#22
بفرمود رستم کز ایران سوار
✦
بر من فرستند صد نامدار
“Rostam ordered one hundred renowned knights to be dispatched to him from the Iranian ranks.”
#23
هم اکنون من آن پیل و آن تخت عاج
✦
همان یاره و سنج و آن طوق و تاج
“'Even now, that elephant, ivory throne, armlets, cymbals, crown, and diadem...'”
#24
ستانم ز چین و بایران دهم
✦
به پیروز شاه دلیران دهم
“'...I shall seize from China and bestow upon Iran, presenting them to the victorious King of Champions.'”
#25
از ایران بیامد همی صد سوار
✦
زره‌دار با گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“One hundred armored knights came forth from Iran, bearing ox-headed maces.”
#26
چنین گفت رستم بایرانیان
✦
که یکسر ببندند کین را میان
“Rostam spoke thus to the Iranians, urging them all to gird their loins for vengeance.”
#27
بجان و سر شاه و خورشید و ماه
✦
بخاک سیاوش بایران سپاه
“'By the life and head of the King, by the sun and moon, by the dust of Siyavash and the host of Iran!'”
#28
بیزدان دادار جان آفرین
✦
که پیروزی آورد بر دشت کین
“'By Yazdan the Creator, Giver of Life, who brought victory upon this plain of battle!'”
#29
که گر نامداران ز ایران سپاه
✦
هزیمت پذیرد ز توران سپاه
“'That if any renowned warrior of Iran's army turns in flight before the host of Turan...'”
#30
سرش را ز تن برکنم در زمان
✦
ز خونش کنم جویهای روان
“'I shall instantly sever his head from his body and make streams of his blood flow!'”
#31
بدانست لشکر که او شیرخوست
✦
بچنگش سرین گوزن آرزوست
“The host knew well his lion-like nature, and that his claws craved the haunch of the wild elk.”
#32
همه سوی خاقان نهادند روی
✦
بنیزه شده هر یکی جنگ جوی
“They all turned their faces toward the Khaqan, spear in hand, eager for combat.”
#33
تهمتن بپیش اندرون حمله برد
✦
عنان را برخش تگاور سپرد
“Tahamtan charged at their head, yielding the reins to swift-footed Rakhsh.”
#34
همی خون چکانید بر چرخ ماه
✦
ستاره نظاره بر آن رزمگاه
“Blood dripped up to the orb of the moon, as the stars looked down upon that field of carnage.”
#35
ز بس گرد کز رزمگه بردمید
✦
چنان شد که کس روی هامون ندید
“So dense was the dust raised from the battleground that none could discern the face of the plain.”
#36
ز بانگ سواران و زخم سنان
✦
نبود ایچ پیدا رکیب از عنان
“Amidst the roar of horsemen and the thrust of spears, stirrup could not be distinguished from rein.”
#37
هوا گشت چون روی زنگی سیاه
✦
ز کشته ندیدند بر دشت راه
“The sky turned dark as an African's face, and the slain blocked every path across the plain.”
#38
همه مرز تن بود و خفتان و خود
✦
تنان را همی داد سرها درود
“The field was all torsos, armor, and helmets, as bodies bade farewell to their heads.”
#39
ز گرد سوار ابر بر باد شد
✦
زمین پر ز آواز پولاد شد
“From the dust of horsemen, clouds rose upon the wind, and the earth rang with the clashing of steel.”
#40
بسی نامدار از پی نام و ننگ
✦
بدادند بر خیره سرها بجنگ
“Many a warrior, seeking fame and shunning disgrace, lost his head in vain combat.”
#41
برآورد رستم برانسان خروش
✦
که گفتی برآمد زمانه بجوش
“Rostam let out such a roar that you would say time itself had boiled over.”
#42
چنین گفت کان پیل و آن تخت عاج
✦
همان یاره و افسر و طوق و تاج
“He declared: 'That elephant, ivory throne, armlets, diadem, neck-ring, and crown...'”
#43
سپرهای چینی و پرده سرای
✦
همان افسر و آلت چارپای
“'...Those Chinese shields, royal tents, crowns, and harness for beasts...'”
#44
بایران سزاوار کیخسروست
✦
که او در جهان شهریار نوست
“'...Are fitting for Kay Khosrow of Iran, who is the new monarch of the world!'”
#45
که چون او بگیتی سرافراز شاه
✦
نبود و ندیدست خورشید و ماه
“'For no king so exalted as he exists on earth, nor have the sun and moon beheld his equal.'”
#46
شما را چه کارست با تاج زر
✦
بدین زور و این کوشش و این هنر
“What business have you with a golden crown, despite such strength, such striving, and such skill?”
#47
همه دستها سوی بند آورید
✦
میان را بخم کمند آورید
“Surrender your hands to the bonds, and yield your waists to the loop of the lasso.”
#48
شما را ز من زندگانی بسست
✦
که تاج و نگین بهر دیگر کسست
“For you, receiving your bare life from me is enough; as for the crown and signet ring, they belong to another.”
#49
فرستم بنزدیک شاه زمین
✦
چه منشور و شنگل چه خاقان چین
“I shall send you all to the King of the Earth, whether Manshur, Shangal, or the Khaqan of Chin!”
#50
و گرنه من این خاک آوردگاه
✦
بنعل ستوران برآرم بماه
“Or else, with the hooves of our war-steeds, I shall raise the dust of this battlefield to the moon!”
#51
بدشنام بگشاد خاقان زبان
✦
بدو گفت کای بدتن بدروان
“The Khaqan loosed his tongue in vile insults, calling out: 'O evil-bodied, foul-souled wretch!'”
#52
مه ایران مه آن شاه و آن انجمن
✦
همی زینهاریت باید چو من
“'Neither the great ones of Iran, nor that king and his assembly, can protect you; you will soon be seeking quarter from me!'”
#53
تو سگزی که از هر کسی بتری
✦
همی شاه چین بایدت لشکری
“'Thou Sagzi, worse than all men! Dost thou think to face the King of Chin with an army?'”
#54
یکی تیر باران بکردند سخت
✦
چو باد خزان برجهد بر درخت
“They unleashed a fierce volley of arrows, falling like autumn winds raging upon the trees.”
#55
هوا را بپوشید پر عقاب
✦
نبیند چنان رزم جنگی بخواب
“The air was darkened by eagle-feathered shafts; no warrior had ever beheld such battle even in dreams.”
#56
چو گودرز باران الماس دید
✦
ز تیمار رستم دلش بردمید
“When Gudarz beheld that hail of steel-tipped arrows, his heart swelled with angst for Rostam.”
#57
برهام گفت ای درنگی مایست
✦
برو با کمان وز سواری دویست
“He said to Rohham: 'O slow one, linger not! Take thy bow and ride forth with two hundred horsemen!'”
#58
کمانهای چاچی و تیر خدنگ
✦
نگه‌دار پشت تهمتن بجنگ
“'With Chachi bows and poplar arrows, protect the rear of Tahamtan in battle!'”
#59
بگیو آن زمان گفت برکش سپاه
✦
برین دشت زین بیش دشمن مخواه
“Then he said to Giv: 'Draw up the army! Suffer the enemy to hold this plain no longer!'”
#60
نه هنگام آرام و آسایش است
✦
نه نیز از در رای و آرایش است
“'This is no hour for rest or repose, nor is it the time for lengthy counsel and deliberation!'”
#61
برو با دلیران سوی دست راست
✦
نگه کن که پیران و هومان کجاست
“'Advance with the brave ones to the right wing, and see where Piran and Human stand!'”
#62
تهمتن نگر پیش خاقان چین
✦
همی آسمان برزند بر زمین
“'Behold how Tahamtan before the Khaqan of Chin strikes the very heavens down upon the earth!'”
#63
برآشفت رهام همچون پلنگ
✦
بیامد بپشت تهمتن بجنگ
“Rohham grew enraged like a leopard and came up to support Tahamtan in the fray.”
#64
چنین گفت رستم برهام شیر
✦
که ترسم که رخشم شد از کار سیر
“Rostam spoke thus to lion-hearted Rohham: 'I fear my Rakhsh is growing weary of this task.'”
#65
چنو سست گردد پیاده شوم
✦
بخون و خوی آهار داده شوم
“'If he tires, I must fight on foot, fed on blood and sweat alone!'”
#66
یکی لشکرست این چو مور و ملخ
✦
تو با پیل و با پیلبانان مچخ
“'This army is like swarms of ants and locusts; grapple not needlessly with the elephants and their drivers!'”
#67
همه پاک در پیش خسرو بریم
✦
ز شگنان و چین هدیهٔ نو بریم
“'We shall carry them all before Khosrow, presenting new tribute from Shagnan and Chin.'”
#68
و زان جایگه برخروشید و گفت
✦
که با روم و چین اهرمن باد جفت
“Then from that spot he roared aloud, saying: 'May Ahriman be paired with Rome and Chin!'”
#69
ایا گم شده بخت بیچارگان
✦
همه زار و با درد غمخوارگان
“'O wretches whose fortune is lost, all weeping, grieving, and full of sorrow!'”
#70
شما را ز رستم نبود آگهی
✦
مگر مغزتان از خرد شد تهی
“'Had you no knowledge of Rostam, or was your brain emptied of all sense?'”
#71
کجا اژدها را ندارد بمرد
✦
همی پیل جوید بروز نبرد
“'Who counts a dragon as no match for a man, and seeks out ferocious elephants on the day of battle!'”
#72
شما را سر از رزم من سیر نیست
✦
مرا هدیه جز گُرز و شمشیر نیست
“'Since you are not yet sated with fighting me, I have no gifts for you save mace and sword!'”
#73
ز فتراک بگشاد پیچان کمند
✦
خم خام در کوههٔ زین فگند
“He unfastened his coiled lasso from the saddle-strap and cast its raw hide loop over the saddle-bow.”
#74
برانگیخت رخش و برآمد خروش
✦
همی اژدها را بدرید گوش
“He spurred Rakhsh, and a mighty roar arose that tore the ears of the ferocious dragons!”
#75
بهر سو که خام اندر انداختی
✦
زمین از دلیران بپرداختی
“Whichever way he cast his raw lasso, he cleared the field of champion warriors.”
#76
هرانگه که او مهتری را ز زین
✦
ربودی بخم کمند از کمین
“Whenever he snatched a chieftain from his saddle with the loop of his lasso from ambush,”
#77
بدین رزمگه بر سرافراز طوس
✦
بابر اندر افراختی بوق و کوس
“Upon this battlefield, proud Tus raised the war-trumpets and drums to the very clouds!”
#78
ببستی از ایران کسی دست اوی
✦
ز هامون نهادی سوی کوه روی
“One of the Iranians would bind the captive's hands, who would then flee from the plain toward the mountain.”