#1
نگه کرد خاقان ازان پشت پیل
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زمین دید برسان دریای نیل
“The Khagan looked down from atop his elephant's back, beholding the earth like the surging River Nile.”
#2
یکی پیل بر پشت کوه بلند
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ورا نام بد رستم دیو بند
“He saw a war-elephant upon a high mountain's back; his name was Rostam the Demon-Binder.”
#3
همی کرگس آورد ز ابر سیاه
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نظاره بران اختر و چرخ ماه
“Even the vulture swooped down from the dark clouds to gaze upon that radiant star and sphere of the moon.”
#4
یکی نامداری ز لشکر بجست
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که گفتار ایران بداند درست
“The Khagan sought a chieftain from his army who knew the Persian tongue well.”
#5
بدو گفت رو پیش آن شیر مرد
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بگویش که تندی مکن در نبرد
“He said to him: 'Go unto that lion-like hero, and bid him not to show such fierceness in battle.”
#6
چغانی و شگنی و چینی و وهر
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کزین کینه هرگز ندارند بهر
“'For the men of Chaghan, Shagnan, China, and Vahr have no share or interest in this enmity.”
#7
یکی شاه ختلان یکی شاه چین
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ز بیگانه مردم ترا نیست کین
“'The King of Khuttalan and the King of China—against foreign peoples you have no rightful grudge.”
#8
یکی شهریارست افراسیاب
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که آتش همی بد شناسد ز آب
“'It is King Afrasiab alone who cannot distinguish fire from water in his arrogance.”
#9
جهانی بدین گونه کرد انجمن
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بد آورد ازین رزم بر خویشتن
“'He gathered the whole world in this manner and brought evil upon himself through this strife.”
#10
کسی نیست بی‌آز و بی نام و ننگ
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همان آشتی بهتر آید ز جنگ
“'No man is devoid of greed, honor, or shame; yet peace is ever better than war.'”
#11
فرستاده آمد بر پیلتن
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زبان پر ز گفتار و دل پر شکن
“The envoy came before the Elephant-bodied hero, his tongue laden with speeches, his heart full of anxiety.”
#12
بدو گفت کای مهتر رزمجوی
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چو رزمت سرآمد کنون بزم جوی
“He said: 'O mighty warrior, now that battle has reached its crest, seek ye the banquet of peace.”
#13
نداری همانا ز خاقان چین
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ز کار گذشته بدل هیچ کین
“'Surely you bear no grudge in your heart against the Khagan of China for what has passed.”
#14
چنو باز گردد تو زو باز گرد
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که اکنون سپه را سرآمد نبرد
“'If he turns back, turn you back also, for now the armies' clash has come to an end.”
#15
چو کاموس بر دست تو کشته شد
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سر رزمجویان همه گشته شد
“'Since Kamous was slain by your hand, the minds of all warlike men have turned in dismay.'”
#16
چنین داد پاسخ که پیلان و تاج
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بنزدیک من باید و تخت عاج
“Rostam answered thus: 'The elephants, the crown, and the ivory throne must all be surrendered to me!”
#17
بتاراج ایران نهادست روی
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چه باید کنون لابه و گفت و گوی
“'He set his face toward plundering Iran; what use now are entreaties, words, and pleadings?”
#18
چو داند که لشکر بجنگ آمدست
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شتاب سپاه از درنگ آمدست
“'When he knows that the army has come for war, the haste of battle comes from delay.'”
#19
فرستاده گفت ای خداوند رخش
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بدشت آهوی ناگرفته مبخش
“The envoy said: 'O Lord of Rakhsh, do not divide an uncaught gazelle upon the plain!”
#20
که داند که خود چون بود روزگار
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که پیروز برگردد از کارزار
“'For who knows how Fortune will turn, or who shall return victorious from the fray?'”
#21
چو بشنید رستم برانگیخت رخش
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منم گفت شیراوژن تاج‌بخش
“When Rostam heard this, he spurred Rakhsh and cried: 'I am the lion-feller, the bestowal of crowns!”
#22
تنی زورمند و ببازو کمند
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چه روز فریبست و هنگام بند
“'With a mighty body and a lasso on my arm, what time is this for deceit and trickery?”
#23
چه خاقان چینی کمند مرا
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چه شیر ژیان دست بند مرا
“'What is the Khagan of China to my lasso? What is a fierce lion to the grip of my hands?'”