Dark tidings descended upon Afrasiab like a blaze rising from the depths of the ocean. The devastating fall of Kamus and the humilitating captivity of the Khagan of China struck terror through the realm of Turan. For forty days, the sky had remained one color as clouds of war-dust swallowed the sun. Of that legendary host, not a single warrior returned intact; the proud rulers of the East were chained upon the backs of war-elephants, and for miles, the battlefield was so drenched in blood and piled with corpses that no path remained. Piran Viseh, broken and defeated, fled toward Khotan with only a handful of survivors.
When Afrasiab heard these disastrous reports, his heart dissolved in anguish and dark fumes of rage filled his mind. He hastily gathered his Mobads, sages, and commanders, recounting past defeats and crying out: 'Two-thirds of our proudest chieftains are dragged in chains upon elephants, and the earth bleeds! If Rostam leads the Iranian vanguard into our realm, not a blade of grass nor a shrub will remain. I have felt the devastating weight of his mace myself and know what he wrought upon the King of Mazandaran!'
Yet the noblemen of Turan rose together, steepling their voices in defiance: 'Though the mercenaries of China and Saqlab fell, our core Turanian army remains unscathed! Why do you fear Rostam and grant joy to our foes? We were all born for death, and our belts are girt for vengeance. If they trample our soil, we shall exact such a price that no Iranian will leave Turan alive!' Encouraged by their bravado, Afrasiab unlocked his ancient royal vaults, showered his commanders with gold, and rallied a massive new army.
Meanwhile, in the Iranian camp, joy reigned supreme. Prince Fariburz arrived carrying royal gifts from King Kay Khosrow, including a magnificent jewel-encrusted crown and robes of state for Rostam. The elephant-bodied hero and his chieftains celebrated the King's favor, pledging their eternal devotion to Iran. Rostam then marched his triumphant host toward the lush lands of Sogd, where for two weeks they rested, feasted, and hunted wild asses, renewing their strength for the battles yet to come.
#1
پس آگاهی آمد بافراسیاب
✦
که آتش برآمد ز دریای آب
“Then news reached Afrasiab that a fire had erupted from the midst of the sea.”
#2
ز کاموس و منشور و خاقان چین
✦
شکستی نو آمد بتوران زمین
“That through Kamus, Mansur, and the Khagan of China, a fresh disaster had fallen upon Turan.”
#3
از ایران یکی لشکر آمد بجنگ
✦
که شد چرخ گردنده را راه تنگ
“That from Iran a host of warriors had marched into battle, narrowing the path of the revolving heavens.”
#4
چهل روز یکسان همی جنگ بود
✦
شب و روز گیتی بیک رنگ بود
“For forty days the battle raged unrelenting; day and night, the world bore a single grim hue.”
#5
ز گرد سواران نبود آفتاب
✦
چو بیدار بخت اندر آمد بخواب
“The sun was eclipsed by the dust of horsemen, as though awake fortune had fallen into sleep.”
#6
سرانجام زان لشکر بیشمار
✦
سواری نماند از در کارزار
“In the end, of that countless army, not a single knight remained fit for the fray.”
#7
بزرگان و آن نامور مهتران
✦
ببستند یکسر ببند گران
“The grandees and renowned chieftains were all bound together in heavy chains.”
#8
بخواری فگندند بر پشت پیل
✦
سپه بود گرد آمده بر دو میل
“In humiliation they were cast upon the backs of elephants; the captured host stretched for two leagues.”
#9
ز کشته چنان بد که در رزمگاه
✦
کسی را نبد جای رفتن براه
“So thick lay the slain upon the battlefield that no man could find a path to walk.”
#10
وزین روی پیران براه ختن
✦
بشد با یکی نامدار انجمن
“On the other side, Piran fled toward Khotan accompanied by a small remnant of nobles.”
#11
کشانی و شگنی و وهری نماند
✦
که منشور شمشیر رستم نخواند
“Not a warrior of Kashan, Shagnan, or Vahr remained whose decree Rostam's sword had not written.”
#12
وزین روی تنگ اندر آمد سپاه
✦
بپیش اندرون رستم کینه‌خواه
“And now the army presses near, led by the vengeful Rostam in the vanguard.”
#13
گر آیند زی ما برزم آن گروه
✦
شود کوه هامون و هامون چو کوه
“'If that host marches against us, mountains will turn to plains and plains to mountains!'”
#14
چو افراسیاب این سخنها شنود
✦
دلش گشت پر درد و سر پر ز دود
“When Afrasiab heard these words, his heart swelled with pain and his head filled with smoke.”
#15
همه موبدان و ردان را بخواند
✦
ز کار گذشته فراوان براند
“He summoned all the Mobads and wise counselors, speaking at length of past deeds.”
#16
کز ایران یکی لشکری جنگجوی
✦
بدان نامداران نهادست روی
“'That a warlike army from Iran has set its sight upon those noble rulers!'”
#17
شکسته شدست آن سپاه گران
✦
چنان ساز و آن لشکر بی‌کران
“'That mighty host and boundless army have been shattered to pieces!'”
#18
ز اندوه کاموس و خاقان چین
✦
ببستند گفتی مرا بر زمین
“'From the grief of Kamus and the Khagan of China, you would say I am bound to the earth.'”
#19
سپاهی چنان بسته و خسته شد
✦
دو بهره ز گردنکشان بسته شد
“'So vast a army broken and wounded, two-thirds of our proud champions in chains!'”
#20
بایران کشیدند بر پشت پیل
✦
زمین پر ز خون بود تا چند میل
“'Dragged to Iran upon the backs of elephants, while the ground bled for many miles.'”
#21
چه سازیم و این را چه درمان کنیم
✦
نشاید که این بر دل آسان کنیم
“'What remedy shall we devise for this? We must not take this lightly in our hearts.'”
#22
گر ایدونک رستم بود پیش رو
✦
نماند برین بوم و بر خار و خو
“'If Rostam indeed leads their vanguard, neither thorn nor weed will remain in this realm!'”
#23
که من دستبرد ورا دیده‌ام
✦
ز کار آگهان نیز بشنیده‌ام
“'For I have personally witnessed his martial power, and heard of it from reliable witnesses.'”
#24
که او با بزرگان ایران زمین
✦
چه کردست از نیکوی روز کین
“'What noble deeds he achieved alongside the grandees of Iran on the day of battle!'”
#25
چه کردست با شاه مازندران
✦
ز گرزش چه آمد بران مهتران
“'What he wrought upon the King of Mazandaran, and what his mace inflicted upon those chieftains!'”
#26
گرانمایگان پاسخ آراستند
✦
همه یکسر از جای برخاستند
“The nobles prepared their answer and rose up together from their seats.”
#27
که گر نامداران سقلاب و چین
✦
بایران همی رزم جستند و کین
“'Though the renowned ones of Saqlab and China sought war and vengeance against Iran,'”
#28
نه از لشکر ما کسی کم شدست
✦
نه این کشور از خون دمادم شدست
“'No warrior has been lost from our core army, nor is our own land yet drenched in blood.'”
#29
ز رستم چرا بیم داری همی
✦
چنین کام دشمن بخاری همی
“'Why do you harbour such dread of Rostam, thus fulfilling the desires of your enemy?'”
#30
ز مادر همه مرگ را زاده‌ایم
✦
میان تا ببستیم نگشاده‌ایم
“'We are all born of mothers unto death; we have bound our loins and shall not loosen them!'”
#31
اگر خاک ما را بپی بسپرند
✦
ازین کردهٔ خویش کیفر برند
“'If they trample our soil underfoot, they shall pay dearly for what they have done!'”
#32
بکین گر ببندیم زین پس میان
✦
نماند کسی زنده ز ایرانیان
“'If we gird ourselves for vengeance henceforth, not a single Iranian shall be left alive!'”
#33
ز پرمایگان شاه پاسخ شنید
✦
ز لشکر زبان‌آوری برگزید
“The king heard this response from his nobles, and selected eloquent commanders from the army.”
#34
دلیران و گردنکشان را بخواند
✦
ز خواب و ز آرام و خوردن بماند
“He summoned the brave warriors and champions, casting aside sleep, rest, and feasting.”
#35
در گنج بگشاد و دینار داد
✦
روان را بخون دل آهار داد
“He opened the treasure-house and distributed gold, nourishing his soul with blood of his heart.”
#36
چنان شد ز گردان جنگی زمین
✦
که گفتی سپهر اندر آمد بکین
“The ground became so thick with valiant warriors that you would say heaven itself descended in wrath.”
#37
چو این بند بد را سر آمد کلید
✦
فریبرز نزدیک رستم رسید
“When the key unlocked this evil knot, Fariburz arrived before Rostam.”
#38
بدل شاد با خلعت شهریار
✦
بدو اندرون تاج گوهر نگار
“Joyful at heart with the King's robe of honor, including a crown encrusted with glittering gems.”
#39
ازان شادمان شد گو پیلتن
✦
بزرگان لشکر شدند انجمن
“The elephant-bodied hero rejoiced at this, and the chieftains of the army gathered together.”
#40
گرفتند بر پهلوان آفرین
✦
که آباد بادا برستم زمین
“They offered praises unto the champion: 'May the land be prosperous through Rostam!'”
#41
بدو جان شاه جهان شاد باد
✦
بر و بوم ایرانش آباد باد
“'May the soul of the King of the world be joyful, and the realm of Iran remain flourishing!'”
#42
همه مر ترا چاکر و بنده‌ایم
✦
بفرمان و رایت سرافگنده‌ایم
“'We are all your servants and slaves, submissive to your command and banner!'”
#43
وزان جایگه شاد لشکر براند
✦
بیامد بسغد و دو هفته بماند
“From that place he happily led the army onward, arriving in Sogd where he remained two weeks.”
#44
بنخچیر گور و بمی دست برد
✦
ازین گونه یک چند خورد و شمرد
“He turned his hands to hunting wild asses and drinking wine, thus feasting and counting days for a time.”