#1
سپهبد چنان کرد کو راه دید
✦
همی دست ازان رزم کوتاه دید
“The commander did so when he saw the path open, cutting short his hand from that conflict.”
#2
چو رستم بیامد مرا پای نیست
✦
جز از رفتن از پیش او رای نیست
“'Since Rostam has arrived, I have no footing left; I have no counsel but to flee before him.'”
#3
بباید شدن تا بدان روی چین
✦
گر ایدونک گنجد کسی در زمین
“'One must depart to the far side of Chin, if indeed anyone can find refuge on this earth.'”
#4
درفشش بماندند و او خود برفت
✦
سوی چین و ماچین خرامید تفت
“They left his royal banner behind, and he himself departed, hastening swiftly toward Chin and Machin.”
#5
سپاه اندر آمد بپیش سپاه
✦
زمین گشت برسان ابر سیاه
“Host charged against host; the earth grew dark as a black cloud.”
#6
تهمتن به آواز گفت آن زمان
✦
که نیزه مدارید و تیر و کمان
“At that moment, Tahamtan shouted aloud: 'Hold back your spears, arrows, and bows!'”
#7
بکوشید و شمشیر و گرز آورید
✦
هنرها ز بالای برز آورید
“'Strive hand-to-hand with sword and heavy mace; bring forth valiant skills from your noble stature!'”
#8
پلنگ آن زمان پیچد از کین خویش
✦
که نخچیر بیند ببالین خویش
“A panther writhes in vengeful fury only when it sees its prey beside its pillow.”
#9
سپه سربسر نعره برداشتند
✦
همه نیزه بر کوه بگذاشتند
“The entire army raised a mighty roar, setting aside their spears upon the mountain.”
#10
چنان شد در و دشت آوردگاه
✦
که از کشته جایی ندیدند راه
“The mountain pass and plain became such a battleground that no path could be seen for the fallen slain.”
#11
برفتند یک بهره زنهار خواه
✦
گریزان برفتند بهری براه
“One part of the enemy surrendered begging for quarter; another fled along the road in terror.”
#12
شد از بی‌شبانی رمه تال و مال
✦
همه دشت تن بود بی‌دست و یال
“Deprived of its shepherd, the flock was scattered and destroyed; the whole plain was filled with headless bodies.”
#13
چنین گفت رستم که کشتن بسست
✦
که زهر زمان بهر دیگر کسست
“Rostam declared: 'Enough of killing! For at every hour, fate deals a different measure.'”
#14
زمانی همی بار زهر آورد
✦
زمانی ز تریاک بهر آورد
“'At times, time brings forth a yield of poison; at other times, it grants a portion of sweet elixir.'”
#15
همه جامهٔ رزم بیرون کنید
✦
همه خوبکاری بافزون کنید
“'Strip off your garments of war, and abundantly practice virtuous deeds.'”
#16
چه بندی دل اندر سرای سپنج
✦
که دانا نداند یکی را ز پنج
“'Why bind your heart to this transient inn, where even the wise cannot discern one day from five?'”
#17
زمانی چو آهرمن آید بجنگ
✦
زمانی عروسی پر از بوی و رنگ
“'At times it comes to battle like Ahriman; at times it is like a bride full of fragrance and color.'”
#18
بی‌آزاری و جام می‌برگزین
✦
که گوید که نفرین به از آفرین
“'Choose harm to none and the goblet of wine; for who would say a curse is better than praise?'”
#19
بخور آنچ داری و انده مخور
✦
که گیتی سپنج است و ما بر گذر
“'Consume what you possess and harbor no grief, for the world is a temporary inn and we are merely passing through.'”
#20
میازار کس را ز بهر درم
✦
مکن تا توانی بکس بر ستم
“'Do not distress anyone for the sake of coin; commit no oppression against anyone as far as you are able.'”
#21
بجست اندران دشت چیزی که بود
✦
ز زرین وز گوهر نابسود
“They searched that plain for whatever lay there—uncounted gold and precious gems.”
#22
سراسر فرستاد نزدیک شاه
✦
غلامان و اسپان و تیغ و کلاه
“They sent all of it to the Shah—servants, horses, swords, and helmets.”
#23
وزان بهرهٔ خویشتن برگرفت
✦
همه افسر و مشک و عنبر گرفت
“And from that, Rostam took his own rightful share: crowns, musk, and ambergris.”
#24
ببخشید دیگر همه بر سپاه
✦
ز چیزی که بود اندران رزمگاه
“The rest of all that remained in that battlefield he bestowed upon the army.”
#25
نشان خواست از شاه توران سپاه
✦
ز هر سو بجستند بی راه و راه
“They sought trace of the Shah of the Turanian army, searching in every direction, off paths and on.”
#26
نشانی نیامد ز افراسیاب
✦
نه بر کوه و دریا نه بر خشک و آب
“No trace of Afrasiab was found, neither upon mountain nor sea, nor on dry land nor water.”