As night shrouded the Turanian realm, the mighty Rostam entrusted the heavy baggage to the keen-witted Ashkash and set forth alongside seven renowned Iranian champions. Slackening their reins and unsheathing their vengeful blades, they launched a sudden, terrifying assault upon the court of Afrasiab in the dead of night, when the Turanians were steeped in slumber. The tranquil darkness shattered into chaos—flashing swords, rain of arrows, and the roar of battle echoing through the halls. Scores of Turanian nobles fell, their beards caked in dust and their blood staining the palace gates.
From the high portal, Rostam thundered in mockery: "Sleep sweetly, King of Turan! You rested upon your golden throne while Bijan languished in the dark depths of the pit—did you imagine a wall of iron would bar Rostam of Zabul? I have shattered your prison gates and freed the champion of Iran. For you, the blood-revenge of Siyavash and the gallop of Rakhsh across your plains shall bring ruin!"
Joined by his newly liberated champion, Bijan too shouted out in defiance: "O dark-minded Turk! Remember when you sat upon your throne and held me bound in chains at your feet? Look upon me now, unfettered upon the open plain, where even a raging lion would fear to cross my path!"
Terrified and helpless as his sleeping guards were cut down, Afrasiab tore his garments in despair. Though he ordered his remaining men to bar the advance, every Turanian warrior who stepped forward was swept away by the Iranian blades. Seeing the palace fallen, the Turanian king fled into the dark night to save his life.
With Afrasiab gone, Rostam entered the royal halls, dividing the rich silks, exquisite carpets, jewel-encrusted saddles, prized steeds, and precious weapons among his warriors. Laden with royal booty, the Iranian champions quickly galloped back to their main host to avoid an ambush. Though so exhausted that his very helmet felt heavy upon his aching head, Rostam immediately alerted his army: "Unsheathe your swords! Afrasiab will surely gather a boundless host to veil the sun with spears." The Iranian knights sharpened their weapons, preparing for the impending clash, while Rostam reminded Manijeh of the fickle nature of the transient world—where sorrow and triumph constantly alternate.
#1
برفتند با رستم آن هفت گرد
✦
بنه اشکش تیزهش را سپرد
“Rostam set forth accompanied by the seven champions, entrusting the heavy baggage to the keen-witted Ashkash.”
#2
عنانها فگندند بر پیش زین
✦
کشیدند یکسر همه تیغ کین
“They slackened their reins upon the pommels of their saddles and all at once drew their swords of vengeance.”
#3
بشد تا بدرگاه افراسیاب
✦
بهنگام سستی و آرام و خواب
“He advanced toward the court of Afrasiab at the very hour of slumbrous ease and deep sleep.”
#4
برآمد ز ناگه ده و دار و گیر
✦
درخشیدن تیغ و باران تیر
“Suddenly arose a clamor of combat, the gleam of flashing blades, and a deluge of arrows.”
#5
سران را بسی سر جدا شد ز تن
✦
پر از خاک ریش و پر از خون دهن
“Many heads of nobles were severed from their bodies; their beards were caked with dust and their mouths filled with blood.”
#6
ز دهلیز در رستم آواز داد
✦
که خواب تو خوش باد و گردانت شاد
“From the portal threshold Rostam bellowed: 'May your sleep be sweet and your warriors joyful!'”
#7
بخفتی تو بر گاه و بیژن بچاه
✦
مگر باره دیدی ز آهن براه
“'You slept upon your throne while Bijan lay in the pit—did you perchance imagine an iron rampart barred my way?'”
#8
منم رستم زابلی پور زال
✦
نه هنگام خوابست و آرام و هال
“'I am Rostam of Zabul, son of Zal; this is no time for slumber, ease, or repose!'”
#9
شکستم در بند زندان تو
✦
که سنگ گران بد نگهبان تو
“'I have shattered the gates of your prison, though a heavy boulder was set as your guard.'”
#10
رها شد سر و پای بیژن ز بند
✦
بداماد بر کس نسازد گزند
“'Bijan's head and feet are freed from chains; no one shall bring harm upon the King's son-in-law!'”
#11
ترا رزم و کین سیاوخش بس
✦
بدین دشت گردیدن رخش بس
“'The vengeance for Siyavash is enough combat for you, as is the roaming of Rakhsh across this plain!'”
#12
همیدون برآورد بیژن خروش
✦
که ای ترک بدگوهر تیره هوش
“Thereupon Bijan also raised his voice and cried out: 'O evil-natured, dark-minded Turk!'”
#13
براندیش زان تخت فرخنده‌جای
✦
مرا بسته در پیش کرده بپای
“'Reflect now upon that glorious throne where you sat while keeping me bound in feet before you!'”
#14
همی رزم جستی بسان پلنگ
✦
مرا دست بسته بکردار سنگ
“'You sought battle like a panther, while my hands were bound immovable as stone.'”
#15
کنونم گشاده بهامون ببین
✦
که با من نجوید ژیان شیر کین
“'Behold me now unfettered upon the plain, such that even a furious lion would not dare seek battle with me!'”
#16
بزد دست بر جامه افراسیاب
✦
که جنگ‌آوران را ببستست خواب
“Afrasiab tore at his garments in despair, for sleep had bound his warriors fast.”
#17
بفرمود زان پس که گیرند راه
✦
بدان نامداران جوینده گاه
“He then commanded his guard to bar the way against those renowned champions seeking his throne.”
#18
ز هر سو خروش تکاپوی خاست
✦
ز خون ریختن بر درش جوی خاست
“From every side arose the sound of desperate struggle, and a river of blood flowed at his palace gate.”
#19
هرآنکس که آمد ز توران سپاه
✦
زمانه تهی ماند زو جایگاه
“Whoever advanced from the Turanian host, time left his place empty in the mortal world.”
#20
گرفتند بر کینه جستن شتاب
✦
ازان خانه بگریخت افراسیاب
“As the Iranians hastened to exact vengeance, Afrasiab fled in haste from that royal palace.”
#21
بکاخ اندر آمد خداوند رخش
✦
همه فرش و دیبای او کرد بخش
“The master of Rakhsh entered the palace and distributed all its carpets and rich silks among his men.”
#22
پریچهرگان سپهبدپرست
✦
گرفته همه دست گردان بدست
“The fair-faced maidens who attended the commander were taken hand in hand by the heroes.”
#23
گرانمایه اسبان و زین پلنگ
✦
نشانده گهر در جناغ خدنگ
“Precious horses, leopard-skin saddles, and jewel-encrusted bows of hard poplar wood were claimed.”
#24
ازان پس ز ایوان ببستند بار
✦
بتوران نکردند بس روزگار
“Thereafter they packed their spoils and departed the palace, delaying no longer in Turan.”
#25
ز بهر بنه تاخت اسبان بزور
✦
بدان تا نخیزد ازان کار شور
“They rode their horses swiftly to protect the baggage train, lest tumult and pursuit arise from the deed.”
#26
چنان رنجه بد رستم از رنج راه
✦
که بر سرش بر درد بود از کلاه
“Rostam was so worn by the hardship of the journey that his very helmet caused pain upon his head.”
#27
سواران ز بس رنج و اسبان ز تگ
✦
یکی را بتن بر نجنبید رگ
“So exhausted were the horsemen from hardship and their steeds from galloping that not a vein twitched in their bodies.”
#28
بلشکر فرستاد رستم پیام
✦
که شمشیر کین بر کشید از نیام
“Rostam sent a message to the host: 'Unsheathe your vengeful swords!'”
#29
که من بیگمانم کزین پس بکین
✦
سیه گردد از سم اسبان زمین
“'For I am certain that henceforth, out of vengeance, the earth shall turn black beneath the hooves of warhorses.'”
#30
گشن لشکری سازد افراسیاب
✦
بنیزه بپوشد رخ آفتاب
“'Afrasiab will assemble a vast host and obscure the sun's face with a forest of spears.'”
#31
برفتند یکسر سواران جنگ
✦
همه رزم را تیز کردند چنگ
“Straightway all the war-seasoned horsemen rode forth, sharpening their claws for battle.”
#32
همه نیزه‌داران زدوده سنان
✦
همه جنگ را گرد کرده عنان
“All the spear-bearers polished their points, gathering their reins for the coming strife.”
#33
منیژه نشسته بخیمه درون
✦
پرستنده بر پیش او رهنمون
“Meanwhile Manijeh sat within the tent, with her handmaiden guiding her way before her.”
#34
یکی داستان زد تهمتن بروی
✦
که گر می بریزد نریزدش بوی
“Tahmatan (Rostam) recited a proverb to her: 'Though wine be spilled, its fragrance lingers on.'”
#35
چنینست رسم سرای سپنج
✦
گهی ناز و نوش و گهی درد و رنج
“Such is the nature of this fleeting world: at times delight and joy, at times pain and sorrow.”