#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.”