#1
چو خورشید سر برزد از کوهسار
✦
سواران توران ببستند بار
“As the sun raised its head above the mountain range, the horsemen of Turan bound their loads.”
#2
بتوفید شهر و برآمد خروش
✦
تو گفتی همی کر کند نعره گوش
“The city roared and a loud clamor arose; you would say the shouting deafened the ear.”
#3
بدرگاه افراسیاب آمدند
✦
کمربستگان بر درش صف زدند
“They came to the palace gate of Afrasiab, and belt-girt warriors lined up at his door.”
#4
همه یکسره جنگ را ساخته
✦
دل از بوم و آرام پرداخته
“All of them prepared entirely for war, abandoning all thoughts of home and rest.”
#5
بزرگان توران گشاده کمر
✦
به پیش سپهدار بر خاک سر
“The nobles of Turan unloosed their belts and bowed their heads to the dust before the commander.”
#6
همه جنگ را پاک بسته میان
✦
همه دل پر از کین ایرانیان
“All ready for war with girt loins, their hearts completely filled with hatred for the Iranians.”
#7
کز اندازه بگذشت ما را سخن
✦
چه افگند باید بدین کار بن
“They said: 'Our talk has exceeded all measure; what foundation must be laid for this affair?'”
#8
کزین ننگ بر شاه و گردنکشان
✦
بماند ز کردار بیژن نشان
“'For from this shame upon the king and the noble leaders, the mark of Bizhan's deed will remain.'”
#9
بایران بمردان ندانندمان
✦
زنان کمربسته خوانندمان
“'In Iran they will not consider us men; they will call us women wearing belts!'”
#10
برآشفت پس شه بسان پلنگ
✦
ازان پس بفرمودشان ساز جنگ
“Then the king flared up like a leopard; thereafter he commanded them to prepare for battle.”
#11
به پیران بفرمود تا بست کوس
✦
که بر ما ز ایران همین بد فسوس
“He commanded Piran to bind the war drums, saying: 'This mockery from Iran is a bitter humiliation for us.'”
#12
بزد نای رویین بدرگاه شاه
✦
بجوشید در شهر توران سپاه
“They sounded the brass trumpet at the king's gate, and the host boiled within the city of Turan.”
#13
یلان صف کشیدند بر در سرای
✦
خروش آمد از بوق و هندی درای
“The heroes drew up in lines before the palace door; loud calls arose from horns and Indian bells.”
#14
سپاهی ز توران بدان مرز راند
✦
که روی زمین جز بدریا نماند
“He marched such an army from Turan toward that frontier that no room was left on earth save the sea.”
#15
چو از دیدگه دیدبان بنگرید
✦
زمین را چو دریای جوشان بدید
“When the lookout peered from his post, he saw the earth like a boiling sea.”
#16
بر رستم آمد که ببسیچ کار
✦
که گیتی سیه شد ز گرد سوار
“He came to Rostam and said: 'Prepare for action, for the world has turned black with the dust of riders!'”
#17
بدو گفت ما زین نداریم باک
✦
همی جنگ را برفشانیم خاک
“Rostam said to him: 'We have no fear of this; we shall scatter dust over their war!'”
#18
بنه با منیژه گسی کرد و بار
✦
بپوشید خود جامهٔ کارزار
“He sent off the baggage together with Manizheh, and donned his own garments of battle.”
#19
ببالا برآمد سپه را بدید
✦
خروشی چو شیر ژیان برکشید
“He ascended a high place, beheld the host, and let out a roar like a ferocious lion.”
#20
یکی داستان زد سوار دلیر
✦
که روبه چه سنجد بچنگال شیر
“The brave rider uttered a proverb: 'What is a fox weighed in the lion's claws?'”
#21
بگردان جنگاور آواز کرد
✦
که پیش آمد امروز ننگ و نبرد
“He called out to the warrior heroes: 'Today conflict and honor have come before us!'”
#22
کجا تیغ و ژوپین زهرآبدار
✦
کجا نیزه و گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“'Where are the poison-soaked swords and javelins? Where are the spears and ox-headed maces?'”
#23
هنرها کنون کرد باید پدید
✦
برین دشت‌بر کینه باید کشید
“'Prowess must now be shown; upon this plain, vengeance must be exacted!'”
#24
برآمد خروشیدن کرنای
✦
تهمتن برخش اندر آورد پای
“The roar of the war-horns arose, and Tahamtan put his foot into Rakhsh's stirrup.”
#25
ازان کوه سر سوی هامون کشید
✦
چو لشکر بتنگ اندر آمد پدید
“From that mountain he headed toward the plain; as the host came into close view,”
#26
کشیدند لشکر بران پهن جای
✦
بهرسو ببستند ز آهن سرای
“They drew up the army in that broad space, and on every side erected a fortress of iron.”
#27
بیاراست رستم یکی رزمگاه
✦
که از گرد اسبان هوا شد سیاه
“Rostam arranged a battlefield such that the sky grew black with the dust of horses.”
#28
ابر میمنه اشکش و گستهم
✦
سواران بسیار با او بهم
“Upon the right wing were Ashkash and Gustaham, with many horsemen alongside them.”
#29
چو رهام و چون زنگه بر میسره
✦
بخون داده مر جنگ را یکسره
“And on the left wing were Rohham and Zangeh, utterly dedicated to bloody war.”
#30
خود و بیژن گیو در قلبگاه
✦
نگهدار گردان و پشت سپاه
“Rostam himself and Bizhan son of Giv stood in the center, protecting the champions and backing the host.”
#31
پس پشت لشکر که بیستون
✦
حصاری ز شمشیر پیش اندرون
“Behind the army stood Mount Bisotun, with a rampart of swords extended before them.”
#32
چو افراسیاب آن سپه را بدید
✦
که سالارشان رستم آمد پدید
“When Afrasiab saw that host, and perceived that Rostam was their commander,”
#33
غمی گشت و پوشید خفتان جنگ
✦
سپه را بفرمود کردن درنگ
“He grew sorrowful, put on his battle armor, and ordered his host to pause.”
#34
برابر به‌آیین صفی برکشید
✦
هوا نیلگون شد زمین ناپدید
“He drew up a line opposite them in due order; the sky turned indigo and the earth vanished from view.”
#35
چپ لشکرش را بپیران سپرد
✦
سوی راستش را به هومان گرد
“He assigned the left wing of his army to Piran, and the right wing to the valiant Houman.”
#36
بگرسیوز و شیده قلب سپاه
✦
سپرد و همی کرد هر سو نگاه
“He entrusted the center to Garsivaz and Shideh, looking intently in every direction.”
#37
تهمتن همی گشت گرد سپاه
✦
ز آهن بکردار کوهی سیاه
“Tahamtan circled around his army, like a black mountain forged of iron.”
#38
فغان کرد کای ترک شوریده بخت
✦
که ننگی تو بر لشکر و تاج و تخت
“He shouted: 'O ill-fated Turk! You are a disgrace to your army, crown, and throne!'”
#39
ترا چون سواران دل جنگ نیست
✦
ز گردان لشکر ترا ننگ نیست
“'Since you have no heart for battle like warriors, do you feel no shame before the heroes of your host?'”
#40
که چندین بپیش من آیی بکین
✦
بمردان و اسبان بپوشی زمین
“'That you come against me in malice with such numbers, covering the earth with men and horses?'”
#41
چو در جنگ لشکر شود تیزچنگ
✦
همی پشت بینم ترا سوی جنگ
“'Yet whenever the army clashes fiercely in battle, I always see your back turned away from the fight!'”
#42
ز دستان تو نشنیدی آن داستان
✦
که دارد بیاد از گه باستان
“'Have you not heard that tale from Dastan (Zal), which he remembers from ancient times?'”
#43
که شیری نترسد ز یک دشت گور
✦
ستاره نتابد چو تابنده هور
“'That a lion fears not a field full of wild asses, and stars shine not when the radiant sun glows?'”
#44
بدرد دل و گوش غرم سترگ
✦
اگر بشنود نام چنگال گرگ
“'The heart and ear of a great mountain sheep will burst if it but hears the name of the wolf's claws!'”
#45
چو اندر هوا باز گسترد پر
✦
بترسد ز چنگال او کبک نر
“'When the falcon spreads its wings in the sky, the male partridge fears its sharp talons!'”
#46
نه روبه شود ز آزمودن دلیر
✦
نه گوران بسایند چنگال شیر
“A fox does not grow brave through testing, nor can wild asses wear down a lion's claws.”
#47
چو تو کس سبکسار خسرو مباد
✦
چو باشد دهد پادشاهی بباد
“May no monarch ever be as foolish and rash as you; for if one is, he will blow his kingdom to the wind.”
#48
بدین دشت و هامون تو از دست من
✦
رهایی نیابی بجان و بتن
“In this plain and desert, you shall not escape my hand, neither with your life nor your body.”
#49
چو این گفته بشنید ترک دژم
✦
بلرزید و برزد یکی تیز دم
“When the gloomy Turk heard these words, he trembled and let out a sharp, cold sigh.”
#50
برآشفت کای نامداران تور
✦
که این دشت جنگست گر جای سور
“Enraged, he cried out: "O renowned ones of Tur, is this plain a field of war or a place of celebration?"”
#51
بباید کشیدن درین رزم رنج
✦
که بخشم شما رابسی تاج و گنج
“"You must endure hardship in this battle, and in return, I shall grant you many crowns and treasures."”
#52
چو گفتار سالارشان شد بگوش
✦
زگردان لشکر برآمد خروش
“When the words of their commander reached their ears, a great shout arose from the warriors of the army.”
#53
چنان تیره‌گون شد ز گرد آفتاب
✦
که گفتی همی غرقه ماند در آب
“The sun became so darkened by the dust raised that you would say it was drowning in water.”
#54
ببستند بر پیل رویینه خم
✦
دمیدند شیپور با گاودم
“They fastened bronze drums onto the elephants and blew into horns and trumpet-pipes.”
#55
ز جوشن یکی بارهٔ آهنین
✦
کشیدند گردان بروی زمین
“Armed with coats of mail, the warriors drew up an iron wall across the face of the earth.”
#56
بجوشید دشت و بتوفید کوه
✦
ز بانگ سواران هر دو گروه
“The plain seethed and the mountain roared from the clamor of the horsemen of both armies.”
#57
درفشان بگرد اندرون تیغ تیز
✦
تو گفتی برآمد همی رستخیز
“Sharp swords gleamed inside the swirling dust; you would say that the Day of Resurrection had arrived.”
#58
همی گُرز بارید همچون تگرگ
✦
ابر جوشن و تیر و بر خود و ترگ
“Maces rained down like hail upon armors, arrows, helmets, and headpieces.”
#59
و زان رستمی اژدهافش درفش
✦
شده روی خورشید تابان بنفش
“And from Rustam's dragon-adorned banner, the face of the shining sun turned violet.”
#60
بپوشید روی هوا گرد پیل
✦
بخورشید گفتی براندود نیل
“The dust raised by elephants covered the sky; you would say indigo was smeared over the sun.”
#61
بهر سو که رستم برافگند رخش
✦
سران را سر از تن همی کرد بخش
“Whichever way Rustam spurred Rakhsh, he severed the heads of chieftains from their bodies.”
#62
به چنگ اندرون گُرزهٔ گاوسار
✦
بسان هیونی گسسته مهار
“With his ox-headed mace in hand, he charged like an untamed camel broken loose from its reins.”
#63
همی کشت و می‌بست در رزمگاه
✦
چو بسیار کرد از بزرگان تباه
“He kept slaying and binding enemies in the battlefield, and brought destruction upon many noble chiefs.”
#64
بقلب اندر آمد بکردار گرگ
✦
پراگنده کرد آن سپاه بزرگ
“He charged into the center of the army like a wolf and scattered that vast host.”
#65
برآمد چو باد آن سران را ز جای
✦
همان بادپایان فرخ همای
“The chieftains were swept away like the wind, along with their swift, auspicious steeds.”
#66
چو گرگین و رهام و فرهاد گرد
✦
چپ لشکر شاه توران ببرد
“Brave Gurgin, Rohham, and Farhad smashed the left wing of the King of Turan's army.”
#67
درآمد چو باد اشکش از دست راست
✦
ز گرسیوز تیغ‌زن کینه خواست
“Ashkash charged like the wind from the right flank, seeking vengeance against the swordsman Garsivaz.”
#68
بقلب اندرون بیژن تیزچنگ
✦
همی بزمگاه آمدش جای جنگ
“In the center, fierce Bijan fought so valiantly that the battlefield seemed to him like a banquet hall.”
#69
سران سواران چو برگ درخت
✦
فرو ریخت از بار و برگشت بخت
“The heads of the horsemen fell like leaves from a tree; their fortune turned and their power collapsed.”
#70
همه رزمگه سربسر جوی خون
✦
درفش سپهدار توران نگون
“The entire battlefield became a river of blood, and the banner of Turan's commander was cast down.”
#71
سپهدار چون بخت برگشته دید
✦
دلیران توران همه کشته دید
“When the commander saw that fortune had turned against him and all the brave warriors of Turan were slain,”
#72
بیفگند شمشیر هندی ز دست
✦
یکی اسب آسوده‌تر برنشست
“He dropped his Indian sword from his hand and mounted a fresher, swifter horse.”
#73
خود و ویژگان سوی توران شتافت
✦
کزایرانیان کام و کینه نیافت
“He fled toward Turan with his close companions, having failed to achieve his desire or revenge against the Iranians.”
#74
برفت از پسش رستم گرد گیر
✦
ببارید بر لشکرش گُرز و تیر
“Rustam the hero-capturer pursued him, raining down maces and arrows upon his retreating army.”
#75
دو فرسنگ چون اژدهای دژم
✦
همی مردم آهخت ازیشان بدم
“For two leagues, like an enraged dragon, Rustam drew their men into his maw with his deadly breath.”
#76
سواران جنگی ز توران هزار
✦
گرفتند زنده پس از کارزار
“One thousand warrior horsemen of Turan were captured alive after the battle.”
#77
بلشکرگه آمد ازان رزمگاه
✦
که بخشش کند خواسته بر سپاه
“Rustam returned to the camp from the battlefield to distribute the spoils of war among the army.”
#78
ببخشید و بنهاد بر پیل بار
✦
بپیروزی آمد بر شهریار
“He distributed the spoils, loaded them onto elephants, and came triumphantly before the King.”