#1
پس آگاهی آمد به پیروز شاه
✦
که آمد ز توران به ایران سپاه
“Then dispatches came to the victorious king that an army had set out from Turan toward Iran.”
#2
جفاپیشه بدگوهر افراسیاب
✦
ز کینه نیابد شب و روز خواب
“The malicious and evil-natured Afrasiab could find no rest in sleep, night or day, for his bitter grudge.”
#3
برآورد خواهد همی سر ز ننگ
✦
ز هر سو فرستاد لشکر بجنگ
“Seeking to wipe away his shame, he dispatched armies into battle from every direction.”
#4
همی زهر ساید به نوک سنان
✦
که تابد مگر سوی ایران عنان
“He ground venom onto the spear-tips, hoping to turn the reins of war toward Iran.”
#5
سواران جنگی چو سیصد هزار
✦
به جیحون همی کرد خواهد گذار
“A vast host of three hundred thousand warrior horsemen was preparing to cross the Oxus River.”
#6
سپاهی که هنگام ننگ و نبرد
✦
ز جیحون به گردون برآورد گرد
“An army that, in times of war and combat, would raise dust from the Oxus up to the heavens.”
#7
دلیران به درگاه افراسیاب
✦
ز بانگ تبیره نیابند خواب
“The brave warriors at Afrasiab's court could not sleep for the booming thunder of the war drums.”
#8
ز آوای شیپور و زخم درای
✦
تو گویی برآید همی دل ز جای
“From the blare of trumpets and the clangor of bells, you would say hearts were torn from their places.”
#9
گر آید به ایران به جنگ آن سپاه
✦
هژبر دلاور نیاید به راه
“If that host were to invade Iran, even the brave lion would hesitate to block their path.”
#10
سر مرز توران به پیران سپرد
✦
سپاهی فرستاد با او نه خرد
“Afrasiab entrusted the frontier of Turan to Piran, and provided him with no small force.”
#11
سوی مرز خوارزم پنجه هزار
✦
کمربسته رفت از در کارزار
“Toward the borders of Khwarazm, fifty thousand mail-clad horsemen marched ready for battle.”
#12
سپهدارشان شیدهٔ شیر دل
✦
کز آتش ستاند به شمشیر دل
“Their commander was lion-hearted Shideh, who could rip courage from fire with his blade.”
#13
سپاهی به کردار پیلان مست
✦
که با جنگ ایشان شود کوه پست
“An army like furious elephants, whose assault would level the highest mountains.”
#14
چو بشنید گفتار کاراگهان
✦
پراندیشه بنشست شاه جهان
“When the King of the World heard the reports of his scouts, he sat immersed in deep counsel.”
#15
به کاراگهان گفت کای بخردان
✦
من ایدون شنیدستم از موبدان
“He said to his intelligence counselors: 'O wise ones, I have heard from the mobads...'”
#16
که چون ماه ترکان برآید بلند
✦
ز خورشید ایرانش آید گزند
“'That when the moon of the Turks rises high, it shall suffer blight from the sun of Iran.'”
#17
سیه مار کو را سر آید بکوب
✦
ز سوراخ پیچان شود سوی چوب
“'The black serpent whose time has come to be crushed slithers out of its hole toward the wooden club.'”
#18
چو خسرو به بیداد کارد درخت
✦
بگردد بر او پادشاهی و تخت
“'When a sovereign plants a tree of injustice, his throne and kingdom will surely turn against him.'”
#19
همه موبدان را بر خویش خواند
✦
شنیده سخن پیش ایشان براند
“He summoned all the mobads to his presence and recounted before them what he had heard.”
#20
نشستند با شاه ایران به راز
✦
بزرگان فرزانه و رزم ساز
“The wise elders and war-seasoned chieftains sat in secret council with the King of Iran.”
#21
چو دستان سام و چو گودرز و گیو
✦
چو شیدوش و فرهاد و رهام نیو
“Like Dastan son of Sam, Goudarz, Giv, Shidoush, Farhad, and valiant Rohham;”
#22
چو طوس و چو رستم یل پهلوان
✦
فریبرز و شاپور شیر دمان
“Like Tous, heroic Rostam, Fariborz, and Shapur, the fierce lions of battle;”
#23
دگر بیژن گیو با گستهم
✦
چو گرگین و چون زنگه و گژدهم
“Also Bizhan son of Giv, Gostahm, Gorgin, Zangeh, and Gozhdaham;”
#24
جز این نامداران لشکر همه
✦
که بودند شاه جهان را رمه
“Besides these, all the famed leaders of the host, who were as a flock to the King of the World.”
#25
ابا پهلوانان چنین گفت شاه
✦
که ترکان همی رزم جویند و گاه
“The King spoke thus to the paladins: 'The Turks seek war and are striving for our realm.'”
#26
چو دشمن سپه کرد و شد تیز چنگ
✦
بباید بسیچید ما را به جنگ
“'Since the enemy has raised an army and sharpened their claws, we too must mobilize for war.'”
#27
بفرمود تا بوق با گاودم
✦
دمیدند و بستند رویینه خم
“He commanded the horns and cow-mouthed trumpets to sound, and the brass drums to be bound.”
#28
از ایوان به میدان خرامید شاه
✦
بیاراستند از بر پیل گاه
“The Shah stepped from the palace into the parade square, where a royal throne was set atop a mighty elephant.”
#29
بزد مهره در جام بر پشت پیل
✦
زمین را تو گفتی براندود نیل
“He struck the signal-ball into the goblet upon the elephant's back; you would say the earth was painted in indigo.”
#30
هوا نیلگون شد زمین رنگ رنگ
✦
دلیران لشکر به سان پلنگ
“The sky turned dark as indigo and the earth took vibrant hues; the warriors of the army were like leopards.”
#31
به چنگ اندرون گرز و دل پر ز کین
✦
ز گردان چو دریای جوشان زمین
“Maces in hand and hearts full of vengeance, the earth boiled with warriors like a roaring sea.”
#32
خروشی برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
که ای پهلوانان ایران سپاه
“A shout arose from the royal court: 'O paladins of the Iranian army!'”
#33
کسی کو بساید عنان و رکیب
✦
نباید که یابد به خانه شکیب
“'Whoever tightens his reins and stirrups must not tarry at home in ease!'”
#34
بفرمود کز روم وز هندوان
✦
سواران جنگی گزیده گوان
“He commanded that from Rome and India, choice warrior horsemen and valiant heroes be gathered;”
#35
دلیران گردنکش از تازیان
✦
بسیچیدهٔ جنگ شیر ژیان
“Proud champions from the Arab lands, prepared for battle like raging lions;”
#36
کمربسته خواهند سیصد هزار
✦
ز دشت سواران نیزه گزار
“Three hundred thousand spear-wielding horsemen were summoned from the plains of warriors.”
#37
هر آن کو چهل روزه را نزد شاه
✦
نیاید نبیند به سر بر کلاه
“'Whoever fails to present himself before the King within forty days shall lose his crown and head.'”
#38
پراگنده بر گرد کشور سوار
✦
فرستاده با نامه شهریار
“Messengers were dispatched with the sovereign's letters, scattering across all regions of the realm.”
#39
دو هفته برآمد به فرمان شاه
✦
بجنبید در پادشاهی سپاه
“Within two weeks, by the Shah's command, the armies across the kingdom began to move.”
#40
ز لشکر همه کشور آمد به جوش
✦
ز گیتی بر آمد سراسر خروش
“The whole country seethed with troops, and a grand roar rose throughout the world.”
#41
به شبگیر ، گاه خروش خروس
✦
ز هر سوی برخاست آوای کوس
“At dawn, when the rooster crowed, the sound of war drums rose from every quarter.”
#42
بزرگان هر کشوری با سپاه
✦
نهادند سر سوی درگاه شاه
“The leaders of every land turned their heads toward the court of the Shah with their hosts.”
#43
در گنجهای کهن باز کرد
✦
سپه را درم دادن آغاز کرد
“He opened the ancient treasuries and began bestowing wealth upon the army.”
#44
همه لشکر از گنج و دینار شاه
✦
به سر بر نهادند گوهر کلاه
“From the Shah's treasure and coin, all the soldiers placed jeweled helmets upon their heads.”
#45
به برگستوان و به جوشن چو کوه
✦
شدند انجمن لشکری همگروه
“Arrayed in bards and chainmail like mountains, the forces assembled into massive legions.”
#46
چو شد کار لشکر همه ساخته
✦
وز ایشان دل شاه پرداخته
“When the arraying of the army was fully complete, and the King's mind was relieved of care concerning them,”
#47
نخستین از آن لشکر نامدار
✦
سواران شمشیر زن سی هزار
“First from that renowned army, thirty thousand sword-wielding cavalrymen,”
#48
گزین کرد خسرو به رستم سپرد
✦
بدو گفت کای نامبردار گرد
“King Khosrow selected and entrusted to Rostam, saying to him: 'O famous hero,”
#49
ره سیستان گیر و برکش پگاه
✦
به هندوستان اندر آور سپاه
“Take the road to Sistan and march at dawn, and lead your army into Hindustan.”
#50
ز غزنین برو تا به راه برین
✦
چو گردد ترا تاج و تخت و نگین
“Go from Ghaznin unto the upper route, until the crown, throne, and signet ring become yours;”
#51
چو آن پادشاهی شود یکسره
✦
به آبشخور آید پلنگ و بره
“When that kingdom is brought entirely to peace, such that the leopard and the lamb drink together at the watering place,”
#52
فرامرز را ده کلاه و نگین
✦
کسی کو بخواهد ز لشکر گزین
“Give the crown and signet ring to Faramarz, alongside whichever chosen warriors he desires from the army;”
#53
بزن کوس رویین و شیپور و نای
✦
به کشمیر و کابل فزون زین مپای
“Beat the brass drums, sound the trumpets and pipes, and linger no longer in Kashmir and Kabul.”
#54
که ما را سر از جنگ افراسیاب
✦
نیابد همی خورد و آرام و خواب
“For our head, consumed with war against Afrasiab, finds no food, rest, or sleep.'”
#55
الانان و غزدژ به لهراسب داد
✦
بدو گفت کای گرد خسرو نژاد
“He gave Alanan and Ghaz-Dezh to Lohrasp, and said to him: 'O hero of royal lineage,”
#56
برو با سپاهی به کردار کوه
✦
گزین کن ز گردان لشکر گروه
“Go with a mountain-like army, and select a band of heroes from the troops;”
#57
سواران شایستهٔ کارزار
✦
ببر تا برآری ز دشمن دمار
“Take warriors worthy of battle, so that you may utterly destroy the enemy.'”
#58
به اشکش بفرمود تا سی هزار
✦
دمنده هژبران نیزه گزار
“He commanded Ashkash to take thirty thousand spear-wielding, roaring lions,”
#59
برد سوی خوارزم کوس بزرگ
✦
سپاهی به کردار درنده گرگ
“To lead the great drums toward Khwarazm, with an army ferocious as ravening wolves,”
#60
زند بر در شهر خوارزم گاه
✦
ابا شیدهٔ رزم زن کینه خواه
“And to set up camp at the gates of Khwarazm against Shedeh, the vengeful warrior.”
#61
سپاه چهارم به گودرز داد
✦
چه مایه ورا پند و اندرز داد
“The fourth army he gave to Goudarz, bestowing upon him a wealth of counsel and wise advice,”
#62
که رو با بزرگان ایران به هم
✦
چو گرگین و چون زنگه و گستهم
“Saying: 'Go together with the magnates of Iran, such as Gorgin, Zangeh, and Gostahm,”
#63
زواره فریبرز و فرهاد و گیو
✦
گرازه سپهدار و رهام نیو
“Zouarah, Fariburz, Farhad, and Giv, Gorazeh the commander, and the valiant Rohham.”
#64
بفرمود بستن کمرشان به جنگ
✦
سوی رزم توران شدن بی درنگ
“He ordered them to gird their loins for battle and to march toward Turan without delay.”
#65
سپهدار گودرز کشوادگان
✦
همه پهلوانان و آزادگان
“The chieftain Goudarz, son of Kashvad, along with all the noble paladins and free-born lords,”
#66
نشستند بر زین به فرمان شاه
✦
سپهدار گودرز پیش سپاه
“Mounted their saddles at the King's command, with commander Goudarz riding at the head of the army.”
#67
به گودرز فرمود پس شهریار
✦
چو رفتی کمر بستهٔ کارزار
“Then the sovereign commanded Goudarz: 'When you depart, girded for war,”
#68
نگر تا نیازی به بیداد دست
✦
نگردانی ایوان آباد پست
“See that you stretch not your hand in injustice, nor raze prosperous halls to the ground.”
#69
کسی کو به جنگت نبندد میان
✦
چنان ساز کش از تو ناید زیان
“Toward anyone who does not gird himself to fight against you, act in such wise that no harm comes to him from you.”
#70
که نپسندد از ما بدی دادگر
✦
سپنجست گیتی و ما برگذر
“For the Just Lord approves no evil from us; this world is transitory, and we are but passing through.”
#71
چو لشکر سوی مرز توران بری
✦
مکن تیز دل را به آتش سری
“When you lead the army toward the borders of Turan, do not let your heart grow hot with fiery rashness.”
#72
نگر تا نجوشی به کردار طوس
✦
نبندی به هر کار بر پیل کوس
“Beware lest you boil with fury like Tous, nor mount the war-drums on elephants at every provocation.”
#73
جهاندیده‌ای سوی پیران فرست
✦
هشیوار ، وز یادگیران فرست
“Send a wise and seasoned emissary to Piran—one who is prudent and swift to comprehend;”
#74
به پند فراوانش بگشای گوش
✦
بر او چادر مهربانی بپوش
“Open his ears with abundant counsel, and drape over him the mantle of kindness.”
#75
به هر کار با هر کسی داد کن
✦
ز یزدان نیکی دهش یاد کن
“In every affair, act justly with all people, and keep in mind the God who bestows all goodness.'”
#76
چنین گفت سالار لشکر به شاه
✦
که فرمان تو برتر از شید و ماه
“Thus said the commander of the army to the King: 'Your command is higher than the sun and moon!”
#77
بدان سان شوم کم تو فرمان دهی
✦
تو شاه جهانداری و من رهی
“I shall proceed precisely as you command; you are the sovereign ruler of the world, and I am your servant.'”
#78
برآمد خروش از در پهلوان
✦
ز بانگ تبیره زمین شد نوان
“A great roar arose from the hero's threshold, and from the thunder of war-drums the earth trembled.”
#79
به لشکرگه آمد دمادم سپاه
✦
جهان شد ز گرد سواران سیاه
“Troop after troop of soldiers streamed into the camp, and the world grew dark with the dust of the horsemen.”
#80
به پیش سپاه اندرون پیل ، شست
✦
جهان پست گشته ز پیلان مست
“At the head of the vanguard marched sixty war-elephants, and the earth groaned low under the tread of those drunken beasts.”
#81
وزان ژنده پیلان جنگی چهار
✦
بیاراسته از در شهریار
“And four fierce war-elephants were arrayed, adorned in a manner worthy of the monarch.”
#82
نهادند بر پشتشان تخت زر
✦
نشستنگه شاه با زیب و فر
“Upon their backs they placed thrones of gold, fit for a sovereign's seat with beauty and splendor.”
#83
به گودرز فرمود تا بر نشست
✦
بر آن تخت زر ، از بر پیل مست
“He commanded Goudarz to mount and take his place upon that golden throne atop the furious elephant.”
#84
برانگیخت پیلان و برخاست گرد
✦
مر آن را به نیک اختری یاد کرد
“He spurred the elephants into motion and dust billowed up; he deemed it an omen of happy stars.”
#85
که از جان پیران برآریم دود
✦
بر آن سان که گرد پی پیل بود
“"Thus shall we raise smoke from Piran's soul, even as the dust rises from beneath the elephant's tread!"”