#1
چو گیو اندر آمد به پیش پدر
✦
همی گفت پاسخ همه دربه در
“When Gev came back before his father, he recounted all the answers step by step.”
#2
به گودرز گفت اندر آور سپاه
✦
به جایی که سازی همی رزمگاه
“He said to Goudarz: 'Bring forth the army to the place you intend for the field of battle.'”
#3
که او را همی آشتی رای نیست
✦
به دلش اندرون داد را جای نیست
“'For he has no intent of peace, nor is there any room for justice within his heart.'”
#4
ز هر گونه با او سخن راندم
✦
همه هرچ گفتی بر او خواندم
“'I spoke to him in every manner, and read aloud to him all that you had instructed.'”
#5
چو آمد پدیدار از ایشان گناه
✦
هیونی برافگند نزدیک شاه
“'When their misdeed became clear, he dispatched a swift courier to their King.'”
#6
که گودرز و گیو اندر آمد به جنگ
✦
سپه باید ایدر مرا بی درنگ
“'Saying: Goudarz and Gev have arrayed for war; army reinforcements must reach me here without delay.'”
#7
سپاه آمد از نزد افراسیاب
✦
چو ما بازگشتیم بگذاشت آب
“'The army arrived from Afrasiab as we turned back and crossed the river.'”
#8
کنون کینه را کوس بر پیل بست
✦
همی جنگ ما را کند پیشدست
“'Now he has strapped the war-drums of vengeance upon elephants, seeking to strike us first.'”
#9
چنین گفت با گیو پس پهلوان
✦
که پیران به سیری رسید از روان
“The champion commander then spoke to Gev: 'Piran has truly grown weary of his own life.'”
#10
همین داشتم چشم زان بد نهان
✦
ولیکن به فرمان شاه جهان
“'I foresaw such hidden evil from him, yet by the command of the King of the world...'”
#11
ببایست رفتن که چاره نبود
✦
دلش را کنون شهریار آزمود
“'...we had to proceed, for there was no choice; now the King has put his heart to the test.'”
#12
یکی داستان گفته بودم به شاه
✦
چو فرمود لشکر کشیدن به راه
“'I had told a story to the King when he ordered the host to march on the path...'”
#13
که دل را ز مهر کسی برگسل
✦
کجا نیستش با زبان راست دل
“'...that one must sever one's heart from the affection of anyone whose tongue does not match their inner heart.'”
#14
همه مهر پیران به ترکان بر است
✦
بشوید همی شاه از او پاک دست
“'Piran's full affection belongs to the Turks; now the King washes his hands clean of him.'”
#15
چو پیران سپاه از کنابد براند
✦
به روز اندرون روشنایی نماند
“When Piran marched his army out from Gonabad, no light remained in the daylight sky.”
#16
سواران جوشن وران صد هزار
✦
ز ترکان کمربستهٔ کارزار
“A hundred thousand armored horsemen of the Turks stood girded for battle.”
#17
برفتند بسته کمرها به جنگ
✦
همه نیزه و تیغ هندی به چنگ
“They marched forward, belts buckled for war, carrying spears and Indian swords in hand.”
#18
چو دانست گودرز کآمد سپاه
✦
بزد کوس و آمد ز زیبد به راه
“When Goudarz learned the army was approaching, he beat the drums and set forth from Zibad.”
#19
ز کوه اندر آمد به هامون گذشت
✦
کشیدند لشکر بر آن پهن دشت
“Descending from the mountain onto the flat plain, they deployed the host across that wide expanse.”
#20
به کردار کوه از دو رویه سپاه
✦
ز آهن به سر بر نهاده کلاه
“The armies on both sides stood like mountain ranges, with iron helmets set upon their heads.”
#21
برآمد خروشیدن کرنای
✦
بجنبد همی کوه گفتی ز جای
“The roar of war-horns arose, so powerful you would say the mountain trembled in its place.”
#22
ز زیبد همی تا کنابد سپاه
✦
در و دشت از ایشان کبود و سیاه
“From Zibad to Gonabad, the valley and plain turned pitch-black and dark blue with troops.”
#23
ز گرد سپه روز روشن نماند
✦
ز نیزه هوا جز به جوشن نماند
“From the dust of the host no bright day was left; in the air nothing could be seen save spears and mail.”
#24
وز آواز اسبان و گرد سپاه
✦
بشد روشنایی ز خورشید و ماه
“From the neighs of horses and the dust of the army, all light faded from the sun and moon.”
#25
ستاره سنان بود و خورشید تیغ
✦
از آهن زمین بود ، وز گرز میغ
“Spearheads were stars, swords were suns; the earth was iron, and heavy maces were the clouds.”
#26
بتوفید از آواز گردان زمین
✦
ز ترگ و سنان آسمان آهنین
“The earth roared from the voice of champions, while helmets and spearheads turned the sky to iron.”
#27
چو گودرز ، توران سپه را بدید
✦
که بر سان دریا زمین بردمید
“When Goudarz beheld the host of Turan, surging across the land like a vast sea...”
#28
درفش از درفش و گروه از گروه
✦
گسسته نشد شب برآمد ز کوه
“Banner beside banner and host upon host, they held their ranks unbroken until night rose from the mountain.”
#29
چو شب تیره شد پیل پیش سپاه
✦
فراز آوریدند و بستند راه
“When the night grew dark, war-elephants were brought to the front of the army to block the pass.”
#30
برافروختند آتش از هردو روی
✦
از آواز گردان پرخاشجوی
“They kindled fires on both sides, amidst the shouts of battle-seeking warriors.”
#31
جهان سربه سر گفتی آهرمنست
✦
به دامن بر از آستین دشمنست
“You would say the entire world had turned into Ahriman, with enemies clutching at every sleeve.”
#32
ز بانگ تبیره به سنگ اندرون
✦
به درد دل اندر شب قیر گون
“The sound of drums echoed through the rock, rending hearts in that pitch-black night.”
#33
سپیده برآمد ز کوه سیاه
✦
سپهدار ایران به پیش سپاه
“As dawn broke above the black mountain, Iran's commander stood before his army.”
#34
به آسوده اسب اندر آورد پای
✦
یلان را به هر سو همی ساخت جای
“He mounted his well-rested horse and assigned places to his heroes on every side.”
#35
سپه را سوی میمنه کوه بود
✦
ز جنگ دلیران بی‌اندوه بود
“On the right wing of the army lay the mountain, securing it against the grief of brave foes.”
#36
سوی میسره رود آب روان
✦
چنان در خور آمد چو تن را روان
“On the left wing flowed a running river, fitting the position like the soul within the body.”
#37
پیاده که اندر خور کارزار
✦
بفرمود تا پیش روی سوار
“He ordered the foot-soldiers suited for battle to stand ahead of the horsemen.”
#38
صفی بر کشیدند نیزه‌وران
✦
ابا گرزداران و کنداوران
“They drew up a line of spearmen alongside heavy mace-bearers and mighty champions.”
#39
همیدون پیاده بسی نیزه‌دار
✦
چه با ترکش و تیر و جوشن‌گذار
“Likewise, many foot-soldiers armed with spears, carrying quivers, arrows, and armor-piercing blades...”
#40
کمانها فگنده به بازو درون
✦
همی از جگرشان بجوشید خون
“...with bows looped over their arms, their blood boiling from their innermost core.”
#41
پس پشت ایشان سواران جنگ
✦
کز آتش به خنجر ببردند رنگ
“Behind them stood war-cavalry whose daggers could strip color even from fire.”
#42
پس پشت لشکر ز پیلان گروه
✦
زمین از پی پیل گشته ستوه
“Behind the army stood a wall of elephants, making the very earth groan beneath their weight.”
#43
درفش خجسته میان سپاه
✦
ز گوهر درفشان به کردار ماه
“The blessed banner stood in the midst of the host, radiating jewels like the glowing moon.”
#44
ز پیلان زمین سربه سر پیلگون
✦
ز گرد سواران هوا نیلگون
“The ground turned elephant-hued from beasts, and the sky turned indigo with the dust of horsemen.”
#45
درخشیدن تیغهای بنفش
✦
از آن سایهٔ کاویانی درفش
“The flash of violet blades shone from beneath the shadow of the Kavian Banner.”
#46
تو گفتی که اندر شب تیره‌چهر
✦
ستاره همی برفشاند سپهر
“You would say that in the pitch-dark night, the heavens above were scattering stars across the gloom.”
#47
بیاراست لشکر به سان بهشت
✦
به باغ وفا سرو کینه بکشت
“He arrayed the army in the manner of Paradise, planting the cypress of vengeance in the garden of loyalty.”
#48
فریبزر را داد پس میمنه
✦
پس پشت لشکر حصار و بنه
“He then assigned the right wing to Fariborz, placing the supply train and baggage behind the main army.”
#49
گرازه سر تخمهٔ گیوگان
✦
زواره نگهدار تخت کیان
“Gorazeh, leader of the clan of Giv, and Zovareh, guardian of the Kayanid throne,”
#50
به یاری فریبرز برخاستند
✦
به یک روی لشکر بیاراستند
“Rose to assist Fariborz, and together they arrayed one flank of the army.”
#51
به رهام فرمود پس پهلوان
✦
که ای تاج و تخت و خرد را روان
“Then the champion said to Rohham: 'O soul of wisdom, throne, and crown!'”
#52
برو با سواران سوی میسره
✦
نگهدار چنگال گرگ از بره
“'Go with the horsemen to the left wing, and protect the lamb from the wolf's claws.'”
#53
بیفروز لشکرگه از فر خویش
✦
سپه را همی دار در بر خویش
“'Illuminate the battleground with your royal aura, and keep the troops close to your side.'”
#54
بدان آبگون خنجر نیو سوز
✦
چو شیر ژیان با یلان رزم توز
“'With that water-tempered, hero-scorching dagger, fight the champions like a raging lion.'”
#55
برفتند یارانش با او به هم
✦
ز گردان لشکر یکی گستهم
“His companions went forth alongside him, including Gustahm among the army's heroes,”
#56
دگر گژدهم رزم را ناگزیر
✦
فروهل که بگذارد از سنگ تیر
“And also Gazhdaham, indispensable in battle, who could shoot an arrow straight through solid rock.”
#57
بفرمود با گیو تا دو هزار
✦
برفتند برگستوان‌ور سوار
“He commanded Giv, and two thousand armored horsemen rode out with him.”
#58
سپرد آن زمان پشت لشکر بدوی
✦
که بد جای گردان پرخاشجوی
“He then entrusted the rear of the army to him, which was the post of battle-seeking warriors.”
#59
برفتند با گیو جنگاوران
✦
چو گرگین و چون زنگهٔ شاوران
“Fierce warriors marched with Giv, such as Gorgin and Zangay-e Shavaran.”
#60
درفشی فرستاد و سیصد سوار
✦
نگهبان لشکر سوی رودبار
“He dispatched a banner with three hundred horsemen to guard the army near the riverbanks.”
#61
همیدون فرستاد بر سوی کوه
✦
درفشی و سیصد ز گردان گروه
“Likewise towards the mountain, he sent a banner and a detachment of three hundred heroes.”
#62
یکی دیده‌بان بر سر کوهسار
✦
نگهبان روز و ستاره شمار
“A lookout was placed atop the mountain peak, watching by day and counting stars by night.”
#63
شب و روز گردن برافراخته
✦
از آن دیده‌گه دیده‌بان ساخته
“Day and night he kept his neck erect, making that height his vigilant watchtower.”
#64
بجستی همی تا ز توران سپاه
✦
پی مور دیدی نهاده به راه
“So keenly did he search that he could spot even an ant's footprint left by the Turanian host.”
#65
ز دیده خروشیدن آراستی
✦
بگفتی به گودرز و برخاستی
“From his lookout he would raise a shout, reporting to Goudarz and alerting him at once.”
#66
بدان سان بیاراست آن رزمگاه
✦
که رزم آرزو کرد خورشید و ماه
“He arranged that battlefield in such grandeur that the sun and moon longed to join the fray.”
#67
چو سالار شایسته باشد به جنگ
✦
نترسد سپاه از دلاور نهنگ
“When the commander is worthy in battle, the army fears not even a courageous dragon-crocodile.”
#68
از آن پس بیامد به سالارگاه
✦
که دارد سپه را ز دشمن نگاه
“Thereafter he came to the commander's seat, to guard the army against the enemy.”
#69
درفش دلفروز بر پای کرد
✦
سپه را به قلب اندرون جای کرد
“He raised high the heart-illuminating banner, and took his station in the center of the host.”
#70
سران را همه خواند نزدیک خویش
✦
پس پشت شیدوش ، و فرهاد پیش
“He summoned all the chieftains close to him, with Sheydoush behind and Farhad in front.”
#71
به دست چپش رزم‌دیده هجیر
✦
سوی راست کتمارهٔ شیرگیر
“On his left stood the battle-tested Hajir, and on his right the lion-capturing Katmarah.”
#72
ببستند ز آهن به گردش سرای
✦
پس پشت ، پیلان جنگی به پای
“They encircled his pavilion with iron barricades, setting powerful war elephants behind.”
#73
سپهدار گودرزشان در میان
✦
درفش از برش سایهٔ کاویان
“Commander Goudarz stood in their midst, with the Kavian Banner casting its shadow above him.”
#74
همی بستد از ماه و خورشید نور
✦
نگه کرد پیران به لشکر ز دور
“Outshining the glow of the sun and moon, Piran gazed upon the Iranian host from afar.”
#75
بدان ساز و آن لشکر آراستن
✦
دل از ننگ و تیمار پیراستن
“At such equipment and array of forces, cleansing their hearts from shame and grief,”
#76
در و دشت و کوه و بیابان سنان
✦
عنان بافته سر به سر با عنان
“Valley, plain, mountain, and desert bristled with spearheads, reins intertwined rein to rein.”
#77
سپهدار پیران غمی گشت سخت
✦
برآشفت با تیره خورشید بخت
“Commander Piran grew deeply grieved, raging against his dark sun of fortune.”
#78
از آن پس نگه کرد جای سپاه
✦
نیامدش بر آرزو رزمگاه
“Then he observed the position of the host, but the battlefield pleased not his wish.”
#79
نه آوردگه دید و نه جای صف
✦
همی بر زد از خشم کف را به کف
“He found neither suitable ground for battle nor for lining up, and struck his hands together in anger.”
#80
بر این گونه کآمد ببایست ساخت
✦
چو سوی یلان چنگ بایست آخت
“'As things have come to pass, so must we adapt, for we must extend our claws toward the champions.'”
#81
پس از نامداران افراسیاب
✦
کسی کش سر از کینه گیرد شتاب
“Next among Afrasiab's renowned chieftains, those whose hearts burned with haste for vengeance,”
#82
گزین کرد شمشیرزن سی‌هزار
✦
که بودند شایستهٔ کارزار
“Piran selected thirty thousand swordsmen, all supremely worthy of entering the field of combat.”
#83
به هومان سپرد آن زمان قلبگاه
✦
سپاهی هژبر اوژن و رزمخواه
“He then committed the main center of the host to Homan, leading warriors valiant as lions and eager for battle.”
#84
بخواند اندریمان و او خواست را
✦
نهاد چپ لشکر و راست را
“He summoned Andariman and Avakhaust, establishing the left and right flanks of the army.”
#85
چپ لشکرش را بدیشان سپرد
✦
ابا سی‌هزار از دلیران گرد
“He entrusted the left wing of his host to them, along with thirty thousand heroic champions.”
#86
چو لهاک جنگی و فرشیدورد
✦
ابا سی‌هزار از دلیران مرد
“While warriors such as the fierce Lahhak and Farshidvard, leading thirty thousand brave fighters,”
#87
گرفتند بر میمنه جایگاه
✦
جهان سر به سر گشت ز آهن سیاه
“Took up their position on the right wing, until the whole world turned dark with glinting iron.”
#88
چو زنگولهٔ گرد و کلباد را
✦
سپهرم که بد روز فریاد را
“Together with brave Zangula, Kalbad, and Sepehram—who was ever a pillar of strength on the day of outcry—”
#89
برفتند با نیزه‌ور ده هزار
✦
به پشت سواران خنجرگزار
“They marched forward with ten thousand spearmen to support the mounted daggermen.”
#90
برون رفت رویین رویینه‌تن
✦
ابا ده هزار از یلان ختن
“Bronze-bodied Ruin rode forth, accompanied by ten thousand warriors of Khotan,”
#91
بدان تا دران بیشه اندر چو شیر
✦
کمینگه کند با یلان دلیر
“So that he might lay an ambush like a fierce lion within the thicket alongside those courageous champions.”
#92
طلایه فرستاد بر سوی کوه
✦
سپهدار ایران شود زو ستوه
“He dispatched advance guards toward the mountain, intending to bring distress upon the Iranian commander.”
#93
گر از رزمگه پی نهد پیشتر
✦
وگر جنبد از خویشتن بیشتر
“Should he take a single step beyond the battlefield or venture further than his ground,”
#94
سپهدار رویین به کردار شیر
✦
پس پشت او اندر آید دلیر
“Commander Ruin, valiant as a lion, would fall boldly upon his rear.”
#95
همان دیده‌بان بر سر کوه کرد
✦
که جنگ سواران بی‌اندوه کرد
“He also stationed lookouts atop the mountain peak, allowing his mounted warriors to wage war untroubled.”
#96
ز ایرانیان گر سواری ز دور
✦
عنان تافتی سوی پیکار تور
“If any Iranian horseman turned his reins from afar toward battle against Tur,”
#97
نگهبان دیده گرفتی خروش
✦
همه رزمگاه آمدی زو به جوش
“The watchman on the mountain would raise a loud shout, setting the entire battlefield abuzz with alarm.”
#98
دو لشکر به روی اندر آورد روی
✦
همه نامداران پرخاشجوی
“The two armies stood face to face, all their renowned warriors eager for combat.”
#99
چنین ایستاده سه روز و سه شب
✦
یکی را به گفتن نجنبید لب
“Thus they remained standing for three days and three nights; not a single lip stirred to utter a word.”
#100
همی گفت گودرز گر پشت خویش
✦
سپارم بدیشان نهم پای پیش
“Goudarz kept reflecting: 'If I advance my foot and leave my rear exposed to them,”
#101
سپاه اندر آید پس پشت من
✦
نماند جز از باد در مشت من
“The enemy host will fall upon my rear, leaving me with nothing but empty wind in my grasp.'”
#102
شب و روز بر پای پیش سپاه
✦
همی جست نیک اختر هور و ماه
“Night and day he stood alert before his troops, watching for an auspicious sign from the sun and moon,”
#103
که روزی که آن روز نیک‌اخترست
✦
کدامست و جنبش که را بهترست
“To discern which day favored victory under a blessed star, and whose movement would prevail.”
#104
کجا بردمد باد روز نبرد
✦
که چشم سواران بپوشد به گرد
“And from which direction the battle wind would blow, blinding the enemy horsemen's eyes with dust,”
#105
بریشان بیابم مگر دستگاه
✦
به کردار باد اندر آرم سپاه
“'So that I might gain mastery over them and hurl my army like a whirlwind upon their ranks.'”
#106
نهاده سپهدار پیران دو چشم
✦
که گودرز را دل بجوشد ز خشم
“Meanwhile, Commander Piran kept his eyes intently fixed, waiting for Goudarz's heart to boil with rage,”
#107
کند پشت بر دشت و راند سپاه
✦
سپاه اندر آرد به پشت سپاه
“So he would turn his back on the plain to advance his army, enabling Piran to strike his forces from behind.”