On the fourth day of standoff, Bizhan, filled with youthful ardor and eager for battle, rode to the heart of the Iranian camp before his father, Gev. Tearing his robes and casting dust skyward in frustration, he cried out against the prolonged inaction enforced by Goudarz. He lamented that five days had passed in idle waiting, where warriors sat trapped in armor while their blood cooled and swords lay unsheathed. Bizhan suggested that Goudarz, haunted by the tragic losses of his sons at Pashan and Lavan, had lost his heart for combat and preferred gazing at the stars. He begged Gev for a thousand elite horsemen to strike the enemy's hidden forces. Gev smiled warmly at his son's fierce zeal and offered praise to the Almighty for bestowing such a valiant heir. Yet Gev gently reproved his son, reminding him never to question Goudarz—a veteran commander whose strategy was to lure the Turanians away from their mountain fortress and await the propicious alignment of the stars. Persuaded by his father's wisdom, Bizhan bowed to his grandfather's judgment, agreeing to lay aside his battle gear, refresh his spirits with wine, and remain ready for the moment Goudarz summoned him to war.
#1
به روز چهارم ز پیش سپاه
✦
بشد بیژن گیو تا قلبگاه
“On the fourth day, from before the host, Bizhan son of Gev rode to the center of the army.”
#2
به پیش پدر شد همه جامه چاک
✦
همی بآسمان بر پراگند خاک
“He appeared before his father with his garments torn, casting dust high toward the sky in impatience.”
#3
بدو گفت کای باب کارآزمای
✦
چه داری چنین خیره ما را بپای
“He spoke to him, 'O battle-tested father, why do you keep us waiting here in vain?'”
#4
به پنجم فراز آمد این روزگار
✦
شب و روز آسایش آموزگار
“'This state of rest has drawn into its fifth day, teaching us ease both night and day!'”
#5
نه خورشید شمشیر گردان بدید
✦
نه گردی به روی هوا بردمید
“'Neither has the sun beheld the swords of heroes, nor has any cloud of dust risen into the air.'”
#6
سواران به خفتان و خود اندرون
✦
یکی را به رگ بر نجنبید خون
“'The riders remain encased in armor and helmet, yet the blood stirs not in anyone's veins.'”
#7
به ایران پس از رستم نامدار
✦
نبودی چو گودرز دیگر سوار
“'In Iran, after the renowned Rostam, there was no knight like Goudarz!'”
#8
چینن تا بیامد ز جنگ پشن
✦
از آن کشتن و رزمگاه گشن
“'Thus it was until he returned from the war of Pashan, from that terrible slaughter and crowded battlefield.'”
#9
به لاون که چندان پسر کشته دید
✦
سر بخت ایرانیان گشته دید
“'At Lavan, where he saw so many of his sons slain and the fortune of Iran turned away.'”
#10
جگر خسته گشته است و گم کرده راه
✦
نخواهد که بیند همی رزمگاه
“'Now his heart is wounded and he has lost his path; he no longer desires to behold the field of war.'”
#11
به پیرانش بر چشم باید فگند
✦
نهادست سر سوی کوه بلند
“'He has fixed his eyes upon Piran, who has taken refuge toward the high mountain.'”
#12
سپهدار کو ناشمرده سپاه
✦
ستاره شمارد همی گرد ماه
“'The commander who should be mobilizing countless hosts now sits counting the stars around the moon!'”
#13
تو بشناس کاندر تنش نیست خون
✦
شد از جنگ جنگاوران او زبون
“'Know that no fiery blood remains in his body; he has grown weary and helpless before the battle of warriors.'”
#14
شگفت از جهاندیده گودرز نیست
✦
که او را روان خود بر این مرز نیست
“'I marvel not at the world-experienced Goudarz, for his spirit is no longer devoted to this border.'”
#15
شگفت از تو آید مرا ای پدر
✦
که شیر ژیان از تو جوید هنر
“'My wonder is at you, O father, from whom even the roaring lion seeks lessons in bravery!'”
#16
دو لشکر همی بر تو دارند چشم
✦
یکی تیز کن مغز و بفروز خشم
“'Both armies keep their eyes fixed upon you; quicken your mind and ignite your rage!'”
#17
کنون چون جهان گرم و روشن هوا
✦
بگیرد همی رزم لشکر نوا
“'Now while the world is warm and the sky bright, the war-song should sound through the host!'”
#18
چو این روزگار خوشی بگذرد
✦
چو پولاد روی زمین بفسرد
“'When this pleasant season passes and the face of the earth freezes hard as steel,'”
#19
چو بر نیزه‌ها گردد افسرده چنگ
✦
پس پشت تیغ آید و پیش سنگ
“'When hands freeze upon the spears, and swords fall behind while boulders lie ahead,'”
#20
که آید ز گردان به پیش سپاه
✦
که آورد گیرد بدین رزمگاه
“'Which of the heroes will then step before the host to engage in battle upon this field?'”
#21
ور ایدون که ترسد همی از کمین
✦
ز جنگ سواران و مردان کین
“'And if he fears an ambush from the enemy riders and men of vengeance,'”
#22
به من داد باید سواری هزار
✦
گزین من اندرخور کارزار
“'Then let him entrust to me a thousand horsemen—elite warriors worthy of battle!'”
#23
برآریم گرد از کمینگاهشان
✦
سرافشان کنیم از بر ماهشان
“'We shall raise dust from their ambush and cast their heads high above the moon!'”
#24
ز گفتار بیژن بخندید گیو
✦
بسی آفرین کرد بر پور نیو
“Gev smiled at Bizhan's speech and showered abundant praise upon his brave son.”
#25
به دادار گفت از تو دارم سپاس
✦
تو دادی مرا پور نیکی‌شناس
“He said to the Creator, 'I give Thanks to Thee, for Thou hast granted me a virtuous and noble son.'”
#26
همش هوش دادی و هم زور کین
✦
شناسای هر کار و جویای دین
“'Thou hast given him both intellect and mighty strength, discerning in every matter and seeker of righteousness.'”
#27
به من بازگشت این دلاور جوان
✦
چنان چون بود بچهٔ پهلوان
“'This brave youth has taken after me, just as the cub of a hero champion ought to be.'”
#28
چنین گفت مر جفت را نره شیر
✦
که فرزند ما گر نباشد دلیر
“'Thus spoke the male lion to his mate: "If our offspring be not brave,"'”
#29
ببریم از او مهر و پیوند پاک
✦
پدرش آب دریا بود مام خاک
“'"We shall cut off all affection and pure ties from him; let the ocean water be his father and the earth his mother!"'”
#30
ولیکن تو ای پور چیره سخن
✦
زبان بر نیا بر گشاده مکن
“'Yet, O my eloquent son, do not unleash your tongue in criticism against your grandfather.'”
#31
که او کاردیدست و داناترست
✦
بر این لشکر نامور مهترست
“'For he is battle-seasoned, far wiser, and the supreme commander over this renowned army.'”
#32
کسی کو بود سودهٔ کارزار
✦
نباید به هر کارش آموزگار
“'One who has been worn smooth by the friction of battles needs no teacher in any task!'”
#33
سواران ما گر به بار اندرند
✦
نه ترکان به رنگ و نگار اندرند
“'Though our riders remain burdened in their gear, think not that the Turanians are at ease or celebrating.'”
#34
همه شوربختند و برگشته سر
✦
همه دیده پرخون و خسته جگر
“'They are all ill-fated and distracted, their eyes filled with blood and their hearts wounded!'”
#35
همی خواهد این باب کارآزمای
✦
که ترکان به جنگ اندر آرند پای
“'Your battle-tested grandfather desires only to draw the Turanians into taking the initiative in war.'”
#36
پس پشتشان دور ماند ز کوه
✦
برد لشکر کینه‌ور همگروه
“'So that their backs are separated from the shelter of the mountain, and our vengeful host may crush them together.'”
#37
ببینی تو گوپال گودرز را
✦
که چون برنوردد همی مرز را
“'You shall yet behold Goudarz's mace, and how he rolls up the enemy's frontier!'”
#38
و دیگر کجا ز اختر نیک و بد
✦
همی گردش چرخ را بشمرد
“'And furthermore, he reads the revolutions of the sphere, observing auspicious and ill-omened stars.'”
#39
چو پیش آید آن روزگار بهی
✦
کند روی گیتی ز ترکان تهی
“'When the fortunate hour arrives, he will empty the face of the earth of the Turanians!'”
#40
چنین گفت بیژن به پیش پدر
✦
که ای پهلوان جهان سر به سر
“Bizhan then spoke before his father: 'O grand hero of the entire world!'”
#41
خجسته نیا را گر اینست رای
✦
سزد گر نداریم رومی قبای
“'If such is the judgment of my blessed grandfather, it is fitting that we put not on Syrian silk robes!'”
#42
شوم جوشن و خود بیرون کنم
✦
به می روی پژمرده گلگلون کنم
“'I shall go, strip off my armor and helmet, and brighten my withered cheeks with red wine.'”
#43
چو آیم جهان پهلوان را به کار
✦
بیایم کمربستهٔ کارزار
“'And whenever I am needed by the Lord of the World (Goudarz), I shall come bound for battle!'”