The time arrived for the fourth duel of the Twelve Rokh, bringing forth Ferohal of Iran and Zangaleh of Turan—two fierce warriors who confronted each other like unleashed lions. In all the realm of Iran, no archer possessed a draw so swift or aim so deadly as Ferohal. Spying the grim Turanian champion from afar, Ferohal strung his bow without hesitation and pulled the notch back to his ear.
Drawing forth his heavy arrows of white poplar, Ferohal advanced holding his bow high and loosed a terrifying barrage upon Zangaleh, cutting off any chance of ambush or retreat. Amidst this storm of fletchings, one poplar arrow flew swift as the wind, piercing straight through Zangaleh's thigh and driving deep into the body of his steed. Overcome by agonizing pain, the swift horse collapsed onto its face, casting Zangaleh violently onto the earth.
The Turanian warrior gave up his ghost instantly, tumbling headlong into the dust as though he had never been born. Leaping down like a hunting beast, Ferohal severed Zangaleh's head and stripped off his fine Roman coat of mail. He bound the trophy to his saddle-strap, took hold of the slain enemy's horse, and mounted the crest of the hill like a blooded leopard.
With his chest, blade, and hands drenched in battle-gore, Ferohal raised the blessed banner of Iran high into the wind. Exultant in his complete victory, he let out a resounding shout across the valley, praying for everlasting triumph and royal glory for King Kay Khosrow.
#1
چهارم فروهل بد و زنگله
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دو جنگی به کردار شیر یله
“The fourth pair were Ferohal and Zangaleh, two warriors bold as unleashed lions.”
#2
به ایران نبرده به تیر و کمان
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نبد چون فروهل دگر بی گمان
“In all Iran, surely there was no archer with bow and arrow to equal Ferohal.”
#3
چو از دور ترک دژم را بدید
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کمان را به زه کرد و اندر کشید
“As he spied the grim Turanian warrior from afar, he strung his bow and drew it tight.”
#4
برآورد زان تیرهای خدنگ
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گرفته کمان رفت پیشش به جنگ
“He pulled forth arrows of tough white poplar and, holding his bow, advanced to strike.”
#5
ابر زنگله تیرباران گرفت
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ز هر سو کمین سواران گرفت
“He rained a shower of arrows upon Zangaleh, closing off all paths of ambush.”
#6
خدنگی به رانش برآمد چو باد
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که بگذشت بر مرد و بر اسب شاد
“Swift as the wind, a poplar arrow pierced his thigh, driving straight through both horseman and swift steed.”
#7
به روی اندر آمد تگاور ز درد
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جدا شد از او زنگله روی زرد
“The noble steed collapsed upon its face in agony, and pale Zangaleh was hurled to the ground.”
#8
نگون شد سر زنگله جان بداد
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تو گفتی همانا ز مادر نزاد
“Zangaleh tumbled headlong and gave up his ghost; as though he had never been born of a mother.”
#9
فروهل فروجست و ببرید سر
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برون کرد خفتان رومی ز بر
“Ferohal leaped down and severed his head, stripping off his fine Roman coat of mail.”
#10
سرش را به فتراک زین برببست
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بیامد گرفت اسب او را به دست
“He bound the severed head to his saddle-strap, then took hold of his opponent's horse.”
#11
به بالا برآمد به سان پلنگ
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به خون غرقه گشته بر و تیغ و چنگ
“Like a fierce leopard he crested the ridge, his chest, blade, and hands drenched in blood.”
#12
درفش خجسته برآورد راست
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شده شادمان یافته هرچ خواست
“He raised the blessed banner high and straight, joyful that he had won all he desired.”
#13
خروشید زان پس که پیروز باد
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سر خسروان شاه فرخ نژاد
“Then he shouted aloud: "May victory crown our King of Kings, the monarch of blessed lineage!"”