The ninth combat of the Twelve Rokh unfolded as Gurgin, the vengeful Iranian paladin, rode forth to challenge Andariman, the battle-tested Turanian veteran. Both seasoned warriors sought a fitting arena upon the field. They initially hurled their heavy lances at one another with such immense force that the spear-shafts snapped down to the grips. Turning to their bows, they pulled rhinoceros-hide shields before their faces. A torrential hail of arrows showered upon their armor, Roman helmets, and tough shields. Amid the storm of iron, Gurgin drew his bowstring to his ear and loosed a devastating shaft straight into Andariman's helm, pinning the Roman steel helmet directly into the chieftain's chest. The Turanian rider reeled in his saddle, whereupon Gurgin struck him with a second lethal arrow. Headlong, Andariman tumbled to the earth, blood gushing from his eyes in agony. Swift as a swirling dust-cloud, Gurgin dismounted, severed the enemy's head, bound it to his saddle-bow, and seized the reins of Andariman's swift charger. Remounting, Gurgin charged up the high crest with his strung bow draped across his arm. Attributing his glorious victory to the divine power of Yazdan—his ultimate refuge—and to the triumphant royal fortune of King Kay Khosrow, Gurgin planted his radiant banner atop the height, signaling the Iranian victory.
#1
برون رفت گرگین نهم کینه‌خواه
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ابا اندریمان ز توران سپاه
“Gurgin, the ninth warrior seeking vengeance, rode forth to face Andariman of the Turanian host.”
#2
جهاندیده و کارکرده دو مرد
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برفتند و جستند جای نبرد
“Two experienced and battle-tested warriors rode forth, seeking a fitting place to clash in combat.”
#3
به نیزه بگشتند و بشکست پست
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کمان برگرفتند هر دو به دست
“They circled with spears until the shafts snapped low; then both seized their bows in hand.”
#4
ببارید تیر از کمان سران
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به روی اندر آورده کرگ اسپران
“Arrows rained down from the chieftains' bows, as they pulled rhinoceros-hide shields up over their faces.”
#5
همی تیر بارید همچون تگرگ
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بر آن اسپر کرگ و بر ترک و ترگ
“Arrows showered relentless as hail upon their shields of rhinoceros hide, their helmets, and their armor.”
#6
یکی تیر گرگین بزد بر سرش
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که بردوخت با ترگ رومی برش
“Then Gurgin struck a shaft straight at his head, pinning his helmet of Roman steel down into his chest.”
#7
بلرزید بر زین ز سختی سوار
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یکی تیر دیگر بزد نامدار
“The Turanian champion shook upon his saddle from the mighty blow; straightway the renowned Gurgin struck him with a second arrow.”
#8
هم آنگاه ترک اندر آمد نگون
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ز چشمش برون آمد از درد خون
“Instantly the Turk fell headlong from his steed, blood streaming in agony from his eyes.”
#9
فرود آمد از باره گرگین چو گرد
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سر اندریمان ز تن دور کرد
“Swift as a dust-cloud, Gurgin leaped down from his charger and severed Andariman's head from his neck.”
#10
به فتراک بربست و خود برنشست
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نوند سوار نبرده به دست
“He bound the severed head to his saddle-bow, remounted his steed, and took the swift charger of the fallen warrior by the reins.”
#11
بر آن تند بالا برآمد دمان
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همیدون به بازو به زه بر کمان
“He ascended the steep height furiously, bow strung and ready upon his arm.”
#12
به نیروی یزدان که او بد پناه
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به پیروز بخت جهاندار شاه
“Attributing victory to the divine power of Yazdan, his true refuge, and the triumphant fortune of the world-ruling King.”
#13
چو پیروز برگشت مرد از نبرد
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درفش دلفروز بر پای کرد
“Having returned victorious from the field of battle, the hero raised high his radiant banner atop the hill.”