The tenth duel of the Eleven Combats commenced as the valiant Iranian warrior Barta faced the sword-wielding Turanian chieftain Kahram—two battle-hardened commanders bound by vengeance. They tested every craft of war against one another before drawing their deadly Indian blades. Barta held the auspicious banner high, so formidable in his posture that it seemed as though Mount Bisotun itself were moving across the field.
Wheeling swiftly around his opponent, Barta struck a catastrophic blow upon Kahram’s helmet, cleaving the Turanian champion down to his chest. With his rival destroyed, Barta dismounted, bound the severed torso of Kahram across the Tuzi saddle, and remounted his steed.
Like a raging leopard, he ascended the crest of the hill with his Indian blade unsheathed and the auspicious flag fluttering in his grasp, carrying Kahram's bound corpse slung over the horse. He roared aloud in praise of King Kay Khosrow, proclaiming the monarch's eternal glory.
By the ninth hour of the day, not a single Turanian warrior remained standing upon the plain. Such is the fickle nature of Fate: even those it rears in luxury are suddenly ambushed in their hour of joy. Thus ended the ill-fated battle for Turan; when Piran gazed across the field, he saw not a single survivor among his champions, only bodies bereft of life by the merciless edge of the blade.
#1
دهم برته با کهرم تیغ‌زن
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دو خونی و هر دو سر انجمن
“The tenth match brought Barta against the sword-wielding Kahram—two blood-seeking warriors, both commanders of their hosts.”
#2
همی آزمودند هرگونه جنگ
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گرفتند پس تیغ هندی به چنگ
“They tested every maneuver of war against each other, until at last they gripped their Indian blades.”
#3
درفش همایون به دست اندرون
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تو گفتی بجنبد که بیستون
“Holding the auspicious banner in hand, Barta stood so firm it seemed as if Mount Bisotun itself was in motion.”
#4
یکایک بپیچید از او برته روی
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یکی تیغ زد بر سر و ترگ اوی
“Suddenly Barta turned sharply around him, striking a fierce sword-blow upon his head and helmet.”
#5
که تا سینه کهرم بدو نیم گشت
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ز دشمن دل برته بی‌بیم گشت
“Kahram was cleaved in two down to his chest, and Barta's heart was delivered from all fear of his foe.”
#6
فرود آمد از اسب و او را ببست
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بر آن زین توزی و خود برنشست
“Barta dismounted, bound Kahram onto the leather saddle, and remounted his own charger.”
#7
برآمد به بالا چو شرزه پلنگ
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خروشان یکی تیغ هندی به چنگ
“He ascended the height like a fierce leopard, roaring with an Indian blade held high in his fist.”
#8
درفش همایون به دست اندرون
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فگنده بر آن باره کهرم نگون
“Bearing the auspicious banner in his hand, with Kahram's corpse tied upside down across his steed.”
#9
همی گفت شاهست پیروزگر
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همیشه کلاهش به خورشید بر
“He proclaimed: 'Victorious is the King, whose crown touches the very sun forever!'”
#10
چو از روز نه ساعت اندر گذشت
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ز ترکان نبد کس بر آن پهن‌دشت
“When nine hours of the day had passed, not a single Turanian remained upon that broad plain.”
#11
کسی را کجا پروراند به ناز
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برآید بر او روزگار دراز
“Whoever Time rears in tender luxury for a long age...”
#12
شبیخون کند گاه شادی بر اوی
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همی خواری و سختی آرد به روی
“...Time ambushes him in his moment of joy, bringing forth humiliation and hardship upon his face.”
#13
ز باد اندر آرد دهدمان به دم
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همی داد خوانیم و پیدا ستم
“It sweeps us away in a breath of wind; we call it justice, yet its cruelty is plain to see.”
#14
به تورانیان بر بد آن جنگ شوم
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به آوردگه کردن آهنگ شوم
“Ill-omened was that battle for the Turanians, as was their fateful march unto the field of combat.”
#15
چنان شد که پیران ز توران سپاه
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سواری ندید اندر آوردگاه
“So it came to pass that Piran saw not a single horseman left of the Turanian army on the battlefield.”
#16
روان‌ها گسسته ز تنشان به تیغ
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جهان را تو گفتی نیامد دریغ
“Their souls severed from their bodies by the sword, as though the world felt no mercy for them.”