#1
سپهدار ایران و توران دژم
✦
فراز آمدند اندر آن کین به هم
“The commanders of Iran and Turan, grim and sorrowful, met together in that arena of vengeance.”
#2
همی برنوشتند هر دو زمین
✦
همه دل پر از درد و سر پر ز کین
“They traversed both domains of the earth, their hearts filled with pain and their heads brimmed with hate.”
#3
به آوردگاه سواران ز گرد
✦
فروماند خورشید روز نبرد
“Upon the battlefield of horsemen, the sun of the day of war remained obscured by the thick dust.”
#4
به تیغ و به خنجر به گرز و کمند
✦
ز هر گونهٔ برنهادند بند
“With sword, dagger, heavy mace, and lasso, they cast every manner of bond and strike upon one another.”
#5
فراز آمد آن گردش ایزدی
✦
از ایران به توران رسید آن بدی
“Then arrived the divine turn of destiny; that calamity shifted from Iran and befell Turan.”
#6
ابا خواست یزدانش چاره نماند
✦
کرا کوشش و زور و یاره نماند
“When God wills a thing, no remedy remains; whoever lacks effort and strength finds no salvation.”
#7
نگه کرد پیران که هنگام چیست
✦
بدانست کان گردش ایزدیست
“Piran looked around to see what the hour portended, and he knew it was the turn of divine destiny.”
#8
ولیکن به مردی همی کرد کار
✦
بکوشید با گردش روزگار
“Yet with manhood he continued to fight, striving valiantly against the turn of time.”
#9
از آن پس کمان برگرفتند و تیر
✦
دو سالار لشکر دو هشیار پیر
“Thereupon both leaders of the armies, those two wise old men, took up bow and arrow.”
#10
یکی تیرباران گرفتند سخت
✦
چو باد خزان بر جهد بر درخت
“They unleashed a fierce rain of arrows, like an autumn wind whipping through a tree.”
#11
نگه کرد گودرز تیر خدنگ
✦
که آهن ندارد مر او را نه سنگ
“Goudarz aimed a poplar arrow so swift that neither iron armor nor stone could withstand it.”
#12
به برگستوان برزد و بردرید
✦
تگاور بلرزید و دم درکشید
“It struck the steed's armored covering and tore right through; the charger shuddered and drew in its breath.”
#13
بیفتاد و پیران درآمد به زیر
✦
بغلتید زیرش سوار دلیر
“The horse fell, and Piran tumbled down beneath it; the valiant rider was rolled under the beast.”
#14
بدانست کآمد زمانه فراز
✦
وز آن روز تیره نیابد جواز
“He knew that his time had come to an end, and from that dark day he would find no passage.”
#15
ز نیرو به دو نیم شد دست راست
✦
هم آنگه بغلتید و بر پای خاست
“From the violence of the crash, his right arm shattered in two; instantly he rolled free and stood upon his feet.”
#16
ز گودرز بگریخت و شد سوی کوه
✦
غمی شد ز درد دویدن ستوه
“He fled from Goudarz toward the mountain, exhausted and agonized by the pain of running.”
#17
همی شد بر آن کوهسر بر دوان
✦
کزو بازگردد مگر پهلوان
“He kept running up the mountain ridge, hoping perhaps the hero would turn back.”
#18
نگه کرد گودرز و بگریست زار
✦
بترسید از گردش روزگار
“Goudarz looked upon him and wept bitterly, struck with dread at the turning of fortune.”
#19
بدانست کش نیست با کس وفا
✦
میان بسته دارد ز بهر جفا
“He realized that time holds no loyalty to anyone, its waist ever girded for cruelty.”
#20
فغان کرد کای نامور پهلوان
✦
چه بودت که ایدون پیاده دوان
“He cried out: 'O renowned hero, what has befallen thee that thou art running thus on foot?'”
#21
به کردار نخچیر در پیش من
✦
کجات آن سپاه ای سر انجمن
“'Fleeing like game before me—where is that vast army now, O chief of the assembly?'”
#22
نیامد ز لشکر ترا یار کس
✦
وز ایشان نبینمت فریادرس
“'Not a single ally from thy host has come to help thee, nor do I see any savior for thee among them.'”
#23
کجات آنهمه زور و مردانگی
✦
سلیح و دل و گنج و فرزانگی
“'Where is all that strength and manhood, those arms, that heart, that treasure, and that wisdom?'”
#24
ستون گوان پشت افراسیاب
✦
کنون شاه را تیره گشت آفتاب
“'O pillar of the brave, support of Afrasiab—now the sun has turned dark for thy king!'”
#25
زمانه ز تو زود برگاشت روی
✦
به هنگام کینه تو چاره مجوی
“'Time has swiftly turned its face from thee; in the hour of vengeance seek no futility.'”
#26
چو کارت چنین گشت زنهار خواه
✦
بدان تات زنده برم نزد شاه
“'Since thy plight is such, ask for quarter, so that I may take thee alive to the King.'”
#27
ببخشاید از دل همی بر تو بر
✦
که هستی جهان پهلوان سر به سر
“'He will surely pity thee from his heart, for thou art a world-champion from head to heel.'”
#28
بدو گفت پیران که این خود مباد
✦
به فرجام بر من چنین بد مباد
“Piran replied to him: 'May this never be! May such an evil end never fall upon me!'”
#29
از این پس مرا زندگانی بود
✦
به زنهار رفتن گمانی بود
“'That I should live henceforth under surrender is a thought impossible for me.'”
#30
خود اندر جهان مرگ را زاده‌ایم
✦
بدین کار گردن ترا داده‌ایم
“'We are born for death in this world, and to this fate we have submitted our necks.'”
#31
شنیدستم این داستان از مهان
✦
که هرچند باشی به خرم جهان
“'I have heard this tale from the great ones: however long thou remainest in this joyful world,'”
#32
سرانجام مرگست زو چاره نیست
✦
به من بر بدین جای پیغاره نیست
“'The final end is death and there is no escape from it; there is no reproach upon me in this place.'”
#33
همی گشت گودرز بر گرد کوه
✦
نبودش بدو راه و آمد ستوه
“Goudarz circled around the mountain, but found no path up to him and grew distressed.”
#34
پیاده ببود و سپر برگرفت
✦
چو نخچیربانان که اندر گرفت
“He dismounted and took up his shield, pursuing him like a hunter closing in on game.”
#35
گرفته سپر پیش و ژوپین به دست
✦
به بالا نهاده سر از جای پست
“Holding the shield before him and javelin in hand, he raised his head toward the heights from below.”
#36
همی دید پیران مر او را ز دور
✦
بجست از بر سنگ سالار تور
“Piran saw him coming from afar; the Turanian lord leaped atop a high rock.”
#37
بینداخت خنجر به کردار تیر
✦
بیامد به بازوی سالار پیر
“He hurled his dagger like an arrow, striking the arm of the aged commander.”
#38
چو گودرز شد خسته بر دست اوی
✦
ز کینه به خشم اندر آورد روی
“When Goudarz was wounded by his hand, his face flushed with rage out of vengeance.”
#39
بینداخت ژوپین به پیران رسید
✦
زره بر تنش سر به سر بردرید
“He hurled his javelin, which reached Piran and tore his body's mail completely apart.”
#40
ز پشت اندر آمد به راه جگر
✦
بغرید و آسیمه برگشت سر
“It entered through his back along the path of his liver; he roared and his head spun in anguish.”
#41
برآمدش خون جگر بر دهان
✦
روانش برآمد هم اندر زمان
“The blood of his liver welled up into his mouth, and his spirit departed that very moment.”
#42
چو شیر ژیان اندر آمد به سر
✦
بنالید با داور دادگر
“Like a ferocious lion he fell upon his head, groaning to the Just Judge of Heaven.”
#43
بر آن کوه خارا زمانی تپید
✦
پس از کین و آوردگاه آرمید
“Upon that hard granite rock he writhed for a moment, then rested forever after all vengeance and battle.”
#44
زمانه به زهر آب دادست چنگ
✦
بدرد دل شیر و چرم پلنگ
“Fate has steeped its claws in poison; it tears the heart of lions and the hide of leopards.”
#45
چنین است خود گردش روزگار
✦
نگیرد همی پند آموزگار
“Such indeed is the turning of time; it heeds not the counsel of any teacher.”
#46
چو گودرز بر شد بر آن کوهسار
✦
بدیدش بر آن‌گونه افگنده خوار
“When Goudarz climbed up to that mountain peak, he saw him lying there, cast down in wretchedness.”
#47
دریده دل و دست و بر خاک سر
✦
شکسته سلیح و گسسته کمر
“His heart and hands torn, his head upon the dust, his weapons shattered and his belt undone.”
#48
چنین گفت گودرز کای نره شیر
✦
سر پهلوانان و گرد دلیر
“Goudarz spake thus: "O mighty lion, leader of heroes and brave champion!"”
#49
جهان چون من و چون تو بسیار دید
✦
نخواهد همی با کسی آرمید
“"The world hath witnessed many such as me and thee, and never will it abide in peace with anyone."”
#50
چو گودرز دیدش چنان مرده‌خوار
✦
به خاک و به خون بر تپیده به زار
“When Goudarz saw him lying thus lifeless, writhing piteously in dust and blood,”
#51
فروبرد چنگال و خون برگرفت
✦
بخورد و بیالود روی ای شگفت
“He plunged his claw into the wound, took up the blood, drank of it, and smeared his face—o wonder!”
#52
ز خون سیاوش خروشید زار
✦
نیایش همی کرد بر کردگار
“He wept bitterly over the avenging of Siavash's blood, and raised his prayers to the Creator.”
#53
ز هفتاد خون گرامی پسر
✦
بنالید با داور دادگر
“For the blood of seventy of his dear sons, he lamented before the Just Judge.”
#54
سرش را همی خواست از تن برید
✦
چنان بدکنش خویشتن را ندید
“He wished to sever his head from his body, yet refrained from showing himself so wicked a doer.”
#55
درفشی به بالینش بر پای کرد
✦
سرش را بدان سایه برجای کرد
“He set up a banner at his pillow, and placed his head beneath its solemn shade.”
#56
سوی لشکر خویش بنهاد روی
✦
چکان خون ز بازوش چون آب جوی
“He then turned his face back toward his own host, blood dripping from his arm like a flowing stream.”
#57
همه کینه‌جویان پرخاشجوی
✦
ز بالا به لشکر نهادند روی
“All the vengeful, battle-seeking warriors descended from the height toward the army.”
#58
ابا کشتگان بسته بر پشت زین
✦
بر ایشان سرآورده پرخاش و کین
“With the slain foes bound to their saddle-bows, having brought their vengeance and strife to an end.”
#59
چو با کینه‌جویان نبد پهلوان
✦
خروشی برآمد ز پیر و جوان
“But seeing that the commander was not among the vengeful heroes, a wail arose from young and old alike,”
#60
که گودرز بر دست پیران مگر
✦
ز پیری به خون اندر آورد سر
“Fearing that Goudarz, weakened by old age, had perchance fallen slain in blood at the hands of Piran.”
#61
همی زار بگریست لشکر همه
✦
ز نادیدن پهلوان رمه
“The entire army wept bitterly in despair at not beholding the guardian champion of their host.”
#62
درفشی پدید آمد از تیره گرد
✦
گرازان و تازان به دشت نبرد
“Suddenly a banner appeared from out the dark dust, moving proudly and swiftly across the field of fight.”
#63
برآمد ز لشکرگه آوای کوس
✦
همی گرد بر آسمان داد بوس
“The thunder of drums echoed from the camp, as clouds of dust rose to kiss the heavens.”
#64
بزرگان بر پهلوان آمدند
✦
پر از خنده و شادمان آمدند
“The nobles hurried forth to meet the chieftain, filled with laughter and beaming with joy.”
#65
چنین گفت لشکر مگر پهلوان
✦
از او بازگردید تیره روان
“The host exclaimed: "Perchance our hero hath returned from him with a darkened, sorrowful soul?"”
#66
که پیران یکی شیردل مرد بود
✦
همه ساله جویای آورد بود
“"For Piran was a man of lion-hearted valor, ever seeking combat throughout the years."”
#67
چنین یاد کرد آن زمان پهلوان
✦
سپرده بدو گوش پیر و جوان
“Then the grand champion spake thus, while old and young gave earnest ear to his words.”
#68
به انگشت بنمود جای نبرد
✦
بگفت آنک با او زمانه چه کرد
“He pointed with his finger to the place of battle, and recounted what Fate had wrought upon his foe.”
#69
به رهام فرمود تا برنشست
✦
به آوردن او میان را ببست
“He commanded Rohham to mount his steed and gird his loins to bring back the fallen commander's corpse.”
#70
بدو گفت او را به زین برببند
✦
بیاور چنان تازیان بر نوند
“He said to him: "Bind him fast upon the saddle, and bring him swiftly, riding upon a fleet steed."”
#71
درفش و سلیحش چنان هم که هست
✦
به درع و میانش مبر هیچ دست
“"Leave his banner and his armor just as they are; touch not his coat of mail nor his girdle."”
#72
بر آن گونه چون پهلوان کرد یاد
✦
برون تاخت رهام چون تندباد
“Exactly as the grand champion had instructed, Rohham galloped forth like a raging whirlwind.”
#73
کشید از بر اسب روشن تنش
✦
به خون اندرون غرقه بد جوشنش
“He lifted his noble corpse onto the steed, his coat of mail soaked through with blood.”
#74
چنان هم ببستش به خم کمند
✦
فرود آوریدش ز کوه بلند
“He bound him securely with the loop of his lasso, and brought him down from the high mountain peak.”
#75
درفشش چو از جایگاه نشان
✦
ندیدند گردان گردنکشان
“When the proud, victorious warriors saw that his banner was no longer in its place of honor,”
#76
همه خواندند آفرین سر به سر
✦
ابر پهلوان زمین در به در
“They all showered praise upon the supreme hero of the land, city by city and door to door.”
#77
که ای نامور پشت ایران سپاه
✦
پرستندهٔ تخت تو باد ماه
“Saying: "O glorious pillar of Iran's host, may even the moon render homage to thy throne!"”
#78
فدای سپه کرده‌ای جان و تن
✦
به پیری زمان روزگار کهن
“"Thou hast sacrificed thy life and body for the army, in old age at the twilight of thy days."”
#79
چنین گفت گودرز با مهتران
✦
که چون رزم ما گشت ز این سان گران
“Then Goudarz spake unto the chieftains: "Since our battle hath proven so fierce and momentous,”
#80
مرا در دل آید که افراسیاب
✦
سپه بگذراند بدین روی آب
“"It comes to my heart that Afrasiab may lead his army across this side of the river."”
#81
سپاه وی آسوده از رنج و تاب
✦
بمانده سپاهم چنین در شتاب
“His army rests untroubled by pain and strain, while my own troops remain thus in frantic haste.”
#82
ولیکن چنین دارم امید من
✦
که آید جهاندار خورشید من
“Yet such is my firm hope that the ruler of the world, my radiant sun, shall soon arrive.”
#83
بیفروزد این رزمگه را به فر
✦
بیارد سپاهی به نو کینه‌ور
“He will illuminate this battlefield with his royal glory, bringing forth a newly vengeful host.”
#84
یکی هوشمندی فرستاده‌ام
✦
بسی شاه را پندها داده‌ام
“I have sent a wise messenger to him, and given many words of counsel to the king.”
#85
که گر شاه ترکان بیارد سپاه
✦
نداریم پای اندر این کینه‌گاه
“Warning that if the king of the Turks brings his host, we cannot hold our ground in this field of vengeance.”
#86
گمانم چنان است کو با سپاه
✦
به یاری بیاید بدین رزمگاه
“My expectation is that he, along with his army, will come to our aid upon this battlefield.”
#87
مر این کشتگان را بر این دشت کین
✦
چنین هم بدارید بر پشت زین
“Keep these slain heroes on this battlefield of vengeance tied thus upon their saddles.”
#88
کز این کشتگان جان ما بیغم است
✦
روان سیاووش ز این خرم است
“For because of these fallen foes, our souls are free of grief, and the spirit of Siyavash is made joyful.”
#89
اگر هم چنین نزد شاه آوریم
✦
شود شاد و ز این پایگاه آوریم
“If we bring them thus before the King, he shall rejoice, and we shall gain noble prestige from this.”
#90
که آشوب ترکان و ایرانیان
✦
از این بد کجا کم شد اندر میان
“For the turmoil between the Turks and Iranians stemmed from this evil, which has now been diminished among us.”
#91
همه یکسره خواندند آفرین
✦
که بی‌تو مبادا زمان و زمین
“All with one accord sang out praises, exclaiming: 'May time and earth never exist without thee!'”
#92
همه سودمندی ز گفتار تست
✦
خور و ماه روشن بدیدار تست
“All wisdom and benefit spring from thy counsel; the bright sun and moon are honored by thy presence.”
#93
برفتند با کشتگان همچنان
✦
گروی زره را پیاده دوان
“Thus they set off with the bodies of the slain, forcing Garwi-ye Zereh to run bound on foot beside them.”