#1
چو آگاه شد شهریار جهان
✦
ز گفتار بیدار کارآگهان
“When the Sovereign of the World received word from the watchful intelligence of his scouts,”
#2
ز ترکان وز کار افراسیاب
✦
که لشکرگه آورد ز این روی آب
“Concerning the Turks and the deeds of Afrasiab, who had brought his army across this side of the river,”
#3
سپاهی ز جیحون بدین سو کشید
✦
که شد ریگ و سنگ از جهان ناپدید
“He led a host from the Oxus to this side, such that sand and stone vanished beneath them from the world.”
#4
چو بشنید خسرو یلان را بخواند
✦
همه گفتنی پیش ایشان براند
“When Kay Khosrow heard this, he summoned his champions and shared with them all that needed to be said.”
#5
سپاهی ز جنگ آوران برگزید
✦
بزرگان ایران چنانچون سزید
“He chose an army of seasoned warriors and nobles of Iran, as was fitting for such a trial.”
#6
چشیده بسی از جهان شور و تلخ
✦
به یاری گستهم نوذر به بلخ
“Men who had tasted much of the world's bitterness and turmoil, sending Gustahm son of Nowzar to Balkh as aid.”
#7
به اشکش بفرمود تا سوی زم
✦
برد لشکر و پیل و گنج درم
“He commanded Ashkash to march toward Zam with an army, war elephants, and treasures of coin,”
#8
بدان تا پس اندر نیاید سپاه
✦
کند رای شیران ایران تباه
“So that no enemy host could come behind them to ruin the plans of the lions of Iran.”
#9
از آن پس یلان را همه برنشاند
✦
بزد کوس رویین و لشکر براند
“Thereafter he mounted all the champions, sounded the bronze drums, and set the army in motion.”
#10
همی رفت با رای و هوش و درنگ
✦
که تیزی پشیمانی آرد به جنگ
“He marched with wisdom, intellect, and restraint, knowing well that rash speed brings regret in war.”
#11
سپهدار چون در بیابان رسید
✦
گرازیدن و ساز و لشکر بدید
“When the commander reached the desert expanse, he beheld the magnificent array and equipment of the hosts.”
#12
سپه را گذر سوی خورازم بود
✦
همه رنگ و دشت از در رزم بود
“The path of the army lay toward Khwarazm, where desert and plain were entirely ablaze with the colors of war.”
#13
به چپ بر دهستان و بر راست آب
✦
میان ریگ و پیش اندر افراسیاب
“Dehestan lay to the left and the waters to the right, with sand between them and Afrasiab straight ahead.”
#14
چو خورشید سر زد ز برج بره
✦
بیاراست روی زمین یکسره
“As the sun arose from the constellation of Aries, it illuminated the entire face of the earth.”
#15
سپهدار ترکان سپه را بدید
✦
بزد نای رویین و صف برکشید
“The commander of the Turks beheld the Iranian host, sounded his bronze flutes, and drew up his battle lines.”
#16
جهان شد پر آوای بوق و سپاه
✦
همه برنهادند ز آهن کلاه
“The world filled with the echo of war horns and marching hosts, as all warriors placed iron helmets upon their heads.”
#17
چو خسرو بدید آن سپاه نیا
✦
دل پادشا شد پر از کیمیا
“When Khosrow beheld the vast army of his grandfather Afrasiab, the King's heart swelled with divine alchemy.”
#18
خود و رستم و طوس و گودرز و گیو
✦
ز لشکر بسی نامبردار نیو
“He himself, along with Rostam, Tus, Goudarz, Giv, and many famous valiant heroes of the army,”
#19
همی گشت بر گرد آن رزمگاه
✦
بیابان نگه گرد و بی‌راه و راه
“Rode around that battlefield, surveying the desert, the tracks, and the untrodden paths,”
#20
که لشکر فزون بود زان کو شمرد
✦
همان ژنده پیلان و مردان گرد
“For the enemy army exceeded what he had counted, complete with armored war elephants and valiant champions.”
#21
به گرد سپه بر یکی کنده کرد
✦
طلایه به هر سو پراگنده کرد
“Around his host he ordered a moat to be dug, and posted advance outposts in every direction.”
#22
شب آمد به کنده در افگند آب
✦
بدان سو که بد روی افراسیاب
“When night fell, he diverted water into the moat, facing toward the side where Afrasiab stood.”
#23
دو لشکر چنین هم دو روز و دو شب
✦
از ایشان یکی را نجنبید لب
“Thus for two days and two nights the two armies stood, without a single lip moving among them.”
#24
تو گفتی که روی زمین آهن است
✦
ز نیزه هوا نیز در جوشن است
“You would have said the earth's surface was made of iron, and the sky clad in chainmail made of spears.”
#25
از این روی و زان روی بر پشت زین
✦
پیاده به پیش اندرون همچنین
“On this side and that side warriors remained mounted on saddles, and foot-soldiers stood ready out front.”
#26
تو گفتی جهان کوه آهن شدست
✦
همان پوشش چرخ جوشن شدست
“You would say the world had turned into a mountain of iron, and the vault of heaven into a coat of mail.”
#27
ستاره شمر پیش دو شهریار
✦
پر اندیشه و زیجها بر کنار
“Astrologers stood before both monarchs, deep in thought, with astronomical tables at their sides,”
#28
همی باز جستند راز سپهر
✦
به صلاب تا بر که گردد به مهر
“Searching out the secret of the heavens with astrolabes, to see toward whom fortune would turn with favor.”
#29
سپهر اندر آن جنگ نظاره بود
✦
ستاره شمر سخت بیچاره بود
“The heavens were watching that war, while the stargazers were rendered thoroughly helpless.”
#30
به روز چهارم چو شد کار تنگ
✦
به پیش پدر شد دلاور پشنگ
“On the fourth day, when the standstill grew intolerable, valiant Pashang (Shideh) stepped before his father.”
#31
بدو گفت کای کدخدای جهان
✦
سرافراز بر کهتران و مهان
“He said to him: 'O master of the world, exalted above all subjects great and small,”
#32
به فر تو زیر فلک شاه نیست
✦
ترا ماه و خورشید بد خواه نیست
“By your royal glory no king under heaven compares to you, and neither moon nor sun wishes you ill.”
#33
شود کوه آهن چو دریای آب
✦
اگر بشنود نام افرسیاب
“A mountain of iron would melt like sea water if it but heard the name of Afrasiab!”
#34
زمین بر نتابد سپاه ترا
✦
نه خورشید تابان کلاه ترا
“The earth cannot bear the weight of your army, nor can the glowing sun match the brilliance of your crown.”
#35
نیاید ز شاهان کسی پیش تو
✦
جز این بی‌پدر بد گوهر خویش تو
“None of the kings dare face you, save this fatherless, evil-natured relative of yours.”
#36
سیاووش را چون پسر داشتی
✦
بر او رنج و مهر پدر داشتی
“When you held Siyavash as a son, bearing a father's pain and affection for him,”
#37
یکی باد ناخوش ز روی هوا
✦
بر او برگذشتی نبودی روا
“If a foul wind blew across his face, you would not permit it to harm him.”
#38
از او سیر گشتی چو کردی درست
✦
که او تاج و تخت و سپاه تو جست
“Yet you grew weary of him when you saw clearly that he sought your crown, throne, and host.”
#39
گر او را نکشتی جهاندار شاه
✦
بدو باز گشتی نگین و کلاه
“Had the Sovereign King not slain him, the signet and crown would have passed to him.”
#40
کنون اینک آمد به پیشت به جنگ
✦
نباید به گیتی فراوان درنگ
“Now this son has come before you in war; there should be no long delay in this world.”
#41
هر آن کس که نیکی فرامش کند
✦
همی رای جان سیاوش کند
“Whosoever forgets goodness acts in accordance with the spirit of Siyavash.”
#42
بپروردی این شوم ناپاک را
✦
پدروار نسپردیش خاک را
“You nurtured this unholy, ominous offspring, yet did not give him to the earth as a father should.”
#43
همی داشتی تا بر آورد پر
✦
شد از مهر شاه از در تاج زر
“You cherished him until he grew wings, and through the King's love he became fit for a golden crown.”
#44
ز توران چو مرغی به ایران پرید
✦
تو گفتی که هرگز نیا را ندید
“From Turan he flew to Iran like a bird, as if he had never seen his grandfather!”
#45
ز خوبی نگه کن که پیران چه کرد
✦
بدان بی‌وفا ناسزاوار مرد
“Consider with fairness what Piran did for him, yet look how he treated that faithless, unworthy man!”
#46
همه مهر پیران فراموش کرد
✦
پر از کینه سر دل پر از جوش کرد
“He has cast aside all memory of Piran's kindness; his heart seethes with malice and his mind is consumed by rage.”
#47
همی بود خامش چو آمد به مشت
✦
چنان مهربان پهلوان را بکشت
“He kept his counsel until opportunity fell into his grasp, and then slew that most affectionate and loyal hero.”
#48
از ایران کنون با سپاهی به جنگ
✦
بیامد به پیش نیا تیزچنگ
“Now he marches from Iran at the head of a mighty host, coming fiercely to challenge his own grandfather.”
#49
نه دینار خواهد نه تخت و کلاه
✦
نه اسب و نه شمشیر و گنج و سپاه
“He seeks neither wealth nor crown nor throne, nor steeds nor swords nor royal treasure and army.”
#50
ز خویشان جز از جان نخواهد همی
✦
سخن را از این در نکاهد همی
“From his own kin he demands nothing less than life itself, and will not relent from this grim purpose.”
#51
پدر شاه و فرزانه‌تر پادشاست
✦
بدین راست گفتار من بر گواست
“My father the King is the wisest of monarchs, and my truthful words stand as witness to his wisdom.”
#52
از ایرانیان نیست چندین سخن
✦
سپه را چنین دل شکسته مکن
“Speak no more of the strength of the Iranians, nor dishearten the army with such ominous tales.”
#53
بدیشان چه باید ستاره شمر
✦
به شمشیر جویند مردان هنر
“Why consult the stars for their destiny? Brave men seek their glory through the edge of the blade.”
#54
سواران که در میمنه با منند
✦
همه جنگ را یکدل و یکتنند
“The warriors arrayed with me on the right wing are unified in heart and mind, ready for battle.”
#55
چو دستور باشد مرا پادشا
✦
از ایشان نمانم یکی پارسا
“If the King gives me his command, I shall not leave a single one of them sound or standing.”
#56
بدوزم سر و ترگ ایشان به تیر
✦
نه اندیشم از کنده و آبگیر
“I will pin their heads to their helmets with my arrows, fearing neither deep trenches nor watery moats.”
#57
چو بشنید افراسیاب این سخن
✦
بدو گفت مشتاب و تندی مکن
“When Afrasiab heard these words, he counselled him: 'Be not hasty, nor let fierce anger drive thee.'”
#58
سخن هرچه گفتی همه راست بود
✦
جز از راستی را نباید شنود
“All that thou hast spoken is indeed true, for none should listen to aught save truth.”
#59
ولیکن تو دانی که پیران گرد
✦
به گیتی همه راه نیکی سپرد
“Yet well thou knowest that noble Piran walked only the path of virtue and honor in this world.”
#60
نبد در دلش کژی و کاستی
✦
نجستی به جز خوبی و راستی
“There was no deceit nor defect in his heart; he sought nothing but truth and righteousness.”
#61
همان پیل بد روز جنگ او به زور
✦
چو دریا دل و رخ چو تابنده هور
“On the day of battle he had the strength of a mighty elephant, a heart as broad as the sea, and a face bright as the sun.”
#62
برادرش هومان پلنگ نبرد
✦
چو لهاک جنگی و فرشیدورد
“His brother Houman was a leopard in combat, along with the warlike Lahhak and Farshidvard.”
#63
ز ترکان سواران کین صدهزار
✦
همه نامجوی از در کارزار
“A hundred thousand vengeful Turanian horsemen, all renowned warriors eager for the battlefield...”
#64
برفتند از ایدر پر از جنگ و جوش
✦
من ایدر نوان با غم و با خروش
“They departed hence full of fighting fervor, while I remain here weeping with sorrow and despair.”
#65
از آن کو بر این دشت کین کشته شد
✦
زمین زیر او چون گل آغشته شد
“Since he was slain upon this battlefield of vengeance, the earth beneath him turned to mud drenched with blood.”
#66
همه مرز توران شکسته دلند
✦
ز تیمار دل را همی بگسلند
“All the realms of Turan are broken-hearted, their spirits torn apart by bitter grief.”
#67
نبینند جز مرگ پیران به خواب
✦
نخواند کسی نام افراسیاب
“In their dreams they see naught but Piran's death, and none even dares utter the name of Afrasiab.”
#68
بباشیم تا نامداران ما
✦
مهان و ز لشکر سواران ما
“Let us wait until our renowned champions, our chieftains and horsemen of the host...”
#69
ببینند ایرانیان را به چشم
✦
ز دل کم شود سوگ با درد و خشم
“Behold the Iranians face to face, so that the grief, anger, and pain in their hearts may be assuaged.”
#70
هم ایرانیان نیز چندین سپاه
✦
ببینند آیین تخت و کلاه
“And likewise let the Iranians gaze upon such an army, and behold the majesty of our throne and crown.”
#71
دو لشکر بر این گونه پر درد و خشم
✦
ستاره به ما دارد از چرخ چشم
“With both armies thus brimming with anguish and wrath, the stars of heaven keep watch over us.”
#72
به انبوه جستن نه نیکوست جنگ
✦
شکستی بود باد ماند به چنگ
“To seek battle in massed chaos is ill-advised; it brings defeat, leaving only empty air in hand.”
#73
مبارز پراگنده بیرون کنیم
✦
از ایشان بیابان پر از خون کنیم
“Let us send forth individual champions scattered, and stain the desert red with their blood.”
#74
چنین داد پاسخ که ای شهریار
✦
چو ز این گونه جویی همی کارزار
“Shideh answered him: 'O Sovereign, if this is the manner of battle thou desirest...'”
#75
نخستین ز لشکر مبارز منم
✦
که بر شیر و بر پیل اسب افگنم
“I am the first champion of the army who will charge his steed against lion and elephant alike.”
#76
کسی را ندانم که روز نبرد
✦
فشاند بر اسب من از دور گرد
“I know of no warrior on the day of battle who could raise dust against my horse, even from afar.”
#77
مرا آرزو جنگ کیخسروست
✦
که او در جهان شهریار نوست
“My supreme desire is to engage Kay Khosrow in battle, for he is the new sovereign in the world.”
#78
اگر جوید او بی گمان جنگ من
✦
رهایی نیابد ز چنگال من
“If he truly steps forth to fight me, he shall find no escape from my clutch.”
#79
دل و پشت ایشان شکسته شود
✦
بر آن انجمن کار بسته شود
“Their hearts and spirits shall be broken, and the plight of their assembly tied fast in defeat.”
#80
و گر دیگری پیشم آید به جنگ
✦
به خاک اندر آرم سرش بی‌درنگ
“And should any other champion face me in combat, I will cast his head to the dust without delay.”
#81
بدو گفت کای کار نادیده مرد
✦
شهنشاه کی جوید از تو نبرد
“Afrasiyab said to him, "O inexperienced youth! Why would the Emperor seek combat with the likes of you?"”
#82
اگر جویدی هم نبردش منم
✦
تن و نام او زیر پای افگنم
“"If he desires an equal in combat, I am his true match; I would cast his body and his renown beneath my feet."”
#83
گر او با من آید به آوردگاه
✦
برآساید از جنگ هر دو سپاه
“"Should he enter the arena against me, both hosts would find lasting peace from this war."”
#84
بدو شیده گفت ای جهاندیده مرد
✦
چشیده ز گیتی بسی گرم و سرد
“Shideh answered him, "O world-seasoned king, who has tasted so much of life's heat and cold,"”
#85
پسر پنج زنده‌ست پیشت به پای
✦
نمانیم تا تو کنی رزم رای
“"Five of your sons stand alive before you; we will never permit you to take the field yourself."”
#86
نه لشکر پسندد نه ایزد پرست
✦
که تو جنگ او را کنی پیشدست
“"Neither the army nor any worshipper of God would deem it right for you to step forward first to fight him."”