When half of the dark night had passed and the celestial sphere settled in silence above the mountain peaks, Afrasiab, the warlord of Turan, commanded a total retreat. He ordered his men to pack their heavy baggage and don their mail coats and helmets. Stationing an advance guard of ten thousand heavily armored cavalrymen, he instructed his hosts: 'The moment I plunge into the roaring waters of the Oxus and cross, follow me directly! Waste no time waiting for boats or barges.' Thus, beneath the dense cloak of night, Afrasiab led his vast army across the Amuy River, leaving the dangerous waters behind. Across the length and breadth of the land, by road and wild trail, stood magnificent pavilions and tents—yet completely deserted of warriors.
As the first golden rays of dawn broke across the eastern horizon, the Iranian scouts looked out upon the plain and found no trace of the enemy army. A scout galloped swiftly to King Kay Khosrow with glad tidings, announcing that the Turanian monarch had abandoned the field. The entire valley was filled with empty royal tents, yet not a single enemy horseman remained. Hearing this, Khosrow dismounted and cast himself upon the earth, pouring out his soul in prayer before Almighty God. The righteous King proclaimed: 'O Radiant Creator, Sovereign of the world, vigilant Sustainer! It is You who bestowed upon me the Divine Glory, the crown, and royal strength; You blinded the hearts and eyes of my malicious enemies. Purge the world of oppressors and leave them forever tormented by fear.'
When the golden sun raised its gleaming shield and the dark veil of night vanished, the ruler sat upon his ivory throne and placed the brilliant crown upon his head. The victorious Iranian army gathered before him, offering prayers for his everlasting reign. Enriched by the unimaginable wealth left behind by the armies of Chin and Turan, the Iranian troops became utterly prosperous. Yet some among the ranks whispered in regret: 'Alas that such a mighty enemy ruler, with all his war-horns and drums, managed to slip away scot-free from the hands of our formidable champions during the dark of night!'
Kay Khosrow, ever wise and watchful, addressed his renowned commanders: 'Though a slain enemy king is best, a defeated ruler driven away in utter ruin is still a magnificent triumph. Since the Almighty has favored us with Glory, majesty, and the imperial crown, we must spend our days and nights in humble praise. He elevates whom He wills and brings low the arrogant; no mortal may question His cosmic justice. We shall remain on this battlefield for five days, and on the sixth day—the day of Hormozd—we shall march forth in pursuit.' For five days, the Iranian army searched the battlefield for their slain comrades. They washed the dust of battle from their heroic dead and built noble tombs for each of them, honoring their supreme sacrifice before resuming the grand campaign.
#1
چو نیمی ز تیره شب اندر گذشت
✦
سپهر از بر کوه ساکن بگشت
“When half of the dark night had passed, and the sphere above the mountain grew calm and still,”
#2
سپهدار ترکان بنه بر نهاد
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سپه را همه ترگ و جوشن بداد
“The commander of the Turks packed up his baggage and distributed helmets and armor to all his troops.”
#3
طلایه بفرمود تا ده هزار
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بود ترک برگستوان ور سوار
“He ordered the advance guard to consist of ten thousand armored Turcoman cavalry.”
#4
چنین گفت با لشکر افراسیاب
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که من چون گذر یابم از رود آب
“Thus spoke Afrasiab to his army: 'As soon as I find a crossing over the river,”
#5
دمادم شما از پسم بگذرید
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به جیحون و زورق زمان مشمرید
“'Follow me immediately after; waste no time by the Jayhun or in waiting for boats.'”
#6
شب تیره با لشکر افراسیاب
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گذر کرد از آموی و بگذاشت آب
“Through the dark night, Afrasiab crossed the Amuy River with his host and left the waters behind.”
#7
همه روی کشور به بی راه و راه
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سراپرده و خیمه بد بی سپاه
“Across the entire realm, off the path and on, pavilion and tent stood empty of troops.”
#8
سپیده چو از باختر بردمید
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طلایه سپه را به هامون ندید
“When dawn broke from the horizon, the vanguard saw no enemy army remaining upon the plain.”
#9
بیامد به مژده بر شهریار
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که پردخته شد شاه ز این کارزار
“A scout arrived with glad tidings to the King, reporting that the enemy monarch had abandoned the battlefield.”
#10
همه دشت خیمه‌ست و پرده‌سرای
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ز دشمن سواری نبینم به جای
“'The entire plain is filled with tents and pavilions, yet I see not a single enemy horseman in his place.'”
#11
چو بشنید خسرو دوان شد به خاک
✦
نیایش کنان پیش یزدان پاک
“When Khosrow heard this, he hastened prostrate to the earth, offering praise before the holy Creator.”
#12
همی گفت کای روشن کردگار
✦
جهاندار و بیدار و پروردگار
“He prayed, 'O luminous Maker, Master of the world, all-seeing and Sustainer,”
#13
تو دادی مرا فر و دیهیم و زور
✦
تو کردی دل و چشم بدخواه کور
“'Thou hast granted me divine glory, crown, and might; Thou hast blinded the heart and eyes of my foe.'”
#14
ز گیتی ستمکاره را دور کن
✦
ز بیمش همه ساله رنجور کن
“'Banish the oppressor from the earth, and leave him forever stricken with fear!'”
#15
چو خورشید زرین سپر برگرفت
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شب آن شعر پیروزه بر سر گرفت
“As the sun took up its golden shield, night cast its turquoise veil over its head.”
#16
جهاندار بنشست بر تخت عاج
✦
به سر بر نهاد آن دل افروز تاج
“The ruler of the world sat upon the ivory throne and placed that heart-gladdening crown upon his head.”
#17
نیایش کنان پیش او شد سپاه
✦
که جاوید باد این سزاوار گاه
“The army came before him in prayer and praise, chanting: 'Eternal be this worthy throne!'”
#18
شد این لشکر از خواسته بی‌نیاز
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که از لشکر شاه چین ماند باز
“The army became enriched beyond measure by the spoils left behind by the King of China's forces.”
#19
همی گفت هر کس که اینت فسوس
✦
که او رفت با لشکر و بوق و کوس
“Everyone marveled, saying: 'What a wonder that he fled despite his vast army, trumpets, and war drums!'”
#20
شب تیره از دست پرمایگان
✦
بشد نامداری چنین رایگان
“'In the dark of night, such a famous monarch slipped away so easily from the hands of the valiant.'”
#21
بدیشان چنین گفت بیدار شاه
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که ای نامداران ایران سپاه
“The vigilant King spoke thus to them: 'O noble champions of the Iranian host,”
#22
چو دشمن بود شاه را کشته به
✦
گر آواره از جنگ برگشته به
“'When an enemy is a king, it is better if he is slain, or at least driven away ruined from the fight.'”
#23
چو پیروزگر دادمان فرهی
✦
بزرگی و دیهیم شاهنشهی
“'Since the Victorious One granted us divine grace, sovereignty, and the imperial crown,”
#24
ز گیتی ستایش مر او را کنید
✦
شب آید نیایش مر او را کنید
“'Offer Him praise throughout the world, and offer Him your prayers when night falls;”
#25
که آن را که خواهد کند شوربخت
✦
یکی بی هنر برنشاند به تخت
“'For Whom He wills, He turns wretched, and one lacking merit He seats upon the throne.'”
#26
از این کوشش و پرسشت رای نیست
✦
که با داد او بنده را پای نیست
“'There is no place for questioning His decree, for no servant can contend against His justice.'”
#27
بباشم بدین رزمگه پنج روز
✦
ششم روز هرمزد گیتی فروز
“'I shall remain in this battlefield for five days; on the sixth day, the day of world-illuminating Hormozd,”
#28
برآید برانیم ز ایدر سپاه
✦
که او کین فزایست و ما کینه خواه
“'When dawn arrives, we shall march our army from here, for he increases malice and we seek revenge.'”
#29
بدین پنج روز اندر این رزمگاه
✦
همی کشته جستند ز ایران سپاه
“Throughout those five days upon the battlefield, the Iranian army searched for their fallen slain.”
#30
بشستند ایرانیان را ز گرد
✦
سزاوار هر یک یکی دخمه کرد
“They washed the battle-dust from the fallen Iranians, and erected a fitting tomb for every hero.”