#1
به ره کنده پیش و پس اندر سپاه
✦
پس کنده با لشکر و پیل شاه
“A moat was dug along the path, with troops before and behind; behind the trench stood the King with his army and war-elephants.”
#2
سپهدار ترکان چو شب در شکست
✦
میان با سپه تاختن را ببست
“As night broke away, the leader of the Turanians girded his loins to charge forth with his host.”
#3
ز لشکر جهاندیدگان را بخواند
✦
ز کار گذشته فراوان براند
“He summoned the seasoned veterans of his army and spoke at length of past events.”
#4
چنین گفت کاین شوم پر کیمیا
✦
چنین خیره شد بر سپاه نیا
“He said: 'This ill-omened, sorcery-working foe has so insolently prevailed against the army of our ancestor!'”
#5
کنون جمله ایرانیان خفته‌اند
✦
همه لشکر ما برآشفته‌اند
“'Now all the Iranians lie asleep, while our entire army is troubled and restless.'”
#6
کنون ما ز دل بیم بیرون کنیم
✦
سحرگه بر ایشان شبیخون کنیم
“'Now we must cast fear out of our hearts and launch a night attack upon them at dawn.'”
#7
گر امشب بر ایشان بیابیم دست
✦
به بیشی ابر تخت باید نشست
“'If we gain the upper hand over them tonight, we shall sit upon the royal throne in triumph.'”
#8
وگر بختمان بر نگیرد فروغ
✦
همه چاره بادست و مردی دروغ
“'And if fortune shines not upon us, then all remedy is but wind, and manhood a lie.'”
#9
بر این برنهادند و برخاستند
✦
ز بهر شبیخون بیاراستند
“Upon this resolve they agreed and arose, equipping themselves for the surprise assault.”
#10
ز لشکر گزین کرد پنجه هزار
✦
جهاندیده مردان خنجرگزار
“From the army he selected fifty thousand battle-tested, dagger-wielding warriors.”
#11
برفتند کارآگهان پیش شاه
✦
جهاندیده مردان با فر و جاه
“Scouts went forth before the king—experienced men of splendour and rank.”
#12
ز کارآگهان آن که بد رهنمای
✦
بیامد به نزدیک پرده سرای
“He among the scouts who served as guide came near the royal pavilion.”
#13
به جایی غو پاسبانان ندید
✦
تو گفتی جهان سر به سر آرمید
“He heard no clamour of sentinels anywhere; as though the entire world had fallen fast asleep.”
#14
طلایه نه و آتش و باد نه
✦
ز توران کسی را به دل یاد نه
“Neither vanguard, nor watch-fire, nor wind; no one kept Turan in mind.”
#15
چو آن دید برگشت و آمد دوان
✦
کز ایشان کسی نیست روشن‌روان
“Seeing this, he turned and ran back, saying: 'Not one among them retains a bright mind!'”
#16
همه خفتگان سر به سر مرده‌اند
✦
وگر نه همه روز می خورده‌اند
“'All those sleeping men are as dead, or else they have been drinking wine all day long.'”
#17
به جایی طلایه پدیدار نیست
✦
کس آن خفتگان را نگهدار نیست
“'No advance guard is visible anywhere; no one guards those who lie sleeping.'”
#18
چو افراسیاب این سخنها شنود
✦
به دلش اندرون روشنایی فزود
“When Afrasiyab heard these words, light and hope expanded within his heart.”
#19
سپه را فرستاد و خود برنشست
✦
میان یلی تاختن را ببست
“He dispatched the army and mounted his steed, girding his heroic waist for the charge.”
#20
برفتند گردان چو دریای آب
✦
گرفتند بر تاختن بر شتاب
“The heroes surged forward like a stormy sea, hastening swiftly in their assault.”
#21
بر آن تاختن جنبش و ساز نه
✦
همان نالهٔ بوق و آواز نه
“In that charge there was no stir of gear, nor any sound of trumpets or voices.”
#22
چو رفتند نزدیک پرده سرای
✦
برآمد خروشیدن کرنای
“Yet as they drew near the pavilion, the blast of trumpets suddenly resounded!”
#23
غو طبل بر کوهه زین بخاست
✦
درفش سیه را برآورد راست
“The thunder of war-drums rose from the saddle-bows, and the Black Banner was raised straight high.”
#24
ز لشکر هر آن کس که بد پیشرو
✦
برانگیختند اسب و برخاست غو
“Every vanguard warrior in the army spurred his horse, and a great uproar erupted.”
#25
به کنده در افتاد چندی سوار
✦
بپیچید دیگر سر از کارزار
“A number of horsemen tumbled into the trench, while others turned back from the fight.”
#26
ز یک دست رستم برآمد ز دشت
✦
ز گرد سواران هوا تیره گشت
“From one side Rostam emerged from the plain; the sky turned dark with the dust of horsemen.”
#27
ز دست دگر گیو گودرز و طوس
✦
به پیش اندرون نالهٔ بوق و کوس
“From the other side came Giv, Goudarz, and Tos, preceded by the wail of trumpets and drums.”
#28
شهنشاه با کاویانی درفش
✦
هوا شد ز تیغ سواران بنفش
“The King of kings stood with the Kavian Banner; the air turned violet from the gleam of riders' blades.”
#29
برآمد ده و گیر و بر بند و کش
✦
نه با اسب تاب و نه با مرد هش
“Shouts of 'Strike!', 'Seize!', 'Bind!', and 'Slay!' arose; no horse had strength left, nor any man his senses.”
#30
از ایشان ز صد نامور ده بماند
✦
کسی را که بد اختر بد براند
“Out of a hundred illustrious warriors, scarce ten remained; bad fortune destroyed whomsoever it overtook.”
#31
چو آگاهی آمد بر این رزمگاه
✦
چنان خسته بد شاه توران سپاه
“When news of this battlefield arrived, the army of the King of Turan was so broken and wounded,”
#32
که از خستگی جمله گریان شدند
✦
ز درد دل شاه بریان شدند
“That from sheer affliction all wept bitterly, their hearts roasted with grief for their King.”
#33
چنین گفت کز گردش آسمان
✦
نیابد گذر دانشی بی‌گمان
“He spoke thus: 'Assuredly, no wisdom can escape the decree of the turning heavens.'”
#34
چو دشمن همی جان بسیچد نه چیز
✦
بکوشیم ناچار یک دست نیز
“'Since the enemy seeks our very life and nothing less, we must perforce strive together once more.'”
#35
اگر سر به سر تن به کشتن دهیم
✦
وگر ایرجی تاج بر سر نهیم
“'Whether we all yield our bodies to slaughter, or place the crown of Iraj upon our head.'”
#36
برآمد خروش از دو پرده‌سرای
✦
جهان پر شد از نالهٔ کرنای
“A mighty clamor arose from both royal encampments, and the wide world was filled with the wailing of war trumpets.”
#37
گرفتند ژوپین و خنجر به کف
✦
کشیدند لشکر سه فرسنگ صف
“Grasping javelins and daggers in their hands, the hosts drew up battle lines stretching three parasangs long.”
#38
به کردار دریا شد آن رزمگاه
✦
نه خورشید تابنده روشن نه ماه
“That battlefield turned into a tempestuous sea; neither the radiant sun nor the moon gave any light.”
#39
سپاه اندر آمد همی فوج فوج
✦
بر آن سان که برخیزد از باد موج
“The armies surged forward, host after host, swirling like mighty waves churned by fierce winds.”
#40
در و دشت گفتی همه خون شدست
✦
خور از چرخ گردنده بیرون شدست
“Valley and plain seemed thoroughly soaked in blood, as though the sun had vanished from the revolving sky.”
#41
کسی را نبد بر تن خویش مهر
✦
به قیر اندر اندود گفتی سپهر
“No warrior cherished his own life, while the heavens above seemed smeared with pitch black dust.”
#42
همانگه برآمد یکی تیره باد
✦
که هرگز ندارد کسی آن به یاد
“Suddenly a dark, violent wind blew forth, the like of which no living soul could recall.”
#43
همی خاک برداشت از رزمگاه
✦
بزد بر سر و چشم توران سپاه
“It swept up dense clouds of dust from the field and hurled them straight into the faces and eyes of the Turanian host.”
#44
ز سرها همی ترگها برگرفت
✦
بماند اندر آن شاه ترکان شگفت
“It tore heavy helmets right off their heads, leaving the King of the Turks bewildered in total astonishment.”
#45
همه دشت مغز سر و خون گرفت
✦
دل سنگ رنگ طبرخون گرفت
“The entire plain was strewn with brains and gore; even the hard heart of flint absorbed the crimson hue of blood.”
#46
سواران توران که روز درنگ
✦
زبون داشتندی شکار پلنگ
“The Turanian horsemen who, in quiet days of hunting, easily subdued ferocious leopards,”
#47
ندیدند با چرخ گردان نبرد
✦
همی خاک برداشت از دشت مرد
“Found themselves helpless against revolving Fate, as the wind lifted dust and warriors alike from the earth.”
#48
چو کیخسرو آن خاک و آن باد دید
✦
دل و بخت ایرانیان شاد دید
“When Kay Khosrow witnessed that dust and divine wind, seeing the spirits and fortune of the Iranians exalted,”
#49
ابا رستم و گیو گودرز و طوس
✦
ز پشت سپاه اندر آورد کوس
“Along with Rostam, Gev, Goudarz, and Tous, he ordered the giant war drums sounded from the rear of the army.”
#50
دهاده برآمد ز قلب سپاه
✦
ز یک دست رستم ز یک دست شاه
“A thunderous cry broke out from the army's center—Rostam charging from one flank and the Shah from the other.”
#51
شد اندر هوا گرد بر سان میغ
✦
چه میغی که باران او تیر و تیغ
“A cloud of dust mounted high into the air—a dark storm cloud whose rain was sharp arrows and flashing swords!”
#52
تلی کشته هر جای چون کوه کوه
✦
زمین گشته از خون ایشان ستوه
“Mountainous heaps of slain warriors lay everywhere, and the heavy earth groaned beneath the torrents of their blood.”
#53
هوا گشت چون چادر نیلگون
✦
زمین شد به کردار دریای خون
“The sky turned dark like an indigo veil, while the ground became a rushing sea of gore.”
#54
ز تیر آسمان شد چو پر عقاب
✦
نگه کرد خیره سر افراسیاب
“Thick with arrows, the sky resembled an eagle's wing; soundly defeated, Afrasiab stared around in utter dismay.”
#55
بدید آن درفشان درفش بنفش
✦
نهان کرد بر قلبگه بر درفش
“Beholding Iran's resplendent purple banner, he hastily lowered and hid his royal flag in the center.”
#56
سپه را رده بر کشیده بماند
✦
خود و نامداران توران براند
“Leaving his army drawn up in static ranks, he fled the battleground accompanied by Turan's greatest chieftains.”
#57
ز خویشان شایسته مردی هزار
✦
به نزدیک او بود در کارزار
“A thousand noble kinsmen of proved valor had stood beside him in that fierce encounter.”
#58
به بیراه راه بیابان گرفت
✦
به رنج تن از دشمنان جان گرفت
“He took desert tracks off the beaten path, saving his own life from enemies at the cost of immense toil.”
#59
ز لشکر نیا را همی جست شاه
✦
بیامد دمان تا به قلب سپاه
“The Shah sought his maternal grandfather among the ranks, charging furiously into the very center of the enemy host.”
#60
ز هر سوی پویید و چندی شتافت
✦
نشانی پی شاه توران نیافت
“He scoured every corner and rode hard in pursuit, yet found no trace of the King of Turan's flight.”
#61
سپه چون نگه کرد در قلبگاه
✦
ندیدند جایی درفش سیاه
“When the Turanian host looked toward their central command, they saw their black banner nowhere in sight.”
#62
ز شه خواستند آن زمان زینهار
✦
فروریختند آلت کارزار
“They instantly begged the Shah for quarter and cast down their weapons of war upon the ground.”
#63
چو خسرو چنان دید بنواختشان
✦
ز لشکر جدا جایگه ساختشان
“When Khosrow saw their surrender, he treated them with clemency and assigned them quarters apart from his army.”
#64
بفرمود تا تخت زرین نهند
✦
به خیمه در آرایش چین نهند
“He commanded a golden throne to be erected and the royal tent adorned with Chinese finery.”
#65
می‌آورد و رامشگران را بخواند
✦
ز لشکر فراوان سران را بخواند
“Wine was brought forth, minstrels were summoned, and many commanders of the army were called to celebrate.”
#66
شبی کرد جشنی که تا روز پاک
✦
همی مرده برخاست از تیره خاک
“He held a feast that night lasting until pure daybreak, so joyous it seemed to raise the dead from the dark earth.”
#67
چو خورشید بر چرخ بنمود پشت
✦
شب تیره شد از نمودن درشت
“When the sun turned its back upon the heavens, the murky night displayed its dark, stern majesty.”
#68
شهنشاه ایران سر و تن بشست
✦
یکی جایگاه پرستش بجست
“The Shahanshah of Iran washed his head and body and sought a secluded place of worship.”
#69
کز ایرانیان کس مر او را ندید
✦
نه دام و دد آوای ایشان شنید
“He withdrew so quietly that no Iranian caught sight of him, nor could wild beast or cattle hear their voice.”
#70
ز شبگرد تا ماه بر چرخ ساج
✦
به سر بر نهاد آن دل‌افروز تاج
“From the first night watch until the moon shone on the dark sky, he kept that heart-delighting crown upon his head.”
#71
ستایش همی کرد بر کردگار
✦
از آن شادمان گردش روزگار
“He offered praise unto the Creator for the joyful turn of fortune's wheel.”
#72
فراوان بمالید بر خاک روی
✦
به رخ بر نهاد از دو دیده دو جوی
“He pressed his face repeatedly upon the earth, shedding tears from both his eyes that flowed like twin streams down his cheeks.”
#73
وز آنجا بیامد سوی تاج و تخت
✦
خرامان و شادان دل و نیکبخت
“Thence he returned toward the throne and crown, walking gracefully, with a joyful heart and blessed with good fortune.”
#74
از ایرانیان هرکه افگنده بود
✦
اگر کشته بودند گر زنده بود
“As for all the Iranians who had been struck down, whether they were fallen dead or still among the living,”
#75
از آن خاک آورد برداشتند
✦
تن دشمنان خوار بگذاشتند
“They gathered them from the battlefield, while leaving the corpses of the enemy behind in disgrace.”
#76
همه رزمگه دخمه‌ها ساختند
✦
از آن کشتگان چون بپرداختند
“Across the battlefield they raised tombs for their dead, once they had finished caring for the fallen.”
#77
ز چیزی که بود اندر آن رزمگاه
✦
ببخشید شاه جهان بر سپاه
“Of all the spoils that lay upon the battlefield, the King of the World bestowed his bounty upon the army.”
#78
وز آنجا بشد شاه به بهشت گنگ
✦
همه لشکر آباد با ساز جنگ
“From there the king set out for Gang-Dezh—a paradise on earth—with his whole army prosperous and fully equipped for war.”
#79
چو آگاهی آمد به ماچین و چین
✦
ز ترکان وز شاه ایران زمین
“When news reached Machin and China concerning the Turks and the Shah of Iran's domain,”
#80
بپیچید فغفور و خاقان به درد
✦
ز تخت مهی هر کسی یاد کرد
“The Faghfur and the Khaqan writhed in anguish, each recalling with fear the precariousness of their grand thrones.”
#81
وز آن یاوریها پشیمان شدند
✦
پراندیشه دل سوی درمان شدند
“They repented of the aid they had rendered Afrasiab, and with anxious hearts sought a remedy for their plight.”
#82
همی گفت فغفور کافراسیاب
✦
از این پس نبیند بزرگی به خواب
“The Faghfur declared, 'Henceforth Afrasiab shall not behold grandeur even in his dreams!”
#83
ز لشکر فرستادن و خواسته
✦
شود کار ما بی‌گمان کاسته
“By sending him troops and treasure, our own affairs will undoubtedly be ruined and diminished.”
#84
پشیمانی آمد همه بهر ما
✦
کز این کار ویران شود شهر ما
“Naught but regret has become our lot, for this deed shall bring ruin upon our land.'”
#85
ز چین و ختن هدیه‌ها ساختند
✦
بدان کار گنجی بپرداختند
“They prepared splendid gifts from China and Khotan, spending vast treasures for this purpose.”
#86
فرستاده‌ای نیک‌دل را بخواند
✦
سخنهای شایسته چندی براند
“He summoned a good-natured envoy and delivered many fitting words of wisdom to him.”
#87
یکی مرد بد نیک‌دل نیک خواه
✦
فرستاد فغفور نزدیک شاه
“A man he was, virtuous and benevolent; thus did the Faghfur dispatch him unto the Shah.”
#88
طرایف به چین اندرون آنچه بود
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر نابسود
“Carrying whatever rare treasures China possessed, from gold dinars to unpierced gems.”
#89
به پوزش فرستاد نزدیک شاه
✦
فرستادگان برگرفتند راه
“These he sent as an apology to the Shah, and the envoys set forth upon their journey.”
#90
بزرگان چین بی‌درنگ آمدند
✦
به یک هفته از چین به گنگ آمدند
“The nobles of China traveled without delay, arriving within a week from China at Gang-Dezh.”
#91
جهاندار پیروز بنواختشان
✦
چنانچون ببایست بنشاختشان
“The victorious world-ruler received them with favor, seating them with all due honor and royal protocol.”
#92
بپذرفت چیزی که آورده بود
✦
طرایف بد و بدره و پرده بود
“He accepted all that they had brought—rare novelties, bags of money, and precious woven tapestries.”
#93
فرستاده را گفت کو را بگوی
✦
که خیره بر ما مبر آبروی
“He said to the envoy: 'Tell thy sovereign, "Do not vainly jeopardize thy honor before us!”
#94
نباید که نزد تو افراسیاب
✦
بیاید شب تیره هنگام خواب
“Beware lest Afrasiab take shelter with thee in the dark night when men are asleep!"'”
#95
فرستاده برگشت و آمد چو باد
✦
به فغفور یکسر پیامش بداد
“The envoy returned, swift as the wind, and delivered the Shah's message entirely unto the Faghfur.”
#96
چو بشنید فغفور هنگام خواب
✦
فرستاد کس نزد افراسیاب
“When Faghfur heard this warning, he forthwith dispatched a messenger unto Afrasiab,”
#97
که از من ز چین و ختن دور باش
✦
ز بد کردن خویش رنجور باش
“Saying, 'Keep thy distance from me, from China, and from Khotan! Suffer now the consequences of thy evil deeds.”
#98
هر آن کس که او گم کند راه خویش
✦
بد آید بداندیش را کار پیش
“Whosoever strayeth from the righteous path shall find evil awaiting his evil thoughts.'”
#99
چو بشنید افراسیاب این سخن
✦
پشیمان شد از کرده‌های کهن
“When Afrasiab heard these words, he repented of all his former deeds.”
#100
بیفگند نام مهی جان گرفت
✦
به بیراه، راه بیابان گرفت
“Casting off his royal pride to save his life, he fled along trackless desert paths.”
#101
چو با درد و با رنج و غم دید روز
✦
بیامد دمان تا به کوه اسپروز
“Enduring days filled with pain, anguish, and grief, he hastened onward until he reached Mount Espruz.”
#102
ز بدخواه روز و شب اندیشه کرد
✦
شب و روز را دل یکی پیشه کرد
“Day and night he fretted over his enemy, making grief his heart's sole companion through night and day.”
#103
بیامد ز چین تا به آب زره
✦
میان سوده از رنج و بند گره
“He journeyed from China all the way to the Sea of Zareh, his body worn thin from toil and hardship.”
#104
چو نزدیک آن ژرف دریا رسید
✦
مر آن را میان و کرانه ندید
“When he drew near that deep sea, he could behold neither its center nor its distant shore.”
#105
بدو گفت ملاح کای شهریار
✦
بدین ژرف دریا نیابی گذار
“The sailor said to him, 'O King! Thou shalt find no crossing through this fathomless sea.'”
#106
مرا سالیان هست هفتاد و هشت
✦
ندیدم که کشتی بر او بر گذشت
“For seventy and eight years I have dwelt here, yet never have I seen a ship sail across these waters.”
#107
بدو گفت پر مایه افراسیاب
✦
که فرخ کسی کو بمیرد در آب
“The noble Afrasiyab replied to him: 'Fortunate is he whose life ends in the waters!'”
#108
مرا چون به شمشیر دشمن نکشت
✦
چنانچون نکشتش نگیرد به مشت
“Since the enemy’s blade failed to strike me down, he cannot easily grasp a man who survived his sword.”
#109
بفرمود تا مهتران هر کسی
✦
به آب اندر آرند کشتی بسی
“He commanded all his chieftains to launch numerous ships into the deep waters.”
#110
سوی گنگ دژ بادبان برکشید
✦
به نیک و بدیها سر اندر کشید
“He raised the sails toward Gang-Dezh, turning his mind away from all the world's fortunes and woes.”
#111
چو آن جایگه شد بخفت و بخورد
✦
برآسود از روزگار نبرد
“When he reached that stronghold, he ate and slept, taking rest at last from the turmoil of battle.”
#112
چنین گفت کایدر بباشیم شاد
✦
ز کار گذشته نگیریم یاد
“He said: 'Here let us be joyful and dwell no more on the trials of the past.'”
#113
چو روشن شود تیره گون اخترم
✦
به کشتی بر آب زره بگذرم
“When my dark star shines brightly once more, I shall cross the Sea of Zereh by ship.”
#114
ز دشمن بخواهم همان کین خویش
✦
درفشان کنم راه و آیین خویش
“I shall exact my vengeance upon the foe and cause my path and traditions to shine glorious again.”
#115
چو کیخسرو آگاه شد ز این سخن
✦
که کار نو آورد مرد کهن
“When Kay Khosrow learned of these tidings—that the old king had initiated a fresh design—”
#116
به رستم چنین گفت کافراسیاب
✦
سوی گنگ دژ شد ز دریای آب
“He spoke thus to Rostam: 'Afrasiyab has crossed the sea and departed toward Gang-Dezh!'”
#117
به کردار کرد آنچه با ما بگفت
✦
که ما را سپهر بلندست جفت
“He has done exactly as he boasted to us, claiming that the high heavens are his ally.”
#118
به کشتی به آب زره برگذشت
✦
همه رنج ما سر به سر باد گشت
“He has crossed the Sea of Zereh by boat, and all our labor has turned completely to dust.”
#119
مرا با نیا جز به خنجر سخن
✦
نباشد نگردانم این کین کهن
“I shall speak to my grandfather only with the dagger's blade; I will not relent in this ancient grudge.”
#120
به نیروی یزدان پیروزگر
✦
ببندم به کین سیاوش کمر
“By the power of God the Victorious, I gird my loins to avenge Siyavash.”
#121
همه چین و ماچین سپه گسترم
✦
به دریای کیماک بر بگذرم
“I will deploy my army across all Chin and Machin, and sail across the Sea of Kimak.”
#122
چو گردد مرا راست ماچین و چین
✦
بخواهیم باژی ز مکران زمین
“When Chin and Machin are firmly under my command, we shall demand tribute from the land of Makran.”
#123
به آب زره بگذرانم سپاه
✦
اگر چرخ گردان بود نیک‌خواه
“I shall lead my troops across the Sea of Zereh, if fortune and the revolving heaven prove favorable.”
#124
اگر چند جایی درنگ آیدم
✦
مگر مرد خونی به چنگ آیدم
“Though I may be delayed in some places, it is all so that the bloodthirsty murderer may be brought into my grasp.”
#125
شما رنج بسیار برداشتید
✦
بر و بوم آباد بگذاشتید
“You have endured immense hardship and left behind your prosperous homeland.”
#126
همین رنج بر خویشتن برنهید
✦
از آن به که گیتی به دشمن دهید
“Bear this burden upon yourselves once more, for it is far better than surrendering the world to the foe.”
#127
بماند ز ما نام تا رستخیز
✦
به پیروزی و دشمن اندر گریز
“Our name shall endure until the Day of Resurrection—blessed with victory, while the enemy flees before us.”
#128
شدند اندر آن پهلوانان دژم
✦
دهان پر ز باد ابروان پر زخم
“At these words, the heroes grew somber and grieved, their breaths caught with anguish, their brows furrowed with gloom.”
#129
که دریای با موج و چندین سپاه
✦
سر و کار با باد و شش ماه راه
“They mused: 'A stormy sea, such a vast host, fighting against heavy winds and a journey of six months!'”
#130
که داند که بیرون که آید ز آب
✦
بد آمد سپه را ز افراسیاب
“'Who knows who shall emerge alive from the waters? Evil has indeed befallen the army because of Afrasiyab!'”
#131
چو خشکی بود ما به جنگ اندریم
✦
به دریا به کام نهنگ اندریم
“'On dry land we are trapped in battle; at sea, we are thrown into the jaws of the crocodile!'”
#132
همی گفت هر گونه‌ای هر کسی
✦
بدانگه که گفتارها شد بسی
“Everyone spoke in various ways, until the murmurs and council grew long and full of strife.”
#133
همی گفت رستم که ای مهتران
✦
جهان دیده و رنجبرده سران
“Then Rostam spoke out, saying: 'O noble chiefs, experienced world-travelers and battle-tested leaders!'”
#134
نباید که این رنج بی بر شود
✦
به ناز و تن آسانی اندر شود
“'We must not let all this hardship come to naught, nor yield to luxury and self-indulgence.'”
#135
و دیگر که این شاه پیروزگر
✦
بیابد همی ز اختر نیک بر
“'Moreover, this victorious king continually reaps rich rewards from his auspicious star.'”
#136
از ایران برفتیم تا پیش گنگ
✦
ندیدیم جز چنگ یازان به جنگ
“'From Iran we marched all the way to Gang, encountering none save fierce warriors reaching out to fight.'”
#137
ز کاری که سازد همی برخورد
✦
بدین آمد و هم بدین بگذرد
“'He shall reap the fruits of whatever work he undertakes; in this spirit he came, and in this spirit he shall triumph.'”
#138
چو بشنید لشکر ز رستم سخن
✦
یکی پاسخ نو فگندند بن
“When the host heard these words from Rostam, they laid the foundation for a new resolve and response:”
#139
که ما سر به سر شاه را بنده‌ایم
✦
ابا بندگی دوست دارنده‌ایم
“'We are all, to a man, the devoted servants of the king, and in our servitude we take great delight.'”
#140
به خشکی و بر آب فرمان وراست
✦
همه کهترانیم و پیمان وراست
“'On dry land and upon the water, his command is supreme; we are all his subordinates, and our allegiance to him is steadfast.'”
#141
از آن شاد شد شاه و بنواختشان
✦
یکایک به اندازه بنشاختشان
“The king rejoiced at this and bestowed favor upon them, seating each one according to his rank and stature.”
#142
در گنجهای نیا برگشاد
✦
ز پیوند و مهرش نکرد ایچ یاد
“He threw open the doors to his ancestor’s treasures, harboring no thought for ties of blood or former love.”
#143
ز دینار و دیبای گوهرنگار
✦
هیونان شایسته کردند بار
“With gold coins and jewel-studded silks, sturdy noble camels were heavily laden.”
#144
همیدون ز گنج درم صد هزار
✦
ببردند با آلت کارزار
“Likewise, from the treasury of silver, a hundred thousand coins were taken, together with the implements of war.”
#145
ز گاوان گردون کشان ده هزار
✦
ببردند تا خود کی آید به کار
“Ten thousand wagon-pulling oxen were brought forth, to be put to use as needed in times ahead.”
#146
هیونان ز گنج درم ده هزار
✦
بسی بار کردند با شهریار
“Ten thousand noble camels were laden with loads of silver coins to accompany the king.”
#147
بفرمود زان پس به هنگام خواب
✦
که پوشیده رویان افراسیاب
“Thereafter, at the hour of rest, he commanded that the veiled women of Afrasiyab's court,”
#148
ز خویشان و پیوند چندان که هست
✦
اگر دخترانند اگر زیردست
“All his relatives and kin that were present—be they daughters or lesser maidens—”
#149
همه در عماری به راه آوردند
✦
ز ایوان به میدان شاه آوردند
“Be brought forth in litters upon the road, moving from the palace to the royal square.”
#150
دو از نامداران گردنکشان
✦
که بودند هر یک به مردی نشان
“Likewise, two of the famous, proud lords, each renowned for his prowess in battle,”
#151
چو جهن و چو گرسیوز ارجمند
✦
به مهد اندرون پای کرده به بند
“Namely Jah fully bound alongside noble Garsivaz, their feet in fetters within the closed litters,”
#152
همه خویش و پیوند افراسیاب
✦
ز تیمارشان دیده کرده پر آب
“All of Afrasiyab’s kinsmen wept with heavy hearts, their eyes filled with tears of sorrow.”
#153
نواها که از شهرها یادگار
✦
گروگان ستد ترک چینی هزار
“And a thousand hostages of the Chinese Turks, kept as precious security from various cities,”
#154
سپرد آن زمان گیو را شهریار
✦
گزین کرد ز ایرانیان ده هزار
“The king then entrusted them to Giv, selecting ten thousand chosen warriors from the Iranians to escort them.”
#155
بدو گفت کای مرد فرخنده پی
✦
برو با سپه پیش کاووس کی
“He said to him: "O man of auspicious step! Go now with this force unto Kay Kavus."”