#1
چو آگاهی آمد به گشتاسپ شاه
✦
که سالار چین جملگی با سپاه
“When word reached King Goshtasp that the ruler of China had set out with his entire host,”
#2
بیاراسته آمد از جای خویش
✦
خشاش یلش را فرستاد پیش
“Fully prepared from his own domain, having sent forward his heroic champion Khashash ahead,”
#3
چو بشنید کو رفت با لشکرش
✦
که ویران کند آن نکو کشورش
“When he heard that Arjasp had marched with his army to devastate that fair realm,”
#4
سپهبدش را گفت فردا پگاه
✦
بیارای پیل و بیاور سپاه
“He said to his commander: 'Tomorrow at early dawn, equip the war-elephants and bring forth the army.'”
#5
سوی مرزدارانش نامه نوشت
✦
که خاقان ره راد مردی بهشت
“He wrote letters to his frontier lords, saying: 'The Khaqan has abandoned the path of noble chivalry.'”
#6
بیایید یکسر به درگاه من
✦
که بر مرز بگذشت بد خواه من
“'Come all together to my court, for my adversary has crossed the border.'”
#7
چو نامه سوی راد مردان رسید
✦
که آمد جهانجوی دشمن پدید
“When the letters reached the noble lords, announcing that the world-seeking enemy had appeared,”
#8
سپاهی بیامد به درگاه شاه
✦
که چندان نبد بر زمین بر گیاه
“An army assembled at the King's court, more numerous than the grass upon the earth.”
#9
ز بهر جهانگیر شاه کیان
✦
ببستند گردان گیتی میان
“For the sake of the world-conquering Kianian King, the champions of the world girded their loins.”
#10
به درگاه خسرو نهادند روی
✦
همه مرزداران به فرمان اوی
“All the border-lords turned their faces toward the King's court, obedient to his command.”
#11
برین برنیامد بسی روزگار
✦
که گرد از گزیده هزاران هزار
“Before long, dust arose from chosen troops in their tens of thousands.”
#12
فراز آمده بود مر شاه را
✦
کی نامدار و نکو خواه را
“They gathered before the King—that renowned and benevolent sovereign.”
#13
به لشکرگه آمد سپه را بدید
✦
که شایسته بد رزم را برگزید
“He came to the encampment and inspected the host, selecting those who were fit for battle.”
#14
ازان شادمان گشت فرخنده شاه
✦
دلش خیره آمد زبی مر سپاه
“The blessed King rejoiced at the sight, his heart marveling at the boundless army.”
#15
دگر روز گشتاسپ با موبدان
✦
ردان و بزرگان و اسپهبدان
“The next day, Goshtasp, together with the Mobads, chieftains, elders, and army commanders,”
#16
گشاد آن در گنج پر کرده جم
✦
سپه را بداد او دو ساله درم
“Opened the treasury filled by Jamshid and distributed two years' pay to the army.”
#17
چو روزی ببخشید و جوشن بداد
✦
بزد نای و کوس و بنه بر نهاد
“When he had distributed their stipends and armor, he sounded the pipes and kettledrums and packed the baggage train.”
#18
بفرمود بردن ز پیش سپاه
✦
درفش همایون فرخنده شاه
“He commanded the auspicious royal banner of the blessed King to be borne ahead of the host.”
#19
سوی رزم ارجاسپ لشکر کشید
✦
سپاهی که هرگز چنان کس ندید
“He marched his army to battle Arjasp—an army such as no man had ever seen before.”
#20
ز تاریکی و گرد پای سپاه
✦
کسی روز روشن ندید ایچ راه
“From the darkness and the dust raised by the troops' feet, none could behold bright day along the way.”
#21
ز بس بانگ اسپان و از بس خروش
✦
همی نالهٔ کوس نشنید گوش
“From the sheer whinnying of horses and the continuous roar, the ear could scarcely hear the wail of the drums.”
#22
درفش فراوان برافراشته
✦
همه نیزه‌ها ز ابر بگذاشته
“Countless banners were raised high, and all their spears pierced beyond the clouds.”
#23
چو رسته درخت از بر کوهسار
✦
چو بیشه نیستان به وقت بهار
“Like a forest of trees grown upon the mountain slope, or a dense reed bed in spring time.”
#24
ازین سان همی رفت گشتاسپ شاه
✦
ز کشور به کشور همی شد سپاه
“In this manner King Goshtasp marched forth, while his army passed from country to country.”