When tidings reached King Goshtasp that Arjasp, the ruler of China and Turan, had mobilized his entire host and dispatched his heroic champion Khashash at the vanguard to devastate the fair realm of Iran, wrath and resolve filled the monarch’s chest. Without delay, Goshtasp commanded his chief captain at daybreak to deck the war-elephants and assemble the host. He penned urgent letters to all the border-lords and chieftains across the empire, declaring that the Khaqan had abandoned the paths of righteousness and breached the frontiers of Iran.
Upon receiving the royal missives, the noble warriors of the realm girded their loins for the Kianian King. From every corner of the land, an army gathered at the court so vast that its numbers surpassed the blades of grass upon the earth. Inspecting this boundless host, Goshtasp’s heart rejoiced and marvelled at their splendor. On the following day, flanked by his wise Mobads, elders, and army commanders, the King unsealed the ancient treasures accumulated since the reign of Jamshid, bestowing two full years of stipends and finest armor upon his soldiers.
To the thunder of war-drums and the blare of trumpets, the auspicious royal standard was raised high before the vanguard. The Iranian host set forth to confront Arjasp—a military spectacle the world had never before witnessed. So dense was the dust raised by their tramping hooves that bright day turned to pitch darkness; the roaring tumult of neighing steeds and wailing kettledrums deafened the sky. Countless banners fluttered while a forest of gleaming spears pierced the heavens like spring reeds, as King Goshtasp marched from realm to realm to crush the invading foe.
#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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.”