#1
چو اندر گذشت آن شب و بود روز
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بتابید خورشید گیهان فروز
“When that night passed away and day arrived, the world-illuminating sun began to shine.”
#2
به زین بر نشستند هر دو سپاه
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همی دید زان کوه گشتاسپ شاه
“Both armies mounted their steeds, while King Goshtasp watched from atop the mountain.”
#3
چو از کوه دید آن شه بافرین
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کجا برنشستند گردان به زین
“When the glorious king saw from the mountain how the champions leaped into their saddles,”
#4
سیه رنگ بهزاد را پیش خواست
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تو گفتی که بیستونست راست
“He called for his black steed Behzad, which looked as grand as Mount Bisotun itself.”
#5
برو بر فگندند برگستوان
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برو بر نشست آن شه خسروان
“They cast heavy battle armor upon the steed, and that king of monarchs mounted him.”
#6
چو هر دو برابر فرود آمدند
✦
ابر پیل بر نای رویین زدند
“When both armies descended face to face, they beat the brass clarions upon the elephants.”
#7
یکی رزمگاهی بیاراستند
✦
یلان هم نبردان همی خواستند
“They arrayed a mighty battlefield, and the warriors called out for single combat.”
#8
بکردند یک تیرباران نخست
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بسان تگرگ بهاران درست
“First they unleashed a shower of arrows, falling thick like spring hail.”
#9
بشد آفتاب از جهان ناپدید
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چه داند کسی کان شگفتی ندید
“The sun vanished from the heavens; none can comprehend who has not witnessed such a marvel.”
#10
بپوشیده شد چشمهٔ آفتاب
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ز پیکانهاشان درفشان چو آب
“The bright orb of the sun was hidden behind their arrowheads, glittering like sparkling water.”
#11
تو گفتی جهان ابر دارد همی
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وزان ابر الماس بارد همی
“You would say the sky held a dark cloud, and from that cloud rained sharp diamond blades.”
#12
وزان گرزداران و نیزه‌وران
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همی تاختند آن برین این بران
“And the mace-bearers and spearmen charged across, attacking from both sides.”
#13
هوازی جهان بود شبگون شده
✦
زمین سربسر پاک گلگون شده
“The atmosphere turned dark as night, and the ground became completely crimson with blood.”
#14
بیامد نخست آن سوار هژیر
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پس شهریار جهان اردشیر
“First came that valiant rider, Ardashir, son of the ruler of the world.”
#15
به آوردگه رفت نیزه به دست
✦
تو گفتی مگر طوس اسپهبدست
“He entered the arena spear in hand, looking like General Tus himself.”
#16
برین سان همی گشت پیش سپاه
✦
نبود آگه از بخش خورشید و ماه
“Thus he paraded before the army, unaware of the decree of fate written in the stars.”
#17
بیامد یکی ناوکش بر میان
✦
گذارنده شد بر سلیح کیان
“An arrow struck him straight in the waist, piercing through his royal armor.”
#18
ز بور اندر افتاد خسرو نگون
✦
تن پاکش آلوده شد پر ز خون
“The prince fell headlong from his chestnut horse, his pure body completely stained with blood.”
#19
دریغ آن نکو روی همرنگ ماه
✦
که بازش ندید آن خردمند شاه
“Alas for that handsome youth, bright as the moon, whom that wise king never saw again!”
#20
بیامد بر شاه شیر اورمزد
✦
کجا زو گرفتی شهنشاه پزد
“Then stepped forward lion-hearted Hormozd, whom the Shahanshah held so dear.”
#21
ز پیش اندر آمد به دشت اندرا
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به زهر آب داده یکی خنجرا
“He stepped out onto the plain, holding a dagger tempered in poison.”
#22
خروشی برآورد برسان شیر
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که آورد خواهد ژیان گور زیر
“He uttered a roar like a lion that is about to bring down a fierce wild ass.”
#23
ابر کین آن شاهزاده سوار
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بکشت از سواران دشمن هزار
“To avenge that fallen royal prince, he slew a thousand of the enemy riders.”
#24
به هنگامهٔ بازگشتن ز جنگ
✦
که روی زمین گشته بد لاله رنگ
“When he was returning from the battle, as the ground had turned red as tulips,”
#25
بیامد یکی تیرش اندر قفا
✦
شد آن خسرو شاهزاده فنا
“An arrow struck him from behind, and that noble prince perished.”
#26
بیامد پسش باز شیدسپ شاه
✦
که مانندهٔ شاه بد همچو ماه
“After him came King Shidasp, who resembled a monarch and shone like the moon.”
#27
یکی دیزه‌ای بر نشسته چو نیل
✦
به تگ همچو آهو به تن همچو پیل
“He was mounted on a dark steed as black as the Nile, fast as a gazelle and massive as an elephant.”
#28
به آوردگه گشت و نیزه بگاشت
✦
چو لختی بگردید نیزه بداشت
“He circled the battlefield and brandished his spear; after wheeling about, he raised his spear high.”
#29
کدامست گفتا کهرم سترگ
✦
کجا پیکرش پیکر پیر گرگ
“He cried out: "Which one is the mighty Kahram, whose shape is like an old wolf?"”
#30
بیامد یکی دیو گفتا منم
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که با گرسنه شیر دندان زنم
“A demon-like Turk came forward and said: "I am he who clashes teeth even with a hungry lion!"”
#31
به نیزه بگشتند هر دو چو باد
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بزد ترک را نیزهٔ شاهزاد
“Both wound their spears like the wind; the royal prince struck the Turkic champion.”
#32
ز باره در آورد و ببرید سر
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به خاک اندر افگنده زرین کمر
“He dragged him from his horse and severed his head, throwing his golden belt into the dust.”
#33
همی گشت بر پیش گردان چین
✦
بسان یکی کوه بر پشت زین
“He paraded before the warriors of China, like a mountain standing upon the saddle.”
#34
همانا چنو نیز دیده ندید
✦
ز خوبی کجا بود چشمش رسید
“Truly none had seen a hero like him; alas, an evil eye fell upon his peerless beauty.”
#35
یکی ترک تیری برو برگماشت
✦
ز پشتش سر تیر بیرون گذاشت
“A Turanian archer aimed an arrow at him; the arrowhead pierced through his back.”
#36
دریغ آن شه پروریده به ناز
✦
بشد روی او باب نادیده باز
“Alas for that prince raised in luxury; his father never again looked upon his face!”