#1
پس آگاهی آمد به اسفندیار
✦
که کشته شد آن شاه نیزه گزار
“News came to Esfandiyar that the spear-wielding prince had been slain.”
#2
پدرت از غم او بکاهد همی
✦
کنون کین او خواست خواهد همی
“His father was consumed by grief over his loss and now sought fierce vengeance.”
#3
همی گوید آنکس کجاکین اوی
✦
بخواهد نهد پیش دشمنش روی
“He proclaimed that whoever should avenge Zarir and step forth against the foe,”
#4
مر او را دهم دخترم را همای
✦
وکرد ایزدش را برین بر گوای
“Would receive his daughter Homay in marriage, taking God as witness to this solemn vow.”
#5
کی نامور دست بر دست زد
✦
بنالید ازان روزگاران بد
“When that illustrious prince heard this, he clapped his hands in sorrow and wept for the evil turn of time.”
#6
همه ساله زین روز ترسیدمی
✦
چو او را به رزم اندرون دیدمی
“'All year long I feared this dark day whenever I saw him fighting in the battle,' he cried.”
#7
دریغا سوارا گوا مهترا
✦
که بختش جدا کرد تاج از سرا
“'Alas for that valiant knight, that noble leader, whose crown has been severed from his head by fate!'”
#8
که کشت آن سیه پیل نستوه را
✦
که کند از زمین آهنین کوه را
“'Who could have slain that unyielding black elephant who could tear iron mountains from the earth?'”
#9
درفش و سرلشکر و جای خویش
✦
برادرش را داد و خود رفت پیش
“He passed his banner, the army's command, and his position to his brother, and advanced to the front himself.”
#10
به قلب اندر آمد به جای زریر
✦
به صف اندر استاد چون نره شیر
“He stepped into the heart of the battle, taking Zarir's place, standing in line like a fierce lion.”
#11
به پیش اندر آمد میان را ببست
✦
گرفت آن درفش همایون به دست
“He stepped forward, girt his waist, and took that blessed, auspicious banner into his hand.”
#12
برادرش بد پنج دانسته راه
✦
همه از در تاج و همتای شاه
“He had five brothers skilled in the path, all worthy of crowns and equal to kings.”
#13
همه ایستادند در پیش اوی
✦
که لشکر شکستن بدی کیش اوی
“They all stood before him, heroes whose creed was breaking the enemy host.”
#14
به آزادگان گفت پیش سپاه
✦
که ای نامداران و گردان شاه
“He spoke to the freeborn chieftains before the army: 'O renowned warriors and king's champions!”
#15
نگر تا چه گویم یکی بشنوید
✦
به دین خدای جهان بگروید
“Hearken to what I say: believe in the sacred faith of the God of the World!”
#16
نگر تا نترسید از مرگ و چیز
✦
که کس بی‌زمانه نمردست نیز
“Fear neither death nor loss, for no one dies before their appointed hour has arrived!”
#17
کرا کشت خواهد همی روزگار
✦
چه نیکوتر از مرگ در کارزار
“If fate decrees one's death, what is more glorious than falling upon the battlefield?”
#18
بدانید یکسر که روزیست این
✦
که کافر پدید آید از پاک دین
“Know that today is the day of trial, when the infidel shall be severed from the pure of faith!”
#19
شما از پس پشتها منگرید
✦
مجویید فریاد و سر مشمرید
“Look not behind you, seek no cry for aid, and hold not your lives in trembling count!”
#20
نگر تا نبینید بگریختن
✦
نگر تا نترسید ز آویختن
“See that you flee not from battle, nor fear engaging in the fierce combat!”
#21
سر نیزه‌ها را به رزم افگنید
✦
زمانی بکوشید و مردی کنید
“Hurl your spearpoints into the fray, fight bravely for a space, and display your chivalry!'”
#22
بدین اندرون بود اسفندیار
✦
که بانگ پدرش آمد از کوهسار
“While Esfandiyar spoke thus, his father's voice resounded from the mountain heights:”
#23
که ای نامداران و گردان من
✦
همه مر مرا چون تن و جان من
“'O my renowned chieftains and warriors, dear to me as my own body and soul!”
#24
مترسید از نیزه و گرز و تیغ
✦
که از بخش‌مان نیست روی گریغ
“Fear not spears, maces, or swords, for there is no fleeing from our allotted destiny!”
#25
به دین خدا ای گو اسفندیار
✦
به جان زریر آن نبرده سوار
“By the sacred faith of God, O heroic Esfandiyar, and by the soul of Zarir, that brave rider,”
#26
که آید فرود او کنون در بهشت
✦
که من سوی لهراسپ نامه نوشت
“Who now enters the paradise above—I had written a letter to King Lohrasp of old:”
#27
پذیرفتم اندرز آن شاه پیر
✦
که گر بخت نیکم بود دستگیر
“I accepted the advice of that old king that if good fortune should aid my hand,”
#28
که چون بازگردم ازین رزمگاه
✦
به اسفندیارم دهم تاج و گاه
“When I return from this battlefield, I shall grant the crown and throne to Esfandiyar!”
#29
سپه را همه پیش رفتن دهم
✦
ورا خسروی تاج بر سر نهم
“I shall give full command of the host to him and place the royal crown of kingship upon his head.”
#30
چنانچون پدر داد شاهی مرا
✦
دهم همچنان پادشاهی ورا
“Just as my father passed the kingship unto me, I shall likewise surrender sovereignty to him!'”