When the moon ascended her silver throne and three watches of the dark night had elapsed, the thunderous cries of the Iranian sentries echoed through the shadows, proclaiming the eternal fortune of King Goshtasp. Upon hearing these bold shouts, the heart of Kahram, son of Arjasp, grew cold with terror and his spirit darkened. He rushed to Andariman in dismay, questioning who dared utter such ill-omened words so near the royal bedchambers in the dead of night. Suspicion and dread gripped the Turanian commanders, who feared an enemy within their gates or a surprise attack from without.
As the pale light of dawn broke over the horizons, Esfandiyar the Invulnerable marched forth, clad in steel and wielding his heavy ox-headed mace. At that moment, Esfandiyar's champions hurled the severed head of King Arjasp—the slain conqueror of Lohrasp—directly before the Turanian ranks. A agonizing cry of grief tore through the Turanian army as Arjasp's sons wept bitterly, watching the bloodied scalp of their sovereign roll in the dust. Realizing their center was shattered and their king destroyed, the Turanian host flung themselves into a desperate battle of ruin.
Blood surged like waves at the gates of the Brass Fortress as blades clashed and heavy maces shattered helmets. Esfandiyar himself charged into the thickest of the fray and confronted Prince Kahram. The two warriors locked in fierce combat, but Esfandiyar seized Kahram by his girdle, hoisted him high off his saddle, and slammed him heavily to the earth. Kahram was bound in chains while his broken army scattered like dry leaves. At the gates of the fortress, Esfandiyar ordered two high gallows erected, hanging Kahram and his brother Andariman upside down. He then sent torchbearers across the realm, setting the cities of Turan ablaze until the power of the enemy was utterly extinguished, after which the prince called for wine to celebrate his triumph.
#1
چو ماه از بر تخت سیمین نشست
✦
سه پاس از شب تیره اندر گذشت
“When the moon took her seat upon her silver throne, and three watches of the dark night had passed,”
#2
همی پاسبان برخروشید سخت
✦
که گشتاسپ شاهست و پیروز بخت
“The sentry roared aloud that Goshtasp is the king, victorious and blessed by fortune.”
#3
چو ترکان شنیدند زان سان خروش
✦
نهادند یکسر به آواز گوش
“When the Turanians heard that clamor, they all turned their ears to listen closely to the voice.”
#4
دل کهرم از پاسبان خیره شد
✦
روانش ز آواز او تیره شد
“The heart of Kahram grew bewildered at the sentry's call, and his soul was darkened by his voice.”
#5
چو بشنید با اندریمان بگفت
✦
که تیره شب آواز نتوان نهفت
“When he heard it, he said to Andariman: 'In this dark night, such voices cannot be concealed.'”
#6
چه گویی که امشب چه شاید بدن
✦
بباید همی داستانها زدن
“'What say you, what might come to pass tonight? We must tell stories and ponder this well.'”
#7
که یارد گشادن بدین سان دو لب
✦
به بالین شاهی درین تیره‌شب
“'Who dares open his lips in such a manner, right beside the royal pillow in this pitch-dark night?'”
#8
بباید فرستاد تا هرک هست
✦
سرانشان به خنجر ببرند پست
“'We must dispatch men so that whoever they are, their leaders' heads may be cut low with daggers.'”
#9
چه بازی کند پاسبان روز جنگ
✦
برین نامداران شود کار تنگ
“'What game is the guard playing on the day of battle? Matters grow tight for these renowned chieftains.'”
#10
وگر دشمن ما بود خانگی
✦
بجوی همی روز بیگانگی
“'And if our enemy be within the house, he seeks the day of betrayal and alien confrontation.'”
#11
به آواز بد گفتن و فال بد
✦
بکوبیم مغزش به گوپال بد
“'For uttering evil cries and bad omens, we shall smash his brain with a heavy mace!'”
#12
بدین گونه آواز پیوسته شد
✦
دل کهرم از پاسبان خسته شد
“Thus the voices continued without cease, and Kahram's heart grew weary of the sentry.”
#13
ز بس نعره از هر سوی زین نشان
✦
پر آواز شد گوش گردنکشان
“From so many shouts echoing from every side, the ears of the haughty chieftains were filled with noise.”
#14
سپه گفت کآواز بسیار گشت
✦
از اندازهٔ پاسبان برگذشت
“The host said: 'The clamor has grown too loud; it has exceeded the bounds of a mere watchman.'”
#15
کنون دشمن از خانه بیرون کنیم
✦
ازان پس برین چاره افسون کنیم
“'Now let us drive the enemy out of the house, and then we shall work our spells and remedies.'”
#16
دل کهرم از پاسبان تنگ شد
✦
بپیچید و رویش پر آژنگ شد
“Kahram's heart grew distressed by the guard; he writhed in rage and his face became heavy with wrinkles.”
#17
به لشکر چنین گفت کز خواب شاه
✦
دل من پر از رنج شد جان تباه
“He spoke to the army: 'Because of the king's slumber, my heart is troubled and my soul ruined.'”
#18
کنون بی‌گمان باز باید شدن
✦
ندانم کزین پس چه شاید بدن
“'Now without doubt we must return; I know not what may come to pass hereafter.'”
#19
بزرگان چنین روی برگاشتند
✦
به شب دشت پیکار بگذاشتند
“Thus the chieftains turned their faces away, and left the battlefield in the dark of night.”
#20
پس اندر همی آمد اسفندیار
✦
زره‌دار با گُرزهٔ گاوسار
“Then came Esfandiyar from behind, clad in chainmail and holding an ox-headed mace.”
#21
چو کهرم بر بارهٔ دژ رسید
✦
پس لشکر ایرانیان را بدید
“When Kahram reached the fortress walls, he looked back and beheld the rear of the Iranian host.”
#22
چنین گفت کاکنون به جز رزم کار
✦
چه ماندست با گرد اسفندیار
“He said: 'Now, what remains for us against warrior Esfandiyar except battle?'”
#23
همه تیغها برکشیم از نیام
✦
به خنجر فرستاد باید پیام
“'We must draw all swords from their scabbards, and send our message with the dagger!'”
#24
به چهره چو تاب اندر آورد بخت
✦
بران نامداران ببد کار سخت
“When fortune turned its shining face away, the plight of those illustrious chiefs became dire.”
#25
دو لشکر بران سان برآشوفتند
✦
همی بر سر یکدگر کوفتند
“The two armies clashed in such fury, striking blow upon blow upon one another's heads.”
#26
چنین تا برآمد سپیده‌دمان
✦
بزرگان چین را سرآمد زمان
“Thus it continued until dawn broke, when the time of the Nobles of Chin ran out.”
#27
برفتند مردان اسفندیار
✦
بران نامور بارهٔ شهریار
“The men of Esfandiyar advanced upon the royal wall of that famous sovereign,”
#28
بریده سر شاه ارجاسپ را
✦
جهاندار و خونریزِ لهراسپ را
“Carrying the severed head of King Arjasp, the ruler of the world and slayer of Lohrasp.”
#29
به پیش سپاه اندر انداختند
✦
ز پیکار ترکان بپرداختند
“They cast it down before the army, and finished the battle against the Turks.”
#30
خروشی برآمد ز توران سپاه
✦
ز سر برگرفتند گردان کلاه
“A roar of anguish arose from the Turanian army, and the brave warriors removed the helmets from their heads.”
#31
دو فرزند ارجاسپ گریان شدند
✦
چو بر آتش تیز بریان شدند
“The two sons of Arjasp wept bitterly, as though roasted upon a blazing fire.”
#32
بدانست لشکر که آن جنگ چیست
✦
وزان رزم بد بر که باید گریست
“The host realized what manner of fight this was, and over whose terrible fate they must weep.”
#33
بگفتند رادا دلیرا سرا
✦
سپهدار شیراوژنا مهترا
“They cried: 'O noble, brave commander! O lion-slaying champion and chief!'”
#34
که کشتت که بر دشت کین کشته باد
✦
برو جاودان روز برگشته باد
“'Who slew thee? May he be slain upon the field of vengeance, and may his days be forever inverted in ruin!'”
#35
سپردن کرا باید اکنون بنه
✦
درفش که داریم بر میمنه
“'To whom should we now entrust our baggage? Whose banner shall we keep on our right wing?'”
#36
چو ارجاسپ پردخته شد قلبگاه
✦
مبادا کلاه و مبادا سپاه
“'Now that Arjasp is gone from the center of the army, let there be neither crown nor army left!'”
#37
سپه را به مرگ آمد اکنون نیاز
✦
ز خَلُّخ پر از درد شد تا طراز
“The army now felt the desperate need for death; from Khallukh to Taraz was filled with anguish.”
#38
ازان پس همه پیش مرگ آمدند
✦
زره‌دار با گُرز و ترگ آمدند
“Thereupon they all rushed forward to meet death, armored with maces and wearing helmets.”
#39
ده و دار برخاست از رزمگاه
✦
هوا شد به کردار ابر سیاه
“Uproar and battle-cries arose from the field; the sky turned black like a dark cloud.”
#40
به هر جای بر تودهٔ کشته بود
✦
کسی را کجا روز برگشته بود
“Everywhere lay heaps of the slain—those whose day of doom had arrived.”
#41
همه دشت بی‌تن سر و یال بود
✦
به جای دگر گُرز و گوپال بود
“The entire plain was covered with headless bodies and shoulders; elsewhere lay heavy maces and clubs.”
#42
ز خون بر در دژ همی موج خاست
✦
که دانست دست چپ از دست راست
“Blood surged at the fortress gate like waves, so thick that none could distinguish left hand from right.”
#43
چو اسفندیار اندر آمد ز جای
✦
سپهدار کهرم بیفشارد پای
“When Esfandiyar charged forth into his place, the commander Kahram stood his ground.”
#44
دو جنگی بران سان برآویختند
✦
که گفتی بهمشان برآمیختند
“The two warriors grappled together so fiercely, you would say they were fused as one.”
#45
تهمتن کمربند کهرم گرفت
✦
مر او را ازان پشت زین برگرفت
“The mighty champion grabbed Kahram by the belt, and lifted him clear off his saddle's back.”
#46
برآوردش از جای و زد بر زمین
✦
همه لشکرش خواندند آفرین
“He lifted him high from his place and slammed him to the ground, while all his army sang his praise.”
#47
دو دستش ببستند و بردند خوار
✦
پراگنده شد لشکر نامدار
“They bound both his hands and led him away in disgrace, and the renowned host was utterly scattered.”
#48
همی گُرز بارید همچون تگرگ
✦
زمین پر ز ترگ و هوا پر ز مرگ
“Maces rained down like hail; the earth was covered with helmets and the air was thick with death.”
#49
سر از تیغ پران چو برگ از درخت
✦
یکی ریخت خون و یکی یافت تخت
“Heads flew from blades like leaves from a tree; one spilled his lifeblood while another won the throne.”
#50
همی موج زد خون بران رزمگاه
✦
سری زیر نعل و سری با کلاه
“Blood surged in waves across that battlefield—one head trampled under horse-hooves, another crowned with state.”
#51
نداند کسی آرزوی جهان
✦
نخواهد گشادن بمابر نهان
“None knows the secret longings of this world, nor will it ever unveil its hidden face to us.”
#52
کسی کش سزاوار بد بارگی
✦
گریزان همی راند یکبارگی
“Whoever owned a fleet steed turned his reins and fled all at once.”
#53
هرانکس که شد در دم اژدها
✦
بکوشید و هم زو نیامد رها
“Whoever was caught in the dragon's breath strove with all his might, yet failed to win release.”
#54
ز ترکان چینی فراوان نماند
✦
وگر ماند کس نام ایشان نخواند
“Not many of the Turks of Chin remained; and if any survived, no one spoke their name again.”
#55
همه ترگ و جوشن فرو ریختند
✦
هم از دیده‌ها خون برآمیختند
“They threw down all their helmets and mail, and mingled tears of blood from their eyes.”
#56
دوان پیش اسفندیار آمدند
✦
همه دیده چون جویبار آمدند
“They came running before Esfandiyar, their eyes flowing like torrential streams.”
#57
سپهدار خونریز و بیداد بود
✦
سپاهش به بیدادگر شاد بود
“The commander was bloodthirsty and merciless, and his host rejoiced in their leader's fierce sway.”
#58
کسی را نداد از یلان زینهار
✦
بکشتند زان خستگان بی‌شمار
“He granted quarter to none of the heroes, and they slaughtered countless numbers among the wounded.”
#59
به توران زمین شهریاری نماند
✦
ز ترکان چین نامداری نماند
“No ruler remained in the land of Turan, nor was any warrior of note left among the Turks of Chin.”
#60
سراپرده و خیمه برداشتند
✦
بدان خستگان جای بگذاشتند
“They struck down the royal pavilions and tents, leaving that place behind to the wounded.”
#61
بران روی دژ بر ستاره بزد
✦
چو پیدا شد از هر دری نیک و بد
“Before the fortress gates he raised banners high as the stars, when good and evil became apparent from every door.”
#62
بزد بر در دژ دو دار بلند
✦
فرو هشت از دار پیچان کمند
“He erected two tall gallows at the fortress gate, and hung down twisted cords from the beams.”
#63
سر اندریمان نگونسار کرد
✦
برادرش را نیز بر دار کرد
“He hanged Andariman upside down upon the gallows, and raised his brother upon the gibbet as well.”
#64
سپاهی برون کرد بر هر سوی
✦
به جایی که آمد نشان گوی
“He dispatched troops to every quarter, wherever word or trace of an enemy was reported.”
#65
بفرمود تا آتش اندر زدند
✦
همه شهر توران بهم بر زدند
“He ordered fire to be set to the city, casting all the land of Turan into ruin and destruction.”
#66
به جایی دگر نامداری نماند
✦
به چین و به توران سواری نماند
“Nowhere else did any noble lord remain; not a single knight was left in all of Chin or Turan.”
#67
تو گفتی که ابری برآمد سیاه
✦
ببارید آتش بران رزمگاه
“You would say a dark cloud arose and rained down fire upon that field of war.”
#68
جهانجوی چون کار زان گونه دید
✦
سران را بیاورد و می درکشید
“When the world-conqueror saw his conquest completed, he gathered his chieftains and quaffed the wine.”