#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.”