#1
یکی کوه بد پیش مرد جوان
✦
برانگیخت آن باره را پهلوان
“A mountain stood before the young prince, and the warrior urged his swift horse up its slopes.”
#2
نگه کرد بهمن به نخچیرگاه
✦
بدید آن بر پهلوان سپاه
“Bahman looked down upon the hunting grounds and beheld the vast frame of the army's supreme champion.”
#3
درختی گرفته به چنگ اندرون
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بر او نشسته بسی رهنمون
“He saw Rostam holding a tree branch in his grasp, sitting like a true guide and leader.”
#4
یکی نره گوری زده بر درخت
✦
نهاده بر خویش گوپال و رخت
“A male wild ass was spitted upon that tree trunk, while his heavy mace and gear lay nearby.”
#5
یکی جام پر می به دست دگر
✦
پرستنده بر پای پیشش پسر
“A cup filled with red wine was in his other hand, and a serving youth stood before him.”
#6
همی گشت رخش اندران مرغزار
✦
درخت و گیا بود و هم جویبار
“Meanwhile, Rakhsh grazed freely in that green meadow amid trees, grass, and running streams.”
#7
به دل گفت بهمن که این رستمست
✦
و گر آفتاب سپیده دمست
“Bahman said to his heart: 'Is this Rostam, or is it the radiant sun of dawn down on earth?'”
#8
به گیتی کسی مرد ازین سان ندید
✦
نه از نامداران پیشی شنید
“'No one in the world has ever seen such a man, nor heard tell of such a giant among ancients.'”
#9
بترسم که با او یل اسفندیار
✦
نتابد بپیچد سر از کارزار
“'I fear that even the valiant Esfandiyar will not be able to stand against him in battle.'”
#10
من این را به یک سنگ بیجان کنم
✦
دل زال و رودابه پیچان کنم
“'I shall take his life with a single heavy boulder, wringing the hearts of Zal and Rudabeh in grief.'”
#11
یکی سنگ زان کوه خارا بکند
✦
فروهشت زان کوهسار بلند
“He dislodged a massive granite boulder from the mountain and pushed it rolling down from the height.”
#12
ز نخچیرگاهش زواره بدید
✦
خروشیدن سنگ خارا شنید
“From the hunting ground below, Zovarah spotted it and heard the roaring rumble of the heavy rock.”
#13
خروشید کای مهتر نامدار
✦
یکی سنگ غلتان شد از کوهسار
“He shouted out: 'O renowned chieftain! A giant stone comes rolling down from the mountain peak!'”
#14
نجنبید رستم نه بنهاد گور
✦
زواره همی کرد ازان گونه شور
“Rostam did not move, nor did he put down his wild ass meat, despite Zovarah's frantic warnings.”
#15
همی بود تا سنگ نزدیک شد
✦
ز گردش بر کوه تاریک شد
“He sat calmly until the stone drew near, and the dust of its path darkened the cliffside.”
#16
بزد پاشنه سنگ بنداخت دور
✦
زواره برو آفرین کرد و پور
“With a flick of his heel he struck the stone and sent it flying far; Zovarah and his youth praised him in awe.”
#17
غمی شد دل بهمن از کار اوی
✦
چو دید آن بزرگی و کردار اوی
“Bahman's heart grew heavy with sorrow and dread when he witnessed Rostam's immense strength and deed.”
#18
همی گفت گر فرخ اسفندیار
✦
کند با چنین نامور کارزار
“He thought to himself: 'If blessed Esfandiyar enters battle against such a renowned champion...'”
#19
تن خویش در جنگ رسوا کند
✦
همان به که با او مدارا کند
“'...He will bring ignominy upon himself in fight; it is far better that he seek peace with him.'”
#20
ور ایدونک او بهتر آید به جنگ
✦
همه شهر ایران بگیرد به چنگ
“'And if Rostam proves superior in war, he will conquer all the realm of Iran into his hand.'”
#21
نشست از بر بارهٔ بادپای
✦
پراندیشه از کوه شد باز جای
“He mounted his swift courser, full of deep thoughts, and turned back from the mountain path.”
#22
بگفت آن شگفتی به موبد که دید
✦
وزان راه آسان سر اندر کشید
“He recounted the marvel he had seen to his priest, turning away from any easy assault.”
#23
چو آمد به نزدیک نخچیرگاه
✦
هم‌انگه تهمتن بدیدش ز راه
“When he drew near the hunting grounds, Tahamtan instantly spotted him from afar.”
#24
به موبد چنین گفت کین مرد کیست
✦
من ایدون گمانم که گشتاسپیست
“Rostam said to the priest: 'Who is this man? I reckon he must be of King Goshtasp's line.'”
#25
پذیره شدش با زواره بهم
✦
به نخچیرگه هرک بد بیش و کم
“Rostam and Zovarah, alongside everyone present in the hunting ground, went out to welcome him.”
#26
پیاده شد از باره بهمن چو دود
✦
بپرسیدش و نیکویها فزود
“Bahman dismounted his steed swift as smoke, offering noble greetings and lavish praise.”
#27
بدو گفت رستم که تا نام خویش
✦
نگویی نیابی ز من کام خویش
“Rostam said to him: 'Until you state your name, you shall not achieve your desire with me.'”
#28
بدو گفت من پور اسفندیار
✦
سر راستان بهمن نامدار
“He replied: 'I am the son of Esfandiyar, the leader of the righteous, named Prince Bahman.'”
#29
ورا پهلوان زود در بر گرفت
✦
ز دیر آمدن پوزش اندر گرفت
“The grand hero hastily embraced him, apologizing warmly for any delay in his welcome.”
#30
برفتند هر دو به جای نشست
✦
خود و نامداران خسروپرست
“They both went to the seating area, accompanied by the king-revering nobles.”
#31
چو بنشست بهمن بدادش درود
✦
ز شاه و ز ایرانیان برفزود
“When Bahman was seated, he conveyed greetings from the king and the noble Iranians.”
#32
ازان پس چنین گفت کاسفندیار
✦
چو آتش برفت از در شهریار
“Then he said: 'Esfandiyar has marched out like blazing fire from the gate of the monarch.'”
#33
سراپرده زد بر لب هیرمند
✦
به فرمان فرخنده شاه بلند
“'He has pitched his royal pavilion upon the bank of the Hirmand by order of the blessed King.'”
#34
پیامی رسانم ز اسفندیار
✦
اگر بشنود پهلوان سوار
“'I bear a message from Esfandiyar, if the champion knight will give ear to hear it.'”
#35
چنین گفت رستم که فرمان شاه
✦
برآنم که برتر ز خورشید و ماه
“Rostam replied: 'The command of the King is higher in my view than the sun and the moon.'”
#36
خوریم آنچ داریم چیزی نخست
✦
پس‌انگه جهان زیر فرمان تست
“'First, let us partake of whatever food we have, and then the world is subject to your command.'”
#37
بگسترد بر سفره بر نان نرم
✦
یکی گور بریان بیاورد گرم
“Soft flatbread was spread upon the tablecloth, and hot roasted wild ass was served.”
#38
چو دستارخوان پیش بهمن نهاد
✦
گذشته سخنها برو کرد یاد
“As the feast was set before Bahman, Rostam recalled memories of ancient deeds.”
#39
برادرش را نیز با خود نشاند
✦
وزان نامداران کسان را نخواند
“He seated his brother beside him, but invited no other grandees to the inner feast.”
#40
دگر گور بنهاد پیش تنش
✦
که هر بار گوری بدی خوردنش
“Another whole wild ass was placed before Rostam, for his appetite was a full wild ass at every meal.”
#41
نمک بر پراگند و ببرید و خورد
✦
نظاره بروبر سرافراز مرد
“He sprinkled salt, carved, and ate heartily, while the exalted prince Bahman watched in awe.”
#42
همی خورد بهمن ز گور اندکی
✦
نبد خوردنش زان او صد یکی
“Bahman ate only a tiny morsel of the wild ass, not even a hundredth part of Rostam's meal.”
#43
بخندید رستم بدو گفت شاه
✦
ز بهر خورش دارد این پیشگاه
“Rostam laughed and said to him: 'O Prince! Is this how a royal eats at the table?'”
#44
خورش چون بدین گونه داری به خوان
✦
چرا رفتی اندر دم هفتخوان
“'If your appetite is so meager, how did you pass through the trials of the Seven Stages?'”
#45
چگونه زدی نیزه در کارزار
✦
چو خوردن چنین داری ای شهریار
“'How do you wield a heavy spear in combat when your eating is so slight, O Prince?'”
#46
بدو گفت بهمن که خسرو نژاد
✦
سخن‌گوی و بسیار خواره مباد
“Bahman replied to him: 'A prince of royal blood should not be overly talkative nor a glutton.'”
#47
خورش کم بود کوشش و جنگ بیش
✦
به کف بر نهیم آن زمان جان خویش
“'Our food is modest, but our striving and fighting are great; at that time we offer our lives on our palms.'”
#48
بخندید رستم به آواز گفت
✦
که مردی نشاید ز مردان نهفت
“Rostam laughed out loud and said: 'True manhood cannot be hidden from valiant men!'”
#49
یکی جام زرین پر از باده کرد
✦
وزو یاد مردان آزاده کرد
“He filled a golden cup with choice wine and drank to the memory of noble freeborn heroes.”
#50
دگر جام بر دست بهمن نهاد
✦
که برگیر ازان کس که خواهی تو یاد
“He placed another cup in Bahman's hand, saying: 'Drink to the memory of whomever you wish.'”
#51
بترسید بهمن ز جام نبید
✦
زواره نخستین دمی درکشید
“Bahman hesitated, wary of the strong wine; so Zovarah drained his cup first to reassure him.”
#52
بدو گفت کای بچهٔ شهریار
✦
به تو شاد بادا می و میگسار
“Zovarah said to him: 'O child of the King, may wine and the cupbearer bring you endless joy!'”
#53
ازو بستد آن جام بهمن به چنگ
✦
دل آزار کرده بدان می درنگ
“Bahman took the cup in hand, his troubled heart calmed by that draught of wine.”
#54
همی ماند از رستم اندر شگفت
✦
ازان خوردن و یال و بازوی و کفت
“Yet he remained utterly astonished by Rostam, his vast eating, his huge shoulders, arms, and chest.”
#55
نشستند بر باره هر دو سوار
✦
همی راند بهمن بر نامدار
“Both warriors mounted their swift horses, and Bahman rode alongside the renowned champion.”
#56
بدادش یکایک درود و پیام
✦
از اسفندیار آن یل نیک‌نام
“He delivered to him, word for word, the greetings and solemn message from the noble Esfandiyar.”