As dawn broke, Rostam donned his coat of mail and wrapped the impenetrable Babr-e Bayan over his body. He secured his lasso to the saddle-strap and mounted the elephant-bodied Rakhsh. Summoning his brother Zavareh, he gave explicit orders regarding the army: 'Marshal the troops upon the sand ridge. My heart is fraught with foreboding regarding this demon-wrought prince; I know not what destiny holds. I shall seek this combat alone, for I wish no nobleman of Zabulistan to suffer. True victory belongs only to those who walk the path of justice.'
Zavareh arranged the host while Rostam rode forth amidst the loud acclamations of his warriors. Reaching the banks of the Hirmand river, Rostam left his brother and the army behind and crossed toward the encampment of the Iranian prince. Ascending a high ridge, he bellowed across the waters: 'O glorious Esfandiyar! Your challenger has arrived, prepare for battle!'
Hearing the voice of the ancient lion, Esfandiyar laughed, declaring that he had been ready since sunrise. He called for his armor, royal helmet, quiver, and spear. Mounting his black warhorse, he planted the butt of his spear into the soil and leaped effortlessly into the saddle—a display of martial elegance that left his army marveling in applause.
Upon seeing Rostam standing alone, Esfandiyar instructed his brother Peshotan to stay back: 'He comes unassisted; we too shall face him without allies.' The two titans advanced toward each other like raging lions. Once more, Rostam attempted to avert tragedy, offering to let the Zabulian and Kabuli contingents clash instead of their own royal blood. Esfandiyar dismissed the proposal as trickery: 'It is against my faith to slaughter Iranian soldiers merely so I may wear the crown. Bring allies if you must, but my only helper in battle is Almighty Yazdan and a smiling fate!'
They struck a firm pact that no outside help would intervene. The duel commenced with spears, thrusting until the iron points shattered and blood ran down their breastplates. Drawing their heavy swords, they struck with such fierce impact that the steel blades snapped into pieces. Turning to massive maces, they battered each other until the handles splintered in their hands. Finally, they gripped each other's waist-straps in a desperate struggle of sheer strength, yet neither warrior budged an inch from his saddle. Exhausted, covered in foam, blood, and dust, with their armor shredded, both champions retreated a pace to draw breath.
#1
چو شد روز رستم بپوشید گبر
✦
نگهبان تن کرد بر گبر ببر
“When day broke, Rostam put on his coat of mail, covering his body with the tiger-skin cloak (Babr-e Bayan).”
#2
کمندی به فتراک زین برببست
✦
بران بارهٔ پیل پیکر نشست
“He tied a lasso to the saddle-strap and mounted his elephant-bodied steed.”
#3
بفرمود تا شد زواره برش
✦
فراوان سخن راند از لشکرش
“He commanded Zavareh to come to his side and spoke to him at length regarding the army.”
#4
بدو گفت رو لشکر آرای باش
✦
بر کوههٔ ریگ بر پای باش
“He said to him: 'Go and array the host; stand firm upon the ridge of sand.'”
#5
بیامد زواره سپه گرد کرد
✦
به میدان کار و به دشت نبرد
“Zavareh came and gathered the army at the battleground and field of fight.”
#6
تهمتن همی رفت نیزه به دست
✦
چو بیرون شد از جایگاه نشست
“Tahamtan went forth with spear in hand as he departed from his resting place.”
#7
سپاهش برو خواندند آفرین
✦
که بی‌تو مباد اسپ و گوپال و زین
“His troops hailed him with blessings: 'May horse, mace, and saddle never be without you!'”
#8
همی رفت رستم زواره پسش
✦
کجا بود در پادشاهی کسش
“Rostam rode forward and Zavareh followed behind him, he who was his main pillar in the kingdom.”
#9
بیامد چنان تا لب هیرمند
✦
همه دل پر از باد و لب پر ز پند
“He proceeded until he reached the banks of the Hirmand, his heart full of anxiety and his lips full of counsel.”
#10
سپه با برادر هم آنجا بماند
✦
سوی لشکر شاه ایران براند
“He left the army with his brother right there and rode toward the host of the King of Iran.”
#11
چنین گفت پس با زواره به راز
✦
که مردیست این بدرگ دیوساز
“He then whispered in secret to Zavareh: 'This is an evil-natured, demon-wrought man.'”
#12
بترسم که با او نیارم زدن
✦
ندانم کزین پس چه شاید بدن
“'I fear I may not be able to strike him down; I know not what is destined to happen next.'”
#13
تو اکنون سپه را هم ایدر بدار
✦
شوم تا چه پیش آورد روزگار
“'Keep the army here for now; I shall go alone to see what Fate brings forth.'”
#14
اگر تند یابمش هم زان نشان
✦
نخواهم ز زابلستان سرکشان
“'If I find him fierce in that same manner, I will not call upon the chieftains of Zabulistan.'”
#15
به تنها تن خویش جویم نبرد
✦
ز لشکر نخواهم کسی رنجه کرد
“'Single-handedly I shall seek combat; I desire no one from the army to suffer.'”
#16
کسی باشد از بخت پیروز و شاد
✦
که باشد همیشه دلش پر ز داد
“'Only he whose heart is ever filled with justice will be victorious and blest by fortune.'”
#17
گذشت از لب رود و بالا گرفت
✦
همی ماند از کار گیتی شگفت
“He crossed the river's edge and ascended the height, marveling at the ways of the world.”
#18
خروشید کای فرخ اسفندیار
✦
هماوردت آمد برآرای کار
“He shouted: 'O fortunate Esfandiyar! Your challenger has arrived, prepare for battle!'”
#19
چو بشنید اسفندیار این سخن
✦
ازان شیر پرخاشجوی کهن
“When Esfandiyar heard this voice from that ancient, warrior lion,”
#20
بخندید و گفت اینک آراستم
✦
بدانگه که از خواب برخاستم
“He laughed and said: 'Behold, I have been ready since I awoke from sleep!'”
#21
بفرمود تا جوشن و خود اوی
✦
همان ترکش و نیزهٔ جنگجوی
“He commanded his mail, helmet, quiver, and warrior's spear to be brought.”
#22
ببردند و پوشید جوشن برش
✦
نهاد آن کلاه کیی بر سرش
“They brought them, and he put on the mail, placing the royal helmet upon his head.”
#23
بفرمود تا زین بر اسپ سیاه
✦
نهادند و بردند نزدیک شاه
“He ordered the saddle to be placed upon his black horse and brought before the prince.”
#24
چو جوشن بپوشید پرخاشجوی
✦
ز زور و ز شادی که بود اندر اوی
“When the warrior put on his chainmail, out of the immense strength and joy within him,”
#25
نهاد آن بن نیزه را بر زمین
✦
ز خاک سیاه اندر آمد به زین
“He planted the butt of his spear into the ground and leaped into the saddle from the dark soil.”
#26
بسان پلنگی که بر پشت گور
✦
نشیند برانگیزد از گور شور
“Like a leopard that pounces on the back of a wild ass, raising excitement from the prey.”
#27
سپه در شگفتی فروماندند
✦
بران نامدار آفرین خواندند
“The host stood in sheer astonishment, shouting praises upon that famous chieftain.”
#28
همی شد چو نزد تهمتن رسید
✦
مر او را بران باره تنها بدید
“He rode until he reached Tahamtan, seeing him solitary upon his mount.”
#29
پس از بارگی با پشوتن بگفت
✦
که ما را نباید بدو یار و جفت
“Then from his steed he spoke to Peshotan: 'We must have no companion against him.'”
#30
چو تنهاست ما نیز تنها شویم
✦
ز پستی بران تند بالا شویم
“'Since he is alone, we too shall be alone; let us ascend from the lowland to that steep height.'”
#31
بران گونه رفتند هر دو به رزم
✦
تو گفتی که اندر جهان نیست بزم
“Thus both rode forth to battle; you would say there was no feast left in the world.”
#32
چو نزدیک گشتند پیر و جوان
✦
دو شیر سرافراز و دو پهلوان
“As they drew near, the old champion and the young—two exalted lions, two mighty heroes,”
#33
خروش آمد از بارهٔ هر دو مرد
✦
تو گفتی بدرید دشت نبرد
“A roar echoed from both chargers; you would say the battlefield tore open.”
#34
چنین گفت رستم به آواز سخت
✦
که ای شاه شادان‌دل و نیک‌بخت
“Rostam spoke in a powerful voice: 'O glad-hearted and fortunate King!'”
#35
ازین گونه مستیز و بد را مکوش
✦
سوی مردمی یاز و بازآر هوش
“'Strive not in this manner, nor seek evil! Reach out toward humanity and recall your reason!'”
#36
اگر جنگ خواهی و خون ریختن
✦
برین گونه سختی برآویختن
“'If you desire war and bloodshed, and engaging in such severe combat,'”
#37
بگو تا سوار آورم زابلی
✦
که باشند با خنجر کابلی
“'Tell me, so I may bring Zabulian horsemen armed with Kabuli daggers,'”
#38
برین رزمگه‌شان به جنگ آوریم
✦
خود ایدر زمانی درنگ آوریم
“'To set them fighting on this battleground while we linger here for a moment,'”
#39
بباشد به کام تو خون ریختن
✦
ببینی تگاپوی و آویختن
“'So bloodshed occurs to your desire, and you may witness the struggle and turmoil!'”
#40
چنین پاسخ آوردش اسفندیار
✦
که چندین چه گویی چنین نابکار
“Esfandiyar answered him thus: 'Why do you utter such worthless words?'”
#41
ز ایوان به شبگیر برخاستی
✦
ازین تند بالا مرا خواستی
“'You arose early from your hall and summoned me to this high ridge.'”
#42
چرا ساختی بند و مکر و فریب
✦
همانا بدیدی به تنگی نشیب
“'Why have you devised traps, trickery, and deceit? Surely you foresaw steep descent in hardship!'”
#43
چه باید مرا جنگ زابلستان
✦
وگر جنگ ایران و کابلستان
“'Why should I wage war against Zabulistan, or stir up conflict between Iran and Kabulistan?'”
#44
مبادا چنین هرگز آیین من
✦
سزا نیست این کار در دین من
“'May such never be my practice; this deed is not fitting in my faith!'”
#45
که ایرانیان را به کشتن دهم
✦
خود اندر جهان تاج بر سر نهم
“'That I should send Iranians to slaughter, merely to place the crown upon my head in the world!'”
#46
منم پیشرو هرک جنگ آیدم
✦
وگر پیش جنگ نهنگ آیدم
“I am the foremost champion against whoever comes to battle me, even should a fierce sea-monster enter the fight.”
#47
ترا گر همی یار باید بیار
✦
مرا یار هرگز نیاید به کار
“If you require an ally, bring him along; as for me, I shall never have any need of a helper.”
#48
مرا یار در جنگ یزدان بود
✦
سر و کار با بخت خندان بود
“God Almighty is my sole helper in battle, and my fortune shines upon me with smiles.”
#49
توی جنگجوی و منم جنگخواه
✦
بگردیم یک با دگر بی‌سپاه
“You are a warrior and I seek the combat; let us contend one-on-one, without our armies.”
#50
ببینیم تا اسپ اسفندیار
✦
سوی آخور آید همی بی‌سوار
“Let us see whether Esfandiyar's steed shall return to its manger without its rider,”
#51
وگر بارهٔ رستم جنگجوی
✦
به ایوان نهد بی‌خداوند روی
“Or if the warlike Rostam's charger shall head back to the palace bereft of its master.”
#52
نهادند پیمان دو جنگی که کس
✦
نباشد بران جنگ فریادرس
“The two warriors struck a solemn pact that no one should come to aid either during this fight.”
#53
نخستین به نیزه برآویختند
✦
همی خون ز جوشن فرو ریختند
“At first they clashed with lances, causing blood to pour down from their coats of mail.”
#54
چنین تا سنانها به هم برشکست
✦
به شمشیر بردند ناچار دست
“Thus they fought until their spearheads shattered against each other, forcing them to draw their swords.”
#55
به آوردگه گردن افراختند
✦
چپ و راست هر دو همی تاختند
“Proudly they reared in the battlefield, charging at one another from left and right.”
#56
ز نیروی اسپان و زخم سران
✦
شکسته شد آن تیغهای گران
“Under the power of the horses and the terrible blows of the champions, those heavy swords snapped asunder.”
#57
چو شیران جنگی برآشوفتند
✦
پر از خشم اندامها کوفتند
“Like furious lions they grew enraged, battering each other's bodies with relentless wrath.”
#58
همان دسته بشکست گرز گران
✦
فروماند از کار دست سران
“Likewise, the handles of their heavy maces broke, and the arms of the chieftains were left weary and spent.”
#59
گرفتند زان پس دوال کمر
✦
دو اسپ تگاور فروبرده سر
“Then they seized each other's girdles, while their swift chargers lowered their heads beneath the strain.”
#60
همی زور کرد این بران آن برین
✦
نجنبید یک شیر بر پشت زین
“Each strained with all his force against the other, yet neither lion moved an inch upon his saddle.”
#61
پراگنده گشتند ز آوردگاه
✦
غمی گشته اسپان و مردان تباه
“At last they drew apart from the field of combat, their steeds weary and the heroes utterly spent.”
#62
کف اندر دهانشان شده خون و خاک
✦
همه گبر و برگستوان چاک‌چاک
“Foam mixed with blood and dust filled their mouths, and their coats of mail and horse-armor were torn to shreds.”