#1
بدانگه که رزم یلان شد دراز
✦
همی دیر شد رستم سرفراز
“When the battle of heroes dragged on long, and the exalted Rostam was delayed,”
#2
زواره بیاورد زان سو سپاه
✦
یکی لشکری داغ‌دل کینه‌خواه
“Zavareh brought up the army from that side—a vengeful legion with heart wounded by sorrow.”
#3
به ایرانیان گفت رستم کجاست
✦
برین روز بیهوده خامش چراست
“He spoke to the Iranians: 'Where is Rostam? Why are you standing silent on such a futile day?”
#4
شما سوی رستم به جنگ آمدید
✦
خرامان به چنگ نهنگ آمدید
“Have you come to battle Rostam? Proudly have you walked into the crocodile’s jaw!”
#5
همی دست رستم نخواهید بست
✦
برین رزمگه بر نشاید نشست
“You shall never bind Rostam's hands; it is unfit to remain seated upon this battlefield!'”
#6
زواره به دشنام لب برگشاد
✦
همی کرد گفتار ناخوب یاد
“Zavareh opened his lips in harsh reproach, uttering words bitter and foul.”
#7
برآشفت ازان پور اسفندیار
✦
سواری بد اسپ‌افگن و نامدار
“From those words, the son of Esfandiyar grew enraged—a famed rider who fell horsemen in battle.”
#8
جوانی که نوش آذرش بود نام
✦
سرافراز و جنگاور و شادکام
“A youth whose name was Nush-Azar, exalted, warlike, and triumphant.”
#9
برآشفت با سگزی آن نامدار
✦
زبان را به دشنام بگشاد خوار
“That famed youth flared in anger against the Sistani, opening his mouth in scornful rebuke.”
#10
چنین گفت کآری گو برمنش
✦
به فرمان شاهان کند بدکنش
“He said: 'Indeed, an arrogant champion acts wickedly only by royal decree!”
#11
نفرمود ما را یل اسفندیار
✦
چنین با سگان ساختن کارزار
“The hero Esfandiyar did not command us to wage battle against dogs like you!”
#12
که پیچد سر از رای و فرمان او
✦
که یارد گذشتن ز پیمان او
“Who would dare turn his head from his counsel, or break his sworn pact?”
#13
اگر جنگ بر نادرستی کنید
✦
به کار اندرون پیش دستی کنید
“If you wage war through deceit and take the lead in treachery,”
#14
ببینید پیکار جنگاوران
✦
به تیغ و سنان و به گرز گران
“Then behold the fight of warriors with blade, spear-point, and heavy mace!'”
#15
زواره بفرمود کاندر نهید
✦
سران را ز خون بر سر افسر نهید
“Zavareh commanded his men to charge, placing crowns of blood upon the leaders' heads.”
#16
زواره بیامد به پیش سپاه
✦
دهاده برآمد ز آوردگاه
“Zavareh came to the front of the host, and wild war-shouts rose from the battlefield.”
#17
بکشتند ز ایرانیان بی‌شمار
✦
چو نوش‌آذر آن دید بر ساخت کار
“Countless Iranians were slain; when Nush-Azar saw this, he readied himself for combat.”
#18
سمند سرافراز را بر نشست
✦
بیامد یکی تیغ هندی به دست
“He mounted his exalted steed, gripping an Indian sword in his hand.”
#19
یکی نامور بود الوای نام
✦
سرافراز و اسپ‌افگن و شادکام
“There was a famous hero named Alvay—exalted, horse-felling, and joyful.”
#20
کجا نیزهٔ رستم او داشتی
✦
پس پشت او هیچ نگذاشتی
“He carried Rostam's spear, never leaving his master's rear unguarded.”
#21
چو از دور نوش‌آذر او را بدید
✦
بزد دست و تیغ از میان برکشید
“When Nush-Azar saw him from afar, he reached out and drew his sword from his belt.”
#22
یکی تیغ زد بر سر و گردنش
✦
بدو نیمه شد پیل‌پیکر تنش
“He struck a blow upon his head and neck, cleaving his elephant-like body in two.”
#23
زواره برانگیخت اسپ نبرد
✦
به تندی به نوش‌آذر آواز کرد
“Zavareh spurred his war-horse, calling out fiercely to Nush-Azar:”
#24
که او را فگندی کنون پای دار
✦
چو الوای را من نخوانم سوار
“'You have felled him, now stand your ground! For I count Alvay as no ordinary rider!'”
#25
زواره یکی نیزه زد بر برش
✦
به خاک اندر آمد همانگه سرش
“Zavareh struck a spear upon his chest, and instantly his head tumbled into the dust.”
#26
چو نوش‌آذر نامور کشته شد
✦
سپه را همه روز برگشته شد
“When the famed Nush-Azar was slain, fortune turned bitter for his host.”
#27
برادرش گریان و دل پر ز جوش
✦
جوانی که بد نام او مهرنوش
“His brother wept, his heart boiling with anguish—a youth whose name was Mehr-Nush.”
#28
غمی شد دل مرد شمشیرزن
✦
برانگیخت آن بارهٔ پیلتن
“Grief seized the heart of that swordsman; he spurred his elephant-bodied steed.”
#29
برفت از میان سپه پیش صف
✦
ز درد جگر بر لب آورده کف
“He rode forth from the middle of the host to the front rank, foam on his lips from the agony in his liver.”
#30
وزان سو فرامرز چون پیل مست
✦
بیامد یکی تیغ هندی به دست
“And from that side came Faramarz like a furious elephant, an Indian sword in hand.”
#31
برآویخت با او همی مهرنوش
✦
دو رویه ز لشکر برآمد خروش
“Mehr-Nush clashed with him, and shouts arose from both armies.”
#32
گرامی دو پرخاشجوی جوان
✦
یکی شاهزاده دگر پهلوان
“Two noble, battle-seeking youths—one a prince, the other a champion hero.”
#33
چو شیران جنگی برآشوفتند
✦
همی بر سر یکدگر کوفتند
“Like warring lions they raged, striking heavily at one another.”
#34
در آوردگه تیز شد مهرنوش
✦
نبودش همی با فرامرز توش
“In the battle-field Mehr-Nush pressed hard, but he lacked the power to overcome Faramarz.”
#35
بزد تیغ بر گردن اسپ خویش
✦
سر بادپای اندرافگند پیش
“Faramarz struck his blade upon Mehr-Nush's horse's neck, bringing the swift steed's head down before him.”
#36
فرامرز کردش پیاده تباه
✦
ز خون لعل شد خاک آوردگاه
“Faramarz destroyed him on foot; the soil of the battle-field turned ruby-red with blood.”
#37
چو بهمن برادرش را کشته دید
✦
زمین زیر او چون گل آغشته دید
“When Bahman saw his brother slain, and the ground beneath him soaked like clay with blood,”
#38
بیامد دوان نزد اسفندیار
✦
به جایی که بود آتش کارزار
“He came running to Esfandiyar, right where the fire of battle burned bright.”
#39
بدو گفت کای نره شیر ژیان
✦
سپاهی به جنگ آمد از سگزیان
“He said to him: 'O fierce male lion! An army of Sistanis has entered the fray!”
#40
دو پور تو نوش‌آذر و مهرنوش
✦
به خواری به سگزی سپردند هوش
“Your two sons, Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, have shamefully yielded their lives to the Sistani!”
#41
تو اندر نبردی و ما پر ز درد
✦
جوانان و کی‌زادگان زیر گرد
“You are locked in duel while we are filled with grief; the youths of royal blood lie under dust!”
#42
برین تخمه این ننگ تا جاودان
✦
بماند ز کردار نابخردان
“This shame shall remain upon our lineage forever, brought by the deeds of unwise men!'”
#43
دل مرد بیدارتر شد ز خشم
✦
پر از تاب مغز و پر از آب چشم
“The warrior's heart grew even more awake with rage; his brain blazed with frenzy, his eyes filled with tears.”
#44
به رستم چنین گفت کای بدنشان
✦
چنین بود پیمان گردنکشان
“He spoke thus to Rostam: 'O ill-omened one! Was this the covenant of exalted champions?”
#45
تو گفتی که لشکر نیارم به جنگ
✦
ترا نیست آرایش نام و ننگ
“You swore you would not bring an army to fight—you have no care for name or honor!”
#46
نداری ز من شرم وز کردگار
✦
نترسی که پرسند روز شمار
“Have you no shame before me or the Creator? Fear you not the reckoning on Judgment Day?”
#47
ندانی که مردان پیمان‌شکن
✦
ستوده نباشد بر انجمن
“Know you not that men who break their solemn pledge shall never be praised in the assembly of noble men?”
#48
دو سگزی دو پور مرا کشته‌اند
✦
بران خیرگی باز برگشته‌اند
“Two Sistanis have slain my two young sons, and in their folly have retreated to your side.”
#49
چو بشنید رستم غمی گشت سخت
✦
بلرزید برسان شاخ درخت
“When Rostam heard this, a profound sorrow seized his heart, and he trembled like the branch of a tree.”
#50
به جان و سر شاه سوگند خورد
✦
به خورشید و شمشیر و دشت نبرد
“He swore a solemn oath by the life and head of the king, by the sun, the sword, and the field of battle,”
#51
که من جنگ هرگز نفرموده‌ام
✦
کسی کین چنین کرد نستوده‌ام
“That I never ordered such a fight, nor have I ever praised anyone who committed such a deed.”
#52
ببندم دو دست برادر کنون
✦
گر او بود اندر بدی رهنمون
“I will bind both hands of my brother Zavareh at once, if indeed he was the guide unto this evil.”
#53
فرامرز را نیز بسته دو دست
✦
بیارم بر شاه یزدان‌پرست
“Faramarz too shall I bring with bound hands before the God-worshipping king.”
#54
به خون گرانمایگانشان بکش
✦
مشوران ازین رای بیهوده هش
“Slay them in retribution for the blood of your noble sons; do not disturb your intellect with this futile rage.”
#55
چنین گفت با رستم اسفندیار
✦
که بر کین طاوس نر خون مار
“Thus answered Esfandiyar to Rostam: That for the blood of a male peacock, shedding the blood of a snake,”
#56
بریزیم ناخوب و ناخوش بود
✦
نه آیین شاهان سرکش بود
“Is unseemly and unworthy, nor is it the custom of proud, exalted sovereigns.”
#57
تو ای بدنشان چارهٔ خویش ساز
✦
که آمد زمانت به تنگی فراز
“O ill-omened man, seek now a remedy for your own fate, for your final hour has drawn close and tight.”
#58
بر رخش با هردو رانت به تیر
✦
برآمیزم اکنون چو با آب شیر
“With an arrow, I shall pin both your thighs to Rakhsh, blending them together like milk with water.”
#59
بدان تا کس از بندگان زین سپس
✦
نجویند کین خداوند کس
“So that from this day forth, no servant shall ever seek vengeance against his lord and master.”
#60
وگر زنده مانی ببندمت چنگ
✦
به نزدیک شاهت برم بی‌درنگ
“And if you remain alive, I shall bind your hands and bear you without delay before the King.”
#61
بدو گفت رستم کزین گفت و گوی
✦
چه باشد مگر کم شود آبروی
“Rostam replied to him: What shall come of all this harsh talk, save that our honor be diminished?”
#62
به یزدان پناه و به یزدان گرای
✦
که اویست بر نیک و بد رهنمای
“Seek refuge in God and turn your heart to Him, for He alone is the true guide over all good and evil.”