#1
بداختر چو از شهر کابل برفت
✦
بدان دشت نخچیر شد شاه تفت
“As the ill-fated King departed from Kabul, he hurried swiftly to the hunting plain.”
#2
ببرد از میان لشکری چاه‌کن
✦
کجا نام بردند زان انجمن
“He took with him a force of ditch-diggers from his army, men whose names were renowned in that assembly.”
#3
سراسر همه دشت نخچیرگاه
✦
همه چاه بد کنده در زیر راه
“Across the entire expanse of the hunting ground, pits had been dug directly beneath the paths.”
#4
زده حربه‌ها را بن اندر زمین
✦
همان نیز ژوپین و شمشیر کین
“At the bottom of the pits they fixed sharp weapons, javelins, and swords of vengeance.”
#5
به خاشاک کرده سر چاه کور
✦
که مردم ندیدی نه چشم ستور
“They covered the pit-mouths with dried straw, so concealed that neither human eye nor horse could spot them.”
#6
چو رستم دمان سر برفتن نهاد
✦
سواری برافگند پویان شغاد
“When Rostam resolutely prepared to set forth, Shaghad dispatched a rider in all haste,”
#7
که آمد گو پیلتن بی سپاه
✦
بیا پیش وزان کرده زنهار خواه
“To convey: 'The elephant-bodied hero approaches without a host; come forward and beg for quarter for what was done.'”
#8
سپهدار کابل بیامد ز شهر
✦
زبان پرسخن دل پر از کین و زهر
“The commander of Kabul came out from the city, his tongue brimming with sweet words, but his heart full of hatred and venom.”
#9
چو چشمش به روی تهمتن رسید
✦
پیاده شد از باره کو را بدید
“When his eyes fell upon the face of Tahamtan, he dismounted from his horse upon seeing him.”
#10
ز سرشارهٔ هندوی برگرفت
✦
برهنه شد و دست بر سر گرفت
“He took off his Indian turban, bare-headed, and placed his hands upon his head in surrender.”
#11
همان موزه از پای بیرون کشید
✦
به زاری ز مژگان همی خون کشید
“He pulled off his boots from his feet and wept tears of blood in feigned lamentation.”
#12
دو رخ را به خاک سیه بر نهاد
✦
همی کرد پوزش ز کار شغاد
“He pressed both cheeks against the black dust, repeatedly offering excuses for Shaghad's behavior,”
#13
که گر مست شد بنده از بیهشی
✦
نمود اندران بیهشی سرکشی
“Saying: 'If your servant became intoxicated and senseless, showing insolence in his drunkenness,'”
#14
سزد گر ببخشی گناه مرا
✦
کنی تازه آیین و راه مرا
“'It is fitting that you pardon my sin and renew your customary favor toward me.'”
#15
همی رفت پیشش برهنه دو پای
✦
سری پر ز کینه دلی پر ز رای
“He walked barefoot before Rostam, his head filled with malice and his heart full of scheming plots.”
#16
ببخشید رستم گناه ورا
✦
بیفزود زان پایگاه ورا
“Rostam forgave his offense and elevated his rank and honor even further.”
#17
بفرمود تا سر بپوشید و پای
✦
به زین بر نشست و بیامد ز جای
“He ordered him to cover his head and feet, mount his saddle, and set forth.”
#18
بر شهر کابل یکی جای بود
✦
ز سبزی زمینش دلارای بود
“Near the city of Kabul there was a place, enchanting to the heart with its green landscape.”
#19
بدو اندرون چشمه بود و درخت
✦
به شادی نهادند هرجای تخت
“Within it were natural springs and shady trees; there they gladly set up thrones of feast.”
#20
بسی خوردنیها بیاورد شاه
✦
بیاراست خرم یکی جشنگاه
“The King brought forth abundant feasts and adorned a delightfully joyful celebration.”
#21
می آورد و رامشگران را بخواند
✦
مهان را به تخت مهی بر نشاند
“He offered wine, summoned the musicians, and seated the nobles upon grand thrones.”
#22
ازان پس به رستم چنین گفت شاه
✦
که چون رایت آید به نخچیرگاه
“Thereafter, the King spoke thus to Rostam: 'Whenever your mind inclines toward the hunting field,'”
#23
یکی جای دارم برین دشت و کوه
✦
به هر جای نخچیر گشته گروه
“'I know a place upon these plains and hills where wildlife gathers in great herds.'”
#24
همه دشت غرمست و آهو و گور
✦
کسی را که باشد تگاور ستور
“'The whole plain is full of wild sheep, gazelles, and wild asses for anyone possessing a swift steed.'”
#25
به چنگ آیدش گور و آهو به دشت
✦
ازان دشت خرم نشاید گذشت
“'He shall easily hunt wild asses and gazelles; one should never pass up such a lush plain.'”
#26
ز گفتار او رستم آمد به شور
✦
ازان دشت پرآب و نخچیرگور
“At his words, Rostam grew eager for that water-rich plain and its abundance of wild game.”
#27
به چیزی که آید کسی را زمان
✦
بپیچد دلش کور گردد گمان
“Yet when someone's appointed time arrives, the heart wavers and foresight is struck blind.”
#28
چنین است کار جهان جهان
✦
نخواهد گشادن بمابر نهان
“Such is the nature of this revolving world: it will never reveal its secrets to us.”
#29
به دریا نهنگ و به هامون پلنگ
✦
همان شیر جنگاور تیزچنگ
“Be it the whale in the ocean, the leopard on the plain, or the fierce, sharp-clawed lion,”
#30
ابا پشه و پیل در چنگ مرگ
✦
یکی باشد ایدر بدن نیست برگ
“Before the grasp of Death, the gnat and the elephant are one; there is no escaping its power.”
#31
بفرمود تا رخش را زین کنند
✦
همه دشت پر باز و شاهین کنند
“Rostam commanded Rakhsh to be saddled and falconers to fill the plain with falcons and hawks.”
#32
کمان کیانی به زه بر نهاد
✦
همی راند بر دشت او با شغاد
“He strung his royal Kianian bow and rode across the plain alongside Shaghad.”
#33
زواره همی رفت با پیلتن
✦
تنی چند ازان نامدار انجمن
“Zavareh rode alongside the elephant-bodied hero, along with a few nobles of that famous company.”
#34
به نخچیر لشکر پراگنده شد
✦
اگر کنده گر سوی آگنده شد
“The army scattered for the hunt, moving toward where the pits were dug or filled.”
#35
زواره تهمتن بران راه بود
✦
ز بهر زمان کاندران چاه بود
“Zavareh and Tahamtan were steered onto that path, led by Fate toward where the pits lay.”
#36
همی رخش زان خاک می‌یافت بوی
✦
تن خویش را کرد چون گردگوی
“Rakhsh caught the scent of freshly dug dirt and curled his body like a ball in hesitation.”
#37
همی جست و ترسان شد از بوی خاک
✦
زمین را به نعلش همی کرد چاک
“He shied away, alarmed by the smell of earth, tearing at the ground with his hooves.”
#38
بزد گام رخش تگاور به راه
✦
چنین تا بیامد میان دو چاه
“Yet the swift Rakhsh took forced steps along the track until he came right between two hidden pits.”
#39
دل رستم از رخش شد پر ز خشم
✦
زمانش خرد را بپوشید چشم
“Rostam's heart swelled with fury at Rakhsh, for Fate had shrouded the eyes of his wisdom.”
#40
یکی تازیانه برآورد نرم
✦
بزد نیک دل رخش را کرد گرم
“He raised his whip gently and struck the noble Rakhsh to spur his pace.”
#41
چو او تنگ شد در میان دو چاه
✦
ز چنگ زمانه همی جست راه
“As Rakhsh was tightly hemmed in between the two pits, he sought an escape from the claws of Fate.”
#42
دو پایش فروشد به یک چاهسار
✦
نبد جای آویزش و کارزار
“His two legs slipped into one of the pits; there was no foothold to cling to nor room for struggle.”
#43
بن چاه پر حربه و تیغ تیز
✦
نبد جای مردی و راه گریز
“The bottom of the pit was filled with sharp blades and swords; there was no place for bravery nor any way to flee.”
#44
بدرید پهلوی رخش سترگ
✦
بر و پای آن پهلوان بزرگ
“The flank of the great Rakhsh was torn wide open, as were the chest and limbs of the mighty hero.”
#45
به مردی تن خویش را برکشید
✦
دلیر از بن چاه بر سر کشید
“Yet through heroic power he dragged his body up, pulling himself courageously from the bottom of the pit to the top.”