Upon the command of Rashnawad, the host of Iran marched past the boundaries and advanced toward the domains of Rome. Rashnawad bestowed the vanguard of the army upon the young and valiant Darab, whose warrior spears were dipped in venom. At once, the Roman advance guard approached from the west, and the two colossal hosts collided with thunderous impact. A dense cloud of war-dust ascended to the heavens, and blood flowed across the plain like a rushing river.
When Darab beheld the fury of the engagement, he charged forward like a enraged lion. His blade wreaked such havoc among the enemy ranks that it seemed as though Destiny itself held a sword in its iron fist. Like a leviathan parting the sea or a dragon devouring its prey, he clove through the Roman ranks until he breached their very encampment. The earth turned into a crimson ocean beneath his horse's hooves. Returning victorious to the high commander Rashnawad, Darab was met with boundless praise. Rashnawad declared: 'May the King's host never be deprived of thy matchless strength! When we return triumphant, the sovereign shall bestow upon thee crowns, steeds, royal seals, and endless treasures.'
When the sun lifted its head above the dark ridges and illuminated the world like a lamp, the battle resumed. Darab gave his swift charger the reins and breached the heart of the Roman battle line like a ravenous wolf. Neither spear-men nor seasoned swordsmen could withstand his fury. He shattered their right wing, plundered their baggage, slew forty Roman catholicoi, and seized their cross in his fist. Seeing these wondrous deeds, Rashnawad's heart swelled with joy, and he showered the youth with even greater affection and honor.
As night descended and wrapped the plain in pitch, Rashnawad rested within the captured Roman camp and loosened his armor. He distributed vast spoils to his army and sent a messenger to Darab, saying: 'O lion-hearted savior, survey these riches and claim whatever pleases thy heart; give away the rest as thou see fit, for thy name today shines brighter than that of the lord of Rakhsh!' But Darab, possessing a sublime spirit, took only a single spear for the sake of honor and returned all the treasure to the general.
With the coming of dawn, the Iranian heroes pursued the fleeing Romans, putting their strongholds to the sword and fire. A mournful lamentation echoed across Rome as the land was ruined. The world grew narrow for the Roman Caesar, whose champions had lost heart and whose fortune had fallen into shadow. Suing for mercy, Caesar dispatched an envoy to Rashnawad, promising full obedience and annual tribute. He sent vast bags of gold, pristine jewels, and numerous captives. Rashnawad accepted the tribute and forged a solemn covenant of peace, bringing the campaign to a glorious conclusion for Iran.
#1
بگفت این و زان جایگه برگرفت
✦
ازان مرز تا روم لشکر گرفت
“Having spoken thus, he departed from that place, leading an army from that border towards Rome.”
#2
سپهبد طلایه به داراب داد
✦
طلایه سنان را به زهر آب داد
“The commander gave the vanguard to Darab; the vanguard dipped their spear-heads in venom.”
#3
هم‌انگه طلایه بیامد ز روم
✦
وزین سو نگهدار این مرز و بوم
“At once the Roman vanguard advanced, while from this side stood the guardian of the realm.”
#4
زناگه دو لشکر بهم بازخورد
✦
برآمد هم‌آنگاه گرد نبرد
“Suddenly the two armies collided, and instantly the dust of battle arose.”
#5
همه یک به دیگر برآمیختند
✦
چو رود روان خون همی ریختند
“They mingled together in violent strife, shedding blood like a flowing river.”
#6
چو داراب دید آن سپاه نبرد
✦
به پیش اندر آمد به کردار گرد
“When Darab saw that battling host, he stepped forward like a warrior bound for glory.”
#7
ازان لشکر روم چندان بکشت
✦
که گفتی فلک تیغ دارد به مشت
“He slew so many of the Roman army that you would say heaven itself held a blade in its hand.”
#8
همی رفت زان گونه بر سان شیر
✦
نهنگی به چنگ اژدهایی به زیر
“He moved like a ferocious lion—a crocodile in claw, a dragon beneath.”
#9
چنین تا به لشکرگه رومیان
✦
همی تاخت بر سان شیر ژیان
“Thus he charged unto the Roman camp, raging like a roaring lion.”
#10
زمین شد ز رومی چو دریای خون
✦
جهانجوی را تیغ شد رهنمون
“The earth became a sea of Roman blood; the warrior's sword served as his guide.”
#11
به پیروزی از رومیان گشت باز
✦
به نزدیک سالار گردنفراز
“In victory he returned from the Romans to the exalted Iranian commander.”
#12
بسی آفرین یافت از رشنواد
✦
که این لشکر شاه بی‌تو مباد
“He received abundant praise from Rashnawad, who said: 'May the King's host never be without thee!'”
#13
چو ما بازگردیم زین رزم روم
✦
سپاه اندر آید به آباد بوم
“'When we return from this war with Rome, the army shall enter a prosperous realm.'”
#14
تو چندان نوازش بیابی ز شاه
✦
ز اسپ و ز مهر و ز تیغ و کلاه
“'Thou shalt receive great favor from the sovereign—steeds, seals, swords, and crowns.'”
#15
همه شب همی لشکر آراستند
✦
سلیح سواران بپیراستند
“All night they arrayed the army and burnished the armor of the horsemen.”
#16
چو خورشید برزد سر از تیره راغ
✦
زمین شد به کردار روشن چراغ
“When the sun raised its head over the dark mountain, the earth grew bright as a radiant lamp.”
#17
بهم بازخوردند هر دو سپاه
✦
شد از گرد خورشید تابان سیاه
“Both armies clashed once more; the bright sun was darkened by the clouds of dust.”
#18
چو داراب پیش آمد و حمله برد
✦
عنان را به اسپ تگاور سپرد
“As Darab stepped forward and charged, he gave the reins to his swift charger.”
#19
به پیش صف رومیان کس نماند
✦
ز گردان شمشیرزن بس نماند
“None remained standing before the Roman rank; few sword-wielding warriors survived.”
#20
به قلب سپاه اندر آمد چو گرگ
✦
پراگنده کرد آن سپاه بزرگ
“He drove into the heart of the host like a wolf, scattering that great army.”
#21
وزان جایگه شد سوی میمنه
✦
بیاورد چندی سلیح و بنه
“From there he charged toward the right wing, capturing armor and war booty.”
#22
همه لشکر روم برهم درید
✦
کسی از یلان خویشتن را ندید
“He tore apart the entire Roman force; none of their heroes knew where to turn.”
#23
دلیران ایران به کردار شیر
✦
همی تاختند از پس اندر دلیر
“The brave warriors of Iran, like fierce lions, charged valiantly behind him.”
#24
بکشتند چندان ز رومی سپاه
✦
که گل شد ز خون خاک آوردگاه
“They slew so many of the Roman army that the dust of the battlefield turned to mud with blood.”
#25
چهل جاثلیق از دلیران بکشت
✦
بیامد صلیبی گرفته به مشت
“He slew forty Catholicoi among their brave, returning with a cross held firm in his fist.”
#26
چو زو رشنواد آن شگفتی بدید
✦
ز شادی دل پهلوان بردمید
“When Rashnawad beheld that wonder from him, the hero's heart swelled with joy.”
#27
برو آفرین کرد و چندی ستود
✦
بران آفرین مهربانی فزود
“He praised him and commended him greatly, adding deep affection to his blessing.”
#28
شب آمد جهان قیرگون شد به رنگ
✦
همی بازگشتند یکسر ز جنگ
“Night fell, and the world grew pitch-black; all returned from the battle.”
#29
سپهبد به لشکرگه رومیان
✦
برآسود و بگشاد بند میان
“The commander rested in the camp of the Romans and unfastened his war-belt.”
#30
ببخشید در شب بسی خواسته
✦
شد از خواسته لشکر آراسته
“He distributed immense wealth during the night, enriching the army with riches.”
#31
فرستاد نزدیک داراب کس
✦
که ای شیردل مرد فریادرس
“He sent a messenger unto Darab, saying: 'O lion-hearted savior of the valiant!'”
#32
نگه کن کنون تا پسند تو چیست
✦
وزی خواسته سودمند تو چیست
“'Consider now what is pleasing to thee, and what of these spoils is useful to thee.'”
#33
نگه دار چیزی که رای آیدت
✦
ببخش آنچ دل رهنمای آیدت
“'Keep whatever thy wisdom desires, and give away whatever thy heart prompts thee.'”
#34
هرآنچ آن پسندت نیاید ببخش
✦
تو نامی‌تری از خداوند رخش
“'Give away whatever pleases thee not; thou art more famous than the lord of Rakhsh!'”
#35
چو آن دید داراب شد شادکام
✦
یکی نیزه برداشت از بهر نام
“When Darab saw this, he was filled with joy; he took only a single spear for the sake of honor.”
#36
فرستاد دیگر سوی رشنواد
✦
بدو گفت پیروز بادی و شاد
“He sent the rest back to Rashnawad, saying: 'Mayest thou be victorious and joyful!'”
#37
چو از باختر تیره شد روی مهر
✦
بپوشید دیبای مشکین سپهر
“When the sun's face grew dark in the west, the heavens donned black silk.”
#38
همان پاس از تیره شب درگذشت
✦
طلایه پراگنده بر گرد دشت
“A watch of the dark night passed; vanguards were posted around the plain.”
#39
غو پاسبان خاست چون زلزله
✦
همی شد چو آواز شیر یله
“The shout of the guards arose like an earthquake, sounding like the roar of a wild lion.”
#40
چو زرین سپر برگرفت آفتاب
✦
سر جنگجویان برآمد ز خواب
“When the sun raised its golden shield, the heads of the warriors arose from sleep.”
#41
ببستند گردان ایران میان
✦
همی تاختند از پس رومیان
“The heroes of Iran girded their loins and pursued the fleeing Romans.”
#42
به شمشیر تیز آتش افروختند
✦
همه شهرها را همی سوختند
“With sharp swords they ignited fire, burning all the cities to ashes.”
#43
ز روم و ز رومی برانگیخت گرد
✦
کس از بوم و بر یاد دیگر نکرد
“They raised dust from Rome and the Romans; none thought of their homeland anymore.”
#44
خروشی به زاری برآمد ز روم
✦
که بگذاشتند آن دلارام بوم
“A woeful cry arose from Rome as they abandoned that beloved land.”
#45
به قیصر بر از کین جهان تنگ شد
✦
رخ نامدارانش بی‌رنگ شد
“The world grew narrow for the Caesar in his grief; the faces of his notables paled.”
#46
فرستاده آمد بر رشنواد
✦
که گر دادگر سر نپیچد ز داد
“An envoy came unto Rashnawad, saying: 'If the just commander turns not his head from justice,'”
#47
شدند آنک جنگی بد از جنگ سیر
✦
سر بخت روم اندرآمد به زیر
“'Those who were warlike are now weary of battle; the head of Rome's fortune has fallen low.'”
#48
که گر باژ خواهید فرمان کنیم
✦
بنوی یکی باز پیمان کنیم
“'If ye demand tribute, we shall obey and forge a new covenant anew.'”
#49
فرستاد قیصر ز هر گونه چیز
✦
ابا برده‌ها بدره بسیار نیز
“Caesar sent all manner of riches, along with captives and many purses of money.”
#50
سپهبد پذیرفت زو آنچ بود
✦
ز دینار وز گوهر نابسود
“The commander accepted from him all that was offered—of dinars and unblemished jewels.”