#1
چو خورشید برزد سر از کوه و راغ
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زمین شد به کردار زرین چراغ
“When the sun crested the mountains and glades, the earth turned radiant like a golden lamp.”
#2
جهاندار دارا سپه برگرفت
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جهان چادر قیر بر سرگرفت
“King Dara led forth his army, while the world donned a cloak of pitch.”
#3
بیاورد لشکر ز رود فرات
✦
به هامون سپه بیش بود از نبات
“He brought his host from the river Euphrates; upon the plain, the army outnumbered the plants of the earth.”
#4
سکندر چو بشنید کامد سپاه
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بزد کوس و آورد لشکر به راه
“When Sekandar heard the host had arrived, he struck the war-drums and set his army upon the march.”
#5
دو لشکر که آن را کرانه نبود
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چو اسکندر اندر زمانه نبود
“Two endless armies faced one another; in that age, there was no conqueror like Alexander.”
#6
ز ساز و ز گردان هر دو گروه
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زمین همچو دریا بد و گرد کوه
“From the arms and champions of both hosts, the earth became like a sea, and dust swirled around the mountains.”
#7
ز خفتان وز خنجر هندوان
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ز بالا و اسپ وز برگستوان
“With chainmail coats, Indian blades, tall steeds, and horse-armor, the glare of swords reached the sun.”
#8
دو رویه سپه برکشیدند صف
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ز خنجر همی یافت خورشید تف
“Both armies drew up their lines on either side, their flashing daggers reflecting the sun's scorching heat.”
#9
به پیش سپاه آوریدند پیل
✦
جهان شد به کردار دریای نیل
“They brought forward the elephants ahead of the host, turning the world into the image of the River Nile.”
#10
سواران جنگ از پس و پیل پیش
✦
همه برگرفته دل از جان خویش
“Fighting horsemen charged behind the elephants, all of them having relinquished their desire for life.”
#11
تو گفتی هوا خون خروشد همی
✦
زمین از خروشش بجوشد همی
“You would say the atmosphere roared with blood, and the earth boiled from its terrible cries.”
#12
ز بس نالهٔ بوق و هندی درای
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همی کوه را دل برآمد ز جای
“From the continuous blast of clarions and Indian bells, the very heart of the mountains was torn from its place.”
#13
ز آواز اسپان و بانگ سران
✦
چرنگیدن گرزهای گران
“From the neighing of horses, the shouts of commanders, and the clattering of heavy maces, the earth trembled.”
#14
تو گفتی زمین کوه جنگی شدست
✦
ز گرد آسمان روی زنگی شدست
“You would say the earth had become a mountain of war, and from the dust, the face of the sky turned black as a Zangi.”
#15
به یک هفته گردان پرخاشجوی
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به روی اندر آورده بودند روی
“For a whole week, battle-seeking champions fought face to face in endless battle.”
#16
بهشتم برآمد یکی تیره گرد
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بران سان که خورشید شد لاژورد
“On the eighth day, a dark dust cloud arose, such that the bright sun turned lapis lazuli.”
#17
بپوشید دیدار ایران سپاه
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گریزان برفتند از آن رزمگاه
“Darkened was the vision of the Iranian host, and they fled in retreat from that battlefield.”
#18
سپاه سکندر پس اندر دمان
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یکی پرغم و دیگری شادمان
“Alexander's army roared in relentless pursuit—the one side full of grief, the other filled with joy.”
#19
سکندر بشد تا لب رودبار
✦
بکشتند ز ایرانیان بی‌شمار
“Sekandar pressed forward to the riverbank, and countless Iranians were slain in the carnage.”
#20
سپاه از لب رود برگاشتند
✦
بفرمود تا رود بگذاشتند
“Turning his forces back from the river's edge, he commanded his men to cross the river.”
#21
به پیروزی آمد بران رزمگاه
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کجا پیش بود آن گزیده سپاه
“Triumphant he stood upon that battlefield, where previously the elite host had stood arrayed.”