As the host of Salm and Tur drew near the borders of Iran, news reached the aged King Fereydun. Straightway, Fereydun commanded his young heir, Prince Manuchehr, to march the imperial army down from the highlands to the vast plains. Fereydun imparted ancient wisdom to his grandson, and Manuchehr, donning his Roman coat of mail, vowed before the throne to avenge the innocent blood of his grandfather Iraj.
At Fereydun’s order, Qaran the battle-tested champion raised the glorious Kavian Banner and led the roaring host forth from the forests of Narvan and Tamisheh. The earth trembled under the march of armored knights, heavy mace-bearers, and towering war-elephants laden with golden thrones. Manuchehr arrayed his forces with divine splendor: he stood with King Sarv of Yemen in the center; the right wing was entrusted to the formidable Sam and Qobad; the left wing was given to Garshasp; Qobad held the vanguard, while Taliman lay in ambush.
When Salm and Tur learned of the Iranian army’s formidable advance, they passed the fortress of Alanan and arrayed their host on the battlefield. Meeting Qobad at the outpost, Tur dispatched a mocking message to Manuchehr, scorning his lineage as one born only through Iraj's daughter and questioning his right to rule and bear arms. Qobad fearlessly warned Tur of the impending wrath of the Iranian warriors before returning to deliver the message. Upon hearing the insult, Manuchehr merely laughed, swore by God Almighty that his noble blood and right to avenge Iraj would be proven on the field, and ordered a grand feast to be spread before the clash of steel began.
#1
سپه چون به نزدیک ایران کشید
✦
همانگه خبر با فریدون رسید
“As the host drew near to the borders of Iran, news thereof came swiftly to Fereydun.”
#2
بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه
✦
ز پهلو به هامون گذارد سپاه
“He straightway commanded King Manuchehr to lead the army from the mountain flanks into the open plain.”
#3
یکی داستان زد جهاندیده کی
✦
که مرد جوان چون بود نیک‌پی
“A world-experienced monarch once uttered a proverb: how fortunate is a young man blessed with good fortune and wisdom!”
#4
بدام آیدش ناسگالیده میش
✦
پلنگ از پس پشت و صیاد پیش
“Into his trap will fall the unsuspecting ewe, though a leopard prowls behind and the hunter waits before.”
#5
شکیبایی و هوش و رای و خرد
✦
هژبر از بیابان به دام آورد
“Patience, intellect, sound judgment, and wisdom shall lure even the fierce lion from the wilderness into the snare.”
#6
و دیگر ز بد مردم بد کنش
✦
به فرجام روزی بپیچد تنش
“And moreover, he who commits evil shall in the end see his own body writhing in torment.”
#7
ببادافره آنگه شتابیدمی
✦
که تفسیده آهن بتابیدمی
“I would hasten to inflict retribution only when the glowing iron had been tempered in the forge.”
#8
چو لشکر منوچهر بر ساده دشت
✦
برون برد آنجا ببد روز هشت
“When Manuchehr led the host onto the open plain, eight days were spent in preparing their march.”
#9
فریدونش هنگام رفتن بدید
✦
سخنها به دانش بدو گسترید
“Fereydun looked upon him at his departure, and bestowed upon him words steeped in ancient wisdom.”
#10
منوچهر گفت ای سرافراز شاه
✦
کی آید کسی پیش تو کینه خواه
“Manuchehr said: 'O exalted King, who would dare come before thee seeking revenge?'”
#11
مگر بد سگالد بدو روزگار
✦
به جان و تن خود خورد زینهار
“'Unless fortune itself plot evil against him, causing him to tremble for his own life and soul.'”
#12
من اینک میان را به رومی زره
✦
ببندم که نگشایم از تن گره
“'Lo, I now gird my loins with a Roman coat of mail, and shall not loosen its knot from my body.'”
#13
به کین جستن از دشت آوردگاه
✦
برآرم به خورشید گرد سپاه
“'To seek vengeance upon the plain of battle, I shall raise the dust of my army unto the sun!'”
#14
ازان انجمن کس ندارم به مرد
✦
کجا جست یارند با من نبرد
“'Among all that assembly I reckon no man worthy enough to dare engage in battle against me!'”
#15
بفرمود تا قارن رزم جوی
✦
ز پهلو به دشت اندر آورد روی
“The king then ordered Qaran, the seeker of battle, to turn his face from the mountain flanks toward the plain.”
#16
سراپردهٔ شاه بیرون کشید
✦
درفش همایون به هامون کشید
“He pitched the king's royal pavilion outside, and brought forth the auspicious banner unto the open plain.”
#17
همی رفت لشکر گروها گروه
✦
چو دریا بجوشید هامون و کوه
“The host advanced group by group, until mountain and plain seethed like a roaring ocean.”
#18
چنان تیره شد روز روشن ز گرد
✦
تو گفتی که خورشید شد لاجورد
“The bright day became so darkened by dust that thou wouldst say the radiant sun had turned to lapis lazuli.”
#19
ز کشور برآمد سراسر خروش
✦
همی کرشدی مردم تیزگوش
“A great clamor arose across the entire realm, deafening the ears of even the keenest listeners.”
#20
خروشیدن تازی اسپان ز دشت
✦
ز بانگ تبیره همی برگذشت
“The neighed roaring of Arab steeds across the plain drowned out the deep thunders of the war-drums.”
#21
ز لشگر گه پهلوان تا دو میل
✦
کشیده دو رویه رده ژنده‌پیل
“For two miles from the champion's encampment, huge war-elephants stood lined in double rows.”
#22
ازان شصت بر پشتشان تخت زر
✦
به زر اندرون چند گونه گهر
“Upon sixty of them were mounted golden thrones, encrusted with many kinds of precious gems.”
#23
چو سیصد بنه برنهادند بار
✦
چو سیصد همان از در کارزار
“Three hundred were laden with baggage and equipment, and another three hundred were arrayed directly for battle.”
#24
همه زیر برگستوان اندرون
✦
نبدشان جز از چشم ز آهن برون
“All were shrouded beneath heavy caparisons, so that naught was visible of them save their eyes through steel armor.”
#25
سراپردهٔ شاه بیرون زدند
✦
ز تمیشه لشکر بهامون زدند
“They pitched the royal pavilions outside, and from the forests of Tamisheh the army poured into the plain.”
#26
سپهدار چون قارن کینه‌دار
✦
سواران جنگی چو سیصدهزار
“With a warlike commander like vengeance-seeking Qaran, there marched three hundred thousand battle-tested horsemen.”
#27
همه نامداران جوشن‌وران
✦
برفتند با گرزهای گران
“All were renowned warriors clad in coats of mail, advancing with heavy maces in their hands.”
#28
دلیران یکایک چو شیر ژیان
✦
همه بسته بر کین ایرج میان
“Every single brave warrior was like a raging lion, all girded tight to seek vengeance for Iraj.”
#29
به پیش اندرون کاویانی درفش
✦
به چنگ اندرون تیغهای بنفش
“In the front waved the legendary Kavian Banner, and in their hands they wielded violet-hued blades of steel.”
#30
منوچهر با قارن پیلتن
✦
برون آمد از بیشهٔ نارون
“Manuchehr, alongside the elephant-bodied Qaran, came forth from the Narvan Forest.”
#31
بیامد به پیش سپه برگذشت
✦
بیاراست لشکر بران پهن‌دشت
“He came forward, passed before the troops, and arrayed the host upon that vast, wide plain.”
#32
چپ لشکرش را بگرشاسپ داد
✦
ابر میمنه سام یل با قباد
“He gave the left wing of his host to Garshasp, and placed valiant Sam alongside Qobad upon the right wing.”
#33
رده بر کشیده ز هر سو سپاه
✦
منوچهر با سرو در قلب‌گاه
“With rows drawn up on every side, Manuchehr stood at the center with King Sarv.”
#34
همی تافت چون مه میان گروه
✦
نبود ایچ پیدا ز افراز کوه
“He shone like the full moon amid the host, so grand that even the lofty mountain crests seemed hidden beside him.”
#35
سپه کش چو قارن مبارز چو سام
✦
سپه برکشیده حسام از نیام
“With a host commander like Qaran and a warrior like Sam, the whole army stood with swords drawn from their scabbards.”
#36
طلایه به پیش اندرون چون قباد
✦
کمین ور چو گرد تلیمان نژاد
“Qobad moved ahead in the vanguard, while the warrior from Taliman's line lay in ambush.”
#37
یکی لشکر آراسته چون عروس
✦
به شیران جنگی و آوای کوس
“The army was adorned like a magnificent bride, filled with warlike lions and the thunder of kettle-drums.”
#38
به تور و به سلم آگهی تاختند
✦
که ایرانیان جنگ را ساختند
“Word was swiftly borne to Tur and Salm that the Iranians were fully prepared for battle.”
#39
ز بیشه بهامون کشیدند صف
✦
ز خون جگر بر لب آورده کف
“They drew up their ranks from the forest unto the plain, foam of liver's blood boiling upon their lips.”
#40
دو خونی همان با سپاهی گران
✦
برفتند آگنده از کین سران
“Those two murderers came forward with a massive army, their heads filled with bitter hatred.”
#41
کشیدند لشکر به دشت نبرد
✦
الانان دژ را پس پشت کرد
“They led their host onto the battlefield, leaving the fortress of Alanan behind their backs.”
#42
یکایک طلایه بیامد قباد
✦
چو تور آگهی یافت آمد چو باد
“One by one the vanguard advanced, and when Qobad appeared, Tur came riding like the wind.”
#43
بدو گفت نزد منوچهر شو
✦
بگویش که ای بی‌پدر شاه نو
“Tur said to him: 'Go to Manuchehr, and say to him: O new king who hast no father!'”
#44
اگر دختر آمد ز ایرج نژاد
✦
ترا تیغ و کوپال و جوشن که داد
“'Though thou art sprung only from Iraj's daughter, who gave thee sword, mace, and body armor?'”
#45
بدو گفت آری گزارم پیام
✦
بدین سان که گفتی و بردی تو نام
“Qobad replied: 'Yea, I shall convey thy message exactly as thou hast spoken and named!'”
#46
ولیکن گر اندیشه گردد دراز
✦
خرد با دل تو نشیند براز
“Yet if your reflection endures for long, wisdom shall sit in secret council with your heart.”
#47
بدانی که کاریت هولست پیش
✦
بترسی ازین خام گفتار خویش
“You shall realize what a fearful peril lies ahead, and shrink back in terror from these your own raw words.”
#48
اگر بر شما دام و دد روز و شب
✦
همی گریدی نیستی بس عجب
“If wild beasts and cattle were to weep over your fate night and day, it would be no cause for wonder.”
#49
که از بیشهٔ نارون تا بچین
✦
سواران جنگند و مردان کین
“For from the Narvan forest unto the borders of Chin, all are battle-ready horsemen and men of vengeance.”
#50
درفشیدن تیغهای بنفش
✦
چو بینید باکاویانی درفش
“When you behold the gleam of violet-hued blades alongside the Kavian Banner,”
#51
بدرد دل و مغزتان از نهیب
✦
بلندی ندانید باز از نشیب
“Your hearts and minds shall burst from terror, and you shall no longer discern high ground from low.”
#52
قباد آمد آنگه به نزدیک شاه
✦
بگفت آنچه بشنید ازان رزم خواه
“Then Qobad returned into the presence of the Shah, and recounted all he had heard from those seekers of war.”
#53
منوچهر خندید و گفت آنگهی
✦
که چونین نگوید مگر ابلهی
“Manuchehr smiled and then declared: 'None but a fool would utter words such as these!'”
#54
سپاس از جهاندار هر دو جهان
✦
شناسندهٔ آشکار و نهان
“Praise be to the Ruler of both worlds, the Knower of all that is manifest and concealed,”
#55
که داند که ایرج نیای منست
✦
فریدون فرخ گوای منست
“Who knows that Iraj is my forefather, and glorious Fereydun stands as my witness.”
#56
کنون گر بجنگ اندر آریم سر
✦
شود آشکارا نژاد و گهر
“Now if we plunge headlong into war, true lineage and noble worth shall be revealed.”
#57
به زور خداوند خورشید و ماه
✦
که چندان نمانم ورا دستگاه
“By the might of the Lord of sun and moon, I shall not leave him his power for long!”
#58
که بر هم زند چشم زیر و زبر
✦
بریده به لشکر نمایمش سر
“Ere he can blink an eye, turned upside down, I shall sever his head and show it to the host!”
#59
بفرمود تا خوان بیاراستند
✦
نشستنگه رود و می‌خواستند
“He commanded the feast table to be adorned, and sought a place for music and wine.”