When darkness blanketed the vast plain and the bright world dissolved into night, scouts and outriders dispersed across the field to guard the camp. At the vanguard of the Iranian host stood Qaran the battle-seasoned champion alongside the wise King Sarv of Yemen. Suddenly, a resounding call echoed through the ranks: 'O illustrious chieftains and brave men of the King! Strive with all your might, for this is a holy war against the forces of Ahriman—a battle to avenge blood and purge evil. Gird your waists, remain vigilant, and trust in the shadow of the Almighty Creator!'
The herald proclaimed that whoever fell upon this sacred battlefield would enter Paradise cleansed of all sin, while those who repelled the invading hosts of China and Rome and liberated their native soil would gain eternal glory, blessed with the sacred splendor of the priests. From King Fereydun they would receive crowns and thrones, from their commander gold and treasures, and from God supreme fortune. The army was commanded that as soon as the pure light of dawn illuminated the heavens, every warrior should strap on his Kabuli dagger, grasp his heavy mace, stand firm in rank, and not step out of line until the command was given.
Moved by these stirrings, the battle-captains and noble lords assembled before their lion-hearted commander. With unified hearts, they declared: 'We are but devoted servants of the King, living only to execute his divine will. When he gives the word, we shall turn the battlefield into a raging River Jayhun of enemy blood!' With their solemn covenant forged, the heroes returned to their tents, their hearts burning with vengeance for Iraj, eager for the dawn of battle.
#1
بدان گه که روشن جهان تیره گشت
✦
طلایه پراگنده بر گرد دشت
“At that hour when the luminous world grew dark, the advance guard dispersed around the plain.”
#2
به پیش سپه قارن رزم زن
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ابا رای زن سرو شاه یمن
“At the head of the host stood Qaran the battle-warrior, together with the counselor Sarv, King of Yemen.”
#3
خروشی برآمد ز پیش سپاه
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که ای نامداران و مردان شاه
“A roar arose from the front of the army: 'O illustrious ones and valiant men of the King!”
#4
بکوشید کاین جنگ آهرمنست
✦
همان درد و کین است و خون خستنست
“Strive hard, for this battle is against Ahriman; it is pure pain, vengeance, and the shedding of blood.”
#5
میان بسته دارید و بیدار بید
✦
همه در پناه جهاندار بید
“Keep your waists girded and remain vigilant; abide altogether beneath the protection of the World-Lord.”
#6
کسی کو شود کشته زین رزمگاه
✦
بهشتی بود شسته پاک از گناه
“Whoever is slain upon this battlefield shall belong to Paradise, washed clean of all sin.”
#7
هر آن کس که از لشکر چین و روم
✦
بریزند خون و بگیرند بوم
“And whoever spills the blood of the hosts of China and Rome and reclaims the homeland,”
#8
همه نیکنامند تا جاودان
✦
بمانند با فرهٔ موبدان
“They shall all be renowed unto eternity, endowed with the Divine Glory of the priests.”
#9
هم از شاه یابند دیهیم و تخت
✦
ز سالار زر و ز دادار بخت
“They shall receive crowns and thrones from the King, gold from the commander, and good fortune from the Creator.”
#10
چو پیدا شود پاک روز سپید
✦
دو بهره بپیماید از چرخ شید
“When the pure daylight dawns and two parts of the sun's wheel have traversed the heavens,”
#11
ببندید یکسر میان یلی
✦
ابا گرز و با خنجر کابلی
“Gird your heroic waists all together, armed with maces and Kabuli daggers.”
#12
بدارید یکسر همه جای خویش
✦
یکی از دگر پای منهید پیش
“Hold your positions steadfastly; let no one step forward ahead of another.”
#13
سران سپه مهتران دلیر
✦
کشیدند صف پیش سالار شیر
“The leaders of the host and valiant chieftains drew up their ranks before the lion-hearted commander.”
#14
به سالار گفتند ما بنده‌ایم
✦
خود اندر جهان شاه را زنده‌ایم
“They said to the commander: 'We are humble servants; we live in this world only for the King.”
#15
چو فرمان دهد ما همیدون کنیم
✦
زمین را ز خون رود جیحون کنیم
“When he commands, we shall do as bidden and make the earth a Jayhun river of blood.'”
#16
سوی خیمهٔ خویش باز آمدند
✦
همه با سری کینه ساز آمدند
“They returned to their tents, all with hearts intent upon vengeance.”