As half the bright day slipped away, hatred burned hot within the hearts of the wicked princes. Tur and Salm abandoned all futile counsel and forged a sinister plot: when darkness fell, they would launch a devastating midnight raid, drenching the entire plain and desert in blood. Yet, the sharp-eyed scouts of Manuchehr discovered the conspiracy and galloped swiftly to warn their sovereign. Receiving the news, the wise Manuchehr immediately devised a tactical masterstroke. He entrusted the primary army to the renowned general Qaran, while he himself led thirty thousand elite blade-wielding champions into a perfectly positioned ambush.
When night cast its shadows over the realm, Tur advanced under cover of darkness with a hundred thousand warriors, arrows notched and bows drawn for a surprise slaughter. But upon reaching the camp, he found to his horror that the Iranian host stood fully prepared in battle formation, their radiant banners gleaming high. Realizing there was no retreat, Tur let out a war cry, and a ferocious clash erupted. Dust rolled off the galloping hooves like a storm cloud, while steel blades flashed like lightning, igniting the night air until the very ground seemed to burn under the dazzling glare of weapons.
Amidst the deafening roar of iron and the thunder of combat, King Manuchehr burst forth from the ambush, cutting off Tur's retreat from both sides. Terrified, Tur turned his reins and fled, but Manuchehr pursued him like a vengeance-driven dragon. Reaching Tur, Manuchehr plunged a heavy spear into his back, knocking the dagger from his grasp. With supernatural force, the young king plucked Tur off his saddle like the wind, slammed him to the earth, and severed the murderer's head from his neck—leaving his corpse as a feast for the wild beasts of the wilderness. victorious and exalted, Manuchehr returned to his triumphing host.
#1
چو از روز رخشنده نیمی برفت
✦
دل هر دو جنگی ز کینه بتفت
“When half of the shining day had passed, the hearts of both warriors burned with hatred.”
#2
به تدبیر یک با دگر ساختند
✦
همه رای بیهوده انداختند
“They took counsel together and discarded all futile plans.”
#3
که چون شب شود ما شبیخون کنیم
✦
همه دشت و هامون پر از خون کنیم
“Deciding: 'When night falls, we shall launch a night-raid and fill the entire plain with blood.'”
#4
چو کارآگهان آگهی یافتند
✦
دوان زی منوچهر بشتافتند
“When the intelligence-gatherers learned of this, they rushed swiftly toward Manuchehr.”
#5
رسیدند پیش منوچهر شاه
✦
بگفتند تا برنشاند سپاه
“They came before King Manuchehr and urged him to mobilize his army.”
#6
منوچهر بشنید و بگشاد گوش
✦
سوی چاره شد مرد بسیار هوش
“Manuchehr heard and gave heed; being a man of great intellect, he sought a remedy.”
#7
سپه را سراسر به قارن سپرد
✦
کمین‌گاه بگزید سالار گرد
“He entrusted the main army entirely to Qaran, while the brave commander selected an ambush site.”
#8
ببرد از سران نامور سی‌هزار
✦
دلیران و گردان خنجر‌گزار
“He took thirty thousand renowned leaders—valiant warriors and sword-wielding champions.”
#9
کمین‌گاه را جای شایسته دید
✦
سواران جنگی و بایسته دید
“He deemed the ambush location fitting and assembled the necessary combat riders.”
#10
چو شب تیره شد تور با صدهزار
✦
بیامد کمربستهٔ کارزار
“When the night grew dark, Tur arrived with a hundred thousand men, girded for battle.”
#11
شبیخون سگالیده و ساخته
✦
بپیوسته تیر و کمان آخته
“Having planned and prepared the raid, with arrows notched and bows drawn.”
#12
چو آمد سپه دید بر جای خویش
✦
درفش فروزنده بر پای پیش
“Yet when he arrived, he found the army ready in its place, with brilliant banners standing tall.”
#13
جز از جنگ و پیکار چاره ندید
✦
خروش از میان سپه بر کشید
“Seeing no choice but open battle, a thunderous roar arose from the army.”
#14
ز گَرد‌ِ سواران هوا بست میغ
✦
چو برق درخشنده پولاد تیغ
“From the dust of the horsemen, a dark cloud blanketed the air, while steel swords flashed like lightning.”
#15
هوا را تو گفتی همی برفروخت
✦
چو الماس روی زمین را بسوخت
“You would say the air ignited, while the glowing blades burnt the earth like diamond.”
#16
به مغز اندرون بانگ پولاد خاست
✦
به ابر اندرون آتش و باد خاست
“The clang of steel pierced through minds, while fire and wind surged into the clouds.”
#17
برآورد شاه از کمین‌گاه سر
✦
نبد تور را از دو رویه گذر
“Then the king rose from his ambush; Tur had no escape on either side.”
#18
عنان را بپیچید و برگاشت روی
✦
برآمد ز لشکر یکی های هوی
“Tur turned his reins and fled, as a tremendous clamor arose from the host.”
#19
دمان از پس ایدر منوچهر شاه
✦
رسید اندر آن نامور کینه خواه
“Storming swiftly behind came King Manuchehr; the famous avenger caught up to him.”
#20
یکی نیزه انداخت بر پشت او
✦
نگونسار شد خنجر از مشت او
“He hurled a spear straight into Tur's back, causing the dagger to tumble from his fist.”
#21
ز زین برگرفتش به کردار باد
✦
بزد بر زمین، داد‌ِ مردی بداد
“He lifted him from the saddle like the wind and smashed him to the ground, fulfilling the duty of manhood.”
#22
سرش را هم آنگه ز تن دور کرد
✦
دد و دام را از تنش سور کرد
“He instantly severed Tur's head from his body, offering his flesh as a feast for wild beasts.”
#23
بیامد به لشکرگه خویش باز
✦
به دیدار آن لشکر سرفراز
“He returned to his military camp to rejoin his proud and exalted host.”