In the days when the banner of Ardashir's sovereignty was raised over Pars, a renowned, battle-tested, and just ruler named Sabak governed the city of Jahrom. He was blessed with seven noble sons and a formidable host. When news of Ardashir the Sasanian reached him, he cast off his allegiance to Bahman, son of Ardavan, and marched toward Ardashir with drums beating and armor gleaming. Upon beholding the commander, Sabak dismounted with high decorum, kissed the ground at Ardashir's feet, and exalted the noble lineage of the House of Sasan. Though Ardashir received him with grand honor, a seed of apprehension lingered in his heart regarding the old lord's true intent.
Sabak, being a wise and vigilant elder, perceived the king's silent misgivings. He brought forth the holy books of the Avesta and Zand, swearing a solemn oath by the Supreme Creator: 'May Sabak's soul be accursed if his heart beats not with absolute purity toward the King!' He declared his utter weariness of Ardavan's house and pledged himself as Ardashir's faithful, secret-keeping servant. Hearing these solemn vows, the shadows of suspicion melted from Ardashir's mind; he elevated Sabak to a fatherly stature and raised his rank above all other chieftains.
With a mind at peace, King Ardashir journeyed to the sacred Fire Temple of Azar Ram Kharrad. He bowed low in worship before God, praying for victory and asking that the tree of his royal greatness might bear fruit. Returning to his pavilion, he distributed silver to his warriors and rallied his army. Strengthened and fierce as warlike leopards, they marched against Bahman, son of Ardavan. The opposing armies drew their ranks, and Indian blades and long spears clashed beneath a sky clouded with dark dust. Blood flowed like swift streams until the sun turned pale upon the horizon.
As twilight draped the sky in turquoise hue, Sabak's cavalry and Ardashir's center force charged like a roaring pitch-black storm. With heavy maces and divine radiance, Ardashir shattered the enemy lines. Bahman, wounded by arrows and broken in spirit, fled the field. Ardashir pursued him ruthlessly amidst the blare of war horns and a hail of arrows all the way to the royal city of Istakhr. As the news of Ardashir's glorious triumph echoed across the realm, countless troops rallied to his banner. The vast treasures hoarded by Bahman were seized and bestowed upon the army, and with boundless strength, Ardashir marched forth from Pars to claim the destiny of kings.
#1
یکی نامور بود نامش سباک
✦
ابا آلت و لشکر و رای پاک
“There was a renowned noble named Sabak, possessed of war gear, an army, and pure judgment,”
#2
که در شهر جهرم بد او پادشا
✦
جهاندیده با داد و فرمانروا
“Who reigned as king in the city of Jahrom, world-experienced, just, and commanding.”
#3
مر او را خجسته پسر بود هفت
✦
چو آگه شد از پیش بهمن برفت
“He had seven blessed sons; when he received news of Ardashir, he departed from before Bahman.”
#4
ز جهرم بیامد سوی اردشیر
✦
ابا لشکر و کوس و با دار و گیر
“From Jahrom he came toward Ardashir, accompanied by his army, kettle-drums, and pomp.”
#5
چو چشمش به روی سپهبد رسید
✦
ز باره درآمد چنانچون سزید
“When his eyes met the face of the commander, he dismounted from his steed as was fitting.”
#6
بیامد دمان پای او بوس داد
✦
ز ساسانیان بیشتر کرد یاد
“He came forward swiftly and kissed his feet, speaking much in praise of the Sasanians.”
#7
فراوان جهانجوی بنواختش
✦
به زود آمدن ارج بشناختش
“The world-conquering king welcomed him warmly and valued his prompt arrival.”
#8
پراندیشه شد نامجوی از سباک
✦
دلش گشت زان پیر پر بیم و باک
“Yet the famed king grew thoughtful regarding Sabak, and his heart filled with dread and apprehension of the elder.”
#9
به راه اندرون نیز آژیر بود
✦
که با او سپاه جهانگیر بود
“Along the road he remained watchful and alert, accompanied by his world-subduing host.”
#10
جهاندیده بیدار دل بود پیر
✦
بدانست اندیشهٔ اردشیر
“The experienced, vigilant-hearted old lord perceived the inner thoughts of Ardashir.”
#11
بیامد بیاورد استا و زند
✦
چنین گفت کز کردگار بلند
“He brought forth the Avesta and Zand and declared: 'By the Exalted Creator...'”
#12
نژندست پرمایه جان سباک
✦
اگر دل ندارد سوی شاه پاک
“'Wretched be the noble soul of Sabak if his heart is not devoted to the pure King!'”
#13
چو آگاهی آمد ز شاه اردشیر
✦
که آورد لشکر بدین آبگیر
“'When news reached me of King Ardashir leading his army to this realm,'”
#14
چنان سیر سر گشتم از اردوان
✦
که از پیرزن گشت مرد جوان
“'I became as weary of Ardavan as a young warrior grows weary of an old woman.'”
#15
مرا نیک‌پی مهربان بنده‌دان
✦
شکیبادل و راز داننده دان
“'Know me as a auspicious, loving servant—patient of heart and keeper of secrets.'”
#16
چو بشنید زو اردشیر این سخن
✦
یکی دیگر اندیشه افگند بن
“When Ardashir heard these words from him, he established a fresh foundation of trust.”
#17
مر او را به جای پدر داشتی
✦
بران نامدارانش سر داشتی
“He revered Sabak as a father and held him exalted above all other chieftains.”
#18
دل شاه ز اندیشه آزاد شد
✦
سوی آذر رام خراد شد
“The King's heart was freed from anxiety, and he turned toward the Fire Temple of Azar Ram Kharrad.”
#19
نیایش بسی کرد پیش خدای
✦
که باشدش بر نیکوی رهنمای
“He offered abundant prayers before God, asking that He guide him toward righteousness,”
#20
به هر کار پیروزگر داردش
✦
درخت بزرگی به بر داردش
“And grant him victory in every deed, letting the tree of greatness yield its fruit for him.”
#21
وزان جایگه شد به پرده‌سرای
✦
عرض پیش او رفت با کدخدای
“From that place he went to his royal tent pavilion, where the muster-master presented the rolls alongside the steward.”
#22
سپه را درم داد و آباد کرد
✦
ز دادار نیکی دهش یاد کرد
“He bestowed silver upon the army and enriched them, remembering the benevolent Creator.”
#23
چو شد لشکرش چون دلاور پلنگ
✦
سوی بهمن اردوان شد به جنگ
“When his army grew fierce as warlike leopards, he marched to do battle against Bahman, son of Ardavan.”
#24
چو گشتند نزدیک با یکدگر
✦
برفتند گردان پرخاشخر
“When they drew near to one another, the pugnacious warriors advanced into battle.”
#25
سپاه از دو رویه کشیدند صف
✦
همه نیزه و تیغ هندی به کف
“The armies drew up their lines on both sides, all holding spears and Indian swords in hand.”
#26
چو شیران جنگی برآویختند
✦
چو جوی روان خون همی ریختند
“They grappled like war lions, shedding blood like flowing streams.”
#27
بدین گونه تا گشت خورشید زرد
✦
هوا پر ز گرد و زمین پر ز مرد
“In this manner they fought until the sun turned yellow; the sky was filled with dust and the earth with fallen men.”
#28
چو شد چادر چرخ پیروزه‌رنگ
✦
سپاه سباک اندر آمد به جنگ
“When the veil of the sky assumed a turquoise hue, Sabak's army entered the fray.”
#29
برآمد یکی باد و گردی چو قیر
✦
بیامد ز قلب سپاه اردشیر
“A wind arose with pitch-black dust, as Ardashir charged out from the center of his host.”
#30
بیفگند زیشان فراوان به گرز
✦
که با زور و دل بود و با فر و برز
“He struck down many with his mace, for he possessed strength, valor, divine glory, and high stature.”
#31
گریزان بشد بهمن اردوان
✦
تنش خستهٔ تیر و تیره‌روان
“Bahman, son of Ardavan, fled the field—his body wounded by arrows and his spirit darkened.”
#32
پس‌اندر همی تاخت شاه اردشیر
✦
ابا نالهٔ بوق و باران تیر
“King Ardashir pursued him ruthlessly amidst the blare of war horns and a rain of arrows,”
#33
برین هم نشان تا به شهر صطخر
✦
که بهمن بدو داشت آواز و فخر
“Continuing the pursuit all the way to the city of Istakhr, wherein Bahman had boasted his pride.”
#34
ز گیتی چو برخاست آواز شاه
✦
ز هر سو بپیوست بی‌مر سپاه
“As the King's fame resounded through the world, countless troops joined him from every direction.”
#35
مر او را فراوان نمودند گنج
✦
کجا بهمن آگنده بود آن به رنج
“They presented him with vast treasures which Bahman had painfully amassed with hardship.”
#36
درمهای آگنده را برفشاند
✦
به نیرو شد از پارس لشکر براند
“He distributed the hoarded coin, grew in strength, and led his army out from Pars.”