#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.”