#1
سپاهی ز اصطخر بی‌مر ببرد
✦
بشد ساخته تا کند رزم کرد
“He led an uncounted host out from Istakhr, fully equipped to wage war against the Kurds.”
#2
به نیکی ز یزدان همی جست مزد
✦
که ریزد بر آن بوم و بر خون دزد
“He sought a righteous reward from Yazdan by shedding the blood of thieves upon that soil.”
#3
چو شاه اردشیر اندرآمد به تنگ
✦
پذیره شدش کرد بی‌مر به جنگ
“When King Ardashir entered the mountain narrow, an endless force of Kurds advanced to meet him in battle.”
#4
یکی کار بدخوار دشوار گشت
✦
ابا کرد کشور همه یار گشت
“The enterprise became severe and arduous, as the whole surrounding region allied with the Kurds.”
#5
یکی لشکری کرد بد پارسی
✦
فزونتر ز گردان او یک به سی
“They fielded a fierce host against the Persians, outnumbering his brave warriors by thirty to one.”
#6
یکی روز تا شب برآویختند
✦
سپاه جهاندار بگریختند
“From dawn until dark night they clashed violently, until the King's troops broke and fled.”
#7
ز بس کشته و خسته بر دشت جنگ
✦
شد آوردگه را همه جای تنگ
“From the multitude of slain and wounded upon the field of battle, the entire space grew constricted.”
#8
جز از شاه با خوارمایه سپاه
✦
نبد نامداران بدان رزمگاه
“Save for the King and a wretched, meager force, no famed warriors remained upon that battlefield.”
#9
ز خورشید تابان وز گرد و خاک
✦
زبانها شد از تشنگی چاک چاک
“From the scorching sun and the heavy swirling dust, tongues were cracked and parched with thirst.”
#10
هم‌انگه درفشی برآورد شب
✦
که بنشاند آن جنگ و جوش و جلب
“At that hour, night unfurled its dark banner, silencing the clamor, chaos, and fury of war.”
#11
یکی آتشی دید بر سوی کوه
✦
بیامد جهاندار با آن گروه
“The world-possessor saw a fire gleaming high upon the mountain, and marched toward it with his remnant band.”
#12
سوی آتش آورد روی ا ردشیر
✦
همان اندکی مرد برنا و پیر
“Ardashir turned his face toward the blaze, accompanied by his remaining men, both young and old.”
#13
چو تنگ اندر آمد شبانان بدید
✦
بران میش و بز پاسبانان بدید
“As he drew near, he beheld shepherds standing watch over their sheep and goats.”
#14
فرود آمد از باره شاه و سپاه
✦
دهانش پر از خاک آوردگاه
“The King and his men dismounted from their steeds, their mouths parched and full of battlefield dust.”
#15
ازیشان سبک اردشیر آب خواست
✦
هم‌انگه ببردند با آب ماست
“Ardashir quickly requested water from them, and instantly they brought water blended with milk-curd.”
#16
بیاسود و لختی چرید آنچ دید
✦
شب تیره خفتان به سر بر کشید
“He rested, consumed what simple food was present, and pulled his armor coat over himself in the dark night.”
#17
ز خفتان شایسته بد بسترش
✦
به بالین نهاد آن کیی مغفرش
“His trusty mail served as his couch, and he laid his royal helmet beneath his head as a pillow.”
#18
سپیده چو برزد ز دریای آب
✦
سر شاه ایران برآمد ز خواب
“When morning dawned from the sea of heaven, the head of the King of Iran arose from sleep.”
#19
بیامد به بالین او سرشبان
✦
که پدرام باد از تو روز و شبان
“The chief shepherd came to his bedside and said: 'May your days and nights be blessed and joyful!”
#20
چه آمد که این جای راه تو بود
✦
که نه در خور خوابگاه تو بود
“'What transpired that brought your steps to this place? For this is no fitting resting place for a king.'”
#21
بپرسید زان سرشبان راه شاه
✦
کز ایدر کجا یابم آرامگاه
“The King asked the chief shepherd for directions, saying: 'Where from here may I find an inhabited city?'”
#22
چنین داد پاسخ که آباد جای
✦
نیابی مگر باشدت رهنمای
“He answered: 'You shall not find an inhabited town unless you take a guide with you.”
#23
از ایدر کنون چار فرسنگ راه
✦
چو رفتی پدید آید آرامگاه
“'From here, when you travel four leagues onward, a prosperous settlement will appear.”
#24
وزان روی پیوسته شد ده به ده
✦
به ده در یکی نامبردار مه
“'And beyond that, village is joined to village, and in each village dwells a famous chieftain.'”
#25
چو بشنید زان سرشبان اردشیر
✦
ببرد از رمه راهبر چند پیر
“When Ardashir heard this from the chief shepherd, he took several elder guides from among the herdsmen.”
#26
سپهبد ز کوه اندر آمد بده
✦
ازان ده سبک پیش او رفت مه
“The commander descended from the mountain into a village, and the village chief quickly came out to greet him.”
#27
سواران فرستاد برنا و پیر
✦
ازان شهر تا خورهٔ اردشیر
“He dispatched horsemen, young and old, from that city all the way to Khurreh-ye Ardashir.”
#28
سپه را چو آگاهی آمد ز شاه
✦
همه شاددل برگرفتند راه
“When news of the King reached his scattered army, they all set out on the road with joyful hearts.”
#29
به کردان فرستاده کارآگهان
✦
کجا کار ایشان بجوید نهان
“He sent shrewd intelligence-gatherers to the Kurds to secretly probe their circumstances.”
#30
برفتند پویان و بازآمدند
✦
بر شاه ایران فراز آمدند
“Swiftly they went and swiftly returned, presenting themselves before the King of Iran.”
#31
که ایشان همه نامجویند و شاد
✦
ندارد کسی بر دل از شاه یاد
“They reported: 'They are all seeking glory and rejoicing, and no one keeps the King in mind.”
#32
برآنند کاندر صطخر اردشیر
✦
کهن گشت و شد بخت برناش پیر
“'They believe that Ardashir has grown old in Istakhr, and his youthful fortune has turned gray.'”
#33
چو بشنید شاه این سخن شاد شد
✦
گذشته سخن بر دلش باد شد
“When the King heard these words he was gladdened, and past misfortune vanished like wind from his heart.”
#34
گزین کرد ازان لشکر نامدار
✦
سواران شمشیرزن سی هزار
“From that renowned host he selected thirty thousand sword-wielding horsemen.”
#35
کماندار با تیر و ترکش هزار
✦
بیاورد با خویشتن شهریار
“A thousand bowmen equipped with arrows and quivers were also mustered alongside the sovereign.”