As the sun sank into golden twilight, Ardashir marshaled his valiant warriors, leaving behind all cumbersome baggage. When midnight cloaked the earth in pitch blackness, the Sovereign approached the encampment of the Kurds. He found the entire plain covered with sleeping foes, blissfully unaware of their impending doom. Drawing his radiant blade, Ardashir loosed his charger's reins and struck. The swords of Iran fell like lightning, carpeting the plain with severed heads and limbs until the very grass was crowned with blood. Countless enemies were taken captive, their arrogance and foolishness completely humbled. Ardashir granted the spoils of the enemy lands to his army, bestowing purses of gold upon his soldiers. So absolute became the peace and justice under his reign that even if an old man walked the wilderness carrying a basin of gold upon his head, no person would dare cast a covetous glance upon it. Yet Ardashir felt no pride in striking sleeping foes; proudly he returned to the ancient city of Istakhr, ordering his troops to refit their weapons and strengthen their steeds, ever vigilant for the battles yet to come.
#1
چو خورشید شد زرد لشکر براند
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کسی را که نابردنی بد بماند
“When the sun turned yellow, he drove the army forward, leaving behind whoever could not be taken.”
#2
چو شب نیم بگذشت و تاریک شد
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جهاندار با کرد نزدیک شد
“When midnight passed and pitch darkness fell, the Lord of the World drew close to the Kurds.”
#3
همه دشت زیشان پر از خفته دید
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یکایک دل لشکر آشفته دید
“He saw the entire plain filled with sleeping foes, the heart of their army completely oblivious.”
#4
چو آمد سپهبد به بالین کرد
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عنان بارهٔ تیزتگ را سپرد
“As the commander reached the bedside of the Kurds, he gave full rein to his swift-footed charger.”
#5
برآهخت شمشیر و اندرنهاد
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گیا را ز خون بر سر افسر نهاد
“He unsheathed his sword and set upon them, crowning the very grass with blood.”
#6
همه دشت زیشان سر و دست شد
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ز انبوه کشته زمین گست شد
“The entire plain became a heap of heads and hands, paved flat with the multitude of slain.”
#7
بی‌اندازه زیشان گرفتار شد
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سترگی و نابخردی خوار شد
“Countless among them were taken prisoner, and their arrogance and foolishness were brought low.”
#8
همه بومهاشان به تاراج داد
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سپه را همه بدره و تاج داد
“He gave all their lands to plunder, distributing purses of gold and crowns among his troops.”
#9
چنان شد که دینار بر سر به تشت
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اگر پیر مردی ببردی به دشت
“Such safety reigned that if an old man carried a basin of gold on his head through the desert,”
#10
به دینار او کس نکردی نگاه
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ز نیک‌اختر و بخت وز داد شاه
“No one would cast a glance at his gold, owing to the king's good fortune, auspicious star, and justice.”
#11
ز مردی نکردی بدان جنگ فخر
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گرازان بیامد به شهر صطخر
“He took no pride in his prowess for that battle, but marched triumphantly back to the city of Istakhr.”
#12
بفرمود کاسپان به نیرو کنید
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سلیح سواران بی‌آهو کنید
“He commanded that they strengthen the warhorses and repair any flaws in the riders' arms.”
#13
چو آسوده گردید یکسر به بزم
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که زود آید اندیشهٔ روز رزم
“For when you are completely at ease in feasting, know that thoughts of war will swiftly arrive.”
#14
دلیران به خوردن نهادند سر
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چو آسوده شد کردگاه و کمر
“The brave warriors gave themselves to feasting, now that the battlefield and armor were at rest.”
#15
پراندیشهٔ رزم شد اردشیر
✦
چو این داستان بشنوی یادگیر
“Ardashir became filled with thoughts of war; as you hear this tale, take heed.”