#1
چو آگه شد از هفتواد اردشیر
✦
نبود آن سخنها ورا دلپذیر
“When Ardashir received tidings of Haftvad's deeds, those reports were far from pleasing to his heart.”
#2
سپهبد فرستاد نزدیک اوی
✦
سپاهی بلند اختر و رزمجوی
“The monarch dispatched against him a mighty host, high-destined and eager for battle.”
#3
چو آگاه شد زان سخن هفتواد
✦
ازیشان به دل در نیامدش یاد
“When Haftvad learned of their approach, he felt no fear nor harbored dread within his heart.”
#4
کمینگاه کرد اندران کنج کوه
✦
بیامد سوی رزم خود با گروه
“He prepared an ambush in a hidden corner of the mountain, then marched forth with his troops to engage in fight.”
#5
چو لشکر سراسر برآشوفتند
✦
به گرز و تبرزین همی کوفتند
“When the forces clashed in utter turmoil, they battered one another with maces and battle-axes.”
#6
سپاه اندرآمد ز جای کمین
✦
سیه شد بران نامداران زمین
“The ambushing host surged out from their hiding place, turning the dark earth dire for those famous warriors.”
#7
کسی بازنشناخت از پای دست
✦
تو گفتی زمین دست ایشان ببست
“None could distinguish foot from hand in the strife; you would say the ground itself bound their limbs.”
#8
ز کشته چنان شد در و دشت و کوه
✦
که پیروزگر شد ز کشتن ستوه
“Mountain, vale, and plain became so heaped with corpses that even the victors grew weary of the slaughter.”
#9
هرانکس که بد زنده زان رزمگاه
✦
سبک باز رفتند نزدیک شاه
“Whoever remained alive upon that field of carnage hastily retreated back to the King.”
#10
چو آگاه شد نامدار اردشیر
✦
ازان کشتن و غارت و دار و گیر
“When the renowned Ardashir was informed of the slaughter, the plunder, and the violent clash,”
#11
غمی گشت و لشکر همی باز خواند
✦
به زودی سلیح و درم برفشاند
“Grief seized his heart, and he recalled his army, swiftly bestowing weapons and coin upon them.”
#12
به تندی بیامد سوی هفتواد
✦
به گردون برآمد سر بدنژاد
“He advanced fiercely against Haftvad, while that ill-born traitor's pride swelled up to the heavens.”
#13
بیاورد گنج و سلیح از حصار
✦
برو خوار شد لشکر و کارزار
“Haftvad brought out treasure and arms from his fortress, holding both the royal army and the battle in low esteem.”
#14
جدا بود ازو دور مهتر پسر
✦
چو آگاه شد او ز رزم پدر
“His eldest son was far distant from him, but when news of his father's combat reached his ears,”
#15
برآمد ز آرام وز خورد و خواب
✦
به کشتی بیامد برین روی آب
“He abandoned all rest, food, and sleep, crossing over the water by boat to join the fray.”
#16
جهانجوی را نام شاهوی بود
✦
یکی مرد بدساز و بدگوی بود
“That ambitious warrior was named Shahoy, a man ill-disposed and prone to evil speech.”
#17
ز کشتی بیامد بر هفتواد
✦
دل هفتواد از پسر گشت شاد
“Disembarking from the boat, he came to Haftvad, whose heart rejoiced at the arrival of his son.”
#18
بیاراست بر میمنه جای خویش
✦
سپهبد بد و لشکر آرای خویش
“He arrayed his position on the right wing, acting as commander and marshal of his host.”
#19
دو لشکر بشد هر دو آراسته
✦
پر از کینه سر گنج پر خواسته
“Both armies stood arrayed in battle order, their hearts filled with vengeance and their treasuries rich with wealth.”
#20
بدیشان نگه کرد شاه اردشیر
✦
دل مرد برنا شد از رنج پیر
“King Ardashir gazed upon them, and the young prince's heart grew heavy as though aged with grief.”
#21
سپه برکشید از دو رویه دو صف
✦
ز خورشید و شمشیر برخاست تف
“He drew up the host in two facing ranks; a fiery glow arose from the sun glinting off the swords.”
#22
چو آواز کوس آمد از پشت پیل
✦
همی مرد بیهوش گشت از دو میل
“When the roar of the war-drums echoed from the elephants' backs, men were stunned even two miles away.”
#23
برآمد خروشیدن گاودم
✦
جهان پر شد از بانگ رویینه خم
“The blare of cow-horn trumpets resounded, and the world was filled with the clamor of brass drums.”
#24
زمین جنب جنبان شد از میخ نعل
✦
هوا از درفش سران گشت لعل
“The earth trembled under the nails of the horseshoes, and the air turned ruby-red from the banners of the chieftains.”
#25
از آواز گوپال وز ترگ و خود
✦
همی داد گردون زمین را درود
“From the sound of maces, shields, and helmets, the heavens seemed to send greetings down to the earth.”
#26
تگ بادپایان زمین را کنان
✦
در و دشت شد پر سر بی‌تنان
“The gallop of swift steeds tore up the soil; vale and plain were strewn with headless bodies.”
#27
برآن گونه شد لشکر هفتواد
✦
که گفتی بجنبید دریا ز باد
“Such was the surge of Haftvad's host that you would say the sea had been stirred by a tempest.”
#28
بیابان چنان شد ز هر دو سپاه
✦
که بر مور و بر پشه شد تنگ راه
“The desert became so densely packed with both armies that even ants and gnats could find no passage.”
#29
برین گونه تا روز برگشت زرد
✦
برآورد شب چادر لاژورد
“In this manner they fought until the day turned yellow, and night drew its lapis veil over the world.”
#30
ز هر سو سپه باز خواند اردشیر
✦
پس پشت او بد یکی آبگیر
“Ardashir recalled his army from every side; behind his position lay a reservoir of water.”
#31
چو دریای زنگارگون شد سیاه
✦
طلایه بیامد ز هر دو سپاه
“As the rust-colored sky turned black, vanguard patrols stepped forth from both armies.”
#32
خورش تنگ بد لشکر شاه را
✦
که بدخواه او بسته بد راه را
“Provisions grew scarce for the King's host, for his enemy had blockaded all the roads.”