#1
وزان روی بهرام بیدار بود
✦
سپه را ز دشمن نگهدار بود
“And on his side, Bahram remained ever vigilant, protecting his army from the enemy's grasp.”
#2
شب و روز کارآگهان داشتی
✦
سپه را ز دشمن نهان داشتی
“Night and day he posted intelligence scouts, keeping his army concealed from the adversary.”
#3
چو آگهی آمد به بهرامشاه
✦
که خاقان به مروست و چندان سپاه
“When news arrived to King Bahram that the Khaqan was at Merv with a formidable host,”
#4
بیاورد لشکر ز آذر گشسپ
✦
همه بی‌بنه هر یکی با دو اسپ
“He mobilized his army from Adhar Ghashasp, all unencumbered, each warrior equipped with two steeds.”
#5
قبا جوشن و ترگ رومی کلاه
✦
شب و روز چون باد تازان به راه
“Clad in mail coats beneath tunics and iron Roman helmets, they charged day and night like the rushing wind.”
#6
همی تاخت لشکر چو از کوه سیل
✦
به آمل گذشت از در اردبیل
“The army swept like a torrent down the mountains, passing Amol by way of Ardabil.”
#7
ز آمل بیامد به گرگان کشید
✦
همی درد و رنج بزرگان کشید
“From Amol he rode onward to Gorgan, enduring the toil and hardship known to great commanders.”
#8
ز گرگان بیامد به شهر نسا
✦
یکی رهنمون پیش پر کیمیا
“From Gorgan he advanced to the city of Nisa, guided by expert and knowledgeable scouts.”
#9
به کوه و بیابان بی‌راه رفت
✦
به روز و به شب‌گاه و بی‌گاه رفت
“They traversed pathless mountains and deserts, pushing forward through day and dark of night.”
#10
به روز اندرون دیده‌بان داشتی
✦
به تیره شبان پاسبان داشتی
“By day he maintained sharp lookouts, and in the pitch-black night he set vigilant guards.”
#11
بدین‌سان بیامد به نزدیک مرو
✦
نپرد بدان گونه پران تذرو
“In such fashion he drew close to Merv—swiftly, as even a flying pheasant could not match.”
#12
نوندی بیامد ز کارآگهان
✦
که خاقان شب و روز بی‌اندهان
“A swift courier arrived from the intelligence scouts, reporting that the Khaqan rested carefree day and night,”
#13
به تدبیر نخچیر کشمیهن است
✦
که دستورش ازکهل اهریمنست
“Engaged in hunting at Kashmihan, guided by a adviser of old Ahrimanic spirit.”
#14
چو بهرام بشنید زان شاد شد
✦
همه رنجها بر دلش باد شد
“When Bahram heard this, he rejoiced; all the hardships of the journey blew away like wind from his heart.”
#15
برآسود روزی بدان رزمگاه
✦
چو آسوده‌تر گشت شاه و سپاه
“He rested for a day near that battleground, until both king and army were refreshed and eager.”
#16
به کشمیهن آمد به هنگام روز
✦
که برزد سر از کوه گیتی فروز
“He descended upon Kashmihan at dawn, just as the world-illuminating sun crowned the mountains.”
#17
همه گوش پرنالهٔ بوق شد
✦
همه چشم پر رنگ منجوق شد
“Every ear was filled with the roar of war horns, and every eye dazzled with the vibrant colors of royal banners.”
#18
دهاده برآمد ز نخچیرگاه
✦
پرآواز شد گوش شاه و سپاه
“A thunderous clamor arose from the hunting ground; noise engulfed the ears of the foreign king and his army.”
#19
بدرید از آواز گوش هژبر
✦
تو گفتی همی ژاله بارد ز ابر
“The violent roar tore the ears of fierce lions; one would say hail was raining down from the heavy clouds.”
#20
چو خاقان ز نخچیر بیدار شد
✦
به دست خزروان گرفتار شد
“When the Khaqan started up from his hunt, he was instantly captured by the warriors of Khazar.”
#21
چنان شد ز خون خاک آوردگاه
✦
که گفتی همی تیربارد ز ماه
“The earth of the battlefield grew so drenched in blood, as if arrows rained down from the moon.”
#22
چو سیصد تن از نامداران چین
✦
گرفتند و بستند بر پشت زین
“About three hundred grandees of China were seized and bound fast upon their saddles.”
#23
چو خاقان چینی گرفتار شد
✦
ازان خواب آنگاه بیدار شد
“When the Chinese Khaqan was bound in chains, only then did he awake from his profound slumber.”
#24
سپهبد ز کشمیهن آمد به مرو
✦
شد از تاختن چارپایان چو غرو
“The commander swept from Kashmihan into Merv, their steeds thin as reeds from the relentless assault.”
#25
به مرو اندر از چینیان کس نماند
✦
بکشتند وز جنگیان بس نماند
“Not one Chinese remained in Merv; they slaughtered them, leaving few of their warriors alive.”
#26
هرانکس کزیشان گریزان برفت
✦
پس‌اندر همی تاخت بهرام تفت
“Whosoever fled from them in terror, Bahram swiftly pursued in hot haste.”
#27
برین‌سان همی‌راند فرسنگ سی
✦
پس پشت او قارن پارسی
“In this manner he rode for thirty leagues, with Qaran the Persian close at his heel.”
#28
چو برگشت و آمد به نخچیرگاه
✦
ببخشید چیز کسان بر سپاه
“When he returned to the hunting grounds, he distributed the enemy spoils among his army.”
#29
ز پیروزی چین چو سربر فراخت
✦
همه کامگاری ز یزدان شناخت
“Having raised his head high in triumph over China, he recognized all success as coming from God,”
#30
کجا داد بر نیک و بد دستگاه
✦
که دارندهٔ آفتابست و ماه
“Who holds sovereign authority over good and evil, and is the master of the sun and the moon.”