As the hour of war with the Roman Caesar drew near, King Khosrow Anushirvan combined grand banquets with martial preparation. Every evening, a thousand armored champions dined at the royal table, and the monarch opened his treasuries, lavishing coin and gear upon his host. He assembled his grand commanders and ordered the ranks of his army: the wise and prudent Shirovi Bahram was appointed army commander; the left wing was entrusted to Farhad; the right wing and baggage vanguard to Goshasp the World-Seeker; the center to Mehran, whose heart remained steadfast in vengeance; and the vanguard patrol to Hormozd-e Khorrad.
Scouts and intelligence gatherers were dispatched in all directions so that no secret of the land remained hidden. The King then gathered the veterans of his army and delivered a stern decree of chivalry and justice: he swore by Almighty Yazdan—Lord of Saturn, Mars, and the Sun—that if any soldier strayed from the path of righteousness, caused distress to a beggar or a noble, trampled a farmer's crop, or harvested fruit without leave, their head would fall by the sword. The King himself rode at the vanguard and commanded the center, watching over the war-elephants, baggage, and troops.
Rashnavad, the royal herald, galloped through the endless tents, proclaiming the King's unyielding edict. Yet Anushirvan's approach to warfare was tempered by wisdom; he would first dispatch truthful envoys to offer terms of justice and peace. If the enemy chose war, he transformed into a furious crocodile of battle, sweeping away their lands with the sword. His royal majesty radiated like the sun, withholding its light from none, making victory and royal generosity seem effortless.
The Persian host marched upon the fortress of Shurab, a citadel anchored in deep waters with towers reaching into the clouds. Setting up siege engines on all four sides, Khosrow battered the walls of the Catholicos until they crumbled into dust amid smoke, fire, and the cries of the besieged. He captured the grandees and bound them atop war-elephants, yet spared the helpless.
Next, the King advanced upon the fortress known as the 'Ornament of Rome', which housed the royal treasures of Caesar. Ordering a barrage of arrows that darkened the sky like spring hail, the fortress fell, and Khosrow distributed Caesar's wealth among his soldiers. As the common folk, women, and children emerged crying for mercy, the King extended royal pardon and granted them protection.
Caesar dispatched a massive army led by a champion named Porphyrios (Farfuryos). Facing them with a confident smile, Khosrow arrayed his ranks, and the Persian horsemen struck like leopards upon wild sheep. Porphyrios was wounded, his banners shredded, and his forces scattered. The Persian army then reached Qaliniyos, a fortress with towers higher than an eagle's flight and a deep moat. After a fierce battle where arrows and naptha flasks rained down, the city walls were breached. To prevent pillage and harm to non-combatants, Khosrow ordered his army to withdraw into the plains under the cover of night. At dawn, the townsfolk surrendered, and the merciful King spared their lives and restored their property.
Finally, the army arrived at Antioch. Khosrow delayed three days to allow a peaceful surrender, but on the fourth day, the Iranian warriors struck like an avalanche. The Roman nobles surrendered their crowns and treasures, and the captive warriors were dispatched to Ctesiphon (Madain). As Anushirvan toured the majestic city of Antioch, beholding its sapphire waters, ruby-like trees, and golden structures, he turned to his mobads in wonder, declaring that this was no mere city, but a living paradise and eternal spring on earth.
#1
چنان بد که هر شب ز گردان هزار
✦
به بزم آمدندی بر شهریار
“Every night, a thousand champions came to the royal banquet of the King of Kings.”
#2
چو نزدیک شد رزم را ساز کرد
✦
سپه را درم دادن آغاز کرد
“When the time for battle drew near, he prepared for war and began bestowing wealth upon his army.”
#3
سپهدار شیروی بهرام بود
✦
که در جنگ با رای و آرام بود
“The commander of the army was Shirovi Bahram, who combined wisdom and calm in battle.”
#4
چپ لشکرش را به فرهاد داد
✦
بسی پندها بر برو کرد یاد
“He assigned the left wing of his host to Farhad, instilling in him much counsel and wisdom.”
#5
چو استاد پیروز بر میمنه
✦
گشسب جهانجوی پیش بنه
“While the victorious master stood on the right wing, Goshasp the World-Seeker took charge of the advance guard.”
#6
به قلب اندر اورند مهران به پای
✦
که در کینه گه داشتی دل به جای
“In the center of the host they placed Mehran, who kept a steadfast heart in the realm of vengeance.”
#7
طلایه به هرمزد خراد داد
✦
بسی گفت با او ز بیداد و داد
“He gave the vanguard to Hormozd-e Khorrad, speaking much with him of justice and oppression.”
#8
به هر سوی رفتند کارآگهان
✦
بدان تا نماند سخن در نهان
“Scouts and intelligence-gatherers departed in every direction, so that no truth remained hidden.”
#9
ز لشکر جهاندیدگان را بخواند
✦
بسی پند و اندرز نیکو براند
“He summoned the experienced elders of the army and gave them noble counsels and advice.”
#10
چنین گفت کین لشکر بی‌کران
✦
ز بی‌مایگان وز پرمایگان
“He spoke thus: 'This vast host, consisting of both humble men and nobles...'”
#11
اگر یک تن از راه من بگذرند
✦
دم خویش بی‌رای من بشمرند
“'If a single person steps off my path or draws a breath without my counsel...'”
#12
بدرویش مردم رسانند رنج
✦
وگر بر بزرگان که دارند گنج
“'Or inflicts hardship upon the poor, or upon nobles who possess treasures...'”
#13
وگر کشتمندی بکوبد به پای
✦
وگر پیش لشکر بجنبد ز جای
“'Or tramples down a cultivated field, or moves out of place before the host...'”
#14
ور آهنگ بر میوه‌داری کند
✦
وگر ناپسندیده کاری کند
“'Or makes an attempt upon fruit-bearing trees, or commits any unseemly act...'”
#15
به یزدان که او داد دیهیم و زور
✦
خداوند کیوان و بهرام و هور
“'I swear by God who gave the crown and strength, the Lord of Saturn, Mars, and the Sun...'”
#16
که در پی میانش ببرم به تیغ
✦
وگر داستان را برآید به میغ
“'That I shall cleave his waist with the sword, even if his story reaches the clouds!'”
#17
به پیش سپه در طلایه منم
✦
جهانجوی و در قلب مایه منم
“'I myself am the vanguard before the host; I am the seeker of the world and the core in the center.'”
#18
نگهبان پیل و سپاه و بنه
✦
گهی بر میان گاه برمیمنه
“'Guardian of the elephants, the army, and the baggage—sometimes in the center, sometimes on the right.'”
#19
به خشکی روم گر بدریای آب
✦
نجویم برزم اندر آرام و خواب
“'I will march over dry land or into the sea; in battle, I seek neither rest nor sleep.'”
#20
منادیگری نام او رشنواد
✦
گرفت آن سخنهای کسری به یاد
“The herald, whose name was Rashnavad, committed all those words of Khosrow to memory.”
#21
بیامد دوان گرد لشکر بگشت
✦
به هر خیمه و خرگهی برگذشت
“He ran swift about the host, passing by every tent and pavilion.”
#22
خروشید کای بی‌کرانه سپاه
✦
چنینست فرمان بیدار شاه
“He cried out: 'O boundless army! Such is the command of the vigilant King:'”
#23
که گر جز به داد و به مهر و خرد
✦
کسی سوی خاک سیه بنگرد
“'That if anyone looks upon the black soil with anything other than justice, love, and wisdom...'”
#24
بران تیره خاکش بریزند خون
✦
چو آید ز فرمان یزدان برون
“'They shall spill his blood upon that dark earth, when he steps beyond the divine command!'”
#25
به بانگ منادی نشد شاه رام
✦
به روز سپید و شب تیره‌فام
“Yet the King did not rely solely on the herald's shout, by bright day or dark night.”
#26
همی گرد لشکر بگشتی به راه
✦
همی‌داشتی نیک و بد را نگاه
“He himself rode constantly about the army, keeping watch over good and evil.”
#27
ز کار جهان آگهی داشتی
✦
بد و نیک را خوار نگذاشتی
“He was aware of all affairs of the world, never holding good or evil in low regard.”
#28
ز لشکر کسی کو به مردی به راه
✦
ورا دخمه کردی بران جایگاه
“If anyone from the army died honorably on the path, he built a tomb for him at that very place.”
#29
اگر بازماندی ازو سیم و زر
✦
کلاه و کمان و کمند و کمر
“And if silver, gold, crown, bow, lasso, or belt remained of him...”
#30
بد و نیک با مرده بودی به خاک
✦
نبودی به از مردم اندر مغاک
“Both good and bad were buried with the dead in the earth; none was treated better in the tomb.”
#31
جهانی بدو مانده اندر شگفت
✦
که نوشین روان آن بزرگی گرفت
“The whole world remained in wonder at how Noshinravan attained such grandeur.”
#32
به هر جایگاهی که جنگ آمدی
✦
ورارای و هوش و درنگ آمدی
“Wherever battle arose, he brought judgment, intelligence, and measured pause.”
#33
فرستاده‌ای خواستی راستگوی
✦
که رفتی بر دشمن چاره‌جوی
“He would seek a truthful envoy to go unto the enemy seeking a remedy.”
#34
اگر یافتندی سوی داد راه
✦
نکردی ستم خود خردمند شاه
“If they found the path of justice, the wise King himself would commit no oppression.”
#35
اگر جنگ جستی به جنگ آمدی
✦
به خشم دلاور نهنگ آمدی
“But if they sought war, he came to war; in wrath, he became a valiant crocodile.”
#36
به تاراج دادی همه بوم و رست
✦
جهان را به داد و به شمشیر جست
“He would give all their land and settlements to plunder, seeking the world through justice and the sword.”
#37
به کردار خورشید بد رای شاه
✦
که بر تر و خشکی بتابد به راه
“The judgment of the King was like the sun, shining upon both wet and dry along its way.”
#38
ندارد ز کس روشنایی دریغ
✦
چو بگذارد از چرخ گردنده میغ
“It does not withhold light from anyone, once it passes the clouds of the revolving sky.”
#39
همش خاک و هم ریگ و هم رنگ و بوی
✦
همش در خوشاب و هم آب جوی
“Earth, sand, color, fragrance, pearl in pure water, and river streams are all equal to it.”
#40
فروغ و بلندی نبودش ز کس
✦
دلفروز و بخشنده او بود و بس
“He needed no light or loftiness from anyone; he alone was heart-brightening and generous.”
#41
شهنشاه را مایه این بود و فر
✦
جهان را همی‌داشت در زیر پر
“Such was the glory and essence of the King of Kings, holding the world under his wing.”
#42
ورا جنگ و بخشش چو بازی بدی
✦
ازیران چنان بی‌نیازی بدی
“To him, war and generosity were like a game; thus Iran became so free from want.”
#43
اگر شیر و پیل آمدندیش پیش
✦
نه برداشتی جنگ یک روز بیش
“If lions and elephants came before him, he would not prolong the battle for more than a day.”
#44
سپاهی که با خود و خفتان جنگ
✦
به پیش سپاه آمدی بیدرنگ
“Any army that advanced without delay in helmet and war-cuirass...”
#45
اگر کشته بودی و گر بسته زار
✦
بزندان پیروزگر شهریار
“Whether slain or miserably bound, they ended up in the victorious monarch's prison.”
#46
چنین تا بیامد بران شارستان
✦
که شوراب بد نام آن کارستان
“Thus he arrived at that citadel, which was named Shurab—a place of great strife.”
#47
برآورده‌ای دید سر بر هوا
✦
پر از مردم و ساز جنگ و نوا
“He beheld a lofty fortress reaching toward the sky, teeming with people, weapons of war, and provisions.”
#48
ز خارا پی افگنده در قعر آب
✦
کشیده سر باره اندر سحاب
“Its foundations of granite were cast deep into the water, while the summit of its ramparts reached into the clouds.”
#49
بگرد حصار اندر آمد سپاه
✦
ندیدند جایی به درگاه راه
“The army encircled the fortress, yet found no path leading to its gateway.”
#50
برو ساخت از چار سو منجنیق
✦
به پای آمد آن بارهٔ جاثلیق
“He set up catapults against it from all four sides, until the rampart of the Catholicos collapsed.”
#51
برآمد ز هر سوی دز رستخیز
✦
ندیدند جایی گذار و گریز
“A turmoil like Resurrection arose from every corner of the fort; they found no way of passage nor escape.”
#52
چو خورشید تابان ز گنبد بگشت
✦
شد آن بارهٔ دز به کردار دشت
“When the radiant sun turned from the celestial dome, that fortress wall was leveled like a plain.”
#53
خروش سواران و گرد سپاه
✦
ابا دود و آتش برآمد به ماه
“The clamor of horsemen and dust of the host, mingled with smoke and fire, rose up to the moon.”
#54
همه حصن بی‌تن سر و پای بود
✦
تن بی‌سرانشان دگر جای بود
“Throughout the fortress lay severed heads and feet without bodies, while the headless torsos lay elsewhere.”
#55
غو زینهاری و جوش زنان
✦
برآمد چو زخم تبیره‌زنان
“Crying for mercy and the laments of women echoed loudly, like the rhythmic beating of drums.”
#56
از ایشان هر آنکس که پرمایه بود
✦
به گنج و به مردی گرانپایه بود
“Whosoever among them was of noble standing, rich in treasure and eminent in valor,”
#57
ببستند بر پیل و کردند بار
✦
خروش آمد و نالهٔ زینهار
“They bound them onto elephants and loaded them as spoils, while cries and pleas for quarter resounded.”
#58
نبخشود بر کس به هنگام رزم
✦
نه بر گنج دینار برگاه بزم
“He showed no leniency to any during battle, nor did he spare the treasures of gold in times of banquet.”
#59
وزان جایگاه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
بره بر دزی دیگر آمد پدید
“From that location he led his forces onward, and along the route another fortress came into view.”
#60
که در بند او گنج قیصر بدی
✦
نگهدار آن دز توانگر بدی
“Wherein lay the treasures of Caesar under guard, and the keeper of that castle was a man of wealth.”
#61
که آرایش روم بد نام اوی
✦
ز کسری برآمد به فرجام اوی
“It was called 'The Ornament of Rome', but its ultimate fate was accomplished by Khosrow.”
#62
بدان دز نگه کرد بیدار شاه
✦
هنوز اندرو نارسیده سپاه
“The vigilant king gazed upon that fortress, before his army had even arrived there.”
#63
بفرمود تا تیرباران کنند
✦
هوا چون تگرگ بهاران کنند
“He commanded them to unleash a volley of arrows, filling the air like the hail of spring.”
#64
یکی تاجور خود به لشکر نماند
✦
بران بوم و بر خار و خاور بماند
“Not a single crowned noble remained in their army; only thorns and desolate lands were left behind in that realm.”
#65
همه گنج قیصر به تاراج داد
✦
سپه را همه بدره و تاج داد
“He gave all the treasure of Caesar up to plunder, bestowing purses of gold and crowns upon his troops.”
#66
برآورد زان شارستان رستخیز
✦
همه برگرفتند راه گریز
“He raised a turmoil of Resurrection in that citadel, and all the inhabitants took the path of flight.”
#67
خروش آمد از کودک و مرد و زن
✦
همه پیر و برنا شدند انجمن
“Cries echoed from children, men, and women alike; all the young and old gathered together.”
#68
به پیش گرانمایه شاه آمدند
✦
غریوان و فریادخواه آمدند
“They came before the exalted king, wailing and seeking mercy and aid.”
#69
که دستور و فرمان و گنج آن تست
✦
بروم اندرون رزم و رنج آن تست
“They said: 'The authority, command, and treasure are all yours; in Rome, both the battle and the toil belong to you.'”
#70
به جان ویژه زنهار خواه توایم
✦
پرستار فر کلاه توایم
“'We seek refuge in you specifically for our lives, and we are the devoted servants of your royal majesty.'”
#71
بفرمود پس تا نکشتند نیز
✦
برایشان ببخشود بسیار چیز
“He then commanded that no more be slain, and he bestowed many gifts upon them.”
#72
وزان جایگه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
از آرایش روم برتر کشید
“From that place he marched his army forth, moving beyond 'The Ornament of Rome'.”
#73
نوندی ز گفتار کارآگهان
✦
بیامد به نزدیک شاه جهان
“A swift messenger bearing reports from intelligence spies came before the king of the world.”
#74
که قیصر سپاهی فرستاد پیش
✦
ازان نامداران و گردان خویش
“Saying: 'Caesar has dispatched an army forward, chosen from among his renowned warriors and heroes.'”
#75
به پیش اندرون پهلوانی سترگ
✦
به جنگ اندرون هر یکی همچو گرگ
“'At their head is a mighty champion, and in battle each warrior is fierce as a wolf.'”
#76
به رومیش خوانند فرفوریوس
✦
سواری سرافراز با بوق و کوس
“'In the Roman tongue they call him Porphyrios, a proud cavalier with trumpets and war-drums.'”
#77
چو این گفته شد پیش بیدار شاه
✦
پدید آمد از دور گرد سپاه
“When this was related before the alert king, the dust of the approaching army appeared in the distance.”
#78
بخندید زان شهریار جهان
✦
بدو گفت کین نیست از ما نهان
“The sovereign of the world smiled at this and said to him: 'This is no secret to us;'”
#79
کجا جنگ را پیش ازین ساختیم
✦
ز اندیشه هرگونه پرداختیم
“'For we prepared for war prior to this and weighed every consideration in our minds.'”
#80
کی تاجور بر لب آورد کف
✦
بفرمود تا برکشیدند صف
“While foam gathered at the crown-wearer's lips with eagerness, he ordered his troops to draw up their battle ranks.”
#81
سپاهی بیامد به پیش سپاه
✦
بشد بسته بر گرد و بر باد راه
“An army advanced against another host, until dust and wind blocked every open path.”
#82
شده، نامور لشکری انجمن
✦
یلان سرافراز شمشیرزن
“A glorious army had assembled there, exalted warriors and skilled swordsmen all.”
#83
همه جنگ را تنگ بسته میان
✦
بزرگان و فرزانگان و کیان
“All had girt their loins tight for battle—magnates, sages, and royal princes.”
#84
به خون آب داده همه تیغ را
✦
بدان تیغ برنده مر میغ را
“They quenched their blades in pools of blood, cleaving the very clouds with their sharp swords.”
#85
سپه را نبد بیشتر زان درنگ
✦
که نخچیر گیرد ز بالا پلنگ
“The army tarried no longer than a leopard swooping down from the heights to seize its prey.”
#86
به هر سو ز رومی تلی کشته بود
✦
دگر خسته از جنگ برگشته بود
“On every side lay mounds of Roman dead, while the wounded fled away from the fray.”
#87
بشد خسته از جنگ فرفوریوس
✦
دریده درفش و نگونسار کوس
“Porphyrius retreated wounded from battle, his banner torn and his war-drums overturned.”
#88
سواران ایران بسان پلنگ
✦
به هامون کجا غرمش آید بچنگ
“The Iranian horsemen chased them like leopards seizing wild sheep upon the plain.”
#89
پس رومیان در همی‌تاختند
✦
در و دشت ازیشان بپرداختند
“They charged hard after the retreating Romans, clearing the valleys and plains of their presence.”
#90
چنان هم همی‌رفت با ساز جنگ
✦
همه نیزه و گُرز و خنجر به چنگ
“Thus the king marched on in full war array, with spears, maces, and daggers gripped in hand.”
#91
سپه را بهامونی اندر کشید
✦
برآوردهٔ دیگر آمد پدید
“He led his host into a vast plain, where another lofty fortress loomed in sight.”
#92
دزی بود با لشکر و بوق و کوس
✦
کجا خواندندیش قالینیوس
“It was a stronghold equipped with troops, trumpets, and drums, which they named Qalliniyus.”
#93
سر باره برتر ز پر عقاب
✦
یکی کنده‌ای گردش اندر پر آب
“Its ramparts reached higher than an eagle's flight, surrounded by a deep moat filled with water.”
#94
یکی شارستان گردش اندر فراخ
✦
پر ایوان و پالیز و میدان و کاخ
“Around it lay a vast walled city, filled with palaces, gardens, squares, and grand halls.”
#95
ز رومی سپاهی بزرگ اندروی
✦
همه نامداران پرخاشجوی
“Within it gathered a mighty Roman force, all famous and battle-seeking warriors.”
#96
دو فرسنگ پیش اندرون بود شاه
✦
سیه گشت گیتی ز گرد سپاه
“Two leagues ahead marched the King of Kings, as the dust of his army darkened the world.”
#97
خروشی برآمد ز قالینیوس
✦
کزان نعره اندک شد آواز کوس
“A roaring battle-shout arose from Qalliniyus, drowning out the thunder of the war-drums.”
#98
بدان شارستان در نگه کرد شاه
✦
همی هر زمانی فزون شد سپاه
“The King looked upon that fortified city, as his army grew larger with every passing moment.”
#99
ز دروازها جنگ برساختند
✦
همه تیر و قاروره انداختند
“From the gates, the defenders launched their attack, raining down arrows and napalm flasks.”
#100
چو خورشید تابنده برگشت زرد
✦
ز گردنده یک بهره شد لاژورد
“As the bright sun turned pale and gold, a portion of the revolving sky turned lapis-blue in dusk.”
#101
ازان بارهٔ دز نماند اندکی
✦
همه شارستان با زمی شد یکی
“Not a stone of that castle’s wall remained standing; the entire city was leveled with the ground.”
#102
خروشی برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
که ای نامداران ایران سپاه
“A proclamation sounded from the King's court: "O noble commanders of the Iranian host!”
#103
همه پاک زین شهر بیرون شوید
✦
به تاریکی اندر به هامون شوید
“"Depart cleanly from this city at once, and withdraw into the plain under cover of darkness!”
#104
اگر هیچ بانگ زن و مرد پیر
✦
وگر غارت و شورش و داروگیر
“"If any cry of women or old men, or any plunder, riot, or violent seizure...”
#105
به گوش من آید بتاریک شب
✦
که بگشاید از رنج یک مردلب
“"...should reach my ears in the dark night, because a man's lips are opened in distress...”
#106
هم اندر زمان آنک فریاد ازوست
✦
پر از کاه بینند آگنده پوست
“"...the offender who caused that cry shall instantly have his skin flayed and stuffed with straw!"”
#107
چو برزد ز خرچنگ تیغ آفتاب
✦
بفرسود رنج و بپالود خواب
“When the sun drew its sword from Cancer, weariness vanished and sleep was washed away.”
#108
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
گرانمایگان برگرفتند راه
“The drums roared at the royal court, and the noble chieftains set forth on their way.”
#109
ازان دز و آن شارستان مرد و زن
✦
به درگاه کسری شدند انجمن
“Men and women from that fortress and city gathered together at Khosrow’s royal court.”
#110
که ایدر ز جنگی سواری نماند
✦
بدین شارستان نامداری نماند
“Saying: "No warrior knight remains here; no man of renown is left in this city.”
#111
همه کشته و خسته شد بیگناه
✦
گه آمد که بخشایش آید ز شاه
“"The innocent have been slain or wounded; the time has come for the King to show mercy.”
#112
زن و کودک خرد و برنا و پیر
✦
نه خوب آید از داد یزدان اسیر
“"Women, young children, youth, and the elderly—making them captives accords not with Divine Justice."”
#113
چنان شد دز و باره و شارستان
✦
کزان پس ندیدند جز خارستان
“So leveled became the castle, walls, and city, that henceforth nothing was seen there but a thorn-field.”
#114
چو قیصر گنهکار شد ما که‌ایم
✦
بقالینیوس اندرون بر چه‌ایم
“"If Caesar has sinned, who are we? Why should we suffer within Qalliniyus?"”
#115
بران رومیان بر ببخشود شاه
✦
گنهکار شد رسته و بیگناه
“The King showed mercy unto those Romans; both offender and innocent were granted deliverance.”
#116
بسی خواسته پیش ایشان بماند
✦
وزان جایگه نیز لشکر براند
“Much wealth remained behind in their hands, and from that place he marched his host onward.”
#117
هران کس که بود از در کارزار
✦
ببستند بر پیل و کردند بار
“Whosoever was fit for battle, they bound fast upon elephants and loaded them as spoils.”
#118
به انطاکیه در خبر شد ز شاه
✦
که با پیل و لشکر بیامد به راه
“Word reached Antioch concerning the King, that he was marching upon the road with elephants and a mighty host.”
#119
سپاهی بران شهر شد بی‌کران
✦
دلیران رومی و کنداوران
“A boundless army assembled at that city, filled with Roman champions and valiant warriors.”
#120
سه روز اندران شاه را شد درنگ
✦
بدان تا نباشد به بیداد جنگ
“For three days the King paused there, so that the war might not be waged unjustly.”
#121
چهارم سپاه اندر آمد چو کوه
✦
دلیران ایران گروها گروه
“On the fourth day, the host descended like a mountain, troop upon troop of Iran's brave warriors.”
#122
برفتند یک سر سواران روم
✦
ز بهر زن و کودک و گنج و بوم
“All the horsemen of Byzantium rode forth to defend their women, children, treasures, and homeland.”
#123
به شهر اندر آمد سراسر سپاه
✦
پیی را نبد بر زمین نیز راه
“The entire army entered the city, so dense that there was no space to plant a single foot.”
#124
سه جنگ گران کرده شد در سه روز
✦
چهارم چو بفروخت گیتی‌فروز
“Three fierce battles were fought across three days; on the fourth, as the sun lit the world anew...”
#125
گشاده شد آن مرز آباد بوم
✦
سواری ندیدند جنگی بروم
“That prosperous realm was conquered, and not a single fighting horseman was left in Rome.”
#126
بزرگان که با تخت و افسر بدند
✦
هم آنکس که گنجور قیصر بدند
“The nobles who possessed thrones and crowns, as well as those who were the treasure-keepers of the Caesar...”
#127
به شاه جهاندار دادند گنج
✦
به چنگ آمدش گنج چون دید رنج
“They surrendered their treasures to the world-conquering King; thus he gained the treasure after enduring labor.”
#128
اسیران و آن گنج قیصر به راه
✦
به سوی مداین فرستاد شاه
“The captives and Caesar's treasures were dispatched by the King along the road toward Ctesiphon.”
#129
وزیشان هران کس که جنگی بدند
✦
نهادند بر پشت پیلان ببند
“And of them, whoever was a warrior was bound fast in chains upon the backs of elephants.”
#130
زمین دید رخشان‌تر از چرخ ماه
✦
بگردید بر گرد آن شهر شاه
“The King beheld a land brighter than the radiant moon, and rode around the perimeter of that city.”
#131
ز بس باغ و میدان و آب روان
✦
همی تازه شد پیر گشته جهان
“With its countless gardens, plazas, and flowing streams, the aging world seemed to grow young again.”
#132
چنین گفت با موبدان شهریار
✦
که انطاکیه است این اگر نوبهار
“Thus spoke the King to his priests: "Is this Antioch or the fair garden of Nowbahar?"”
#133
کسی کو ندیدست خرم بهشت
✦
ز مشک اندرو خاک وز زر خشت
“Whosoever has not beheld a verdant paradise, whose soil is musk and whose bricks are gold...”
#134
درختش ز یاقوت و آبش گلاب
✦
زمینش سپهر آسمان آفتاب
“Its trees of ruby and its waters of rosewater, its earth like the heavens and its sky like the glowing sun...”
#135
نگه کرد باید بدین تازه بوم
✦
که آباد بادا همه مرز روم
“"One must marvel at this wondrous land; may the entire realm of Rome remain ever prosperous!"”