When the imperial letter of King Khosrow Anushirvan was stamped with the royal seal, the messenger departed swiftly, retracing his steps to reach the veteran commander Ram Barzin. Upon arrival, the envoy recounted all he had heard directly from King Khosrow and delivered the royal letter containing strict instructions regarding the rebellious prince, Nushzad. The decree commanded Ram Barzin to muster a formidable army, prepare resolutely for war, and purge his heart of any affection or leniency toward the prince. As the seasoned general read the letter and heard the royal command, he cast aside all hesitation. At cockcrow, the thunderous roar of war drums resounded from his gates, and a vast Sasanian host marched out from Ctesiphon toward the conflict. Meanwhile, news of Ram Barzin's advance reached Nushzad. The prince immediately assembled his forces, distributed pay to his troops, and rallied the local Christian leaders, Catholicoi, and Roman patriarchs. Led by the fierce Roman commander Shammas, an army of ruthless battle-hardened warriors surged forward. Clamor echoed from Nushzad's gates as his host stirred like a tempestuous sea, sweeping out of the city into the open plains, their hearts filled with vengeance and their minds intent on battle.
#1
نهادند برنامه بر مهر شاه
✦
فرستاده برگشت پویان به راه
“They set the royal seal upon the letter, and the swift envoy returned upon his way.”
#2
چو از ره سوی رام برزین رسید
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بگفت آنچ از شاه کسری شنید
“When he arrived from the road before Ram Barzin, he recounted all he had heard from King Khosrow.”
#3
چو آن گفته شد نامه او بداد
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به فرمان که فرمود با نوش زاد
“Having spoken, he delivered the letter containing the royal command regarding Nushzad.”
#4
سپه کردن و جنگ را ساختن
✦
وز آزرم او مغز پرداختن
“Commanding him to muster an army, prepare for war, and cast out all sympathy for the prince.”
#5
چوآن نامه برخواند مرد کهن
✦
شنید از فرستاده چندی سخن
“When the veteran general read that letter, he heeded the words brought by the messenger.”
#6
بدانگه که خیزد خروش خروس
✦
ز درگاه برخاست آوای کوس
“At cockcrow in the early dawn, the roar of war drums resounded from the court gates.”
#7
سپاهی بزرگ از مداین برفت
✦
بشد رام برزین سوی جنگ تفت
“A mighty host departed from Ctesiphon, as Ram Barzin swiftly marched to war.”
#8
پس آگاهی آمد سوی نوش‌زاد
✦
سپاه انجمن کرد و روزی بداد
“Word reached Nushzad of their march; he assembled his host and granted them pay.”
#9
همه جاثلیقان و بطریق روم
✦
که بودند زان مرز آبادبوم
“All the Catholicoi and Roman patriarchs who dwelt in that prosperous realm joined him.”
#10
سپهدار شماس پیش اندرون
✦
سپاهی همه دست شسته به خون
“Led by Commander Shammas at their head, an army of warriors whose hands were washed in blood.”
#11
برآمد خروش از در نوش‌زاد
✦
بجنبید لشکر چو دریا ز باد
“A clamor arose from Nushzad's gates, and the army surged like a sea whipped by the wind.”
#12
به هامون کشیدند یکسر ز شهر
✦
پر از جنگ سر دل پر از کین و زهر
“They marched out from the city into the plains, their minds set on battle, their hearts filled with spite and venom.”