#1
پس آگاهی آمد به شاه بزرگ
✦
ز مهراب و دستان سام سترگ
“Then news reached the great king of Mehrab and the grand son of Sam, Dastan.”
#2
ز پیوند مهراب وز مهر زال
✦
وزان ناهمالان گشته همال
“Of Mehrab's alliance and Zal's love, and how those of unequal station had become matches.”
#3
سخن رفت هر گونه با موبدان
✦
به پیش سرافراز شاه ردان
“The exalted monarch of noble leaders held counsel of every kind with his Mobads.”
#4
چنین گفت با بخردان شهریار
✦
که بر ما شود زین دژم روزگار
“Thus spoke the monarch to the wise sages: 'Our days will grow dark and bitter because of this.'”
#5
چو ایران ز چنگال شیر و پلنگ
✦
برون آوریدم به رای و به جنگ
“'When through wisdom and war I wrested Iran from the claws of lions and leopards...'”
#6
فریدون ز ضحاک گیتی بشست
✦
بترسم که آید ازان تخم رست
“'And Fereydun cleansed the world of Zahhak, I fear that evil seed will sprout anew.'”
#7
نباید که بر خیره از عشق زال
✦
همال سرافگنده گردد همال
“'Lest from Zal's reckless love, a fallen house rise equal to our sovereign line.'”
#8
چو از دخت مهراب و از پور سام
✦
برآید یکی تیغ تیز از نیام
“'For if a sharp sword be drawn from the sheath by the daughter of Mehrab and the son of Sam...'”
#9
اگر تاب گیرد سوی مادرش
✦
ز گفت پراگنده گردد سرش
“'If he turns toward his mother's lineage, his head will be turned by chaotic tales.'”
#10
کند شهر ایران پر آشوب و رنج
✦
بدو بازگردد مگر تاج و گنج
“'He will fill the land of Iran with turmoil and sorrow, seeking perhaps to reclaim the crown and treasure.'”
#11
همه موبدان آفرین خواندند
✦
ورا خسرو پاک‌دین خواندند
“All the Mobads sang praises, calling him a monarch of pure faith.”
#12
بگفتند کز ما تو داناتری
✦
به بایستها بر تواناتری
“They said: 'You are wiser than us all, and more capable in accomplishing what is needed.'”
#13
همان کن کجا با خرد درخورد
✦
دل اژدها را خرد بشکرد
“'Do that which accords with wisdom, for wisdom hunts the heart of the dragon.'”
#14
بفرمود تا نوذر آمدش پیش
✦
ابا ویژگان و بزرگان خویش
“The king commanded Nowzar to step forward, accompanied by his elite lords and nobles.”
#15
بدو گفت رو پیش سام سوار
✦
بپرسش که چون آمد از کارزار
“He said to him: 'Go before Sam the rider, ask how he fared in the battlefield.'”
#16
چو دیدی بگویش کزین‌سو گرای
✦
ز نزدیک ما کن سوی خانه رای
“'When you see him, tell him to turn toward us and make his way to our home.'”
#17
هم آنگاه برخاست فرزند شاه
✦
ابا ویژگان سرنهاده به راه
“At once the king's son arose, heading forth with his noble retinue.”
#18
سوی سام نیرم نهادند روی
✦
ابا ژنده‌پیلان پرخاش‌جوی
“They turned their faces toward Sam, son of Neyram, alongside fierce war-elephants.”
#19
چو زین کار سام یل آگاه شد
✦
پذیره سوی پور کی شاه شد
“When hero Sam learned of this, he went forth to receive the king's son.”
#20
ز پیش پدر نوذر نامدار
✦
بیامد به نزدیک سام سوار
“From his father's presence came renowned Nowzar, approaching Sam the rider.”
#21
همه نامداران پذیره شدند
✦
ابا ژنده‌پیل و تبیره شدند
“All the champions went out to meet him with mighty elephants and drums.”
#22
رسیدند پس پیش سام سوار
✦
بزرگان و کی نوذر نامدار
“Then the nobles and prince Nowzar came before Sam the hero.”
#23
پیام پدر شاه نوذر بداد
✦
به دیدار او سام یل گشت شاد
“Prince Nowzar delivered his father's message, and hero Sam rejoiced at seeing him.”
#24
چنین داد پاسخ که فرمان کنم
✦
ز دیدار او رامش جان کنم
“Sam replied: 'I obey his royal command, and my soul takes comfort in seeing him.'”
#25
نهادند خوان و گرفتند جام
✦
نخست از منوچهر بردند نام
“They set the feast tables and raised their cups, first invoking the name of Manuchehr.”
#26
پس از نوذر و سام و هر مهتری
✦
گرفتند شادی ز هر کشوری
“Then to Nowzar, Sam, and every chieftain, joy spread across all lands.”
#27
به شادی درآمد شب دیریاز
✦
چو خورشید رخشنده بگشاد راز
“The long night turned to joy, until the shining sun unveiled its secret.”
#28
خروش تبیره برآمد ز در
✦
هیون دلاور برآورد پر
“The blare of war-drums rose from the gates, and brave steeds spread their wings.”
#29
سوی بارگاه منوچهر شاه
✦
به فرمان او برگرفتند راه
“By his command, they set forth toward the court of King Manuchehr.”
#30
منوچهر چون یافت زو آگهی
✦
بیاراست دیهیم شاهنشهی
“When Manuchehr learned of his approach, he adorned the imperial throne.”
#31
ز ساری و آمل برآمد خروش
✦
چو دریای سبز اندر آمد به جوش
“A roar arose from Sari and Amol, boiling like the green sea.”
#32
ببستند آیین ژوپین وران
✦
برفتند با خشتهای گران
“The javelin-throwers stood in rank, marching with heavy spears.”
#33
سپاهی که از کوه تا کوه مرد
✦
سپر در سپر ساخته سرخ و زرد
“An army stretching from mountain to mountain, shields interlocked in red and yellow.”
#34
ابا کوس و با نای رویین و سنج
✦
ابا تازی اسپان و پیلان و گنج
“With war-drums, brass trumpets, and cymbals, with Arabian horses, elephants, and treasures.”
#35
ازین گونه لشکر پذیره شدند
✦
بسی با درفش و تبیره شدند
“Thus the army went forth to welcome him, abundant with banners and kettle-drums.”
#36
چو آمد به نزدیکی بارگاه
✦
پیاده شد و راه بگشاد شاه
“When Sam came near the royal court, he dismounted and the king cleared his path.”
#37
چو شاه جهاندار بگشاد روی
✦
زمین را ببوسید و شد پیش اوی
“When the world-ruling monarch revealed his face, Sam kissed the earth and stepped before him.”
#38
منوچهر برخاست از تخت عاج
✦
ز یاقوت رخشنده بر سرش تاج
“Manuchehr rose from his ivory throne, a glowing ruby crown upon his head.”
#39
بر خویش بر تخت بنشاختش
✦
چنان چون سزا بود بنواختش
“He seated him beside himself upon the throne and honored him as was his due.”
#40
وزان گرگ‌ساران جنگاور‌ان
✦
وزان نره دیوان مازندران
“Of those warlike wolf-heads and those fierce demons of Mazandaran,”
#41
بپرسید و بسیار تیمار خورد
✦
سپهبد سخن یک به یک یاد کرد
“The king inquired with great care, and the commander recounted the tale step by step:”
#42
که نوشه زی ای شاه تا جاودان
✦
ز جان تو کوته بد بدگمان
“'May you live forever, O King! May evil thoughts stay far from your soul!'”
#43
برفتم بران شهر دیوان نر
✦
نه دیوان که شیران جنگی به بر
“'I marched into that city of fierce demons—nay, not demons, but fighting lions in stature,'”
#44
که از تازی اسپان تکاور‌ترند
✦
ز گردان ایران دلاور‌ترند
“'Swifter than Arab chargers, braver than the warriors of Iran.'”
#45
سپاهی که سگسار خوانندشان
✦
پلنگان جنگی نمایندشان
“'An army whom they call Sagsar, appearing like ferocious leopards in battle.'”
#46
ز من چون بدیشان رسید آگهی
✦
از آواز من مغزشان شد تهی
“When news of my approach reached them, the thunder of my voice robbed them of their wits.”
#47
به شهر اندرون نعره برداشتند
✦
ازان پس همه شهر بگذاشتند
“They raised a loud cry within the city, and straightway abandoned the whole town behind them.”
#48
همه پیش من جنگ جوی آمدند
✦
چنان خیره و پوی پوی آمدند
“Yet they marched out eager for battle before me, rushing blindly and impetuously forward.”
#49
سپه جنب جنبان شد و روز تار
✦
پس اندر فراز آمد و پیش غار
“The army surged forward, darkening the light of day, advancing from behind and crowding before the cave.”
#50
نبیره جهاندار سام بزرگ
✦
به پیش سپاه اندر آمد چو گرگ
“The scion of the world-ruler Kakuy charged at the head of that host like a fierce wolf.”
#51
سپاهی به کردار مور و ملخ
✦
نبد دشت پیدا نه کوه و نه شخ
“An army like swarms of ants and locusts covered the land, so vast that neither plain, nor mountain, nor rugged ground could be seen.”
#52
چو برخاست زان لشکر گشن گرد
✦
رخ نامداران ما گشت زرد
“As a dense cloud of dust arose from that massive host, the faces of our renowned warriors turned pale.”
#53
من این گرز یک زخم برداشتم
✦
سپه را هم آنجای بگذاشتم
“I raised high this single-strike mace of mine, leaving our army standing where they were, and charged alone.”
#54
خروشی خروشیدم از پشت زین
✦
که چون آسیا شد بریشان زمین
“I uttered such a thunderous roar from atop my saddle that the earth turned beneath them like a millstone.”
#55
دل آمد سپه را همه بازجای
✦
سراسر سوی رزم کردند رای
“Heart and courage returned to my troops, and with one heart they resolved upon the battle.”
#56
چو بشنید کاکوی آواز من
✦
چنان زخم سرباز کوپال من
“When Kakuy heard the roar of my voice and saw the lethal blow of my heavy mace,”
#57
بیامد به نزدیک من جنگ ساز
✦
چو پیل ژیان با کمند دراز
“He came toward me eager for battle, like a furious elephant wielding a long lasso.”
#58
مرا خواست کارد به خم کمند
✦
چو دیدم خمیدم ز راه گزند
“He sought to entangle me in the coils of his lasso, but seeing his intent, I ducked out of harm's way.”
#59
کمان کیانی گرفتم به چنگ
✦
به پیکان پولاد و تیر خدنگ
“I grasped the royal bow in my grip, nocking a steel-tipped arrow of tough poplar wood.”
#60
عقاب تکاور برانگیختم
✦
چو آتش بدو بر تبر ریختم
“I spurred my swift charger—swift as an eagle—and rained blows upon him like fire.”
#61
گمانم چنان بد که سندان سرش
✦
که شد دوخته مغز تا مغفرش
“I had thought his head was as hard as an anvil, yet his brain was pierced straight through to his helmet.”
#62
نگه کردم از گرد چون پیل مست
✦
برآمد یکی تیغ هندی به دست
“I looked through the dust, and like a mad elephant he emerged, an Indian blade raised high in his hand.”
#63
چنان آمدم شهریارا گمان
✦
کزو کوه زنهار خواهد بجان
“O King, I deemed that even a mountain would beg him for quarter to save its life.”
#64
وی اندر شتاب و من اندر درنگ
✦
همی جستمش تا کی آید به چنگ
“He moved in haste while I held back with patience, watching for the moment he would fall into my hands.”
#65
چو آمد به نزدیک من سرفراز
✦
من از چرمه چنگال کردم دراز
“When that haughty warrior drew near me, I reached out my grasp from atop my gray steed.”
#66
گرفتم کمربند مرد دلیر
✦
ز زین برگسستم بکردار شیر
“I seized the valiant warrior by his belt and ripped him from his saddle like a lion.”
#67
زدم بر زمین بر چو پیل ژیان
✦
بدین آهنین دست و گردی میان
“With these iron hands and warrior's strength, I slammed him to the earth like an enraged elephant.”
#68
چو افگنده شد شاه زین گونه خوار
✦
سپه روی برگشت از کارزار
“When their king was thus ignominiously laid low, his army turned their faces from the battle and fled.”
#69
نشیب و فراز بیابان و کوه
✦
به هر سو شده مردمان هم گروه
“Across the heights and hollows of desert and mountain, the routed people fled in scattered bands on every side.”
#70
سوار و پیاده ده و دو هزار
✦
فگنده پدید آمد اندر شمار
“Twelve thousand fallen, both horsemen and foot soldiers, lay slain upon the field when counted.”
#71
چو بشنید گفتار سالار شاه
✦
برافراخت تا ماه فرخ کلاه
“When the King heard his general's tale, his glorious crown seemed to reach up to the moon with pride.”
#72
چو روز از شب آمد بکوشش ستوه
✦
ستوهی گرفته فرو شد به کوه
“As day grew weary from its toil against the night, the weary sun sank low behind the mountains.”
#73
می و مجلس آراست شد شادمان
✦
جهان پاک دید از بد بدگمان
“The King ordered a feast with wine and rejoiced, seeing the world cleansed of malicious evil.”
#74
به بگماز کوتاه کردند شب
✦
به یاد سپهبد گشادند لب
“They shortened the night with wine, raising their goblets in honor of the grand commander.”
#75
چو شب روز شد پردهٔ بارگاه
✦
گشادند و دادند زی شاه راه
“When night gave way to dawn, they drew aside the court curtains and granted passage to the monarch.”
#76
بیامد سپهدار سام سترگ
✦
به نزد منوچهر شاه بزرگ
“The mighty general Sam presented himself before the presence of the great King Manuchehr.”
#77
چنین گفت با سام شاه جهان
✦
کز ایدر برو با گزیده مهان
“Thus spoke the lord of the world to Sam: "Depart from here alongside chosen nobles;”
#78
به هندوستان آتش اندر فروز
✦
همه کاخ مهراب و کابل بسوز
“Set Hindustān ablaze with fire, and burn to ashes Kabul and the entire palace of Mehrab!”
#79
نباید که او یابد از بد رها
✦
که او ماند از بچهٔ اژدها
“He must not escape calamity, for he springs from the demonic brood of the dragon!"”
#80
زمان تا زمان زو برآید خروش
✦
شود رام گیتی پر از جنگ و جوش
“"Lest time and again a clamor arise from him, and the peaceful world become filled with turmoil and war."”
#81
هر آنکس که پیوستهٔ او بود
✦
بزرگان که در دستهٔ او بود
“Everyone who is allied with him, and all the nobles who belong to his faction—”
#82
سر از تن جدا کن زمین را بشوی
✦
ز پیوند ضحاک و خویشان اوی
“Sever their heads from their bodies and cleanse the earth of the lineage of Zahhak and his kin!”
#83
چنین داد پاسخ که ایدون کنم
✦
که کین از دل شاه بیرون کنم
“Sam replied: 'I shall do even so, and rid the King's heart of this hatred.'”
#84
ببوسید تخت و بمالید روی
✦
بران نامور مهر انگشت اوی
“He kissed the throne, pressed his face to the dust, and paid homage to the famous royal seal upon the king's finger.”
#85
سوی خانه بنهاد سر با سپاه
✦
بدان باد پایان جوینده راه
“He set out toward home alongside his army, riding swift steeds that eagerly traversed the path.”