#1
بسغد اندرون بود خاقان که شاه
✦
به گرگان همی رای زد با سپاه
“The Khagan resided in Sogdia while the Shah took counsel with his army in Gorgan.”
#2
ز خویشان ارجاسب و افراسیاب
✦
شده سغد یکسر چو دریای آب
“With the kinsmen of Arjasp and Afrasiab, Sogdia had turned entirely into a surging sea.”
#3
همی‌گفت خاقان سپاه مرا
✦
زمین برنتابد کلاه مرا
“The Khagan was saying: 'The earth cannot bear the weight of my army, nor the grand majesty of my crown!'”
#4
از ایدر سپه سوی ایران کشیم
✦
وز ایران به دشت دلیران کشیم
“'From here we shall lead our force into Iran, and from Iran onward to the plain of heroes.'”
#5
همه خاک ایران به چین آوریم
✦
همان تازیان را بدین آوریم
“'We shall bring all the soil of Iran under China, and subject the Arabs to our law and faith.'”
#6
نمانم که کس تاج دارد نه تخت
✦
نه اورنگ شاهی نه از تخت بخت
“'I will leave no man holding crown or throne, nor royal seat, nor fortune of kingship.'”
#7
همی‌بود یک چند باگفت وگوی
✦
جهانجوی با لشکری جنگجوی
“Thus for a time the world-seeking ruler spoke, accompanied by a warlike army.”
#8
چنین تا بیامد ز شاه آگهی
✦
کز ایران بجنبید با فرهی
“Until news arrived concerning the Shah—that he had marched from Iran adorned with divine glory.”
#9
وزان بخت پیروزی و دستگاه
✦
ز دریا به دریا کشیده سپاه
“And with victorious fortune and vast resources, his host stretched from sea to sea.”
#10
بپیچید خاقان چو آگاه شد
✦
به رزم اندرون راه کوتاه شد
“The Khagan twisted in turmoil when informed; the path to battle shrank before him.”
#11
به اندیشه بنشست با رای‌زن
✦
بزرگان لشکر شدند انجمن
“In deep thought he sat with his counselor, as the magnates of the army assembled.”
#12
سپهدار خاقان به دستور گفت
✦
که این آگهی خوار نتوان نهفت
“The Khagan said to his vizier: 'This report cannot be treated lightly or hidden away.'”
#13
شنیدم که کسری به گرگان رسید
✦
همه روی کشور سپه گسترید
“'I heard that Khosrow reached Gorgan, spreading his forces over all the land.'”
#14
ندارد همانا ز ما آگهی
✦
وگر تارک از رای دارد تهی
“'Perhaps he has no awareness of us, or his head is bereft of wise counsel.'”
#15
ز چین تا به جیحون سپاه منست
✦
جهان زیر فر کلاه منست
“'From China to the Jayhun River lies my army; the world is beneath the glory of my crown.'”
#16
مرا پیش او رفت باید به جنگ
✦
بپوشد درم آتش نام وننگ
“'Must I march forth against him to fight, so that the fire of renown and shame covers me?'”
#17
گماند کزو بگذری راه نیست
✦
و گر در زمانه جز او شاه نیست
“'Does he think there is no passage beyond him, or that no other king exists in the world?'”
#18
بیاگاهد اکنون چومن جنگجوی
✦
شوم با سواران چین پیش اوی
“'He shall learn now when I, a war-seeker, advance before him with the cavaliers of China.'”
#19
خردمند مردی به خاقان چین
✦
چنین گفت کای شهریار زمین
“A wise man spoke to the Khagan of China, saying: 'O Sovereign of the Earth,'”
#20
تو با شاه ایران مکن رزم یاد
✦
مده پادشاهی و لشکر به باد
“'Do not speak of battle with the King of Iran, nor throw away your realm and army to the wind!'”
#21
ز شاهان نجوید کسی جای اوی
✦
مگر تیره باشد دل و رای اوی
“'No king seeks his position unless his heart and judgment have turned dark.'”
#22
که با فر او تخت را شاه نیست
✦
بدیدار او در فلک ماه نیست
“'For against his divine fortune, no king holds a throne; compared to his face, even the moon is dim.'”
#23
همی باژ خواهد ز هند وز روم
✦
ز جایی که گنجست و آباد بوم
“'He exacts tribute from India and Rome, from every place of treasure and prosperous land.'”
#24
خداوند تاجست و زیبای تخت
✦
جهاندار و بیدار و پیروز بخت
“'He is the lord of the crown, the adornment of the throne—a world-ruler, vigilant, and ever-victorious.'”