Bahram Chubineh assembled a formidable force of one hundred thousand seasoned swordsmen, bolstered by three fierce Khaqani chieftains who roared like ravenous wolves. As the first cockcrow sounded at dawn, the war drums thundered and Bahram's vanguard struck Khosrow Parviz's camp with unrelenting fury. A cloud of iron dust swallowed the sky while the clatter of maces and swords echoed across the plain. Khosrow watched from high ground, his heart aching and his face pale as blood spilled across the field.
When daylight fully broke, revealing heaps of fallen warriors, Khosrow strove to rally his ranks. He charged directly into the fray and decapitated a fierce Turkic commander who sought to slay him. Yet, seeing the overwhelming tide, the Persian host broke rank and fled, abandoning their young sovereign. Bandoy and Gustahm urged Khosrow to preserve his life, reminding him that he had no heir to inherit the throne and that his death would mean the total ruin of the realm.
Khosrow dispatched Zangoy to aid Takhavar in securing the royal treasury, silk pavilions, and ivory throne across the river. Soon after, Bahram Chubineh advanced under his dragon banner, and the two leaders clashed like furious war elephants. Upon receiving word that the royal baggage was safely across, Khosrow and his ten remaining companions executed a strategic retreat to the Nahrawan Bridge, pursued hotly by Bahram.
At the bridge head, Khosrow halted and called for his royal bow. Standing his ground, he rained arrows like deadly hail, pinning helmets to heads and downing both Bahram's steed and that of Yalan-Sineh. Disarmed and dismounted, Bahram's pursuit was shattered. Khosrow severed the bridge of Nahrawan behind him, preventing further advance, and retreated sorrowfully to Ctesiphon. There, he barred the iron gates of the metropolis and sat in deep, mournful contemplation of his kingdom's fate.
#1
ز لشکر گزین کرد بهرام شیر
✦
سپاهی جهانگیر وگرد و دلیر
“The brave Bahram chose elite warriors from his host, a world-conquering, valiant, and lion-like army.”
#2
چوکردند با او دبیران شمار
✦
سپه بود شمشیر زن صد هزار
“When the scribes counted his force, there were one hundred thousand sword-wielding warriors.”
#3
ز خاقانیان آن سه ترک سترگ
✦
که بودند غرنده برسان گرگ
“Among them were three formidable Khaqani Turks, who roared like savage wolves.”
#4
به جنگ‌آوران گفت چون زخم کوس
✦
برآید بهنگام بانگ خروس
“He said to the warriors: 'When the drum sounds at the crowing of the cock,'”
#5
شما بر خروشید و اندر دهید
✦
سران را ز خون بر سرافسر نهید
“'You must shout and charge forward, placing blood upon the crowns of their leaders!'”
#6
بشد تیز لشکر بفرمان گو
✦
سه ترک سر افرازشان پیش رو
“The army moved swiftly at the hero's command, led by the three exalted Turkic chieftains.”
#7
برلشکر شهریار آمدند
✦
جفاپیشه و کینه دار آمدند
“They descended upon the King's host, full of cruelty and vengeful wrath.”
#8
خروش آمد از گرز و گوپال و تیغ
✦
از آهن زمین بود وز گرد میغ
“Clashes erupted from maces, blades, and swords; the earth turned to iron and the dust formed dark clouds.”
#9
همی‌گفت هرکس که خسرو کجاست
✦
که امروز پیروزی روز ماست
“Everyone cried out: 'Where is Khosrow? For today victory belongs to us!'”
#10
ببالا همی‌بود خسرو بدرد
✦
دودیده پر از خون و رخ لاژورد
“Khosrow stood on high ground in deep anguish, his eyes filled with blood and his face pale as lapis lazuli.”
#11
چنین تا سپیده برآمد ز کوه
✦
شد از زخم شمشیر و کشته ستوه
“Thus it continued until dawn arose over the mountain, weary of sword-cuts and the slain.”
#12
چوشد دامن تیره شب ناپدید
✦
همه رزمگه کشته و خسته دید
“As the dark hem of night disappeared, he saw the entire battlefield strewed with the dead and wounded.”
#13
بگردنکشان گفت یاری کنید
✦
برین دشمنان کامگاری کنید
“He called to his noble warriors: 'Lend your aid! Gain the upper hand over these foes!'”
#14
که پیروزگر پشت و یارمنست
✦
همان زخم شمشیر کارمنست
“'For the Victorious God is my helper, and the strike of the sword is my craft.'”
#15
بیامد دمان تا بر آن سه ترک
✦
نه ترک دلاور سه پیل سترگ
“He charged furiously until he reached those three Turks—not mere brave Turks, but three massive elephants.”
#16
یکی تاخت تا نزد خسرو رسید
✦
پرنداوری از میان برکشید
“One of them charged forward until he drew near Khosrow, unsheathing a fine steel blade.”
#17
همی‌خواست زد بر سر شهریار
✦
سپر بر سرآورد شاه سوار
“He sought to strike the Monarch's head, but the royal knight raised his shield above.”
#18
بزیر سپر تیغ زهر آبگون
✦
بزد تیغ و انداختش سرنگون
“From beneath his shield he struck with a venom-tempered blade and cast his adversary down headlong.”
#19
خروشید کای نامداران جنگ
✦
زمانی دگر کرد باید درنگ
“He shouted: 'O renowned warriors of battle! We must hold our ground for a moment longer!'”
#20
سپاهش همه پشت برگاشتند
✦
جهانجوی را خوار بگذاشتند
“Yet his entire army turned their backs and deserted the seeker of the world.”
#21
به بندوی و گستهم گفت آن زمان
✦
که اکنون شدم زین سخن بدگمان
“He then spoke to Bandoy and Gustahm: 'Now I have grown deeply fearful from this turn of events.'”
#22
رسیده مرا هیچ فرزند نیست
✦
همان از در تاج پیوند نیست
“'No child has yet come to me, nor is there any relative fit for the crown.'”
#23
اگر من شوم کشته در کارزار
✦
جهان را نماند یکی شهریار
“'If I am slain in this conflict, no sovereign will remain for the world.'”
#24
بدو گفت بندوی کای سرفراز
✦
بدین روز هرگز مبادت نیاز
“Bandoy said to him: 'O exalted King! May you never be brought to such distress!'”
#25
سپه رفت اکنون تو ایدر مه ایست
✦
که کس در زمانه تو را یار نیست
“'The army has departed; do not remain here now, for no one in this age stands as your helper here.'”
#26
بزنگوی گفت آن زمان شهریار
✦
کز ایدر برو تازیان تا تخوار
“The King then said to Zangoy: 'Ride swiftly from here unto Takhavar!'”
#27
ازین ماندگان بر سواری هزار
✦
بران رزمگاه آنچ یابی بیار
“'Take a thousand riders from those who remain, and bring whatever you find upon that battlefield,'”
#28
سراپرده دیبه وگنج وتاج
✦
همان بدره وبرده وتخت عاج
“'The brocade pavilion, the treasure, the crown, as well as the bags of coin, captives, and ivory throne.'”
#29
بزرگان بنه برنهادند وگنج
✦
فراوان ببردن کشیدند رنج
“The nobles loaded the baggage and treasure, enduring immense hardship in carrying them away.”
#30
هم آنگه یکی اژدهافش درفش
✦
پدید آمد و گشت گیتی بنفش
“At that moment, a dragon-visaged standard appeared, and the world turned violet in hue.”
#31
پس اندر همی‌راند بهرام گرد
✦
به جنگ از جهان روشنایی ببرد
“Behind it rode the warrior Bahram, banishing all light from the world in battle.”
#32
رسیدند بهرام و خسرو بهم
✦
دلاور دو جنگی دو شیر دژم
“Bahram and Khosrow met face to face—two heroic warriors, two wrathful lions.”
#33
چوپیلان جنگی بر آشوفتند
✦
همی برسریکدگر کوفتند
“Like furious war elephants they raged, striking heavy blows upon one another.”
#34
همی‌گشت بهرام چون شیر نر
✦
سلیحش نیامد برو کارگر
“Bahram charged around like a male lion, and no weapon could penetrate his armor.”
#35
برین گونه تا خور ز گنبد بگشت
✦
از اندازه آویزش اندر گذشت
“In this manner they fought until the sun turned upon the dome of heaven, and their combat exceeded all bounds.”
#36
تخوار آن زمان پیش خسرو رسید
✦
که گنج وبنه زان سوی پل کشید
“Takhavar then arrived before Khosrow, reporting that the treasure and baggage had crossed to the other side of the bridge.”
#37
چوبشنید خسرو بگستهم گفت
✦
که با ما کسی نیست در جنگ جفت
“When Khosrow heard this, he said to Gustahm: 'No one here can equal us in battle,'”
#38
که ما ده تنیم این سپاهی بزرگ
✦
به پیش اندرون پهلوانی سترگ
“'Yet we are but ten men against a vast host led by a mighty general.'”
#39
هزیمت بهنگام بهتر زجنگ
✦
چو تنها شدی نیست جای درنگ
“'A timely retreat is better than battle; when left alone, there is no place to tarry.'”
#40
همی‌راند ناکار دیده جوان
✦
برین گونه بر تا پل نهروان
“The inexperienced young King galloped in this manner until he reached Nahrawan Bridge.”
#41
پس اندر همی‌تاخت بهرام تیز
✦
سری پر ز کینه دلی پر ستیز
“Behind him Bahram pursued swiftly, his head full of vengeance and his heart full of strife.”
#42
چو خسرو چنان دید بر پل بماند
✦
جهاندیده گستهم را پیش خواند
“When Khosrow saw this, he halted on the bridge and summoned the experienced Gustahm.”
#43
بیارید گفتا کمان مرا
✦
به جنگ اندرون ترجمان مرا
“He said: 'Bring me my bow—my true spokesman in war!'”
#44
کمانش ببرد آنک گنجور بود
✦
بران کار گستهم دستور بود
“The treasurer brought his bow, operating under the command of Gustahm.”
#45
کمان بر گرفت آن سپهدار گرد
✦
بتیر از هوا روشنایی ببرد
“The heroic commander took up the bow, and with his arrows he swept the daylight from the sky.”
#46
همی تیر بارید همچون تگرگ
✦
بیک چوبه با سر همی‌دوخت ترگ
“Arrows rained down relentlessly like hail; with a single shaft, helmets were pinned straight to the warriors' heads.”
#47
پس اندر همی‌تاخت بهرام شیر
✦
کمندی بدست اژدهایی بزیر
“Behind came lion-hearted Bahram charging fast, lasso in hand, mounted upon a dragon-like steed.”
#48
چوخسرو و را دید برگشت شاد
✦
دو زاغ کمان را بزه برنهاد
“When Khosrow saw him approach, he turned eagerly to face him, stringing the dual notches of his bow.”
#49
یکی تیر زد بر بربارگی
✦
بشد کار آن باره یکبارگی
“He shot a arrow straight into the charger's chest, instantly bringing the warhorse down.”
#50
پیاده سپهبد سپر برگرفت
✦
ز بیچارگی دست بر سرگرفت
“Unhorsed, the commander raised his shield to protect himself, holding his head in utter desperation.”
#51
یلان سینه پیش اندر آمد چوگرد
✦
جهانجوی کی داشت او را بمرد
“Yalan Sina charged forward like a whirlwind, yet how could the world-seeking king deem him a worthy foe?”
#52
هم اندر زمان اسپ او رابخست
✦
پیاده یلان سینه را پل بجست
“In that very moment, Khosrow wounded Yalan Sina's horse too; unhorsed, Yalan Sina fled toward the bridge.”
#53
سپه بازگشت از پل نهروان
✦
هرآنکس که بودند پیر و جوان
“The entire army retreated from the Nahrwan bridge—young and old alike fled the battlefield.”
#54
چو بهرام برگشت خسرو چوگرد
✦
پل نهروان سر به سر باز کرد
“As Bahram turned back, Khosrow advanced like a whirlwind and dismantled the bridge of Nahrwan completely.”
#55
همی‌راند غمگین سوی طیسفون
✦
دلی پر زغم دیدگان پر زخون
“Sorrowfully he rode toward Ctesiphon, his heart filled with anguish and his eyes weeping tears of blood.”
#56
در شارستانها به آهن ببست
✦
بانبوه اندیشگان درنشست
“He barred the city gates with heavy iron and sat surrounded by a tide of troubled thoughts.”
#57
زهر برزنی مهتران را بخواند
✦
به دروازه بر پاسبانان نشاند
“From every district he summoned the noble chieftains and posted vigilant guards upon the city gates.”