#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.”