#1
چوخورشید برزد سراز تیره کوه
✦
خروشی برآمد زهر دو گروه
“When the sun rose above the dark mountain, a roaring cry arose from both armies.”
#2
که گفتی زمین گشت گردان سپهر
✦
گر از تیغها تیره شد روی مهر
“You would say the earth became a turning sphere, as the bright face of the sun was darkened by flashing blades.”
#3
بیاراسته میمن و میسره
✦
زمین کوه گشت آهنین یکسره
“The right and left flanks were arrayed; the ground became entirely a mountain of solid iron.”
#4
از آواز اسپان و بانگ سپاه
✦
بیابان همی‌جست بر کوه راه
“From the neighing of horses and the shouts of troops, the desert sought a path up into the mountains.”
#5
چو بهرام جنگی بدان بنگرید
✦
یکی خنجر آبگون برکشید
“When warlike Bahram beheld that scene, he drew forth a luminous blade of steel.”
#6
نیامد به دلش اندرون ترس و بیم
✦
دل شیر دربیشه شد بدو نیم
“No fear nor dread entered his heart; at his sight, the heart of the lair's lion split in twain.”
#7
به ایرانیان گفت صف برکشید
✦
همه کشور دوک لشکر کشید
“He commanded the Iranians to form their ranks, and drew up the army at the country of Dok.”
#8
همی‌گشت گرد سپه یک تنه
✦
که دارد نگه میسر و میمنه
“Single-handedly he rode around the army, guarding the left flank and the right.”
#9
یلان سینه را گفت برقلبگاه
✦
همی‌باش تا پیش روی سپاه
“He bade Yalan Sineh to stand at the center, remaining at the very front of the host.”
#10
که از لشکر امروز جنگی منم
✦
بگاه گریزش درنگی منم
“He said: 'Today I am the sole warrior of this army, and in time of retreat, I shall be the one who lingers to hold the line.'”
#11
نگه کرد خسرو بدان رزمگاه
✦
جهان دید یکسر زلشکر سیاه
“Khosrow looked down upon that battlefield and saw the whole world blackened by the vast host.”
#12
رخ شید تابان چوکام هژبر
✦
همی تیغ بارید گفتی ز ابر
“The face of the shining sun seemed like the gaping maw of a lion, while swords rained down as if from clouds.”
#13
نیاطوس و بندوی و گستهم وشاه
✦
ببالا گذشتند زان رزمگاه
“Niatos, Bandoy, Gostahm, and the King ascended higher above that place of combat.”
#14
نشستند بر کوه دوک آن سران
✦
نهاده دو دیده بفرمانبران
“Those leaders sat upon the mountain of Dok, fixing their eyes upon their obedient soldiers.”
#15
ازان کوه لشکر همی‌دید شاه
✦
چپ وراست و قلب و جناح سپاه
“From that mountain peak, the King watched the troops—left, right, center, and flanks of the army.”
#16
چوبرخاست آواز کوس از دو روی
✦
برفتند مردان پر خاشجوی
“When the sound of war-drums rose from both sides, the battle-seeking warriors charged forward.”
#17
تو گفتی زمین کوه آهن شدست
✦
سپهر از بر خاک دشمن شدست
“You would say the earth had become a mountain of iron, and the sky had turned enemy to the soil.”
#18
چو خسرو بران گونه پیکار دید
✦
فلک تار دید و زمین قار دید
“When Khosrow witnessed such fierce fighting, the heavens appeared dark to him and the earth like pitch.”
#19
به یزدان همی‌گفت برپهلوی
✦
که از برتران پاک و برتر توی
“In Pahlavi speech he prayed to Yazdan, saying: 'O Pure One, Thou art higher than all exalted beings!'”
#20
که برگردد امروز از رزم شاد
✦
که داند چنین جز تو ای پاک وراد
“'Who shall return today joyous from this battle? Who knoweth such things save Thee, O Pure and Generous One?'”
#21
کرابخت خواهد شدن کندرو
✦
سر نیزه که شود خار و خو
“'Whose fortune shall turn sluggish, and whose spearpoint shall be turned into mere thorn and reed?'”
#22
دل و جان خسرو پراندیشه بود
✦
جهان پیش چشمش یکی بیشه بود
“The heart and soul of Khosrow were filled with anxiety; the world before his eyes seemed like a dense, perilous forest.”
#23
که بگسست کوت ازمیان سپاه
✦
ز آهن بکردار کوهی سیاه
“Suddenly Kut broke away from the midst of the host, clad in iron like a black mountain.”
#24
بیامد دمان تامیان گروه
✦
چو نزدیک ترشد بران برز کوه
“He came charging right up to the ranks, drawing near to that lofty mountain peak.”
#25
به خسرو چنین گفت کای سرفراز
✦
نگه کن بدان بنده دیوساز
“He spoke to Khosrow: 'O exalted monarch, look upon that demon-servant slave!'”
#26
که بااو برزم اندر آویختی
✦
چواو کامران شد تو بگریختی
“'With whom thou didst engage in battle, and when he triumphed, thou didst flee before him!'”
#27
ببین از چپ لشکر ودست راست
✦
که تا از میان دلیران کجاست
“'Look now to the left and to the right of the army, to see where he stands among the braves!'”
#28
کنون تا بیاموزمش کارزار
✦
ببیند دل و رزم مردان کار
“'Now watch while I teach him how to fight, that he may witness the heart and valor of seasoned warriors!'”
#29
چو بشنید خسرو زکوت این سخن
✦
دلش گشت پردرد و کین کهن
“When Khosrow heard these words from Kut, his heart grew heavy with pain and ancient hatred.”
#30
کجا گفت کز بنده بگریختی
✦
سلیح سواران فروریختی
“Where Kut said: 'Thou didst flee before a slave and cast down the weapons of thy horsemen!'”
#31
ورا زان سخن هیچ پاسخ نداد
✦
دلش گشت پرخون و سر پر ز باد
“The King gave him no answer in return, but his heart filled with blood and his head with indignation.”
#32
چنین گفت پس کوت را شهریار
✦
که روپیش آن مرد ابلق سوار
“Then the monarch said to Kut: 'Go forth before that knight mounted upon the piebald steed!'”
#33
چوبیند تو را پیشت آید به جنگ
✦
تومگریز تا لب نخایی زننگ
“'When he beholds thee, he will come forth to battle; flee not, lest thou gnaw thy lip in shame!'”
#34
چوبشنید کوت این سخن بازگشت
✦
چنان شد که با باد انباز گشت
“When Kut heard these words he turned back, moving so fast that he rivaled the wind.”
#35
همی‌رفت جوشان ونیزه بدست
✦
به آوردگه رفت چون پیل مست
“Fuming with rage and holding his lance, he entered the field of battle like an enraged elephant.”
#36
چو نزدیک شد خواست بهرام را
✦
برافراخت زانگونه زونام را
“As he drew near he called out for Bahram, exalting his own name in pride.”
#37
یلان سینه بهرام را بانگ کرد
✦
که بیدارباش ای سوار نبرد
“Yalan Sineh shouted to Bahram: 'Be vigilant, O knight of battle!'”
#38
که آمد یکی دیو چون پیل مست
✦
کمندی بفتراک و نیزه بدست
“'For a demon like a mad elephant approaches, carrying a lasso at his saddle-strap and a spear in hand!'”
#39
چو بهرام بشنید تیغ از نیام
✦
برآهخت چون باد و برگفت نام
“When Bahram heard this, he drew his sword from its scabbard like the swift wind and proclaimed his renown.”
#40
چوخسرو چنان دید برپای خاست
✦
ازان کوه‌سر سر برآورد راست
“When Khosrow saw this, he rose to his feet and stretched high his head from the mountain summit.”
#41
نهاده بکوت و به بهرام چشم
✦
دو دیده پر از آب و دل پر ز خشم
“His eyes fixed upon Kut and Bahram—his eyes filled with tears, his heart with fury.”
#42
چو رومی به نیزه درآمد زجای
✦
جهانجوی بر جای بفشارد پای
“As the Roman champion charged with his spear, the world-seeker held his ground firmly.”
#43
چو نیزه نیامد برو کارگر
✦
بروی اندر آورد جنگی سپر
“When the spear failed to take effect upon him, the warrior raised his battle shield over his face.”
#44
یکی تیغ زد بر سر و گردنش
✦
که تاسینه ببرید تیره تنش
“He dealt such a sword-blow upon Kut's head and neck that it cleaved his dark body down to the chest!”
#45
چو آواز تیغش به خسرو رسید
✦
بخندید کان زخم بهرام دید
“When the clang of his blade reached Khosrow, the King laughed aloud upon seeing Bahram's mighty blow.”
#46
نیاطوس جنگی بتابید چشم
✦
ازان خندهٔ خسرو آمد بخشم
“Niyatus the warrior turned his eyes away in anger, filled with fury at Khosrow's laughter.”
#47
به خسرو چنین گفت کای نامدار
✦
نه نیکو بود خنده درکارزار
“He spoke to Khosrow, saying: 'O renowned king, laughter is not fitting in the midst of battle!'”
#48
تو رانیست از روم جز کیمیا
✦
دلت خیره بینم بکین نیا
“'From Rome you receive naught but life-saving aid, yet I see your heart blindly set on vengeance for your ancestors.'”
#49
چو کوت هزاره به ایران و روم
✦
نبینند هرگز به آباد بوم
“'A commander of thousands like Kut shall never again be seen in all of Iran or Rome, nor in any prosperous land.'”
#50
بخندی کنون زانک اوکشته شد
✦
چنان دان که بخت تو برگشته شد
“'You laugh now because he has been slain; know for certain that your own fortune has turned ill!'”
#51
بدو گفت خسرو من از کشتنش
✦
نخندم همی وز بریده تنش
“Khosrow answered him: 'I laugh neither at his slaying nor at his severed trunk.'”
#52
چنان دان که هرکس که دارد فسوس
✦
همو یابد از چرخ گردنده کوس
“'Know that whoever mocks others shall himself receive a harsh blow from the turning sky.'”
#53
مرا گفت کز بنده بگریختی
✦
نبودت هنر تا نیاویختی
“'He once said to me: "You fled before a servant, lacking the prowess to stand and fight."'”
#54
ازان بنده بگریختن نیست ننگ
✦
که زخمش بدین سان بود روز جنگ
“'Yet to flee from a servant whose blow is so formidable on the day of battle brings no shame.'”
#55
وزان روی بهرام آواز داد
✦
که‌ای نامداران فرخ نژاد
“From the other side, Bahram called out: 'O noble chieftains of blessed birth!'”
#56
یلان سینه و رام و ایزد گسسپ
✦
مرین کشته را بست باید بر اسپ
“'Valiant Sina, Raam, and Izad Gashasp—this slain champion must be bound upon a steed!'”
#57
فرستید ز ایدر به لشکر گهش
✦
بدان تابریده ببیند شهش
“'Send him hence to his army's encampment, so his King may see his severed frame.'”
#58
تن کوت رازود برپشت زین
✦
بتنگی ببستند مردان کین
“The vengeful warriors quickly bound Kut's corpse tightly onto the saddle's back.”
#59
دوان اسپ با مرد گردن فراز
✦
همی‌شد به لشکر گه خویش باز
“The horse galloped back towards its army's camp, carrying the fallen champion.”
#60
دل خسرو ازکوت شد دردمند
✦
گشادند زان کشته بند کمند
“Khosrow's heart grieved for Kut; they unfastened the lasso's bonds from the slain warrior.”
#61
بران زخم او بر پراگند مشک
✦
بفرمود پس تا بکردند خشک
“He ordered musk to be sprinkled upon his wounds, and then commanded his body to be dried and embalmed.”
#62
به کرباس بر دوختش همچنان
✦
زره دربر و تنگ بسته میان
“They wrapped and stitched him in coarse linen, with his mail coat upon him and his waist tightly bound.”
#63
به نزدیک قیصر فرستاد باز
✦
که شمشیر این بندهٔ دیوساز
“He sent him back to Caesar, conveying: 'The sword of this demon-slaying servant...'”
#64
برین گونه برد همی روز جنگ
✦
ازو گر هزیمت شدم نیست ننگ
“'...struck in such wise on the battlefield that if I fled before him, it brings me no disgrace.'”
#65
همه رو میان دلشکسته شدند
✦
به دل پاک بی‌جنگ خسته شدند
“All the Romans grew heartbroken, their spirits broken in grief even before joining battle.”
#66
همی‌ریخت بطریق خونین سرشک
✦
همی رخ پر از آب و دل پر ز رشک
“The Patrician shed bloody tears, his face wet with weeping and his heart full of sorrow and envy.”
#67
بیامد ز گردنکشان ده هزار
✦
همه جاثلیقان گرد و سوار
“Ten thousand proud chieftains advanced—all heroic Catholicoi and mounted knights.”
#68
یکی حمله بردند زان سان که کوه
✦
بدرید ز آواز رومی گروه
“They charged with such fury that mountains seemed to split apart from the roar of the Roman host.”
#69
چکاچاک برخاست و بانگ سران
✦
همان زخم شمشیر و گرز گران
“The clatter of steel arose alongside shouts of leaders, with heavy blows of swords and maces.”
#70
توگفتی که دریا بجوشد همی
✦
سپهر روان بر خروشد همی
“You would say the ocean was boiling over, and the revolving sky roared aloud in turmoil.”
#71
ز بس کشته اندر میان سپاه
✦
بماندند بر جای بربسته راه
“So numerous were the slain amid the ranks that the living stood trapped, their path blocked.”
#72
ازان رومیان کشته شد لشکری
✦
هرآنکس که بود از دلیران سری
“A vast army of Romans was slaughtered, including every chief among their braves.”
#73
دل خسرو از درد ایشان بخست
✦
تن خسته زندگان راببست
“Khosrow's heart was pained by their suffering; he ordered the wounded survivors to be bound in chains.”
#74
همه کشتگان رابهم برفکند
✦
تلی گشت برسان کوه بلند
“He piled all the dead together until a mound formed like a towering mountain peak.”
#75
همی‌خواندندیش بهرام چید
✦
ببرید خسرو ز رومی امید
“They named that hill 'Bahram-Chid', and Khosrow severed all his hopes in the Roman host.”
#76
همی‌گفت اگر نیز رومی دو بار
✦
کند هم برین گونه بر کارزار
“He mused: 'If the Romans engage in battle twice more in such fashion...'”
#77
جهان را تو بی‌لشکر روم دان
✦
همان تیغ پولاد را موم دان
“'...consider the world emptied of Roman forces, and steel blades soft as wax.'”
#78
به سرگس چنین گفت پس شهریار
✦
که فردا مبر جنگیان را به کار
“The King then said to Sargis: 'Tomorrow, send not your warriors to the field.'”
#79
تو فردا بیاسای تا من سپاه
✦
بیارم ز ایرانیان کینه خواه
“'Rest tomorrow, while I bring forth a vengeful host of Iranians.'”
#80
بایرانیان گفت فردا به جنگ
✦
شما را بباید شدن بی‌درنگ
“He commanded the Iranians: 'Tomorrow, you must march into battle without delay!'”
#81
همه ویژه گفتند کایدون کنیم
✦
که کوه و بیابان پر از خون کنیم
“With one accord they all declared, 'So shall we do, / And drown both hill and desert in a sea of blood.'”