#1
چوشب دامن تیره اندر کشید
✦
سپیده ز کوه سیه بر دمید
“As night drew in its dark skirt, dawn emerged from behind the black mountain.”
#2
مقاتوره پوشید خفتان جنگ
✦
بیامد یکی تیغ توری به چنگ
“Maqatura donned his battle coat of mail and came forth holding a sharp Turanian sword.”
#3
چو بهرام بشنید بالای خواست
✦
یکی جوشن خسرو آرای خواست
“When Bahram heard the battle call, he requested his royal armor fit for kings.”
#4
گزیدند جایی که هرگز پلنگ
✦
بر آن شخ بی‌آب ننهاد چنگ
“They chose a place where never a panther had laid its paw upon that waterless cliff.”
#5
چو خاقان شنید این سخن برنشست
✦
برفتند ترکان خسرو پرست
“When the Khaqan heard of this, he mounted, and the King-devoted Turks rode out with him,”
#6
بدان کار تا زین دو شیر دمان
✦
کرا پیشتر خواهد آمد زمان
“To witness, between these two roaring lions, whose time would come first.”
#7
مقاتوره چون شد به دشت نبرد
✦
ز هامون به ابر اندر آورد گرد
“When Maqatura reached the battlefield, he raised dust from the plain to the clouds.”
#8
به بهرام گردنکش آواز داد
✦
که اکنون ز مردی چه داری بیاد
“He called out haughtily to Bahram: 'What remembrance of manhood do you now possess?”
#9
تو تازی بدین جنگ بر پیشدست
✦
و گر شیردل ترک خاقان پرست
“Will you strike first in this battle, or shall I, the lion-hearted warrior of the Khaqan?'”
#10
بدو گفت بهرام پیشی تو کن
✦
کجا پی تو افگنده‌ای این سخن
“Bahram said to him: 'Take the first shot yourself, for it was you who opened this dispute.'”
#11
مقاتوره کرد از جهاندار یاد
✦
دو زاغ کمان را به زه برنهاد
“Maqatura remembered the Lord of the World, and placed the bowstring upon the two notches of the bow.”
#12
زه و تیر بگرفت شادان بدست
✦
چو شد غرق پیکانش بگشاد شست
“Gladly he took bowstring and arrow in hand, and when the arrowhead was drawn to its notch, he released his thumb.”
#13
بزد بر کمربند مرد سوار
✦
نسفت آهن از آهن آبدار
“He struck the belt of the horseman, but tempered steel could not pierce tempered steel.”
#14
زمانی همی‌بود بهرام دیر
✦
که تاشد مقاتوره از رزم سیر
“Bahram remained motionless for a moment, until Maqatura grew weary of fighting.”
#15
مقاتوره پنداشت کو شد تباه
✦
خروشید و برگشت زان رزمگاه
“Maqatura fancied that Bahram was destroyed; he shouted in triumph and turned away from the battleground.”
#16
بدو گفت بهرام کای جنگجوی
✦
نکشتی مرا سوی خرگه مپوی
“Bahram said to him: 'O warrior! You have not slain me—do not rush back toward your pavilion!”
#17
تو گفتی سخن باش و پاسخ شنو
✦
اگر بشنوی زنده مانی برو
“You spoke your word, now stay and hear the answer; if you survive after hearing it, then go!'”
#18
گزین کرد جوشن گذاری خدنگ
✦
که آهن شدی پیش او نرم و سنگ
“He chose a mail-piercing arrow of poplars, before which iron and stone would turn soft.”
#19
بزد بر میان سوار دلیر
✦
سپهبد شد از رزم و دینار سیر
“He struck the valiant warrior right in his middle, and the commander was instantly sated with battle and gold.”
#20
مقاتوره چون جنگ را برنشست
✦
برادر دو پایش بزین بر ببست
“When Maqatura had mounted for battle, his brother had bound his two feet firmly to the saddle.”
#21
بروی اندر آمد دو دیده پرآب
✦
همان زین توری شدش جای خواب
“He slumped forward with eyes full of tears/blood, and that Turanian saddle became his bed of sleep.”
#22
به خاقان چنین گفت کای کامجوی
✦
همی گورکن خواهد آن نامجوی
“Maqatura's companion said to the Khaqan: 'O seeker of desires, that famous warrior now requires a grave-digger!'”
#23
بدو گفت خاقان که بهتر ببین
✦
کجا زنده خفتست بر پشت زین
“The Khaqan replied to him: 'Look more closely! How can a living man sleep upon the back of a saddle?'”
#24
بدو گفت بهرام کای برمنش
✦
هم اکنون به خاک اندر آید تنش
“Bahram said to him: 'O proud lord, right now his body shall descend into the dust.”
#25
تن دشمن تو چنین خفته باد
✦
که او خفت بر اسپ توری نژاد
“May the body of your enemy sleep like this, for he lay sleeping upon a horse of Turanian breed!'”
#26
سواری فرستاد خاقان دلیر
✦
به نزدیک آن نامبردار شیر
“The Khaqan sent a valiant horseman to approach that famous lion.”
#27
ورا بسته و کشته دیدند خوار
✦
بر آسوده از گردش روزگار
“They found him bound and slain miserably, released forever from the turn of fortune.”
#28
بخندید خاقان به دل در نهان
✦
شگفت آمدش زان سوار جهان
“The Khaqan laughed secretly in his heart, amazed by that world-conquering knight.”
#29
پر اندیشه بد تا بایوان رسید
✦
کلاهش ز شادی به کیوان رسید
“Full of thought he reached his palace, his crown touching the heavens with joy.”
#30
سلیح و درم خواست و اسپ ورهی
✦
همان تاج و هم تخت شاهنشهی
“He requested armor, money, horses, chargers, as well as a royal crown and throne,”
#31
ز دینار وز گوهر شاهوار
✦
ز هرگونه‌ای آلت کار زار
“Along with dinars, royal jewels, and all kinds of gear for battle.”
#32
فرستاده از پیش خاقان ببرد
✦
به گنجور بهرام جنگی سپرد
“The messenger carried these forth from the Khaqan, and warlike Bahram entrusted them to his treasurer.”