When Bahram the warrior learned that a messenger from Iran had brought secret missives to the Khaqan of China, he marched furiously into the royal presence, hailing the monarch with grand praise. He declared that Khosrow the deceiver was weaving letters in secret to undermine their alliance, urging the Khaqan to mobilize a formidable host from China so that the realm of Iran might fall under his dominion. Bahram vowed to conquer both Iran and Rome by the edge of his blade, proclaiming the Khaqan emperor of all lands until sentries across both empires uttered his name in the night. He swore to sever the head of Khosrow and eradicate the Sasanian lineage root and branch.
The Khaqan was plunged into deep reflection, his mind becoming a dense thicket of competing thoughts. He summoned his elder counselors, knowledgeable men, and silver-tongued sages, exposing the secret proposal of Bahram. The wise elders deliberated and answered that while subduing the Sasanian crown was no small matter, the measure of Sasanian destiny might indeed be running out. Furthermore, Bahram was a warrior of peerless intellect and martial skill who commanded immense devotion within Iran; backed by the might of the Khaqan, the enterprise was destined for swift victory.
Upon hearing their approval, Bahram's heart gladdened, and a triumphant smile touched his lips. The assembled lords agreed to select two battle-hardened young chieftains to co-command the host. In China, there lived two renowned commanders: Hasnawi, a mighty chieftain, and Zangawi, a fierce commander. The Khaqan summoned both champions to his hall, opening his treasury to bestow lavish sums of gold upon them. He instructed them to remain vigilant in battle, to keep their eyes strictly upon Bahram's counsel whether in wrath or joy, and to guard the crossings of the Oxus River (Jayhun) until the dust of their march rose to the heavens.
A formidable army of elite warriors was committed to Hasnawi and Zangawi. The thunderous war drums of Bahram echoed from the royal court, and the dust of the marching cavalry blackened the face of the sun like ebony. On the dawn of the day of Esfandarmadh, the combined hosts turned their faces from China, advancing relentlessly toward the borders of Iran.
#1
ازان پس چو بشنید بهرام گرد
✦
کز ایران به خاقان کسی نامه برد
“Thereafter, when Bahram the brave heard that someone had brought a letter from Iran to the Khaqan,”
#2
بیامد دمان پیش خاقان چین
✦
بدو گفت کای مهتر به آفرین
“He came impetuously before the Khaqan of China and said to him: 'O praise-worthy sovereign!'”
#3
شنیدم که آن ریمن بد هنر
✦
همی نامه سازد یک اندر دگر
“'I have heard that that deceitful and talentless one is crafting letters one after another.”
#4
سپاهی دلاور ز چین برگزین
✦
بدان تا تو را گردد ایران زمین
“Select a brave army from China, so that the land of Iran may become yours.”
#5
بگیرم به شمشیر ایران و روم
✦
تو راشاه خوانم بران مرز و بوم
“I shall conquer Iran and Rome by the sword and hail you as king over that realm.”
#6
بنام تو بر پاسبانان به شب
✦
به ایران و توران گشایند لب
“In your name, the sentries at night across Iran and Turan shall speak.”
#7
ببرم سر خسرو بی‌هنر
✦
که مه پای بادا ازیشان مه سر
“I will sever the head of talentless Khosrow; may neither head nor foot remain of them!”
#8
چون من کهتری را ببندم میان
✦
ز بن برکنم تخم ساسانیان
“When a servant such as I girds his loins, I shall root out the line of the Sasanians completely.'”
#9
چو بشنید خاقان پر اندیشه شد
✦
ورا در دل اندیشه چون بیشه شد
“When the Khaqan heard this, he became filled with concern, and thoughts grew dense like a forest in his heart.”
#10
بخواند آنکس‌ان را که بودند پیر
✦
سخنگوی و داننده و یادگیر
“He summoned those who were aged, eloquent, wise, and experienced,”
#11
بدیشان بگفت آنچ بهرام گفت
✦
همه رازها برگشاد از نهفت
“And told them all that Bahram had proposed, laying open every secret from concealment.”
#12
چنین یافت پاسخ ز فرزانگان
✦
ز خویشان نزدیک و بیگانگان
“Thus he received the answer from the wise men, both his close kinsmen and strangers alike:”
#13
که این کارخوارست و دشوارنیز
✦
که بر تخم ساسان پرآمد قفیز
“'This affair is both easy and difficult, for the measure of the Sasanian line may well be full.”
#14
ولیکن چو بهرم راند سپاه
✦
نماید خردمند را رای و راه
“Yet when Bahram commands the host, he will show the wise man the proper path and wisdom.”
#15
به ایران بسی دوستدارش بود
✦
چو خاقان یکی خویش و یارش بود
“He has many well-wishers in Iran, especially when the Khaqan is his kinsman and supporter.”
#16
برآید ببخت تو این کار زود
✦
سخنهای بهرام باید شنود
“Through your fortune this enterprise will soon succeed; Bahram's words must be heeded.'”
#17
چو بشنید بهرام دل تازه شد
✦
بخندید و بر دیگر اندازه شد
“When Bahram heard this, his heart refreshed; he smiled and took on a grander bearing.”
#18
بران برنهادند یکسر گوان
✦
که بگزید باید دو مردجوان
“The heroes all agreed upon one plan: that two valiant young men should be selected,”
#19
که زیبد بران هر دو بر مهتری
✦
همان رنج کش باید و لشکری
“Who would be fitting for leadership, capable of enduring hardship, and skilled in war.”
#20
به چین مهتری بود حسنوی نام
✦
دگر سرکشی بود زنگوی نام
“In China there was a noble named Hasnawi, and another defiant chieftain named Zangawi.”
#21
فرستاد خاقان یلان رابخواند
✦
به دیوان دینار دادن نشاند
“The Khaqan sent for those brave champions and sat at the hall of rewards to bestow gold upon them.”
#22
چنین گفت مهتر بدین هر دو مرد
✦
که هشیار باشید روز نبرد
“Thus spoke the lord to both men: 'Be vigilant and sharp on the day of battle.”
#23
همیشه به بهرام دارید چشم
✦
چه هنگام شادی چه هنگام خشم
“Always keep your eyes fixed on Bahram, whether in moments of joy or in times of wrath.”
#24
گذرهای جیحون بدارید پاک
✦
ز جیحون به گردون برآرید خاک
“Keep the crossings of the Jayhun clean and secure, raising dust from Jayhun to the heavens.'”
#25
سپاهی دلاور بدیشان سپرد
✦
همه نامداران و شیران گرد
“He entrusted to them a brave army, comprised entirely of renowned heroes and fierce lions.”
#26
برآمد ز درگاه بهرام کوس
✦
رخ خورشد از گرد چون آبنوس
“The war drums of Bahram resounded from the court; the face of the sun turned black as ebony from the dust.”
#27
ز چین روی یکسر به ایران نهاد
✦
به روز سفندار مذ بامداد
“From China, he turned his face completely toward Iran on the morning of the day of Esfandarmadh.”