#1
وزان پس جوان و خردمند زن
✦
به آرام بنشست با رای زن
“Thereafter, the young and wise woman sat in tranquil council with her advisers.”
#2
چنین گفت کامد یکی نو سخن
✦
که جاوید بر دل نگردد کهن
“She said: 'A new matter has arisen, one that will never grow old or fade from the heart.'”
#3
جهاندار خاقان بیاراستست
✦
سخنها ز هر گونه پیراستست
“'The world-ruling Khagan has adorned his court and arrayed speeches of every kind.'”
#4
ازو نیست آهو بزرگست شاه
✦
دلیر و خداوند توران سپاه
“'There is no fault in him; he is a great king, brave, and master of the Turanian army.'”
#5
ولیکن چو با ترک ایرانیان
✦
بکوشد که خویشی بود در میان
“'Yet whenever a Turk strives to forge family ties with Iranians...'”
#6
ز پیوند وز بند آن روزگار
✦
غم و رنج بیند به فرجام کار
“'From such a bond and the turn of fate, nothing comes in the end but grief and torment.'”
#7
نگر تا سیاوش از افراسیاب
✦
چه برخورد جز تابش آفتاب
“'Consider what Siyavash gained from Afrasiab, save the blinding heat of misfortune?'”
#8
سر خویش داد از نخستین بباد
✦
جوانی که چون او ز مادر نزاد
“'That youth—the likes of whom no mother ever bore—lost his head at the very beginning.'”
#9
همان نیز پور سیاوش چه کرد
✦
ز توران و ایران برآورد گرد
“'And likewise, what did Siyavash's son do? He raised dust from both Turan and Iran in bloody strife.'”
#10
بسازید تا ما ز ترکان نهان
✦
به ایران بریم این سخن ناگهان
“'Make preparations so that, in secret from the Turks, we may suddenly take our word to Iran.'”
#11
به گردوی من نامه‌ای کرده‌ام
✦
هم از پیش تیمار این خورده‌ام
“'I have written a letter to my brother Gorduya, having already anticipated this grief.'”
#12
که بر شاه پیدا کند کار ما
✦
بگوید ز رنج و ز تیمار ما
“'So that he may reveal our plight to the Shah, and speak of our hardship and sorrow.'”
#13
به نیروی یزدان چنو بشنود
✦
بدین چرب گفتار من بگرود
“'By the power of God, when he hears my eloquent words, he will be swayed to mercy.'”
#14
بدو گفت هرکس که بانو توی
✦
به ایران و چین پشت و بازو توی
“Everyone said to her: 'You are our lady! You are the pillar and strength in both Iran and China!'”
#15
نجنباندت کوه آهن ز جای
✦
یلان را به مردی تویی رهنمای
“'Not even a mountain of iron could dislodge you; in courage, you are the guide to heroes.'”
#16
ز مرد خردمند بیدارتر
✦
ز دستور داننده هشیارتر
“'More vigilant than a wise man, more sharp-minded than a knowledgeable counselor.'”
#17
همه کهترانیم و فرمان تو راست
✦
برین آرزو رای و پیمان تو راست
“'We are all your servants and your command is supreme; your judgment and vow in this matter are right.'”
#18
چو بشنید زیشان عرض رابخواند
✦
درم داد و او را به دیوان نشاند
“When she heard this from them, she summoned the muster-master, gave him coin, and set him at his ledger.”
#19
بیامد سپه سر به سر بنگرید
✦
هزار و صد و شست یل برگزید
“He came and reviewed the army thoroughly, selecting one thousand one hundred and sixty champions.”
#20
کزان هر سواری بهنگام کار
✦
نبر گاشتندی سر از ده سوار
“Such that each rider, in the hour of battle, would not turn their head away from ten opponents.”
#21
درم داد و آمد سوی خانه باز
✦
چنین گفت با لشکر رزمساز
“She gave out money and returned home, speaking thus to the battle-ready force:”
#22
که هرکس که دید او دوال رکیب
✦
نپیچد دل اندر فراز ونشیب
“'Every one of you who has gripped the stirrup leather will not falter in hardship or triumph.'”
#23
نترسد ز انبوه مردم کشان
✦
گر از ابر باشد برو سرفشان
“'Who fears not the crowd of blood-spillers, even if swords rain down upon them like clouds!'”
#24
به توران غریبیم و بی پشت و یار
✦
میان بزرگان چنین سست و خوار
“'We are strangers in Turan, without support or allies, weak and humbled among their nobles.'”
#25
همی‌رفت خواهم چو تیره شود
✦
سر دشمن از خواب خیره شود
“'I intend to march when it grows dark, when the enemy's head is dazed with sleep.'”
#26
شما دل به رفتن مدارید تنگ
✦
که از چینیان لشکر آید به جنگ
“'Do not let your hearts grow anxious, for an army of Chinese will surely march out to fight.'”
#27
که خود بی‌گمان از پس من سران
✦
بیایند با گرزهای گران
“'For surely behind me, their chieftains will pursue us with heavy maces.'”
#28
همه جان یکایک به کف برنهید
✦
اگر لشکر آید دمید و دهید
“'Hold your lives in your hands, every single one of you; if their army arrives, charge and strike hard!'”
#29
وگر بر چنین رویتان نیست رای
✦
از ایدر مجنبید یک تن زجای
“'And if your mind is not set upon such a course, let not a single person move from this spot.'”
#30
به آواز گفتند ما کهتریم
✦
ز رای و ز فرمان تو نگذریم
“With one voice they cried: 'We are your servants; we shall not stray from your counsel and command!'”
#31
برین برنهادند و برخاستند
✦
همه جنگ چین را بیاراستند
“Upon this they agreed and arose, preparing all things to do battle with China.”
#32
یلان سینه و مهر و ایزد گشسپ
✦
نشستند با نامداران بر اسپ
“The champions Sinah, Mehr, and Izad Goshasp mounted their steeds alongside the famous warriors.”
#33
همی‌گفت هرکس که مردن به نام
✦
به از زنده و چینیان شادکام
“Everyone said: 'To die with honor is better than to live while the Chinese rejoice!'”
#34
هم آنگه سوی کاروان برگذشت
✦
شترخواست تاپیش او شد ز دشت
“At that moment she turned to the caravan, demanding camels until they were brought from the plain.”
#35
گزین کرد زان اشتران سه هزار
✦
بدان تا بنه برنهادند و بار
“She selected three thousand choice camels from among them to load the heavy baggage.”
#36
چو شب تیره شد گردیه برنشست
✦
چو گردی سرافراز و گرزی بدست
“When the night turned dark, Gordyeh mounted her steed, like an exalted hero with a mace in hand.”
#37
برافگند پر مایه برگستوان
✦
ابا جوشن و تیغ و ترگ گوان
“She draped precious armors over her steed, donning mail, holding a sword, and wearing a hero's helmet.”
#38
همی‌راند چون باد لشکر به راه
✦
به رخشنده روز و شبان سیاه
“She drove the army forward like the wind, traveling through bright days and pitch-black nights.”