Following the tragic demise of Bahram Chubin, restiveness spread through the ranks of the Iranian warriors staying in Chinese lands. Many sought safe passage and, weeping in sorrow, prepared to make their journey back to the sacred soil of Iran. Observing this migration, the brother of the Khagan of China approached the monarch with sharp rebuke, warning that if these warriors departed unchecked, the dignity of the throne would be forever stained by shame and mocked across all realms.
Infuriated by these words, the Khagan summoned Tabarg—a veteran war-captain known far and wide as the 'Old Wolf'—and dispatched him at the head of six thousand chosen Turkic horsemen. The Khagan instructed Tabarg to first approach with sweet, enticing words, offering Bahram's sister, Gordiye, a noble place as the Khagan's royal bride to preserve the memory of her valiant brother. Yet, should she refuse this counsel, Tabarg was ordered to bind her in heavy chains and transform the plains of Marv into a crimson graveyard.
On the fourth day, the thunder of Tabarg's cavalry reached the ears of Gordiye. Undaunted, the lion-hearted maiden secured the camp baggage behind her line, donned the formidable armor of her late brother Bahram, and mounted a swift warhorse. As the two hosts arrayed themselves in battle order, Tabarg rode to the front, calling out for Bahram's sister. Clad in full plate, Gordiye spurred her horse forward. Unaware of her identity, Tabarg delivered the Khagan's proposal and stern ultimatum.
With brilliant cunning, Gordiye invited the chieftain to step aside from the main armies into a quiet space where she might offer her answer. Once isolated, the formidable heroine lifted her dark visor, revealing her face, and declared that if he aspired to win her hand, he must first prove his martial worth against her in single combat. Before Tabarg could react, Gordiye charged forward with lethal precision, thrusting her heavy spear straight through his waistbelt, shattering his coat of mail and running him through. Tabarg fell lifeless to the earth.
At that instant, Izad Goshasp and Yelan Sine unleashed the full fury of the Iranian vanguard. Charging upon the bewildered enemy, they smashed through the Chinese ranks. For two leagues, the fleeing Turkic riders were relentlessly pursued, transforming the vast plain into a river of blood littered with fallen champions, securing a legendary victory for Gordiye and her valiant host.
#1
ز لشکر بسی زینهاری شدند
✦
به نزدیک خاقان به زاری شدند
“Many from the army sought quarter, coming before the Khagan in lamentation.”
#2
برادر بیامد به نزدیک اوی
✦
که ای نامور مهتر جنگ جوی
“The Khagan’s brother came to him, saying: 'O renowned and warlike chieftain,'”
#3
سپاه دلاور به ایران کشید
✦
بسی زینهاری بر ما رسید
“'The brave host is marching toward Iran, and a multitude of refugees has come upon us.'”
#4
ازین ننگ تا جاودان بر درت
✦
بخندد همی لشکر و کشورت
“'Because of this shame, forever at your gate, your army and realm shall laugh in mockery.'”
#5
سپهدار چین کان سخنها شنید
✦
شد از خشم رنگ رخش ناپدید
“When the commander of China heard these words, the color drained from his face in fury.”
#6
بدو گفت بشتاب و برکش سپاه
✦
نگه کن که لشکر کجا شد به راه
“He said to him: 'Hasten and mobilize the army; see which way that host has departed.'”
#7
بریشان رسی هیچ تندی مکن
✦
نخستین فراز آر شیرین سخن
“'When you reach them, do not act with violence; at first, offer them sweet words.'”
#8
ازیشان نداند کسی راه ما
✦
مگر بشکنی پشت بدخواه ما
“'None of them knows our intent, unless you break the back of our enemy.'”
#9
به خوبی سخن گوی و بنوازشان
✦
به مردانگی سر بر افرازشان
“'Speak graciously to them and treat them gently, elevating them with noble knightliness.'”
#10
وگر هیچ سازد کسی با تو جنگ
✦
تو مردی کن و دور باش از درنگ
“'And if anyone dares to wage war against you, display your valor and cast away hesitation.'”
#11
ازیشان یکی گورستان کن به مرو
✦
که گردد زمین همچو پر تذرو
“'Turn Marv into a graveyard for them, so that the earth turns as red as a pheasant's wing.'”
#12
بیامد سپهدار با شش هزار
✦
گزیده ز ترکان جنگی سوار
“The commander set forth with six thousand chosen Turkic war-riders.”
#13
به روز چهارم بریشان رسید
✦
زن شیر دل چون سپه را بدید
“On the fourth day he reached them; when the lion-hearted woman saw the approaching army,”
#14
ازیشان به دل بر نکرد ایچ یاد
✦
زلشکر سوی ساربان شد چوباد
“She felt no fear in her heart; like the wind, she rushed from the army toward the camel-drivers.”
#15
یکایک بنه از پس پشت کرد
✦
بیامد نگه کرد جای نبرد
“She placed the baggage behind her, came forward, and surveyed the battlefield.”
#16
سلیح برادر به پوشید زن
✦
نشست از بر باره گام زن
“The woman put on her brother's armor and mounted her swift-pacing steed.”
#17
دو لشکر برابر کشیدند صف
✦
همه جانها برنهاده به کف
“The two armies drew up their ranks facing each other, all carrying their lives in the palms of their hands.”
#18
به پیش سپاه اندر آمد تبرگ
✦
که خاقان ورا خواندی پیر گرگ
“Ahead of the army rode Tabarg, whom the Khagan used to call the 'Old Wolf.'”
#19
به ایرانیان گفت کان پاک زن
✦
مگر نیست با این بزرگ انجمن
“He said to the Iranians: 'Is that pure woman not present among this great assembly?'”
#20
بشد گردیه با سلیح گران
✦
میان بسته برسان جنگاوران
“Gordiye rode forth clad in heavy armor, her waist girded like a fierce warrior.”
#21
دلاور تبرگش ندانست باز
✦
بزد پاشنه شد بر او فراز
“Bold Tabarg did not recognize her; he spurred his horse and approached her.”
#22
چنین گفت کان خواهرکشته شاه
✦
کجا جویمش در میان سپاه
“He said: 'Where in this army shall I find the sister of the slain king?'”
#23
که با او مرا هست چندی سخن
✦
چه از نو چه از روزگار کهن
“'For I have a message for her, concerning both new matters and ancient times.'”
#24
بدو گردیه گفت اینک منم
✦
که بر شیر درنده اسپ افگنم
“Gordiye replied: 'Here am I—the one who would ride her steed against a roaring lion!'”
#25
چو بشنید آواز او را تبرگ
✦
بران اسپ جنگی چو شیر سترگ
“When Tabarg heard her voice upon that warhorse, looking like a mighty lion,”
#26
شگفت آمدش گفت خاقان چین
✦
تو را کرد زین پادشاهی گزین
“He marvelled and said: 'The Khagan of China chose you out of all this kingdom,'”
#27
بدان تا تو باشی ورا یادگار
✦
ز بهرام شیر آن گزیده سوار
“'So that you might remain as a living memory for him of Bahram the lion, that elite rider.'”
#28
همی‌گفت پاداش آن نیکوی
✦
بجای آورم چون سخن بشنوی
“'He said: "I shall reward that goodness if you listen to my message."'”
#29
مرا گفت بشتاب و او را بگوی
✦
که گر زآنک گفتم ندیدی تو روی
“'He bade me hasten and say to her: If you turn away from what I have offered,'”
#30
چنان دان که این خود نگفتم ز بن
✦
مگر نیز باز آمدم زان سخن
“'Know that it is as though I never spoke it at all, and I have retracted my offer.'”
#31
ازین مرز رفتن مرا روی نیست
✦
مکن آرزو گر تو را شوی نیست
“'It is not proper for you to leave this border; do not harbor such desire if you seek no husband.'”
#32
سخنها برین گونه پیوند کن
✦
وگر پند نپذیردت بند کن
“'Speak to her thus, and if she accepts not counsel, bind her in chains.'”
#33
همان را که او را بدان داشتست
✦
سخنها ز اندازه بگذاشتست
“'And as for the one who has urged her on this path, his words have far exceeded all bounds.'”
#34
بدو گردیه گفت کز رزمگاه
✦
به یکسو شویم از میان سپاه
“Gordiye said to him: 'Let us step aside from the battlefield, away from the middle of the army,'”
#35
سخن هرچ گفتی تو پاسخ دهم
✦
تو را اندرین رای فرخ نهم
“'So I may answer all that you have said, and commend your good counsel.'”
#36
ز پیش سپاه اندر آمد تبرگ
✦
بیامد بر نامدار سترگ
“Tabarg rode out from the front of the army and approached the formidable heroine.”
#37
چو تنها بدیدش زن چاره جوی
✦
از آن مغفر تیره بگشاد روی
“When the resourceful woman saw him alone, she uncovered her face from beneath the dark helmet.”
#38
بدو گفت بهرام را دیده‌ای
✦
سواری و رزمش پسندیده ای
“She said to him: 'Have you ever seen Bahram, or admired his horsemanship and combat?'”
#39
مرا بود هم مادر و هم پدر
✦
کنون روزگار وی آمد به سر
“'He was to me both mother and father; now his days have come to an end.'”
#40
کنون من تو را آزمایش کنم
✦
یکی سوی رزمت نمایش کنم
“'Now I shall put you to the test, and display my battle prowess before you!'”
#41
اگر از در شوی یابی بگوی
✦
همانا مرا خود پسندست شوی
“'If you are worthy of being a husband, speak! For indeed a fine husband is pleasing to me.'”
#42
بگفت این وزان پس برانگیخت اسپ
✦
پس او همی‌تاخت ایزد گشسپ
“Saying this, she spurred her steed; and behind her charged Izad Goshasp!”
#43
یکی نیزه زد بر کمربند اوی
✦
که بگسست خفتان و پیوند اوی
“She struck a spear right into his belt, shattering his chainmail and rending his body!”
#44
یلان سینه با آن گزیده سپاه
✦
برانگیخت اسپ اندر آن رزمگاه
“Yelan Sine with that elite host charged their horses into the field of battle.”
#45
همه لشکر چین بهم بر شکست
✦
بسی کشت و افگند و چندی بخست
“They broke the entire army of China, slaying many, felling others, and wounding a multitude.”
#46
دو فرسنگ لشکر همی‌شد ز پس
✦
بر اسپان نماندند بسیار کس
“For two leagues the fleeing army was pursued, and few remained atop their horses.”
#47
سراسر همه دشت شد رود خون
✦
یکی بی‌سر و دیگری سرنگون
“The entire plain became a river of blood, with severed heads lying everywhere and fallen corpses strewn about.”