#1
بفرمود تابرکشیدند نای
✦
سپاه اندر آمد چو دریا ز جای
“He commanded the war-horns to sound; the army rose up like a surging sea.”
#2
برآمد یکی ابر و برشد خروش
✦
همی کر شد مردم تیزگوش
“A cloud of dust arose and a clamor erupted, deafening even those with the sharpest hearing.”
#3
سنانهای الماس در تیره گرد
✦
چو آتش پس پردهٔ لاژورد
“Diamond-tipped spearheads flashed in the dark dust, like fire behind an azure curtain.”
#4
همی نیزه بر مغفر آبدار
✦
نیامد به زخم اندرون پایدار
“No lance struck upon a tempered steel helmet without delivering a deadly, unyielding blow.”
#5
سه روز اندر آن جایگه جنگ بود
✦
سر آدمی سم اسپان به سود
“For three days battle raged in that place; the hooves of horses crushed the heads of fallen men.”
#6
شد ازتشنگی دست گردان ز کار
✦
هم اسپ گرانمایه از کارزار
“From bitter thirst, the hands of warriors failed, and even the noble steeds grew exhausted from the fray.”
#7
لب رستم از تشنگی شد چو خاک
✦
دهن خشک و گویا زبان چاک چاک
“Rostam's lips turned to dry dust from thirst; his mouth was parched and his eloquent tongue cracked.”
#8
چو بریان و گریان شدند از نبرد
✦
گل تر به خوردن گرفت اسپ و مرد
“As men and steeds burned and wept from combat, both horse and rider began consuming wet mud for moisture.”
#9
خروشی بر آمد به کردار رعد
✦
ازین روی رستم وزان روی سعد
“A thunderous roar erupted across the field: Rostam on one side, and Sa'd on the other.”
#10
برفتند هر دو ز قلب سپاه
✦
بیکسو کشیدند ز آوردگاه
“Both rode out from the center of their armies and withdrew toward a flank of the battlefield.”
#11
چو از لشکر آن هر دو تنها شدند
✦
به زیر یکی سرو بالا شدند
“When both were isolated from their hosts, they came together beneath a tall cypress tree.”
#12
همی‌تاختند اندر آوردگاه
✦
دو سالار هر دو به دل کینه خواه
“They charged upon each other in the arena of war, both commanders harboring vengeance in their hearts.”
#13
خروشی برآمد ز رستم چو رعد
✦
یکی تیغ زد بر سر اسپ سعد
“A thunderous cry broke from Rostam, and he struck a blow with his sword upon the head of Sa'd's steed.”
#14
چواسپ نبرد اندرآمد به سر
✦
جدا شد ازو سعد پرخاشخر
“When the warhorse collapsed headlong, the combative Sa'd was thrown to the ground.”
#15
بر آهیخت رستم یکی تیغ تیز
✦
بدان تا نماید به دو رستخیز
“Rostam drew a sharp sword, intending to bring doom upon him.”
#16
همی‌خواست از تن سرش رابرید
✦
ز گرد سپه این مران را ندید
“He sought to sever Sa'd's head from his body, but through the swirl of army dust, neither could clearly see the other.”
#17
فرود آمد از پشت زین پلنگ
✦
به زد بر کمر بر سر پالهنگ
“He dismounted from his leopard-skin saddle cloth, tying the reins securely to his waist belt.”
#18
بپوشید دیدار رستم ز گرد
✦
بشد سعد پویان به جای نبرد
“Dust obscured Rostam's sight; Sa'd crept forward stealthily across the place of combat.”
#19
یکی تیغ زد بر سر ترگ اوی
✦
که خون اندر آمد ز تارک بروی
“Sa'd struck a sword blow upon Rostam's helmet, sending blood streaming down from his crown unto his face.”
#20
چو دیدار رستم ز خون تیره شد
✦
جهانجوی تازی بدو چیره شد
“When Rostam's vision was darkened with blood, the Arab conqueror gained the upper hand over him.”
#21
دگر تیغ زد بربر و گردنش
✦
به خاک اندر افگند جنگی تنش
“Sa'd struck another sword blow upon his chest and neck, casting his warrior body down into the dust.”
#22
سپاه از دو رویه خودآگاه نه
✦
کسی را سوی پهلوان راه نه
“Neither army was aware of what had transpired, for no one had a path toward where the chieftain lay.”
#23
همی‌جست مر پهلوان را سپاه
✦
برفتند تا پیش آوردگاه
“The Iranian host went searching for their warlord, advancing to the very front of the battleground.”
#24
بدیدندش از دور پر خون و خاک
✦
سرا پای کردن به شمشیر چاک
“They beheld him from afar, covered in blood and dirt, his body slashed from head to foot with sword cuts.”
#25
هزیمت گرفتند ایرانیان
✦
بسی نامور کشته شد در میان
“The Iranians broke into defeat and flight; many famous nobles were slain among them.”
#26
بسی تشنه بر زین بمردند نیز
✦
پر آمد ز شاهان جهان را قفیز
“Many died of thirst upon their saddles; the measure of the kings' world was filled to overflowing.”
#27
سوی شاه ایران بیامد سپاه
✦
شب تیره و روز تازان به راه
“The routed army sped toward the King of Iran, fleeing along the road through dark night and day.”
#28
به بغداد بود آن زمان یزدگرد
✦
که او را سپاه اندآورد گرد
“Yazdegerd was in Baghdad at that time, gathering forces around himself.”