#1
چنین تا به بیژن رسید آگهی
✦
که ماهوی بگرفت تخت مهی
“Word came to Bizhan that Mahuy had usurped the throne of greatness.”
#2
بهر سو فرستاد مهر و نگین
✦
همی رام گردد برو بر زمین
“From every corner he dispatched royal seals and signets, seeking to bend the earth to his sway.”
#3
کنون سوی جیحون نهادست روی
✦
به پرخاش با لشکری جنگجوی
“And now he turns his face toward the Oxus River, leading a warlike host unto battle.”
#4
بپرسید بیژن که تاجش که داد
✦
برو کرد گوینده آن کار یاد
“Bizhan inquired, "Who bestowed upon him this crown?" and the messenger recounted to him how it came to pass.”
#5
بدو گفت برسام کای شهریار
✦
چو من بردم از چاچ چندان سوار
“Barsam spoke to him, saying, "O King, when I brought forth so many riders from Chach,”
#6
بیاوردم از مرو چندان بنه
✦
بشد یزدگرد از میان یک تنه
“And brought back so much booty from Merv, Yazdegerd was left standing alone.”
#7
تو را گفته بُد تخت زرین اوی
✦
همان یارهٔ گوهرآگین اوی
“Mahuy had promised thee his golden throne, together with his jewel-encrusted armlets,”
#8
همان گنج و تاجش فرستم به چاج
✦
تو را باید اندر جهان تخت عاج
“Saying, 'I shall send his treasure and crown to Chach, for an ivory throne befits thee in this world.'”
#9
به مرو اندرون رزم کردم سه روز
✦
چهارم چو بفروخت گیتی‌فروز
“Within Merv I fought for three full days; on the fourth, when the sun lit up the world,”
#10
شدم تنگدل رزم کردم درشت
✦
جفاپیشه ماهوی بنمود پشت
“Gripped by anguish, I pressed the fight hard, until the treacherous Mahuy turned his back and fled.”
#11
چو ماهوی گنج خداوند خویش
✦
بیاورد بی‌رنج و بنهاد پیش
“Thereupon Mahuy brought forth the treasures of his own lord without hardship and laid them before me.”
#12
چو آگنده شد مرد بی‌تن به چیز
✦
مرا خود تو گفتی ندیدست نیز
“Once that worthless man was filled with riches, he paid no heed to me, as if he had never seen me before.”
#13
به مرو اندرون بود لشکر دو ماه
✦
به خوبی نکرد ایچ بر ما نگاه
“For two months the army lay in Merv, yet he never looked upon us with kindness or favor.”
#14
بکشت او خداوند را در نهان
✦
چنان پادشاهی بزرگ جهان
“In secret he murdered his sovereign lord—a monarch so vast and glorious in the world!”
#15
سواری که گفتی میان سپاه
✦
همی‌برگذارد سر از چرخ ماه
“A knight who, amidst the host, seemed to raise his head above the wheel of the moon!”
#16
ز ترکان کسی پیش گرزش نرفت
✦
همی زو دل نامداران بکفت
“None among the Turks could withstand his mace; the hearts of famous champions split with dread before him.”
#17
چو او کشته شد پادشاهی گرفت
✦
بدین گونه ناپارسایی گرفت
“When he was slain, Mahuy seized the kingship; thus did unrighteousness take hold of the realm.”
#18
طلایه همی‌گوید آمد سپاه
✦
نباید که بر ما بگیرند راه
“The vanguard reports that his army advances; we must not let them block our path or surprise us!”
#19
چو بدخواه جنگی به بالین رسید
✦
نباید تو را با سپاه آرمید
“When an armed enemy reaches thy pillow, it behoves thee not to rest idly with thy host.”
#20
چنین گل به پالیز شاهان مباد
✦
چو باشد نیاید ز پالیز یاد
“May no such foul rose bloom in the garden of kings; for when it blossoms, the garden itself is forgotten.”
#21
چو بشنید بیژن سپه گرد کرد
✦
ز ترکان سواران روز نبرد
“When Bizhan heard this, he gathered his army—valiant Turkic horsemen bred for the day of battle.”
#22
ز قجقار باشی بیامد دمان
✦
نجست ایچ‌گونه بره بر زمان
“From Qajqarbashi he marched swiftly, seeking no delay along the way.”
#23
چو نزدیک شهر بخارا رسید
✦
همه دشت نخشب سپه گسترید
“As he drew near the city of Bukhara, he spread his forces across the whole plain of Nakhsab.”
#24
به یاران چنین گفت که اکنون شتاب
✦
مدارید تا او بدین روی آب
“He said to his companions, "Make no haste now; let him first cross to this side of the water.”
#25
به پیکار ما پیش آرد سپاه
✦
مگر باز خواهیم زو کین شاه
“Let him lead his army to fight us, that perchance we may avenge the fallen king upon him!"”
#26
ازان پس بپرسید کز نامدار
✦
که ماند ایچ فرزند کاید به کار
“Thereafter he asked, "Of that illustrious king, does any child remain who might serve the throne?”
#27
جهاندارشه را برادر بُدَست
✦
پسر گر نبود ایچ دختر بُدَست
“Did the King of the World have a brother, or if no son, perchance a daughter?”
#28
که او را بیاریم و یاری دهیم
✦
به ماهوی بر کامگاری دهیم
“That we may bring them forth, offer our aid, and grant them triumph over Mahuy?"”
#29
بدو گفت برسام کای شهریار
✦
سرآمد برین تخمه بر روزگار
“Barsam answered him, "O Sovereign! Time hath brought an end to this royal lineage.”
#30
بران شهرها تازیان راست دست
✦
که نه شاه ماند نه یزدان‌پرست
“The Arabs hold sway over those realms; neither king remains, nor any worshiper of God!"”
#31
چو بشنید بیژن سپه برگرفت
✦
ز کار جهان دست بر سر گرفت
“When Bizhan heard this, he led his army onward, placing his hands upon his head in grief over the world's turn.”
#32
طلایه بیامد که آمد سپاه
✦
به پیکند سازد همی رزمگاه
“The advance guards arrived with news that Mahuy's host had come and was preparing the battlefield at Paykand.”
#33
سپاهی بکشتی برآمد ز آب
✦
که از گرد پیدا نبود آفتاب
“An army crossed the river by boats, raising dust so thick that the sun was hidden.”
#34
سپهدار بیژن به پیش سپاه
✦
بیامد که سازد همی رزمگاه
“Bizhan, the commander, marched at the head of his host to array his forces for battle.”
#35
چو ماهوی سوری سپه را بدید
✦
تو گفتی که جانش ز تن برپرید
“When Mahuy Suri beheld that formidable host, it seemed as though his soul fled from his body.”
#36
ز بس جوشن و خود و زرین سپر
✦
ز بس نیزه و گرز و چاچی‌تبر
“So dense were the coats of mail, helmets, golden shields, spears, maces, and battle-axes of Chach,”
#37
غمی شد برابر صفی برکشید
✦
هوا نیلگون شد زمین ناپدید
“Stricken with dread, he drew up his battle line; the air turned indigo, and the ground vanished beneath them.”