#1
چو دشت از گیا گشت چون پرنیان
✦
ببستند گردان توران میان
“When the desert turned to fine silk with springtime grass, the champions of Turan girded their loins.”
#2
سپاهی بیامد ز ترکان و چین
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هم از گرزداران خاور زمین
“An army marched from the Turks and China, as well as the mace-bearing warriors of the East.”
#3
که آن را میان و کرانه نبود
✦
همان بخت نوذر جوانه نبود
“An army without middle or bounds, while the fortune of Nowzar was no longer young and thriving.”
#4
چو لشکر به نزدیک جیحون رسید
✦
خبر نزد پور فریدون رسید
“When the army reached near the Jayhun River, news arrived for the son of Fereydun's lineage.”
#5
سپاه جهاندار بیرون شدند
✦
ز کاخ همایون به هامون شدند
“The world-ruler's warriors marched out, moving from the royal palace into the open plains.”
#6
به راه دهستان نهادند روی
✦
سپهدارشان قارن رزم‌جوی
“They set their face upon the road to Dehestan, led by their battle-seeking commander Qaren.”
#7
شهنشاه نوذر پس پشت اوی
✦
جهانی سراسر پر از گفت و گوی
“King Nowzar marched right behind him, while the whole world was filled with rumors of war.”
#8
چو لشکر به پیش دهستان رسید
✦
تو گفتی که خورشید شد ناپدید
“When the army arrived before Dehestan, you would say the sun itself had vanished in the dust.”
#9
سراپردهٔ نوذر شهریار
✦
کشیدند بر دشت پیش حصار
“They pitched the royal pavilion of King Nowzar upon the plain in front of the fortress.”
#10
خود اندر دهستان نیاراست جنگ
✦
برین بر نیامد زمانی درنگ
“He did not array for battle inside Dehestan, and without the slightest delay...”
#11
که افراسیاب اندر ایران زمین
✦
دو سالار کرد از بزرگان گزین
“Afrasiab chose two chieftains from among the prominent lords against Iran.”
#12
شماساس و دیگر خزروان گرد
✦
ز لشکر سواران بدیشان سپرد
“Shamasas and Khazarvan the warrior—to whom he entrusted a body of cavalry riders.”
#13
ز جنگ آوران مرد چون سی هزار
✦
برفتند شایستهٔ کارزار
“Thirty thousand warlike men, all worthy of battle, set forth.”
#14
سوی زابلستان نهادند روی
✦
ز کینه به دستان نهادند روی
“They directed their path toward Zabulistan, driven by vengeance against Dastan.”
#15
خبر شد که سام نریمان بمرد
✦
همی دخمه سازد ورا زال گرد
“Tidings had spread that Sam son of Nariman was dead, and Zal the hero was building his tomb.”
#16
ازان سخت شادان شد افراسیاب
✦
بدید آنکه بخت اندر آمد به خواب
“Afrasiab grew exceedingly joyful at this, seeing that Iran's fortune had gone to sleep.”
#17
بیامد چو پیش دهستان رسید
✦
برابر سراپرده‌ای برکشید
“He arrived before Dehestan and pitched his pavilion directly opposite Nowzar's camp.”
#18
سپه را که دانست کردن شمار!
✦
برو چارصد بار بشمر هزار
“Who could count his army? Count four hundred times a thousand upon it!”
#19
بجوشید گفتی همه ریگ و شخ
✦
بیابان سراسر چو مور و ملخ
“You would say all the sand and rock boiled; the desert was covered with them like ants and locusts.”
#20
ابا شاه نوذر صد و چل هزار
✦
همانا که بودند جنگی سوار
“With King Nowzar were one hundred and forty thousand warrior horsemen in total.”
#21
به لشکر نگه کرد افراسیاب
✦
هیونی برافگند هنگام خواب
“Afrasiab looked upon the armies, and dispatched a swift courier at bedtime.”
#22
یکی نامه بنوشت سوی پشنگ
✦
که جستیم نیکی و آمد به چنگ
“He wrote a letter to Pashang: 'We sought good fortune, and now it has come to our hands.'”
#23
همه لشکر نوذر ار بشکریم
✦
شکارند و در زیر پی بسپریم
“'If we hunt down Nowzar's host, they are mere prey to be crushed beneath our feet.'”
#24
دگر سام رفت از در شهریار
✦
همانا نیاید بدین کارزار
“'Furthermore, Sam has departed from the king's realm, and surely will not come to this battle.'”
#25
ستودان همی سازدش زال زر
✦
ندارد همی جنگ را پای و پر
“'Zal the White-haired is building his tomb, having neither power nor heart for battle.'”
#26
مرا بیم ازو بُد به ایران زمین
✦
چو او شد، ز ایران بجوییم کین!
“'My only fear in Iran was of him; now that he is gone, we shall take our revenge upon Iran!'”
#27
همانا شماساس در نیمروز
✦
نشستست با تاج گیتی فروز
“'Surely Shamasas is now in Nimruz, sitting adorned with the world-illuminating crown.'”
#28
به هنگام هر کار جستن نکوست
✦
زدن رای با مرد هشیار و دوست
“'It is wise to seek the right moment for every deed, and consult with prudent friends.'”
#29
چو کاهل شود مرد هنگام کار
✦
ازان پس نیابد چنان روزگار
“'When a man grows lazy at the moment of action, he will never find such opportunity again.'”
#30
هیون تکاور برآورد پر
✦
بشد نزد سالار خورشید فر
“The swift messenger courier spread his wings like a bird and sped unto the sun-glorious ruler.”