#1
سپیده چو از کوه سر برکشید
✦
طلایه به پیش دهستان رسید
“As dawn reared its head above the mountain, the vanguard reached the forward lines of Dehestan.”
#2
میان دو لشکر دو فرسنگ بود
✦
همه ساز و آرایش جنگ بود
“A distance of two leagues lay between the two armies, both fully arrayed and prepared for war.”
#3
یکی ترک بد نام او بارمان
✦
همی خفته را گفت بیدار مان
“There was a Turanian warrior named Barman, who called upon the sleeping to awake.”
#4
بیامد سپه را همی بنگرید
✦
سراپردهٔ شاه نوذر بدید
“He came forward, surveyed the army, and beheld the royal pavilion of King Nowzar.”
#5
بشد نزد سالار توران سپاه
✦
نشان داد ازان لشکر و بارگاه
“He went before the commander of the Turanian host and described the Iranian army and its courtly tent.”
#6
وزان پس به سالار بیدار گفت
✦
که ما را هنر چند باید نهفت؟
“Then he spoke to the vigilant commander, asking: 'How long must we conceal our prowess?'”
#7
به دستوریِ شاه من شیروار
✦
بجویم ازان انجمن کارزار
“'With the King’s leave, I shall march like a lion to seek combat from that host.'”
#8
ببینند پیدا ز من دستبُرد
✦
جز از من کسی را نخوانند گُرد
“'They shall witness my prowess in battle, and call no champion valiant save me.'”
#9
چنین گفت اغریرث هوشمند
✦
که گر بارمان را رسد زین گزند
“But the wise Aghriras spoke thus: 'If harm should befall Barman in this duel...'”
#10
دل مرزبانان شکسته شود
✦
برین انجمن کار بسته شود
“'...the hearts of our chieftains will be broken, and our host's cause shall be thwarted.'”
#11
یکی مرد بی‌نام باید گزید
✦
که انگشت ازان پس نباید گزید
“'Rather, choose an obscure warrior, so that we may not later bite our fingers in regret.'”
#12
پرآژنگ شد روی پور پشنگ
✦
ز گفتار اغریرث آمدش ننگ
“The face of Pashang's son grew furrowed with rage, taking shame at Aghriras's words.”
#13
بروی دژم گفت با بارمان
✦
که جوشن بپوش و به زه کن کمان
“With a grim countenance he said to Barman: 'Don thy coat of mail and string thy bow!'”
#14
تو باشی بران انجمن سرفراز
✦
به انگشت دندان نیاید به گاز
“'Thou shalt stand exalted over that host, nor shall we bite our fingers in regret!'”
#15
بشد بارمان تا به دشت نبرد
✦
سوی قارن کاوه آواز کرد
“Barman rode forth into the field of battle and called out to Qaran, son of Kaveh.”
#16
کزین لشکر نوذر نامدار
✦
که داری که با من کند کارزار
“'Who among the host of the renowned Nowzar do ye have to stand against me in single combat?'”
#17
نگه کرد قارن به مردان مرد
✦
ازان انجمن تا که جوید نبرد
“Qaran surveyed his brave champions, searching for one who would step forward to fight.”
#18
کس از نامدارانش پاسخ نداد
✦
مگر پیرگشته دلاور قباد
“Not one of his renowned warriors answered, save for the aged and courageous Qobad.”
#19
دژم گشت سالار بسیار هوش
✦
ز گفت برادر برآمد به جوش
“The wise commander grew dismayed, his spirit boiling at his brother's words.”
#20
ز خشمش سرشک اندر آمد به چشم
✦
از آن لشکر گشن بد جای خشم
“Tears of fury welled in his eyes, for such a vast army gave ample cause for wrath.”
#21
ز چندان جوان مردم جنگجوی
✦
یکی پیر جوید همی رزم اوی
“'Out of so many youthful warriors, must an old man step forth to seek his fight?'”
#22
دل قارن آزرده گشت از قباد
✦
میان دلیران زبان برگشاد
“Qaran’s heart was grieved by Qobad, and he raised his voice among the champions.”
#23
که سال تو اکنون به جایی رسید
✦
که از جنگ دستت بباید کشید
“'Thy years have now reached a tally where thou shouldst withdraw thy hand from war.'”
#24
تویی مایه‌ور کدخدای سپاه
✦
همی بر تو گردد همه رای شاه
“'Thou art the chief pillar of this host, upon whose counsel hinges all the King's wisdom.'”
#25
بخون گر شود لعل، مویی سپید؛
✦
شوند این دلیران همه ناامید
“'If thy white hair should be dyed crimson with blood, all these brave warriors will lose heart.'”
#26
شکست اندرآید بدین رزمگاه
✦
پر از درد گردد دل نیک‌خواه
“'Defeat will fall upon this battleground, and the heart of every well-wisher shall overflow with pain.'”
#27
نگه کن که با قارن رزم زن!
✦
چه گوید قباد اندران انجمن:
“Behold what Qobad answered in that assembly to Qaran, the warrior champion:”
#28
«بدان ای برادر که تن مرگ راست
✦
سر رزم زن سودن ترگ راست
“'Know, O brother, that the body is destined for death, and the warrior's head must rub against the helmet!'”
#29
ز گاه خجسته منوچهر باز
✦
از امروز بودم تن اندر گداز
“'Ever since the blessed reign of Manuchehr, my body has burned in yearning for this day.'”
#30
کسی زنده بر آسمان نگذرد
✦
شکارست و مرگش همی بشکرد
“'No man ascends alive into the heavens; man is but prey, and death ever hunts him down.'”
#31
یکی را برآید به شمشیر هوش
✦
بدانگه که آید دو لشگر به جوش
“'One man’s life ends by the blade when the two hosts clash in boiling fury,'”
#32
تنش کرگس و شیر درنده راست
✦
سرش نیزه و تیغ برنده راست
“'His body left for vultures and fierce lions, his head marked for spears and sharp blades.'”
#33
یکی را به بستر برآید زمان
✦
همی رفت باید ز بن بی‌گمان
“'While another’s appointed hour arrives upon his bed—yet depart we all must, beyond doubt.'”
#34
اگر من روم زین جهان فراخ
✦
برادر به جایست با برز و شاخ
“'If I depart from this wide world, my noble brother remains in my place with high stature and glory.'”
#35
یکی دخمهٔ خسروانی کند
✦
پس از رفتنم مهربانی کند
“'He will build a royal tomb for me, and show loving-kindness after I am gone.'”
#36
سرم را به کافور و مشک و گلاب
✦
تنم را بدان جای جاوید خواب
“'He shall anoint my head with camphor, musk, and rosewater, and commit my body to that eternal sleep.'”
#37
سپار ای برادر تو پدرود باش
✦
همیشه خرد تار و تو پود باش»
“'Farewell, O my brother! May wisdom forever be thy warp and thou its woof.'”
#38
بگفت این و بگرفت نیزه به دست
✦
به آوردگه رفت چون پیل مست
“Having spoken thus, he grasped his spear and rode onto the battlefield like an enraged elephant.”
#39
چنین گفت با رزم زن بارمان
✦
که آورد پیشم سرت را زمان
“Thus spoke Barman to the warrior: 'The hour of thy doom hath brought thy head before me!'”
#40
ببایست ماندن که خود روزگار
✦
همی کرد با جان تو کارزار
“'Thou shouldst have stayed away, for Time itself was already waging war against thy life!'”
#41
چنین گفت مر بارمان را قباد
✦
که یکچند گیتی مرا داد داد
“Qobad answered Barman: 'For a long season the world granted me justice and life.'”
#42
به جایی توان مرد کاید زمان
✦
بیاید زمان یک زمان بی‌گمان
“'A man dies only when his appointed hour arrives; and when that moment strikes, it cannot be delayed.'”
#43
بگفت و برانگیخت شبدیز را
✦
بداد آرمیدن دل تیز را
“He spoke and spurred his black steed Shabdis, granting rest to his fierce heart.”
#44
ز شبگیر تا سایه گسترد هور
✦
همی این برآن آن برین کرد زور
“From early morning until the sun cast long shadows, each pressed upon the other with all his strength.”
#45
به فرجام پیروز شد بارمان
✦
به میدان جنگ اندر آمد دمان
“At last, Barman proved victorious, roaring fiercely as he pressed forward in the battle arena.”
#46
یکی خشت زد بر سرین قباد
✦
که بند کمرگاه او برگشاد
“He hurled a short spear full at Qobad's hip, shattering the heavy belt about his waist.”
#47
ز اسپ اندر آمد نگونسار سر
✦
شد آن شیردل پیر سالار سر
“Headlong he tumbled from his charger down; thus perished that brave lion-hearted elder, the army's chieftain.”
#48
بشد بارمان نزد افراسیاب
✦
شکفته دو رخسار با جاه و آب
“Then Barman returned unto Afrasiab, his face radiant with glory and victorious pride.”
#49
یکی خلعتش داد کاندر جهان
✦
کس از کهتران نستد آن از مهان
“The prince bestowed a robe of honor upon him, such as no vassal had ever received from a sovereign lord.”
#50
چو او کشته شد قارن رزمجوی
✦
سپه را بیاورد و بنهاد روی
“When Qobad was slain, the battle-seeking Qaran marshaled his host and advanced straight toward the enemy.”
#51
دو لشکر به کردار دریای چین
✦
تو گفتی که شد جنب جنبان زمین
“The two vast armies collided like the surging Sea of China; you would have said the earth itself was quaking beneath them.”
#52
درخشیدن تیغ الماس گون
✦
شده لعل و آهار داده به خون
“The gleam of diamond blades turned ruby-red, drenching and steeping the steel in warm blood.”
#53
به گرد اندرون همچو دریای آب
✦
که شنگرف بارد برو آفتاب
“Through the swirling dust it seemed an ocean upon which the blazing sun rained crimson vermilion.”
#54
پر از نالهٔ کوس شد مغز میغ
✦
پر از آب شنگرف شد جان تیغ
“The heart of the clouds reverberated with the thunder of war-drums, while the blades were quenched in liquid vermilion.”
#55
به هر سو که قارن برافگند اسپ
✦
همی تافت آهن چو آذرگشسپ
“Wherever Qaran spurred his horse into the fray, his steel armor blazed like the holy fire of Azargashasp.”
#56
تو گفتی که الماس مرجان فشاند
✦
چه مرجان که در کین همی جان فشاند
“You would say the diamond sword scattered pearls of coral—yet what coral was this that showered human lives in vengeful wrath?”
#57
ز قارن چو افراسیاب آن بدید
✦
بزد اسپ و لشکر سوی او کشید
“When Afrasiab perceived Qaran's fury, he struck his steed and led his troops directly against him.”
#58
یکی رزم تا شب برآمد ز کوه
✦
بکردند و نامد دل از کین ستوه
“They waged ferocious battle until night ascended from the mountain peaks, nor did their hearts weary of vengeful vengeance.”
#59
چو شب تیره شد قارن رزمخواه
✦
بیاورد سوی دهستان سپاه
“When murky night settled down, the battle-eager Qaran withdrew his forces toward Dehestan.”
#60
بر نوذر آمد به پرده سرای
✦
ز خون برادر شده دل ز جای
“He came before Nowzar in the royal pavilion, his heart distraught with sorrow for his brother's blood.”
#61
ورا دید نوذر فروریخت آب
✦
ازان مژهٔ سیرنادیده خواب
“At the sight of him, Nowzar wept bitter tears, shedding them from eyelids long deprived of restful sleep.”
#62
چنین گفت کز مرگ سام سوار
✦
ندیدم روان را چنین سوگوار
“He lamented, 'Never since the death of Sam the Knight have I seen my spirit so submerged in grief.'”
#63
چو خورشید بادا روان قباد
✦
ترا زین جهان جاودان بهر باد
“'May Qobad's soul shine luminous as the sun, and may your portion in this mortal world endure forever!'”
#64
کزین رزم وز مرگمان چاره نیست
✦
زمی را جز از گور گهواره نیست
“'For from this strife and from our death there is no escape; the earth offers no cradle but the grave.'”
#65
چنین گفت قارن که تا زاده‌ام
✦
تن پرهنر مرگ را داده‌ام
“Qaran replied, 'Ever since the day I was born, I have pledged my valiant body unto death.'”
#66
فریدون نهاد این کله بر سرم
✦
که بر کین ایرج زمین بسپرم
“'Fereydun placed this heroic helm upon my head that I might tread the earth seeking vengeance for Iraj.'”
#67
هنوز آن کمربند نگشاده‌ام
✦
همان تیغ پولاد ننهاده‌ام
“'I have not yet unbuckled that warlike belt, nor have I laid aside my blade of steel.'”
#68
برادر شد آن مرد سنگ و خرد
✦
سرانجام من هم برین بگذرد
“'My brother, that man of fortitude and wisdom, has departed; in the end, my own path shall be the same.'”
#69
انوشه بدی تو که امروز جنگ
✦
به تنگ اندر آورد پور پشنگ
“'May you live forever, O King! Yet today the son of Pashang brought the battle to dire straits.'”
#70
چو از لشکرش گشت لختی تباه
✦
از آسودگان خواست چندی سپاه
“'When a portion of his army was destroyed, he summoned a fresh force from his rested reserves.'”
#71
مرا دید با گَرزهٔ گاوروی
✦
بیامد به نزدیک من جنگجوی
“'Spying me armed with my ox-headed mace, that furious warrior charged straight toward me.'”
#72
به رویش بران گونه اندر شدم
✦
که با دیدگانش برابر شدم
“'I hurled myself at his face so fiercely that I stood eye to eye with his very gaze.'”
#73
یکی جادوی ساخت با من به جنگ
✦
که با چشم روشن نماند آب و رنگ
“'He worked such sorcery against me in the fray that my clear eyes lost all light and sight.'”
#74
شب آمد جهان سر به سر تیره گشت
✦
مرا بازو از کوفتن خیره گشت
“'Night fell and all the world grew dark, while my arm grew numb from endless striking.'”
#75
تو گفتی زمانه سرآید همی
✦
هوا زیر خاک اندر آید همی
“'You would say time itself was reaching its end, and the firmament was sinking into the earth.'”
#76
ببایست برگشتن از رزمگاه
✦
که گرد سپه بود و شب شد سیاه
“'It was necessary to retreat from the field, for the dust of the hosts hung thick and the night grew pitch black.'”