#1
برآسود پس لشکر از هر دو روی
✦
برفتند روز دوم جنگجوی
“Then both armies rested for a while; on the second day, the warriors marched forth once more.”
#2
رده برکشیدند ایرانیان
✦
چنان چون بود ساز جنگ کیان
“The Iranians drew up their battle lines in the majestic manner fitting for royal kings.”
#3
چو افراسیاب آن سپه را بدید
✦
بزد کوس رویین و صف برکشید
“When Afrasiab beheld that host, he sounded the bronze kettle-drum and arranged his battle lines.”
#4
چنان شد ز گرد سواران جهان
✦
که خورشید گفتی شد اندر نهان
“So dense was the dust of the horsemen that you would say the sun was hidden behind a veil.”
#5
دهاده برآمد ز هر دو گروه
✦
بیابان نبود ایچ پیدا ز کوه
“A tumultuous clamor arose from both armies; neither plain nor mountain could be distinguished.”
#6
برانسان سپه بر هم آویختند
✦
چو رود روان خون همی ریختند
“In such fashion the hosts clashed together, pouring blood like a running stream.”
#7
به هر سو که قارن شدی رزمخواه
✦
فرو ریختی خون ز گرد سیاه
“Wherever Qaran turned seeking combat, blood streamed down through the black dust.”
#8
کجا خاستی گُردْ افراسیاب
✦
همه خون شدی دشت چون رود آب
“And wherever the brave Afrasiab arose, the desert became red with blood like a river of water.”
#9
سرانجام نوذر ز قلب سپاه
✦
بیامد به نزدیک او رزمخواه
“At last, Nowzar came forth from the center of the army, riding out to meet him in combat.”
#10
چنان نیزه بر نیزه انداختند
✦
سنان یک به دیگر برافراختند
“They thrust spear against spear, raising their sharp lance-heads against one another,”
#11
که بر هم نپیچد بران گونه مار
✦
شهان را چنین کی بود کارزار
“Such that even intertwined serpents would not twist so tightly; when had kings ever fought in such a manner?”
#12
چنین تا شب تیره آمد به تنگ
✦
برو خیره شد دست پور پشنگ
“Thus they fought until dark night fell upon them, and the hand of Pashang's son prevailed in strength.”
#13
از ایران سپه بیشتر خسته شد
✦
وزان روی پیکار پیوسته شد
“Most of the Iranian host were wounded, while on the enemy side battle continued unabated.”
#14
به بیچارگی روی برگاشتند
✦
به هامون برافگنده بگذاشتند
“In helpless despair the Iranians turned back, abandoning their fallen upon the open desert.”
#15
دل نوذر از غم پر از درد بود
✦
که تاجش ز اختر پر از گرد بود
“King Nowzar's heart was laden with grief and pain, for his crown had been lowered to dust by fate.”
#16
چو از دشت بنشست آوای کوس
✦
بفرمود تا پیش او رفت طوس
“When the sound of war-drums subsided from the plain, he commanded Tus to come before him.”
#17
بشد طوس و گستهم با او به هم
✦
لبان پر ز باد و روان پر ز غم
“Tus came together with Gustahm, their lips filled with cold sighs and their souls filled with sorrow.”
#18
بگفت آنک در دل مرا درد چیست
✦
همی گفت چندی و چندی گریست
“Nowzar spoke of the pain that lay in his heart, speaking long and weeping bitterly.”
#19
از اندرز فرخ پدر یاد کرد
✦
پر از خون جگر لب پر از باد سرد
“He remembered the counsel of his glorious father, his liver bleeding and his lips filled with cold sighs.”
#20
کجا گفته بودش که از ترک و چین
✦
سپاهی بیاید به ایران زمین
“Where his father had said to him: 'An army from Turkestan and China shall march upon the land of Iran;'”
#21
ازیشان ترا دل شود دردمند
✦
بسی بر سپاه تو آید گزند
“'Your heart shall suffer great anguish because of them, and much harm shall befall your army.'”
#22
ز گفتار شاه آمد اکنون نشان
✦
فراز آمد آن روز گردنکشان
“'Now the signs of the King's words have manifested; that dark day foretold for the proud has arrived.'”
#23
کس از نامهٔ نامداران نخواند
✦
که چندین سپه کس ز ترکان براند
“'No one has ever read in the chronicles of the famous that anyone brought such a host of Turks!'”
#24
شما را سوی پارس باید شدن
✦
شبستان بیاوردن و آمدن
“'You two must now make your way toward Pars, to bring out the royal women and retreat.'”
#25
وزان جا کشیدن سوی زاوه کوه
✦
بران کوه البرز بردن گروه
“'And from there retreat toward Zaveh Mountain, carrying the royal family up into the Alborz range.'”
#26
ازیدر کنون زی سپاهان روید
✦
وزین لشکر خویش پنهان روید
“'Depart now from here toward Spahan, slipping away secretly from this army of ours.'”
#27
ز کار شما دل شکسته شوند
✦
برین خستگی نیز خسته شوند
“'For if the troops see you go, their hearts will break, adding grief to their wounded spirits.'”
#28
ز تخم فریدون مگر یک دو تن
✦
برد جان ازین بی‌شمار انجمن
“'Perchance one or two of the seed of Fereydun may escape with their lives from this countless horde.'”
#29
ندانم که دیدار باشد جزین
✦
یک امشب بکوشیم دست پسین
“'I know not if we shall ever meet again; tonight we shall strive in our final stand.'”
#30
شب و روز دارید کارآگهان
✦
بجویید هشیار کار جهان
“'Keep vigilant watchmen night and day; seek out wise knowledge of how the world turns.'”
#31
ازین لشکر ار بد دهند آگهی
✦
شود تیره این فر شاهنشهی
“'If bad news reaches this army, this imperial farr of kingly glory shall grow dark.'”
#32
شما دل مدارید بس مستمند
✦
که باید چنین بد ز چرخ بلند
“'Do not hold your heart in utter despair, for such ill misfortune must needs come from the high heavens.'”
#33
یکی را به جنگ اندر آید زمان
✦
یکی با کلاه مهی شادمان
“'To one man his appointed time comes in battle; another rests happy wearing the crown of greatness.'”
#34
تن کشته با مرده یکسان شود
✦
تپد یک زمان بازش آسان شود
“'The slain body becomes equal to the dead; it writhes for a moment, and then finds ease.'”
#35
بدادش مران پندها چون سزید
✦
پس آن دست شاهانه بیرون کشید
“Having given those wise counsels as was fitting, the King then extended his royal hand.”
#36
گرفت آن دو فرزند را در کنار
✦
فرو ریخت آب از مژه شهریار
“He took his two sons into his embrace, and tears streamed down from the eyes of the King.”