After two days of uneasy rest, as the world-illuminating sun rose on the third morn, the host of Iran and Turan drew up their lines once more. King Nowzar had no choice but to commit to battle, for Afrasiab swept across the plains like a tempestuous sea. Thunderous battle-horns sounded from Afrasiab’s royal pavilion, echoing the heavy metallic clangor of Indian bells. Nowzar and his champions donned iron helmets and readied their weapons, while in the enemy camp, none had slept through the night as blades were honed and javelins polished. From mountain to mountain, the earth gleamed with armor, forming an unbroken chain of steel.
Qaran marshaled the center of the Iranian formation to stand as a fortress around King Nowzar. Taliman took command of the left flank, while the indomitable Shapur held the right. Yet as the shadows of the spears lengthened across the dirt, shadow fell upon the fate of Iran. The Turanians struck with furious power, sweeping over the flank held by Shapur. Shapur fought with desperate bravery until he was cut down, and with his fall, fortune turned away from the throne of Iran.
Beaten back, the Iranian forces retreated into the stronghold of Dehestan, where Afrasiab promptly laid tight siege to them. Seeking to deal a decisive strike, Afrasiab summoned Karukhan, a renowned chieftain of Viseh's lineage, and dispatched him with a formidable warband across the desert toward Pars, aiming to seize the royal wives and treasury of Iran.
When word of Karukhan's march reached Qaran, his heart burned with wrath and shame. Striding before King Nowzar like an enraged panther, Qaran urged that they could not sit idle while the royal women were led into captivity. Though Nowzar counseled caution—reminding Qaran that Gustahm and Tus had already been dispatched to protect the realm's rear—Qaran, alongside Shidush and Kashvad, swore that remaining besieged was a dishonor worse than death.
At midnight, Qaran and his warriors slipped out from the fortress gates. Guarding the passage was Barman, the Turanian leader who had slain Qaran's brother Qobad. Driven by fiercely burning vengeance, Qaran charged like a lion and drove his spear through Barman's belt, snapping his spine in a single thrust. As the leaderless Turanians scattered, Qaran led his triumphant force through the darkness, riding hard toward Pars to defend his homeland.
#1
ازان پس بیاسود لشکر دو روز
✦
سه دیگر چو بفروخت گیتی فروز
“Thereafter the army rested for two days; on the third, when the world-illuminating sun blazed forth,”
#2
نبد شاه را روزگار نبرد
✦
به بیچارگی جنگ بایست کرد
“The king had no leisure for delay, for he was forced to enter battle in dire straits.”
#3
ابا لشکر نوذر افراسیاب
✦
چو دریای جوشان بد و رود آب
“Against the army of Nowzar, Afrasiab stood like a boiling ocean and a surging river.”
#4
خروشیدن آمد ز پرده‌سرای
✦
ابا نالهٔ کوس و هندی درای
“A roar arose from the royal pavilion, together with the wail of drums and Indian bells.”
#5
تبیره برآمد ز درگاه شاه
✦
نهادند بر سر ز آهن کلاه
“Drums resounded from the king's gate as the warriors placed helmets of iron upon their heads.”
#6
به پرده‌سرای رد افراسیاب
✦
کسی را سر اندر نیامد به خواب
“In the pavilion of the chieftain Afrasiab, no man found time for sleep.”
#7
همه شب همی لشکر آراستند
✦
همی تیغ و ژوپین بپیراستند
“All night long they marshaled the host and sharpened their swords and javelins.”
#8
زمین کوه تا کوه جوشن‌وران
✦
برفتند با گرزهای گران
“Clad in mail from mountain to mountain, the warriors marched forth bearing heavy maces.”
#9
نبد کوه پیدا ز ریگ و ز شخ
✦
ز دریا به دریا کشیدند نخ
“No mountain could be discerned amidst the dust; from sea to sea they formed a single unbroken line.”
#10
بیاراست قارن به قلب اندرون
✦
که با شاه باشد سپه را ستون
“Qaran arrayed the center of the host so he might stand as a pillar beside the king.”
#11
چپ شاه گرد تلیمان بخاست
✦
چو شاپور نستوه بر دست راست
“On the king's left rose the dust of Taliman, while the indomitable Shapur stood on the right.”
#12
ز شبگیر تا خور ز گردون بگشت
✦
نبد کوه پیدا نه دریا نه دشت
“From early dawn until the sun traversed the sky, neither mountain, nor sea, nor plain was visible through the dust.”
#13
دل تیغ گفتی ببالد همی
✦
زمین زیر اسپان بنالد همی
“You would say the blade's heart exulted, while the earth groaned beneath the horses' hooves.”
#14
چو شد نیزه‌ها بر زمین سایه‌دار
✦
شکست اندر آمد سوی مایه‌دار
“When the spears cast long shadows upon the ground, a fracture befell the royal host.”
#15
چو آمد به بخت اندرون تیرگی
✦
گرفتند ترکان برو چیرگی
“When darkness overtook their fortune, the Turks gained the upper hand over them.”
#16
بران سو که شاپور نستوه بود
✦
پراگنده شد هرک انبوه بود
“Upon the side where the indomitable Shapur fought, whoever stood in mass was scattered.”
#17
همی بود شاپور تا کشته شد
✦
سر بخت ایرانیان گشته شد
“Shapur held his ground until he was slain, and the fortune of the Iranians turned away.”
#18
از انبوه ترکان پرخاشجوی
✦
به سوی دهستان نهادند روی
“Fleeing from the vast horde of aggressive Turks, they turned their faces toward Dehestan.”
#19
شب و روز بد بر گذرهاش جنگ
✦
برآمد برین نیز چندی درنگ
“Day and night battle raged at its passes, and there was delay in that fortress for a while.”
#20
چو نوذر فرو هشت پی در حصار
✦
برو بسته شد راه جنگ سوار
“When Nowzar lowered his feet within the fortress, the path of mounted combat was closed to him.”
#21
سواران بیاراست افراسیاب
✦
گرفتش ز جنگ درنگی شتاب
“Afrasiab arrayed his horsemen, changing his slow siege into swift stratagem.”
#22
یکی نامور ترک را کرد یاد
✦
سپهبد کروخان ویسه نژاد
“He summoned a famous Turk, the commander Karukhan of the line of Viseh.”
#23
سوی پارس فرمود تا برکشید
✦
به راه بیابان سر اندر کشید
“He ordered him to march toward Pars, striking through the desert track,”
#24
کزان سو بد ایرانیان را بنه
✦
بجوید بنه مردم بدتنه
“For on that side lay the Iranian baggage and women, which that malevolent host should seek.”
#25
چو قارن شنود آنکه افراسیاب
✦
گسی کرد لشکر به هنگام خواب
“When Qaran heard that Afrasiab had dispatched an army under cover of night,”
#26
شد از رشک جوشان و دل کرد تنگ
✦
بر نوذر آمد بسان پلنگ
“He boiled with zeal and his heart grew tight; he came before Nowzar like a fierce panther,”
#27
که توران شه آن ناجوانمرد مرد
✦
نگه کن که با شاه ایران چه کرد
“Saying: 'See what that unmanly king of Turan has done unto the monarch of Iran!”
#28
سوی روی پوشیدگان سپاه
✦
سپاهی فرستاد بی مر به راه
“He has dispatched an endless army toward the veiled women of our host.”
#29
شبستان ماگر به دست آورد
✦
برین نامداران شکست آورد
“If he captures our royal harem, he will bring utter defeat upon these illustrious champions.”
#30
به ننگ اندرون سر شود ناپدید
✦
به دنب کروخان بباید کشید
“In disgrace our heads will vanish; we must ride in pursuit of Karukhan!”
#31
ترا خوردنی هست و آب روان
✦
سپاهی به مهر تو دارد روان
“You have food and running water here, and an army that remains devoted to your love.”
#32
همی باش و دل را مکن هیچ بد
✦
که از شهریاران دلیری سزد
“Remain here and harbor no evil in your heart, for bravery is fitting for monarchs.”
#33
کنون من شوم بر پی این سپاه
✦
بگیرم بریشان ز هر گونه راه
“Now I shall go in pursuit of this army, and I shall block their way in every manner.'”
#34
بدو گفت نوذر که این رای نیست
✦
سپه را چو تو لشکرآرای نیست
“Nowzar said to him: 'This is not wise, for the army has no leader like you.”
#35
ز بهر بنه رفت گستهم و طوس
✦
بدانگه که برخاست آوای کوس
“Gustahm and Tus went to guard the baggage at the time the war-horns sounded.”
#36
بدین زودی اندر شبستان رسد
✦
کند ساز ایشان چنان چون سزد
“They will quickly reach the royal realm and arrange their defense as is fitting.'”
#37
نشستند بر خوان و می خواستند
✦
زمانی دل از غم بپیراستند
“They sat at table and called for wine, cleansing their hearts of grief for a moment.”
#38
پس آنگه سوی خان قارن شدند
✦
همه دیده چون ابر بهمن شدند
“Thereafter they went to the dwelling of Qaran, their eyes weeping like the winter clouds of Bahman.”
#39
سخن را فگندند هر گونه بن
✦
بران برنهادند یکسر سخن
“They spoke of every matter, and firmly resolved upon one single counsel:”
#40
که ما را سوی پارس باید کشید
✦
نباید برین جایگاه آرمید
“'That we must march toward Pars, and not rest in this place,”
#41
چو پوشیده رویان ایران سپاه
✦
اسیران شوند از بد کینه‌خواه
“Lest the veiled women of Iran's host become captives to the malicious foe.”
#42
که گیرد بدین دشت نیزه به دست
✦
کرا باشد آرام و جای نشست
“Who then could hold a spear in this plain? Who would have peace or a place to dwell?'”
#43
چو شیدوش و کشواد و قارن بهم
✦
زدند اندرین رای بر بیش و کم
“When Shidush, Kashvad, and Qaran agreed together, they considered this decision thoroughly.”
#44
چو نیمی گذشت از شب دیریاز
✦
دلیران به رفتن گرفتند ساز
“When half of the long night had passed, the brave champions readied themselves to march.”
#45
بدین روی دژدار بد گژدهم
✦
دلیران بیدار با او بهم
“On this side was Gazdaham, keeper of the fort, together with watchful warriors.”
#46
وزان روی دژ بارمان و سپاه
✦
ابا کوس و پیلان نشسته به راه
“And on the fortress side stood Barman with his host, lying in wait along the road with drums and war-elephants.”
#47
کزو قارن رزم‌زن خسته بود
✦
به خون برادر کمربسته بود
“For him the warrior Qaren felt deep grief, and bound his waist to avenge his brother's blood.”
#48
برآویخت چون شیر با بارمان
✦
سوی چاره جستن ندادش زمان
“He engaged with Barman like a raging lion, allowing him no time to devise a plan or escape.”
#49
یکی نیزه زد بر کمربند اوی
✦
که بگسست بنیاد و پیوند اوی
“He struck a mighty spear against his belt, shattering his life's foundation and mortal bonds.”
#50
سپه سر به سر دل شکسته شدند
✦
همه یک ز دیگر گسسته شدند
“The enemy host became broken in spirit; their ranks dissolved and scattered from one another.”
#51
سپهبد سوی پارس بنهاد روی
✦
ابا نامور لشکر جنگ‌جوی
“Then the commander turned his face toward Pars, accompanied by his renowned and warlike army.”