#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.”