#1
چو بشنید نوذر که قارن برفت
✦
دمان از پسش روی بنهاد و تفت
“When Nowzar heard that Qaren had departed, he set off in haste and fury after him.”
#2
همی تاخت کز روز بد بگذرد
✦
سپهرش مگر زیر پی نسپرد
“He galloped hard to escape his ill fortune, lest heaven trample him underfoot.”
#3
چو افراسیاب آگهی یافت زوی
✦
که سوی بیابان نهادست روی
“When Afrasiab received tidings that the king had turned his face toward the wilderness,”
#4
سپاه انجمن کرد و پویان برفت
✦
چو شیر از پسش روی بنهاد و تفت
“He assembled his army and set out swiftly, pursuing him furiously like a lion.”
#5
چو تنگ اندر آمد بر شهریار
✦
همش تاختن دید و هم کارزار
“As he closed in upon the monarch, Nowzar saw both his swift assault and the battle before him.”
#6
بدان سان که آمد همی جست راه
✦
که تا بر سر آرد سری بی‌کلاه
“In such wise he sought a path of escape, seeking to save his crownless head.”
#7
شب تیره تا شد بلند آفتاب
✦
همی گشت با نوذر افراسیاب
“From dark night until the high sun rose, Afrasiab maneuvered and fought with Nowzar.”
#8
ز گرد سواران جهان تار شد
✦
سرانجام نوذر گرفتار شد
“The world grew dark with the dust of horsemen, and at last Nowzar was captured.”
#9
خود و نامداران هزار و دویست
✦
تو گفتی کشان بر زمین جای نیست
“He and twelve hundred illustrious nobles were taken, so many that earth seemed too small for them.”
#10
بسی راه جستند و بگریختند
✦
به دام بلا هم برآویختند
“Much did they search for ways to flee, yet they fell into the net of calamity.”
#11
چنان لشکری را گرفته به بند
✦
بیاورد با شهریار بلند
“Such an army he bound in chains and brought away along with the exalted king.”
#12
اگر با تو گردون نشیند به راز
✦
هم از گردش او نیابی جواز
“Though destiny should sit in secret counsel with you, from its turning wheel you shall find no immunity.”
#13
همو تاج و تخت بلندی دهد
✦
همو تیرگی و نژندی دهد
“It bestows the lofty crown and throne, yet it also brings darkness and humiliation.”
#14
به دشمن همی ماند و هم به دوست
✦
گهی مغز یابی ازو گاه پوست
“It resembles a enemy and yet acts as a friend; sometimes you taste its marrow, sometimes its bitter rind.”
#15
سرت گر بساید به ابر سیاه
✦
سرانجام خاک است ازو جایگاه
“Though your head should touch the black cloud, your final resting place is the dust.”
#16
وزان پس بفرمود افراسیاب
✦
که از غار و کوه و بیابان و آب
“Thereafter Afrasiab gave order that from caves, mountains, deserts, and waters,”
#17
بجویید تا قارن رزم زن
✦
رهایی نیابد ازین انجمن
“They should search, so that Qaren the warrior might not find release from this company.”
#18
چو بشنید کاو پیش ازان رفته بود
✦
ز کار شبستان برآشفته بود
“When he heard that Qaren had already departed, troubled over the state of the royal household,”
#19
غمی گشت ازان کار افراسیاب
✦
ازو دور شد خورد و آرام و خواب
“Afrasiab became grieved at this turn of events; food, rest, and sleep departed from him.”
#20
که قارن رها یافت از وی به جان
✦
بران درد پیچید و شد بدگمان
“That Qaren had escaped with his life wracked him with pain and filled him with grave suspicion.”
#21
چنین گفت با ویسهٔ نامور
✦
که دل سخت گردان به مرگ پسر
“He spoke thus to the renowned Vayseh: 'Harden your heart over the death of your son,'”
#22
که چون قارن کاوه جنگ آورد
✦
پلنگ از شتابش درنگ آورد
“'For when Qaren son of Kaveh wages war, even the leopard pauses before his speed.'”
#23
ترا رفت باید ببسته کمر
✦
یکی لشکری ساخته پرهنر
“'You must go forth with belt girded, leading an army filled with skill.'”