#1
چو اغریرث آمد ز آمل به ری
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وزان کارها آگهی یافت کی
“When Aghriras arrived from Amol at Ray, King Afrasiab was informed of all that had come to pass.”
#2
بدو گفت کاین چیست کانگیختی
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که با شهد حنظل برآمیختی
“Afrasiab spoke to him, saying: 'What is this madness you have wrought, mixing sweet honey with bitter colocynth?'”
#3
بفرمودمت کای برادر به کش
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که جای خرد نیست و هنگام هش
“'I commanded you, brother, to put them to the sword; this was no time for wisdom, nor an hour for mind!'”
#4
به دانش نیاید سر جنگجوی
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نباید به جنگ اندرون آبروی
“'A warrior's mind does not bow to scholarly counsel, nor should honor in war be sought through leniency.'”
#5
سر مرد جنگی خرد نسپرد
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که هرگز نیامیخت کین با خرد
“'A fighting man's head never trusts to reason, for vengeance has never mixed with wisdom!'”
#6
چنین داد پاسخ به افراسیاب
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که لختی بباید همی شرم و آب
“Aghriras answered Afrasiab: 'A man must retain a measure of shame and modesty!'”
#7
هر آنگه کت آید به بد دسترس
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ز یزدان بترس و مکن بد به کس
“'Whenever you gain the power to do evil, fear God and inflict no harm upon anyone.'”
#8
که تاج و کمر چون تو بیند بسی
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نخواهد شدن رام با هر کسی
“'For the crown and belt of kingship have seen many like you; they will not yield obediently to anyone forever.'”
#9
یکی پر ز آتش یکی پر‌خرد
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خرد با سر دیو کی درخورد؟
“One full of fury and fire, the other full of wisdom—how could wisdom ever dwell within the head of a demon?”
#10
سپهبد برآشفت چون پیل مست
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به پاسخ به شمشیر یازید دست
“The Turanian warlord flew into a fury like a mad elephant, and in reply laid his hand upon his sword.”
#11
میان برادر به دو‌نیم کرد
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چنان سنگدل ناهشیوار مرد
“He cleaved his brother in two at the waist—such a stone-hearted, senseless man!”
#12
چو از کار اغریرث نامدار
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خبر شد به نزدیک زال سوار
“When news of the fate of renowned Aghriras reached Zal, the illustrious horseman,”
#13
چنین گفت که‌اکنون سر بخت اوی
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شود تار و ویران‌شود تخت اوی
“Zal declared: 'Now shall Afrasiab's fortune turn to darkness, and his throne be cast into ruin!'”
#14
بزد نای رویین و بربست کوس
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بیاراست لشکر چو چشم خروس
“He sounded the brass trumpets and bound the war drums on the elephants, arraying an army as vibrant as a rooster's eye.”
#15
سپهبد سوی پارس بنهاد روی
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همی‌رفت پر‌خشم و دل کینه‌جوی
“The warlord set his face toward Pars, marching in fierce rage with a heart bent on vengeance.”
#16
ز دریا به دریا همی مرد بود
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رخ ماه و خورشید پر گرد بود
“From sea to sea, warriors stood rank upon rank, until the face of the sun and moon was shrouded in dust.”
#17
چو بشنید افراسیاب این سخن
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که دستان جنگی چه افگند بن
“When Afrasiab heard the tidings of what warlike Dastan (Zal) had set in motion,”
#18
بیاورد لشکر سوی خوار ری
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بیاراست جنگ و بیفشارد پی
“He brought his host toward Khar-e Ray, arranged his battle lines, and stood firm.”
#19
طلایه شب و روز در جنگ بود
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تو گفتی که گیتی بر او تنگ بود
“The vanguards clashed by night and day; you would say the world grew too narrow for him.”
#20
مبارز بسی کشته شد بر دو روی
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همه نامداران پرخاشجوی
“Many champions were slain on both sides—all renowned and fierce warriors of battle.”