The brass balls struck the bronze goblets atop the war-elephants, sending a thunderous clamor for leagues across mountain and plain. A vast resurrection surged from Zabulistan, as though the dormant earth had been commanded to awaken. At the vanguard of this limitless host rode the youthful champion Rostam, flanked by veteran heroes and battle-hardened elders of Iran. The military power swelled across every meadow, valley, and ridge so densely that no crow could find space to fly overhead. War-drums beat simultaneously at sixty positions, shaking the very foundations of the earth as Zal led his armies forth in the blossom-scented tide of spring.
When news of Zal’s mobilization reached Afrasiab, all peace, sleep, and appetite abandoned the Turanian prince. He hastily marched his host to the lush meadows of Khwar-e Rey, a land abundant with water and reeds. From the opposite side, the Iranian forces poured continuously through the desert routes until a mere two leagues separated the opposing camps.
Seeing the vast armaments ready for clash, the commander Zal summoned the wise elders and battle-tested chieftains of Iran. He addressed them with resolute gravity: 'O noble sages and world-experienced champions! I have marshaled this grand host seeking glory and triumph for Iran, yet counsel is scattered without a crowned monarch upon the throne, and an army without a head is aimless in its deeds. When the blessed King Zou sat upon the throne, world-praise arose anew. Now, we urgently require a king of Kayanid stock to bind his waist upon the Kayani throne—for just as a human body cannot live without a head, Iran cannot endure without a king. The Mobad has revealed to me the lineage of a prince endowed with divine grace and youthful fortune: Kay Qubad, of the seed of Fereydun, possessed of glorious stature, supreme wisdom, and justice!'
#1
بزد مهره در جام بر پشت پیل
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ازو برشد آواز تا چند میل
“The brass ball was struck against the cup atop the elephant's back, sending a thunderous echo for miles around.”
#2
خروشیدن کوس با کرنای
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همان ژنده پیلان و هندی درای
“The roaring of war-drums mingled with trumpets, the massive elephants, and the clanging of Indian bells.”
#3
برآمد ز زاولستان رستخیز
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زمین خفته را بانگ برزد که خیز
“A tumult like Doomsday arose from Zabulistan, calling upon the sleeping earth to awaken.”
#4
به پیش اندرون رستم پهلوان
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پس پشت او سالخورده گوان
“At the front marched Rostam the hero, and behind his back followed the aged champions.”
#5
چنان شد ز لشکر در و دشت و راغ
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که بر سر نیارست پرید زاغ
“The army covered valley, plain, and meadow so densely that even a crow could not fly overhead.”
#6
تبیره زدندی همی شست جای
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جهان را نه سر بود پیدا نه پای
“Drums were beaten in sixty places at once; neither head nor foot of the world could be discerned.”
#7
به هنگام بشکوفهٔ گلستان
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بیاورد لشکر ز زابلستان
“In the season of blossoming rose gardens, he brought forth the host from Zabulistan.”
#8
ز زال آگهی یافت افراسیاب
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برآمد ز آرام و از خورد و خواب
“When Afrasiab received intelligence of Zal, rest, food, and sleep abandoned him.”
#9
بیاورد لشکر سوی خوار ری
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بران مرغزاری که بد آب و نی
“He led his army toward Khwar of Ray, to that lush meadow filled with water and reeds.”
#10
ز ایران بیامد دمادم سپاه
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ز راه بیابان سوی رزمگاه
“From Iran came host after host continuously, across the desert road toward the battlefield.”
#11
ز لشکر به لشکر دو فرسنگ ماند
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سپهبد جهاندیدگان را بخواند
“When two leagues remained between army and army, the commander summoned the battle-tested elders.”
#12
بدیشان چنین گفت کای بخردان
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جهاندیده و کارکرده ردان
“He said unto them: 'O wise ones, experienced leaders, and battle-proven heroes!'”
#13
هم ایدر من این لشکر آراستم
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بسی سروری و مهی خواستم
“'Here have I marshaled this army, seeking great leadership and high stature;'”
#14
پراگنده شد رای بی تخت شاه
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همه کار بی‌روی و بی‌سر سپاه
“'Yet counsel is scattered without a king on the throne; all deeds are aimless in a leaderless army.'”
#15
چو بر تخت بنشست فرخنده زو
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ز گیتی یکی آفرین خاست نو
“'When blessed Zou sat upon the throne, a new song of praise arose across the world;'”
#16
شهی باید اکنون ز تخم کیان
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به تخت کیی بر کمر بر میان
“'Now we require a king of Kayanid blood to bind his loins upon the royal Kayani throne.'”
#17
شهی کاو باورنگ دارد ز می
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که بی‌سر نباشد تن آدمی
“'A king worthy of the throne and wine-red glory, for a human body cannot stand without a head.'”
#18
نشان داد موبد مرا در زمان
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یکی شاه با فر و بخت جوان
“'Just now the Mobad revealed to me a king blessed with glory and youthful fortune,'”
#19
ز تخم فریدون یل کیقباد
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که با فر و برزست و با رای و داد
“'From the seed of Fereydun, the hero Kay Qubad, who shines with glory, stature, justice, and sound judgment.'”