As dawn arose from the dark night’s fold

The dark night seemed to bend and unfold

Manouchehr rose from his stronghold’s core

With armor, sword, and a Roman crown he bore

The army shouted in unison, a mighty sound

Their spears raised high, like clouds all around

Their brows furrowed, full of anger and strife

As they etched fury into the earth’s life

The left and right, the heart and the flank of the army

The army was arrayed as the king demanded, so free

The land became like a ship upon the sea

It seemed to rush toward sinking, endlessly

He struck the dice upon the old elephant’s hump

The earth quaked and rumbled like the Nile’s jump

The wild elephants ahead did charge

They were roaring, surging, and rampaging large

It was a gathering place, as if a place of play

With trumpets and the flute’s cry filling the air that day

They moved as one, like mountains in stride

And from both sides, the battle did collide

The desert became a sea of blood, so fierce

It seemed as if flowers of blood would pierce

The trail of the elephants, filled with red tide

As if a column stood from the battlefield’s side

All victory was with Manouchehr in place

From him the world’s heart was filled with grace

Thus, until the dark night raised its head

The shining sun faded and went to bed

Time does not pause, its course is swift

At times it’s sweet, at times bitter as a rift

The hearts of Tur and Salm were stirred with rage

They laid their ears to the night, ready to engage

As night turned to day, none came to fight

The two warriors paused, preparing to unite