When the plain turned to silk-like grass

The Turanian army closed in the vast expanse

An army came from the Turks and China’s land

With mace-bearers from the East, at their command

In which neither middle nor edge did remain

For the luck of Nowzar could not sustain

When the army neared the Jihun's shore

The news reached Fereydun’s son evermore

The army of the world-leader emerged out

From the royal palace, they went to Hamun, no doubt

They set their faces to the path of Dashtan’s road

Their general was Qaren, a warrior of great code

Behind him was King Nowzar, in full array

The world was filled with talk on that day

When the army reached the front of Dashtan’s gate

It seemed the sun had disappeared, a tragic fate

The royal tent of Nowzar, shining bright

They stretched it across the plain before the fort’s sight

Within Dashtan, no war was prepared for the field

And yet no delay, as the plans were sealed

Afrasiab, on Iranian soil, had begun

He chose two great commanders, second to none

Shamasas and others from Khorasan came

He entrusted them with the cavalry’s flame

From the warriors, a force of thirty thousand strong

They marched, fit for battle, where they belonged

They set their faces towards the land of Zabul, far

Driven by hatred, they held weapons like a star

The news came that Sam Narmiyan had died

And Zal, his son, prepared the tomb with pride

Afrasiab was deeply pleased by this news

He saw that fortune had fallen into a snooze

He arrived when he reached the front of Dashtan’s field

He set up his royal tent right there, as it was sealed

Who knew how to count the army’s might?

Count four hundred, then a thousand, all in sight

It surged as if the sands and dust arose

The desert, filled with ants and locusts, chose

King Nowzar had a hundred and forty thousand strong

All were warriors, with steeds to carry them along

Afrasiab looked upon the army’s great array

He spread his gaze, as if the night would delay

He wrote a letter to Pishang with intent

We seek goodness, and it is in our grasp, well spent

If we defeat Nowzar’s army as it stands

They will be hunted and fall beneath our hands

Then Sam went to the king’s door without delay

For he would not join in this battle’s fray

He praised Zal, saying that gold would be his due

But he had no wings, no strength for battle’s view

I feared his wrath upon Iranian ground

When he arose, we’d seek revenge unbound!

Indeed, Shamasas sat at midday bright

With the crown of the world, glowing in light

At the time of every task, seeking is right

To strike a plan with a wise and friendly knight

When a man becomes lazy in work’s hour

He will never find fortune or success’s power

The mighty lion raised its wings on high

And went to the lord with the sun’s bright sky