When the dawn rose from the mountain’s crest

The vanguard reached the front of Dashtan’s rest

Two farsangs lay between the two great armies

All the tools and preparations for war were seen

A Turk named Baraman, known for his fame

He woke the sleeping, calling them by name

He came and observed the army’s line

He saw King Nowzar’s tent, so fine

He came to the leader of the Turanian host

Showing the banner and army’s proud boast

Then he spoke to the vigilant leader, clear

How much skill must we hide in fear?

At the king’s command, I am Shirwar’s hand

I seek a task in this war band

They will see my victory in plain sight

No one else will be called a hero in the fight

The wise Agrires said this in turn

If Baraman is struck by this harm’s burn

The hearts of the border guards would fall apart

And the council’s work would cease, torn apart

A nameless man should be chosen to fight

No one should dare touch his might

The face of Pishang’s son turned to stormy skies

He was shamed by Agrires’ words, his eyes

He spoke to Baraman in a bitter tone

Wear your armor and string your bow, alone

You will be the leader in that noble band

Your grip will not be shaken by a tooth or hand

Baraman went forth into the battle’s field

And called for Kaweh to come with shield

Who among Nowzar’s famed army grand

Who dares to battle me on this land?

Kaweh looked to the brave men who stood

Seeking those who would fight, as they should

None of the named ones answered his call

Except for the aged warrior, brave Qabad

The leader, full of wisdom, grew grim

At his brother’s words, his anger began to brim

From his rage, tears welled up in his eyes

From that army, hunger was the place of his anger

Of so many young warriors brave in war

One old man seeks to fight in his lore

Kaweh’s heart was troubled by Qabad’s speech

Among the brave, he opened his heart to reach

Your year has now come to this place

You must now cease your struggle, give up the race

You are the backbone, the chief of the army’s line

All of the king’s plans rest upon you, divine

Even if blood turns to ruby, hair to white;

These brave hearts would lose hope in the fight

Defeat would enter the battlefield’s core

The heart of the good will be filled with sore

Look and see who fights with Kaweh’s might!

What does Qabad say in that council’s light?

Know, my brother, the body lies in death’s hold

The head of a warrior is sharp as a sword, bold

From the happy time of Manuchehr, I fall

From this day, my body melts in the scalding thrall

No one alive passes the sky above

A hunter, and his death will come in love

One’s wisdom rises like a sharp sword’s stroke

When two armies clash, all hope will provoke

His body is like a lion, fierce and wild

His head is pierced with spear and sword, compiled

One’s time comes to rest in the bed’s embrace

He must leave this world without a trace

If I leave this vast world, gone without sound

Brother, in place of me, be strong and profound

Someone will make a tomb fit for a king’s name

After my departure, they’ll show love’s flame

My head will be bathed in camphor, musk, and rose’s scent

My body will rest in a place eternal, bent

Farewell, my brother, let us part in peace

May you always be wise and true in your lease

He said this, and took his spear in his hand

He marched to the battlefield like a wild beast, grand

Thus spoke Barham to the warrior in battle

Bring forth your head, for time has come to meet you

It is time to stay, for fate itself

Has waged a battle with your soul and health

Thus spoke Qabad to Barham, with might

For a while, the world gave me its light

At one time, a man can alter his fate

And time will surely come, no longer late

He said this and stirred Shabiz, his horse

And gave him rest to sharpen his force

From dawn until the sun spread its light

He struck here and there with all his might

In the end, Barham was victorious in war

He entered the battlefield, a hero at the core

He struck a blow on Qabad’s head with force

His belt broke open from the mighty course

From the horse, the faltering head did fall

The old lion-hearted leader met his end with a call

Barham went to Afarasyab with pride

His face was bright with glory and wide

He gave him a robe of honor and grace

None among the commoners could hold his place

When Kaweh, the warrior, met his death’s sway

He brought forth his army, led them into the fray

Two armies clashed like the waves of the sea

You would say the earth shook with great glee

The shining swords, like diamonds, gleamed bright

Glistening like rubies, with blood in the light

Around them, the battlefield surged like a tide

Where cinnabar fell beneath the sun's ride

The sound of trumpets filled the air with grief

The sword’s edge was soaked with red beneath

Wherever Kaweh drove his steed to strike

Iron flashed like the fire of a heroic light

You would say diamonds and coral were cast

What coral, when in hatred, life is outclassed

When Afrasiab saw Kaweh from afar

He urged his horse and led his army near

A battle raged until nightfall from the mountain

They fought, and the heart was weary with vengeance

When the dark night came, Kaweh, the warrior, sought

He led his army toward the town they fought

He reached the royal tent of Nozar with haste

His heart was torn with grief over his brother's fate

Nozar saw him and wept as tears fell down

His eyes had seen nothing but sorrow, no peaceful sleep found

He said, 'From the death of Sam, the rider, so much grief we bear'

I have never seen a soul so full of despair

May the soul of Qabad rise like the sun

And find eternity, as the world’s work is done

There is no remedy for this war and death's plight

The earth holds no cradle, only graves in its sight

Kaweh said, 'Since the day I was born and raised'

I have offered my life for the death I’ve embraced

Fereydun placed this crown upon my brow

To avenge the blood of Iraj, the earth shall I now plow

I have not yet loosened my warrior's belt

I have not yet sheathed my steel sword built

The brother became that man of stone and mind

And I too shall pass, as fate is blind

You who were blessed, today the war’s call rang

It brought the son of Pishang to struggle and hang

When his army was for a moment undone

He sought from the relaxed some time to regain the run

He saw me with my mace, sturdy and strong

The warrior came near, ready for battle long

I moved toward him, face to face, with rage

Until we stood equal, as warriors on this stage

He cast a spell upon me in the heat of the fight

So my sight faded, and I lost all sight

Nightfall came, and the world grew dark as coal

My arm grew numb from the blows, no control

You said time shall end, and I too shall fade

As the air beneath the earth shall soon be laid

It was time to retreat from the battle's field

For the dust of the army swirled as night congealed