A messenger was sent to Caesar from the king,

A horseman who traversed the path.

He ordered that from the nobles of Rome,

Someone who prides himself on that land and territory,

The reins should be held by a world-traveled person,

Spear and shield should be sufficient companions for him.

Such an army is needed from the Roman border,

That they may come with me to the prosperous land.

Then news came from Hamavaran,

Of the plain of spear-wielding horsemen.

What Rostam did in Egypt and Barbar,

To those kings on the day of battle.

They sought brave warriors and horsemen,

Reins twisters, man-throwers, and spear-holders.

They wrote a manly letter,

With worthy and eloquent words.

When the army came from Gorgsaran,

Seeking the time of the glorious king,

Our hearts were pained by their actions,

That their hearts remembered such superiority.

Afrasiab always desired his crown,

His head was hastened from the path of wisdom.

We went with long spears,

And made his peace and comfort bitter for him.

Many were killed from them and from us,

Time has become with every good and bad.

Now that news of his affairs has come,

That the throne of the king of kings has been renewed.

All the renowned swordsmen,

Gathered at this place of vengeance.

When the king turns the reins from Barbar,

We will all raise our spears to his neck.

We will fill the land from mountain to mountain with blood,

We will make the desert like the Jihun (Oxus) from the enemy.

The Arab messenger threw down (the message) and left,

He set his face towards Barbaristan and went swiftly.

When the letter reached the king of Iran,

He considered such words appropriate.

Their actions pleased him,

At that time, he wrote a letter to Afrasiab.

That relinquish Iran and seek no more,

Our heads have become full of talk because of you.

The city of Turan is sufficient for you itself,

You are vainly reaching your hand towards evil.

Seek no more, even if you have become independent,

For it will bring you pain before long suffering.

It is better for you to adhere to subservience,

And to preserve your own life.

Do you not know that Iran is my seat?

The whole world is under my control.

Even if a fierce leopard is brave,

It cannot stand before the claws of a lion.

When the news reached Afrasiab,

His head became full of hatred and his heart full of haste.

He sent back the reply that this talk,

Is not befitting anyone but ill-natured people.

If Iran were rightfully yours,

You would not have needed Mazandaran.

He said thus: "Iran is rightfully mine from two sides,

True words must be heard.

For the son of Fereydun is my ancestor,

All of the city of Iran is my home.

And also, with the strength of my sword-wielding arm,

I emptied the assembly of the Tazis (Arabs).

With my sword, I will take (land) from the mountain of swords,

I will bring down the eagle from the dark clouds.

Now I have come prepared for war,

Having raised the shining banner.

The messenger returned like the wind,

And recounted the words to Kay Kavus.

When Kavus heard his words,

He arrayed the army for battle against him.

He came from Barbar towards the Syrians,

With an army without end or middle.

Afrasiab prepared for battle against him,

He threw dust and water towards the sky.

The world became deaf from the sound of trumpets and drums,

The ground became like iron, and the air like ebony.

From the blows of battle-axes and the many clashes,

Waves of blood arose from the battlefield.

The turning fate of Afrasiab,

Fell asleep on that battlefield.

Two-thirds of the Turanian army were killed,

The heads of the rebels were completely turned back (defeated).

When the commander saw the situation like that,

He seethed without fire, like wine.

He said in a loud voice, “O my brave ones,

My chosen heroes, my male lions!

I have raised you for such a time,

I have nurtured you by my side.

Strive and bring the back of the battle,

Make the world narrow for Kavus.

Strike the heroes with javelins and daggers,

Cast down their brave ones head over heels.

That Sagzi (Sistani) Rostam, lion-hearted,

Who took the heart from a lion with his sword,

Perhaps you can capture him with bravery,

Bring his head into the trap of harm.

Whoever brings him down from his horse on the day of battle,

Brings him down from the panther's saddle,

I will give him my daughter and kingship,

I will raise his head above the Fish constellation (give him great honor).

When the Turks heard his words,

They all turned towards battle.

He went swiftly with the Syrian army,

Seeking gain, he met with utter loss.

When he saw the time clearly in that way,

From there he retreated towards the city of Turan.

His heart was weary, and two-thirds of his army were slain,

He sought sweetness from the world but found poison.