From the plain emerged a dragon fierce and dread

From which even an elephant could not escape

That place was its lair, its resting domain

So feared, not even demons dared cross its path

It came and found the world-seeker asleep

And near him saw a horse, restless and agitated

It pondered deeply on what had appeared

Who dared to rest in this dangerous place

None dared to pass through that perilous land

Neither demons, elephants, nor ferocious lions

Even those who came would not find escape

From the grasp of the malevolent dragon

It turned its gaze toward the shining steed

The horse dashed toward the crown-seeker's side

It struck the ground with its iron-like hooves

Roared like thunder and exhaled its breath

The great hero awoke from his sleep

His mind filled with wisdom, ready for battle

He scanned the desolate plain all around

But the fierce dragon had vanished from sight

He angrily rebuked Rakhsh for its alarm

For waking him from his much-needed sleep

Once more he fell into deep slumber

And out of the darkness, the dragon emerged

Rakhsh approached Rustam's bedside once more

Kicking up the soil and scattering it around

The sleeping man awoke once again

He grew angry, his face turning pale with rage

He gazed across the entirety of the desert

But saw nothing but the darkness of the night

He said to his loyal but vigilant steed

Why disturb me when the night conceals all?

You keep me from my much-needed rest

Your urgency disrupts my slumber

If you cause such turmoil again this time,

I will sever your head with my sharp sword.

I shall march on foot toward Mazandaran,

Carrying my sword, mace, and tiger-skin armor.

As sleep overtook his weary head,

His tiger-skin cloak wrapped around him.

Once more, the fierce dragon roared aloud,

Its breath ignited flames, as though exhaling fire.

At that moment, Rakhsh left the grazing ground,

But dared not approach the great champion.

Its heart was torn in two from the strange sight,

Fearing both Rustam and the dragon alike.

Yet its heart could not rest for Rustam’s sake,

And it dashed like the wind toward Rustam’s side.

It roared and raged, kicking up the dust,

Its hooves split the earth into fissures wide.

When Rustam awoke from his pleasant dream,

He grew furious and scolded his loyal steed.

The Creator made the world clear and bright,

And the earth no longer concealed the dragon.

In that gloom, Rustam spotted the dragon,

Quickly drawing his sharp sword from its sheath.

He roared like a thunderous springtime cloud,

And turned the earth ablaze with his battle.

He said to the dragon, 'Speak your name,

For henceforth you shall not enjoy this world.'

You must not perish by my hand unnamed,

As your soul departs from your shadowy form.

The fierce male dragon responded thus,

‘None escapes my grasp once caught in my claws.’

‘This plain is entirely my domain,

And its lofty skies belong to my breath.’

‘Even eagles dare not soar above my head,

And stars vanish as the earth falls to sleep.’

The dragon asked him, 'What is your name,

That even the Creator should weep for you?'

He replied, 'I am Rustam,

Descendant of Dastan, Sam, and Niram.'

Alone, I am an army of vengeance,

And with my brave Rakhsh, I conquer the earth.

The dragon grappled with him in fierce battle,

And neither could escape the other’s grip.

When Rakhsh saw the dragon's mighty strength,

And how it wrestled with the crown-bestower.

He lowered his ears, startled by the sight,

And seized the tall dragon with his teeth.

He tore its shoulder with his teeth like a lion,

And the brave hero gazed in awe at him.

Rustam struck with his sword, severing its head,

And blood poured from its body like a river.

The earth beneath its massive body disappeared,

And a fountain of blood gushed forth from it.

When Rustam gazed at that fierce dragon,

He sighed deeply and looked upon it.

The wilderness beneath it was cleansed,

As warm blood flowed over the dark soil.

The mighty hero stood in wonder at it,

And invoked the name of God at its side.

He entered the water to wash his head and body,

For he sought nothing in the world but the strength of the Creator.

He said to God, 'O Just Creator,

You granted me wisdom, strength, and glory.'

Before me, lions, demons, and elephants,

And deserts and the Nile’s waters, are alike.

Whether my foe is many or few,

When anger takes me, they all seem as one.