Zal the White-Haired, the wise prince of Sistan, completed a long and arduous journey to the imperial court of Kay Kavus, accompanied by golden-girdled chieftains of Iran. Upon entering the hall and witnessing Kavus sitting triumphantly upon the throne, Zal folded his hands across his chest, lowered his head in deep reverence, and advanced to the foot of the dais. He bestowed magnificent praises upon the king, invoking divine fortune, wisdom, and justice upon his reign. Kavus received the aged champion with grand honor, seating Zal beside him on the throne and inquiring warmly after the journey, the Iranian champions, and the formidable Rostam.
Then Zal opened his lips to deliver his critical warning. He reminded Kavus of the great monarchs of antiquity—Manuchehr, Zou, Nowzar, and Kay Qobad—who, despite their vast treasures, mighty armies, and heavy war-maces, never dared to launch an invasion against Mazandaran. Zal cautioned that Mazandaran was the domain of sorcerer-demons, an impenetrable realm bound by ancient spells that could neither be conquered by swords nor dismantled by riches and cunning. He pleaded with the king not to plant a evil tree nourished by the blood of Iran's finest champions for the mere sake of expansion and pride.
However, the headstrong Kavus arrogantly dismissed Zal's counsel. Boasting of his supreme might, Kavus claimed that in manhood, royal glory, treasury, and armies, he far surpassed Fereydun, Jamshid, Manuchehr, and Kay Qobad. He declared that it was cowardice to leave Mazandaran unconquered and vowed to crush its demon lords, level their sorcerous strongholds, and extract heavy tribute. He instructed Zal to remain in Iran alongside Rostam as guardians of the homeland, asserting that the Almighty Creator was his personal ally and that the heads of demon warlords were his destined prey.
Recognizing the king's unyielding stubbornness, Zal realized that no reason could bend Kavus's reckless will. Bound by loyalty, Zal humbly bowed, stating that as servants, the heroes had done their duty by speaking the truth, yet none could alter fate or turn back death. With a heavy heart and eyes darkened by foreboding, Zal bade the sovereign farewell, exiting the royal hall to rejoin the anxious noble lords and prepare for the return trek to Sistan.
#1
همی رفت پیش اندرون زال زر
✦
پس او بزرگان زرین کمر
“Zal Zar marched ahead, followed by golden-girdled chieftains.”
#2
چو کاووس را دید دستان سام
✦
نشسته بر اورنگ بر شادکام
“When he beheld Kavus sitting joyful upon the imperial throne,”
#3
به کش کرده دست و سرافگنده پست
✦
همی رفت تا جایگاه نشست
“With folded arms and lowered head, he advanced to his designated seat.”
#4
چنین گفت کای کدخدای جهان
✦
سرافراز بر مهتران و مهان
“He spoke thus: 'O Sovereign of the world, exalted above all leaders and great ones!”
#5
چو تخت تو نشنید و افسر ندید
✦
نه چون بخت تو چرخ گردان شنید
“No throne or crown like yours has been seen, nor has revolving fate heard of fortune like yours.”
#6
همه ساله پیروز بادی و شاد
✦
سرت پر ز دانش دلت پر ز داد
“May you be ever victorious and joyful through all years, your head filled with wisdom, your heart with justice!'”
#7
شه نامبردار بنواختش
✦
بر خویش بر تخت بنشاختش
“The famed monarch welcomed him warmly and seated Zal beside himself on the throne.”
#8
بپرسیدش از رنج راه دراز
✦
ز گردان و از رستم سرفراز
“He asked him of the hardships of his long journey, of the warriors, and of exalted Rostam.”
#9
چنین گفت مر شاه را زال زر
✦
که نوشه بدی شاه و پیروزگر
“Zal Zar answered the king: 'May the monarch be long-lived and ever victorious!”
#10
همه شاد و روشن به بخت تواند
✦
برافراخته سر به تخت تواند
“All are joyful and bright through your good fortune, holding their heads high because of your throne.'”
#11
ازان پس یکی داستان کرد یاد
✦
سخنهای شایسته را در گشاد
“Thereafter, he began a discourse, opening his speech with worthy and measured words.”
#12
چنین گفت کای پادشاه جهان
✦
سزاوار تختی و تاج مهان
“He said: 'O King of the world, worthy of the royal crown and throne of the great,”
#13
ز تو پیشتر پادشه بوده‌اند
✦
که این راه هرگز نپیموده‌اند
“Monarchs ruled before you who never attempted to traverse this perilous path.”
#14
که بر سر مرا روز چندی گذشت
✦
سپهر از بر خاک چندی بگشت
“Many days have passed over my head, and the sky has revolved above the earth for long.”
#15
منوچهر شد زین جهان فراخ
✦
ازو ماند ایدر بسی گنج و کاخ
“Manuchehr departed from this vast world, leaving behind abundant treasures and palaces.”
#16
همان زو و با نوذر و کیقباد
✦
چه مایه بزرگان که داریم یاد
“Likewise Zou, Nowzar, and Kay Qobad—how many great kings do we remember!”
#17
ابا لشکر گشن و گرز گران
✦
نکردند آهنگ مازندران
“Yet despite their vast armies and heavy maces, none made an attempt on Mazandaran.”
#18
که آن خانهٔ دیو افسونگرست
✦
طلسمست و ز بند جادو درست
“For that realm is the abode of sorcerer-demons, a spellbound fortress bound by magic.”
#19
مران را به شمشیر نتوان شکست
✦
به گنج و به دانش نیاید به دست
“It cannot be broken by the sword, nor conquered by wealth or human knowledge.”
#20
هم آن را به نیرنگ نتوان گشاد
✦
مده رنج و گنج و درم را به باد
“Neither can it be unlocked by trickery; scatter not your toil, treasury, and coin to the wind.”
#21
همایون ندارد کس آنجا شدن
✦
وزایدر کنون رای رفتن زدن
“No man deems going there auspicious, nor is it wise now to resolve upon such a path.”
#22
سپه را بران سو نباید کشید
✦
ز شاهان کس این رای هرگز ندید
“The army must not be led in that direction; no monarch has ever entertained such a thought.”
#23
گرین نامداران ترا کهترند
✦
چنین بندهٔ دادگر داورند
“If these famous warriors are your servants, and you are a just sovereign over such subjects,”
#24
تو از خون چندین سرنامدار
✦
ز بهر فزونی درختی مکار
“Do not plant a tree nourished by the blood of so many noble chieftains for the sake of conquest.”
#25
که بار و بلندیش نفرین بود
✦
نه آیین شاهان پیشین بود
“For its fruit and height shall bring only curses, nor was this the way of ancient kings.”
#26
چنین پاسخ آورد کاووس باز
✦
کز اندیشهٔ تو نیم بی‌نیاز
“Kavus replied in turn: 'I am not without need of your wise thoughts,”
#27
ولیکن من از آفریدون و جم
✦
فزونم به مردی و فر و درم
“Yet I surpass Fereydun and Jamshid in manhood, royal divine glory, and wealth!”
#28
همان از منوچهر و از کیقباد
✦
که مازندران را نکردند یاد
“As well as Manuchehr and Kay Qobad, who never dared mention Mazandaran.”
#29
سپاه و دل و گنجم افزونترست
✦
جهان زیر شمشیر تیز اندرست
“My army, my heart, and my treasury are far greater, and the world lies beneath my sharp sword.”
#30
چو بردانشی شد گشاده جهان
✦
به آهون چه داریم گیتی نهان
“Since the world has yielded to my prowess, why should we keep the world hidden in obscurity?”
#31
شوم‌شان یکایک به راه آورم
✦
گر آیین شمشیر و گاه آورم
“I shall go and bring them to heel one by one, establishing the rule of the sword and royal seat.”
#32
اگر کس نمانم به مازندران
✦
وگر بر نهم باژ و ساو گران
“I shall leave no one alive in Mazandaran, or impose heavy tribute and tax upon them.”
#33
چنان زار و خوارند بر چشم من
✦
چه جادو چه دیوان آن انجمن
“How miserable and vile both sorcerers and demons of that assembly appear in my eyes!”
#34
به گوش تو آید خود این آگهی
✦
کزیشان شود روی گیتی تهی
“Soon news shall reach your ears that the face of the earth has been cleansed of them.”
#35
تو با رستم ایدر جهاندار باش
✦
نگهبان ایران و بیدار باش
“Stay here as master of the world alongside Rostam, remaining the vigilant guardian of Iran.”
#36
جهان آفریننده یار منست
✦
سر نره دیوان شکار منست
“The Creator of the world is my helper, and the heads of fierce demons are my prey.”
#37
گرایدونک یارم نباشی به جنگ
✦
مفرمای ما را بدین در درنگ
“If you will not be my comrade in war, do not urge us to delay at this threshold.”
#38
چو از شاه بنشنید زال این سخن
✦
ندید ایچ پیدا سرش را ز بن
“When Zal heard these words from the king, he saw neither head nor tail to his reckless folly.”
#39
بدو گفت شاهی و ما بنده‌ایم
✦
به دلسوزگی با تو گوینده‌ایم
“He said: 'You are the king and we are your servants; out of heartfelt devotion we speak to you.”
#40
اگر داد فرمان دهی گر ستم
✦
برای تو باید زدن گام و دم
“Whether you command justice or tyranny, every step and breath we take must be for your sake.”
#41
از اندیشه دل را بپرداختم
✦
سخن آنچ دانستم انداختم
“I have emptied my heart of anxiety and cast forth whatever knowledge I possessed.”
#42
نه مرگ از تن خویش بتوان سپوخت
✦
نه چشم جهان کس به سوزن بدوخت
“None can ward off death from their body, nor sew shut the eye of fate with a needle.”
#43
به پرهیز هم کس نجست از نیاز
✦
جهانجوی ازین سه نیابد جواز
“Nor can anyone escape need through caution; no seeker of the world finds passage around these three.”
#44
همیشه جهان بر تو فرخنده باد
✦
مبادا که پند من آیدت یاد
“May the world ever be auspicious for you, and may my warning never haunt your memory in sorrow!”
#45
پشیمان مبادی ز کردار خویش
✦
به تو باد روشن دل و دین و کیش
“May you never regret your deed, and may your heart, faith, and path remain luminous!'”
#46
سبک شاه را زال پدرود کرد
✦
دل از رفتن او پر از دود کرد
“Swiftly Zal bade farewell to the King, his heart filled with sorrow like dark smoke at the monarch's foolish turn.”
#47
برون آمد از پیش کاووس شاه
✦
شده تیره بر چشم او هور و ماه
“He stepped out from the presence of Shah Kay Kavus, the sun and moon turned dark before his grieving eyes.”
#48
برفتند با او بزرگان نیو
✦
چو طوس و چو گودرز و رهام و گیو
“The brave nobles departed alongside him—valiant champions such as Tus, Goudarz, Rohham, and Giev.”
#49
به زال آنگهی گفت گیو از خدای
✦
همی خواهم آنک او بود رهنمای
“Then Giev spoke unto Zal: 'I pray to God Almighty that He Himself may be our guide in this dire plight.'”
#50
به جایی که کاووس را دسترس
✦
نباشد ندارم مر او را به کس
“'Where Kavus cannot be reached by reason or restraint, I entrust his fate to none but God.'”
#51
ز تو دور باد آز و چشم نیاز
✦
مبادا به تو دست دشمن دراز
“'May greed and needy desire remain far from thee, and may no enemy's hand ever reach out to harm thee!'”
#52
به هر سو که آییم و اندر شویم
✦
جز او آفرینت سخن نشنویم
“'Whichever way we turn and wherever we enter, we hear nothing spoken of thee except praise and blessings.'”
#53
پس از کردگار جهان‌آفرین
✦
به تو دارد امید ایران زمین
“'Next to the Almighty Creator of the world, all the land of Iran places its hopes in thee.'”
#54
ز بهر گوان رنج برداشتی
✦
چنین راه دشوار بگذاشتی
“'For the sake of the brave heroes thou hast endured hardship, undertaking so difficult and arduous a journey.'”
#55
پس آنگه گرفتندش اندر کنار
✦
ره سیستان را برآراست کار
“Then they embraced him warmly in farewell, as Zal readied his equipment to set off on the road to Sistan.”