Having rendered praises unto Yazdan, Rostam mounted his crimson steed, Rakhsh, and set his course toward the winding paths of the sorcerers' domain. He pressed across the vast wilderness until the glowing sun turned past its zenith. Suddenly, a lush glade appeared before him, filled with verdant trees, fresh grass, and flowing streamlets—a place fit for noble youths. By a spring as clear as a pheasant's eye, he discovered a lavish banquet laid upon the grass: a golden goblet brimming with crimson wine, roasted meat, warm bread, and savory condiments. It was the feast of demons, who had fled into the shadows at the sound of Rostam's approaching tread.
The champion dismounted, unbridled Rakhsh, and rested by the blessed spring. He partook of the food and lifted the golden goblet. Beside the feast, he found a lute; in an instant, the solitary desert seemed transformed into a festive hall. Rostam took the instrument into his embrace, strummed its strings, and sang a mournful song of his own destiny: that Rostam is an outcast who knows no joy, whose garden is but barren mountains and wild steppes, and whose life is an endless trial of battling fierce lions and fiery dragons.
The melodic strains of the lute reached the ears of an enchantress dwelling nearby. Though hideous by nature, she cast a spell to adorn herself like springtime, painted with vibrant colors and sweet scents, and approached the hero with a seductive smile. Rostam, unaware that an evil demon lay concealed beneath that enchanting mask, praised Almighty God for bestowing a banquet and a fair maiden in the heart of Mazandaran's wilderness. He filled a golden cup with wine, raised it, and invoked the holy name of the Creator.
At the mention of Yazdan, the sorceress's glamorous illusion dissolved. Her soul could not endure the holy praise, her tongue faltered, and her face turned black as pitch. Rostam immediately recognized her demonic nature; whipping his lasso into the air, he ensnared her tight. The glamor melted away completely, revealing a withered, foul hag full of wrinkles and deceit. Rostam drew his sharp dagger and cleaved the enchantress in two, striking terror into the hearts of all the sorcerers of Mazandaran.
#1
چو از آفرین گشت پرداخته
✦
بیاورد گلرنگ را ساخته
“When he had finished his prayers of praise, he brought forth Rakhsh, fully harnessed and ready.”
#2
نشست از بر زین و ره برگرفت
✦
خم منزل جادو اندر گرفت
“He mounted the saddle and rode forth, entering the winding paths that led to the realm of sorcery.”
#3
همی رفت پویان به راه دراز
✦
چو خورشید تابان بگشت از فراز
“Long did he travel the drawn-out path, until the radiant sun turned down from its zenith.”
#4
درخت و گیا دید و آب روان
✦
چنان چون بود جای مرد جوان
“He came upon trees, lush grass, and flowing water—a place delightful and suited for a youth.”
#5
چو چشم تذروان یکی چشمه دید
✦
یکی جام زرین برو پر نبید
“He saw a spring clear as a pheasant’s eye, beside which stood a golden goblet filled with wine.”
#6
یکی غرم بریان و نان از برش
✦
نمکدان و ریچال گرد اندرش
“A roasted mountain sheep and bread were set beside it, encircled with salt-cellars and savory relishes.”
#7
خور جادوان بد چو رستم رسید
✦
از آواز او دیو شد ناپدید
“This was the sorcerers' feast; yet as Rostam approached, the demon fled and vanished at his voice.”
#8
فرود آمد از باره زین برگرفت
✦
به غرم و بنان اندر آمد شگفت
“He dismounted his steed, removed its saddle, and marveling, fell to enjoying the roast meat and bread.”
#9
نشست از بر چشمه فرخنده‌پی
✦
یکی جام زر دید پر کرده می
“The auspicious champion sat by the spring and beheld the golden goblet brimming with wine.”
#10
ابا می یکی نیز تنبور یافت
✦
بیابان چنان خانهٔ سور یافت
“Beside the wine he also found a lute; thus did the barren desert seem like a hall of celebration.”
#11
تهمتن مر آن را به بر در گرفت
✦
بزد رود و گفتارها برگرفت
“Tahamtan embraced the instrument, struck its strings, and began to sing his heartfelt tales.”
#12
که آواره و بد نشان رستم است
✦
که از روز شادیش بهره غم است
“"An outcast and ill-fated is Rostam," sang he, "whose share of joyful days is but sorrow and grief.”
#13
همه جای جنگست میدان اوی
✦
بیابان و کوهست بستان اوی
“"His battleground is everywhere he turns; the wild mountains and deserts are his only gardens.”
#14
همه جنگ با شیر و نر اژدهاست
✦
کجا اژدها از کفش نا رهاست
“"His endless task is fighting lions and fierce dragons, though no dragon can ever escape his grasp.”
#15
می و جام و بویا گل و میگسار
✦
نکردست بخشش ورا کردگار
“"Wine, goblet, fragrant rose, and fair wine-bearer—these are blessings the Creator assigned not to him.”
#16
همیشه به جنگ نهنگ اندر است
✦
و گر با پلنگان به جنگ اندر است
“"Forever is he locked in strife with monsters of the deep, or battling wild leopards in the wastes."”
#17
به گوش زن جادو آمد سرود
✦
همان نالهٔ رستم و زخم رود
“The song reached the ears of the enchantress—the lamentations of Rostam and the strumming of the strings.”
#18
بیاراست رخ را بسان بهار
✦
وگر چند زیبا نبودش نگار
“She adorned her face like springtime blooming, though her true form possessed no beauty or grace.”
#19
بر رستم آمد پر از رنگ و بوی
✦
بپرسید و بنشست نزدیک اوی
“Decked in vibrant hues and sweet perfumes, she approached Rostam, greeted him, and sat by his side.”
#20
تهمتن به یزدان نیایش گرفت
✦
ابر آفرینها فزایش گرفت
“Tahamtan offered up praises unto Yazdan, multiplying his words of worship and thanksgiving,”
#21
که در دشت مازندران یافت خوان
✦
می و جام، با میگسار جوان
“Gratified to find in the wild desert of Mazandaran a rich banquet, wine, a goblet, and a youthful wine-bearer.”
#22
ندانست کاو جادوی ریمنست
✦
نهفته به رنگ اندر اهریمنست
“He knew not that she was a deceitful sorceress—an Ahrimanic beast concealed beneath alluring colors.”
#23
یکی طاس می بر کفش برنهاد
✦
ز دادار نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“He placed a goblet of wine in her hand, invoking once more the name of the beneficent Creator.”
#24
چو آواز داد از خداوند مهر
✦
دگرگونه‌تر گشت جادو به چهر
“But when he uttered the name of the God of Love, the sorceress's countenance instantly transformed.”
#25
روانش گمان نیایش نداشت
✦
زبانش توان ستایش نداشت
“Her demonic soul was incapable of prayer; her cursed tongue had no power to utter holy praise.”
#26
سیه گشت چون نام یزدان شنید
✦
تهمتن سبک چون درو بنگرید
“Her face turned black as night at the name of Yazdan; Tahamtan looked upon her and instantly understood.”
#27
بینداخت از باد خم کمند
✦
سر جادو آورد ناگه ببند
“Swifter than the wind he cast his lasso's coil, entrapping the sorceress by the neck in an instant.”
#28
بپرسید و گفتش چه چیزی بگوی
✦
بدان‌گونه کت هست بنمای روی
“He questioned her, saying: "Speak! What creature art thou? Reveal thy true form as it truly is!"”
#29
یکی گنده پیری شد اندر کمند
✦
پر آژنگ و نیرنگ و بند و گزند
“There in his snare she turned into a withered old crone—wrinkled, foul, steeped in trickery and malice.”
#30
میانش به خنجر به دو نیم کرد
✦
دل جادوان زو پر از بیم کرد
“With his dagger he cleaved her body in two, striking deep terror into the hearts of all sorcerers.”