As Rostam approached the city of Samangan on foot, news of his arrival spread rapidly to the king and the noble elders of the realm. Hearing that the crown-bestowing champion of Iran had walked into their territory after losing his steed, the king and all the high-ranking magnates went out to receive him with immense homage. The King of Samangan addressed Rostam with deep respect, asking what misfortune had befallen him and who could possibly have dared to challenge his might, reassuring him that all in Samangan were his loyal well-wishers, ready to sacrifice their wealth and lives at his command.
Observing the king's sincere and benevolent speech, Rostam set aside his suspicion and revealed that his famed steed, Rakhsh, had wandered off unrestrained into the lush meadows, leaving tracks that led directly toward Samangan. He warned that if they recovered his steed, he would be deeply grateful, but if Rakhsh remained lost, the heads of many nobles would roll. The King of Samangan hastened to soothe the champion's fury, promising that no one dared cross Rostam and that the renowned horse could not remain hidden for long. He invited Rostam to enter his palace, cast off his anxieties, and spend the night feasting.
Rostam accepted the royal invitation, and his heart was relieved of grief. Inside the palace, the king himself stood attentively before the Iranian champion, summoning the chief officers and nobles to sit at a grand feast. Dark-eyed, rose-cheeked beauties reminiscent of Taraz poured wine while musicians played melodious tunes to dispel all sorrow from Tahamtan's soul. As the wine took hold of Rostam, he grew weary and ready for sleep. The hosts guided him to a magnificent chamber prepared meticulously with precious musk and fragrant rosewater, where the great hero settled down to rest.
#1
چو نزدیک شهر سمنگان رسید
✦
خبر زو بشاه و بزرگان رسید
“As he drew near the city of Samangan, news of his arrival reached the king and nobles.”
#2
که آمد پیاده گو تاج‌بخش
✦
به نخچیرگه زو رمیدست رخش
“Word spread that the crown-bestowing hero had arrived on foot, his steed Rakhsh having strayed away from the hunting grounds.”
#3
پذیره شدندش بزرگان و شاه
✦
کسی کاو بسر بر نهادی کلاه
“The king and all the nobles who wore the crown of state went out to welcome him.”
#4
بدو گفت شاه سمنگان چه بود
✦
که یارست با تو نبرد آزمود
“The King of Samangan said to him: 'What has transpired? Who has dared to attempt battle with you?'”
#5
درین شهر ما نیکخواه توایم
✦
ستاده بفرمان و راه توایم
“'In this city of ours, we are all your well-wishers, standing ready to follow your command and your path.'”
#6
تن و خواسته زیر فرمان تست
✦
سر ارجمندان و جان آن تست
“'Our bodies and wealth are under your order; the heads of our noblemen and our very lives belong to you.'”
#7
چو رستم به گفتار او بنگرید
✦
ز بدها گمانیش کوتاه دید
“When Rostam considered his speech, he saw that any suspicion of ill intent was groundless.”
#8
بدو گفت رخشم بدین مرغزار
✦
ز من دور شد بی‌لگام و فسار
“He said to him: 'In this meadow, my horse Rakhsh wandered away from me, free of rein and halter.'”
#9
کنون تا سمنگان نشان پی است
✦
وز آنجا کجا جویبار و نی است
“'Now the trail of his hoofprints leads to Samangan, and thence toward the streams and reedbeds.'”
#10
ترا باشد ار بازجویی سپاس
✦
بباشم بپاداش نیکی شناس
“'If you search for him and return him, you shall have my gratitude, and I will repay your goodness.'”
#11
گر ایدون که ماند ز من ناپدید
✦
سران را بسی سر بباید برید
“'But if he remains lost to me, many a chief's head shall be severed from his shoulders!'”
#12
بدو گفت شاه ای سزاوار مرد
✦
نیارد کسی با تو این کار کرد
“The king answered him: 'O worthy man, no one would dare commit such an act against you!'”
#13
تو مهمان من باش و تندی مکن
✦
به کام تو گردد سراسر سخن
“'Be my guest and set aside your harshness; all matters shall unfold according to your desire.'”
#14
یک امشب به می شاد داریم دل
✦
وز اندیشه آزاد داریم دل
“'This one night, let us gladden our hearts with wine and free our minds from anxiety.'”
#15
نماند پی رخش فرخ نهان
✦
چنان بارهٔ نامدار جهان
“'The tracks of blessed Rakhsh will not remain hidden—such a famous steed of the world cannot be concealed.'”
#16
تهمتن به گفتار او شاد شد
✦
روانش ز اندیشه آزاد شد
“Tahamtan grew gladdened by his words, and his soul was freed from care.”
#17
سزا دید رفتن سوی خان او
✦
شد از مژده دلشاد مهمان او
“He deemed it fitting to go to his dwelling; the host became joyful at his guest's good cheer.”
#18
سپهبد بدو داد در کاخ جای
✦
همی بود در پیش او بر به پای
“The ruler gave him a place within his palace, and stood in attendance before him.”
#19
ز شهر و ز لشکر مهانرا بخواند
✦
سزاوار با او به شادی نشاند
“He summoned the nobles of the city and army, and seated them fittingly in joy alongside Rostam.”
#20
گسارندهٔ باده آورد ساز
✦
سیه چشم و گلرخ بتان طراز
“The wine-bearers prepared their feast—dark-eyed, rose-cheeked beauties of Taraz.”
#21
نشستند با رودسازان به هم
✦
بدان تا تهمتن نباشد دژم
“They sat together with the musicians so that Tahamtan might feel no sorrow.”
#22
چو شد مست و هنگام خواب آمدش
✦
همی از نشستن شتاب آمدش
“When he grew merry with wine and the hour for sleep arrived, he felt the urge to rest.”
#23
سزاوار او جای آرام و خواب
✦
بیاراست و بنهاد مشک و گلاب
“They prepared a worthy resting place for him, perfuming it with musk and rosewater.”