#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.”