As the first watch of the dark night passed and the night-bird swept across the revolving heavens, whispered secrets began to unfold. The door of the champion’s chamber opened softly, and a servant entered bearing a candle scented with ambergris. Behind the flame walked a maiden whose moon-like countenance outshone the radiant sun—a princess tall as a high cypress, her brows arched like bows and her tresses flowing like lassos. Her soul was woven of wisdom and her body pure spirit, seemingly untouched by mortal dust.
Lion-hearted Rostam marveled at her fairy-like presence and invoked the praises of the Creator. He asked who she was and what she sought in the shadowy hours. She answered that she was Tahmineh, daughter of the King of Samangan, descended from lions and leopards—a maiden whom no eyes outside the royal quarters had ever beheld, nor any voice heard. She confessed how she had heard legendary tales of his unmatched prowess: how he feared no lion, demon, crocodile, or leopard, how he roamed the dangerous borders of Touran alone, and how the eagle checked its flight at the sight of his bare blade.
Tahmineh revealed her heart's desire: she had surrendered her heart to his glory and prayed to the Almighty that Rostam might take her as his bride, granting her a son who would inherit his supreme courage and strength, matching the grand stature of Sam Nareeman. Furthermore, she promised to restore his lost steed, Rakhsh, to his side.
Seeing her intelligence, sublime beauty, and the promise of Rakhsh's return, Rostam's heart swelled with affection. At daybreak, he dispatched a wise priest to ask for her hand from her father. The King of Samangan rejoiced, bestowing his daughter upon the champion according to royal rites and sacred traditions. That night, Rostam and Tahmineh shared intimate embrace and deep secrets. As morning approached, Rostam unwound a renowned armlet bead from his arm and gave it to Tahmineh, instructing her to preserve it: if destiny granted them a daughter, to weave it into her tresses; if a son, to bind it upon his arm as a token of his father—a son destined to rival Sam Nareeman in nobility and valor. As the sun rose to paint the sky, Rostam sorrowfully embraced his beloved and bade her farewell.
#1
چو یک بهره از تیرهْ‌شب در گذشت
✦
شباهنگ بر چرخ گردان بگشت
“When a watch of the dark night had elapsed, the nightingale revolved upon the turning sphere.”
#2
سخن گفتن آمد نهفته به راز
✦
درِ خوابگهْ نرم کردند باز
“Secret words began to be whispered in quiet, and the door to the sleeping chamber was softly opened.”
#3
یکی بنده شمعی مُعَنبَر به دست
✦
خرامان بیامد به بالین مست
“A servant carrying an amber-scented candle stepped gracefully toward the resting hero's pillow.”
#4
پسِ پرده اندرْ یکی ماه روی
✦
چو خورشید تابان پُر از رنگ و بوی
“Behind the curtain stood a moon-faced maiden, radiant like the shining sun, full of color and fragrance.”
#5
دو ابرو کمان و دو گیسو کمند
✦
به بالا به کردارِ سروِ بلند
“Her twin eyebrows were like bows, her tresses like lassos, and her stature was like a tall cypress tree.”
#6
روانش خرد بود تنْ جانِ پاک
✦
تو گفتی که بهره ندارد ز خاک
“Her spirit was wisdom itself, her body a pure soul; you would say she held no share of earth.”
#7
از او رستم شیرْدل خیره مانْد
✦
بَر او بَر جهانْ‌آفرین را بخوانْد
“Lion-hearted Rostam was left astounded by her, and invoked praise to the Creator of the World.”
#8
بپرسید زو گفت نام تو چیست؟
✦
چه جویی شبِ تیره؟ کامِ تو چیست؟
“He asked her, saying: 'What is your name? What do you seek in the dark night, and what is your desire?'”
#9
چنین داد پاسخ که تهمینه‌ام
✦
تو گویی که از غم به دو نیمه‌ام
“She answered thus: 'I am Tahmineh; you would say I am torn in half by sorrow.'”
#10
یکی دختِ شاه سَمَنگان منم
✦
ز پشت هُژَبر و پلنگان منم
“'I am the daughter of the King of Samangan, descended from the line of lions and leopards.'”
#11
به گیتی ز خوبان مرا جفت نیست
✦
چو من زیر چرخِ کبود اندکيست
“'In all the world among beauties I have no match; few like me exist beneath the azure sky.'”
#12
کس از پرده بیرون ندیدی مرا
✦
نه هرگز کس آوا شنیدی مرا
“'No one has ever seen me outside my veil, nor has anyone ever heard my voice.'”
#13
به کردارِ افسانه از هر کسی
✦
شنیدم همی داستانَت بسی
“'Yet like a wondrous legend from every tongue, I have heard many stories of your deeds:'”
#14
که از شیر و دیو و نهنگ و پلنگ
✦
نترسی و هستی چنین تیزچنگ
“'That you fear neither lion, nor demon, nor crocodile, nor leopard, and possess such sharp claws.'”
#15
شب تیره تنها به توران شوی
✦
بگردی بر آن مرز و هم نَغنُوی
“'That in the dark night you ride alone into Touran, roaming its borders without taking rest.'”
#16
به تنها یکی گورْ بریان کنی
✦
هوا را به شمشیرْ گریان کنی
“'That all alone you roast a wild ass, and with your sword make the very air weep blood.'”
#17
هرآنکس که گرز تو بیند به چنگ
✦
بدَرّد دلِ شیر و چنگِ پلنگ
“'Whoever beholds your heavy mace in hand, the heart of the lion and claw of the leopard rend in fear.'”
#18
برهنه چو تیغ تو بیند عقاب
✦
نیارد به نَخچیر کردن شتاب
“'When the eagle sees your bare blade, it dares not hasten to its prey.'”
#19
نشانِ کمندِ تو دارد هُژَبر
✦
ز بیم سَنان تو خون بارد ابر
“'The lion bears the mark of your lasso, and from dread of your spearhead the clouds weep blood.'”
#20
چو این داستانها شنیدم ز تو
✦
بسی لب به دندان گَزیدم ز تو
“'When I heard these wondrous tales of you, I bit my lip in utter amazement.'”
#21
بجُستم همی کفت و یال و برت
✦
بدین شهر کرد ایزد آبشخورت
“'I sought to see your chest, neck, and arms; God brought your path to this city.'”
#22
ترا اَم کنون گر بخواهی مرا
✦
نبیند جزین مرغ و ماهی مرا
“'I am yours now if you desire me; otherwise no bird or fish shall ever see me again.'”
#23
یکی آنک بر تو چنین گشته‌ام
✦
خرد را ز بهر هوا کشته‌ام
“'First, because I am so lost in passion for you that I have sacrificed wisdom for desire.'”
#24
ودیگر که از تو مگر کردگار
✦
نشانَد یکی پورم اندر کنار
“'And second, that perchance the Creator might bestow upon my lap a son born of you.'”
#25
مگر چون تو باشد به مردی و زور
✦
سپهرش دهد بهره کیوان و هور
“'Who in courage and strength might resemble you, blessed with the favor of Saturn and the Sun.'”
#26
سه دیگر که اسپت به جای آورم
✦
سمنگان همه زیر پای آورم
“'Third, that I shall restore your horse to you, and bring all Samangan beneath your feet.'”
#27
چو رستم برانسان پری چهره دید
✦
ز هر دانشی نزد او بهره دید
“When Rostam saw that fairy-faced maiden and perceived her wealth of wisdom and knowledge,”
#28
و دیگر که از رخش داد آگهی
✦
ندید ایچ فرجام جز فرهی
“And heard her news of Rakhsh, he foresaw nothing in this encounter but divine glory.”
#29
بفرمود تا موبدی پرهنر
✦
بیاید بخواهد ورا از پدر
“He commanded an accomplished Mobad to come and ask her hand in marriage from her father.”
#30
چو بشنید شاه این سخن شاد شد
✦
بسان یکی سرو آزاد شد
“When the King heard this news he rejoiced, standing tall like a free cypress.”
#31
بدان پهلوان داد آن دخت خویش
✦
بدان سان که بودست آیین و کیش
“He bestowed his daughter upon the champion according to standard custom and holy faith.”
#32
به خشنودی و رای و فرمان اوی
✦
به خوبی بیاراست پیمان اوی
“With delight, consent, and royal decree, he beautifully arranged their marriage covenant.”
#33
چو بسپرد دختر بدان پهلوان
✦
همه شاد گشتند پیر و جوان
“When he surrendered his daughter to the champion, all people, young and old, rejoiced.”
#34
ز شادی بسی زر برافشاندند
✦
ابر پهلوان آفرین خواندند
“In joy they showered vast amounts of gold, offering praises upon the noble hero.”
#35
که این ماه نو بر تو فرخنده باد
✦
سر بدسگالان تو کنده باد
“Saying: 'May this new moon be auspicious for you; may the head of your enemies be uprooted!'”
#36
چو انباز او گشت با او براز
✦
ببود آن شب تیره دیر و دراز
“When she became his secret companion, that dark night passed deep and long.”
#37
چو خورشید تابان ز چرخ بلند
✦
همی خواست افگند رخشان کمند
“As the shining sun from high heaven sought to cast its glowing lasso of dawn,”
#38
به بازوی رستم یکی مهره بود
✦
که آن مهره اندر جهان شهره بود
“Rostam possessed a seal bead on his arm, a bead famous throughout all the world.”
#39
بدو داد و گفتش که این را بدار
✦
اگر دختر آرد ترا روزگار
“He gave it to her and said: 'Keep this seal; if fortune brings you a daughter,'”
#40
بگیر و بگیسوی او بر بدوز
✦
به نیک اختر و فال گیتی فروز
“'Take it and sew it into her tresses under an auspicious star and world-brightening omen.'”
#41
ور ایدونک آید ز اختر پسر
✦
ببندش ببازو نشان پدر
“'And if destiny grants a son, bind it upon his arm as the mark of his father.'”
#42
به بالای سام نریمان بود
✦
به مردی و خوی کریمان بود
“'He shall match the height of Sam Nareeman, in nobility of spirit and valiant courage.'”
#43
فرود آرد از ابر پران عقاب
✦
نتابد به تندی بر او آفتاب
“'He shall bring down flying eagles from the clouds; the intense heat of the sun will not wither him.'”
#44
همی بود آن شب بر ماه روی
✦
همی گفت از هر سخن پیش اوی
“He remained that night beside the moon-faced lady, speaking of many profound matters before her.”
#45
چو خورشید رخشنده شد بر سپهر
✦
بیاراست روی زمین را به مهر
“When the resplendent sun mounted the sky, it adorned the face of the earth with loving light.”
#46
به پدرود کردن گرفتش به بر
✦
بسی بوسه دادش به چشم و به سر
“To say farewell, he took her in his embrace and showered kisses upon her eyes and head.”
#47
پری چهره گریان ازو بازگشت
✦
ابا انده و درد انباز گشت
“The fairy-faced maiden turned away in tears, becoming a lifelong companion to grief and pain.”
#48
بر رستم آمد گرانمایه شاه
✦
بپرسیدش از خواب و آرامگاه
“The noble king approached Rostam and inquired after his night's rest and comfort.”
#49
چو این گفته شد مژده دادش به رخش
✦
برو شادمان شد دل تاج‌بخش
“When these words were exchanged, he gave him glad tidings of Rakhsh, and the heart of the Crown-Bestower rejoiced.”
#50
بیامد بمالید و زین برنهاد
✦
شد از رخش رخشان و از شاه شاد
“He came, stroked Rakhsh, and set the saddle upon him; his countenance brightened for Rakhsh, and he felt happy with the king.”