When the week drew to a close, Zal the White-Haired and Rostam of matchless strength met, their hearts burdened with profound sorrow. As the Iranian chieftains learned of the arrival of the heroes of Zabulistan, they rushed forward with pale faces and sorrowful hearts. Nobles of the line of Zarasb, Tus carrying the sacred Kavian Banner, and Goudarz with tears streaming down his face gathered in welcome. The lords revealed the alarming news of King Kay Khosrow’s withdrawal from the world, lamenting that the monarch had barred the court doors, his bright rose-tinted countenance had withered like a quince, and his cypress-like frame had bent, as though ensnared by the whisperings of Iblis or struck by an evil eye.
Zal, the wise elder, comforted the worried nobles, reminding them that fortune ever fluctuates between joy and affliction. He urged them not to surrender to despair, resolving instead to offer the King profound counsel. Entering the royal hall, the heroes assembled. Upon hearing the resounding voice of Rostam behind the veil and beholding the loyal commanders, King Kay Khosrow, weighed down by dark thoughts, stood up from his throne and straightened his bowed back. He welcomed the sages and champions of Zabul, Kannauj, Danbar, Kabul, as well as the Iranian lords—Tus, Goudarz, Gurgin, Bizhan, and Gustaham—bestowing upon each a seat matching their exalted stature.
Then Zal stepped forward, pouring blessings upon the King. Recalling the ancient monarchs from Manuchehr and Kay Qobad to Zo, Kay Kavus, and the noble Siyavash, Zal proclaimed Kay Khosrow to be unmatched in wisdom, stature, and Divine Glory (Farrah-e Izadi). He explained how, upon hearing of the King’s seclusion, he had gathered astrologers and sages with Indian astronomical tables to search the heavens for the cause of this rift. Zal then imparted timeless wisdom to the monarch: that a flawless reign rests upon three pillars—treasure, righteous toil, and valiant men—and above all, a fourth supreme duty: unceasing prayer to Yazdan, the sole succor of humanity. He urged Kay Khosrow to bestow riches upon the needy, enlightening his soul and fortifying his mind with the impenetrable armor of wisdom.
#1
سر هفته را زال و رستم به هم
✦
رسیدند بی‌کام دل پر ز غم
“At the week's end, Zal and Rostam met together, disappointed and their hearts filled with sorrow.”
#2
چو ایرانیان آگهی یافتند
✦
همه داغ دل پیش بشتافتند
“When the Iranians received word of their coming, all rushed forward with grief-stricken hearts.”
#3
چو رستم پدید آمد و زال زر
✦
همان موبدان فراوان هنر
“When Rostam appeared along with Zal-e Zar, as well as the mobads of vast wisdom,”
#4
هر آن کس که بود از نژاد زرسب
✦
پذیره شدن را بیاراست اسب
“Every noble who was of the lineage of Zarasb readied his horse to go out and welcome them.”
#5
همان طوس با کاویانی درفش
✦
همه نامداران زرینه کفش
“Likewise Tus with the Kavian Banner, and all the renowned lords wearing shoes of gold.”
#6
چو گودرز پیش تهمتن رسید
✦
سرشکش ز مژگان به رخ برچکید
“When Goudarz reached Tahmatan, tears trickled down his cheeks from his eyelashes.”
#7
سپاهی همی رفت رخساره زرد
✦
ز خسرو همه دل پر از داغ و درد
“The host marched onward with pale faces, their hearts completely full of pain and grief for Khosrow.”
#8
بگفتند با زال و رستم که شاه
✦
به گفتار ابلیس گم کرد راه
“They said to Zal and Rostam: 'The King has lost his way through the deceitful words of Iblis.”
#9
همه بارگاهش سیاهست و بس
✦
شب و روز او را ندیدست کس
“His entire court hall is darkened; no one has seen him by night or by day.”
#10
از این هفته تا آن در بارگاه
✦
گشایند و پوییم و یابیم راه
“Only from one week to the next do they open the court gates, and we strive to find a way inside.”
#11
جز آنست کیخسرو ای پهلوان
✦
که دیدی تو شاداب و روشن‌روان
“Kay Khosrow is no longer, O champion, the ruler you once saw so fresh and bright of soul.”
#12
شده کوژ بالای سرو سهی
✦
گرفته گل سرخ رنگ بهی
“The straight cypress of his height has bent; the red rose of his face has taken the pale tint of a quince.”
#13
ندانم چه چشم بد آمد بر اوی
✦
چرا پژمرید آن چو گلبرگ روی
“I know not what evil eye befell him, or why that face like a rose petal has withered.”
#14
مگر تیره شد بخت ایرانیان
✦
وگر شاه را ز اختر آمد زیان
“Perchance the fortune of the Iranians turned dark, or the King suffered harm from his governing star.'”
#15
بدیشان چنین گفت زال دلیر
✦
که باشد که شاه آمد از گاه سیر
“Brave Zal spoke to them: 'Could it be that the King has grown weary of the royal throne?”
#16
درستی و هم دردمندی بود
✦
گهی خوشی و گه نژندی بود
“Both health and distress exist in life; at times there is joy, and at times grief.”
#17
شما دل مدارید چندین به غم
✦
که از غم شود جان خرم دژم
“Do not keep your hearts so steeped in sorrow, for grief makes a cheerful soul dismal.”
#18
بکوشیم و بسیار پندش دهیم
✦
به پند اختر سودمندش دهیم
“We shall strive and offer him abundant counsel, giving him star-beneficial advice.'”
#19
وز آن پس هر آن کس که آمد به راه
✦
برفتند پویان سوی بارگاه
“Thereupon, whoever had come along the path proceeded swiftly toward the royal court.”
#20
هم آنگه ز در پرده برداشتند
✦
بر اندازه‌شان شاد بگذاشتند
“At that very instant, they drew back the curtain from the door and admitted them joyfully according to their rank.”
#21
چو دستان و چون رستم پیلتن
✦
چو طوس و چو گودرز و آن انجمن
“Dastan and elephant-bodied Rostam, Tus and Goudarz, and that noble assembly,”
#22
چو گرگین و چون بیژن و گستهم
✦
هر آن کس که رفتند گردان به هم
“As well as Gurgin, Bizhan, and Gustaham—all the brave heroes who entered together—”
#23
شهنشاه چون روی ایشان بدید
✦
به پرده در آوای رستم شنید
“When the King of Kings saw their faces and heard Rostam's voice behind the curtain,”
#24
پراندیشه از تخت بر پای خاست
✦
چنان پشت خمیده را کرد راست
“Full of deep thought, he stood up from his throne and straightened his bowed back.”
#25
ز دانندگان هرکه بد زابلی
✦
ز قنوج وز دنبر و کابلی
“From among the learned men, whoever was from Zabulistan, Kannauj, Danbar, or Kabul—”
#26
یکایک بپرسید و بنواختشان
✦
به رسم مهی پایگه ساختشان
“He greeted each one individually, welcomed them, and assigned them high seats according to noble custom.”
#27
همان نیز ز ایرانیان هرکه بود
✦
به اندازه‌شان پایگه برفزود
“Likewise for every Iranian who was present, he elevated their position matching their rank.”
#28
بر او آفرین کرد بسیار زال
✦
که شادان بدی تا بود ماه و سال
“Zal offered abundant blessings upon him, saying: 'May you remain joyful as long as months and years endure!”
#29
ز گاه منوچهر تا کیقباد
✦
از آن نامداران که داریم یاد
“From the reign of Manuchehr to Kay Qobad, of all the renowned monarchs we remember,”
#30
همان زو طهماسب و کاووس کی
✦
بزرگان و شاهان فرخنده‌پی
“As well as Zo-ey-Tahmasp and Kay Kavus, those auspicious and exalted kings—”
#31
سیاوش مرا خود چو فرزند بود
✦
که با فر و با برز و اورند بود
“Siyavash was like my own son to me, endowed with glory, grandeur, and divine majesty.”
#32
ندیدم کسی را بدین بخردی
✦
بدین برز و این فره ایزدی
“Yet I have seen no one with such wisdom, such grandeur, and such Divine Glory (Farrah-e Izadi).”
#33
به پیروزی و مردی و مهر و رای
✦
که شاهیت بادا همیشه به جای
“In victory, valor, affection, and wisdom—may your kingship endure forever!”
#34
چه مهتر که پای ترا خاک نیست
✦
چه زهر آنکه نام تو تریاک نیست
“What noble is not as dust beneath your feet? What poison is not cured by your name as an antidote?”
#35
یکی ناسزا آگهی یافتم
✦
بدان آگهی تیز بشتافتم
“I received an unworthy report, and upon hearing that news, I rushed swiftly here.”
#36
ستاره‌شناسان و کنداوران
✦
ز هر کشوری آنکه دیدم سران
“Astrologers and brave warriors from every land, whoever were the chief figures I could find,”
#37
ز قنوج وز دنور و مرغ و مای
✦
برفتند با زیج هندی ز جای
“From Kannauj, Denvar, Morgh, and May, set out equipped with Indian astronomical tables,”
#38
بدان تا بجویند راز سپهر
✦
کز ایران چرا پاک ببرید مهر
“So that they might search the secrets of the heavens: why heaven severed its love from Iran?”
#39
از ایران کس آمد که پیروز شاه
✦
بفرمود تا پردهٔ بارگاه
“Someone came from Iran saying that the victorious King commanded the court chamberlain”
#40
نه بردارد از پیش سالار بار
✦
بپوشد ز ما چهرهٔ شهریار
“Not to raise the curtain of the court hall and to hide the face of the monarch from us.”
#41
من از درد ایرانیان چون عقاب
✦
همی تاختم همچو کشتی بر آب
“In anguish for the Iranians, I rushed like an eagle and sped like a ship upon the waters,”
#42
بدان تا بپرسم ز شاه جهان
✦
ز چیزی که دارد همی در نهان
“So that I might ask the King of the World about that which he keeps hidden in secret.”
#43
به سه چیز هر کار نیکو شود
✦
همان تخت شاهی بی‌آهو شود
“By three things every deed becomes good and the royal throne becomes faultless:”
#44
به گنج و به رنج و به مردان مرد
✦
به جز این نشاید همی کار کرد
“By treasure (ganj), by struggle (ranj), and by valiant men of war (mardan-e mard)—without these, no work can be done.”
#45
چهارم به یزدان ستایش کنیم
✦
شب و روز او را نیایش کنیم
“Fourth, we must offer praise to Yazdan, worshipping Him day and night,”
#46
که اویست فریادرس بنده را
✦
هم او بازدارد گراینده را
“For He is the succor of the servant, and He restrains the wandering soul.”
#47
به درویش بخشیم بسیار چیز
✦
اگرچند چیز ارجمند است نیز
“Let us give generously to the poor, even though precious wealth is dear,”
#48
بدان تا روان تو روشن کند
✦
خرد پیش مغز تو جوشن کند
“So that He may enlighten your soul and make wisdom a protective armor before your mind!”