#1
چو دستان شنید این سخن خیره شد
✦
همی چشمش از روی او تیره شد
“When Zal heard these words, he was utterly astonished; his eyes grew dim before the King's face.”
#2
خروشان شد از شاه و بر پای خاست
✦
چنین گفت کای داور داد و راست
“He cried out in sorrow before the King and rose to his feet, saying: 'O Judge of truth and justice!'”
#3
ز من بود تیزی و نابخردی
✦
توی پاک فرزانهٔ ایزدی
“'The harshness and folly were mine alone; you are pure, wise, and filled with divine glory.'”
#4
سزد گر ببخشی گناه مرا
✦
اگر دیو گم کرد راه مرا
“'It is fitting if you forgive my sin, if an evil demon led my heart astray from the right path.'”
#5
مرا سالیان شد فزون از شمار
✦
کمر بسته‌ام پیش هر شهریار
“'My years have grown beyond measure, and I have girded my loins in service before every king.'”
#6
ز شاهان ندیدم کز این گونه راه
✦
بجستی ز دادار خورشید و ماه
“'Yet among kings I have never seen one who sought the truth in such manner from the Creator of sun and moon,'”
#7
که ما را جدایی نبود آرزوی
✦
از این دادگر خسرو نیک‌خوی
“'For it was never our desire to be separated from such a just and noble-natured King.'”
#8
سخنهای دستان چو بشنید شاه
✦
پسند آمدش پوزش نیک‌خواه
“When the King heard the words of Zal, the apology of his well-wishing champion pleased his heart.”
#9
بیازید و بگرفت دستش به دست
✦
بر خویش بردش به جای نشست
“He reached out, took Zal's hand in his own, and brought him forward to sit beside him.”
#10
بدانست کاو این سخن جز به مهر
✦
نپیمود با شاه خورشید چهر
“He knew well that Zal had spoken those earlier words out of sheer love for the sun-faced King.”
#11
چنین گفت پس شاه با زال زر
✦
که اکنون ببندید یکسر کمر
“Then the King addressed Zal Zar, saying: 'Now let everyone gird their loins for action.'”
#12
تو و رستم و طوس و گودرز و گیو
✦
دگر هر که او نامدارست نیو
“'You, Rostam, Tus, Goudarz, and Gev, and whoever else is a renowned and brave warrior,'”
#13
سراپرده از شهر بیرون برید
✦
درفش همایون به هامون برید
“'Move the royal pavilion outside the city, and carry the auspicious banner unto the open plain.'”
#14
ز خرگاه وز خیمه چندان که هست
✦
بسازید بر دشت جای نشست
“'Set up camp upon the wilderness with as many grand tents and pavilions as exist.'”
#15
درفش بزرگان و پیل و سپاه
✦
بسازید روشن یکی رزمگاه
“'Display the standards of the nobles, the war elephants, and the host, and prepare a brilliant battlefield.'”
#16
چنان کرد رستم که خسرو بگفت
✦
ببردند پرده‌سرای از نهفت
“Rostam executed all that Kay Khosrow had commanded, bringing the royal pavilion out from concealment.”
#17
به هامون کشیدند ایرانیان
✦
به فرمان ببستند یکسر میان
“The Iranians marched out onto the open plain, all girding their loins in obedience to the King's order.”
#18
سپید و سیاه و بنفش و کبود
✦
زمین کوه تا کوه پر خیمه بود
“With pavilions of white, black, purple, and blue, the ground from mountain to mountain was filled with tents.”
#19
میان اندرون کاویانی درفش
✦
جهان زو شده سرخ و زرد و بنفش
“In the central heart stood the Kavian Banner, casting red, yellow, and purple hues across the world.”
#20
سراپردهٔ زال نزدیک شاه
✦
برافراخته زو درفش سیاه
“Zal's grand tent was pitched near the King's, with his dark black standard raised aloft beside it.”
#21
به دست چپش رستم پهلوان
✦
ز کابل بزرگان روشن‌روان
“Upon the King's left hand stood Rostam the champion, surrounded by the bright-souled nobles of Kabul.”
#22
به پیش اندرون طوس و گودرز و گیو
✦
چو رهام و شاپور و گرگین نیو
“In front stood Tus, Goudarz, and Gev, alongside brave warriors like Rohham, Shapour, and Gurgin.”
#23
پس پشت او بیژن و گستهم
✦
بزرگان که بودند با او به هم
“Behind him were Bijan and Gustahm, and all the noble lords gathered alongside them.”