Upon receiving the royal commands of his illustrious father, Bahman donned robes of imperial gold-brocade and placed the high crown of noble status upon his head. He stepped forth from the inner pavilions with a shimmering royal banner fluttering in his wake. Proud and mounted upon a tall warhorse, the ambitious prince crossed the swelling waters of the Helmand River.
High upon the watchtower of Zabulistan, the sentinel caught sight of a fearless rider arrayed in gold-decked splendour, followed by a handful of relaxed horsemen along the riverbank. The lookout raised a warning cry that echoed across Zabulistan. Instantly, Zal the White-Haired mounted his steed, hitching a lasso to his saddle-bow and gripping his heavy mace. Ascending the vantage point, Zal peered down and let out a cold sigh of amazement; he perceived that this stranger was a champion of royal grandeur, clad in garments fit for kings—surely of the exalted lineage of King Lohrasp, whose footsteps would bring blessings upon the land.
Zal descended to the gates and rested upon his saddle in deep thought. Presently, Prince Bahman rode into view, his regal majesty illuminating the landscape. Not recognizing the aged Zal, the youthful prince called out haughtily: 'O chieftain of rural stock! Where is Rostam, the son of Dastan, upon whom the realm leans for strength? Know that the heroic Esfandiyar has arrived in Zabulistan and pitched his war-tents along the river!'
Zal replied gently: 'O noble seeker of destiny, dismount, take wine, and rest. Rostam shall soon return from the hunting grounds alongside Zavareh, Faramarz, and a contingent of troops. Enjoy yourself with these warriors and gladden your heart.' But Bahman retorted: 'Esfandiyar did not command us to indulge in banquets and wine! Choose for me a seasoned scout who can guide me directly to Rostam’s hunt.'
Zal asked: 'What is thy name, bold youth, and whence art thou? I suspect thou art of the line of Lohrasp and Goshtasp.' Bahman answered: 'I am Bahman, grandson of the invincible world-conqueror!'
Realizing he stood before a prince of the blood royal, Zal immediately dismounted and bowed down in reverence. Bahman smiled, dismounted as well, and greeted the ancient champion. Zal pressed him to accept host's hospitality, but Bahman declared that Esfandiyar's orders could not be slurred or treated lightly. Recognizing his resolve, Zal appointed a wise and experienced guide named Shirkhun. Shirkhun led the prince through the terrain until he reached the outskirts of the hunting grounds, pointed toward Rostam's location, and took his leave.
#1
سخنهای آن نامور پیشگاه
✦
چو بشنید بهمن بیامد به راه
“When Bahman heard the words of that illustrious prince, he set out upon the road.”
#2
بپوشید زربفت شاهنشهی
✦
بسر بر نهاد آن کلاه مهی
“He donned the royal brocade of kingship and placed upon his head the crown of greatness.”
#3
خرامان بیامد ز پرده‌سرای
✦
درفشی درفشان پس او به پای
“Stately he emerged from the pavilion, with a radiant banner unfurled behind him.”
#4
جهانجوی بگذشت بر هیرمند
✦
جوانی سرافراز و اسپی بلند
“The world-seeker crossed the Helmand River—a exalted youth upon a tall charger.”
#5
هم‌اندر زمان دیده‌بانش بدید
✦
سوی زاولستان فغان برکشید
“At that very moment, the watchman saw him and raised a shouting cry toward Zabulistan,”
#6
که آمد نبرده سواری دلیر
✦
به هرّای زرین سیاهی به زیر
“Crying, 'A battle-tested knight hath arrived, with golden harness and a dark steed beneath him!'”
#7
پس پشت او خوار مایه سوار
✦
تن‌آسان گذشت از لب جویبار
“Behind him rode a few warriors, crossing lazily and easily from the bank of the stream.”
#8
هم‌اندر زمان زال زر برنشست
✦
کمندی به فتراک و گرزی به دست
“Instantly Zal Zar mounted his steed, with a lasso attached to his saddle-bow and a mace in hand.”
#9
بیامد ز دیده مر او را بدید
✦
یکی باد سرد از جگر برکشید
“He came up to the watchtower and looked upon him, drawing a cold sigh from his liver.”
#10
چنین گفت کین نامور پهلوست
✦
سرافراز با جامهٔ خسروست
“He said, 'This is an illustrious paladin, proud and adorned in royal garments.'”
#11
ز لهراسپ دارد همانا نژاد
✦
پی او برین بوم فرخنده باد
“'He surely traces his lineage to Lohrasp; blessed be his footsteps upon this auspicious realm!'”
#12
ز دیده بیامد به درگاه رفت
✦
زمانی به اندیشه بر زین بخفت
“He descended from the watchtower to the gateway, leaning upon his saddle for a moment in deep reflection.”
#13
هم‌اندر زمان بهمن آمد پدید
✦
ازو رایت خسروی گسترید
“At that very instant Bahman appeared, and from him radiated the glory of royal majesty.”
#14
ندانست مرد جوان زال را
✦
بیفراخت آن خسروی یال را
“The youth did not know Zal, and raised his royal neck in pride.”
#15
چو نزدیکتر گشت آواز داد
✦
بدو گفت کای مرد دهقان‌نژاد
“As he drew nearer, he called out, saying, 'O man of rustic lineage!'”
#16
سرانجمن پور دستان کجاست
✦
که دارد زمانه بدو پشت راست
“'Where is the leader of the assembly, Dastan's son, upon whom time rests its reliance?'”
#17
که آمد به زاول گو اسفندیار
✦
سراپرده زد بر لب رودبار
“'For Lord Esfandiyar has come to Zabul and pitched his war-tents on the riverbank.'”
#18
بدو گفت زال ای پسر کام جوی
✦
فرود آی و می خواه و آرام جوی
“Zal said to him, 'O ambition-seeking youth! Dismount, ask for wine, and seek repose.'”
#19
کنون رستم آید ز نخچیرگاه
✦
زواره فرامرز و چندی سپاه
“'Presently Rostam shall return from the hunt, along with Zavareh, Faramarz, and a array of troops.'”
#20
تو با این سواران بباش ارجمند
✦
بیارای دل را به بگماز چند
“'Be honored alongside these riders, and adorn thy heart with goblets of wine.'”
#21
چنین داد پاسخ که اسفندیار
✦
نفرمودمان رامش و میگسار
“He answered, 'Esfandiyar did not command us toward ease and winemaking.'”
#22
گزین کن یکی مرد جوینده راه
✦
که با من بیاید به نخچیرگاه
“'Select a guide who knows the path to come with me to the hunting grounds.'”
#23
بدو گفت دستان که نام تو چیست
✦
همی بگذری تیز کام تو چیست
“Dastan said to him, 'What is thy name? Thou passest so swiftly; what is thy desire?'”
#24
برآنم که تو خویش لهراسپی
✦
گر از تخمهٔ شاه گشتاسپی
“'I deem that thou art of Lohrasp's kin, or of the seed of King Goshtasp.'”
#25
چنین داد پاسخ که من بهمنم
✦
نبیرهٔ جهاندار رویین تنم
“He answered, 'I am Bahman, the grandson of the invincible lord of the world!'”
#26
چو بشنید گفتار آن سرفراز
✦
فرود آمد از باره بردش نماز
“When he heard the words of that exalted prince, Zal dismounted from his steed and paid him reverence.”
#27
بخندید بهمن پیاده ببود
✦
بپرسیدش و گفت بهمن شنود
“Bahman smiled and dismounted on foot; he greeted him and listened to what Zal said.”
#28
بسی خواهشش کرد کایدر بایست
✦
چنین تیز رفتن ترا روی نیست
“Zal entreated him greatly, saying, 'Stay here! It is not fitting for thee to press on so hastily.'”
#29
بدو گفت فرمان اسفندیار
✦
نشاید گرفتن چنین سست و خوار
“Bahman replied, 'The command of Esfandiyar must not be treated laxly or lightly.'”
#30
گزین کرد مردی که دانست راه
✦
فرستاده با او به نخچیرگاه
“So Zal chose a man who knew the way and sent him along with Bahman to the hunting grounds.”
#31
همی رفت پیش اندرون رهنمون
✦
جهاندیده‌ای نام او شیرخون
“The guide rode ahead—an experienced, battle-tested man named Shirkhun.”
#32
به انگشت بنمود نخچیرگاه
✦
هم‌اندر زمان بازگشت او ز راه
“He pointed out the hunting ground with his finger and immediately turned back upon his path.”