When Prince Bahman, the valiant son of Esfandiyar, ascended the craggy heights overlooking the lush meadows of Zabulistan, his eyes fell upon a sight that filled his soul with wonder and dread. Down in the valley, Rostam, the World-Champion, sat like the morning sun made flesh. In his mighty grip he held an entire tree stripped of its boughs, upon which he had spitted a giant wild ass roasting over a roaring fire. In his other hand he held a golden goblet of ruby wine, while his noble steed Rakhsh grazed peacefully in the emerald fields.
Bahman's heart trembled at Rostam's titanic physique. He whispered to himself, 'Is this a mortal man, or the radiant sun descending upon the earth? No legend of old has ever spoken of a warrior of such formidable stature. I fear that even the invincible Esfandiyar will not withstand his colossal force in battle. It is better that I extinguish his life here and now with a single motionless stone.' With that, Bahman dislodged a massive granite boulder from the mountain crest and sent it thundering down toward Rostam's campsite.
The roar of the descending rock echoed through the crags. Zovarah, Rostam's watchful brother, caught sight of the rolling avalanche and cried out, 'O illustrious chieftain! A giant stone tumbles from the mountain straight toward you!' Yet Rostam did not flinch, nor did he set down his roast meat. He waited calmly until the mountain stone was upon him, enveloped in a cloud of dark dust. Then, with casual power, he extended his leg and kicked the heavy boulder away with his heel, sending it flying harmlessly into the distance.
Bahman's heart sank in dismay at this extraordinary display of sheer strength. Realizing that brute force would fail against such a titan, he descended the mountain to approach the hunting grounds peacefully. Rostam, observing the royal demeanor of the approaching youth, divined his Kianian blood and rode out with Zovarah to greet him. Bahman dismounted instantly, offering exalted greetings. Rostam embraced him warmly, apologizing for any delay in his welcome.
A magnificent feast was set before them. Rostam placed a whole roasted wild ass before himself, carving the meat, salting it, and eating with the boundless appetite of a legendary warrior. Before Bahman, he laid choice cuts of game. Yet Bahman, spellbound by Rostam's immense frame and appetite, barely nibbled at his food. Rostam laughed jovially and said, 'O Prince! If your appetite is so meager, how did you survive the deadly Seven Stages, and how do you wield a heavy lance in war?' Bahman replied with dignity, 'Those of royal blood speak concisely and do not overeat; in battle, our spirit and striving matter far more than food.' Rostam laughed approvingly and raised a golden goblet of wine to noble heroes. Together, they then mounted their steeds to ride toward the palace, where Bahman prepared to deliver Esfandiyar's solemn message.
#1
یکی کوه بد پیش مرد جوان
✦
برانگیخت آن باره را پهلوان
“A mountain stood before the young prince, and the warrior urged his swift horse up its slopes.”
#2
نگه کرد بهمن به نخچیرگاه
✦
بدید آن بر پهلوان سپاه
“Bahman looked down upon the hunting grounds and beheld the vast frame of the army's supreme champion.”
#3
درختی گرفته به چنگ اندرون
✦
بر او نشسته بسی رهنمون
“He saw Rostam holding a tree branch in his grasp, sitting like a true guide and leader.”
#4
یکی نره گوری زده بر درخت
✦
نهاده بر خویش گوپال و رخت
“A male wild ass was spitted upon that tree trunk, while his heavy mace and gear lay nearby.”
#5
یکی جام پر می به دست دگر
✦
پرستنده بر پای پیشش پسر
“A cup filled with red wine was in his other hand, and a serving youth stood before him.”
#6
همی گشت رخش اندران مرغزار
✦
درخت و گیا بود و هم جویبار
“Meanwhile, Rakhsh grazed freely in that green meadow amid trees, grass, and running streams.”
#7
به دل گفت بهمن که این رستمست
✦
و گر آفتاب سپیده دمست
“Bahman said to his heart: 'Is this Rostam, or is it the radiant sun of dawn down on earth?'”
#8
به گیتی کسی مرد ازین سان ندید
✦
نه از نامداران پیشی شنید
“'No one in the world has ever seen such a man, nor heard tell of such a giant among ancients.'”
#9
بترسم که با او یل اسفندیار
✦
نتابد بپیچد سر از کارزار
“'I fear that even the valiant Esfandiyar will not be able to stand against him in battle.'”
#10
من این را به یک سنگ بیجان کنم
✦
دل زال و رودابه پیچان کنم
“'I shall take his life with a single heavy boulder, wringing the hearts of Zal and Rudabeh in grief.'”
#11
یکی سنگ زان کوه خارا بکند
✦
فروهشت زان کوهسار بلند
“He dislodged a massive granite boulder from the mountain and pushed it rolling down from the height.”
#12
ز نخچیرگاهش زواره بدید
✦
خروشیدن سنگ خارا شنید
“From the hunting ground below, Zovarah spotted it and heard the roaring rumble of the heavy rock.”
#13
خروشید کای مهتر نامدار
✦
یکی سنگ غلتان شد از کوهسار
“He shouted out: 'O renowned chieftain! A giant stone comes rolling down from the mountain peak!'”
#14
نجنبید رستم نه بنهاد گور
✦
زواره همی کرد ازان گونه شور
“Rostam did not move, nor did he put down his wild ass meat, despite Zovarah's frantic warnings.”
#15
همی بود تا سنگ نزدیک شد
✦
ز گردش بر کوه تاریک شد
“He sat calmly until the stone drew near, and the dust of its path darkened the cliffside.”
#16
بزد پاشنه سنگ بنداخت دور
✦
زواره برو آفرین کرد و پور
“With a flick of his heel he struck the stone and sent it flying far; Zovarah and his youth praised him in awe.”
#17
غمی شد دل بهمن از کار اوی
✦
چو دید آن بزرگی و کردار اوی
“Bahman's heart grew heavy with sorrow and dread when he witnessed Rostam's immense strength and deed.”
#18
همی گفت گر فرخ اسفندیار
✦
کند با چنین نامور کارزار
“He thought to himself: 'If blessed Esfandiyar enters battle against such a renowned champion...'”
#19
تن خویش در جنگ رسوا کند
✦
همان به که با او مدارا کند
“'...He will bring ignominy upon himself in fight; it is far better that he seek peace with him.'”
#20
ور ایدونک او بهتر آید به جنگ
✦
همه شهر ایران بگیرد به چنگ
“'And if Rostam proves superior in war, he will conquer all the realm of Iran into his hand.'”
#21
نشست از بر بارهٔ بادپای
✦
پراندیشه از کوه شد باز جای
“He mounted his swift courser, full of deep thoughts, and turned back from the mountain path.”
#22
بگفت آن شگفتی به موبد که دید
✦
وزان راه آسان سر اندر کشید
“He recounted the marvel he had seen to his priest, turning away from any easy assault.”
#23
چو آمد به نزدیک نخچیرگاه
✦
هم‌انگه تهمتن بدیدش ز راه
“When he drew near the hunting grounds, Tahamtan instantly spotted him from afar.”
#24
به موبد چنین گفت کین مرد کیست
✦
من ایدون گمانم که گشتاسپیست
“Rostam said to the priest: 'Who is this man? I reckon he must be of King Goshtasp's line.'”
#25
پذیره شدش با زواره بهم
✦
به نخچیرگه هرک بد بیش و کم
“Rostam and Zovarah, alongside everyone present in the hunting ground, went out to welcome him.”
#26
پیاده شد از باره بهمن چو دود
✦
بپرسیدش و نیکویها فزود
“Bahman dismounted his steed swift as smoke, offering noble greetings and lavish praise.”
#27
بدو گفت رستم که تا نام خویش
✦
نگویی نیابی ز من کام خویش
“Rostam said to him: 'Until you state your name, you shall not achieve your desire with me.'”
#28
بدو گفت من پور اسفندیار
✦
سر راستان بهمن نامدار
“He replied: 'I am the son of Esfandiyar, the leader of the righteous, named Prince Bahman.'”
#29
ورا پهلوان زود در بر گرفت
✦
ز دیر آمدن پوزش اندر گرفت
“The grand hero hastily embraced him, apologizing warmly for any delay in his welcome.”
#30
برفتند هر دو به جای نشست
✦
خود و نامداران خسروپرست
“They both went to the seating area, accompanied by the king-revering nobles.”
#31
چو بنشست بهمن بدادش درود
✦
ز شاه و ز ایرانیان برفزود
“When Bahman was seated, he conveyed greetings from the king and the noble Iranians.”
#32
ازان پس چنین گفت کاسفندیار
✦
چو آتش برفت از در شهریار
“Then he said: 'Esfandiyar has marched out like blazing fire from the gate of the monarch.'”
#33
سراپرده زد بر لب هیرمند
✦
به فرمان فرخنده شاه بلند
“'He has pitched his royal pavilion upon the bank of the Hirmand by order of the blessed King.'”
#34
پیامی رسانم ز اسفندیار
✦
اگر بشنود پهلوان سوار
“'I bear a message from Esfandiyar, if the champion knight will give ear to hear it.'”
#35
چنین گفت رستم که فرمان شاه
✦
برآنم که برتر ز خورشید و ماه
“Rostam replied: 'The command of the King is higher in my view than the sun and the moon.'”
#36
خوریم آنچ داریم چیزی نخست
✦
پس‌انگه جهان زیر فرمان تست
“'First, let us partake of whatever food we have, and then the world is subject to your command.'”
#37
بگسترد بر سفره بر نان نرم
✦
یکی گور بریان بیاورد گرم
“Soft flatbread was spread upon the tablecloth, and hot roasted wild ass was served.”
#38
چو دستارخوان پیش بهمن نهاد
✦
گذشته سخنها برو کرد یاد
“As the feast was set before Bahman, Rostam recalled memories of ancient deeds.”
#39
برادرش را نیز با خود نشاند
✦
وزان نامداران کسان را نخواند
“He seated his brother beside him, but invited no other grandees to the inner feast.”
#40
دگر گور بنهاد پیش تنش
✦
که هر بار گوری بدی خوردنش
“Another whole wild ass was placed before Rostam, for his appetite was a full wild ass at every meal.”
#41
نمک بر پراگند و ببرید و خورد
✦
نظاره بروبر سرافراز مرد
“He sprinkled salt, carved, and ate heartily, while the exalted prince Bahman watched in awe.”
#42
همی خورد بهمن ز گور اندکی
✦
نبد خوردنش زان او صد یکی
“Bahman ate only a tiny morsel of the wild ass, not even a hundredth part of Rostam's meal.”
#43
بخندید رستم بدو گفت شاه
✦
ز بهر خورش دارد این پیشگاه
“Rostam laughed and said to him: 'O Prince! Is this how a royal eats at the table?'”
#44
خورش چون بدین گونه داری به خوان
✦
چرا رفتی اندر دم هفتخوان
“'If your appetite is so meager, how did you pass through the trials of the Seven Stages?'”
#45
چگونه زدی نیزه در کارزار
✦
چو خوردن چنین داری ای شهریار
“'How do you wield a heavy spear in combat when your eating is so slight, O Prince?'”
#46
بدو گفت بهمن که خسرو نژاد
✦
سخن‌گوی و بسیار خواره مباد
“Bahman replied to him: 'A prince of royal blood should not be overly talkative nor a glutton.'”
#47
خورش کم بود کوشش و جنگ بیش
✦
به کف بر نهیم آن زمان جان خویش
“'Our food is modest, but our striving and fighting are great; at that time we offer our lives on our palms.'”
#48
بخندید رستم به آواز گفت
✦
که مردی نشاید ز مردان نهفت
“Rostam laughed out loud and said: 'True manhood cannot be hidden from valiant men!'”
#49
یکی جام زرین پر از باده کرد
✦
وزو یاد مردان آزاده کرد
“He filled a golden cup with choice wine and drank to the memory of noble freeborn heroes.”
#50
دگر جام بر دست بهمن نهاد
✦
که برگیر ازان کس که خواهی تو یاد
“He placed another cup in Bahman's hand, saying: 'Drink to the memory of whomever you wish.'”
#51
بترسید بهمن ز جام نبید
✦
زواره نخستین دمی درکشید
“Bahman hesitated, wary of the strong wine; so Zovarah drained his cup first to reassure him.”
#52
بدو گفت کای بچهٔ شهریار
✦
به تو شاد بادا می و میگسار
“Zovarah said to him: 'O child of the King, may wine and the cupbearer bring you endless joy!'”
#53
ازو بستد آن جام بهمن به چنگ
✦
دل آزار کرده بدان می درنگ
“Bahman took the cup in hand, his troubled heart calmed by that draught of wine.”
#54
همی ماند از رستم اندر شگفت
✦
ازان خوردن و یال و بازوی و کفت
“Yet he remained utterly astonished by Rostam, his vast eating, his huge shoulders, arms, and chest.”
#55
نشستند بر باره هر دو سوار
✦
همی راند بهمن بر نامدار
“Both warriors mounted their swift horses, and Bahman rode alongside the renowned champion.”
#56
بدادش یکایک درود و پیام
✦
از اسفندیار آن یل نیک‌نام
“He delivered to him, word for word, the greetings and solemn message from the noble Esfandiyar.”