When Rostam returned to his grand hall, he stood pale and weighed down by profound foreboding, contemplating the long lineage of his deeds. Calling his brother Zovareh, he ordered the hidden vaults unlocked to retrieve his Indian blade, his war-helmet, his coat of mail, his heavy mace, lasso, tiger-skin mantle, and the armored housings of Rakhsh. Zovareh bade the treasurer bring forth the ancient battle-gear. Upon beholding his armor, Rostam let out a heavy sigh from his chest and addressed his coat of mail: 'O garment of battle, long have you rested in peace; but now a stern trial approaches, where two roaring lions shall clash. Let us see what play Esfandiyar brings to the field of war tomorrow.'
Overhearing his son's heavy words, the white-haired Zal was filled with terror. He confronted Rostam, saying: 'O renowned champion, what words are these that darken my soul? Never before have you ridden to war with anything but an open heart and obedience to the throne. I fear your guiding star has fallen asleep, and the house of Zal shall be uprooted. If you are slain by a royal youth like Esfandiyar, the realm of Zabulistan will turn to ash; and if you harm or slay him, the world will forever curse your name as the regicide who struck down Iran’s imperial heir. Offer him gold, bow down in servitude, or even hide in obscurity rather than cross swords with this royal prince.'
Rostam answered proudly: 'O venerable father, do not weigh these matters so lightly! I have survived the demons of Mazandaran, the horsemen of Hamavaran, and the mighty hosts of Kamus and the Khaqan of China. If I flee now, Sistan shall have no palace left standing. Tomorrow I shall draw neither mace nor lance against him; instead, I shall reach out, lift Esfandiyar cleanly off his saddle into my arms, bring him to our hall as an honored guest for three days, and then accompany him to King Goshtasp’s court, personally placing the royal crown upon his head!'
Zal laughed in dismay at his son’s audacious claim, shaking his head in wonder. 'O son,' said Zal, 'not even madmen would believe such wild boasts! Do not compare Kay-Qobad—who sat helpless without a throne—to Esfandiyar, whose name even the Emperor of China engraves upon his seal ring. Do not walk the path of ingratitude.' With these words, Zal pressed his forehead to the earth and prayed tearfully to the Almighty Creator until dawn broke over the mountains, begging God to turn away the terrible calamity overhanging their house.
#1
چو رستم بیامد به ایوان خویش
✦
نگه کرد چندی به دیوان خویش
“When Rostam entered his lofty palace hall, he gazed long and anxiously upon his armor and battle records.”
#2
زواره بیامد به نزدیک اوی
✦
ورا دید پژمرده و زردروی
“Zovareh came close to his side and saw him pale-faced and withered by grief.”
#3
بدو گفت رو تیغ هندی بیار
✦
یکی جوشن و مغفری نامدار
“Rostam said to him, 'Go, bring forth my Indian blade, along with my renowned chainmail and helmet.”
#4
کمان آر و برگستوان آر و ببر
✦
کمند آر و گرز گران آر و گبر
“Bring my bow, the horse armor, my tiger-skin mantle, my lasso, my heavy mace, and my battle coat.'”
#5
زواره بفرمود تا هرچ گفت
✦
بیاورد گنجور او از نهفت
“Zovareh ordered all that he asked to be brought forth from the secret treasure-vaults.”
#6
چو رستم سلیح نبردش بدید
✦
سرافشاند و باد از جگر برکشید
“When Rostam looked upon his battle armaments, he shook his head and let out a cold sigh from his chest.”
#7
چنین گفت کای جوشن کارزار
✦
برآسودی از جنگ یک روزگار
“He spoke thus: 'O coat of mail, for a long season you rested from the harshness of war.”
#8
کنون کار پیش آمدت سخت باش
✦
به هر جای پیراهن بخت باش
“Now a dire struggle faces you; be strong, and stand anywhere as the cloak of my good fortune.'”
#9
چنین رزمگاهی که غران دو شیر
✦
به جنگ اندر آیند هر دو دلیر
“Such a battlefield lies ahead, where two roaring lions shall enter into fierce fight.”
#10
کنون تا چه پیش آرد اسفندیار
✦
چه بازی کند در دم کارزار
“Let us see now what game Esfandiyar will bring into the heat of battle.'”
#11
چو بشنید دستان ز رستم سخن
✦
پراندیشه شد جان مرد کهن
“When Zal heard these words from Rostam, his aged soul was filled with deep anxiety.”
#12
بدو گفت کای نامور پهلوان
✦
چه گفتی کزان تیره گشتم روان
“He said to him, 'O illustrious hero, what have you said that has darkened my spirit?”
#13
تو تا بر نشستی بزین نبرد
✦
نبودی مگر نیک دل رادمرد
“Ever since you first mounted the war-saddle, you were nothing but a noble and valiant warrior,”
#14
همیشه دل از رنج پرداخته
✦
به فرمان شاهان سرافراخته
“Always keeping your heart free from malice, raising your head only in obedience to kings.”
#15
بترسم که روزت سرآید همی
✦
گر اختر به خواب اندر آید همی
“I fear your day of life is coming to an end, if your star of fortune has fallen asleep.”
#16
همی تخم دستان ز بن برکنند
✦
زن و کودکان را به خاک افگنند
“They will uproot the seed of Zal from its very foundation, casting women and children to the dust.”
#17
به دست جوانی چو اسفندیار
✦
اگر تو شوی کشته در کارزار
“If you are slain in battle at the hands of a prince as young and mighty as Esfandiyar,”
#18
نماند به زاولستان آب و خاک
✦
بلندی بر و بوم گردد مغاک
“Neither earth nor water will remain in Zabulistan, and the height of our land will turn to a pit.”
#19
ور ایدونک او را رسد زین گزند
✦
نباشد ترا نیز نام بلند
“And if harm should come to him by your hand, your name shall no longer be held high in glory.”
#20
همی هرکسی داستانها زنند
✦
برآورده نام ترا بشکرند
“Everyone will tell tales of this deed, tearing to shreds the great name you have earned,”
#21
که او شهریاری ز ایران بکشت
✦
بدان کو سخن گفت با وی درشت
“Saying: 'He killed an imperial prince of Iran simply because the prince spoke harsh words to him.'”
#22
همی باش در پیش او بر به پای
✦
وگرنه هم‌اکنون بپرداز جای
“Remain standing in submission before him; or if not, yield your position and leave this realm right now.”
#23
به بیغوله‌ای شو فرود از مهان
✦
که کس نشنود نامت اندر جهان
“Retire to a secluded corner far from the great, so that no one in the world hears your name again.”
#24
کزین بد ترا تیره گردد روان
✦
بپرهیز ازین شهریار جوان
“For your soul will be darkened by this evil; refrain from conflict with this young monarch.”
#25
به گنج و به رنج این روان بازخر
✦
مبر پیش دیبای چینی تبر
“Buy back your soul through riches and toil; do not bring an axe against Chinese silk.”
#26
سپاه ورا خلعت آرای نیز
✦
ازو باز خر خویشتن را به چیز
“Adorn his army with robings of honor; buy yourself back from him with precious gifts.”
#27
چو برگردد او از لب هیرمند
✦
تو پای اندر آور به رخش بلند
“When he turns back from the banks of the Hirmand river, place your foot upon lofty Rakhsh,”
#28
چو ایمن شدی بندگی کن به راه
✦
بدان تا ببینی یکی روی شاه
“When you are safe, offer service along the path, so that you may behold the face of the King.”
#29
چو بیند ترا کی کند شاه بد
✦
خود از شاه کردار بد کی سزد
“When the King sees you, how could he work evil? Indeed, how could evil deeds fit a monarch?'”
#30
بدو گفت رستم که ای مرد پیر
✦
سخنها برین گونه آسان مگیر
“Rostam said to him, 'O venerable old man, do not take these matters so lightly!”
#31
به مردی مرا سال بسیار گشت
✦
بد و نیک چندی بسر بر گذشت
“Through valor my years have grown long, and many good and evil fortunes have passed over my head.”
#32
رسیدم به دیوان مازندران
✦
به رزم سواران هاماوران
“I went against the demons of Mazandaran and fought the valiant horsemen of Hamavaran,”
#33
همان رزم کاموس و خاقان چین
✦
که لرزان بدی زیر ایشان زمین
“And faced the battle of Kamus and the Khaqan of China, under whom the very earth trembled.”
#34
اگر من گریزم ز اسفندیار
✦
تو در سیستان کاخ و گلشن مدار
“If I were to flee from Esfandiyar, hold no palace or garden in Sistan for yourself!”
#35
چو من ببر پوشم به روز نبرد
✦
سر هور و ماه اندرآرم به گرد
“When I don the tiger-skin mantle on the day of fight, I bring down the heads of the sun and moon into the dust.”
#36
ز خواهش که گفتی بسی رانده‌ام
✦
بدو دفتر کهتری خوانده‌ام
“As for humble pleading, I have done much; I have recited the book of submission before him.”
#37
همی خوار گیرد سخنهای من
✦
بپیچد سر از دانش و رای من
“Yet he holds my words in contempt, turning his head away from wisdom and my counsel.”
#38
گر او سر ز کیوان فرود آردی
✦
روانش بر من درود آردی
“If he were to bring his head down from the Saturnian height and offer a blessing to my soul,”
#39
ازو نیستی گنج و گوهر دریغ
✦
نه برگستوان و نه گوپال و تیغ
“I would withhold neither treasures nor jewels, nor horse armor, nor heavy maces, nor swords.”
#40
سخن چند گفتم به چندین نشست
✦
ز گفتار باد است ما را به دست
“I spoke many words across several meetings, but from all that speech we hold only wind in our hands.”
#41
گر ایدونک فردا کند کارزار
✦
دل از جان او هیچ رنجه مدار
“If tomorrow he chooses to do battle, do not let your heart be grieved for his life.”
#42
نپیچم به آورد با او عنان
✦
نه گوپال بیند نه زخم سنان
“I will not turn my reins in deadly combat with him; he shall see neither heavy mace nor lance strike.”
#43
نبندم به آوردگاه راه اوی
✦
بنیرو نگیرم کمرگاه اوی
“I will not block his way upon the field of combat, nor shall I seize his waist with brute force.”
#44
ز باره به آغوش بردارمش
✦
به شاهی ز گشتاسپ بگذارمش
“I shall lift him bodily from his charger into my arms, and bypass Goshtasp to confer kingship upon him!”
#45
بیارم نشانم بر تخت ناز
✦
ازان پس گشایم در گنج باز
“I shall bring him and place him upon the throne of delights, and thereafter open wide the doors of my treasures.”
#46
چو مهمان من بوده باشد سه روز
✦
چهارم چو از چرخ گیتی فروز
“When he has been my honored guest for three full days, then on the fourth, when the world-illuminating sun...”
#47
بیندازد آن چادر لاژورد
✦
پدید آید از جام یاقوت زرد
“Casts off its azure veil of night, and the golden-ruby sun shines forth from the heavenly goblet...”
#48
سبک باز با او ببندم کمر
✦
وز ایدر نهم سوی گشتاسپ سر
“Swiftly shall I gird my loins beside him, and together from this realm we shall set out toward King Goshtasp.”
#49
نشانمش بر نامور تخت عاج
✦
نهم بر سرش بر دل‌افروز تاج
“I shall seat him upon the famed throne of ivory, and place upon his head the heart-delighting crown.”
#50
ببندم کمر پیش او بنده‌وار
✦
نجویم جدایی ز اسفندیار
“I will gird my belt before him like a humble servant, never seeking to be parted from Esfandiyar.”
#51
تو دانی که من پیش تخت قباد
✦
چه کردم به مردی تو داری به یاد
“You well recall what deeds of valor I performed before the throne of Qobad; it lives within your memory.”
#52
بخندید از گفت او زال زر
✦
زمانی بجنبید ز اندیشه سر
“Zal of the Golden Hair laughed at his words, shaking his head in deep and anxious contemplation for a while.”
#53
بدو گفت زال ای پسر این سخن
✦
مگوی و جدا کن سرش را ز بن
“Zal spoke to him: 'O my son, utter no such words! Sever such foolish thoughts entirely from their root!'”
#54
که دیوانگان این سخن بشنوند
✦
بدین خام گفتار تو نگروند
“For even madmen, were they to hear such talk, would never lend faith to your ungrounded words.”
#55
قبادی به جایی نشسته دُژَن
✦
نه تخت و کلاه و نه گنج کهن
“Qobad was sitting forlorn in a distant place, possessing neither throne nor crown nor ancient treasure!”
#56
چو اسفندیاری که فعفور چین
✦
نویسد همی نام او بر نگین
“How compare him to Esfandiyar, whose mighty name the Emperor of China engraves upon his seal?”
#57
تو گویی که از باره بردارمش
✦
به بر بر سوی خان زال آرمش
“Yet you say: "I shall lift him off his steed and carry him in my arms to the house of Zal!"”
#58
نگوید چنین مردم سالخورد
✦
به گرد در ناسپاسی مگرد
“A wise elder of many years would never speak thus; do not wander around the court of arrogance and foolishness!”
#59
بگفت این و بنهاد سر بر زمین
✦
همی خواند بر کردگار آفرین
“He spoke these words and laid his head upon the dust, offering earnest praises to the Almighty Creator.”
#60
همی گفت کای داور کردگار
✦
بگردان تو از ما بد روزگار
“He kept praying: 'O Sovereign Judge and Lord, avert from us the evil of calamity and ill fortune!'”
#61
برین گونه تا خور برآمد ز کوه
✦
نیامد زبانش ز گفتن ستوه
“In this manner, until the sun arose above the mountains, his tongue grew never weary of supplication.”