As dark shadows enveloped the blood-soaked battlefield, Zal and Rostam, burdened by dire wounds and impending ruin, agreed upon a desperate course. Zal ascended a high crest, accompanied by three wise retainers carrying three braziers of blazing fire. Atop the peak, the white-haired sage drew forth the sacred Simorgh feather wrapped in silk and burned a piece of it over the flames. Ere long, the murky night turned as black as iron, and the Simorgh, catching the glint of the fire from the high heavens, descended on swift wings. Seeing Zal weeping with blood-stained cheeks, the mythic bird alighted, and Zal bowed low, offering precious incense and sweet scents.
When the Simorgh inquired why she had been summoned by fire and smoke, Zal lamented that the lion-hearted Rostam was mortally wounded, Rakhsh lay dying from deeply embedded arrows, and the relentless Esfandiyar sought to tear up the roots of SAM's lineage and lay waste to Sistan. The Simorgh offered words of comfort and bade Zal bring Rostam and Rakhsh before her. Rostam climbed the steep hill with great suffering. The enlightened Simorgh drew four jagged arrowheads from his body with her beak and stroked his wounds with her divine plumage; instantly, the wounds healed, and Rostam recovered his immense strength and majestic splendor. Turning her gaze to Rakhsh, the Simorgh extracted six arrowheads from the steed's neck and rubbed her feathers over the torn flesh, prompting Rakhsh to let out a triumphant whinny of joy.
Yet the Simorgh issued a grave warning: Esfandiyar was invulnerable, and fighting him carried a devastating curse, for whoever shed Esfandiyar's blood would be pursued by a bitter fate, finding neither peace nor salvation in this world or the next. When Rostam affirmed that dying in battle was far sweeter than accepting the disgrace of Esfandiyar's chains, the Simorgh flew with Rostam to the shores of a mysterious sea. There she revealed a wild tamarisk tree growing upon the desolate earth. She commanded Rostam to cut a straight branch, straighten it over fire, fit it with feathers and an ancient arrowhead, and aim it precisely at Esfandiyar's eyes—the only mortal flaw in his bronze-armored body. Advising Rostam to offer soft words and peace one last time before unleashing the fatal shaft, the Simorgh took flight back into the clouds, leaving Rostam to craft the tamarisk arrow that would seal the destiny of Kings.
#1
ببودند هر دو بران رای مند
✦
سپهبد برآمد به بالا بلند
“They both agreed upon that counsel; the commander ascended to the high summit.”
#2
از ایوان سه مجمر پر آتش ببرد
✦
برفتند با او سه هشیار و گرد
“He took three braziers filled with fire from the hall, accompanied by three wise and brave men.”
#3
فسونگر چو بر تیغ بالا رسید
✦
ز دیبا یکی پر بیرون کشید
“When the sorcerer reached the crest of the height, he brought out a feather from a piece of brocade.”
#4
ز مجمر یکی آتشی برفروخت
✦
به بالای آن پر لختی بسوخت
“He kindled a fire in one of the braziers and burned a portion of that feather above it.”
#5
چو پاسی ازان تیره شب درگذشت
✦
تو گفتی چو آهن سیاه ابر گشت
“When a watch of that dark night had passed, you would say a cloud as dark as iron overcast the sky.”
#6
همانگه چو مرغ از هوا بنگرید
✦
درخشیدن آتش تیز دید
“At once, as the Bird looked down from the sky, she perceived the gleaming of the sharp fire.”
#7
نشسته برش زال با درد و غم
✦
ز پرواز مرغ اندر آمد دژم
“Zal sat before it in sorrow and grief; at the bird's flight, he came down downcast.”
#8
بشد پیش با عود زال از فراز
✦
ستودش فراوان و بردش نماز
“He stepped forward with aloe-wood, praised her exceedingly, and offered his reverent prayer.”
#9
به پیشش سه مجمر پر از بوی کرد
✦
ز خون جگر بر دو رخ جوی کرد
“He placed three incense-burners full of fragrance before her, while streams of heart-blood flowed down his cheeks.”
#10
بدو گفت سیمرغ شاها چه بود
✦
که آمد ازین سان نیازت به دود
“The Simorgh said to him: 'O King, what has transpired that you stood in such dire need of smoke?'”
#11
چنین گفت کاین بد به دشمن رساد
✦
که بر من رسید از بد بدنژاد
“He spoke thus: 'May this evil befall the enemy—the harm that has reached me from an evil-born foe!'”
#12
تن رستم شیردل خسته شد
✦
ازان خستگی جان من بسته شد
“'The body of lion-hearted Rostam is grievously wounded, and by those wounds my soul is bound in anguish.'”
#13
کزان خستگی بیم جانست و بس
✦
بران گونه خسته ندیدست کس
“'From those wounds there is fear for his life; none has ever seen one wounded in such a manner.'”
#14
همان رخش گویی که بیجان شدست
✦
ز پیکان تنش زار و بیجان شدست
“'And Rakhsh, you would say, is lifeless—his body rendered wretched and spent by arrowheads.'”
#15
بیامد برین کشور اسفندیار
✦
نکوبد همی جز در کارزار
“'Esfandiyar has come to this realm, and he seeks nothing except battle and slaughter.'”
#16
نجوید همی کشور و تاج و تخت
✦
برو بار خواهد همی با درخت
“'He seeks neither realm nor crown nor throne; he wishes to cut down tree, fruit, and leaves together.'”
#17
بدو گفت سیمرغ کای پهلوان
✦
مباش اندرین کار خسته‌روان
“The Simorgh said to him: 'O Champion, do not let your soul be crushed in this plight.'”
#18
سزد گر نمایی به من رخش را
✦
همان سرفراز جهان‌بخش را
“'It is fitting that you present Rakhsh to me, as well as that exalted ruler of the world.'”
#19
کسی سوی رستم فرستاد زال
✦
که لختی به چاره برافراز یال
“Zal dispatched someone to Rostam, saying: 'Raise your courage for a moment to seek a remedy.'”
#20
بفرمای تا رخش را همچنان
✦
بیارند پیش من اندر زمان
“'Command that they bring Rakhsh immediately before me as well.'”
#21
چو رستم بران تند بالا رسید
✦
همان مرغ روشن‌دل او را بدید
“When Rostam reached that steep height, the radiant-hearted bird beheld him.”
#22
بدو گفت کای ژنده پیل بلند
✦
ز دست که گشتی بدین سان نژند
“She said to him: 'O massive elephant of war, at whose hand have you become so wretched?'”
#23
چرا رزم جستی ز اسفندیار
✦
چرا آتش افگندی اندر کنار
“'Why did you seek battle with Esfandiyar? Why did you cast fire into your own lap?'”
#24
بدو گفت زال ای خداوند مهر
✦
چو اکنون نمودی بما پاک چهر
“Zal said to her: 'O lord of loving-kindness, since you have now shown us your pure countenance,'”
#25
گر ایدونک رستم نگردد درست
✦
کجا خواهم اندر جهان جای جست
“'If Rostam does not become whole again, where in the world shall I find a dwelling place?'”
#26
همه سیستان پاک ویران کنند
✦
به کام دلیران ایران کنند
“'They will completely lay waste to all Sistan to fulfill the desire of Iran's warriors.'”
#27
شود کنده این تخمهٔ ما ز بن
✦
کنون بر چه رانیم یکسر سخن
“'Our lineage will be uprooted from its base; of what then shall we speak?'”
#28
نگه کرد مرغ اندران خستگی
✦
بدید اندرو راه پیوستگی
“The Bird examined those wounds and saw within them the means of restoration.”
#29
ازو چار پیکان به بیرون کشید
✦
به منقار از ان خستگی خون کشید
“She extracted four arrowheads with her beak and drew blood from those wounds.”
#30
بران خستگیها بمالید پر
✦
هم اندر زمان گشت با زیب و فر
“She rubbed her feather over those wounds, and instantly he regained his grace and glory.”
#31
بدو گفت کاین خستگیها ببند
✦
همی باش یکچند دور از گزند
“She said to him: 'Bind up these wounds and remain a short while away from harm.'”
#32
یکی پر من تر بگردان به شیر
✦
بمال اندران خستگیهای تیر
“'Soak one of my feathers in milk and stroke it over the arrow-wounds.'”
#33
بران همنشان رخش را پیش خواست
✦
فرو کرد منقار بر دست راست
“In like manner she summoned Rakhsh before her, and inserted her beak into his right shoulder.”
#34
برون کرد پیکان شش از گردنش
✦
نبد خسته گر بسته جایی تنش
“She pulled six arrowheads out from his neck; he was no longer wounded, though his body had been bound with pain.”
#35
همانگه خروشی برآورد رخش
✦
بخندید شادان دل تاج‌بخش
“Instantly Rakhsh let out a loud whinny, and the heart of the crown-bestower rejoiced.”
#36
بدو گفت مرغ ای گو پیلتن
✦
توی نامبردار هر انجمن
“The Bird said to him: 'O elephant-bodied hero, you are famous in every assembly.'”
#37
چرا رزم جستی ز اسفندیار
✦
که او هست رویین‌تن و نامدار
“'Why did you seek battle with Esfandiyar, who is bronze-bodied and renowned?'”
#38
بدو گفت رستم گر او را ز بند
✦
نبودی دل من نگشتی نژند
“Rostam answered: 'If he had not demanded to chain me, my heart would not have turned gloomy.'”
#39
مرا کشتن آسان‌تر آید ز ننگ
✦
وگر بازمانم به جایی ز جنگ
“'To me, being slain is easier than shame, should I withdraw from battle anywhere.'”
#40
چنین داد پاسخ کز اسفندیار
✦
اگر سر بجا آوری نیست عار
“She replied: 'To yield your head before Esfandiyar is no shame,'”
#41
که اندر زمانه چنویی نخاست
✦
بدو دارد ایران همی پشت راست
“'For in this age no one like him has arisen, and Iran leans her back upon him.'”
#42
بپرهیزی از وی نباشد شگفت
✦
مرا از خود اندازه باید گرفت
“'It is no wonder if you refrain from fighting him; I must measure my own mate by him.'”
#43
که آن جفت من مرغ با دستگاه
✦
به دستان و شمشیر کردش تباه
“'For my powerful bird-mate was destroyed by his guile and sword.'”
#44
اگر با من اکنون تو پیمان کنی
✦
سر از جنگ جستن پشمان کنی
“'If you now make a covenant with me to regret seeking further battle,'”
#45
نجویی فزونی به اسفندیار
✦
گه کوشش و جستن کارزار
“'And seek no superiority over Esfandiyar in the hour of effort and striving in war,'”
#46
ور ایدونک او را بیامد زمان
✦
نیندیشی از پوزش بی‌گمان
“And if his appointed time of fate has indeed arrived, do not doubt that he will heed no apology.”
#47
پس‌انگه یکی چاره سازم ترا
✦
به خورشید سر برفرازم ترا
“I shall then devise a remedy for thee, and elevate thy head unto the very sun.”
#48
چو بشنید رستم دلش شاد شد
✦
از اندیشهٔ بستن آزاد شد
“When Rustam heard this, his heart rejoiced, and he was freed from the dread of being bound in chains.”
#49
بدو گفت کز گفت تو نگذرم
✦
وگر تیغ بارد هوا بر سرم
“He said to the Simurgh: 'I shall not stray from thy command, even though the heavens rain swords upon my head.'”
#50
چنین گفت سیمرغ کز راه مهر
✦
بگویم کنون باتو راز سپهر
“Thus spoke the Simurgh: 'Out of love and affection, I shall now reveal to thee the secret of the heavens:'”
#51
که هرکس که او خون اسفندیار
✦
بریزد ورا بشکرد روزگار
“'Whoever sheds the blood of Esfandiyar shall be hunted down and destroyed by Fate.”
#52
همان نیز تا زنده باشد ز رنج
✦
رهایی نیابد نماندش گنج
“As long as he lives, he shall find no release from hardship, nor shall any treasure remain unto him.”
#53
بدین گیتیش شوربختی بود
✦
وگر بگذرد رنج و سختی بود
“In this world, ill fortune shall be his lot; and when he passes, misery and torment await him.'”
#54
شگفتی نمایم هم امشب ترا
✦
ببندم ز گفتار بد لب ترا
“'Yet tonight I shall show thee a wonder, and seal thy lips from mournful or harmful speech.”
#55
برو رخش رخشنده را برنشین
✦
یکی خنجر آبگون برگزین
“Go now, mount the radiant Rakhsh, and choose a tempered blade of radiant steel.'”
#56
چو بشنید رستم میان را ببست
✦
وزان جایگه رخش را برنشست
“Hearing this, Rustam girded his loins, and mounted Rakhsh from that place.”
#57
به سیمرغ گفت ای گزین جهان
✦
چه خواهد برین مرگ ما ناگهان
“He spoke to the Simurgh: 'O chosen one of the world, what matters a sudden death to us?”
#58
جهان یادگارست و ما رفتنی
✦
به گیتی نماند به جز مردمی
“The world is but a memory and we must depart; in this realm, naught endures save noble manhood and virtue.”
#59
به نام نکو گر بمیرم رواست
✦
مرا نام باید که تن مرگ راست
“If I die with a good name, it is meet; a good name is what I seek, for the mortal frame is destined for death.”
#60
کجا شد فریدون و هوشنگ شاه
✦
که بودند با گنج و تخت و کلاه
“Whither are gone King Fereydoun and Houshang, who possessed treasure, crown, and throne?”
#61
برفتند و ما را سپردند جای
✦
جهان را چنین است آیین و رای
“They departed and surrendered their place to us; such is the way and law of the world.”
#62
همی راند تا پیش دریا رسید
✦
ز سیمرغ روی هوا تیره دید
“He rode on until he reached the shore of the sea, seeing the sky darkened by the Simurgh's wings.”
#63
چو آمد به نزدیک دریا فراز
✦
فرود آمد آن مرغ گردنفراز
“When he drew near to the sea, that proud, exalted bird descended from above.”
#64
به رستم نمود آن زمان راه خشک
✦
همی آمد از باد او بوی مشک
“It revealed a dry path to Rustam at that moment, while the fragrance of musk wafted on its breeze.”
#65
بمالید بر تارکش پر خویش
✦
بفرمود تا رستم آمدش پیش
“It stroked his head with its wing, and commanded Rustam to step forward.”
#66
گزی دید بر خاک سر بر هوا
✦
نشست از برش مرغ فرمانروا
“There stood a tamarisk tree rooted in earth and reaching to the sky, and atop it perched the sovereign bird.”
#67
بدو گفت شاخی گزین راست‌تر
✦
سرش برترین و تنش کاست‌تر
“The Simurgh said to him: 'Choose a branch that is straightest, its top finest, and its body slender.”
#68
بدان گز بود هوش اسفندیار
✦
تو این چوب را خوار مایه مدار
“For in that tamarisk lies the doom of Esfandiyar; do not hold this wood in light esteem.”
#69
بر آتش مرین چوب را راست کن
✦
نگه کن یکی نغز پیکان کهن
“Straighten this wood over a flame, and seek out a fine, ancient arrowhead.”
#70
بنه پر و پیکان و برو بر نشان
✦
نمودم ترا از گزندش نشان
“Attach feathers and the arrowhead, and aim it true; I have now shown thee the way to his harm.'”
#71
چو ببرید رستم تن شاخ گز
✦
بیامد ز دریا به ایوان و رز
“When Rustam severed the trunk of the tamarisk branch, he returned from the sea to his palace and vineyard.”
#72
بران کار سیمرغ بد رهنمای
✦
همی بود بر تارک او به پای
“In that task, the Simurgh was his guide, hovering right above his head.”
#73
بدو گفت اکنون چو اسفندیار
✦
بیاید بجوید ز تو کارزار
“The Simurgh said to him: 'Now, when Esfandiyar comes and seeks battle with thee,”
#74
تو خواهش کن و لابه و راستی
✦
مکوب ایچ گونه در کاستی
“Entreat him, plead with him, and speak with utter truth; do not enter into any deceit or fault.”
#75
مگر بازگردد به شیرین سخن
✦
بیاد آیدش روزگار کهن
“Perchance he may turn back through thy sweet words, remembering the days of old,”
#76
که تو چند گه بودی اندر جهان
✦
به رنج و به سختی ز بهر مهان
“Recalling how long thou hast been in this world, enduring pain and hardship for the sake of the great kings.”
#77
چو پوزش کنی چند نپذیردت
✦
همی از فرومایگان گیردت
“If thou offer apologies and he accept them not, regarding thee as one of low birth and mean estate,”
#78
به زه کن کمان را و این چوب گز
✦
بدین گونه پرورده در آب رز
“String thy bow, and take this tamarisk shaft, nurtured thus in the wine of the grape.”
#79
ابر چشم او راست کن هر دو دست
✦
چنانچون بود مردم گزپرست
“Take aim with both hands straight at his eyes, as is the custom of those who shoot with tamarisk.”
#80
زمانه برد راست آن را به چشم
✦
بدانگه که باشد دلت پر ز خشم
“Fate itself shall guide the arrow straight into his eye, at that very moment when thy heart is filled with rage.'”
#81
تن زال را مرغ پدرود کرد
✦
ازو تار وز خویشتن پود کرد
“The magical bird bade farewell to Zal, weaving its essence with his like warp and weft.”
#82
ازان جایگه نیک‌دل برپرید
✦
چو اندر هوا رستم او را بدید
“From that spot, the benevolent bird soared into the air; as Rustam beheld it flying high in the sky,”
#83
یکی آتش چوب پرتاب کرد
✦
دلش را بران رزم شاداب کرد
“He prepared a deadly shaft of tamarisk wood for shooting, and his heart grew eager and invigorated for the fight.”
#84
یکی تیز پیکان بدو در نشاند
✦
چپ و راست پرها بروبر نشاند
“He fitted a razor-sharp arrowhead onto its tip, and attached feathers along its left and right.”