#1
چو آمد به نزدیکی هیرمند
✦
فرستاده‌ای برگزید ارجمند
“When he drew near to the Hirmand river, he chose an honored and worthy messenger.”
#2
فرستاد نزدیک دستان سام
✦
بدادش ز هر گونه چندی پیام
“He dispatched him to Zal, son of Sam, giving him messages of every kind.”
#3
چنین گفت کز کین اسفندیار
✦
مرا تلخ شد در جهان روزگار
“He said: 'From the vengeance for Esfandiyar, my life in this world has turned bitter.'”
#4
هم از کین نوش‌آذر و مهر نوش
✦
دو شاه گرامی دو فرخ سروش
“'And also for the vengeance of Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, two glorious kings, two noble angels.'”
#5
ز دل کین دیرینه بیرون کنیم
✦
همه بوم زابل پر از خون کنیم
“'Until we wipe the ancient malice from our heart, we shall flood the land of Zabul with blood.'”
#6
فرستاده آمد به زابل بگفت
✦
دل زال با درد و غم گشت جفت
“The envoy arrived in Zabul and spoke; Zal's heart became entwined with pain and sorrow.”
#7
چنین داد پاسخ که گر شهریار
✦
براندیشد از کار اسفندیار
“He replied: 'If the king ponders deeply on the fate of Esfandiyar,'”
#8
بداند که آن بودنی کار بود
✦
مرا زان سخن دل پرآزار بود
“'He would know that it was destined to be, and my own heart was filled with grief over it.'”
#9
تو بودی به نیک و بد اندر میان
✦
ز من سود دیدی ندیدی زیان
“'You were present through good and ill; from me you experienced profit, never loss.'”
#10
نپیچید رستم ز فرمان اوی
✦
دلش بسته بودی به پیمان اوی
“'Rostam never strayed from his command; his heart was bound to his covenant.'”
#11
پدرت آن گرانمایه شاه بزرگ
✦
زمانش بیامد بدان شد سترگ
“'Your father was that exalted, great king; when his appointed time came, he met his fate.'”
#12
به بیشه درون شیر و نر اژدها
✦
ز چنگ زمانه نیابد رها
“'Within the forest, neither fierce lion nor fierce dragon can escape the grasp of Fate.'”
#13
همانا شنیدی که سام سوار
✦
به مردی چه کرد اندران روزگار
“'Surely you have heard what Sam the Knight achieved in valor in those past days,'”
#14
چنین تا به هنگام رستم رسید
✦
که شمشیر تیز از میان برکشید
“'And likewise down to the era of Rostam, who drew his sharp sword from his waist.'”
#15
به پیش نیاکان تو در چه کرد
✦
به مردی به هنگام ننگ و نبرد
“'What he accomplished before your ancestors in valor at times of battle and hardship.'”
#16
همان کهتر و دایگان تو بود
✦
به لشکر ز پرمایگان تو بود
“'He was also your humble servant and protector, one of the most exalted in your army.'”
#17
به زاری کنون رستم اندرگذشت
✦
همه زابلستان پرآشوب گشت
“'Now Rostam has tragically passed away, and all of Zabulistan has turned into turmoil.'”
#18
شب و روز هستم ز درد پسر
✦
پر از آب دیده پر از خاک سر
“'Night and day I grieve for my son, my eyes filled with tears, my head covered in dust.'”
#19
خروشان و جوشان و دل پر ز درد
✦
دو رخ زرد و لبها شده لاژورد
“'Crying out and boiling, heart filled with anguish, my cheeks pale yellow and my lips turned lapis blue.'”
#20
که نفرین برو باد کو را ز پای
✦
فگند و بر آنکس که بد رهنمای
“'Curse be upon him who brought Rostam down, and upon the one who guided him evil!'”
#21
گر ایدونک بینی تو پیکار ما
✦
به خوبی براندیشی از کار ما
“'If you look kindly upon our cause, and ponder well upon our deeds,'”
#22
بیایی ز دل کینه بیرون کنی
✦
به مهر اندرین کشور افسون کنی
“'You would come and cast out vengeance from your heart, and bring magical love to this realm.'”
#23
همه گنج فرزند و دینار سام
✦
کمرهای زرین و زرین ستام
“'All the treasures of my son, the dinars of Sam, the golden belts and golden bridles,'”
#24
چو آیی به پیش تو آرم همه
✦
تو شاهی و گردنکشانت رمه
“'When you arrive, I will bring them all before you; you are the king, and the nobles are your flock.'”
#25
فرستاده را اسپ و دینار داد
✦
ز هرگونه‌ای چیز بسیار داد
“He gave the messenger horses and dinars, bestowing upon him countless fine gifts of every sort.”
#26
چو این مایه‌ور پیش بهمن رسید
✦
ز دستان بگفت آنچ دید و شنید
“When this noble envoy reached Bahman, he related all that he had seen and heard from Zal.”
#27
چو بشنید ازو بهمن نیک‌بخت
✦
نپذرفت پوزش برآشفت سخت
“When fortunate Bahman heard it, he did not accept the apology and became fiercely enraged.”
#28
به شهر اندر آمد دلی پر ز درد
✦
سری پر ز کین لب پر از باد سرد
“He entered the city with a heart full of grief, a head full of vengeance, and lips breathing cold sighs.”
#29
پذیره شدش زال سام سوار
✦
هم از سیستان آنک بد نامدار
“Zal the knight, son of Sam, came out to welcome him, along with all the nobles of Sistan.”
#30
چو آمد به نزدیک بهمن فراز
✦
پیاده شد از باره بردش نماز
“When he came near Bahman, he dismounted from his horse and bowed low in homage.”
#31
بدو گفت هنگام بخشایش است
✦
ز دل درد و کین روز پالایش است
“He said to him: 'Now is the time for forgiveness; it is a day to cleanse the heart of grief and grudge.'”
#32
ازان نیکویها که ما کرده‌ایم
✦
ترا در جوانی بپرورده‌ایم
“'For the sake of all the good deeds we have rendered, and that we nurtured you in your youth,'”
#33
ببخشای و کار گذشته مگوی
✦
هنر جوی وز کشتگان کین مجوی
“'Be merciful and speak not of past things; seek virtue and seek no vengeance for the slain.'”
#34
که پیش تو دستان سام سوار
✦
بیامد چنین خوار و با دستوار
“'For behold, Zal son of Sam stands before you, humbled thus and carrying his hand-bonds.'”
#35
برآشفت بهمن ز گفتار اوی
✦
چنان سست شد تیز بازار اوی
“Bahman flew into a rage at his words, and his sharp, eager market suddenly grew dull.”
#36
هم‌اندر زمان پای کردش به بند
✦
ز دستور و گنجور نشنید پند
“Immediately he put fetters upon Zal's feet, listening to no advice from minister or treasurer.”
#37
ز ایوان دستان سام سوار
✦
شتر بارها برنهادند بار
“From the palace of Zal, son of Sam, they loaded camel-loads upon camel-loads.”
#38
ز دینار وز گوهر نابسود
✦
ز تخت وز گستردنی هرچ بود
“Of dinars, priceless jewels, thrones, and whatever tapestries and carpets there were.”
#39
ز سیمینه و تاجهای به زر
✦
ز زرینه و گوشوار و کمر
“Of silver vessels, golden crowns, golden ornaments, ear-rings, and jewel-encrusted belts.”
#40
از اسپان تازی به زرین ستام
✦
ز شمشیر هندی به زرین نیام
“Of noble Arabian steeds with golden harness, and Indian swords with gilded sheaths.”
#41
همان برده و بدره‌های درم
✦
ز مشک و ز کافور وز بیش و کم
“As well as captives, bags of silver coin, musk, camphor, and precious goods great and small.”
#42
که رستم فراز آورید آن به رنج
✦
ز شاهان و گردنکشان یافت گنج
“Which Rostam had amassed through toil, winning treasure from kings and mighty lords.”
#43
همه زابلستان به تاراج داد
✦
مهان را همه بدره و تاج داد
“He gave all of Zabulistan over to pillage, distributing moneybags and crowns to his nobles.”