When King Bahman approached the banks of the Hirmand River, intent on avenging his father Esfandiyar and his brothers Nush-Azar and Mehr-Nush, he selected a noble envoy to ride ahead to Zal. The Kianian monarch sent a harsh declaration, proclaiming that the bitterness of his father's demise had poisoned his days, and that he would drench all of Zabulistan in blood to extinguish the ancient grievance. When the messenger delivered these terrifying words, Zal's heart was pierced with profound sorrow. The white-haired elder of Sistan, wept in deep grief for his fallen son Rostam, replying that Esfandiyar's death was the unalterable decree of Fate. He reminded the king of how the House of Sam and Rostam had ever been the steadfast shield of the throne, and how Rostam had sought no quarrel until destiny drove them to ruin. Zal offered all the vast accumulated treasures of his line—golden belts, gem-studded crowns, fine Arabian steeds with gilded saddles, and heaps of silver and gold—begging the king to clear his heart of rancor and grant clemency to an old man mourning his child. Yet when the envoy reported back, Bahman's heart remained hardened like stone. He entered the realm of Zabulistan full of rage. Seeing the king approach, the aged Zal dismounted and walked bare-headed on foot, bowing low to offer prayers of reconciliation. But Bahman scorned the elder's submission, ignoring the counsel of his own ministers, and ordered Zal bound in heavy iron chains. Then, by his royal command, the warriors descended upon the halls of Zal and Rostam, loading countless camels with the glorious wealth won over generations of war. Gems, crowns, golden ear-rings, legendary blades, and royal carpets were ruthlessly plundered, laying waste to the storied grandeur of Zabulistan.
#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.”