It came to pass that Zal, the white-haired champion of Zabulistan, set forth with his elite retinue to tour the eastern realms of the empire. Travelling through Hind, Danbar, and the lush marchlands, he scattered gifts, opened treasure vaults, and arranged radiant banquets, bringing joy wherever his banners flew, until he reached the gates of Kabul.
Kabul was ruled by King Mehrab, a man descended from the Arab lineage of Zahhak. Tall as a towering cypress, wise in counsel, and brave in spirit, Mehrab nevertheless paid annual tribute to Sam Niriman, knowing he possessed no power to withstand Zabulistan in war. Upon learning that Sam’s illustrious son had arrived, Mehrab rode out at dawn laden with gifts: golden dinars, rubies, musk, silk of China, jewel-encrusted crowns, and caparisoned steeds.
Zal welcomed Mehrab with great honor, seating him upon a turquoise throne beside his own. As wine flowed and the banquet opened, Zal observed Mehrab's noble demeanor and majestic stature. When Mehrab departed, Zal turned to his chieftains, declaring that few men seemed so worthy to wear the belt of kingship. At this, one of the elders whispered to the prince that behind Mehrab’s curtains dwelt a daughter whose face eclipsed the sun—an ivory maiden with cheeks like pomegranate blossoms, lips like ripe seeds, eyes like narcissi in full bloom, and hair like dark musky lassos.
At these words, Zal’s heart surged like a boiling sea. Tranquility abandoned his mind, and love for this unseen maiden took root in his soul. That night he could neither eat nor sleep, tormented by longing. When dawn painted the mountain peaks ruby-red, Mehrab returned to the royal pavilion. Gladdened by his presence, Zal urged Mehrab to ask any favor—be it gold, weapons, or crowns. Mehrab asked only that Zal honor his palace with a visit. Yet Zal sorrowfully declined, knowing that neither his father Sam nor King Manuchehr would ever approve of him entering the abode of those aligned with idolaters and the bloodline of Zahhak. Though Mehrab departed with blessings, Zal’s spirit remained trapped in the fierce, agonizing coils of newly born love.
#1
چنان بد که روزی چنان کرد رای
✦
که در پادشاهی بجنبد ز جای
“Thus it befell that one day he formed the resolve to march out across the realm.”
#2
برون رفت با ویژه‌گردان خویش
✦
که با او یکی بودشان رای و کیش
“He set forth alongside his elite warriors, who shared with him one vision and one faith.”
#3
سوی کشور هندوان کرد رای
✦
سوی کابل و دنبر و مرغ و مای
“He turned his path toward the realm of the Hindus, toward Kabul, Danbar, Morgh, and May.”
#4
به هر جایگاهی بیاراستی
✦
می و رود و رامشگران خواستی
“At every staging ground he adorned the hall, calling for wine, stringed harps, and minstrels.”
#5
گشاده در گنج و افگنده رنج
✦
بر آیین و رسم سرای سپنج
“Unlocking the doors of his treasure vaults and casting away care, after the tradition of this transient world.”
#6
ز زابل به کابل رسید آن زمان
✦
گرازان و خندان و دل شادمان
“From Zabul he arrived at Kabul in that hour, proud, smiling, and with a joyful heart.”
#7
یکی پادشا بود مهراب نام
✦
زبر دست با گنج و گسترده کام
“There was a ruler named Mehrab, triumphant, rich in treasures, and of exalted desires.”
#8
به بالا به کردار آزاده سرو
✦
به رخ چون بهار و به رفتن تذرو
“In stature like a noble cypress tree, in countenance like spring, and in gait like a pheasant.”
#9
دل بخردان داشت و مغز ردان
✦
دو کتف یلان و هش موبدان
“He bore the heart of the wise, the mind of chieftains, the shoulders of heroes, and the intellect of Mobads.”
#10
ز ضحاک تازی گهر داشتی
✦
به کابل همه بوم و برداشتی
“He was of the lineage of Zahhak the Arab, and he held sway over all the lands of Kabul.”
#11
همی داد هر سال مر سام ساو
✦
که با او به رزمش نبود ایچ تاو
“Yearly he paid tribute to Sam, for he had no power to stand against him in war.”
#12
چو آگه شد از کار دستان سام
✦
ز کابل بیامد به هنگام بام
“When word reached him of Zal, son of Sam, he came forth from Kabul at early dawn.”
#13
ابا گنج و اسپان آراسته
✦
غلامان و هر گونه‌ای خواسته
“Bringing treasures, caparisoned horses, servants, and all manner of wealth.”
#14
ز دینار و یاقوت و مشک و عبیر
✦
ز دیبای زربفت و چینی حریر
“With gold dinars, rubies, musk, ambergris, gold-brocaded silk, and Chinese damask.”
#15
یکی تاج با گوهر شاهوار
✦
یکی طوق زرین زبرجد نگار
“A crown set with royal jewels, and a golden collar studded with chrysolite.”
#16
چو آمد به دستان سام آگهی
✦
که مهراب آمد بدین فرهی
“When news came to Zal, son of Sam, that Mehrab approached in such grandeur,”
#17
پذیره شدش زال و بنواختش
✦
به آیین یکی پایگه ساختش
“Zal went out to receive him, welcoming him warmly and assigning him a high place of honor according to custom.”
#18
سوی تخت پیروزه باز آمدند
✦
گشاده دل و بزم ساز آمدند
“They returned to the turquoise throne, happy at heart, and arranged the feast.”
#19
یکی پهلوانی نهادند خوان
✦
نشستند بر خوان با فرخان
“They spread a banquet fit for heroes and sat down with joy and glory.”
#20
گسارندهٔ می می آورد و جام
✦
نگه کرد مهراب را پور سام
“The cupbearer poured the wine, and the son of Sam gazed intently upon Mehrab.”
#21
خوش آمد هماناش دیدار او
✦
دلش تیز تر گشت در کار او
“His appearance truly pleased him, and his interest grew keen regarding him.”
#22
چو مهراب برخاست از خوان زال
✦
نگه کرد زال اندر آن برز و یال
“When Mehrab rose from Zal's table, Zal gazed upon his tall stature and broad shoulders.”
#23
چنین گفت با مهتران زال زر
✦
که زیبنده‌تر زین که بندد کمر
“Zal the Golden-Haired spoke thus to his nobles: 'Who is more fitting than he to gird his waist?'”
#24
یکی نامدار از میان مهان
✦
چنین گفت کای پهلوان جهان
“A chieftain from among the grandees spoke up, saying: 'O champion of the world!'”
#25
پس پردهٔ او یکی دخترست
✦
که رویش ز خورشید روشن‌ترست
“'Behind his curtain dwells a maiden whose countenance is brighter than the sun.'”
#26
ز سر تا به پایش به کردار عاج
✦
به رخ چون بهشت و به بالا چو ساج
“'From head to foot like pure ivory, in face like paradise, and in stature like a tall boxwood tree.'”
#27
بر آن سفت سیمنش مشکین کمند
✦
سرش گشته چون حلقهٔ پای‌بند
“'Upon her silver shoulders rest musky tresses, their ends curled like fetters.'”
#28
رخانش چو گلنار و لب ناردان
✦
ز سیمین برش رسته دو ناروان
“'Her cheeks are like pomegranate blossoms, her lips like seeds, and from her silver chest spring two pomegranate-like breasts.'”
#29
دو چشمش به سان دو نرگس به باغ
✦
مژه تیرگی برده از پر زاغ
“'Her two eyes are like twin narcissi in a garden, her lashes stealing blackness from the raven's wing.'”
#30
دو ابرو به سان کمان طراز
✦
بر او توز پوشیده از مشک ناز
“'Her eyebrows like a fine bow, overlaid with fine musk.'”
#31
بهشتیست سرتاسر آراسته
✦
پر آرایش و رامش و خواسته
“'She is a paradise adorned from end to end, filled with beauty, peace, and delight.'”
#32
برآورد مر زال را دل به جوش
✦
چنان شد کزو رفت آرام وهوش
“This description set Zal's heart seething, so that peace and reason abandoned him.”
#33
شب آمد پر اندیشه بنشست زال
✦
به نادیده برگشت بی‌خورد و هال
“Night fell, and Zal sat full of agonizing thoughts, transformed by love for one unseen, unable to eat or rest.”
#34
چو زد بر سر کوه بر تیغ شید
✦
چو یاقوت شد روی گیتی سپید
“When the sun struck its golden blade upon the mountain top, turning the face of the earth ruby-white,”
#35
در بار بگشاد دستان سام
✦
برفتند گردان به زرین نیام
“Zal, son of Sam, opened his audience hall, and the warriors went forth with swords in golden scabbards.”
#36
در پهلوان را بیاراستند
✦
چو بالای پرمایگان خواستند
“They adorned the doorway of the hero, awaiting the presence of the exalted nobles.”
#37
برون رفت مهراب کابل خدای
✦
سوی خیمهٔ زال زابل خدای
“Mehrab, the lord of Kabul, stepped out toward the tent of Zal, the lord of Zabul.”
#38
چو آمد به نزدیکی بارگاه
✦
خروش آمد از در که بگشای راه
“As he approached the royal court, a cry rang out from the gate: 'Make way!'”
#39
بر پهلوان اندرون رفت گو
✦
به سان درختی پر از بار نو
“The warrior entered into the prince's presence like a tree laden with fresh fruit.”
#40
دل زال شد شاد و بنواختش
✦
از آن انجمن سر برافراختش
“Zal’s heart was gladdened and he honored him, exalting his head above all the assembly.”
#41
بپرسید کز من چه خواهی بخواه
✦
ز تخت و ز مهر و ز تیغ و کلاه
“He asked him: 'Ask whatever you desire of me—be it throne, favor, sword, or crown!'”
#42
بدو گفت مهراب کای پادشا
✦
سرافراز و پیروز و فرمان روا
“Mehrab said to him: 'O King, exalted, victorious, and sovereign ruler!'”
#43
مرا آرزو در زمانه یکیست
✦
که آن آرزو بر تو دشوار نیست
“'I have but one desire in this world, and that wish is not difficult for you to grant.'”
#44
که آیی به شادی سوی خان من
✦
چو خورشید روشن کنی جان من
“'That you come happily to my house, and illuminate my soul like the shining sun.'”
#45
چنین داد پاسخ که این رای نیست
✦
به خان تو اندر مرا جای نیست
“Zal replied: 'This is not fitting; there is no place for me in your home.'”
#46
نباشد بدین سام همداستان
✦
همان شاه چون بشنود داستان
“Sam will never consent to such a thing, nor will the King agree when he hears this story,”
#47
که ما می گساریم و مستان شویم
✦
سوی خانهٔ بت پرستان شویم
“That we should drink wine together, grow intoxicated, and then make our way to the house of idolaters.”
#48
جز آن هر چه گویی تو پاسخ دهم
✦
به دیدار تو رای فرخ نهم
“Aside from that, I shall grant whatever you ask, and I look upon seeing you with auspicious favor.”
#49
چو بشنید مهراب کرد آفرین
✦
به دل زال را خواند ناپاک دین
“When Mehrab heard this, he bestowed blessings, yet in his heart he deemed Zal to be of unholy faith.”
#50
خرامان برفت از بر تخت اوی
✦
همی آفرین خواند بر بخت اوی
“He walked away gracefully from before his throne, continuously calling down blessings upon Zal's fortune.”
#51
چو دستان سام از پسش بنگرید
✦
ستودش فراوان چنان چون سزید
“As Dastan, son of Sam, gazed after him, he praised him abundantly as was his due.”
#52
از آن کو نه هم دین و هم راه بود
✦
زبان از ستودنش کوتاه بود
“Yet because he shared neither his faith nor his path, Zal had hitherto kept his tongue short from praising him.”
#53
بر او هیچکس چشم نگماشتند
✦
مر او را ز دیوانگان داشتند
“None had set eyes upon his fair daughter, for they considered his family to be wild and unruly.”
#54
چو روشن دل پهلوان را بدوی
✦
چنان گرم دیدند با گفت‌وگوی
“When the chieftains saw the enlightened paladin speaking so warmly of him,”
#55
مر او را ستودند یک یک مهان
✦
همان کز پس پرده بودش نهان
“They praised him one by one, as well as the maiden hidden behind his curtains.”
#56
ز بالا و دیدار و آهستگی
✦
ز بایستگی هم ز شایستگی
“Extolling her tall stature, her countenance, her elegance, her perfection, and her fine worthiness.”
#57
دل زال یکباره دیوانه گشت
✦
خرد دور شد عشق فرزانه گشت
“Zal's heart instantly grew wild with love; wisdom departed, and passion became supreme.”
#58
سپهدار تازی سر راستان
✦
بگوید بر این بر یکی داستان
“The Arab chieftain, lord of the righteous, recounts a tale concerning this very matter:”
#59
که تا زنده‌ام چرمه جفت منست
✦
خم چرخ گردان نهفت منست
“'So long as I live, my steed is my sole companion, and the vault of the sky is my shelter.”
#60
عروسم نباید که رعنا شوم
✦
به نزد خردمند رسوا شوم
“'I need no bride, lest I become foolish and disgraced in the eyes of the wise.'”
#61
از اندیشگان زال شد خسته دل
✦
بر آن کار بنهاد پیوسته دل
“From these heavy thoughts Zal became weary at heart, yet he bound his soul irrevocably to that passion.”
#62
همی بود پیچان دل از گفت‌وگوی
✦
مگر تیره گردد از این آبروی
“His heart writhed with anxiety over the talk, fearing his honor might be tarnished by this secret love.”
#63
همی گشت یک چند بر سر سپهر
✦
دل زال آگنده یکسر به مهر
“Thus time rolled on beneath the revolving heavens, while Zal's heart remained filled entirely with devotion.”