#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.”