With the dawn of the month of Farvardin, when the world awakened into the radiant bloom of early spring, the five loyal maidens of Rudabeh adorned themselves in fine Roman brocade and intertwined fresh roses into their fragrant tresses. Seeking a remedy for their mistress's longing heart, they made their way to the riverbank where the pavilions of Zal Zar were pitched. Under the guise of gathering spring blossoms, their faces bloomed like flower gardens beside the flowing waters.
From his elevated throne, Dastan of the White Hair observed the fair maidens. He inquired of his attendants who these flower-gatherers might be. A servant revealed that they were the attendants of the Moon of Kabulistan—Rudabeh, the radiant daughter of King Mehrab. A spark of wonder ignited within Zal's chest; requesting his bow, he walked toward the shore. As a waterfowl rose from the rush-bordered stream, the hero drew his string and loosed a swift arrow, bringing the bird down bleeding into the waters. Zal ordered his bold Turkish page to cross the river by boat and retrieve the fallen prey.
When the youth reached the opposite bank, the maidens gathered around him, eager to learn the identity of the elephant-bodied, lion-armed champion who possessed such deadly precision. The page proudly declared that the rider was none other than the King of Nimruz, Zal-e Dastan, the glorious son of Sam. At this, the maidens smiled knowingly and replied that while Zal might be an unequaled warrior, within Mehrab's palace dwelt a sun surpassing all moons—Rudabeh, tall as the teak tree, pale as polished ivory, with narcissus eyes, ebony ringlets, and lips of sweet ruby.
Returning to his master, the youth recounted every glowing word he had heard. As the descriptions of Rudabeh's celestial beauty echoed in Zal's ears, his heart grew young with sudden desire. Without delay, Zal commanded that gold, silver, precious jewels, and five rich robes of gold-woven silk be carried secretly to the maidens, bidding them linger in the garden until a private message could be delivered.
Presently, the supreme champion walked into the rose garden himself. In soft and persuasive tones, he asked the maidens to speak truthfully of the maiden's beauty, promising great favor for honesty. Reassured, the maidens painted a vivid portrait of Rudabeh's divine stature and musky tresses that hung like black lassos over ivory shoulders. They devised a cunning scheme, promising to return to the palace, enchant Rudabeh with praises of Zal's majesty, and arrange for him to scale the high walls of her palace at night so that the lion might rejoice in the lamb. Filled with joy and renewed purpose, Zal returned to his camp, his heart soaring toward his beloved.
#1
پرستنده برخاست از پیش اوی
✦
بدان چاره بی‌چاره بنهاد روی
“The handmaiden arose from before her mistress, turning her face toward a cure for this helpless heart.”
#2
به دیبای رومی بیاراستند
✦
سر زلف برگل بپیراستند
“They adorned themselves in Roman brocade and decked their locks with fresh rose blossoms.”
#3
برفتند هر پنج تا رودبار
✦
ز هر بوی و رنگی چو خرم بهار
“All five walked down to the riverbank, fragrant and colorful like the delight of springtime.”
#4
مه فرودین و سر سال بود
✦
لب رود لشکرگه زال بود
“It was the month of Farvardin and the turn of the new year, and the bank of the river was the encampment of Zal.”
#5
همی گل چدند از لب رودبار
✦
رخان چون گلستان و گل در کنار
“They gathered flowers along the riverbank, their cheeks like flower gardens, holding blossoms in their laps.”
#6
نگه کرد دستان ز تخت بلند
✦
بپرسید کاین گل پرستان کی َند
“Dastan looked down from his high throne and asked: 'Who are these flower-worshipers?'”
#7
چنین گفت گوینده با پهلوان
✦
که از کاخ مهراب روشن روان
“The speaker said to the hero: 'From the palace of Mehrab of enlightened soul,'”
#8
پرستندگان را سوی گلستان
✦
فرستد همی ماه کابلستان
“'The Moon of Kabulistan sends these handmaidens out into the rose garden.'”
#9
به نزد پری چهرگان رفت زال
✦
کمان خواست از ترک و بفراخت یال
“Zal went near those fairy-faced maidens; he called for his bow from his page and broadened his shoulders.”
#10
پیاده همی رفت جویان شکار
✦
خشیشار دید اندر آن رودبار
“He walked on foot seeking game, and spied a waterfowl resting in that river stream.”
#11
کمان ترک گلرخ به زه بر نهاد
✦
به دست جهان پهلوان در نهاد
“The rose-cheeked page strung the bow and placed it into the hands of the World-Champion.”
#12
نگه کرد تا مرغ برخاست ز آب
✦
یکی تیره بنداخت اندر شتاب
“He watched until the bird rose from the water, then shot an arrow in swift haste.”
#13
ز پروازش آورد گردان فرود
✦
چکان خون و وشی شده آب رود
“He brought it down from flight into the dust, dripping blood so that the river turned crimson.”
#14
به ترک آنگهی گفت زان سو گذر
✦
بیاور تو آن مرغ افگنده پر
“Then he said to the page: 'Cross to that bank and bring back that fallen bird.'”
#15
به کشتی گذر کرد ترک سترگ
✦
خرامید نزد پرستنده ترک
“The sturdy page crossed by boat and walked toward the handmaidens.”
#16
پرستنده پرسید کای پهلوان
✦
سخن گوی و بگشای شیرین زبان
“The maiden asked: 'O warrior, speak and open your sweet tongue!'”
#17
که این شیر بازو گو پیلتن
✦
چه مردست و شاه کدام انجمن
“'Who is this lion-armed, elephant-bodied champion, and of what assembly is he king?'”
#18
که بگشاد زین گونه تیر از کمان
✦
چه سنجد به پیش اندرش بدگمان
“'He who drew the bowstring in such fashion—what foe could stand against him?'”
#19
ندیدیم زیبنده تر زین سوار
✦
به تیر و کمان بر چنین کامگار
“'We have never seen a horseman more handsome, nor one so masterful with bow and arrow.'”
#20
پری روی دندان به لب برنهاد
✦
مکن گفت ازین گونه از شاه یاد
“The fair-faced page bit his lip and said: 'Do not speak of the king in such a casual manner!'”
#21
شه نیمروزست فرزند سام
✦
که دستانش خوانند شاهان به نام
“'He is the King of Nimruz, son of Sam, whom kings call Dastan by name.'”
#22
به گِردِ جهان گر بگردد سوار
✦
ازین سان نبیند یکی نامدار
“'Though a rider travel all around the world, he will find no renowned noble such as him.'”
#23
پرستنده با کودک ماه روی
✦
بخندید و گفتش که چندین مگوی
“The maiden laughed with the moon-faced youth and said to him: 'Do not boast so much!'”
#24
که ماهیست مهراب را در سرای
✦
به یک سر ز شاه تو برتر بپای
“'For within Mehrab's palace dwells a moon who stands higher than your king in every way.'”
#25
به بالای ساج است و همرنگ عاج
✦
یکی ایزدی بر سر از مشک تاج
“'Stately as the teak wood and fair as ivory, crowned with a divine crown of fragrant musk.'”
#26
دو نرگس دژم و دو ابرو به خم
✦
ستون دو ابرو چو سیمین قلم
“'Her two eyes are languid narcissi and her eyebrows arched; the space between them like a silver pen.'”
#27
دهانش به تنگی دل مستمند
✦
سر زلف چون حلقهٔ پای‌بند
“'Her mouth is small as the aching heart of a lover; her lock of hair like a fetter's ring.'”
#28
دو جادوش پر خواب و پرآب روی
✦
پر از لاله رخسار و پر مشک موی
“'Her magic eyes full of slumber, her skin fresh and fair; her cheeks blossom like tulips, her hair smells of musk.'”
#29
نفس را مگر بر لبش راه نیست
✦
چنو در جهان نیز یک ماه نیست
“'Breath itself scarce finds a path to her lips; there is no moon in the world like unto her.'”
#30
پرستندگان هر یکی آشکار
✦
همی کرد وصف رخ آن نگار
“Each of the maidens openly described the face of that beloved,”
#31
بدین چاره تا آن لب لعل فام
✦
کند آشنا با لب پور سام
“So that through this device those ruby lips might become acquainted with the lips of Sam's son.”
#32
چنین گفت با بندگان خوب چهر
✦
که با ماه خوبست رخشنده مهر
“Thus spoke the fair maiden to the servants: 'It is fitting for the radiant sun to match with such a moon.'”
#33
ولیکن به گفتن مگر روی نیست
✦
بود کاب را ره بدین جوی نیست
“'Yet peradventure there is no way to speak of it, or perhaps water cannot find a path to this stream.'”
#34
دلاور که پرهیز جوید ز جفت
✦
بماند به آسانی اندر نهفت
“'A brave knight who refrains from taking a mate remains quietly in obscurity.'”
#35
بدان تاش دختر نباشد ز بن
✦
نباید شنیدنش ننگ سخن
“'Lest he have a daughter born to him, so he need not hear the shame of common gossip.'”
#36
چنین گفت مر جفت را باز نر
✦
چو بر خایه بنشست و گسترد پر
“Thus spoke the male falcon to his mate when he sat upon the eggs and spread his wings:”
#37
کزین خایه گر مایه بیرون کنم
✦
ز پشت پدر خایه بیرون کنم
“'If I bring forth a worthy child from this egg, I perpetuate the lineage of my father.'”
#38
ازیشان چو برگشت خندان غلام
✦
بپرسید از او نامور پور سام
“When the page returned smiling from them, the renowned son of Sam questioned him:”
#39
که با تو چه گفت آن که خندان شدی
✦
گشاده لب و سیم دندان شدی
“'What did she tell you that caused you to return smiling, with lips parted and silver teeth showing?'”
#40
بگفت آنچه بشنید با پهلوان
✦
ز شادی دل پهلوان شد جوان
“He recited all he had heard to the hero; from that joy, the hero's heart grew young.”
#41
چنین گفت با ریدک ماه روی
✦
که رو مر پرستندگان را بگوی
“Thus spoke Zal to the moon-faced page: 'Go and tell those handmaidens:'”
#42
که از گلستان یک زمان مگذرید
✦
مگر با گل از باغ گوهر برید
“'Do not leave the rose garden for a moment, unless you take jewels alongside flowers from this garden.'”
#43
درم خواست و دینار و گوهر ز گنج
✦
گرانمایه دیبای زربفت پنج
“He requested silver, dirhams, dinars, and jewels from his treasury, and five precious garments of gold-woven brocade.”
#44
بفرمود کاین نزد ایشان برید
✦
کسی را مگوئید و پنهان برید
“He commanded: 'Take these to them, tell no one, and take them in secrecy.'”
#45
نباید شدن شان سوی کاخ باز
✦
بدان تا پیامی فرستم براز
“'They must not return to the palace yet, so that I may send them a secret message.'”
#46
برفتند زی ماه رخسار پنج
✦
ابا گرم گفتار و دینار و گنج
“The five maidens departed toward that moon-faced beauty, bearing warm words, gold coins, and treasure.”
#47
بدیشان سپردند زر و گهر
✦
پیام جهان پهلوان زال زر
“They delivered to her the gold, jewels, and the message of the world's champion, Zal-e Zar.”
#48
پرستنده با ماه دیدار گفت
✦
که هرگز نماند سخن در نهفت
“The maiden said to the moon-visaged lady: "A secret can never remain entirely hidden,"”
#49
مگر آنکه باشد میان دو تن
✦
سه تن نانهانست و چار انجمن
“"Unless it remains strictly between two souls; once three know it, it is no secret, and four make it a public gathering."”
#50
بگوی ای خردمند پاکیزه رای
✦
سخن گر به رازست با ما سرای
“"Speak, O wise maiden of pure mind! If you have a secret message, recount it to us."”
#51
پرستنده گفتند یک با دگر
✦
که آمد به دام اندرون شیر نر
“The maidens whispered to one another: "The fierce lion has now fallen into our snare!"”
#52
کنون کار رودابه و کام زال
✦
به جای آمد و این بود نیک فال
“"Now the desire of Rudaba and the wish of Zal shall be fulfilled; indeed, this is a happy omen."”
#53
بیامد سیه چشم گنجور شاه
✦
که بود اندر آن کار دستور شاه
“Then came the dark-eyed treasurer of the prince, who served as his trusted confidant in this affair.”
#54
سخن هر چه بشنید از آن دلنواز
✦
همی گفت پیش سپهبد به راز
“Whatever words he had heard from that enchanting maid, he conveyed in secret to the commander.”
#55
سپهبد خرامید تا گلستان
✦
بر امید خورشید کابلستان
“The warlord stepped forth toward the rose garden, filled with hope to behold the Sun of Kabolistan.”
#56
پری روی گلرخ بتان طراز
✦
برفتند و بردند پیشش نماز
“The fairy-faced, rosy-cheeked idols of Taraz stepped forward and bowed down in homage before him.”
#57
سپهبد بپرسید ازیشان سخن
✦
ز بالا و دیدار آن سرو بن
“The commander questioned them eagerly about the stature and countenance of that cypress-like maiden.”
#58
ز گفتار و دیدار و رای و خرد
✦
بدان تا به خوی وی اندر خورد
“He asked of her speech, appearance, intellect, and wisdom, seeking to know if her disposition matched his own.”
#59
بگویید با من یکایک سخن
✦
به کژی نگر نفگنید ایچ بن
“"Relate everything to me word for word, and beware of laying any foundation upon deceit!"”
#60
اگر راستی‌تان بود گفت‌وگوی
✦
به نزدیک من تان بود آبروی
“"If truth alone guides your speech, you shall find great honor and esteem in my sight."”
#61
وگر هیچ کژی گمانی برم
✦
به زیر پی پیلتان بسپرم
“"But if I suspect the slightest dishonesty, I shall cast you under the feet of elephants!"”
#62
رخ لاله رخ گشت چون سندروس
✦
به پیش سپهبد زمین داد بوس
“The tulip-cheeked maiden grew pale as sandarac, and kissed the ground before the commander.”
#63
چنین گفت کز مادر اندر جهان
✦
نزاید کس اندر میان مهان
“She spoke: "Never in this world has any mother borne a hero among the noble great,"”
#64
به دیدار سام و به بالای او
✦
به پاکی دل و دانش و رای او
“"Equal to Sam in majesty and stature, or in purity of heart, wisdom, and noble counsel."”
#65
دگر چون تو ای پهلوان دلیر
✦
بدین برز بالا و بازوی شیر
“"Nor another champion like thee, brave hero, with such tall stature and lion-like strength!"”
#66
همی می چکد گویی از روی تو
✦
عبیرست گویی مگر بوی تو
“"It seems as though wine drips from thy glowing face, and thy very scent is pure ambergris."”
#67
سه دیگر چو رودابهٔ ماه روی
✦
یکی سرو سیمست با رنگ و بوی
“"And thirdly, none equals moon-visaged Rudaba, a silver cypress endowed with radiant hue and fragrance."”
#68
ز سر تا به پایش گلست وسمن
✦
به سرو سهی بر سهیل یمن
“"From head to foot she is rose and jasmine, like Canopus shining over an upright cypress."”
#69
از آن گنبد سیم سر بر زمین
✦
فرو هشته بر گل کمند از کمین
“"From that silver dome, tresses fall down to the earth, casting a snaring lasso over the rose of her cheek."”
#70
به مشک و به عنبر سرش بافته
✦
به یاقوت و زمرد تنش تافته
“"Her hair is braided with musk and ambergris; her form shines bright like rubies and emeralds."”
#71
سر زلف و جعدش چو مشکین زره
✦
فگندست گویی گره بر گره
“"The tips of her curling tresses are like a chainmail of black musk, woven lock upon lock, knot upon knot."”
#72
ده انگشت برسان سیمین قلم
✦
برو کرده از غالیه صدرقم
“"Her ten fingers are like silver pens, traced over with a hundred delicate markings of scent and dye."”
#73
بت آرای چون او نبیند بچین
✦
برو ماه و پروین کنند آفرین
“"Even the idol-painters of China have never seen her equal; the Moon and the Pleiades rain praises upon her."”
#74
سپهبد پرستنده را گفت گرم
✦
سخنهای شیرین به آوای نرم
“The warlord answered the maiden warmly, speaking sweet words with a gentle tone:”
#75
که اکنون چه چارست با من بگوی
✦
یکی راه جستن به نزدیک اوی
“"Tell me now, what remedy remains to find a path into her presence?"”
#76
که ما را دل و جان پر از مهر اوست
✦
همه آرزو دیدن چهر اوست
“"For my heart and soul are filled with love for her, and my sole desire is to behold her face."”
#77
پرستنده گفتا چو فرمان دهی
✦
گذاریم تا کاخ سرو سهی
“The maiden replied: "If thou dost give the command, we shall make our way to the palace of that tall cypress."”
#78
ز فرخنده رای جهان پهلوان
✦
ز گفتار و دیدار روشن روان
“"With the fortunate counsel of the world's champion, and with words and sights that enlighten the spirit,"”
#79
فریبیم و گوییم هر گونه‌ای
✦
میان اندرون نیست واژونه‌ای
“"We shall weave pleasing words and clever arts, ensuring there is no twist or flaw between us."”
#80
سر مشک بویش به دام آوریم
✦
لبش زی لب پور سام آوریم
“"We shall bring her fragrant locks into our net, and bring her lips to meet the lips of Sam's valiant son!"”
#81
خرامد مگر پهلوان با کمند
✦
به نزدیک دیوار کاخ بلند
“Perchance the champion might tread with lasso in hand, drawing near to the wall of the lofty palace,”
#82
کند حلقه در گردن کنگره
✦
شود شیر شاد از شکار بره
“And cast the loop around the battlement, that the lion might rejoice in catching the lamb.”
#83
برفتند خوبان و برگشت زال
✦
دلش گشت با کام و شادی همال
“The fair maidens departed and Zal turned back, his heart now intertwined with joy and fulfillment.”