Word reached King Manuchehr of the secret passion binding Zal, the white-haired champion, to Rudabeh, the radiant daughter of Mehrab of Kabul. Grief and grave anxiety seized the monarch's heart. Manuchehr remembered how, through bitter war and divine wisdom, he and Fereydun before him had cleansed the realm of Zahhak's dragonish blight and restored peace to Iran. He feared that a union between Sam's heroic son and the bloodline of the Serpent King would cause Zahhak's malice to sprout anew, unleashing a champion who might turn his sword against the Iranian crown and plunge the world back into chaos. Gathering his Mobads and wise sages, the King sought their counsel; the sages praised the monarch's foresight, urging him to act with supreme wisdom.
Without delay, King Manuchehr summoned his son, Prince Nowzar, and dispatched him alongside elite chieftains and war-elephants to meet Sam, who was returning victorious from his campaign in the northern marches. Upon learning of the prince's approach, Sam rode out joyfully to receive him. They raised golden goblets, toasting first to King Manuchehr, and celebrated through the night in radiant camaraderie.
At dawn, to the thunder of drums and brass trumpets, the grand procession made its way toward the royal seat. From Sari to Amol, the earth boiled like a emerald sea, covered mountain to mountain by interlocked red and yellow shields and javelin-throwers. As Sam approached the imperial threshold, he dismounted in reverence and kissed the earth. Manuchehr arose from his ivory throne—adorned with shining rubies—and embraced the world-champion, seating Sam beside him upon the royal dais.
The King inquired of the fierce conflicts fought against the wolf-headed legions of Gurgsaran and the demons of Mazandaran. Sam bowed and recounted his exploits: 'May you live eternally, O King! I marched into the realm of savage beasts—creatures swifter than Arab chargers and fiercer than wild leopards. Though they swarmed like ants and locusts from dark caverns, I raised my single-blow mace and uttered a roar that turned the earth beneath them like a millstone. Then came Kakoy, their towering champion, wielding a heavy mace and long lasso. I loosed my steel-tipped arrows upon him, then reached forth with iron strength, dragged him from his saddle like a lion, and smashed him to the earth. With their lord struck down, twelve thousand of their war-band fell, and the remainder fled in terror.'
Hearing of this monumental triumph, King Manuchehr raised his crown to the heavens, celebrating the victory long into the night. Yet when dawn broke, the King’s tone turned stern. He laid a grave mandate upon Sam: 'Gather your chosen warriors and ride toward India and Kabul. Set fire to the palaces of Mehrab, put his kin to the sword, and burn out every remnant of Zahhak's lineage, lest that dragon's seed rise once more to bring ruin upon Iran.' Sam bowed low, pressed his face to the royal threshold, and set off at the head of his host to execute the King's absolute command.
#1
پس آگاهی آمد به شاه بزرگ
✦
ز مهراب و دستان سام سترگ
“Then news reached the great king of Mehrab and the grand son of Sam, Dastan.”
#2
ز پیوند مهراب وز مهر زال
✦
وزان ناهمالان گشته همال
“Of Mehrab's alliance and Zal's love, and how those of unequal station had become matches.”
#3
سخن رفت هر گونه با موبدان
✦
به پیش سرافراز شاه ردان
“The exalted monarch of noble leaders held counsel of every kind with his Mobads.”
#4
چنین گفت با بخردان شهریار
✦
که بر ما شود زین دژم روزگار
“Thus spoke the monarch to the wise sages: 'Our days will grow dark and bitter because of this.'”
#5
چو ایران ز چنگال شیر و پلنگ
✦
برون آوریدم به رای و به جنگ
“'When through wisdom and war I wrested Iran from the claws of lions and leopards...'”
#6
فریدون ز ضحاک گیتی بشست
✦
بترسم که آید ازان تخم رست
“'And Fereydun cleansed the world of Zahhak, I fear that evil seed will sprout anew.'”
#7
نباید که بر خیره از عشق زال
✦
همال سرافگنده گردد همال
“'Lest from Zal's reckless love, a fallen house rise equal to our sovereign line.'”
#8
چو از دخت مهراب و از پور سام
✦
برآید یکی تیغ تیز از نیام
“'For if a sharp sword be drawn from the sheath by the daughter of Mehrab and the son of Sam...'”
#9
اگر تاب گیرد سوی مادرش
✦
ز گفت پراگنده گردد سرش
“'If he turns toward his mother's lineage, his head will be turned by chaotic tales.'”
#10
کند شهر ایران پر آشوب و رنج
✦
بدو بازگردد مگر تاج و گنج
“'He will fill the land of Iran with turmoil and sorrow, seeking perhaps to reclaim the crown and treasure.'”
#11
همه موبدان آفرین خواندند
✦
ورا خسرو پاک‌دین خواندند
“All the Mobads sang praises, calling him a monarch of pure faith.”
#12
بگفتند کز ما تو داناتری
✦
به بایستها بر تواناتری
“They said: 'You are wiser than us all, and more capable in accomplishing what is needed.'”
#13
همان کن کجا با خرد درخورد
✦
دل اژدها را خرد بشکرد
“'Do that which accords with wisdom, for wisdom hunts the heart of the dragon.'”
#14
بفرمود تا نوذر آمدش پیش
✦
ابا ویژگان و بزرگان خویش
“The king commanded Nowzar to step forward, accompanied by his elite lords and nobles.”
#15
بدو گفت رو پیش سام سوار
✦
بپرسش که چون آمد از کارزار
“He said to him: 'Go before Sam the rider, ask how he fared in the battlefield.'”
#16
چو دیدی بگویش کزین‌سو گرای
✦
ز نزدیک ما کن سوی خانه رای
“'When you see him, tell him to turn toward us and make his way to our home.'”
#17
هم آنگاه برخاست فرزند شاه
✦
ابا ویژگان سرنهاده به راه
“At once the king's son arose, heading forth with his noble retinue.”
#18
سوی سام نیرم نهادند روی
✦
ابا ژنده‌پیلان پرخاش‌جوی
“They turned their faces toward Sam, son of Neyram, alongside fierce war-elephants.”
#19
چو زین کار سام یل آگاه شد
✦
پذیره سوی پور کی شاه شد
“When hero Sam learned of this, he went forth to receive the king's son.”
#20
ز پیش پدر نوذر نامدار
✦
بیامد به نزدیک سام سوار
“From his father's presence came renowned Nowzar, approaching Sam the rider.”
#21
همه نامداران پذیره شدند
✦
ابا ژنده‌پیل و تبیره شدند
“All the champions went out to meet him with mighty elephants and drums.”
#22
رسیدند پس پیش سام سوار
✦
بزرگان و کی نوذر نامدار
“Then the nobles and prince Nowzar came before Sam the hero.”
#23
پیام پدر شاه نوذر بداد
✦
به دیدار او سام یل گشت شاد
“Prince Nowzar delivered his father's message, and hero Sam rejoiced at seeing him.”
#24
چنین داد پاسخ که فرمان کنم
✦
ز دیدار او رامش جان کنم
“Sam replied: 'I obey his royal command, and my soul takes comfort in seeing him.'”
#25
نهادند خوان و گرفتند جام
✦
نخست از منوچهر بردند نام
“They set the feast tables and raised their cups, first invoking the name of Manuchehr.”
#26
پس از نوذر و سام و هر مهتری
✦
گرفتند شادی ز هر کشوری
“Then to Nowzar, Sam, and every chieftain, joy spread across all lands.”
#27
به شادی درآمد شب دیریاز
✦
چو خورشید رخشنده بگشاد راز
“The long night turned to joy, until the shining sun unveiled its secret.”
#28
خروش تبیره برآمد ز در
✦
هیون دلاور برآورد پر
“The blare of war-drums rose from the gates, and brave steeds spread their wings.”
#29
سوی بارگاه منوچهر شاه
✦
به فرمان او برگرفتند راه
“By his command, they set forth toward the court of King Manuchehr.”
#30
منوچهر چون یافت زو آگهی
✦
بیاراست دیهیم شاهنشهی
“When Manuchehr learned of his approach, he adorned the imperial throne.”
#31
ز ساری و آمل برآمد خروش
✦
چو دریای سبز اندر آمد به جوش
“A roar arose from Sari and Amol, boiling like the green sea.”
#32
ببستند آیین ژوپین وران
✦
برفتند با خشتهای گران
“The javelin-throwers stood in rank, marching with heavy spears.”
#33
سپاهی که از کوه تا کوه مرد
✦
سپر در سپر ساخته سرخ و زرد
“An army stretching from mountain to mountain, shields interlocked in red and yellow.”
#34
ابا کوس و با نای رویین و سنج
✦
ابا تازی اسپان و پیلان و گنج
“With war-drums, brass trumpets, and cymbals, with Arabian horses, elephants, and treasures.”
#35
ازین گونه لشکر پذیره شدند
✦
بسی با درفش و تبیره شدند
“Thus the army went forth to welcome him, abundant with banners and kettle-drums.”
#36
چو آمد به نزدیکی بارگاه
✦
پیاده شد و راه بگشاد شاه
“When Sam came near the royal court, he dismounted and the king cleared his path.”
#37
چو شاه جهاندار بگشاد روی
✦
زمین را ببوسید و شد پیش اوی
“When the world-ruling monarch revealed his face, Sam kissed the earth and stepped before him.”
#38
منوچهر برخاست از تخت عاج
✦
ز یاقوت رخشنده بر سرش تاج
“Manuchehr rose from his ivory throne, a glowing ruby crown upon his head.”
#39
بر خویش بر تخت بنشاختش
✦
چنان چون سزا بود بنواختش
“He seated him beside himself upon the throne and honored him as was his due.”
#40
وزان گرگ‌ساران جنگاور‌ان
✦
وزان نره دیوان مازندران
“Of those warlike wolf-heads and those fierce demons of Mazandaran,”
#41
بپرسید و بسیار تیمار خورد
✦
سپهبد سخن یک به یک یاد کرد
“The king inquired with great care, and the commander recounted the tale step by step:”
#42
که نوشه زی ای شاه تا جاودان
✦
ز جان تو کوته بد بدگمان
“'May you live forever, O King! May evil thoughts stay far from your soul!'”
#43
برفتم بران شهر دیوان نر
✦
نه دیوان که شیران جنگی به بر
“'I marched into that city of fierce demons—nay, not demons, but fighting lions in stature,'”
#44
که از تازی اسپان تکاور‌ترند
✦
ز گردان ایران دلاور‌ترند
“'Swifter than Arab chargers, braver than the warriors of Iran.'”
#45
سپاهی که سگسار خوانندشان
✦
پلنگان جنگی نمایندشان
“'An army whom they call Sagsar, appearing like ferocious leopards in battle.'”
#46
ز من چون بدیشان رسید آگهی
✦
از آواز من مغزشان شد تهی
“When news of my approach reached them, the thunder of my voice robbed them of their wits.”
#47
به شهر اندرون نعره برداشتند
✦
ازان پس همه شهر بگذاشتند
“They raised a loud cry within the city, and straightway abandoned the whole town behind them.”
#48
همه پیش من جنگ جوی آمدند
✦
چنان خیره و پوی پوی آمدند
“Yet they marched out eager for battle before me, rushing blindly and impetuously forward.”
#49
سپه جنب جنبان شد و روز تار
✦
پس اندر فراز آمد و پیش غار
“The army surged forward, darkening the light of day, advancing from behind and crowding before the cave.”
#50
نبیره جهاندار سام بزرگ
✦
به پیش سپاه اندر آمد چو گرگ
“The scion of the world-ruler Kakuy charged at the head of that host like a fierce wolf.”
#51
سپاهی به کردار مور و ملخ
✦
نبد دشت پیدا نه کوه و نه شخ
“An army like swarms of ants and locusts covered the land, so vast that neither plain, nor mountain, nor rugged ground could be seen.”
#52
چو برخاست زان لشکر گشن گرد
✦
رخ نامداران ما گشت زرد
“As a dense cloud of dust arose from that massive host, the faces of our renowned warriors turned pale.”
#53
من این گرز یک زخم برداشتم
✦
سپه را هم آنجای بگذاشتم
“I raised high this single-strike mace of mine, leaving our army standing where they were, and charged alone.”
#54
خروشی خروشیدم از پشت زین
✦
که چون آسیا شد بریشان زمین
“I uttered such a thunderous roar from atop my saddle that the earth turned beneath them like a millstone.”
#55
دل آمد سپه را همه بازجای
✦
سراسر سوی رزم کردند رای
“Heart and courage returned to my troops, and with one heart they resolved upon the battle.”
#56
چو بشنید کاکوی آواز من
✦
چنان زخم سرباز کوپال من
“When Kakuy heard the roar of my voice and saw the lethal blow of my heavy mace,”
#57
بیامد به نزدیک من جنگ ساز
✦
چو پیل ژیان با کمند دراز
“He came toward me eager for battle, like a furious elephant wielding a long lasso.”
#58
مرا خواست کارد به خم کمند
✦
چو دیدم خمیدم ز راه گزند
“He sought to entangle me in the coils of his lasso, but seeing his intent, I ducked out of harm's way.”
#59
کمان کیانی گرفتم به چنگ
✦
به پیکان پولاد و تیر خدنگ
“I grasped the royal bow in my grip, nocking a steel-tipped arrow of tough poplar wood.”
#60
عقاب تکاور برانگیختم
✦
چو آتش بدو بر تبر ریختم
“I spurred my swift charger—swift as an eagle—and rained blows upon him like fire.”
#61
گمانم چنان بد که سندان سرش
✦
که شد دوخته مغز تا مغفرش
“I had thought his head was as hard as an anvil, yet his brain was pierced straight through to his helmet.”
#62
نگه کردم از گرد چون پیل مست
✦
برآمد یکی تیغ هندی به دست
“I looked through the dust, and like a mad elephant he emerged, an Indian blade raised high in his hand.”
#63
چنان آمدم شهریارا گمان
✦
کزو کوه زنهار خواهد بجان
“O King, I deemed that even a mountain would beg him for quarter to save its life.”
#64
وی اندر شتاب و من اندر درنگ
✦
همی جستمش تا کی آید به چنگ
“He moved in haste while I held back with patience, watching for the moment he would fall into my hands.”
#65
چو آمد به نزدیک من سرفراز
✦
من از چرمه چنگال کردم دراز
“When that haughty warrior drew near me, I reached out my grasp from atop my gray steed.”
#66
گرفتم کمربند مرد دلیر
✦
ز زین برگسستم بکردار شیر
“I seized the valiant warrior by his belt and ripped him from his saddle like a lion.”
#67
زدم بر زمین بر چو پیل ژیان
✦
بدین آهنین دست و گردی میان
“With these iron hands and warrior's strength, I slammed him to the earth like an enraged elephant.”
#68
چو افگنده شد شاه زین گونه خوار
✦
سپه روی برگشت از کارزار
“When their king was thus ignominiously laid low, his army turned their faces from the battle and fled.”
#69
نشیب و فراز بیابان و کوه
✦
به هر سو شده مردمان هم گروه
“Across the heights and hollows of desert and mountain, the routed people fled in scattered bands on every side.”
#70
سوار و پیاده ده و دو هزار
✦
فگنده پدید آمد اندر شمار
“Twelve thousand fallen, both horsemen and foot soldiers, lay slain upon the field when counted.”
#71
چو بشنید گفتار سالار شاه
✦
برافراخت تا ماه فرخ کلاه
“When the King heard his general's tale, his glorious crown seemed to reach up to the moon with pride.”
#72
چو روز از شب آمد بکوشش ستوه
✦
ستوهی گرفته فرو شد به کوه
“As day grew weary from its toil against the night, the weary sun sank low behind the mountains.”
#73
می و مجلس آراست شد شادمان
✦
جهان پاک دید از بد بدگمان
“The King ordered a feast with wine and rejoiced, seeing the world cleansed of malicious evil.”
#74
به بگماز کوتاه کردند شب
✦
به یاد سپهبد گشادند لب
“They shortened the night with wine, raising their goblets in honor of the grand commander.”
#75
چو شب روز شد پردهٔ بارگاه
✦
گشادند و دادند زی شاه راه
“When night gave way to dawn, they drew aside the court curtains and granted passage to the monarch.”
#76
بیامد سپهدار سام سترگ
✦
به نزد منوچهر شاه بزرگ
“The mighty general Sam presented himself before the presence of the great King Manuchehr.”
#77
چنین گفت با سام شاه جهان
✦
کز ایدر برو با گزیده مهان
“Thus spoke the lord of the world to Sam: "Depart from here alongside chosen nobles;”
#78
به هندوستان آتش اندر فروز
✦
همه کاخ مهراب و کابل بسوز
“Set Hindustān ablaze with fire, and burn to ashes Kabul and the entire palace of Mehrab!”
#79
نباید که او یابد از بد رها
✦
که او ماند از بچهٔ اژدها
“He must not escape calamity, for he springs from the demonic brood of the dragon!"”
#80
زمان تا زمان زو برآید خروش
✦
شود رام گیتی پر از جنگ و جوش
“"Lest time and again a clamor arise from him, and the peaceful world become filled with turmoil and war."”
#81
هر آنکس که پیوستهٔ او بود
✦
بزرگان که در دستهٔ او بود
“Everyone who is allied with him, and all the nobles who belong to his faction—”
#82
سر از تن جدا کن زمین را بشوی
✦
ز پیوند ضحاک و خویشان اوی
“Sever their heads from their bodies and cleanse the earth of the lineage of Zahhak and his kin!”
#83
چنین داد پاسخ که ایدون کنم
✦
که کین از دل شاه بیرون کنم
“Sam replied: 'I shall do even so, and rid the King's heart of this hatred.'”
#84
ببوسید تخت و بمالید روی
✦
بران نامور مهر انگشت اوی
“He kissed the throne, pressed his face to the dust, and paid homage to the famous royal seal upon the king's finger.”
#85
سوی خانه بنهاد سر با سپاه
✦
بدان باد پایان جوینده راه
“He set out toward home alongside his army, riding swift steeds that eagerly traversed the path.”