#1
به مهراب و دستان رسید این سخن
✦
که شاه و سپهبد فگندند بن
“Word reached Mehrab and Dastan that the King and the commander had resolved upon destruction.”
#2
خروشان ز کابل همی رفت زال
✦
فروهشته لفج و برآورده یال
“Roaring with fury, Zal departed from Kabul, his lips drooping in grief and his mane bristling with rage.”
#3
همی گفت اگر اژدهای دژم
✦
بیاید که گیتی بسوزد به دم
“He declared: 'If a furious dragon were to come and burn the world with its breath,'”
#4
چو کابلستان را بخواهد بسود
✦
نخستین سر من بباید درود
“'Before it touches Kabulistan, my own head must first be severed.'”
#5
به پیش پدر شد پر از خون جگر
✦
پر اندیشه دل پر ز گفتار سر
“He came before his father with a bleeding heart, a mind full of sorrow, and a head spinning with grievances.”
#6
چو آگاهی آمد به سام دلیر
✦
که آمد ز ره بچهٔ نره شیر
“When tidings came to brave Sam that the cub of the male lion had arrived from the road,”
#7
همه لشکر از جای برخاستند
✦
درفش فریدون بیاراستند
“The entire host rose from their places and adorned the ancient banner of Fereydun.”
#8
پذیره شدن را تبیره زدند
✦
سپاه و سپهبد پذیره شدند
“They sounded the drums of welcome, and both the host and their commander marched forth to receive him.”
#9
همه پشت پیلان به رنگین درفش
✦
بیاراسته سرخ و زرد و بنفش
“The backs of the elephants were decorated with colorful banners of red, yellow, and violet.”
#10
چو روی پدر دید دستان سام
✦
پیاده شد از اسپ و بگذارد گام
“When Dastan saw the face of his father Sam, he dismounted from his horse and stepped forward on foot.”
#11
بزرگان پیاده شدند از دو روی
✦
چه سالارخواه و چه سالارجوی
“The grandees from both sides dismounted as well, both those loyal to the chief and those seeking leadership.”
#12
زمین را ببوسید زال دلیر
✦
سخن گفت با او پدر نیز دیر
“Brave Zal kissed the earth, and his father spoke long with him in greeting.”
#13
نشست از بر تازی اسپ سمند
✦
چو زرین درخشنده کوهی بلند
“He then mounted a golden-hued Arabian steed, towering like a shining mountain of gold.”
#14
بزرگان همه پیش او آمدند
✦
به تیمار و با گفت و گو آمدند
“The grandees all came before him, approaching with solicitude and gentle counsel,”
#15
که آزرده گشتست بر تو پدر
✦
یکی پوزش آور مکش هیچ سر
“Saying: 'Your father is grieved on your account; offer an apology and do not turn away in anger.'”
#16
چنین داد پاسخ کزین باک نیست
✦
سرانجام آخر به جز خاک نیست
“Zal replied: 'I have no fear of this, for in the end, nothing remains of man but dust.'”
#17
پدر گر به مغز اندر آرد خرد
✦
همانا سخن بر سخن نگذرد
“'If my father brings wisdom into his heart, surely he will listen to reason without dispute.'”
#18
و گر برگشاید زبان را به خشم
✦
پس از شرمش آب اندر آرم به چشم
“'And if he opens his tongue in anger, I will bring water of shame into his eyes through his own remorse.'”
#19
چنین تا به درگاه سام آمدند
✦
گشاده‌دل و شادکام آمدند
“Thus they proceeded until they arrived at Sam's court, open-hearted and joyful.”
#20
فرود آمد از باره سام سوار
✦
هم اندر زمان زال را داد بار
“The horseman Sam dismounted from his steed and immediately granted audience to Zal.”
#21
چو زال اندر آمد به پیش پدر
✦
زمین را ببوسید و گسترد بر
“When Zal entered before his father, he kissed the ground and prostrated himself.”
#22
یکی آفرین کرد بر سام گرد
✦
وزاب دو نرگس همی گل سترد
“He praised Sam the hero, wiping tears from his narcissus eyes upon his cheeks.”
#23
که بیدار دل پهلوان شاد باد
✦
روانش گرایندهٔ داد باد
“Saying: 'May the awake-hearted champion be joyful, and may his spirit ever lean toward justice!'”
#24
ز تیغ تو الماس بریان شود
✦
زمین روز جنگ از تو گریان شود
“'From your blade, diamond burns, and the earth weeps on the day of battle because of you.'”
#25
کجا دیزهٔ تو چمد روز جنگ
✦
شتاب آید اندر سپاه درنگ
“'Wherever your steed prances on the day of war, haste enters the army of delay.'”
#26
سپهری کجا باد گُرز تو دید
✦
همانا ستاره نیارد کشید
“'Whatever sphere of heaven has seen the wind of your mace, surely no star dares to pull against it.'”
#27
زمین نَسپَرد شیر با داد تو
✦
روان و خرد کشته بنیاد تو
“'The lion does not tread the earth with such justice as yours; your soul and wisdom are the foundation of equity.'”
#28
همه مردم از داد تو شادمان
✦
ز تو داد یابد زمین و زمان
“'All people are glad of your justice, and from you, earth and time receive equity.'”
#29
مگر من که از داد بی‌بهره‌ام
✦
و گرچه به پیوند تو شهره‌ام
“'Save for me, who am deprived of justice, though I am famous as your lineage.'”
#30
یکی مرغ پرورده‌ام خاک خورد
✦
به گیتی مرا نیست با کس نبرد
“'I am a bird-reared child who eats the dust; I have no quarrel with anyone in this world.'”
#31
ندانم همی خویشتن را گناه
✦
که بر من کسی را بران هست راه
“'I know of no fault in myself that could give anyone cause against me,'”
#32
مگر آنکه سام یلستم پدر
✦
و گر هست با این نژادم هنر
“'Save that Sam the hero is my father—if indeed there is honor in such lineage!'”
#33
ز مادر بزادم بینداختی
✦
به کوه اندرم جایگه ساختی
“'When I was born of my mother, you cast me away; you made my dwelling upon the mountain.'”
#34
فگندی به تیمار زاینده را
✦
به آتش سپردی فزاینده را
“'You cast the mother into anguish, and you committed the growing child to the fire.'”
#35
ترا با جهان آفرین نیست جنگ
✦
که از چه سیاه و سپیدست رنگ
“'You have no fight with the Creator of the world—why quarrel over whether color is black or white?'”
#36
کنون کم جهان آفرین پرورید
✦
به چشم خدایی به من بنگرید
“'Now that the Creator of the world has reared me, look upon me with Godly eyes.'”
#37
ابا گنج و با تخت و گُرز گران
✦
ابا رای و با تاج و تخت و سران
“'With all your treasure, throne, heavy mace, counsel, crown, and noble chiefs,'”
#38
نشستم به کابل به فرمان تو
✦
نگه داشتم رای و پیمان تو
“'I sat in Kabul by your command; I kept your counsel and your covenant.'”
#39
که گر کینه جویی نیازارمت
✦
درختی که کشتی به بار آرمت
“'I said: if you seek vengeance, I will not grieve you; I will bring to fruit the tree you planted.'”
#40
ز مازندران هدیه این ساختی
✦
هم از گرگساران بدین تاختی
“'Did you bring this gift from Mazandaran? Did you launch your assault on Gorgasaran for this?'”
#41
که ویران کنی خان آباد من
✦
چنین داد خواهی همی داد من
“'That you should ruin my prosperous home? Is this how you dispense justice unto me?'”
#42
من اینک به پیش تو استاده‌ام
✦
تن بنده خشم ترا داده‌ام
“'Behold, I stand before you now; I have surrendered my servant body to your wrath.'”
#43
به اره میانم بدو نیم کن
✦
ز کابل مپیمای با من سخن
“'Cut my waist in two with a saw, but speak no more to me of destroying Kabul!'”
#44
سپهبد چو بشنید گفتار زال
✦
برافراخت گوش و فرو برد یال
“When the commander heard Zal's speech, he raised his ears and lowered his mane in remorse.”
#45
بدو گفت آری همینست راست
✦
زبان تو بر راستی بر گواست
“He said to him: 'Yes, this is true; your tongue bears witness to righteousness.'”
#46
همه کار من با تو بیداد بود
✦
دل دشمنان بر تو بر شاد بود
“All my dealings with thee were unjust and cold; it brought only joy to enemies of old.”
#47
ز من آرزو خود همین خواستی
✦
به تنگی دل از جای برخاستی
“Thou hast asked of me but this single desire, arising with a heart aggrieved and on fire.”
#48
مشو تیز تا چارهٔ کار تو
✦
بسازم کنون نیز بازار تو
“Be not impatient; I shall seek a remedy for thy plight, and prosper thy affairs and bring them to light.”
#49
یکی نامه فرمایم اکنون به شاه
✦
فرستم به دست تو ای نیک‌خواه
“Now shall I command a letter to the King, which thou, my loyal son, thyself shalt bring.”
#50
سخن هر چه باید به یاد آورم
✦
روان و دلش سوی داد آورم
“I shall recall every word that must be said, to turn his soul and heart to justice instead.”
#51
اگر یار باشد جهاندار ما
✦
به کام تو گردد همه کار ما
“If the Ruler of the World be our aid and stay, all our affairs shall turn according to thy way.”
#52
نویسنده را پیش بنشاندند
✦
ز هر در سخنها همی راندند
“They seated the scribe before them in state, and of many matters did they converse and debate.”
#53
سرنامه کرد آفرین خدای
✦
کجا هست و باشد همیشه به جای
“The letter opened with praise to God on high, Who exists evermore and shall never die.”
#54
ازویست نیک و بد و هست و نیست
✦
همه بندگانیم و ایزد یکیست
“From Him come good and ill, all that is and is not; we are all His servants, and one is God's lot.”
#55
هر آن چیز کو ساخت اندر بوش
✦
بران است چرخ روان را روش
“Whatever He fashioned in His boundless plan, controls the revolve of heaven's revolving span.”
#56
خداوند کیوان و خورشید و ماه
✦
وزو آفرین بر منوچهر شاه
“The Lord of Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon—may His praise rest upon King Manuchehr as a boon.”
#57
به رزم اندرون زهر تریاک سوز
✦
به بزم اندرون ماه گیتی فروز
“In battle, a poison that destroys all antidote; in feast, a world-illuminating moon of note.”
#58
گراینده گُرز و گشاینده شهر
✦
ز شادی به هر کس رساننده بهر
“Wielder of the mace, conqueror of cities great, bestowing joy and fortune upon all in every state.”
#59
کشنده درفش فریدون به جنگ
✦
کشنده سرافراز جنگی پلنگ
“Bearer of Fereydun’s standard in fight, slayer of fierce and proud leopards of might.”
#60
ز باد عمود تو کوه بلند
✦
شود خاک نعل سرافشان سمند
“Before the gust of thy mace, the lofty peak turns to dust beneath the shod hoof of the steed swift and sleek.”
#61
همان از دل پاک و پاکیزه کیش
✦
به آبشخور آری همی گرگ و میش
“With thy pure heart and righteous creed, thou bringest wolf and lamb to drink together in harmony and speed.”
#62
یکی بنده‌ام من رسیده به جای
✦
به مردی به شَست اندر آورده پای
“I am a servant grown old in thy domain, who once placed his foot in the stirrup with manly might and strain.”
#63
همی گرد کافور گیرد سرم
✦
چنین کرد خورشید و ماه افسرم
“Now camphor dust settles upon my head; the sun and moon have turned my crown white instead.”
#64
ببستم میان را یکی بنده‌وار
✦
ابا جاودان ساختم کارزار
“Like a faithful slave, I girt my waist with resolve, and fought against sorcerers to make their dark deeds dissolve.”
#65
عنان پیچ و اسپ افگن و گُرزدار
✦
چو من کس ندیدی به گیتی سوار
“A master of reins, horse-feller, wielder of the mace—thou hast seen no horseman like me in all the world's expanse.”
#66
بشد آب گردان مازندران
✦
چو من دست بردم به گُرز گران
“The pride of Mazandaran’s champions dissolved in fear, when I raised my heavy mace and brought destruction near.”
#67
ز من گر نبودی به گیتی نشان
✦
برآورده گردن ز گردن کشان
“Had my name and trace not existed in the world, the proud rebels would have raised their heads and banners unfurled.”
#68
چنان اژدها کو ز رود کشف
✦
برون آمد و کرد گیتی چو کف
“Like that dragon which emerged from the River Kashaf, and churned the wide earth into white foam and chaff.”
#69
زمین شهر تا شهر پهنای او
✦
همان کوه تا کوه بالای او
“Its width stretched from city to city across the land, its height reached from mountain to mountain, vast and grand.”
#70
جهان را ازو بود دل پر هراس
✦
همی داشتندی شب و روز پاس
“The world's heart was filled with terror of its sight; people kept watch and guard both by day and by night.”
#71
هوا پاک دیدم ز پرندگان
✦
همان روی گیتی ز درندگان
“I saw the air emptied of flying birds on high, and the earth stripped of all beasts under the sky.”
#72
ز تفش همی پر کرگس بسوخت
✦
زمین زیر زهرش همی برفروخت
“The heat of its breath burned the vulture's wing in flight; the earth beneath its venom blazed hot and bright.”
#73
نهنگ دژم بر کشیدی ز آب
✦
به دم درکشیدی ز گردون عقاب
“It pulled ferocious sea-monsters out of the deep, and sucked down eagles from high heaven with its breath's sweep.”
#74
زمین گشت بی‌مردم و چارپای
✦
همه یکسر او را سپردند جای
“The earth became devoid of people and of beast; all abandoned the region to its terrifying feast.”
#75
چو دیدم که اندر جهان کس نبود
✦
که با او همی دست یارست سود
“When I saw that none in the world possessed the nerve, to dare raise a hand against it or swerve,”
#76
به زور جهاندار یزدان پاک
✦
بیفگندم از دل همه ترس و باک
“Relying on the strength of God, pure and supreme, I cast away all dread and fear like a passing dream.”
#77
میان را ببستم به نام بلند
✦
نشستم بران پیل پیکر سمند
“I girded my waist in the name of glorious renown, and mounted my elephant-bodied steed of renown.”
#78
به زین اندرون گُرزهٔ گاوسر
✦
به بازو کمان و به گردن سپر
“With the bull-headed mace attached at my saddle-tree, bow on my arm, and shield on neck for all to see.”
#79
برفتم بسان نهنگ دژم
✦
مرا تیز چنگ و ورا تیز دم
“I advanced like a fierce sea-monster enraged; I with sharp claws, and it with sharp tail engaged.”
#80
مرا کرد پدرود هرکو شنید
✦
که بر اژدها گُرز خواهم کشید
“Whoever heard that I went to raise my heavy mace against the dragon, bade me farewell with tears on their face.”
#81
ز سر تا به دمش چو کوه بلند
✦
کشان موی سر بر زمین چون کمند
“From its head to its tail it was high as a mountain, dragging the hair of its crest like a lasso upon the ground.”
#82
زبانش بسان درختی سیاه
✦
ز فر باز کرده فگنده به راه
“Its tongue was like a blackened tree trunk, outstretched and lying across the pathway with terrifying might.”
#83
چو دو آبگیرش پر از خون دو چشم
✦
مرا دید غرید و آمد به خشم
“Its twin eyes appeared like two pools filled with blood; when it caught sight of me, it roared with fierce anger.”
#84
گمانی چنان بردم ای شهریار
✦
که دارم مگر آتش اندر کنار
“I thought to myself, O King, as though a blazing fire had been kindled right beside me.”
#85
جهان پیش چشمم چو دریا نمود
✦
به ابر سیه بر شده تیره دود
“The world before my eyes turned into a churning ocean, while dark smoke billowed up into black clouds.”
#86
ز بانگش بلرزید روی زمین
✦
ز زهرش زمین شد چو دریای چین
“At its roar, the surface of the earth trembled, and from its venom, the land became as turbulent as the Sea of China.”
#87
برو بر زدم بانگ برسان شیر
✦
چنان چون بود کار مرد دلیر
“I let out a roar against it like a fierce lion, even as behoves the deed of a valiant warrior.”
#88
یکی تیر الماس پیکان خدنگ
✦
به چرخ اندرون راندم بی‌درنگ
“I promptly notched a poplar arrow with a diamond tip upon my bowstring and shot it forth.”
#89
چو شد دوخته یک کران از دهانش
✦
بماند از شگفتی به بیرون زبانش
“When one side of its maw was pinned fast, its tongue remained hanging out in utter astonishment.”
#90
هم اندر زمان دیگری همچنان
✦
زدم بر دهانش بپیچید ازان
“Instantly, I shot another arrow in like manner into its jaws, twisting it with agony.”
#91
سدیگر زدم بر میان زفرش
✦
برآمد همی جوی خون از جگرش
“I struck a third arrow through the middle of its maw, until streams of blood gushed out from its liver.”
#92
چو تنگ اندر آورد با من زمین
✦
برآهختم این گاوسر گُرز کین
“When it closed in and narrowed the ground for me, I drew forth this ox-headed mace of vengeance.”
#93
به نیروی یزدان گیهان خدای
✦
برانگیختم پیلتن را ز جای
“By the strength of God, the Lord of the universe, I spurred my elephant-like body forward.”
#94
زدم بر سرش گُرزهٔ گاو چهر
✦
برو کوه بارید گفتی سپهر
“I struck its head with the ox-faced mace, as if the heavens had rained a whole mountain upon it.”
#95
شکستم سرش چون تن ژنده پیل
✦
فرو ریخت زو زهر چون رود نیل
“I shattered its skull like the body of a giant elephant, and its poison poured out like the River Nile.”
#96
به زخمی چنان شد که دیگر نخاست
✦
ز مغزش زمین گشت باکوه راست
“With that single blow, it fell never to rise again; from its scattered brains, the ground leveled with the mountains.”
#97
کشف رود پر خون و زرداب شد
✦
زمین جای آرامش و خواب شد
“The Kashaf River ran full of blood and yellow venom, and the land once more became a realm of peace and sleep.”
#98
همه کوهساران پر از مرد و زن
✦
همی آفرین خواندندی بمن
“All the mountains echoed with men and women, showering praises and blessings upon me.”
#99
جهانی بران جنگ نظاره بود
✦
که آن اژدها زشت پتیاره بود
“The whole world had been watching that battle, for that dragon was a hideously evil monster.”
#100
مرا سام یک زخم ازان خواندند
✦
جهان زر و گوهر برافشاندند
“Henceforth they named me 'Sam of One Strike', and scattered gold and jewels over the world.”
#101
چو زو بازگشتم تن روشنم
✦
برهنه شد از نامور جوشنم
“When I returned from that fight, my glorious mail was shredded from my radiant body.”
#102
فرو ریخت از باره برگستوان
✦
وزین هست هر چند رانم زیان
“The armor fell away from my steed; yet if I speak further of this, it is but repetition.”
#103
بران بوم تا سالیان بر نبود
✦
جز از سوخته خار خاور نبود
“For years thereafter, nothing grew upon that land save for burnt thorns of the east.”
#104
چنین و جزین هر چه بودیم رای
✦
سران را سرآوردمی زیر پای
“In such fashion and whatever was my intent, I brought the heads of rulers under my feet.”
#105
کجا من چمانیدمی بادپای
✦
بپرداختی شیر درنده جای
“Wherever I galloped my swift charger, even ferocious lions would abandon their lairs.”
#106
کنون چند سالست تا پشت زین
✦
مرا تختگاه است و اسپم زمین
“Now for years the saddle-back has been my throne, and the open earth my steed's domain.”
#107
همه گرگساران و مازنداران
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به تو راست کردم به گُرز گران
“I subdued Gorgsaran and Mazandaran for you, all with the weight of my heavy mace.”
#108
نکردم زمانی برو بوم یاد
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ترا خواستم راد و پیروز و شاد
“Not for a moment did I long for rest in those lands; I sought only your noble victory and joy.”
#109
کنون این برافراخته یال من
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همان زخم کوبنده کوپال من
“Now this neck of mine, once held high, and this heavy club that crushed my foes...”
#110
بدان هم که بودی نماند همی
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بر و گردگاهم خماند همی
“Remain no longer as they used to be; age bends my chest and my back.”
#111
کمندی بینداخت از دست شست
✦
زمانه مرا باژگونه ببست
“Time has cast a lasso from its hidden hand, binding me helpless and upside-down.”
#112
سپردیم نوبت کنون زال را
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که شاید کمربند و کوپال را
“I have now turned the turn over to Zal, who is worthy of carrying the belt and the mace.”
#113
یکی آرزو دارد اندر نهان
✦
بیاید بخواهد ز شاه جهان
“He harbors a desire deep in his heart, and comes before the King of the World to request it.”
#114
یکی آرزو کان به یزدان نکوست
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کجا نیکویی زیر فرمان اوست
“A wish that is pleasing in the sight of God, under whose sovereign decree lies all goodness.”
#115
نکردیم بی‌رای شاه بزرگ
✦
که بنده نباید که باشد سترگ
“We did nothing without the counsel of the great King, for a servant must never act arrogantly.”
#116
همانا که با زال پیمان من
✦
شنیدست شاه جهان‌بان من
“Truly, my lord and guardian of the world has heard of the solemn covenant I made with Zal,”
#117
که از رای او سر نپیچم به هیچ
✦
درین روزها کرد زی من بسیچ
“That I should never turn away from his desire; thus, in these recent days, he set out and came to me.”
#118
به پیش من آمد پر از خون رخان
✦
همی چاک چاک آمدش ز استخوان
“He came before me with cheeks steeped in tears of blood, his bitter anguish piercing him to the very bone.”
#119
مرا گفت بردار آمل کنی
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سزاتر که آهنگ کابل کنی
“He said to me: 'It were more fitting for thee to level Amol to the ground than to launch an attack on Kabul.'”
#120
چو پروردهٔ مرغ باشد به کوه
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نشانی شده در میان گروه
“'One who was nurtured by a bird upon the mountain height, becoming a renowned marvel among all folk—'”
#121
چنان ماه بیند به کابلستان
✦
چو سرو سهی بر سرش گلستان
“'—Now beholds such a moon in Kabulistan, tall as an upright cypress crowned with a garden of roses.'”
#122
چو دیوانه گردد نباشد شگفت
✦
ازو شاه را کین نباید گرفت
“'If he be driven mad by love, 'tis no marvel; the King ought not to harbor vengeance against him.'”
#123
کنون رنج مهرش به جایی رسید
✦
که بخشایش آرد هر آن کش بدید
“'Now the torment of his devotion hath reached such a pass that whosoever beholds him is moved to compassion.'”
#124
ز بس درد کو دید بر بی‌گناه
✦
چنان رفت پیمان که بشنید شاه
“For all the anguish he suffered in his innocence, the covenant was sworn, just as the King hath heard.”
#125
گسی کردمش با دلی مستمند
✦
چو آید به نزدیک تخت بلند
“I have dispatched him unto thee with an aching heart; when he approacheth thy exalted throne,”
#126
همان کن که با مهتری در خورد
✦
ترا خود نیاموخت باید خرد
“Do that which is worthy of supreme majesty, for wisdom itself needs not be taught to thee.”
#127
چو نامه نوشتند و شد رای راست
✦
ستد زود دستان و بر پای خاست
“When the letter was written and the counsel made firm, Dastan swiftly received it and stood upon his feet.”
#128
چو خورشید سر سوی خاور نهاد
✦
نخفت و نیاسود تا بامداد
“As the sun set its face toward the West, he neither slept nor rested until the break of dawn.”
#129
چو آن جامه‌ها سوده بفگند شب
✦
سپیده بخندید و بگشاد لب
“When night cast off its threadbare dark robes, the dawn smiled and parted its lips.”
#130
بیامد به زین اندر آورد پای
✦
برآمد خروشیدن کره نای
“He came forth, set his foot into the stirrup, and the clamor of clarions resounded in the air.”
#131
به سوی شهنشاه بنهاد روی
✦
ابا نامهٔ سام آزاده خوی
“He set his course toward the King of Kings, bearing the letter of Sam of noble disposition.”