#1
پس آگاهی آمد سوی شهریار
✦
که آمد ز ره زال سام سوار
“Word came unto the King that Zal, Sam's horseman, had arrived from his journey.”
#2
پذیره شدندش همه سرکشان
✦
که بودند در پادشاهی نشان
“All the noble lords of the realm, who bore the marks of sovereignty, went out to welcome him.”
#3
چو آمد به نزدیکی بارگاه
✦
سبک نزد شاهش گشادند راه
“As he drew near the court, they swiftly opened the way for him to enter before the King.”
#4
چو نزدیک شاه اندر آمد زمین
✦
ببوسید و بر شاه کرد آفرین
“Coming close to the Shah, he bowed to the earth, kissed the ground, and offered praises to the King.”
#5
زمانی همی داشت بر خاک روی
✦
بدو داد دل شاه آزرمجوی
“For a moment he kept his face upon the dust; the gracious King felt affection for him in his heart.”
#6
بفرمود تا رویش از خاک خشک
✦
ستردند و بر وی پراگند مشک
“The King commanded that the dry dust be wiped from his face and musk be sprinkled upon him.”
#7
بیامد بر تخت شاه ارجمند
✦
بپرسید ازو شهریار بلند
“He stepped beside the noble throne, and the exalted monarch inquired after his well-being:”
#8
که چون بودی ای پهلو راد مرد
✦
بدین راه دشوار با باد و گرد
“'How have you fared, O noble hero, on this arduous path through wind and dust?'”
#9
به فر تو گفتا همه بهتریست
✦
ابا تو همه رنج رامشگریست
“He replied: 'Through your royal glory, all is well; in your presence, all toil becomes delight.'”
#10
ازو بستد آن نامهٔ پهلوان
✦
بخندید و شد شاد و روشن روان
“The King took the letter of the hero from him; he smiled, feeling glad and enlightened in spirit.”
#11
چو بر خواند پاسخ چنین داد باز
✦
که رنجی فزودی به دل بر دراز
“When he read it, he answered thus: 'You have added a long sorrow to my heart,'”
#12
ولیکن بدین نامهٔ دلپذیر
✦
که بنوشت با درد دل سام پیر
“'Yet because of this touching missive, which old Sam wrote with a sorrowful heart,'”
#13
اگر چه مرا هست ازین دل دژم
✦
برانم که نندیشم از بیش و کم
“'Though my heart is grieved by this matter, I am resolved not to deliberate over more or less.'”
#14
بسازم برآرم همه کام تو
✦
گر اینست فرجام آرام تو
“'I shall fulfill all your desire, if this indeed be the peaceful end to your yearning.'”
#15
تو یک چند اندر به شادی به پای
✦
که تا من به کارت زنم نیک رای
“'Remain here in joy for a while, so that I may consult wisely on your affair.'”
#16
ببردند خوالیگران خوان زر
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شهنشاه بنشست با زال زر
“The stewards brought golden platters, and the Emperor sat down with golden-haired Zal.”
#17
بفرمود تا نامداران همه
✦
نشستند بر خوان شاه رمه
“He commanded that all the renowned nobles be seated at the royal feast.”
#18
چو از خوان خسرو بپرداختند
✦
به تخت دگر جای می‌ساختند
“When they had finished from the King's table, they prepared another place for wine and throne.”
#19
چو می خورده شد نامور پور سام
✦
نشست از بر اسپ زرین ستام
“When wine was drunk, Sam's famous son mounted his horse with its golden bridle.”
#20
برفت و بپیمود بالای شب
✦
پر اندیشه دل پر ز گفتار لب
“He went and measured the height of the night, his heart full of thoughts, his lips full of words.”
#21
بیامد به شبگیر بسته کمر
✦
به پیش منوچهر پیروزگر
“At early dawn, with belt tightly bound, he came before the victorious Manuchehr.”
#22
برو آفرین کرد شاه جهان
✦
چو برگشت بستودش اندر نهان
“The King of the world praised him; and when he turned away, praised him in secret as well.”