When word reached the Shah of Iran, Manuchehr, that Zal, the white-haired son of Sam, had arrived at court, the realm's noble chieftains went forth to receive him with full honors. Upon reaching the royal hall, the guards made way, and Zal knelt, pressing his brow to the dust while uttering high praises upon the monarch. Manuchehr, moved by Zal’s noble demeanor, commanded that the travel dust be wiped from his face and fine musk sprinkled upon him.
Raising the youth beside the throne, the monarch inquired warmly of his journey through the wind and dust, to which Zal replied that in the light of the king's royal glory, every toil becomes pure joy. Zal then presented the letter from his father, Sam. Reading the heartfelt missive, Manuchehr smiled and felt gladness in his spirit, though a heavy weight rested upon his heart regarding a union between Sam's house and the line of Zahhak. Nevertheless, the king declared: 'Though this request adds a lingering sorrow to my heart, out of reverence for this touching letter written with heart's pain by old Sam, I shall set aside all hesitation and fulfill your wish. Tarry here a while in gladness so that I may consult wisely on your affair.'
A magnificent royal banquet was convened; golden platters were brought forth, and King Manuchehr sat beside white-haired Zal and the empire's grandees. When the feast ended, they turned to the wine-throne, drinking in celebration. As night fell, Sam's famous son mounted his golden-bridled steed and returned to his quarters, spending the dark hours restless in thought. At dawn, fully arrayed with his belt fastened, Zal returned before the victorious Manuchehr, where the King of the World bestowed high praise upon him both openly and in secret.
#1
پس آگاهی آمد سوی شهریار
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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نشستند بر خوان شاه رمه
“He commanded that all the renowned nobles be seated at the royal feast.”
#18
چو از خوان خسرو بپرداختند
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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
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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
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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
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به پیش منوچهر پیروزگر
“At early dawn, with belt tightly bound, he came before the victorious Manuchehr.”
#22
برو آفرین کرد شاه جهان
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چو برگشت بستودش اندر نهان
“The King of the world praised him; and when he turned away, praised him in secret as well.”