King Manuchehr commanded the mobads, scholars, and astrologers to assemble before his high throne to decipher the secrets of the heavenly spheres regarding the union of Zal and Rudabeh. For three whole days, the star-gazers toiled endlessly, consulting Roman astronomical tables to trace the paths of the constellations. On the fourth day, they approached the monarch with joyous tidings, revealing that from the daughter of Mehrab and the son of Sam, a radiant stream would flow. A champion of noble mind and towering fame would be born—a hero granted a long life, immense strength, divine glory, and unrivaled stature. In feast and in fray, he would have no equal. Wherever his steed wetted its hooves, the hearts of his foes would dry in terror, and not even the eagle would dare fly above his helmet. Tall and majestic, he would trap wild lions with his lasso, make the very heavens weep with his sword, and stand forever as the sworn champion of kings and the mighty shield of Iran.
#1
بفرمود تا موبدان و ردان
✦
ستاره‌شناسان و هم بخردان
“He commanded the mobads, noble chiefs, astrologers, and men of wisdom,”
#2
کنند انجمن پیش تخت بلند
✦
به کار سپهری پژوهش کنند
“To assemble before the exalted throne and inquire into the secrets of the heavens.”
#3
برفتند و بردند رنج دراز
✦
که تا با ستاره چه دارند راز
“They departed and endured long toil to discover what secrets lay hidden in the stars.”
#4
سه روز اندران کارشان شد درنگ
✦
برفتند با زیج رومی به چنگ
“For three days they deliberated, holding Roman astronomical tables in their hands.”
#5
زبان بر گشادند بر شهریار
✦
که کردیم با چرخ گردان شمار
“Then they opened their lips to the King, saying: 'We have calculated the paths of the revolving sky.'”
#6
چنین آمد از داد اختر پدید
✦
که این آب روشن بخواهد دوید
“'Thus has the decree of the stars revealed: a radiant stream is destined to flow.'”
#7
ازین دخت مهراب و از پور سام
✦
گوی پر منش زاید و نیک نام
“'From the daughter of Mehrab and the son of Sam shall be born a champion of high courage and glorious name.'”
#8
بود زندگانیش بسیار مر
✦
همش زور باشد هم آیین و فر
“'His life shall be long in years, blessed with immense strength, royal custom, and divine glory.'”
#9
همش برز باشد همش شاخ و یال
✦
به رزم و به بزمش نباشد همال
“'He shall possess towering stature and mighty brawn; in battle and in banquet he shall have no peer.'”
#10
کجا بارهٔ او کند موی تر
✦
شود خشک همرزم او را جگر
“'Wherever his steed wets its mane, the heart of his foe shall dry in terror.'”
#11
عقاب از بر ترگ او نگذرد
✦
سران جهان را بکس نشمرد
“'Not even the eagle shall fly above his helmet, and he shall hold the lords of the world as nothing.'”
#12
یکی برز بالا بود فرمند
✦
همه شیر گیرد به خم کمند
“'He shall be tall of stature and magnificent, snaring wild lions within the loop of his lasso.'”
#13
هوا را به شمشیر گریان کند
✦
بر آتش یکی گور بریان کند
“'He shall make the sky weep with his sword and roast a wild ass whole over the fire.'”
#14
کمر بستهٔ شهریاران بود
✦
به ایران پناه سواران بود
“'He shall stand girded in service to kings, and remain the protective shield of Iran’s knights.'”