When the wise Mobads concluded their enigmatic riddles before King Manuchehr, Zal of the White Hair paused in deep reflection. Expanding his broad chest and raising his noble head, he opened his lips with luminous clarity. He unravelled the mystery of the twelve tall trees bearing thirty branches, revealing them to be the twelve months of the year, each spanning thirty days. The two chargers—one obsidian dark and the other gleaming white—he declared to be Night and Day, incessantly chasing one another across the firmament while counting down the finite breaths of mortal men. The thirty horsemen whose count ebbed yet remained thirty were the phases of the moon, waxing and waning in its monthly cycle. The twin cypresses hosting the sun-bird symbolized the cosmic houses of the Zodiac, swinging the world between light and shadow, hope and dread. The unassailable citadel atop the mountain peak represented the eternal realm of the afterlife, whereas the thorny waste below was this transient earthly stay, filled with fleeting treasures and bitter griefs. Lastly, the terrifying harvester wielding the razor-sharp scythe was none other than relentless Time—Death itself—reaping both the tender sprout and the ancient trunk without pity or heed to supplication.
King Manuchehr and his court of sages were spellbound by Zal's unmatched wisdom, filling the palace with roars of acclaim. A royal feast as luminous as the full moon was ordained, where goblets brimmed until dawn. When the sun blazed over the mountain peaks, the fearless Zal stood before the throne like a lion, requesting leave to return to his sire, Sam, and his beloved. Desiring to witness the young hero's famed martial prowess, the King requested one final day of sports in the royal arena. Mounted upon his steed at full gallop, Zal drew his heavy bow and split the trunk of an ancient oak with a single arrow, hurled heavy javelins with fluid grace, and sweeping down like a sea-monster, lifted a armored champion clean off his saddle with one hand. The royal field erupted in awe, singing praises to Sam for bestowing such a legend upon the realm. Overjoyed, King Manuchehr bestowed upon Zal lavish robes of honor, golden thrones, gem-encrusted crowns, and boundless treasures, granting him leave with royal blessing.
#1
زمانی پر اندیشه شد زال زر
✦
برآورد یال و بگسترد بر
“For a moment, Zal of the Golden Hair lost himself in deep reflection; he broadened his shoulders and expanded his chest.”
#2
وزان پس به پاسخ زبان برگشاد
✦
همه پرسش موبدان کرد یاد
“Thereupon he opened his lips to answer, addressing every single question posed by the Mobads.”
#3
نخست از ده و دو درخت بلند
✦
که هر یک همی شاخ سی برکشند
“'First, as for the twelve tall trees, each extending thirty branches upward:”
#4
به سالی ده و دو بود ماه نو
✦
چو شاه نو آیین ابر گاه نو
“These are the twelve new moons of the year, like a newly crowned king upon a fresh throne.”
#5
به سی روز مه را سرآید شمار
✦
برین سان بود گردش روزگار
“In thirty days the count of the month comes to its end; such is the turning of the realm of time.”
#6
کنون آنکه گفتی ز کار دو اسپ
✦
فروزان به کردار آذرگشسپ
“Now regarding what you said of the two horses, blaze-bright as the fire of Adhar Gushnasp:”
#7
سپید و سیاهست هر دو زمان
✦
پس یکدگر تیز هر دو دوان
“They are the two eras of Light and Dark, running swiftly one behind the other.”
#8
شب و روز باشد که می‌بگذرد
✦
دم چرخ بر ما همی بشمرد
“It is Night and Day passing by, while the breath of the revolving sky counts down our fleeting moments.”
#9
سدیگر که گفتی که آن سی سوار
✦
کجا برگذشتند بر شهریار
“Thirdly, you spoke of those thirty horsemen who rode past the sovereign monarch,”
#10
ازان سی سواران یکی کم شود
✦
به گاه شمردن همان سی بود
“Where one of the thirty horsemen vanishes, yet upon counting, thirty remain intact.”
#11
نگفتی سخن جز ز نقصان ماه
✦
که یک شب کم آید همی گاه گاه
“You spoke of naught but the moon's wane, where occasionally one night falls short from the month.'”
#12
کنون از نیام این سخن برکشیم
✦
دو بن سرو کان مرغ دارد نشیم
“'Now let us unsheathe this riddle: the two cypress trunks whereon the celestial bird roosts.”
#13
ز برج بره تا ترازو جهان
✦
همی تیرگی دارد اندر نهان
“From the sign of the Ram unto the Balance, the world harbors darkness in secret.”
#14
چنین تا ز گردش به ماهی شود
✦
پر از تیرگی و سیاهی شود
“Thus it turns until it reaches the sign of the Fish, filled with gloom and pitch dark.”
#15
دو سرو ای دو بازوی چرخ بلند
✦
کزو نیمه شادب و نیمی نژند
“The two cypresses are the two arms of the high sky, half flourishing green and half withered.”
#16
برو مرغ پران چو خورشید دان
✦
جهان را ازو بیم و امید دان
“Know the flying bird upon them to be the Sun, from which the world derives both dread and hope.”
#17
دگر شارستان بر سر کوهسار
✦
سرای درنگست و جای قرار
“As for that lofty city atop the mountain height, it is the abiding abode and the place of permanence.”
#18
همین خارستان چون سرای سپنج
✦
کزو ناز و گنجست و هم درد و رنج
“While this thorny waste is like a transient inn, whence come both comfort and wealth, pain and grief.”
#19
همی دم زدن بر تو بر بشمرد
✦
هم او برفرازد هم او بشکرد
“It counts every breath you draw; it raises man high, and then it preys upon him.”
#20
برآید یکی باد با زلزله
✦
ز گیتی برآید خروش و خله
“A wind shall rise with tempestuous quake, and cries of anguish shall echo through the world.”
#21
همه رنج ما ماند زی خارستان
✦
گذر کرد باید سوی شارستان
“All our toil remains behind in the thorny waste, for we must pass onward to the mountain city.”
#22
کسی دیگر از رنج ما برخورد
✦
نپاید برو نیز و هم بگذرد
“Another shall profit from our toil, yet he too shall not endure and must likewise pass away.”
#23
چنین رفت از آغاز یکسر سخن
✦
همین باشد و نو نگردد کهن
“Thus has the world turned from the very beginning; so shall it remain, nor ever grow old.”
#24
اگر توشه‌مان نیکنامی بود
✦
روانها بران سر گرامی بود
“If our provision be a goodly name, our souls shall be honored in the world beyond.”
#25
و گر آز ورزیم و پیچان شویم
✦
پدید آید آنگه که بیجان شویم
“But if we harbor greed and twist in deceit, the truth shall manifest the moment we lose our lives.”
#26
گر ایوان ما سر به کیوان برست
✦
ازان بهرهٔ ما یکی چادرست
“Though our palace touch the heavens above, our final portion is but a single shroud.”
#27
چو پوشند بر روی ما خون و خاک
✦
همه جای بیمست و تیمار و باک
“When they cover our faces with blood and dust, all turns to dread, affliction, and terror.'”
#28
بیابان و آن مرد با تیز داس
✦
کجا خشک و تر زو دل اندر هراس
“'As for the wilderness and that man with the sharp scythe, before whom dry and green hearts tremble with fear:”
#29
تر و خشک یکسان همی بدرود
✦
وگر لابه سازی سخن نشنود
“He reaps the fresh and withered alike, and if you offer entreaty, he heeds no plea.”
#30
دروگر زمانست و ما چون گیا
✦
همانش نبیره همانش نیا
“That harvester is Time, and we are as grass; whether the grandchild or the grand-sire,”
#31
به پیر و جوان یک به یک ننگرد
✦
شکاری که پیش آیدش بشکرد
“He heeds neither old nor young, one by one; whatever prey comes before him, he consumes.”
#32
جهان را چنینست ساز و نهاد
✦
که جز مرگ را کس ز مادر نزاد
“Such is the frame and nature of the world that none was ever born of woman save to die.”
#33
ازین در درآید بدان بگذرد
✦
زمانه برو دم همی بشمرد
“Man enters through one door and passes through the other, while Time counts every breath he takes.'”
#34
چو زال این سخنها بکرد آشکار
✦
ازو شادمان شد دل شهریار
“When Zal laid bare these mysteries, the sovereign king's heart filled with delight.”
#35
به شادی یکی انجمن برشگفت
✦
شهنشاه گیتی زهازه گرفت
“The royal assembly blossomed in joy, and the King of Kings roared in exuberant applause.”
#36
یکی جشنگاهی بیاراست شاه
✦
چنان چون شب چارده چرخ ماه
“The King adorned a festive banquet hall, luminous like the moon on its fourteenth night.”
#37
کشیدند می تا جهان تیره گشت
✦
سرمیگساران ز می خیره گشت
“They quaffed wine until darkness enveloped the world, and the cupbearers became light-headed with wine.”
#38
خروشیدن مرد بالای گاه
✦
یکایک برآمد ز درگاه شاه
“The joyful shouts of warriors echoed high above the palace court of the King.”
#39
برفتند گردان همه شاد و مست
✦
گرفته یکی دست دیگر به دست
“The champions departed, all joyful and merry, holding one another by the hand.”
#40
چو برزد زبانه ز کوه آفتاب
✦
سر نامدران برآمد ز خواب
“When the blazing sun leaped above the mountain crests, the famous chiefs awoke from their sleep.”
#41
بیامد کمربسته زال دلیر
✦
به پیش شهنشاه چون نره شیر
“Fearless Zal came forth girded for service, standing before the King of Kings like a ferocious lion.”
#42
به دستوری بازگشتن ز در
✦
شدن نزد سالار فرخ پدر
“Seeking royal leave to depart from court and travel back to his blessed sire.”
#43
به شاه جهان گفت کای نیکخوی
✦
مرا چهر سام آمدست آرزوی
“He said to the Lord of the World: 'O noble sovereign, my heart longeth for the countenance of Sam.”
#44
ببوسیدم این پایهٔ تخت عاج
✦
دلم گشت روشن بدین برز و تاج
“I have kissed the foot of this ivory throne, and my soul has been illuminated by your crown and majesty.'”
#45
بدو گفت شاه ای جوانمرد گرد
✦
یک امروز نیزت بباید سپرد
“The King answered him: 'O chivalrous knight, stay with us yet another single day.”
#46
ترا بویهٔ دخت مهراب خاست
✦
دلت راهش سام زابل کجاست
“"A desire for Mehrab’s daughter hath arisen in thy heart; yet whither lies the path of Sam of Zabol?"”
#47
بفرمود تا سنج و هندی درای
✦
به میدان گذارند با کره نای
“He commanded that cymbals, Indian bells, and trumpets be brought forth to the field of combat.”
#48
ابا نیزه و گرز و تیر و کمان
✦
برفتند گردان همه شادمان
“Bearing spears, maces, arrows, and bows, all the warriors advanced with joyful hearts.”
#49
کمانها گرفتند و تیر خدنگ
✦
نشانه نهادند چون روز جنگ
“They grasped their bows and poplar shafts, setting up targets as on a day of battle.”
#50
بپیچید هر یک به چیزی عنان
✦
به گرز و به تیغ و به تیر و سنان
“Each champion turned his reins to his chosen weapon—to mace, sword, arrow, or spearhead.”
#51
درختی گشن بد به میدان شاه
✦
گذشته برو سال بسیار و ماه
“In the King's arena stood a mighty tree, over which many a month and year had passed.”
#52
کمان را بمالید دستان سام
✦
برانگیخت اسپ و برآورد نام
“Dastan, son of Sam, readied his bow, spurred his steed, and won renowned acclaim.”
#53
بزد بر میان درخت سهی
✦
گذاره شد آن تیر شاهنشهی
“He shot into the heart of that tall tree, and his royal arrow passed straight through its trunk.”
#54
هم اندر تگ اسپ یک چوبه تیر
✦
بینداخت و بگذاشت چون نره شیر
“Even at the horse’s full gallop, he launched another arrow, piercing it through like a fierce lion.”
#55
سپر برگرفتند ژوپین‌وران
✦
بگشتند با خشتهای گران
“The javelin-throwers took up their shields, wheeling about with heavy darts.”
#56
سپر خواست از ریدک ترک زال
✦
برانگیخت اسپ و برآورد یال
“Zal called for a shield from his Turkish page, spurred his charger, and raised his majestic posture.”
#57
کمان را بینداخت و ژوپین گرفت
✦
به ژوپین شکار نوآیین گرفت
“Casting aside his bow, he grasped a javelin, taking prey in a novel and wondrous fashion.”
#58
بزد خشت بر سه سپر گیل‌وار
✦
گشاده به دیگر سو افگند خوار
“In the Gilani fashion, he struck through three shields with his dart, casting them aside effortlessly.”
#59
به گردنکشان گفت شاه جهان
✦
که با او که جوید نبرد از مهان
“The King of the world said to his lords: "Who among the great will dare engage him in combat?"”
#60
یکی برگراییدش اندر نبرد
✦
که از تیر و ژوپین برآورد گرد
“One brave champion stepped forth into battle, eager to raise dust with arrow and javelin.”
#61
همه برکشیدند گردان سلیح
✦
بدل خشمناک و زبان پر مزیح
“All the warriors drew their arms, anger in their hearts yet jest upon their tongues.”
#62
به آورد رفتند پیچان عنان
✦
ابا نیزه و آب داده سنان
“Turning their reins, they entered the arena, bearing spears tipped with tempered steel.”
#63
چنان شد که مرد اندر آمد به مرد
✦
برانگیخت زال اسپ و برخاست گرد
“So it came to pass that warrior clashed with warrior; Zal spurred his horse, raising a cloud of dust.”
#64
نگه کرد تا کیست زیشان سوار
✦
عنان پیچ و گردنکش و نامدار
“Zal observed to see who among them was the most famous, proud, and skillful rider.”
#65
ز گرد اندر آمد بسان نهنگ
✦
گرفتش کمربند او را به چنگ
“Like a sea-monster emerging from the dust, he seized the champion's belt in his grip.”
#66
چنان خوارش از پشت زین برگرفت
✦
که شاه و سپه ماند اندر شگفت
“He lifted him so lightly from his saddle that the King and army were left in sheer astonishment.”
#67
به آواز گفتند گردنکشان
✦
که مردم نبیند کسی زین نشان
“The proud chieftains cried aloud: "No man hath ever witnessed a hero of such renown!"”
#68
هر آن کس که با او بجوید نبرد
✦
کند جامه مادر برو لاژورد
“"Whoever seeks battle with him shall cause his mother to wear the lapis lazuli of mourning."”
#69
ز شیران نزاید چنین نیز گرد
✦
چه گرد از نهنگانش باید شمرد
“"Not even lions give birth to such a warrior; he must be reckoned among the sea-dragons."”
#70
خنک سام یل کش چنین یادگار
✦
بماند به گیتی دلیر و سوار
“"Blessed be Sam the heroic, who hath left behind in this world such a brave and noble knight!"”
#71
برو آفرین کرد شاه بزرگ
✦
همان نامور مهتران سترگ
“The great King praised him warmly, as did all the illustrious and mighty lords.”
#72
بزرگان سوی کاخ شاه آمدند
✦
کمر بسته و با کلاه آمدند
“Girded for state and wearing their royal caps, the nobles returned to the King’s palace.”
#73
یکی خلعت آراست شاه جهان
✦
که گشتند ازان خیره یکسر مهان
“The King of the world prepared a robe of honor so majestic that all the grandees were dazzled.”
#74
چه از تاج پرمایه و تخت زر
✦
چه از یاره و طوق و زرین کمر
“Consisting of precious crowns, golden thrones, armlets, torques, and jeweled girdles.”
#75
همان جامه‌های گرانمایه نیز
✦
پرستنده و اسپ و هر گونه چیز
“As well as costly garments, loyal servants, noble steeds, and all manner of precious treasure.”
#76
به زال سپهبد سپرد آن زمان
✦
همه چیزها از کران تا کران
“The King then bestowed all these treasures, without reserve, upon General Zal.”