#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.”