Upon reading the passionate plea of Sam, King Manuchehr set his royal pen to parchment, crafting a response overflowing with praise and auspicious blessings. He extolled Sam as an unmatched champion whose like the revolving heavens had never witnessed in battle, banquet, counsel, or presence—a victorious lion whose heroic lineage could produce none other than a fierce, panther-slaying lion like Zal. Manuchehr declared his full consent to the union, granting every desire of Zal and Sam. He then invested Zal with radiant royal cloaks, a golden crown, ceremonial torque and armlets, and a majestic ivory throne, sending him forth with a joyful heart and invoking the divine safeguard against all evil eyes.
Overwhelmed with joy, Zal dispatched a swift courier ahead to his father Sam, announcing that he had returned from the King of Kings victorious, laden with royal honors. When Sam received the tidings, the weight of old age vanished from his frame, and he felt rejuvenated with youthful vigor. Without delay, Sam sent a swift rider to Kabul to inform King Mehrab of the Shah's grand benevolence and to herald that he and Zal would soon arrive to complete the sacred rites of marriage.
The news struck Kabul like a wave of divine light. King Mehrab was so thrilled he seemed ready to pour out his very soul in celebration. He summoned minstrels from every corner of the realm and called forth his sagacious queen, Sindokht. With words of deep admiration, Mehrab praised Sindokht, acknowledging that her brilliant foresight from the beginning had illuminated their darkened fortunes and linked their lineage to a branch praised by kings. He threw open all his treasuries, ivory thrones, and royal riches, placing them completely at Sindokht's command.
Sindokht hurried to her daughter Rudabeh, bearing the glorious tidings that Zal was returning triumphant and approved. Overflowing with gratitude, Rudabeh bowed before her mother, pledging her eternal devotion and praying that evil eyes be barred from her life. Sindokht then set about transforming the royal palace into an earthly Paradise. The halls were saturated with rosewater, fine wine, musk, and ambergris. Carpets shot through with woven gold, chrysolites, and pearly drops like dew were laid down. A supreme throne of ivory and rich red rubies was erected, adorned with intricate carvings fit for ancient monarchs. Another magnificent hall was outfitted with instruments, fine wines, and robes brought from Pars, Ahvaz, and Ray. Rudabeh was dressed and beautified like a spring bloom, radiating splendor. The entire city of Kabul burst into brilliant color; gentle elephants were caparisoned, carrying crowned minstrels upon their backs, as all of Kabul prepared to shower musk and gold upon the approaching hero Zal.
#1
پس آن نامهٔ سام پاسخ نوشت
✦
شگفتی سخنهای فرخ نوشت
“Then Manuchehr wrote a reply to Sam's letter, filling it with wondrous and auspicious words.”
#2
که ای نامور پهلوان دلیر
✦
به هر کار پیروز برسان شیر
“'O famed and valiant hero, victorious in every deed like a fierce lion,'”
#3
نبیند چو تو نیز گردان سپهر
✦
به رزم و به بزم و به رای و به چهر
“'The revolving sky beholds none like thee in battle, banquet, wisdom, and visage.'”
#4
همان پور فرخنده زال سوار
✦
کزو ماند اندر جهان یادگار
“'Likewise thy blessed son Zal the horseman, who leaves behind an enduring legacy in the world.'”
#5
رسید و بدانستم از کام او
✦
همان خواهش و رای و آرام او
“'He arrived, and I understood his desire, his request, his counsel, and his heart's peace.'”
#6
برآمد هر آنچ آن ترا کام بود
✦
همان زال را رای و آرام بود
“'Whatever was thy wish has been granted, even as it was Zal's heart's desire and peace.'”
#7
همه آرزوها سپردم بدوی
✦
بسی روز فرخ شمردم بدوی
“'I have granted all his wishes to him, and counted many auspicious days in his company.'”
#8
ز شیری که باشد شکارش پلنگ
✦
چه زاید جز از شیر شرزه به جنگ
“'From a lion whose prey is the leopard, what else can be born in battle but a fierce lion?'”
#9
گسی کردمش با دلی شادمان
✦
کزو دور بادا بد بدگمان
“'I sent him back with a joyful heart; may the ill fortune of evil-thinkers be far from him!'”
#10
برون رفت با فرخی زال زر
✦
ز گردان لشکر برآورده سر
“Zal the White-haired departed with divine splendor, standing tall above the valiant army.”
#11
نوندی برافگند نزدیک سام
✦
که برگشتم از شاه دل شادکام
“He dispatched a swift messenger to Sam, saying: 'I have returned from the Shah with a joyful heart,'”
#12
ابا خلعت خسروانی و تاج
✦
همان یاره و طوق و هم تخت عاج
“'Bearing royal robes of honor, a crown, armlets, a golden torque, and an ivory throne.'”
#13
چنان شاد شد زان سخن پهلوان
✦
که با پیر سر شد به نوی جوان
“The hero Sam was so overjoyed by these words that despite his old age, he felt young again.”
#14
سواری به کابل برافگند زود
✦
به مهراب گفت آن کجا رفته بود
“He dispatched a rider to Kabul quickly to tell Mehrab of all that had transpired,”
#15
نوازیدن شهریار جهان
✦
وزان شادمانی که رفت از مهان
“Of the world-lord's royal favor and the great joy that had come from the high nobles.”
#16
من اینک چو دستان بر من رسد
✦
گذاریم هر دو چنان چون سزد
“'Now when Dastan reaches me, we both shall proceed together as fits the occasion.'”
#17
چنان شاد شد شاه کابلستان
✦
ز پیوند خورشید زابلستان
“The King of Kabulstan became so filled with joy at this alliance with the sun of Zabulistan,”
#18
که گفتی همی جان برافشاندند
✦
ز هر جای رامشگران خواندند
“That you would say they poured out their very spirits; from every place they summoned musicians.”
#19
چو مهراب شد شاد و روشن روان
✦
لبش گشت خندان و دل شادمان
“When Mehrab became joyful and bright-souled, his lips turned smiling and his heart happy.”
#20
گرانمایه سیندخت را پیش خواند
✦
بسی خوب گفتار با او براند
“He called the precious Sindokht before him, and spoke many splendid words to her.”
#21
بدو گفت کای جفت فرخنده رای
✦
بیفروخت از رایت این تیره جای
“He said to her: 'O fortunate-minded mate, through thy wisdom this dark place has been illuminated!'”
#22
به شاخی زدی دست کاندر زمین
✦
برو شهریاران کنند آفرین
“'Thou hast laid hand upon a branch upon which monarchs in the world sing praises.'”
#23
چنان هم کجا ساختی از نخست
✦
بیاید مر این را سرانجام جست
“'Even as thou didst plan from the beginning, so now we must seek its fitting conclusion.'”
#24
همه گنج پیش تو آراستست
✦
اگر تخت عاجست اگر خواستست
“'All my treasure is prepared for thee, be it the ivory throne or all my wealth.'”
#25
چو بشنید سیندخت ازو گشت باز
✦
بر دختر آمد سراینده راز
“When Sindokht heard him, she turned and came to her daughter, bearing secret joy.”
#26
همی مژده دادش به دیدار زال
✦
که دیدی چنان چون بباید همال
“She brought her the good news of meeting Zal, saying: 'Thou hast found a worthy peer as was fitting.'”
#27
زن و مرد را از بلندی منش
✦
سزد گر فرازد سر از سرزنش
“'For a man or woman of noble high ambition, it is right to raise one's head above reproach.'”
#28
سوی کام دل تیز بشتافتی
✦
کنون هر چه جستی همه یافتی
“'Thou didst hasten swiftly toward thy heart's desire; now all that thou didst seek, thou hast found.'”
#29
بدو گفت رودابه ای شاه زن
✦
سزای ستایش به هر انجمن
“Rudabeh said to her: 'O noble queen, worthy of praise in every assembly,'”
#30
من از خاک پای تو بالین کنم
✦
به فرمانت آرایش دین کنم
“'I shall make my pillow of the dust of thy feet, and by thy command I arrange the splendor of our home.'”
#31
ز تو چشم آهرمنان دور باد
✦
دل و جان تو خانهٔ سور باد
“'May the eye of Ahriman be far from thee, and may thy heart and soul be a house of joy!'”
#32
چو بشنید سیندخت گفتار اوی
✦
به آرایش کاخ بنهاد روی
“When Sindokht heard her daughter's words, she set about adorning the palace.”
#33
بیاراست ایوانها چون بهشت
✦
گلاب و می و مشک و عنبر سرشت
“She decorated the halls like Paradise, blending rosewater, wine, musk, and ambergris.”
#34
بساطی بیفگند پیکر به زر
✦
زبر جد برو بافته سر به سر
“She laid down carpets woven with patterns of gold, intricately threaded throughout with chrysolites.”
#35
دگر پیکرش در خوشاب بود
✦
که هر دانه‌ای قطره‌ای آب بود
“Another pattern was studded with luminous pearls, each grain like a shining drop of water.”
#36
یک ایوان همه تخت زرین نهاد
✦
به آیین و آرایش چین نهاد
“In one hall she set a golden throne according to the royal traditions and splendor of China.”
#37
همه پیکرش گوهر آگنده بود
✦
میان گهر نقشها کنده بود
“Its entire body was encrusted with jewels, and fine figures were engraved amidst the gems.”
#38
ز یاقوت مر تخت را پایه بود
✦
که تخت کیان بود و پرمایه بود
“The throne's feet were made of red rubies; it was truly a royal throne, precious and grand.”
#39
یک ایوان همه جامهٔ رود و می
✦
بیاورده از پارس و اهواز و ری
“Another hall was filled with musical robes, instruments, and fine wine brought from Pars, Ahvaz, and Ray.”
#40
بیاراست رودابه را چون نگار
✦
پر از جامه و رنگ و بوی بهار
“She adorned Rudabeh like a portrait, full of robes, colors, and the fragrance of spring.”
#41
همه کابلستان شد آراسته
✦
پر از رنگ و بوی و پر از خواسته
“The whole of Kabulstan became decorated, filled with color, perfume, and rich possessions.”
#42
همه پشت پیلان بیاراستند
✦
ز کابل پرستندگان خواستند
“They decked the backs of elephants and summoned attendants and servants from Kabul.”
#43
نشستند بر پیل رامشگران
✦
نهاده به سر بر زر افسران
“Musicians sat atop the elephants, wearing golden crowns upon their heads.”
#44
پذیره شدن را بیاراستند
✦
نثارش همه مشک و زر خواستند
“They prepared to welcome him, ordering musk and gold to shower upon his arrival.”