When King Mehrab of Kabul received word of the approach of the World-Champion Sam and Zal the White-Haired, he ordered the war drums to sound and arrayed his army in radiant, multicolored splendor resembling the dazzling plumage of a rooster. Mighty war-elephants and master musicians transformed the realm of Kabul into a earthly paradise from edge to edge. Silk banners of crimson, ivory, gold, and violet fluttered above as the melodies of flutes and harps intermingled with the fanfare of trumpets and bells—a spectacle so glorious it felt like a joyful resurrection.
Mehrab rode forth until he met Sam, dismounting his steed to step forward in homage. The World-Champion embraced him warmly, inquiring after his well-being and the turns of fate. The King of Kabulistan showered boundless praise upon Sam and Zal. Mounting his swift steed once more, like the new moon ascending over a mountain peak, Mehrab placed a jewel-encrusted golden crown upon Zal's head. Smiling and joyful, they entered Kabul, reminiscing over old memories. The entire city resounded with Indian bells and the sweet strains of harps and flutes, as if even the wild beasts had turned into minstrels under Time's wondrous transformation. The manes and tails of the horses were richly scented with saffron and musk.
Sindokht stepped out accompanied by three hundred gracefully attired maidens, each holding a golden goblet filled with musk and precious gems. Singing praises to Sam, they showered the jewels at his feet, enriching every soul present. Sam turned to Sindokht with a smile and asked, 'How long do you intend to keep Kabul's radiant sun, Rudabeh, hidden from us?' Sindokht cleverly replied, 'Where is the royal gift if you desire to behold the sun?' Sam declared, 'Ask of me whatever your heart desires!'
They proceeded to the gold-embellished palace where Rudabeh resided like eternal spring. As Sam gazed upon the moon-faced princess, he was struck with quiet awe, realizing no words could fully capture her matchless beauty. At Sam's command, Mehrab stepped forward, and the marriage rites were solemnized in accordance with ancient law and noble faith. Zal and Rudabeh were seated side by side upon a single royal throne as showers of carnelian and chrysolite rained upon them—the bride crowned with a glorious tiara and the prince with a jewel-studded crown. The inventories of royal treasures were read aloud, detailing riches beyond imagination. For one week they banqueted within the royal halls, followed by three weeks of jubilation in the lush gardens.
As the month concluded, Sam Nariman prepared to return to Sistan. Zal, Rudabeh, Sindokht, and Mehrab joined the procession with their armies, elephants, and drums. Exquisite litters, covered howdahs, and royal sedans were fashioned for Rudabeh so the moon-faced bride could travel in supreme comfort. They arrived victoriously in Nimruz with joyful hearts and lips full of praise. Sam hosted another three-day feast, after which Mehrab returned to Kabul while Sindokht remained a while longer. Sam formally conferred the crown and royal rule of Sistan upon Zal. Carrying out the royal decree of King Manuchehr, Sam marched his army toward Gurgasaran, Bakhtar, and the turbulent borders of Mazandaran to subdue evil-natured rebels, leaving Zal firmly established upon the throne of power.
#1
بزد نای مهراب و بربست کوس
✦
بیاراست لشکر چو چشم خروس
“Mehrab sounded the pipes and bound the war drums, arraying his army like the colorful plumage of a rooster.”
#2
ابا ژنده‌پیلان و رامشگران
✦
زمین شد بهشت از کران تا کران
“With massive war-elephants and sweet minstrels, the land turned into paradise from end to end.”
#3
ز بس گونه گون پرنیانی درفش
✦
چه سرخ و سپید و چه زرد و بنفش
“From so many silk banners of varied hues—some red and white, others yellow and violet.”
#4
چه آوای نای و چه آوای چنگ
✦
خروشیدن بوق و آوای زنگ
“What sounds of flutes, what melodies of harps! The blare of trumpets intermingled with the ringing of bells.”
#5
تو گفتی مگر روز انجامش است
✦
یکی رستخیز است گر رامش است
“You would say it was Judgment Day itself—or a resurrection born of pure joy and music.”
#6
همی رفت ازین گونه تا پیش سام
✦
فرود آمد از اسپ و بگذارد گام
“In this magnificent fashion he rode until reaching Sam; he dismounted his horse and stepped forward.”
#7
گرفتش جهان پهلوان در کنار
✦
بپرسیدش از گردش روزگار
“The World-Champion embraced him warmly, inquiring after his health and the turns of fate.”
#8
شه کابلستان گرفت آفرین
✦
چه بر سام و بر زال زر همچنین
“The King of Kabulistan showered blessings upon Sam, as well as upon Zal the White-Haired.”
#9
نشست از بر بارهٔ تیزرو
✦
چو از کوه سر برکشد ماه نو
“He mounted his swift steed once more, appearing like the new moon rising over a mountain peak.”
#10
یکی تاج زرین نگارش گهر
✦
نهاد از بر تارک زال زر
“He placed a golden crown studded with jewel patterns upon the crown of Zal the White-Haired.”
#11
به کابل رسیدند خندان و شاد
✦
سخنهای دیرینه کردند یاد
“They entered Kabul smiling and joyful, recollecting stories and memories of bygone times.”
#12
همه شهر ز آوای هندی درای
✦
ز نالیدن بربط و چنگ و نای
“The whole city resounded with Indian bells and the melodious strains of lutes, harps, and flutes.”
#13
تو گفتی دد و دام رامشگرست
✦
زمانه به آرایشی دیگرست
“You would say wild beasts and cattle had turned into musicians; time itself wore a radiant new adornment.”
#14
بش و یال اسپان کران تا کران
✦
بر اندوده پر مشک و پر زعفران
“The manes and tails of horses everywhere were heavily smeared with fragrant musk and saffron.”
#15
برون رفت سیندخت با بندگان
✦
میان بسته سیصد پرستندگان
“Sindokht came forth with her attendants—three hundred maidens with girt waists.”
#16
مر آن هر یکی را یکی جام زر
✦
به دست اندرون پر ز مشک و گهر
“Each maiden held a golden goblet in her hands, brimful of pure musk and precious gems.”
#17
همه سام را آفرین خواندند
✦
پس از جام گوهر برافشاندند
“They all sang praises to Sam, and then showered the jewels from their golden cups.”
#18
بدان جشن هر کس که آمد فراز
✦
شد از خواسته یک به یک بی‌نیاز
“At that grand festival, every person who arrived became wealthy and free of want.”
#19
بخندید و سیندخت را سام گفت
✦
که رودابه را چند خواهی نهفت
“Sam laughed and said to Sindokht, 'How long do you intend to keep Rudabeh concealed from us?'”
#20
بدو گفت سیندخت هدیه کجاست
✦
اگر دیدن آفتابت هواست
“Sindokht replied to him, 'Where is the worthy gift, if your heart longs to behold the radiant sun?'”
#21
چنین داد پاسخ به سیندخت سام
✦
که ازمن بخواه آنچه آیدت کام
“Sam thus answered Sindokht: 'Ask of me whatever your soul desires!'”
#22
برفتند تا خانهٔ زرنگار
✦
کجا اندرو بود خرم بهار
“They proceeded to the gold-decorated palace, wherein dwelt the radiant spring of beauty.”
#23
نگه کرد سام اندران ماه روی
✦
یکایک شگفتی بماند اندروی
“Sam gazed upon that moon-faced beauty and was instantly struck with utter wonder.”
#24
ندانست کش چون ستاید همی
✦
برو چشم را چون گشاید همی
“He knew not how to properly praise her, nor how to lift his dazzled eyes to gaze upon her.”
#25
بفرمود تا رفت مهراب پیش
✦
ببستند عقدی برآیین و کیش
“He commanded Mehrab to step forward, and they solemnized the marriage contract according to holy rite and custom.”
#26
به یک تختشان شاد بنشاندند
✦
عقیق و زبرجد برافشاندند
“They happily seated the bride and groom upon a single throne, scattering carnelians and chrysolites over them.”
#27
سر ماه با افسر نام دار
✦
سر شاه با تاج گوهرنگار
“The moon-like maiden crowned with a renowned tiara, and the prince crowned with a jewel-studded crown.”
#28
بیاورد پس دفتر خواسته
✦
یکی نسخت گنج آراسته
“Then they brought forth the ledger of riches, a grand register of decorated treasures.”
#29
برو خواند از گنجها هر چه بود
✦
که گوش آن نیارست گفتی شنود
“They read aloud all the treasures recorded within, so astonishing that ears could scarcely believe it.”
#30
برفتند از آنجا به جای نشست
✦
ببودند یک هفته با می به دست
“From there they retired to the banquet hall and spent a whole week with wine goblets in hand.”
#31
وز ایوان سوی باغ رفتند باز
✦
سه هفته به شادی گرفتند ساز
“And from the palace hall they moved to the garden, celebrating in joy for three full weeks.”
#32
بزرگان کشورش با دست بند
✦
کشیدند بر پیش کاخ بلند
“The nobles of the realm, wearing bracelets of honor, lined up before the tall palace.”
#33
سر ماه سام نریمان برفت
✦
سوی سیستان روی بنهاد تفت
“At the turn of the month, Sam Nariman departed, setting out swiftly toward Sistan.”
#34
ابا زال و با لشکر و پیل و کوس
✦
زمانه رکاب ورا داد بوس
“With Zal, his army, elephants, and war drums—time itself kissed his stirrups in homage.”
#35
عماری و بالای و هودج بساخت
✦
یکی مهد تا ماه را در نشاخت
“He prepared litters, palanquins, and covered howdahs, crafting a magnificent sedan to carry the moon-faced princess.”
#36
چو سیندخت و مهراب و پیوند خویش
✦
سوی سیستان روی کردند پیش
“Sindokht, Mehrab, and their kin turned their faces toward Sistan in convoy.”
#37
برفتند شادان دل و خوش منش
✦
پر از آفرین لب ز نیکی کنش
“They traveled with joyful hearts and noble minds, their lips overflowing with praise for these virtuous deeds.”
#38
رسیدند پیروز تا نیمروز
✦
چنان شاد و خندان و گیتی فروز
“They arrived victoriously in Nimruz, radiant and smiling, illuminating the world with joy.”
#39
یکی بزم سام آنگهی ساز کرد
✦
سه روز اندران بزم بگماز کرد
“Sam then arranged a grand feast, drinking and celebrating there for three days.”
#40
پس آنگاه سیندخت آنجا بماند
✦
خود و لشکرش سوی کابل براند
“Afterward, while Sindokht remained there for a time, Mehrab and his army set off back toward Kabul.”
#41
سپرد آن زمان پادشاهی به زال
✦
برون برد لشکر به فرخنده فال
“Sam then handed over the governance to Zal, marching out his army under a blessed omen.”
#42
سوی گرگساران شد و باختر
✦
درفش خجسته برافراخت سر
“He set out toward Gurgasaran and Bakhtar, raising high his blessed banner.”
#43
شوم گفت کان پادشاهی مراست
✦
دل و دیده با ما ندارند راست
“He said, 'I go because that realm belongs to my command, yet their hearts and eyes are not true to us.'”
#44
منوچهر منشور آن شهر بر
✦
مرا داد و گفتا همی دار و خوار
“'Manuchehr granted me the royal decree for that land, telling me to keep it subdued.'”
#45
بترسم ز آشوب بد گوهران
✦
به ویژه ز گردان مازنداران
“'I fear the turmoil of evil-natured foes, especially the fierce warriors of Mazandaran.'”
#46
بشد سام یکزخم و بنشست زال
✦
می و مجلس آراست و بفراخت یال
“Sam, the warrior of a single strike, departed, while Zal took his seat; he adorned the banquet with wine and held his head high in pride and joy.”