When tidings reached Sam the legendary world-champion that Dastan's young son, Rostam, had grown into a lion-like wonder unmatched in the world, his heart swelled with longing. Entrusting his main host to his general, Sam set forth with the aged counselors of the realm toward Zabulistan. Upon receiving word of his father's arrival, Zal ordered the war-drums sounded and, alongside King Mehrab of Kabul, led an immense army that covered mountain and plain to welcome the great chief.
At the heart of the procession marched a formidable war-elephant bearing a throne of burnished gold. Upon it sat young Rostam—a lion-visaged child with massive shoulders, holding a heavy mace. As Sam drew near, the elders dismounted and bowed to the earth. When Sam beheld his lion-like grandson, his heart bloomed like a rose. Rostam dismounted, kissed the base of the throne, and proclaimed that he sought neither ease nor luxury, but only armor, saddle, and mace to defend the realm. Deeply moved, Sam embraced and kissed the youth, drowning out the roar of drums in joy.
For a full month, the grand halls echoed with music and feasting. Sam gazed incessantly at Rostam’s elephantine frame, offering praise to Yazdan and invoking a thousand blessings upon the Simorgh who had revealed the miraculous means of his birth. In the merriment of wine, Mehrab boasted playfully of his solid bond with Rostam. When the feast concluded, Sam bestowed sacred counsel upon Zal, bidding him practice justice, honor wisdom, turn away from evil, and recognize the transience of mortal life. With tearful eyes, Sam embraced Zal and Rostam before marching onward with his army to protect the western frontier.
#1
چو آگاهی آمد به سام دلیر
✦
که شد پور دستان همانند شیر
“When tidings reached Sam the valiant hero that Dastan's son had grown lion-like in prowess,”
#2
کس اندر جهان کودک نارسید
✦
بدین شیر مردی و گردی ندید
“No one in the world had ever seen a child so young possess such manly valor and heroic power.”
#3
بجنبید مرسام را دل ز جای
✦
به دیدار آن کودک آمدش رای
“Sam’s heart stirred deeply within him, and he resolved to travel and behold the marvel of this child.”
#4
سپه را به سالار لشکر سپرد
✦
برفت و جهاندیدگان را ببرد
“He entrusted the main army to his general, took the wise elders of the realm with him, and set forth.”
#5
چو مهرش سوی پور دستان کشید
✦
سپه را سوی زاولستان کشید
“As love for Dastan’s son drew his soul, he directed his host toward the lands of Zabulistan.”
#6
چو زال آگهی یافت بر بست کوس
✦
ز لشکر زمین گشت چون آبنوس
“When Zal learned of his father's coming, he sounded the war-drums; the earth turned dark as ebony with his host.”
#7
خود و گرد مهراب کابل خدای
✦
پذیره شدن را نهادند رای
“He and the heroic Mehrab, lord of Kabul, agreed to ride forth together to welcome Sam.”
#8
بزد مهره در جام و برخاست غو
✦
برآمد ز هر دو سپه دار و رو
“The bell clanked into the cup, a mighty clamor arose, and the roar of trumpets echoed from both armies.”
#9
یکی لشکر از کوه تا کوه مرد
✦
زمین قیرگون و هوا لاژورد
“An army stretched from mountain to mountain; the earth turned pitch-black and the sky lapis lazuli.”
#10
خروشیدن تازی اسپان و پیل
✦
همی رفت آواز تا چند میل
“The roaring of Arab steeds and massive war-elephants echoed for miles across the plains.”
#11
یکی ژنده پیلی بیاراستند
✦
برو تخت زرین بپیراستند
“They adorned a formidable, colossal elephant and set upon its back a golden throne.”
#12
نشست از بر تخت زر پور زال
✦
ابا بازوی شیر و با کتف و یال
“Upon that golden throne sat the son of Zal, possessing lion-like arms, massive shoulders, and a mighty chest.”
#13
به سر برش تاج و کمر بر میان
✦
سپر پیش و در دست گرز گران
“A crown rested upon his head and a belt girded his waist; a shield was before him, and in his grip a heavy mace.”
#14
چو از دور سام یل آمد پدید
✦
سپه بر دو رویه رده برکشید
“When Sam the mighty hero appeared in the distance, the army formed ranks on both sides.”
#15
فرود آمد از باره مهراب و زال
✦
بزرگان که بودند بسیار سال
“Mehrab, Zal, and all the aged elders dismounted from their steeds to greet the grand champion.”
#16
یکایک نهادند سر بر زمین
✦
ابر سام یل خواندند آفرین
“One by one they touched their foreheads to the ground and sang high praises to Sam the heroic chief.”
#17
چو گل چهرهٔ سام یل بشکفید
✦
چو بر پیل بر بچهٔ شیر دید
“Sam's face blossomed like a rose when he beheld the lion’s whelp atop the elephant.”
#18
چنان همش بر پیل پیش آورید
✦
نگه کرد و با تاج و تختش بدید
“They brought the child on the elephant closer to Sam, who gazed upon him adorned with throne and crown.”
#19
یکی آفرین کرد سام دلیر
✦
که تهما هژبرا بزی شاد دیر
“Valiant Sam voiced a blessing: 'O mighty lion-child, live long and joyous in this realm!'”
#20
ببوسید رستمش تخت ای شگفت
✦
نیا را یکی نو ستایش گرفت
“Amazingly, Rostam bowed and kissed the base of the throne, uttering fresh praise unto his grandfather.”
#21
که ای پهلوان جهان شاد باش
✦
ز شاخ توام من تو بنیاد باش
“'O grand champion of the world, be joyful! I am a branch grown from your root; be my eternal foundation.'”
#22
یکی بنده‌ام نامور سام را
✦
نشایم خور و خواب و آرام را
“'I am but a humble servant to the glorious Sam; food, sleep, and rest are not my desire.'”
#23
همی پشت زین خواهم و درع و خود
✦
همی تیر ناوک فرستم درود
“'My desire is the saddle, the armor, and the helmet; my praise goes to the swift arrow.'”
#24
به چهر تو ماند همی چهره‌ام
✦
چو آن تو باشد مگر زهره‌ام
“'My face resembles yours in splendor; may my courage and gall equal your own!'”
#25
وزان پس فرود آمد از پیل مست
✦
سپهدار بگرفت دستش بدست
“Thereupon he dismounted from the mighty elephant, and the grand commander clasped his hand in his.”
#26
همی بر سر و چشم او داد بوس
✦
فروماند پیلان و آوای کوس
“Sam kissed Rostam's head and eyes repeatedly; the sound of drums and elephants sank into awed silence.”
#27
سوی کاخ ازان پس نهادند روی
✦
همه راه شادان و با گفت‌وگوی
“They turned their course toward the palace, joyous and conversing in high spirits all along the way.”
#28
همه کاخها تخت زرین نهاد
✦
نشستند و خوردند و بودند شاد
“In every palace golden thrones were set; they sat, feasted, and rejoiced with boundless heart.”
#29
برآمد برین بر یکی ماهیان
✦
به رنجی نبستند هرگز میان
“A whole month passed in this glorious fashion, with no mind set upon toil or hardship.”
#30
بخوردند باده به آوای رود
✦
همی گفت هر یک به نوبت سرود
“They drank dark wine to the melodies of harps, each singing songs of praise in turn.”
#31
به یک گوشهٔ تخت، دستان نشست
✦
دگر گوشه رستمش گرزی به دست
“At one side of the royal couch sat Dastan, and at the other sat young Rostam, holding his heavy mace.”
#32
به پیش اندرون سام گیهان گشای
✦
فرو هشته از تاج پر همای
“Before them sat Sam, the conqueror of realms, with the sacred Huma feather drooping from his royal crown.”
#33
ز رستم همی در شگفتی بماند
✦
برو هر زمان نام یزدان بخواند
“Sam remained in absolute wonder at Rostam, continually invoking Yazdan's holy name over him.”
#34
بدان بازوی و یال و آن پشت و شاخ
✦
میان چون قلم، سینه و بَر فراخ
“He marveled at those shoulders, arms, and stature—a waist slim as a reed, yet a chest broad and mighty.”
#35
دو رانش چو ران هیونان ستبر
✦
دل شیر نر دارد و زور ببر
“His thighs were thick as those of great elephants; he possessed the heart of a male lion and the strength of a tiger.”
#36
بدین خوب رویی و این فر و یال
✦
ندارد کس از پهلوانان همال
“'With such handsome face, royal glory, and stature, no hero in the world is his match!'”
#37
بدین شادمانی کنون می خوریم
✦
به می جان اندوه را بشکریم
“'In this rejoicing let us drink wine, hunting down and slaying the soul of sorrow with the cup.'”
#38
به زال آنگهی گفت تا صد نژاد
✦
بپرسی کس این را ندارد بیاد
“He then said to Zal: 'Though you inquire through a hundred generations, none will recall such a birth,'”
#39
که کودک ز پهلو برون آورند
✦
بدین نیکویی چاره چون آورند
“'That a child should be brought forth from the mother's side, and such magnificent remedy be found.'”
#40
بسیمرغ بادا هزار آفرین
✦
که ایزد ورا ره نمود اندرین
“'A thousand blessings be upon the Simorgh, to whom God revealed the path in this miracle!'”
#41
که گیتی سپنجست پر آی و رو
✦
کهن شد یکی دیگر آرند نو
“'For the world is a transient inn, full of coming and going; one grows old, and another is brought forth anew.'”
#42
به می دست بردند و مستان شدند
✦
ز رستم سوی یاد دستان شدند
“They took up the wine-cups and became intoxicated, turning their talk from Rostam to the deeds of Dastan.”
#43
همی خورد مهراب چندان نبید
✦
که چون خویشتن کس به گیتی ندید
“Mehrab drank so much wine that in his mind no man on earth could match his glory.”
#44
همی گفت نندیشم از زال زر
✦
نه از سام و نز شاه با تاج و فر
“He boasted: 'I fear neither Zal the fair, nor Sam, nor even the crowned king in all his splendor!'”
#45
من و رستم و اسب شبدیز و تیغ
✦
نیارد برو سایه گسترد میغ
“'With me, Rostam, the black steed, and my sword, no cloud dare cast a shadow upon us!'”
#46
کنم زنده آیین ضحاک را
✦
به پی مشک سارا کنم خاک را
“"I shall revive the ancient custom of Zahhak, and turn the very dust beneath my feet into pure musk!"”
#47
پر از خنده گشته لب زال و سام
✦
ز گفتار مهراب دل شادکام
“The lips of Zal and Sam opened in warm laughter, their hearts delighting in Mehrab's joyful words.”
#48
سر ماه نو هرمز مهرماه
✦
بران تخت فرخنده بگزید راه
“On the first day of the month of Mehr, as the new moon arose, the blessed commander set forth upon his way.”
#49
بسازید سام و برون شد به در
✦
یکی منزلی زال شد با پدر
“Sam made ready his baggage and stepped forth, while Zal accompanied his father for the first stage of the journey.”
#50
همی رفت بر پیل رستم دژم
✦
به پدرود کردن نیا را به هم
“Mounted upon an elephant, young Rostam rode with a heavy heart to bid farewell to his grandfather.”
#51
چنین گفت مر زال را کای پسر
✦
نگر تا نباشی جز از دادگر
“Thus spoke Sam to Zal: "O my son, see to it that you remain ever righteous and just."”
#52
به فرمان شاهان دل آراسته
✦
خرد را گزین کرده بر خواسته
“"Adorn your heart with obedience to the kings, and choose wisdom far above worldly wealth."”
#53
همه ساله بر بسته دست از بدی
✦
همه روز جسته ره ایزدی
“"Withhold your hands from evil all your years, and seek the Godly path each passing day."”
#54
چنان دان که بر کس نماند جهان
✦
یکی بایدت آشکار و نهان
“"Know well that this world endures for no one; let your open deed and hidden thought be one and the same."”
#55
برین پند من باش و مگذر ازین
✦
بجز بر ره راست مسپر زمین
“"Heed this advice of mine and depart not from it; walk nowhere on earth save upon the path of truth."”
#56
که من در دل ایدون گمانم همی
✦
که آمد به تنگی زمانم همی
“"For in my heart I feel a presentiment that my time on earth is drawing to a close."”
#57
دو فرزند را کرد پدرود و گفت
✦
که این پندها را نباید نهفت
“He bade farewell to the two younger generations, saying: "These counsels must never be concealed or forgotten."”
#58
برآمد ز درگاه زخم درای
✦
ز پیلان خروشیدن کرنای
“From the gateway echoed the clatter of bells, and from atop the elephants rose the blast of clarions.”
#59
سپهبد سوی باختر کرد روی
✦
زبان گرم‌گوی و دل آزرم‌جوی
“The chieftain turned his face towards the West, speaking warm farewells, his heart full of gentle affection.”
#60
برفتند با او دو فرزند او
✦
پر از آبْ رخ، دل پر از پند او
“His two descendants rode along with him for a space, tears glistening on their cheeks, their hearts brimful of his counsel.”
#61
دو منزل برفتند و گشتند باز
✦
کشید آن سپهبد براه دراز
“They journeyed together for two stages before turning back, while the warlord pressed onward along his lengthy road.”
#62
وزان روی زال سپهبد به راه
✦
سوی سیستان باز برد آن سپاه
“On his part, Zal the warlord marshaled the host and led them back along the road to Sistan.”
#63
شب و روز با رستم شیرمرد
✦
همی کرد شادی و هم باده خورد
“Day and night, alongside lion-hearted Rostam, he revelled in joy and drank fine wine.”