#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.”