In the depth of night, Zal the White-Haired convened with the noble chieftains of Iran. Their discussion turned upon the devastations of Afrasiab and the leaderless state of the realm. Zal counselled them, declaring that though warriors may possess awake fortune and radiant souls, an army is like a ship upon turbulent waters—it requires the throne of a king to serve as its sail and wind. Though Tus and Gustahm were of royal blood, the crown of the Kayanids demanded a ruler endowed with the Divine Glory (Farrah-e Izadi) and supreme wisdom. Searching through the lineages descended from Fereydun, they found none worthy save Zoo, the son of Tahmasp—an elder of eighty years who carried both royal vigor and ancient culture.
Qaran the warlord, accompanied by the mobads and marchwardens, hurried to Zoo and proclaimed him king. Zoo accepted the crown of Fereydun, and Zal offered grand praises to his throne. Reigning with boundless justice, Zoo renewed the world, withholding his troops from wrongdoing and maintaining a holy solitude of prayer with Yazdan. Yet a devastating famine descended upon the earth; the soil withered, vegetation vanished, and bread was weighed against silver coins. For eight long months, the armies of Iran and Turan stood face-to-face, yet not a single battle was joined, for hunger had sapped the strength of warriors.
At last, cries of distress arose from both camps as they realized this cosmic blight was the harvest of their own bloodshed and malice. Emissaries passed between them, forging a binding covenant of peace. They divided the earth by ancient custom and law: from the Sea of Paykand to the borders of Tur, extending to China and Khotan, was allocated to the Turanians, while the Turks bound themselves never to cross into the realms of Pars and Iran. As soon as malice was cast aside, the heavens unsealed their gates. Thunder echoed across the mountains, downpours drenched the dry soil, and the world transformed into a vibrant bride overflowing with blossoms and clear streams. For five golden years, Zoo ruled in peace and tranquility until his soul departed the mortal realm, leaving Iran once more to face the tides of destiny.
#1
شبی زال بنشست هنگام خواب
✦
سخن گفت بسیار ز افراسیاب
“One night Zal sat down at bedtime, speaking much of Afrasiab,”
#2
هم از رزم‌زن نامداران خویش
✦
وزان پهلوانان و یاران خویش
“As well as of his own renowned warriors, chieftains, and companions.”
#3
همی‌گفت هرچند کز پهلوان
✦
بود بخت بیدار و روشن روان
“He said: 'However much a champion possesses awake fortune and an enlightened spirit,”
#4
بباید یکی شاه خسرو‌نژاد
✦
که دارد گذشته سخن‌ها به‌یاد
“'There must be a king of monarchical lineage who holds past lore and history in memory.”
#5
به‌کردار کشتی‌ست کار سپاه
✦
همش باد و هم بادبان تخت شاه
“'The army's affair is like a ship; the king's throne is both its driving wind and its sail.”
#6
اگر داردی طوس و گستهم فر
✦
سپاه است و گردان بسیار مر
“'Though Tus and Gustahm possess royal aura, and there are innumerable heroes in the army,”
#7
نزیبد بر ایشان همی تاج و تخت
✦
بباید یکی شاه بیداربخت
“'The crown and throne do not truly grace them; there must be a vigilant, wise king,”
#8
که باشد بدو فرهٔ ایزدی
✦
بتابد ز دیهیم او بخردی
“'Who possesses the Divine Glory, from whose diadem wisdom radiates.'”
#9
ز تخم فریدون بجُستند چند
✦
یکی شاه، زیبای تخت بلند
“They searched among the seed of Fereydun for a king worthy of the high throne,”
#10
ندیدند جز پور طهماسپ زو
✦
که زور کیان داشت و فرهنگ گو
“They saw none but Zoo, son of Tahmasp, who combined Kayanid might with heroic wisdom.”
#11
بشد قارن و موبد و مرزبان
✦
سپاهی ز بامین و ز گرزبان
“Qaran set out alongside the mobad and marchwarden, leading an army from Bamin and Gorzban.”
#12
یکی مژده بردند نزدیک زو
✦
که تاج فریدون به تو گشت نو
“They brought glad tidings to Zoo: 'The crown of Fereydun is made new through you!”
#13
سپهدار دستان و یکسر سپاه
✦
ترا خواستند ای سزاوار گاه
“'Commander Dastan and the entire army have chosen you, O worthy of the high throne!'”
#14
چو بشنید زو گفتهٔ موبدان
✦
همان گفتهٔ قارن و بخردان
“When Zoo heard the words of the mobads and the message of Qaran and the wise men,”
#15
بیامد به نزدیک ایران سپاه
✦
به سر بر نهاده کیانی کلاه
“He came before the army of Iran, wearing the crown of the Kayanids upon his head.”
#16
به‌شاهی بر او آفرین خواند زال
✦
نشست از بر تخت زو پنج سال
“Zal pronounced blessings upon his kingship; Zoo sat upon the throne for five years.”
#17
کهن بود بر سال هشتاد مرد
✦
به‌داد و به‌خوبی جهان تازه‌کرد
“He was an aged man of eighty years; he renewed the world through justice and virtue.”
#18
سپه را ز کار بدی باز داشت
✦
که با پاک یزدان یکی راز داشت
“He restrained the host from evil deeds, holding secret communion with holy Yazdan.”
#19
گرفتن نیارست و بستن کسی
✦
وزان پس ندیدند کشتن بسی
“No one dared to seize or imprison another, and thereafter little killing was seen.”
#20
همان بد که تنگی بد اندر جهان
✦
شده خشک خاک و گیا را دهان
“Then calamity struck: extreme scarcity befell the world; the earth dried up and plants withered.”
#21
نیامد همی ز آسمان هیچ نم
✦
همی برکشیدند نان با درم
“No moisture fell from the sky, and people weighed out bread against silver coins.”
#22
دو لشکر بران گونه تا هشت ماه
✦
به روی اندر آورده روی سپاه
“For eight months the two hosts stood face to face, arrayed against one another.”
#23
نکردند یک‌روز جنگی گران
✦
نه روز یلان بود و رزم سران
“Not for a single day did they engage in heavy battle; it was no time for heroes and chieftains to fight.”
#24
ز تنگی چنان شد که چاره نماند
✦
سپه را همی پود و تاره نماند
“From hardship it became such that no remedy remained; the army possessed neither warp nor weft.”
#25
سخن رفتشان یک به‌یک هم‌زبان
✦
که از ماست بر ما بد آسمان
“They spoke with one voice, saying: 'This ill fate from the heavens stems from our own deeds.'”
#26
ز هر دو سپه خاست فریاد و غَو
✦
فرستاده آمد به نزدیک زو
“A clamor and cry rose from both hosts, and an envoy was dispatched to King Zoo,”
#27
که گر بهر ما زین سرای سپنج
✦
نیامد به جز درد و اندوه و رنج
“Saying: 'If our share from this transient dwelling is nothing but pain, grief, and travail,”
#28
بیا تا ببخشیم روی زمین
✦
سراییم یک با دگر آفرین
“'Come, let us divide the surface of the earth, and praise one another instead of warring.'”
#29
سر نامداران تهی شد ز جنگ
✦
ز تنگی نبد روزگار درنگ
“The minds of the noble leaders were emptied of war; scarcity left no room for hesitation.”
#30
بر آن برنهادند هر دو سخن
✦
که در دل ندارند کین کهن
“Both sides agreed upon the pact that they would harbor no ancient malice in their hearts,”
#31
ببخشند گیتی به رسم و به داد
✦
ز کار گذشته نیارند یاد
“To apportion the world by custom and justice, and never recall past grievances.”
#32
ز دریای پیکند تا مرز تور
✦
ازان بخش گیتی ز نزدیک و دور
“From the Sea of Paykand to the border of Tur, all that portion of the world near and far,”
#33
روارو چنین تا به چین و ختن
✦
سپردند شاهی بران انجمن
“Extending all the way to China and Khotan, they surrendered kingship over it in that assembly.”
#34
ز مرزی کجا مرز خرگاه بود
✦
ازو زال را دست کوتاه بود
“From the boundary where the steppe-tents began, Zal's hand was stayed.”
#35
وزین روی ترکان نجویند راه
✦
چنین بخش کردند تخت و کلاه
“And from this side, the Turks would seek no passage; thus did they divide throne and crown.”
#36
سوی پارس لشکر برون راند زو
✦
کهن بود لیکن جهان کرد نو
“Zoo marched his army back toward Pars; he was old, yet he made the world young again.”
#37
سوی زابلستان بشد زال زر
✦
جهانی گرفتند هر یک به بر
“Zal the Golden departed toward Zabolistan, each embracing their own domain.”
#38
پر از غلغل و رعد شد کوهسار
✦
زمین شد پر از رنگ و بوی و نگار
“The mountains echoed with thunder and clamor; the earth became full of color, scent, and beauty.”
#39
جهان چون عروسی رسیده جوان
✦
پر از چشمه و باغ و آب روان
“The world became like a youthful bride, brimming with springs, gardens, and flowing water.”
#40
چو مردم بدارد نهاد پلنگ
✦
بگردد زمانه بر او تار و تنگ
“When man adopts the ferocious nature of a leopard, fate turns dark and narrow upon him.”
#41
مهان را همه انجمن کرد زو
✦
به دادار بر آفرین خواند نو
“Zoo gathered all the chieftains together and offered fresh praise unto the Creator,”
#42
فراخی که آمد ز تنگی پدید
✦
جهان آفرین داشت آن را کلید
“For the abundance that emerged out of hardship—the Creator of the world held its key.”
#43
به هر سو یکی جشن‌گه ساختند
✦
دل از کین و نفرین بپرداختند
“Everywhere they established places of celebration, clearing their hearts of malice and curses.”
#44
چنین تا برآمد برین سال پنج
✦
نبودند آگه کس از درد و رنج
“Thus passed five years in this wise, and no one suffered pain or grief.”
#45
ببد بخت ایرانیان کندرو
✦
شد آن دادگستر جهاندار زو
“Then the fortune of the Iranians turned sluggish, and that just ruler Zoo passed away.”