Between the commander and that tall cypress tree

There was a woman, speaking words so sweet

You brought a message to the great hero

And from the hero, it was sent to the cypress flow

The commander of Dastan called him forth

Every word he heard, he promptly embraced

He said to him, go near Rudabeh’s place

Tell her, 'O good-hearted, crescent moon, fair-faced'

When the words, squeezed tight, reached with difficulty

Soon, you’ll see the key that unlocks its facility

The messenger returned from Sam’s domain

With joy and an auspicious message to sustain

He spoke much, heard much, and recounted the tale

In the end, they were of one mind, without fail

He lightly entrusted the woman's reply

The woman returned, carrying it by and by

She came near Rudabeh, swift as the wind

With joy, she brought news to her, grinned

The fairy cast gems upon the woman’s face

And placed her upon a golden throne in grace

A magnificent headdress she presented with flair

Woven within it, threads vanished in air

Her body adorned with ruby and gold so bright

The gold vanished, leaving precious gems in light

A pair of rich rings, dazzling and pure

Shining bright like Jupiter in the sky, allure

She sent it to Dastan, near Sam’s land

With many greetings, and a message so grand

The woman from her chamber reached the hall

She looked upon her, and Sindokht did call

The woman, afraid, turned back like Sandros

Frightened, she kissed the earth in her loss

Sindokht’s heart grew troubled by her voice

She asked aloud, ‘From where do you rejoice?’

As time passes, you’ll come through to me

You’ll enter my chamber, but you won’t gaze at me

My clear heart grew suspicious of you

Speak to me, tell me, I’m drawn to your view

The woman said, ‘I seek a solution true’

I’ll bring bread from many ways, for you

Rudabeh requested ornaments for her chamber bright

I gave her this, now it’s true and right

I brought her a crown, richly adorned

And a ring, full of jewels, royal and formed

Sindokht said to her, 'Show me

Release my anxious heart from its thoughts'

I entrusted Rudabeh with these two things

If she wants more, I will bring it too

She said, 'Place the price on my eye

Pour water on this anger of mine'

She said, 'The moon-faced one will give the dirham tomorrow

Until I get the price, do not seek it from me'

She considered her words deceitful

She prepared her heart for a battle with her

She came and searched her thoroughly

She sought any flaws and shortcomings in her

She became angry and grieved by that woman

She dragged her to the ground in disgrace

When she saw those precious garments

And the ornaments from Rudabeh's hand

She shut herself in the palace

She became intoxicated with thoughts

She ordered her daughter to come forward

She kept striking her own face

She washed the two sleeping daffodils with two roses

Until the flowers became fresh and vibrant

She said to Rudabeh, 'O proud moon

You have chosen the pit of pride'

What good remains in the world

That I have not shown you openly and secretly

Why have you become oppressive, O moon-faced one

Tell all your secrets to your mother

Who is this woman coming from

Why does she come before you

What is the nature of the conversation and who is that man

Who wears a beautiful headband and ring

From the great treasure of the Arab crown

We will have much profit and loss

In this name, I call upon the wind for justice

Since I have been born, may a daughter never be born

The earth saw Rudabeh and the mark of her feet

The earth froze from the anger of her mother in place

Tears of affection flowed from her eyes

Her face adorned with the blood of two narcissus flowers

She said to her mother, O wise one

You have broken my heart’s affection

My mother has not born me fortunate from the root

You have not spoken a word, neither good nor bad, from me

The commander’s hands stayed in Kabul

And his love set my heart on fire

The world became so tight upon my heart

That I wept, both openly and secretly

I don’t want a living body without his face

My world is worth less than a single hair of his

To the one who saw me and sat with me

We made a vow and clasped hands

A messenger was sent to the great Sam

He sent a response to the mighty Zal

The time twisted, and orders were made

Proper words were spoken and heard

The messenger was given many things

I heard all of Sam’s response too

By the hand of this woman who braids her hair

She struck the ground and pulled it to the surface

The messenger was the one who brought the letter

The reply to my letter was this robe

Sindokht was stunned by that conversation

She liked Zal as her match

She gave the reply that this is not wisdom

Like the hands that are not from noble ones

Great is the son of the world’s champion

His name and his spirit are bright and clear

He possesses all arts, and the deer is one

Before him, all other arts seem few

The king of the world becomes angry in this way

He raises dust to the sun from Kabul

He does not want anyone from our seed on earth

To bring disgrace to the saddle with their feet

He freed the woman and caressed her

He did so in a way that she did not recognize him

He saw Rudabeh hidden within

Where no one listens to anyone's advice in the world

She came from her grief and wept to sleep

And you would think her skin peeled from her body