He became a hero by his words alone

As if he would spread forth the soul’s own flow

All that he owned in Zabulistan's domain

He brought to Kabulistan without delay

All ran towards Rustam with courage renewed

They called upon his name with royal attitude

Every horse Rustam brought forward with grace

He gripped its back with strength in place

With his power, you bent the back with ease

And laid it flat upon the earth to seize

Until Zarang arrived from Kabul’s land

The beast of many colors swiftly ran

A mare passed quickly, the eyes dim with fire

It seemed as fierce as a lion, yet short in attire

Her ears were like two shining swords in the fight

Her mane and body were splendid in sight

Behind her, a colt followed, rising high

Its chest and back matched the width of the sky

Its eyes dark, its coat like oxen’s sheen

Dark was its rear, swift as steel, unseen

Its body covered in patterns from edge to edge

Like the red rose’s mark upon saffron’s pledge

When Rustam saw this mare in her boldness rise

He noticed the colt, a hero’s prize

The royal lasso he sent forth with might

To capture the colt in its fearful flight

The old shepherd spoke to Rustam so wise

Do not seize the horse of others’ prize

Rustam asked, 'Whose horse is this beast?'

Whose legs are burnt from fiery heat released?

He answered, 'Do not seek its brand'

For its mark invites all speech to stand

We call this steed Rakhsh, a name so grand

Fiery in spirit and in color, it stands

No one knows its master, its name’s great quest

We only know it as Rustam’s, no less

It has been three years since it arrived here

Chosen by the elders, with no fear

When its mother sees the rider’s snare

Like a lion, it enters, ready for war’s affair

Rustam cast his royal lasso wide

And suddenly it closed upon his steed’s pride

It came like a lioness, its mother’s might

She sought to tear its head with her teeth’s bite

Rustam roared like a lioness in rage

The mare stood stunned by his voice, like a cage

He struck her neck with a mighty blow

From that punch, her body shook to and fro

She fell, but rose and turned away

And swiftly headed back towards her bay

Rustam tightened his grip with all his force

He pulled the lasso tighter with no remorse

Her claws scratched fiercely, driven by might

She pressed one hand against Rakhsh’s back, in spite

She could not loosen from the force applied

As if she had no knowledge of the tide

She replied, 'I have made this choice so bold'

Now it is my hands that will unfold

He asked the shepherd about this monstrous beast

How much it costs, and who claims the feast

The shepherd replied, 'If it’s Rustam’s hand'

He will make the land of Iran rightly stand

This beast’s price is the land of Iran’s cost

With it, you will right the world at a loss

Rustam’s lips spread in a smile so wide

He spoke, 'Goodness from the Creator shall guide'

He put the golden flower upon his saddle

His head filled with rage and war’s bitter rattle

He saw her opened lips, her swift tongue

He knew she had heart, courage, and strength young

He took off his armor, his helmet, too

His tough body, his mane and tail flew

His steed was so fierce, every night would burn

They feared the fire from its blaze’s turn

They said, 'It’s magic, no doubt,' to their dismay

As if in a hunt, the deer had come to play

Zal’s heart bloomed like spring’s joy and grace

With Rakhsh’s new colt and his bright noble face

He opened his treasure and gave gold to the poor

He forgot about the morrow, thinking of the lore