Once Zal, the wise, was filled with thought

He raised his mane and spread his wings wide

Then he opened his mouth to reply

And remembered all the priests' questions

First, of the twelve tall trees

Each with thirty branches reaching high

Each year has twelve new moons

Like a king with new rituals, beneath a new sky

Each month ends in thirty days

Thus, the cycle of time flows

Now of the two steeds you spoke

Flaming like the fire of Azar Gashasp

Both are time, one white, one black

Chasing each other swiftly

Night and day, passing by

The breath of the wheel counts over us

And of the thirty riders you spoke

Who passed before the king

Of those thirty, one falls short

Yet when counted, they are still thirty

You spoke of nothing but the waning moon

Which sometimes loses one night

Now, let us unsheathe these words

Of the two cypresses where the bird nests

From Aries to Libra, the world

Hides its darkness within

Thus, through its cycle, it turns to the moon

Filled with shadows and darkness

Two cypresses, the arms of the high wheel

Half joyous, half sorrowful

The flying bird, think of it as the sun

It brings the world both fear and hope

Another town on the mountain peak

A place of patience and settlement

This thorny land is like a fleeting home

Offering both treasures and suffering

It counts your every breath

It both elevates and destroys

A wind rises with an earthquake

And chaos erupts from the world

All our toil remains in the thorny land

We must pass to the prosperous town

Another reaps the benefits of our struggles

But it will not last for them either

Thus, the tale unfolds from the beginning

It remains the same, never becoming new or old

If our provision is a good name

Our souls will hold that in high esteem

But if we indulge in greed and deception

It will reveal itself when we are lifeless

If our palace rises to touch the heavens above

Yet all we claim is a tent for our trove

When blood and dust cover our resting face

All that remains is fear, sorrow, and trace

The plain and that man with a sharp scythe in hand

Dry and wet alike fear his command

He cuts both the dry and wet the same

No pleas or words can ever tame

The reaper is time; we are like the grass

It cuts grandsons and ancestors as it does pass

To old and young, it turns not its eye

The prey that comes before it cannot deny

Such is the structure and fate of the world

No one is born but to death they’re hurled

It enters through this door and departs from that

Time counts its breaths as it lays the mat

When Zal spoke these words so clear and wise

The king’s heart was gladdened; delight filled his eyes

In joy, a gathering was splendidly prepared

The king of the world a jubilant air shared

The king adorned a festive hall of cheer

Bright as the moon on the fourteenth night, clear

They poured wine till the world grew dim

The revelers dazzled by wine at its brim

The echoes of men rose above the throne

One by one, they exited the king’s zone

The warriors departed, joyous and spry

Each holding the other’s hand, waving goodbye

As the sun rose its flame above the hill

The noble leaders awoke from their still

Zal the brave came girded with resolve

Before the king like a lion to evolve

He sought permission to return from court

To visit his father, the noble strong fort

He told the king, ‘O ruler of kind heart

My soul longs for Sam, from whom I mustn’t part

I kiss this ivory throne’s noble base

My heart is lit by its might and grace

The king said to him, 'O brave young warrior,'

'This day too must be entrusted to you.'

'You desire the daughter of Mehrab,'

'Yet your heart’s path leads to Sam of Zabul.'

He ordered drums and Indian gongs to sound,

And flutes to play as they marched to the field.

With spears, maces, arrows, and bows in hand,

The warriors went forth, all in high spirits.

They took their bows and sharp arrows of steel,

Aiming as if it were a day of battle.

Each twisted his reins to some purpose anew,

With maces, swords, arrows, and spears.

A tall tree stood in the king’s arena,

Enduring many years and months.

Sam’s mighty hand stretched his bow,

Spurred his steed, and announced his name.

He struck the center of the tall tree,

The royal arrow cut clean through.

While galloping, he loosed another arrow,

And passed by, like a roaring lion.

The spear-bearers took up their shields,

And circled with heavy stones in hand.

Zal asked the young Turk for a shield,

Spurred his steed, his mane flying high.

He cast aside his bow and seized his spear,

With it, he took an unprecedented prey.

He struck three shields with his stone, like a hero,

And flung them aside with disdain.

The world’s king asked the noble warriors,

'Who among you will face him in battle?'

One stepped forward to challenge him in combat,

With arrows and spears raising dust.

The warriors all took up their weapons,

Hearts enraged and tongues sharp with taunts.

They went to the battlefield, twisting their reins,

With spears and polished lances in hand.

It came to pass that man confronted man,

Zal spurred his steed, and dust rose high.

He looked to see who among them was the rider,

Reining in, proud and noble in stature.

Out of the dust emerged like a whale,

Seized his belt tightly within his grip.

So effortlessly he lifted him off the saddle,

That both the king and the army stood in awe.

The proud warriors shouted aloud,

No one has ever seen such a display.

Whoever seeks battle against him,

Shall stain his mother's dress with azure tears.

Neither lions give birth to such heroes,

For he is no less than a dragon in might.

Blessed is Sam, the hero, for leaving such a legacy,

A brave warrior who remains renowned in the world.

The great king bestowed his praise upon him,

As did the noble and renowned leaders.

The nobles went to the king's palace,

With girded waists and adorned caps.

The king of the world prepared a grand robe,

Which left all the nobles astonished.

From the precious crown to the golden throne,

From armlets and necklaces to golden girdles.

Also included were luxurious garments,

With servants, horses, and all kinds of treasures.

All these the king entrusted to Zal, the commander,

Everything from end to end.