To the king came this message, all at once it did show

That Sam descended from the mountain, full of grand glow

Manuchehr rejoiced upon hearing the word

And gave many praises to the world's great Lord

He ordered the famed Nozar without delay

To ride swiftly ahead to meet Sam on the way

To offer the royal blessing on him from the throne

For the joy that his radiant face had shown

He instructed him to invite Sam to the king

So that they may converse about many a thing

To behold the face of Dastan Sam so grand

And rejoice at the sight, as destiny had planned

Then from there to Zabulestan he shall depart

And follow the customs that honor the royal heart

When Nozar arrived to greet mighty Sam the brave

He saw a new world hero, with valor he gave

Sam dismounted from his steed with pride

And the two embraced, standing side by side

Sam inquired of the king and the warriors too

From them, Nozar conveyed the royal message true

When Sam heard the great king's word of grace

The mighty Sam kissed the earth in humble embrace

He hurried toward the court with eager pace

As the seeker of the crown had directed his place

When he neared the majestic king's domain

The commander welcomed him with no disdain

Seeing Manuchehr's banner, Sam was pleased

He dismounted, his respect never eased

Manuchehr bid him to mount once more

The pure-hearted knight who honored the crown he bore

They moved toward the throne and the royal hall

Both the crown bearer and the crown seeker, all

Manuchehr sat on his throne with joy in his heart

And placed the grand crown, a royal work of art

With Qaren on one side and Sam on the other

They sat with bright hearts and joyful spirits

They adorned Zal before the king

With a golden staff and a jeweled crown

The chamberlain brought him forward with pride

The king was left in awe of him

At that tall stature and beautiful face

You'd say he is the peace and love of life

The king said to Sam

Take this one under my protection

Do not harm him in any way

Do not be happy with anyone but him

He has the glory of the Kian and the grip of a lion

The heart of the wise and the melody of a lion

After the matter of the Simorgh and the high mountain

And how the noble one became lowly

Sam told him everything one by one

Both openly and secretly

And revealed the secret of abandoning Zal

And how fate treated him from above

In the end, the world was full of tales of the Simorgh and Zal

For many years

I went by the command of the world-ruling God

To Mount Alborz to that dreadful place

I saw a mountain with its peak in the clouds

It seemed like a firmament made of rock on water

A breeze high on it like a tall palace

From every direction, the path to it was closed

Inside it, the Simorgh's chick and Zal

You would say they were both alike

The scent of love came from its breeze

And comfort came to the heart from its memory

I told the judge the secret truthfully

O independent Creator

Your proof has reached every place and realm,

The heavens turn only by your helm.

I am but a servant, with a body of sin,

Before the Lord of the sun and moon within.

My hope lies solely in your mercy, O great,

To nothing else can I navigate.

This servant, nurtured like a bird by your hand,

Who grew in humility and supplication, you planned.

He dons feathers instead of silken attire,

His food was milk when nourishment was dire.

Do not burn my soul for my lack of grace,

Forgive me and light my heart with your embrace.

By God's command, as these words were said,

The prayer was accepted and blessings were spread.

The Simorgh flapped its wings and soared to the skies,

Encircling the man below with heavenly ties.

It came from the mountain like a springtime cloud,

Taking Zal’s body tenderly, unbowed.

It brought him to me like a caring nurse,

Full of affection, with love to disperse.

I brought him to the king of the world so grand,

Revealed his secrets, no longer banned.

The king commanded the wise and the priests,

The astrologers and scholars, to convene a feast.

To seek the fate of Zal in the stars' decree,

And see what fortune the heavens foresee.

What shall become of him when he rises high?

What tales of glory will his life imply?

The astrologers quickly in their wisdom profound,

Discovered the signs in the stars around.

They said to the king with the royal crown,

Live joyously, O king, as time circles around.

For he shall be a hero of great renown,

Noble, wise, valiant, and strong on the battleground.

When the king heard this, he became happy

The hero's heart was freed from sorrow

The king of the earth made a gift

That everyone praised

With Arabian horses adorned with golden trappings

With Indian swords in golden scabbards

With dinars, fur, rubies, and gold

With many spread-out treasures

Roman slaves in Roman silk

All adorned with gems and gold backgrounds

Plates of chrysolite and turquoise cups

Whether of red gold or raw silver

Filled with musk, camphor, and saffron

The attendants brought them all forward

Also armor, helmets, and body armor

Also spears, arrows, and heavy maces

Also the turquoise throne and the golden crown

Also the ruby seal and the golden belt

And then Manuchehr wrote a new treaty

All praise like paradise

All of Kabul, Zabul, May, and India

From the Sea of China to the Sea of Sindh

From Zabulistan to that side of the border

They wrote a proper treaty anew

When they adorned this treaty and gift

Then they asked for the world's hero's horse

When this was done, Sam stood up

Saying, 'O kind and just elder

From the fish's thought to the moon's orbit

No king like you has ever worn a crown

With love, justice, disposition, and wisdom

The world takes joy from you

All the treasures of the world are naught in your sight,

May your name never fade and remain as a light.

He descended and kissed the throne in grace,

And upon the elephant's peak, drums took their place.

Toward Zabolestan they set their course,

With the city's gaze fixed on him in full force.

When he came near to Nimrooz's domain,

The world’s leader heard of his gain.

Sistan was adorned, like paradise bright,

Its flowers were musk and gold bricks in sight.

They scattered much musk and dinars around,

And saffron and silver coins, they found.

A celebration spread across the world’s space,

Among the mighty and humble, joy took its place.

Wherever there was a noble seeking renown,

They turned from the world and toward Sam’s crown.

May this young man’s path be blessed and true,

For this noble-hearted, famed champion too.

When blessings were sung for the valiant knight,

Above Zal, jewels and gold fell in light.

Then Sam sat adorned with a goblet in hand,

Granting gifts and fulfilling all commands.

To those deserving of robes and esteem,

The wise and rulers of the worldly stream.

Robes were tailored to their worthy measure,

Seeking heights of honor and treasure.

The worldly wise he summoned from every land,

Speaking words of wisdom, noble and grand.

He spoke thus to the famous wise with care,

O pure and awake-hearted priests, so rare.

Such is the command of the wise king,

That the army must march and its strength bring.

To the lands of wolves and to Mazandaran,

I shall lead a great army with courage drawn.

This son remains with you

Who is equal to my soul and partner to my heart

My heart and soul remain here

As tears of blood fall from my eyes

In youth and vigor

I made a vain judgment

I abandoned the son God gave me

Out of ignorance, I did not appreciate him

The precious Simorgh took him

As the Creator had appointed

She raised him like a tall cypress

To me, she was despised, but to him, she was precious

When the time for mercy came

The world-ruling God returned him to me

Know that this is my protection

He is my legacy to you

Treasure him and give him advice

Give him all the high ways and wisdom

Then Sam turned to Zal

Saying, 'Take justice and generosity, and seek peace'

Know that the house of Zabulistan is yours

The whole world is under your command

Your house and home should be more prosperous

The hearts of your loved ones should be happier

The key to the treasures is with you

My heart is happy and sad with your well-being

Then young Zal said to Sam

That I will live here anew

Where you had me separated before

Do not hold me, for the time of reconciliation has come

Anyone born guilty from a mother

I am the one who deserves to lament from justice

Sometimes under the bird's claws

Crawling on the ground and feeding on blood

Now far have I strayed from the nurturing Lord,

Such has destiny raised me, by its accord.

From the rose, for me, no prize but thorn remains,

Against the Creator, no quarrel sustains.

To him, devoting one’s heart is only right,

So devote yourself and speak what’s in your sight.

The stargazer, inclined to stars' decree,

Has thus told your fate with auspicious glee.

Here shall your resting place be known,

Here lies your army and here your throne.

No escape from the spinning heavens’ decree,

Here must you spread love for eternity.

Now gather a group of your own around,

Of riders and seekers of wisdom profound.

Learn and listen to every wise word,

From all knowledge, serenity is conferred.

Never cease from feasting and generosity,

Prepare for knowledge and justice with intensity.

Thus spoke he, and the sound of drums arose,

The sky turned pitch-black, and ebony the earth chose.

The ringing of bells and Indian gongs did play,

From the palace halls, their echoes held sway.

The general turned his face toward the fight,

With an army prepared, brave and bright.

Zal journeyed with him two stages along the path,

To see how his father would position the wrath.

The father embraced Zal, holding him tight,

Astonishment and clamor rose in their sight.

He ordered him back from the path to return,

To the throne and crown, where joy would burn.

Sam the wise, filled with thoughts, did arrive,

Wondering how to live and keep his name alive.

He sat on the famed ivory throne with grace,

And placed the radiant crown upon his face.

With a bracelet and a bull-headed mace

With a golden torque and a golden belt

He summoned the priests from every country

He investigated every matter and made decisions

Astrologers and religious scholars

Warriors and avengers

They were with him day and night

Deliberating on every detail

Zal became so learned

You would say he was a star from his brilliance

He reached a level of wisdom and knowledge

That no one in the world was his equal

Thus, the revolving sky moved

Spreading its love over Sam and Zal