It so happened that one morning at dawn, Mehrab set out from his throne's lawn

Departing, he returned from that royal hall

He passed on to his private quarters with grace

And wandered around his gardened place

Two suns adorned his royal chamber so bright

Sindokht and Rudabeh, moon-faced in sight

Adorned like a garden in spring's full bloom

Fragrant, colorful, resplendent in its plume

In awe of Rudabeh, his wonder stood still

And invoked God's name, as if by His will

He saw a cypress beneath a moon so fair

With an amber-scented crown upon its hair

Clothed in silk and adorned with jewels rare

A paradise filled with treasures beyond compare

Sindokht asked Mehrab, her voice soft yet strong

Opening her ruby lips as she spoke along

How did your day go, and how have you returned?

May evil hands never to you be turned

What manner of man is this aged Sam's son?

Does he remember his throne or his battle won?

Does he possess the nobility of human ways?

Or does he merely follow the famed in praise?

To this, Mehrab answered with thoughtful regard

Oh silver cypress with a face like the moon, unmarred

In this world, among warriors bold and grand,

None can match Zal, the noble and fair of hand

When he holds the reins, seated by the painted hall,

You see no rider like him, unmatched by all

The heart of a lion and strength of an elephant, too

His hands like the Nile's flood, carrying through

In his court, he spreads jewels like rain from above

In battle, he risks his head for those he loves

His face dims even the brightest crimson hue

Young in age, alert, with fortune anew

In vengeance, a whale of calamity, fierce

On his saddle, a dragon with talons to pierce

In battle, he stains the earth with his foes' blood

And scatters blades like a swift, deadly flood

His white hair outshines even the purest of deer

Yet his critics are quick with words austere

His white hair suits him, enhancing his grace

It seems to captivate hearts in every place

When Rudabeh heard those words of praise

Her cheeks turned crimson, aglow in a blaze

Her heart was set aflame with love for Zal

She lost her appetite, her peace, and all

When desire replaced reason in her mind,

Her nature and ways became of another kind