English
Section 2
When he reached the banks of the Helmand, he chose a worthy messenger.
He sent him to Zal, son of Sam, and gave him many messages of every kind.
He said: because of my grudge against Esfandiar, my days in this world have turned bitter.
And because of the deaths of Noush-Azar and Mehr-Noush, two noble princes, two blessed spirits.
Let us drive this old grudge from our hearts, or else I will drown all of Zabol in blood.
The messenger came to Zabol and spoke; Zal's heart was joined with pain and grief.
He answered: if the king would reflect on the matter of Esfandiar,
he would know that what happened was fated to happen; that whole affair has left my heart wounded.
You yourself stood in the midst of the good and the bad; from me you gained benefit, never harm.
Rostam did not turn away from his command; his heart was bound to his pledge.
Your father, that precious and mighty king, his hour came, and so his end grew grim.
In the forest neither the lion nor the fierce dragon escapes the grip of fate.
Surely you have heard what Sam the horseman did in his valor in those days.
So it went, down to the time of Rostam, who drew his sharp sword from its scabbard.
Think what he did for your forefathers, with his courage in times of shame and battle.
He was among your servants and guardians, one of the nobles of your army.
Now Rostam has died in wretchedness, and all Zabolestan has fallen into turmoil.
Night and day I grieve for my son, my eyes brimming with tears, my head covered in dust.
Wailing and burning, my heart full of pain, my two cheeks pale and my lips gone blue.
Cursed be the one who brought him down, and cursed be the one who showed him the way.
If you would look upon our quarrel, and think kindly about our situation,
and come and drive the grudge from your heart, and cast a spell of love over this land,
then all the treasure of my son and the gold of Sam, the golden belts and golden bridles,
I will bring before you when you come; you are the king, and the proud warriors are your flock.
He gave the messenger a horse and gold, and many gifts of every kind.
When this rich envoy reached Bahman, he told him all he had seen and heard from Zal.
When fortunate Bahman heard him, he refused the apology and flew into a rage.
He came into the city, his heart full of pain, his head full of grudge, his lips heaving cold sighs.
Zal, son of Sam the horseman, came out to meet him, he who was the renowned one of Sistan.
When he drew near to Bahman, he dismounted from his horse and bowed low before him.
He said to him: this is the time for mercy, the day to cleanse the heart of pain and grudge.
By the kindnesses that we have done, we raised you in your youth.
Forgive, and do not speak of the past; seek honor, and do not demand vengeance from the dead.
For before you Zal, son of Sam the horseman, has come this humbly, leaning on his staff.
Bahman grew furious at his words, and his ready wrath cooled a little.
At once he put his feet in chains, and would not heed the counsel of his minister or his treasurer.
From the palace of Zal, son of Sam the horseman, they loaded burden after burden onto the camels.
The gold and unblemished jewels, the thrones and every furnishing there was,
the silverware and crowns of gold, the golden vessels, earrings, and belts,
the Arabian horses with golden bridles, the Indian swords in golden sheaths,
the slaves and the sacks of coins, the musk and camphor, everything great and small,
all that Rostam had gathered with hardship, the treasure he had won from kings and proud warriors,
he gave all of Zabolestan up to plunder, and handed out purses and crowns to the great men.