Zal Reaches Kabul

Zal rode on in a rush, like a bird in flight, like a ship on the water. No one knew of his coming, so none went out in splendor to greet him. Then a cry rose from the royal tent: Zal, the wise and blessed, has arrived. Sam, the hero, went out to meet him with joy and held him a while in his arms. Zal dismounted and kissed the ground, then told all he had seen and heard, plainly. Sam sat upon his noble throne, and beside him Zal, glad of heart and content. He began to speak of Sindokht; his lips smiled, though he kept part of it hidden. He said: A message came from Kabul, carried by a woman envoy named Sindokht. She asked a pact of me, and I gave my word never to think ill of her house. Whatever she asked of me for good, we set it all straight in our talk. First, that the moon of Kabul be wed to the sun of Zabol. Second, that we go to them as guests, so those old wounds may find their cure. A messenger has come from her, saying: the work is done, so show your face. Now what answer shall we give the messenger? What shall we say to noble Mehrab? Zal's heart grew so glad that his whole face flushed the color of a ruby. He answered: O hero, if you see it as clear and right in your mind, march the army and let us go to Kabul; let us speak of this and hear their words. Blessed Sam looked at Zal and understood at once what he truly longed for. Any words that were not of Mehrab's daughter were, to Zal, no better than a dream. He ordered the bells and Indian gongs struck, and the royal tent thrown open. The brave man sent a swift camel racing off to reach Mehrab, the lion, to tell him the commander was on the road with Zal, with elephants and a great army. The messenger galloped and reached Kabul, and a fitting cry of joy went up. The king of Kabul was so glad at this bond with the sun of Zabol, that it was as if they poured out their very lives; they called for musicians from every corner.