English
Sam Comes Down from the Mountain
One by one the news reached the king: Sam had come down from the mountain in glory.
That news made Manuchehr glad, and he gave much praise to the Creator of the world.
He ordered the renowned Nozar to ride out swiftly to meet Sam.
To offer him a royal welcome, with all the joy of finally seeing his face.
He was to bid Sam come to the king, so they could speak and share their words.
That Sam might look upon the face of his son Zal, and rejoice at meeting him again.
And from there return to Zabolestan, following the ways of those who serve their king.
When Nozar reached Sam, son of Nariman, he saw a new champion of the world.
Sam the rider dismounted from his horse, and the two men embraced each other.
Sam asked after the king and his warriors, and Nozar delivered the king's message to him.
When mighty Sam heard the great king's message, he kissed the ground.
He set off in haste toward the court, just as the crown-seeking king had commanded.
When he drew near the king, the commander came out to receive him.
When Sam saw Manuchehr's banner, he dismounted from his horse and walked on foot.
Manuchehr ordered that pure-hearted, king-serving hero to mount again.
They turned toward the throne and the hall together, both the crowned king and the crown-seeker.
Manuchehr sat joyfully upon his throne and set the crown of greatness on his head.
With Qaren on one side and Sam on the other, they sat down bright-hearted and content.
Then Zal was brought before the king, adorned, with a golden mace and a battle helmet.
The chief of the court brought him in, striding proudly, and the king marveled at him.
At that tall stature and that beautiful face, you would say he was the very comfort and love of the soul.
The king said to Sam: from now on, keep this one in your care.
Never wrong him without cause in any way; take joy in no one but him.
For he has royal splendor and a lion's grip, the heart of the wise and the courage of a lion.
Then, about the Simorgh and the high mountain, and how one once scorned became honored,
Sam told him all of it, one by one, both openly and in secret.
He revealed the secret of casting Zal away, and how the heavens turned against him from on high.
In the end the world was filled for many years with the tale of the Simorgh and Zal.
I went, by the command of the Lord of the world, to Mount Alborz, to that dreadful place.
I saw a mountain with its peak in the clouds; you would say it was a sky of solid granite rising over water.
You have a nest as lofty as a high palace, safe on every side from any harm.
Inside it lived the fledgling and Zal together, as if the two were equals.
The scent of love drifted on his breath, and even the thought of him brought peace to the heart.
I spoke in secret and truly to the Judge: O Creator who needs nothing,
your proof reaches everywhere, and the heavens turn only by your command.
I am a servant with a body full of sin, standing before the Lord of the sun and moon.
My only hope is in your mercy; I have no other resource.
This servant, raised by a bird, brought up in hardship and misery,
clothed in feathers instead of silk, fed on meat instead of a breast full of milk,
do not burn my soul over my faithlessness; give him back to me and light up my heart.
When this was said, by the will of God the prayer was granted at once.
The Simorgh beat her wings and rose to the clouds, then circled above the fire-worshipping man.
She came down from the mountain like a spring cloud, holding Zal's body in her embrace.
She brought him to me like a nurse who is full of tenderness for him.
I brought him before the king of the world and revealed to him all that had been hidden.
Then the king ordered the priests, the astrologers, and the wise men,
to find out what Zal's star was, and whose fortune shone on that star as its master.
When he rises high, what will he become; what tale will fate tell of him?
At once the astrologers read the clear signs from his star.
They told the crowned king: May you live in joy as long as time endures,
for he will be a famous champion, proud, clear-minded, brave, and a fine horseman.
When the king heard these words he rejoiced, and the champion's heart was freed of sorrow.
The king of the earth prepared a robe of honor for which everyone praised him.
Arab horses with golden bridles, Indian swords in golden sheaths,
coins, fine silk, rubies and gold, and many rich carpets to spread out,
Roman servants dressed in Roman brocade, its patterns all jewels and its ground all gold,
trays of emerald and cups of turquoise, some of red gold and some of pure silver,
filled with musk, camphor, and saffron; the servants carried it all forward.
Also armor, helmet, and horse-mail, spear, arrow, and heavy mace,
a turquoise throne and a golden crown, a ruby signet and a golden belt.
After that, Manuchehr wrote out a decree, filled from end to end with praise like paradise.
All of Kabul, Zabol, Mai, and India, from the Sea of China to the Sea of Sind,
from Zabolestan to the far side of Bost, they set down a fresh and binding pact.
When they had prepared this decree and robe of honor, they called for the world champion's horse.
When this was done, Sam rose to his feet: 'O kind and mighty lord of justice and truth,
from the depths below to the turning moon above, no king like you has ever worn the crown.
With love and justice, with good temper and wisdom, the age draws its ease and comfort from you.
In your eyes all the treasure of the world is worthless. May your name never fade from memory.'
He came down and kissed the throne; they strapped the war drums onto the elephant's back.
They set out toward Zabolestan, every town and street watching them pass.
When he drew near to Nimruz, word spread of the world illuminating chief.
Sistan was adorned like paradise, its clay pure musk, its bricks laid in gold.
They poured out heaps of musk and gold coins; they scattered saffron and silver everywhere.
There was such joy throughout the world, among the humble and the great alike.
Wherever there was a noble seeking renown, from across the land he turned toward Sam,
saying, 'May this young man's path be blessed, blessed be this pure hearted, famous champion.'
When they had praised the champion, they showered jewels upon Zal the golden.
Then Sam sat in splendor with his cup, giving out gifts and taking his pleasure.
Whoever deserved a robe of honor, being wise and fit to hold command,
they dressed each in a robe fitting his rank, and all sought a higher standing.
He summoned the experienced elders from the realm and spoke to them of many needful things.
He said to the renowned and wise: 'O pure and clear minded priests,
such is the command of the vigilant king: the army must be marched down the road.
Toward the Gorgsaran and Mazandaran I intend to lead a heavy host.
This son will stay here with you, one dear to me as my own life and heart.
My heart and soul remain here with him; my lashes scatter the blood of my heart.
In the days of my youth and daring, I once made a pointless, unjust judgment.
I cast away the son God had given me; out of ignorance I failed to know his worth.
The noble Simorgh lifted him up; the Creator himself appointed her to it.
She raised him like a tall cypress tree; worthless to me, he was precious to the bird.'
When the time for mercy finally came, the Lord of the world gave him back to me.
Know that he is entrusted to my care, and now I leave him with you as a keepsake.
Treat him with honor, give him counsel, and teach him every noble path and wise idea.
Then Sam turned toward Zal and said: hold to justice and generosity, and seek peace.
Know that Zabulistan is your home; the whole world, from end to end, is under your command.
Make your home and your realm more flourishing, and the hearts of those who love you more glad.
The keys to all the treasuries are yours; my heart, in joy or sorrow, rests on your fortune, whether small or great.
Then young Zal said to Sam: how am I to live here, alone and wretched?
Before this you kept me far away; do not keep me so now, when the time of reconciliation has come.
If anyone was born guilty from his mother, I am that one, and it is fair if I cry out against this injustice.
Once I lay under the talons of a bird, crawling in the dust and feeding on blood.
Now I am cut off from the one who raised me; this is how fate chooses to raise me.
From the rose garden my only share is thorns, yet I have no quarrel with the Lord of the world over this.
Sam said: it is right to unburden your heart; empty it out and tell me whatever you wish.
The astronomer, the reader of stars, foretold this good fortune for you from the heavens:
that here will be your resting place, here your army, and here your crown.
There is no escaping the decree of the turning sky; here you must spread out your love and kindness.
Now gather around yourself a company of horsemen and men who seek knowledge.
Learn and listen to every branch of knowledge, for in every knowledge you will find delight.
Never rest from eating well and giving freely; set your whole aim on wisdom and on doing justice.
He said this, and the war drums rose; the air turned dark as pitch, the earth black as ebony.
The clang of bells and Indian cymbals rose up from the entrance of the royal pavilion.
The commander set his face toward battle, leading an army made ready for war.
Zal rode with him two stages along the road, to see how his father would lead the troops away.
The father held Zal tight against his chest, and a strange, wondrous weeping seized him.
He ordered Zal to turn back from the road and return in joy to his throne and crown.
Zal, son of Sam, went home full of thought about how to live and keep a good name.
He sat upon the famous throne of ivory and placed that shining crown upon his head.
With the armband and the ox-headed mace, with the golden collar and the golden belt.
He summoned the wise elders from every land, examined every matter, and settled every affair.
Astrologers and men of faith, warriors on horseback and fierce fighters,
were with him night and day, discussing every matter, great and small.
Zal grew so much from all his learning that you would say he shone like a star ablaze.
In judgment and knowledge he reached such heights that he saw no one in the world to equal him.
And so the turning heavens kept spinning, spreading their love over both Sam and Zal.