Then Rustam wrote his sire a full report
Of what had passed: “First blessing be on Him,
Who is the Lord of serpent, ant, and sun,
Of Venus, Mars, and Sol, and heaven above.
May He bless Zál, the hero of Zábul,
The peerless paladin, the warriors' shelter,
The Íránians' stay, who setteth up on high
The flag of Káwa, who enthroneth Sháhs,
Who taketh thrones, him whose commandment reacheth
To sun and moon.

I came to Mount Sipand

By thy behest, and what a mount was there!
'Twas like the sky. When I had reached its foot
There came a greeting from the castellan,
And though I did according to his bidding
All things turned out as I would have them be.

At night-time with my famous men of war
I gave scant respite to the garrison,
Who have been slain or maimed or have escaped
By throwing all their fighting-gear away.
There are in sooth five hundred thousand loads
Of silver ingots and of standard gold.
Of raiment, tapestries, and movables
No one could tell the total though he counted
For days and months. What would the paladin?
May his steps prosper, may his mind be bright.”
The messenger came like a blast and gave
The letter to the paladin. That chieftain
Read and exclaimed: “Praise to those noble ones.”
Thou wouldst have said: “The news will make him young.”
He wrote a full reply, first praising God
And then proceeding thus: “I have perused
That tale of triumph and poured out my soul
In joy. Such fights become thee well, my son!
Who though a boy hast played the man, illumed
The soul of Narímán and burned his foes.
To carry off the spoil I have sent camels
By thousands. Having read this mount with speed;
Thine absence grieveth me. Pack all the best,
Then fire the hold in vengeance.”

Rustam read

The letter well content, then chose the choicest
Among the signet-rings, swords, casques, and belts,
As well as pearls and jewels fit for kings,
And figured pieces of brocade of Chín,
And sent them to his sire. The caravan
Set forth while he set fire to Mount Sipand,
Whose reek rose skyward, then he turned away
Light-hearted and went home like rushing wind.
When Zál had heard: “The world-illuming chieftain
Hath come,” the folk prepared to welcome him
And decorated all the streets and quarters.
Arose the din of brazen clarions,
Of cymbals, trumpets, and of Indian bells
As eager Rustam fared toward Zál's palace
And coming bowed to earth before his mother,
Who blessed his face and kissed his chest and shoulders,
While Zál the chief embraced his son and bade
A scattering of largess to be made.