New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Rudabeh Stands Before Her Father

Rudabeh Stands Before Her Father

From A8.10, Mehrab Is Not Pleased. It illustrates A8.10.65–74:

  • A8.10.65
    She went before her father, bright and fair,Adorned in gold with jewels in her hair.
  • A8.10.66
    Like rising sun she stood before his eyes;He gazed in silence, struck with mute surprise.
  • A8.10.67
    She seemed a paradise in human guise,A springtime sun beneath the open skies.
  • A8.10.68
    He called upon the World-Creator’s name,Astonished by the radiance that came.
  • A8.10.69
    He said, “O foolish child, can you not knowWhat doom the heavens on such folly throw?
  • A8.10.70
    How could a pari join Ahriman’s breed?May crown and ring be lost for such a deed.
  • A8.10.71
    If Qahtan’s snake-charmer took the Magus way,An arrow would be fit reward that day.”
  • A8.10.72
    At this her heart grew heavy, full of dread;The living color from her cheeks had fled.
  • A8.10.73
    She lowered black lashes over eyes of light,And held her breath, nor answered in his sight.
  • A8.10.74
    He roared in fury like a leopard pressed,His wrath still beating hard within his breast.

In the picture

Woodcut panels, identity sheets and banners © 2026 New Naqqali LLC, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0: share and adapt them for non-commercial use, with credit to New Naqqali. Rights & permissions.