New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Rudabeh Laments at Zal's Return

Rudabeh Laments at Zal's Return

From D1.4, Bahman Releases Zal. It illustrates D1.4.22–27:

  • D1.4.22
    When Zal returned at last to his own door,His wife Rudabeh’s tears began to pour.
  • D1.4.23
    She cried, “Alas for Rostam, brave and bold,Descendant of great Nariman of old!
  • D1.4.24
    While you still lived, who knew Goshtasb had reigned,Or that the world beneath his rule remained?
  • D1.4.25
    Your treasure plundered, Zal in bonds of dread,Your son, by arrows slain, lies cold and dead.
  • D1.4.26
    May no one see such days of grief and need;May earth be bare of Esfandiyar’s seed!”
  • D1.4.27
    Her cries of mourning spread across the plain,And reached both Bishutan and Bahman’s train.

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.