New Naqqaliشاهنامه
Barbad Sings from the Cypress

Barbad Sings from the Cypress

From E7.6, The Minstrels Sarkash and Barbad. It illustrates E7.6.32–38:

  • E7.6.32
    When daylight yellowed and the evening came,And night was lapis with a deep-blue flame,
  • E7.6.33
    The minstrel in the cypress, hid from sight,Began a hero’s song that filled the night.
  • E7.6.34
    He sang so sweetly from the cypress bough,The wakeful Shah sat rapt and wondering now.
  • E7.6.35
    The tune that we call Dadafrid by namePoured from his voice like clear and living flame.
  • E7.6.36
    The court was struck with wonder and surprise,While nobles searched the dark with questing eyes.
  • E7.6.37
    The music drove Sarkash toward frantic dread;He knew the source, yet not a word he said.
  • E7.6.38
    He thought, “None plays like Barbad; none can knowThat heroic song, or make its music flow.”

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.