Fereydoon and His Sons · A6.11

Iraj Goes to Meet His Brothers

The father’s letter seeks to protect Iraj through affection and rank. The armies’ spontaneous admiration instead intensifies the brothers’ fear of losing power.

F&R English · 40 couplets · 4 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Forty couplets preserve both letter and visit, giving the political cause of the murder a clear place beside jealousy.
Moscow	The letter and the reception are separate narrative units within the same visit.
Mohl	Pp 77–79 retain the appeal for care, the troops’ response and the private plot.
Ganjoor	Sh8 and sh9 contain 19 and 21 couplets respectively, all represented here.
Khaleghi	The main-text sequence places public admiration before the secret decision to kill, strengthening the political causation.

Parallel text

English left · Persian right. Ganjoor is the reference except where a row names a printed source. Select a number to open the relevant note. G identifiers distinguish digital sections across chapter boundaries.

1–8+

The aged Shah composed a letter then,

And sent his counsel to those distant men.

He praised the God whose being shall remain,

Eternal, far beyond decay and wane.

“This letter bears good counsel, plain and true,

To two exalted suns who shine in view;

Two warlike kings, both strong in sovereign might,

One rules in Khavar, one in Chin by right.

From one who crossed the world from end to end,

And learned what hidden signs and truths portend;

Who bears the sword and heavy gorz in hand,

And wears the royal glory of the land;

Who turns black night to day before his eyes,

And opens treasure past what hope could prize.

For whom hard trials have grown easy now,

And fortune turns a bright and favoring brow.

یکی نامه بنوشت شاه زمین

به خاور خدای و به سالار چین

سر نامه کرد آفرین خدای

کجا هست و باشد همیشه به جای

چنین گفت کاین نامهٔ پندمند

به نزد دو خورشید گشته بلند

دو سنگی دو جنگی دو شاه زمین

میان کیان چون درخشان نگین

از آنکو ز هر گونه دیده جهان

شده آشکارا برو بر نهان

گرایندهٔ تیغ و گرز گران

فروزندهٔ نامدار افسران

نمایندهٔ شب به روز سپید

گشایندهٔ گنج پیش امید

همه رنجها گشته آسان بدوی

برو روشنی اندر آورده روی

Ganjoor · f8:1-8

9–19+

I seek no crown, no treasure hoarded deep,

No royal seat, no sovereign power to keep.

After long grief, one comfort I would know:

That ease among my three dear sons may grow.

The brother whom your angry hearts accuse

Has never sent you harm or harsh abuse.

He runs to you because he longs to see

The brothers whom he loves in constancy.

He cast his kingship willingly aside,

And chose your brotherhood instead of pride.

He left the throne and mounted for the road,

His waist girt fast to serve at your abode.

He is the youngest: cherish and protect;

The younger kin deserve love and respect.

As I have nourished body, strength, and frame,

So nourish now his spirit just the same.

When he has stayed with you and shared your seat,

Send him with honor home, his stay complete.”

The Shah affixed his seal upon the scroll,

And Iraj left the eyvan, heart made whole.

He took such few attendants as were due,

Some old, some young, a modest retinue.

نخواهم همی خویشتن را کلاه

نه آگنده گنج و نه تاج و نه گاه

سه فرزند را خواهم آرام و ناز

از آن پس که دیدیم رنج دراز

برادر کزو بود دلتان به درد

وگر چند هرگز نزد باد سرد

دوان آمد از بهر آزارتان

که بود آرزومند دیدارتان

بیفگند شاهی شما را گزید

چنان کز ره نامداران سزید

ز تخت اندر آمد به زین برنشست

برفت و میان بندگی را ببست

بدان کو به سال از شما کهترست

نوازیدن کهتر اندر خورست

گرامیش دارید و نوشه خورید

چو پرورده شد تن روان پرورید

چو از بودنش بگذرد روز چند

فرستید با زی منش ارجمند

نهادند بر نامه بر مهر شاه

ز ایوان بر ایرج گزین کرد راه

بشد با تنی چند برنا و پیر

چنان چون بود راه را ناگزیر

Ganjoor · f8:9-19

20–29+

As Iraj neared them, nothing yet revealed

The dark design his brothers’ hearts concealed.

By royal custom, both rode forth to greet,

Their armies drawn in ranks, the train complete.

They saw his loving face, serene and bright,

And both their faces opened at the sight.

Two men of strife received one gentle soul,

Their tempers torn, while his remained whole.

Two hearts with rancor smoldered deep inside,

While one remained composed and purified.

Together all three entered the screened hall,

While troops remained beyond the curtain wall.

The army spoke of Iraj with one voice:

For throne and crown, he was the rightful choice.

Their hearts grew restless, filled with love and grace;

Their eyes stayed fixed upon their brother’s face.

In pairs they broke away across the plain,

And Iraj’s name ran softly through the train:

“Iraj alone deserves the royal name;

No other merits crown or sovereign fame.”

چو تنگ اندر آمد به نزدیکشان

نبود آگه از رای تاریکشان

پذیره شدندش به آیین خویش

سپه سربسر باز بردند پیش

چو دیدند روی برادر به مهر

یکی تازه‌تر برگشادند چهر

دو پرخاشجوی با یکی نیک خوی

گرفتند پرسش نه بر آرزوی

دو دل پر ز کینه یکی دل به جای

برفتند هر سه به پرده سرای

به ایرج نگه کرد یکسر سپاه

که او بد سزاوار تخت و کلاه

بی‌آرامشان شد دل از مهر او

دل از مهر و دیده پر از چهر او

سپاه پراگنده شد جفت جفت

همه نام ایرج بد اندر نهفت

که هست این سزاوار شاهنشهی

جز این را نزیبد کلاه مهی

Ganjoor · f9:1-9

30–40+

From the army’s edge Salm watched the murmurs spread,

And every whisper weighed upon his head.

He reached his tent, his heart consumed by spite;

Blood filled his liver, brows drawn hard and tight.

He cleared the court and drew Tur to his side,

Then spoke in private, all the rest outside.

They spoke of kingship, crowns of every land,

And weighed what power might yet remain in hand.

Then Salm said, “Why did all the soldiers stray

In scattered pairs when Iraj came today?

They rode as ours when first they left our side;

Returned with hearts to Iraj newly tied.

Through all that road, each eye remained on him;

Not one turned elsewhere till the light grew dim.

I feared him even before this display;

What I have seen has deepened that dismay.

From now these armies all will say the same:

No Shah but Iraj merits royal name.

Unless you tear his root out from the ground,

He will drag you beneath your throne, fast bound.”

They rose from counsel when the words were done,

And plotted through the night until the sun.

به لشکر نگه کرد سلم از کران

سرش گشت از کار لشکر گران

به لشگرگه آمد دلی پر ز کین

جگر پر ز خون ابروان پر ز چین

سراپرده پرداخت از انجمن

خود و تور بنشست با رای زن

سخن شد پژوهنده از هردری

ز شاهی و از تاج هر کشوری

به تور از میان سخن سلم گفت

که یک یک سپاه از چه گشتند جفت

به هنگامهٔ بازگشتن ز راه

نکردی همانا به لشکر نگاه

سپاه دو شاه از پذیره شدن

دگر بود و دیگر به بازآمدن

که چندان کجا راه بگذاشتند

یکی چشم از ایرج نه برداشتند

از ایران دلم خود به دو نیم بود

به اندیشه اندیشگان برفزود

سپاه دو کشور چو کردم نگاه

از این پس جز او را نخوانند شاه

اگر بیخ او نگسلانی ز جای

ز تخت بلندت کشد زیر پای

برین گونه از جای برخاستند

همه شب همی چاره آراستند

Ganjoor · f9:10-21

Narrative and poetic form

The chapter’s double perspective is effective: the father trusts the obligations of kinship, while Salm reads the same visitor as a rival whose mere presence can shift allegiance.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–8A royal letter in a paternal cause

1–8

The aged Shah composed a letter then,

And sent his counsel to those distant men.

He praised the God whose being shall remain,

Eternal, far beyond decay and wane.

“This letter bears good counsel, plain and true,

To two exalted suns who shine in view;

Two warlike kings, both strong in sovereign might,

One rules in Khavar, one in Chin by right.

From one who crossed the world from end to end,

And learned what hidden signs and truths portend;

Who bears the sword and heavy gorz in hand,

And wears the royal glory of the land;

Who turns black night to day before his eyes,

And opens treasure past what hope could prize.

For whom hard trials have grown easy now,

And fortune turns a bright and favoring brow.

یکی نامه بنوشت شاه زمین

به خاور خدای و به سالار چین

سر نامه کرد آفرین خدای

کجا هست و باشد همیشه به جای

چنین گفت کاین نامهٔ پندمند

به نزد دو خورشید گشته بلند

دو سنگی دو جنگی دو شاه زمین

میان کیان چون درخشان نگین

از آنکو ز هر گونه دیده جهان

شده آشکارا برو بر نهان

گرایندهٔ تیغ و گرز گران

فروزندهٔ نامدار افسران

نمایندهٔ شب به روز سپید

گشایندهٔ گنج پیش امید

همه رنجها گشته آسان بدوی

برو روشنی اندر آورده روی

Ganjoor · f8:1-8

Textual evidence

The letter’s invocation and elevated self-description precede its request for peace.

G f8 1 ↗ G f8 2 ↗ G f8 3 ↗ G f8 4 ↗ G f8 5 ↗ G f8 6 ↗ G f8 7 ↗ G f8 8 ↗ Moscow p 102 ↗ Moscow p 103 ↗ Moscow p 104 ↗ Moscow p 105 ↗ Mohl p 77 ↗ Mohl p 78 ↗ Mohl p 79 ↗ Khaleghi p 116 ↗ Khaleghi p 117 ↗ Khaleghi p 118 ↗ Khaleghi p 119 ↗

Interpretation

Ceremonial titles are not empty padding: the father uses the full authority of kingship in asking the sons to recover ordinary kinship. The English preserves that tension between public position and private vulnerability.

Return to parallel text

9–19The request for a safe return

9–19

I seek no crown, no treasure hoarded deep,

No royal seat, no sovereign power to keep.

After long grief, one comfort I would know:

That ease among my three dear sons may grow.

The brother whom your angry hearts accuse

Has never sent you harm or harsh abuse.

He runs to you because he longs to see

The brothers whom he loves in constancy.

He cast his kingship willingly aside,

And chose your brotherhood instead of pride.

He left the throne and mounted for the road,

His waist girt fast to serve at your abode.

He is the youngest: cherish and protect;

The younger kin deserve love and respect.

As I have nourished body, strength, and frame,

So nourish now his spirit just the same.

When he has stayed with you and shared your seat,

Send him with honor home, his stay complete.”

The Shah affixed his seal upon the scroll,

And Iraj left the eyvan, heart made whole.

He took such few attendants as were due,

Some old, some young, a modest retinue.

نخواهم همی خویشتن را کلاه

نه آگنده گنج و نه تاج و نه گاه

سه فرزند را خواهم آرام و ناز

از آن پس که دیدیم رنج دراز

برادر کزو بود دلتان به درد

وگر چند هرگز نزد باد سرد

دوان آمد از بهر آزارتان

که بود آرزومند دیدارتان

بیفگند شاهی شما را گزید

چنان کز ره نامداران سزید

ز تخت اندر آمد به زین برنشست

برفت و میان بندگی را ببست

بدان کو به سال از شما کهترست

نوازیدن کهتر اندر خورست

گرامیش دارید و نوشه خورید

چو پرورده شد تن روان پرورید

چو از بودنش بگذرد روز چند

فرستید با زی منش ارجمند

نهادند بر نامه بر مهر شاه

ز ایوان بر ایرج گزین کرد راه

بشد با تنی چند برنا و پیر

چنان چون بود راه را ناگزیر

Ganjoor · f8:9-19

Textual evidence

Fereydoon renounces personal gain, commends the younger brother to their care and asks that he be returned honorably. The seal and small escort close the letter’s frame.

Interpretation

Iraj’s submission is voluntary, not a captured prince’s compelled surrender. The modest company supports the peace mission and limits any reading that he arrives as an invading claimant.

Return to parallel text

20–29Welcome and popular recognition

20–29

As Iraj neared them, nothing yet revealed

The dark design his brothers’ hearts concealed.

By royal custom, both rode forth to greet,

Their armies drawn in ranks, the train complete.

They saw his loving face, serene and bright,

And both their faces opened at the sight.

Two men of strife received one gentle soul,

Their tempers torn, while his remained whole.

Two hearts with rancor smoldered deep inside,

While one remained composed and purified.

Together all three entered the screened hall,

While troops remained beyond the curtain wall.

The army spoke of Iraj with one voice:

For throne and crown, he was the rightful choice.

Their hearts grew restless, filled with love and grace;

Their eyes stayed fixed upon their brother’s face.

In pairs they broke away across the plain,

And Iraj’s name ran softly through the train:

“Iraj alone deserves the royal name;

No other merits crown or sovereign fame.”

چو تنگ اندر آمد به نزدیکشان

نبود آگه از رای تاریکشان

پذیره شدندش به آیین خویش

سپه سربسر باز بردند پیش

چو دیدند روی برادر به مهر

یکی تازه‌تر برگشادند چهر

دو پرخاشجوی با یکی نیک خوی

گرفتند پرسش نه بر آرزوی

دو دل پر ز کینه یکی دل به جای

برفتند هر سه به پرده سرای

به ایرج نگه کرد یکسر سپاه

که او بد سزاوار تخت و کلاه

بی‌آرامشان شد دل از مهر او

دل از مهر و دیده پر از چهر او

سپاه پراگنده شد جفت جفت

همه نام ایرج بد اندر نهفت

که هست این سزاوار شاهنشهی

جز این را نزیبد کلاه مهی

Ganjoor · f9:1-9

Textual evidence

The brothers offer a formal reception while retaining hidden enmity. Their troops recognize Iraj as suited to kingship.

Interpretation

The contrast between two hostile hearts and one composed heart is a central narrative judgment. Admiration is voiced within the armies, not a new legal election; it nevertheless presents a real political threat to Salm and Tur.

Return to parallel text

30–40Salm turns admiration into a death plan

30–40

From the army’s edge Salm watched the murmurs spread,

And every whisper weighed upon his head.

He reached his tent, his heart consumed by spite;

Blood filled his liver, brows drawn hard and tight.

He cleared the court and drew Tur to his side,

Then spoke in private, all the rest outside.

They spoke of kingship, crowns of every land,

And weighed what power might yet remain in hand.

Then Salm said, “Why did all the soldiers stray

In scattered pairs when Iraj came today?

They rode as ours when first they left our side;

Returned with hearts to Iraj newly tied.

Through all that road, each eye remained on him;

Not one turned elsewhere till the light grew dim.

I feared him even before this display;

What I have seen has deepened that dismay.

From now these armies all will say the same:

No Shah but Iraj merits royal name.

Unless you tear his root out from the ground,

He will drag you beneath your throne, fast bound.”

They rose from counsel when the words were done,

And plotted through the night until the sun.

به لشکر نگه کرد سلم از کران

سرش گشت از کار لشکر گران

به لشگرگه آمد دلی پر ز کین

جگر پر ز خون ابروان پر ز چین

سراپرده پرداخت از انجمن

خود و تور بنشست با رای زن

سخن شد پژوهنده از هردری

ز شاهی و از تاج هر کشوری

به تور از میان سخن سلم گفت

که یک یک سپاه از چه گشتند جفت

به هنگامهٔ بازگشتن ز راه

نکردی همانا به لشکر نگاه

سپاه دو شاه از پذیره شدن

دگر بود و دیگر به بازآمدن

که چندان کجا راه بگذاشتند

یکی چشم از ایرج نه برداشتند

از ایران دلم خود به دو نیم بود

به اندیشه اندیشگان برفزود

سپاه دو کشور چو کردم نگاه

از این پس جز او را نخوانند شاه

اگر بیخ او نگسلانی ز جای

ز تخت بلندت کشد زیر پای

برین گونه از جای برخاستند

همه شب همی چاره آراستند

Ganjoor · f9:10-21

Textual evidence

Salm observes the troops, withdraws with Tur and argues that Iraj must be uprooted. Their council lasts through the night.

Interpretation

The English properly makes Salm an initiating conspirator. Later Tur delivers the fatal blows, but immediate physical agency must not be confused with exclusive responsibility for the murder.

Return to parallel text

Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor f8 ↗ Ganjoor f9 ↗ Moscow p 102 ↗ Moscow p 103 ↗ Moscow p 104 ↗ Moscow p 105 ↗ Mohl p 77 ↗ Mohl p 78 ↗ Mohl p 79 ↗ Khaleghi p 116 ↗ Khaleghi p 117 ↗ Khaleghi p 118 ↗ Khaleghi p 119 ↗