Fereydoon and His Sons · A6.18

Fereydoon Answers His Sons

Fereydoon refuses pardon, then the returning envoy’s description of Manuchehr’s power turns failed diplomacy into mobilization for war.

F&R English · 90 couplets · 8 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Ninety couplets retain the extended refusal and give the returning envoy’s report room to develop into a strategic turning point.
Moscow	The refusal and report lead into mobilization; the envoy’s return is distinct from the king’s own words.
Mohl	Pp 88–92 offer fuller refusal material as well as the court report. Selected anchors are quoted rather than presented as a complete new Persian edition.
Ganjoor	Sh13.58–128 is shorter around the refusal and differs in details of the supporting roster.
Khaleghi	The main narrative carries the refusal and report, with local inclusions and name readings requiring their own evidence.

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.

1–10+

The world-ruling Shah heard what they had sent,

Those two corrupt sons’ message and intent.

He asked the envoy, “Can a hand conceal

The sun from mortal eyes beneath heaven’s wheel?

The hearts those wicked men concealed from sight

Now blaze more plainly than the noonday light.

I heard each word you carried to my throne;

Now hear the answer I will make my own.

Tell those two shameless men, corrupt and base,

Those unjust sons whose love has left no trace:

Their empty speech is worth no further breath;

Why lengthen words concerning guilt and death?

If love for Manuchehr has touched your breast,

Where lies famed Iraj? Where does his body rest?

His body fed the beasts that roam the plain;

A narrow casket held what did remain.

With Iraj slain and cast aside from view,

You now prepare for Manuchehr’s blood too.

You will not see his face except in fight,

A steel helm on his head, his army bright.

چو بشنید شاه جهان کدخدای

پیام دو فرزند ناپاک رای

یکایک بمرد گرانمایه گفت

که خورشید را چون توانی نهفت

نهان دل آن دو مرد پلید

ز خورشید روشن‌تر آمد پدید

شنیدم همه هر چه گفتی سخن

نگه کن که پاسخ چه یابی ز بن

بگو آن دو بی‌شرم ناپاک را

دو بیداد و بد مهر و ناباک را

که گفتار خیره نیرزد به چیز

ازین در سخن خود نرانیم نیز

اگر بر منوچهرتان مهر خاست

تن ایرج نامورتان کجاست

که کام دد و دام بودش نهفت

سرش را یکی تنگ تابوت جفت

کنون چون ز ایرج بپرداختید

به کین منوچهر بر ساختید

نبینید رویش مگر با سپاه

ز پولاد بر سر نهاده کلاه

Ganjoor · f13:58-67

11–21+

His gorz in hand, Kaveh’s banner spread,

Horse-hooves will dye the earth a purple red.

Gharan will lead, the battle-seeking chief;

Stout Shapur backs the ranks and brings relief.

At one hand Shidush, proven in the fray;

Fierce Shirviyeh the lion shows the way.

There Sahm, son of Nariman, will stand;

And Sarv of Yemen guide the war he planned.

With your blood we will drench, from leaf to fruit,

The tree of vengeance sprung from Iraj’s root.

Till now his vengeance waited out of sight;

The back of Time had never yet stood right.

Nor would it have been fitting, in my age,

To start the war against my sons in rage.

But from the tree your hands tore from the ground,

A fruitful branch has risen, green and sound.

Now like a raging lion he draws near,

Girt tight for Iraj’s vengeance without fear.

With famed sepahbods marching in his train,

With Sahm and Gashasb riding to the plain.

An army spread from mountain crest to crest,

Its pounding feet will rob the world of rest.

ابا گرز و با کاویانی درفش

زمین کرده از سم اسپان بنفش

سپهدار چون قارن رزم زن

چو شاپور و نستوه شمشیر زن

به یک دست شیدوش جنگی به پای

چو شیروی شیراوژن رهنمای

چو سام نریمان و سرو یمن

به پیش سپاه اندرون رای زن

درختی که از کین ایرج برست

به خون برگ و بارش بخواهیم شست

از آن تاکنون کین او کس نخواست

که پشت زمانه ندیدیم راست

نه خوب آمدی با دو فرزند خویش

کجا جنگ را کردمی دست پیش

کنون زان درختی که دشمن بکند

برومند شاخی برآمد بلند

بیاید کنون چون هژبر ژیان

به کین پدر تنگ بسته میان

Ganjoor · f13:68-76

22–29+

So, next you ask the Shah to cleanse his heart

Of vengeance, and forgive your guilty part,

Because the turning sphere bewildered mind

And darkened love, leaving right thought behind.

I heard the guilty pleas you chose to frame;

Now hear the judgment answering your claim.

Who sows injustice reaps no joyful day;

No paradise will brighten up his way.

If God forgives, what cleansing can erase

The brother’s blood that brands you with disgrace?

Whoever bears a reasoning soul can see:

No guilty plea can make the guilty free.

Before the radiant Lord you feel no shame;

Black-hearted, soft of tongue, you plead your claim.

In both the worlds your evil earns its due;

The just God’s judgment will return to you.

گر آمرزش آید ز یزدان پاک

شما را ز خون برادر چه باک

Selected Mohl pp 88–89 · fuller refusal

30–37+

And third: you sent an ivory throne ornate,

Great elephants, a turquoise crown, rich freight.

And bags of varied jewels, rich and bright;

Shall treasure wash away the blood from sight?

Shall I sell a crowned son’s head for gold?

Let crown and throne and farr be bought and sold!

Who takes a price for what no price can buy

Is worse than dragon’s young beneath the sky.

Shall people say, ‘His cherished son was slain;

The aged father priced that life for gain?’

We have no need of wealth you send our way;

How long must empty speeches fill the day?

While this gray-headed father yet can stand,

Revenge stays girded fast around my hand.

Your message I have heard; my answer know;

Take every word, and quickly rise and go.”

سر تاجداری فروشم به زر

که نه تاج خواهم نه تخت و نه فر

Selected Mohl pp 88–89 · blood-price refusal

38–52+

The envoy heard; his courage ebbed away,

And saw Manuchehr crowned in bright array.

He withered, trembling as he left his place,

Then mounted swiftly, fear upon his face.

With clear-eyed mind he saw what lay ahead,

And read the fate that hovered overhead.

He knew the turning sphere, before too long,

Would wrinkle its brow at Salm and Tur’s wrong.

He rode away like storm-wind from the hall,

His heart in doubt what fate would next befall.

When Khavar rose at last before his sight,

He saw a royal pavilion gleam bright.

He neared the curtain at the royal gate;

Within, the lord of Khavar held his state.

A silken tent was fashioned broad and high,

Its surface starred like heaven’s midnight sky.

The kings of two great realms sat side by side;

They heard their envoy waited just outside.

The chamberlain came out at once to bring

The weary envoy inward to the king.

They set a fresh seat, then began to seek

News of the new-made king, and let him speak.

They questioned him concerning throne and crown,

And every mark of sovereignty and renown.

Of Fereydoon, his army, fighting men,

His realm and all the strength assembled then.

They asked how turning heaven showed its cheer

To Manuchehr, and whether fortune drew near.

“Who are the nobles? Who gives counsel best?

How vast the treasure, who guards all the rest?”

فرستاده آن هول گفتار دید

نشست منوچهر سالار دید

بپژمرد و برخاست لرزان ز جای

هم آنگه به زین اندر آورد پای

همه بودنیها به روشن روان

بدید آن گرانمایه مرد جوان

که با سلم و با تور گردان سپهر

نه بس دیر چین اندر آرد بچهر

بیامد به کردار باد دمان

سری پر ز پاسخ دلی پرگمان

ز دیدار چون خاور آمد پدید

به هامون کشیده سراپرده دید

بیامد به درگاه پرده سرای

به پرده درون بود خاور خدای

یکی خیمهٔ پرنیان ساخته

ستاره زده جای پرداخته

دو شاه دو کشور نشسته به راز

بگفتند کامد فرستاده باز

بیامد هم آنگاه سالار بار

فرستاده را برد زی شهریار

نشستنگهی نو بیاراستند

ز شاه نو آیین خبر خواستند

بجستند هر گونه‌ای آگهی

ز دیهیم و از تخت شاهنشهی

ز شاه آفریدون و از لشکرش

ز گردان جنگی و از کشورش

و دیگر ز کردار گردان سپهر

که دارد همی بر منوچهر مهر

بزرگان کدامند و دستور کیست

چه مایستشان گنج و گنجور کیست

Ganjoor · f13:77-91

53–67+

The envoy said, “No one who knows bright spring

Has seen such splendor round another king.

A joyous spring, a paradise, whose ground

Is ambergris, whose bricks with gold abound.

The highest heaven forms his palace roof;

His smiling face gives paradise its proof.

No meadow reaches to that palace crest;

No garden matches that broad field’s full breast.

I neared the hall; its summit rose so far,

It seemed to whisper secrets to each star.

On one side elephants; a lion pride

Stood opposite, the world spread far and wide.

Gold thrones were borne on elephants in line;

Jeweled collars clasped the male lions fine.

Before the elephants the drummers cry,

While brazen karnays thunder to the sky.

The field seemed boiling with their vast array;

The earth roared upward to the sky that day.

I stood before the honored Shah, and saw

A turquoise throne, immense, that struck with awe.

Upon it sat the monarch like the moon,

A ruby crown above him, bright as noon.

His hair was camphor, rose-leaf was his face;

His heart sought modesty, his tongue had grace.

The world’s heart hung between its hope and fear;

It seemed that Jamshid lived once more and near.

Manuchehr, tall as cypress, sat upright,

Like Tahmuras, who bound the Divs in might.

He sat at Fereydoon’s right hand in view,

As if the Shah’s own heart and voice shone through.

فرستاده گفت آنکه روشن بهار

بدید و ببیند در شهریار

بهاری ست خرم در اردیبهشت

همه خاک عنبر همه زر خشت

سپهر برین کاخ و میدان اوست

بهشت برین روی خندان اوست

به بالای ایوان او راغ نیست

به پهنای میدان او باغ نیست

چو رفتم به نزدیک ایوان فراز

سرش با ستاره همی گفت راز

به یک دست پیل و به یک دست شیر

جهان را به تخت اندر آورده زیر

ابر پشت پیلانش بر تخت زر

ز گوهر همه طوق شیران نر

تبیره زنان پیش پیلان به پای

ز هر سو خروشیدن کره نای

تو گفتی که میدان بجوشد همی

زمین به آسمان بر خروشد همی

خرامان شدم پیش آن ارجمند

یکی تخت پیروزه دیدم بلند

نشسته برو شهریاری چو ماه

ز یاقوت رخشان به سر بر کلاه

چو کافور موی و چو گلبرگ روی

دل آزرم جوی و زبان چرب‌گوی

جهان را ازو دل به بیم و امید

تو گفتی مگر زنده شد جمشید

منوچهر چون زاد سرو بلند

به کردار طهمورث دیوبند

نشسته بر شاه بر دست راست

تو گویی زبان و دل پادشاست

Ganjoor · f13:92-106

68–77+

Among the smiths stood Kaveh, famed and tried;

His battle-tested son stood at his side.

His name was Gharan, battle-proven, keen,

A wakeful army-breaker, fierce in mien.

Sarv, Yemen’s king, gave counsel with great care;

Victorious Gashasb watched the treasure rare.

No reckoning could number treasure’s store;

No man had seen such splendor there before.

Around the palace troops stood two ranks deep,

With golden gorz and golden helms to keep.

Gharan commanded all the army’s van,

A watchful breaker of the foeman’s plan.

Shirviyeh, tearing lion of the field;

And Shapur, elephant-brave, who would not yield.

When kousts are strapped to elephants’ broad backs,

The air turns ebony above their tracks.

If such a force comes marching to our land,

The hills sink low, the plains like mountains stand.

Their hearts seek vengeance, brows with anger scored;

They wish for nothing but the drawn sword.”

به پیش اندرون قارن رزم زن

به دست چپش سرو شاه یمن

چو شاه یمن سرو دستورشان

چو پیروز گرشاسپ گنجورشان

شمار در گنجها ناپدید

کس اندر جهان آن بزرگی ندید

همه گرد ایوان دو رویه سپاه

به زرین عمود و به زرین کلاه

سپهدار چون قارن کاوگان

به پیش سپاه اندرون آوگان

مبارز چو شیروی درنده شیر

چو شاپور یل ژنده پیل دلیر

چنو بست بر کوههٔ پیل کوس

هوا گردد از گرد چون آبنوس

گر آیند زی ما به جنگ آن گروه

شود کوه هامون و هامون کوه

همه دل پر از کین و پرچین بروی

به جز جنگشان نیست چیز آرزوی

Ganjoor · f13:107-115

78–90+

He told them all that he had seen and heard,

And Fereydoon’s answer, every single word.

The two oppressors’ hearts were wrung with pain;

Their faces turned lapis beneath the strain.

They sat and sought each path that thought could frame;

Their counsel had no head or foot or name.

Then Tur told elder Salm, “Let peace be gone;

Hide joy away; the hour of war draws on.

We must not let this lion cub grow strong,

Sharp-toothed and bold enough to right the wrong.

How could that famed youth ever lack in skill,

With Fereydoon himself to train his will?

When grandfather and grandson counsel near,

Their alchemy will make the outcome clear.

We must prepare for war before the hour;

Make haste, for waiting only feeds his power.”

They sent their horsemen racing from the court;

From Chin and Khavar troops came in support.

The whole land rang with talk of their array;

From every quarter people turned their way.

Their army stretched beyond all measured bound;

No eye could find its limit on the ground.

Toward Iran the two great armies passed,

In jowshans, helms that hid each rider fast.

With massive elephants and treasure spread,

The two blood-spillers marched with vengeance fed.

بریشان همه برشمرد آنچه دید

سخن نیز کز آفریدون شنید

دو مرد جفا پیشه را دل ز درد

بپیچید و شد رویشان لاژورد

نشستند و جستند هرگونه رای

سخن را نه سر بود پیدا نه پای

به سلم بزرگ آنگهی تور گفت

که آرام و شادی بباید نهفت

نباید که آن بچهٔ نره‌شیر

شود تیزدندان و گردد دلیر

چنان نامور بی‌هنر چون بود

کش آموزگار آفریدون بود

نبیره چو شد رای زن با نیا

ازان جایگه بردمد کیمیا

بباید بسیچید ما را بجنگ

شتاب آوریدن به جای درنگ

ز لشکر سواران برون تاختند

ز چین و ز خاور سپه ساختند

فتاد اندران بوم و بر گفت‌گوی

جهانی بدیشان نهادند روی

سپاهی که آن را کرانه نبود

بدان بد که اختر جوانه نبود

ز خاور دو لشکر به ایران کشید

بخفتان و خود اندرون ناپدید

ابا ژنده پیلان و با خواسته

دو خونی به کینه دل آراسته

Ganjoor · f13:116-128

Narrative and poetic form

The translation’s long report is narratively earned: it makes the coming war arise from observed strength and a failed appeal. The notes preserve that force while distinguishing fuller speech, additional names and genuinely shared events.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–10The sun cannot be hidden

1–10

The world-ruling Shah heard what they had sent,

Those two corrupt sons’ message and intent.

He asked the envoy, “Can a hand conceal

The sun from mortal eyes beneath heaven’s wheel?

The hearts those wicked men concealed from sight

Now blaze more plainly than the noonday light.

I heard each word you carried to my throne;

Now hear the answer I will make my own.

Tell those two shameless men, corrupt and base,

Those unjust sons whose love has left no trace:

Their empty speech is worth no further breath;

Why lengthen words concerning guilt and death?

If love for Manuchehr has touched your breast,

Where lies famed Iraj? Where does his body rest?

His body fed the beasts that roam the plain;

A narrow casket held what did remain.

With Iraj slain and cast aside from view,

You now prepare for Manuchehr’s blood too.

You will not see his face except in fight,

A steel helm on his head, his army bright.

چو بشنید شاه جهان کدخدای

پیام دو فرزند ناپاک رای

یکایک بمرد گرانمایه گفت

که خورشید را چون توانی نهفت

نهان دل آن دو مرد پلید

ز خورشید روشن‌تر آمد پدید

شنیدم همه هر چه گفتی سخن

نگه کن که پاسخ چه یابی ز بن

بگو آن دو بی‌شرم ناپاک را

دو بیداد و بد مهر و ناباک را

که گفتار خیره نیرزد به چیز

ازین در سخن خود نرانیم نیز

اگر بر منوچهرتان مهر خاست

تن ایرج نامورتان کجاست

که کام دد و دام بودش نهفت

سرش را یکی تنگ تابوت جفت

کنون چون ز ایرج بپرداختید

به کین منوچهر بر ساختید

نبینید رویش مگر با سپاه

ز پولاد بر سر نهاده کلاه

Ganjoor · f13:58-67

Textual evidence

The answer begins with the impossibility of concealing the sun and asks where Iraj’s body is before accepting professed affection for Manuchehr.

Interpretation

The English gives the refusal a factual core. An unaccounted-for murdered brother outweighs declarations of affection; the promised meeting will occur only under arms.

Return to parallel text

11–21The tree grows a new branch

11–21

His gorz in hand, Kaveh’s banner spread,

Horse-hooves will dye the earth a purple red.

Gharan will lead, the battle-seeking chief;

Stout Shapur backs the ranks and brings relief.

At one hand Shidush, proven in the fray;

Fierce Shirviyeh the lion shows the way.

There Sahm, son of Nariman, will stand;

And Sarv of Yemen guide the war he planned.

With your blood we will drench, from leaf to fruit,

The tree of vengeance sprung from Iraj’s root.

Till now his vengeance waited out of sight;

The back of Time had never yet stood right.

Nor would it have been fitting, in my age,

To start the war against my sons in rage.

But from the tree your hands tore from the ground,

A fruitful branch has risen, green and sound.

Now like a raging lion he draws near,

Girt tight for Iraj’s vengeance without fear.

With famed sepahbods marching in his train,

With Sahm and Gashasb riding to the plain.

An army spread from mountain crest to crest,

Its pounding feet will rob the world of rest.

ابا گرز و با کاویانی درفش

زمین کرده از سم اسپان بنفش

سپهدار چون قارن رزم زن

چو شاپور و نستوه شمشیر زن

به یک دست شیدوش جنگی به پای

چو شیروی شیراوژن رهنمای

چو سام نریمان و سرو یمن

به پیش سپاه اندرون رای زن

درختی که از کین ایرج برست

به خون برگ و بارش بخواهیم شست

از آن تاکنون کین او کس نخواست

که پشت زمانه ندیدیم راست

نه خوب آمدی با دو فرزند خویش

کجا جنگ را کردمی دست پیش

کنون زان درختی که دشمن بکند

برومند شاخی برآمد بلند

بیاید کنون چون هژبر ژیان

به کین پدر تنگ بسته میان

Ganjoor · f13:68-76

Textual evidence

The source names the avenging army and explains why vengeance was delayed until a branch of Iraj’s uprooted tree could grow. English expands the military prospect.

Interpretation

Delay is not forgetfulness. The father distinguishes a war against his own sons from a descendant’s claim for his murdered ancestor; the English makes the succession logic explicit without erasing its human cost.

Return to parallel text

22–29Against the excuses

22–29

So, next you ask the Shah to cleanse his heart

Of vengeance, and forgive your guilty part,

Because the turning sphere bewildered mind

And darkened love, leaving right thought behind.

I heard the guilty pleas you chose to frame;

Now hear the judgment answering your claim.

Who sows injustice reaps no joyful day;

No paradise will brighten up his way.

If God forgives, what cleansing can erase

The brother’s blood that brands you with disgrace?

Whoever bears a reasoning soul can see:

No guilty plea can make the guilty free.

Before the radiant Lord you feel no shame;

Black-hearted, soft of tongue, you plead your claim.

In both the worlds your evil earns its due;

The just God’s judgment will return to you.

گر آمرزش آید ز یزدان پاک

شما را ز خون برادر چه باک

Selected Mohl pp 88–89 · fuller refusal

Textual evidence

The longer English answer explicitly rejects heavenly causation as a cleansing of brother-blood. Mohl pp 88–89 has a fuller refusal here than Ganjoor’s transition from the new branch to the envoy’s departure.

Moscow p 115 ↗ Moscow p 116 ↗ Moscow p 117 ↗ Moscow p 118 ↗ Moscow p 119 ↗ Mohl p 88 ↗ Mohl p 89 ↗ Mohl p 90 ↗ Mohl p 91 ↗ Mohl p 92 ↗ Khaleghi p 130 ↗ Khaleghi p 131 ↗ Khaleghi p 132 ↗ Khaleghi p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 134 ↗ Khaleghi p 135 ↗ Khaleghi p 136 ↗

Interpretation

The verse should be read as the father’s rebuttal to the preceding petition. Explanations may identify influences without removing moral accountability. Selected printed wording below anchors that stance; the display does not claim eight fresh one-to-one Persian equivalents.

Return to parallel text

30–37Blood is not for sale

30–37

And third: you sent an ivory throne ornate,

Great elephants, a turquoise crown, rich freight.

And bags of varied jewels, rich and bright;

Shall treasure wash away the blood from sight?

Shall I sell a crowned son’s head for gold?

Let crown and throne and farr be bought and sold!

Who takes a price for what no price can buy

Is worse than dragon’s young beneath the sky.

Shall people say, ‘His cherished son was slain;

The aged father priced that life for gain?’

We have no need of wealth you send our way;

How long must empty speeches fill the day?

While this gray-headed father yet can stand,

Revenge stays girded fast around my hand.

Your message I have heard; my answer know;

Take every word, and quickly rise and go.”

سر تاجداری فروشم به زر

که نه تاج خواهم نه تخت و نه فر

Selected Mohl pp 88–89 · blood-price refusal

Textual evidence

Mohl’s fuller answer on pp 88–89 rejects treasure as compensation for the murdered son. Ganjoor’s sh13 does not separately reproduce this extended exchange.

Interpretation

The father refuses to price a life through gifts. This is why the earlier treasure catalog matters: its material abundance cannot accomplish the moral work the senders need. The English’s rhetorical questions dramatize that refusal.

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38–52The envoy reads the balance of power

38–52

The envoy heard; his courage ebbed away,

And saw Manuchehr crowned in bright array.

He withered, trembling as he left his place,

Then mounted swiftly, fear upon his face.

With clear-eyed mind he saw what lay ahead,

And read the fate that hovered overhead.

He knew the turning sphere, before too long,

Would wrinkle its brow at Salm and Tur’s wrong.

He rode away like storm-wind from the hall,

His heart in doubt what fate would next befall.

When Khavar rose at last before his sight,

He saw a royal pavilion gleam bright.

He neared the curtain at the royal gate;

Within, the lord of Khavar held his state.

A silken tent was fashioned broad and high,

Its surface starred like heaven’s midnight sky.

The kings of two great realms sat side by side;

They heard their envoy waited just outside.

The chamberlain came out at once to bring

The weary envoy inward to the king.

They set a fresh seat, then began to seek

News of the new-made king, and let him speak.

They questioned him concerning throne and crown,

And every mark of sovereignty and renown.

Of Fereydoon, his army, fighting men,

His realm and all the strength assembled then.

They asked how turning heaven showed its cheer

To Manuchehr, and whether fortune drew near.

“Who are the nobles? Who gives counsel best?

How vast the treasure, who guards all the rest?”

فرستاده آن هول گفتار دید

نشست منوچهر سالار دید

بپژمرد و برخاست لرزان ز جای

هم آنگه به زین اندر آورد پای

همه بودنیها به روشن روان

بدید آن گرانمایه مرد جوان

که با سلم و با تور گردان سپهر

نه بس دیر چین اندر آرد بچهر

بیامد به کردار باد دمان

سری پر ز پاسخ دلی پرگمان

ز دیدار چون خاور آمد پدید

به هامون کشیده سراپرده دید

بیامد به درگاه پرده سرای

به پرده درون بود خاور خدای

یکی خیمهٔ پرنیان ساخته

ستاره زده جای پرداخته

دو شاه دو کشور نشسته به راز

بگفتند کامد فرستاده باز

بیامد هم آنگاه سالار بار

فرستاده را برد زی شهریار

نشستنگهی نو بیاراستند

ز شاه نو آیین خبر خواستند

بجستند هر گونه‌ای آگهی

ز دیهیم و از تخت شاهنشهی

ز شاه آفریدون و از لشکرش

ز گردان جنگی و از کشورش

و دیگر ز کردار گردان سپهر

که دارد همی بر منوچهر مهر

بزرگان کدامند و دستور کیست

چه مایستشان گنج و گنجور کیست

Ganjoor · f13:77-91

Textual evidence

The envoy leaves trembling, returns to the two kings and is questioned about the court, the heir, his counselors, army and treasure.

Interpretation

The scene gives an observant messenger intellectual agency. His fear is informed by what he has seen; the English retains a movement from personal impression to strategic report.

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53–67A court described as a cosmos

53–67

The envoy said, “No one who knows bright spring

Has seen such splendor round another king.

A joyous spring, a paradise, whose ground

Is ambergris, whose bricks with gold abound.

The highest heaven forms his palace roof;

His smiling face gives paradise its proof.

No meadow reaches to that palace crest;

No garden matches that broad field’s full breast.

I neared the hall; its summit rose so far,

It seemed to whisper secrets to each star.

On one side elephants; a lion pride

Stood opposite, the world spread far and wide.

Gold thrones were borne on elephants in line;

Jeweled collars clasped the male lions fine.

Before the elephants the drummers cry,

While brazen karnays thunder to the sky.

The field seemed boiling with their vast array;

The earth roared upward to the sky that day.

I stood before the honored Shah, and saw

A turquoise throne, immense, that struck with awe.

Upon it sat the monarch like the moon,

A ruby crown above him, bright as noon.

His hair was camphor, rose-leaf was his face;

His heart sought modesty, his tongue had grace.

The world’s heart hung between its hope and fear;

It seemed that Jamshid lived once more and near.

Manuchehr, tall as cypress, sat upright,

Like Tahmuras, who bound the Divs in might.

He sat at Fereydoon’s right hand in view,

As if the Shah’s own heart and voice shone through.

فرستاده گفت آنکه روشن بهار

بدید و ببیند در شهریار

بهاری ست خرم در اردیبهشت

همه خاک عنبر همه زر خشت

سپهر برین کاخ و میدان اوست

بهشت برین روی خندان اوست

به بالای ایوان او راغ نیست

به پهنای میدان او باغ نیست

چو رفتم به نزدیک ایوان فراز

سرش با ستاره همی گفت راز

به یک دست پیل و به یک دست شیر

جهان را به تخت اندر آورده زیر

ابر پشت پیلانش بر تخت زر

ز گوهر همه طوق شیران نر

تبیره زنان پیش پیلان به پای

ز هر سو خروشیدن کره نای

تو گفتی که میدان بجوشد همی

زمین به آسمان بر خروشد همی

خرامان شدم پیش آن ارجمند

یکی تخت پیروزه دیدم بلند

نشسته برو شهریاری چو ماه

ز یاقوت رخشان به سر بر کلاه

چو کافور موی و چو گلبرگ روی

دل آزرم جوی و زبان چرب‌گوی

جهان را ازو دل به بیم و امید

تو گفتی مگر زنده شد جمشید

منوچهر چون زاد سرو بلند

به کردار طهمورث دیوبند

نشسته بر شاه بر دست راست

تو گویی زبان و دل پادشاست

Ganjoor · f13:92-106

Textual evidence

Paradisal ground, high palace, elephants, lions, music, the old king and the young heir fill the report.

Interpretation

These images are persuasive speech grounded in spectacle. The comparison with Jamshid and Tahmuras locates royal power in the epic’s own memory; it should not be translated into an assertion that the dead rulers literally returned.

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68–77Who sustains the young king

68–77

Among the smiths stood Kaveh, famed and tried;

His battle-tested son stood at his side.

His name was Gharan, battle-proven, keen,

A wakeful army-breaker, fierce in mien.

Sarv, Yemen’s king, gave counsel with great care;

Victorious Gashasb watched the treasure rare.

No reckoning could number treasure’s store;

No man had seen such splendor there before.

Around the palace troops stood two ranks deep,

With golden gorz and golden helms to keep.

Gharan commanded all the army’s van,

A watchful breaker of the foeman’s plan.

Shirviyeh, tearing lion of the field;

And Shapur, elephant-brave, who would not yield.

When kousts are strapped to elephants’ broad backs,

The air turns ebony above their tracks.

If such a force comes marching to our land,

The hills sink low, the plains like mountains stand.

Their hearts seek vengeance, brows with anger scored;

They wish for nothing but the drawn sword.”

به پیش اندرون قارن رزم زن

به دست چپش سرو شاه یمن

چو شاه یمن سرو دستورشان

چو پیروز گرشاسپ گنجورشان

شمار در گنجها ناپدید

کس اندر جهان آن بزرگی ندید

همه گرد ایوان دو رویه سپاه

به زرین عمود و به زرین کلاه

سپهدار چون قارن کاوگان

به پیش سپاه اندرون آوگان

مبارز چو شیروی درنده شیر

چو شاپور یل ژنده پیل دلیر

چنو بست بر کوههٔ پیل کوس

هوا گردد از گرد چون آبنوس

گر آیند زی ما به جنگ آن گروه

شود کوه هامون و هامون کوه

همه دل پر از کین و پرچین بروی

به جز جنگشان نیست چیز آرزوی

Ganjoor · f13:107-115

Textual evidence

Ganjoor names Gharan, Sarv, Garshasp as treasurer, Shirviyeh and Shapur. English adds Kaveh in person and names Gashasb. The roster is not identical.

Interpretation

The English gives the coalition a family and institutional history, but a note should not assign the added Kaveh appearance to the digital passage. Name-forms and expanded rosters require local evidence, not an automatic assumption that similar-looking names are interchangeable.

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78–90Failure of counsel, choice of war

78–90

He told them all that he had seen and heard,

And Fereydoon’s answer, every single word.

The two oppressors’ hearts were wrung with pain;

Their faces turned lapis beneath the strain.

They sat and sought each path that thought could frame;

Their counsel had no head or foot or name.

Then Tur told elder Salm, “Let peace be gone;

Hide joy away; the hour of war draws on.

We must not let this lion cub grow strong,

Sharp-toothed and bold enough to right the wrong.

How could that famed youth ever lack in skill,

With Fereydoon himself to train his will?

When grandfather and grandson counsel near,

Their alchemy will make the outcome clear.

We must prepare for war before the hour;

Make haste, for waiting only feeds his power.”

They sent their horsemen racing from the court;

From Chin and Khavar troops came in support.

The whole land rang with talk of their array;

From every quarter people turned their way.

Their army stretched beyond all measured bound;

No eye could find its limit on the ground.

Toward Iran the two great armies passed,

In jowshans, helms that hid each rider fast.

With massive elephants and treasure spread,

The two blood-spillers marched with vengeance fed.

بریشان همه برشمرد آنچه دید

سخن نیز کز آفریدون شنید

دو مرد جفا پیشه را دل ز درد

بپیچید و شد رویشان لاژورد

نشستند و جستند هرگونه رای

سخن را نه سر بود پیدا نه پای

به سلم بزرگ آنگهی تور گفت

که آرام و شادی بباید نهفت

نباید که آن بچهٔ نره‌شیر

شود تیزدندان و گردد دلیر

چنان نامور بی‌هنر چون بود

کش آموزگار آفریدون بود

نبیره چو شد رای زن با نیا

ازان جایگه بردمد کیمیا

بباید بسیچید ما را بجنگ

شتاب آوریدن به جای درنگ

ز لشکر سواران برون تاختند

ز چین و ز خاور سپه ساختند

فتاد اندران بوم و بر گفت‌گوی

جهانی بدیشان نهادند روی

سپاهی که آن را کرانه نبود

بدان بد که اختر جوانه نبود

ز خاور دو لشکر به ایران کشید

بخفتان و خود اندرون ناپدید

ابا ژنده پیلان و با خواسته

دو خونی به کینه دل آراسته

Ganjoor · f13:116-128

Textual evidence

The report is followed by the kings’ distress, Tur’s fear of a growing lion cub and rapid recruitment from Chin and Khavar.

Interpretation

Their own envoy confirms the capacity they tried to deny. The English preserves the choice of pre-emptive violence as a decision, not an irresistible command of destiny. The chapter closes by converting all the earlier rhetoric into marching armies.

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Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor f13 ↗ Moscow p 115 ↗ Moscow p 116 ↗ Moscow p 117 ↗ Moscow p 118 ↗ Moscow p 119 ↗ Mohl p 88 ↗ Mohl p 89 ↗ Mohl p 90 ↗ Mohl p 91 ↗ Mohl p 92 ↗ Khaleghi p 130 ↗ Khaleghi p 131 ↗ Khaleghi p 132 ↗ Khaleghi p 133 ↗ Khaleghi p 134 ↗ Khaleghi p 135 ↗ Khaleghi p 136 ↗