Fereydoon and His Sons · A6.19

Manuchehr Marches for Vengeance

Manuchehr’s army comes into view. Tur attacks his descent through a daughter, and the heir answers by joining ancestry to demonstrable worth.

F&R English · 59 couplets · 5 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Fifty-nine couplets retain the deployment and formulate Tur’s genealogical insult explicitly. Equal totals conceal a compressed eight-day interval and expanded vows.
Moscow	The army’s advance, commanders and challenge precede open battle.
Mohl	Pp 92–94 carry the military scale and the attack on Manuchehr’s descent.
Ganjoor	Sh14 has 59 couplets; direct numerical equality does not establish identical distribution.
Khaleghi	The main-text challenge and reply make descent through Iraj’s daughter central, rather than an incidental genealogical note.

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.

1–11+

The Shah was told, “Their army has drawn near,

This side of Jihun, armed for battle here.”

He summoned Manuchehr and charged him, “Lead

The army to the plain with measured speed.”

He said, “When fortune favors some young man,

A careless sheep may walk into his plan.

With hunter waiting farther down its track,

A hunting leopard drives it from the back.

But patience, judgment, wisdom: with the snare

These draw the raging lion from its lair.

Whoever works an evil earns his due;

Hot iron burns the hand that holds it too.”

Manuchehr said, “What foe could seek your fall,

O Shah whom fortune raises over all?

Unless malignant Time itself should rise,

Who sought your life would cast away his prize.

I bind my Roman jowshan, scale on scale,

And will not loose it while these foes prevail.

For Iraj’s vengeance I will lead the way,

And raise our army’s dust to cloud the day.

Among their whole assembly I see none

Whom I would count a man when war is won.”

سپه چون به نزدیک ایران کشید

همانگه خبر با فریدون رسید

بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه

ز پهلو به هامون گذارد سپاه

یکی داستان زد جهاندیده کی

که مرد جوان چون بود نیک‌پی

بدام آیدش ناسگالیده میش

پلنگ از پس پشت و صیاد پیش

شکیبایی و هوش و رای و خرد

هژبر از بیابان به دام آورد

و دیگر ز بد مردم بد کنش

به فرجام روزی بپیچد تنش

ببادافره آنگه شتابیدمی

که تفسیده آهن بتابیدمی

چو لشکر منوچهر بر ساده دشت

برون برد آنجا ببد روز هشت

فریدونش هنگام رفتن بدید

سخنها به دانش بدو گسترید

منوچهر گفت ای سرافراز شاه

کی آید کسی پیش تو کینه خواه

مگر بد سگالد بدو روزگار

به جان و تن خود خورد زینهار

من اینک میان را به رومی زره

ببندم که نگشایم از تن گره

به کین جستن از دشت آوردگاه

برآرم به خورشید گرد سپاه

ازان انجمن کس ندارم به مرد

کجا جست یارند با من نبرد

Ganjoor · f14:1-14

12–25+

He ordered Gharan, battle-keen and bold,

To lead the vanguard and the front to hold.

The royal pavilion moved onto the plain,

With all its ordered splendor in the train.

The blessed royal standard followed near,

As warriors massed around it, spear by spear.

Then men upon men poured out, rank by rank,

Until the earth beneath their numbers sank.

The hills and plains became a boiling tide,

So vast the army rolled from side to side.

The daylight darkened under clouds of dust,

As hoof and wheel rolled onward in their thrust.

The sun itself grew lapis in the sky,

Its face transformed as dust-clouds mounted high.

The army’s roar struck even sharp ears numb,

So loud the marching thunder had become.

The cries of Arab horses mounted higher

Than tabiras that shook the plain with fire.

Two ranks of battle elephants stretched wide,

Two thirds of a farsang, marching side by side.

Of these, full sixty bore gold thrones on high,

With varied jewels blazing to the eye.

Three hundred more bore baggage for the train,

And moved beneath their burdens on the plain.

Three hundred battle elephants came last,

In armor bound from forehead downwards fast.

Their bodies vanished under plate and gear;

Except their eyes, no naked flesh showed clear.

بفرمود تا قارن رزم جوی

ز پهلو به دشت اندر آورد روی

سراپردهٔ شاه بیرون کشید

درفش همایون به هامون کشید

همی رفت لشکر گروها گروه

چو دریا بجوشید هامون و کوه

چنان تیره شد روز روشن ز گرد

تو گفتی که خورشید شد لاجورد

ز کشور برآمد سراسر خروش

همی کرشدی مردم تیزگوش

خروشیدن تازی اسپان ز دشت

ز بانگ تبیره همی برگذشت

ز لشگر گه پهلوان تا دو میل

کشیده دو رویه رده ژنده‌پیل

ازان شصت بر پشتشان تخت زر

به زر اندرون چند گونه گهر

چو سیصد بنه برنهادند بار

چو سیصد همان از در کارزار

همه زیر برگستوان اندرون

نبدشان جز از چشم ز آهن برون

Ganjoor · f14:15-24

26–40+

From Tammisheh the army reached the plain,

Its ordered ranks advancing in a chain.

Bold Gharan led three hundred thousand horse,

All fighting riders gathered in that force.

Famed men in jowshans, heavy gorz in hand,

Like raging lions charged to the command.

Their purple swords flashed brightly through the sky;

Kaveh’s standard streamed before them high.

Then elephant-bodied Gharan rode beside

Manuchehr from Narvan’s woods in martial pride.

Manuchehr viewed his army, broad and deep,

And spread the battle lines in ordered sweep.

He gave the left to Gashasb for the fight,

And Sahm with Qobad marshaled on the right.

He held the center, Sarv beside him near,

The wise king’s counselor without a peer.

Among the troops Manuchehr shone in light,

Like moon among a gathering at night.

Gharan commanded all the army’s ranks;

And Sahm stood champion, guarding both the flanks.

Qobad led forth the vanguard, scouts in hand;

The ambush chief sprang from Taliman’s band.

The army stood adorned just like a bride,

With lions armed and kousts arrayed beside.

Swift riders told both Salm and Tur with dread:

“Iran’s ranks from forest over plain have spread.”

The two blood-spillers gathered all their force,

Their hearts set hard upon a bloody course.

They set their army on the battlefield,

With sea and Alanons fortress as shield.

سراپردهٔ شاه بیرون زدند

ز تمیشه لشکر بهامون زدند

سپهدار چون قارن کینه‌دار

سواران جنگی چو سیصدهزار

همه نامداران جوشن‌وران

برفتند با گرزهای گران

دلیران یکایک چو شیر ژیان

همه بسته بر کین ایرج میان

به پیش اندرون کاویانی درفش

به چنگ اندرون تیغهای بنفش

منوچهر با قارن پیلتن

برون آمد از بیشهٔ نارون

بیامد به پیش سپه برگذشت

بیاراست لشکر بران پهن‌دشت

چپ لشکرش را بگرشاسپ داد

ابر میمنه سام یل با قباد

رده بر کشیده ز هر سو سپاه

منوچهر با سرو در قلب‌گاه

همی تافت چون مه میان گروه

نبود ایچ پیدا ز افراز کوه

سپه کش چو قارن مبارز چو سام

سپه برکشیده حسام از نیام

طلایه به پیش اندرون چون قباد

کمین ور چو گرد تلیمان نژاد

یکی لشکر آراسته چون عروس

به شیران جنگی و آوای کوس

به تور و به سلم آگهی تاختند

که ایرانیان جنگ را ساختند

ز بیشه بهامون کشیدند صف

ز خون جگر بر لب آورده کف

دو خونی همان با سپاهی گران

برفتند آگنده از کین سران

کشیدند لشکر به دشت نبرد

الانان دژ را پس پشت کرد

Ganjoor · f14:25-41

41–50+

Once more Qobad rode out beyond the line;

Tur saw him there and charged with dark design.

He said, “Go back and tell your youthful king:

‘O fatherless new Shah, hear what I bring.

Though Iraj left a daughter as his heir,

What right have you the royal crown to wear?’”

Qobad replied, “Each word I heard from you,

To Manuchehr I shall repeat it true.

But if you think awhile, your reasoning heart

May settle straight and wisdom play its part.

You will see your task has passed all bound,

And rue the reckless words you cast around.

No wonder beasts both wild and tame should grieve,

And mourn you, never finding a reprieve.

From Narvan’s forest over Chin entire

Stand warriors whose vengeance burns like fire.

When purple swords beside Kaveh’s banner rise,

The sight will strike the courage from your eyes.

Then terror will confound both heart and will;

You will not know the depth from lofty hill.”

یکایک طلایه بیامد قباد

چو تور آگهی یافت آمد چو باد

بدو گفت نزد منوچهر شو

بگویش که ای بی‌پدر شاه نو

اگر دختر آمد ز ایرج نژاد

ترا تیغ و کوپال و جوشن که داد

بدو گفت آری گزارم پیام

بدین سان که گفتی و بردی تو نام

ولیکن گر اندیشه گردد دراز

خرد با دل تو نشیند براز

بدانی که کاریت هولست پیش

بترسی ازین خام گفتار خویش

اگر بر شما دام و دد روز و شب

همی گریدی نیستی بس عجب

که از بیشهٔ نارون تا بچین

سواران جنگند و مردان کین

درفشیدن تیغهای بنفش

چو بینید باکاویانی درفش

بدرد دل و مغزتان از نهیب

بلندی ندانید باز از نشیب

Ganjoor · f14:42-51

51–59+

Qobad returned and told the youthful king

Each word that battle-seeking Tur would fling.

Manuchehr laughed: “A fool alone speaks so,

With battle near and armies set to go.

Praise to Yazdan who rules both worlds in might,

Who knows the hidden and what stands in sight.

He knows that Iraj stands within my line;

And blessed Fereydoon confirms the sign.

When battle joins, my lineage and my worth

Will stand revealed before the watching earth.

By Him who rules the sun and moon on high,

Before Tur blinks, my hand shall make reply;

His head, cut clean away from trunk and frame,

I shall display, avenging Iraj’s name.

I shall avenge my blessed ancestor’s death,

And end his kingship with his final breath.”

He ordered then the banquet cloth be spread,

With wine and music where the warriors fed.

قباد آمد آنگه به نزدیک شاه

بگفت آنچه بشنید ازان رزم خواه

منوچهر خندید و گفت آنگهی

که چونین نگوید مگر ابلهی

سپاس از جهاندار هر دو جهان

شناسندهٔ آشکار و نهان

که داند که ایرج نیای منست

فریدون فرخ گوای منست

کنون گر بجنگ اندر آریم سر

شود آشکارا نژاد و گهر

به زور خداوند خورشید و ماه

که چندان نمانم ورا دستگاه

که بر هم زند چشم زیر و زبر

بریده به لشکر نمایمش سر

بفرمود تا خوان بیاراستند

نشستنگه رود و می‌خواستند

Ganjoor · f14:52-59

Narrative and poetic form

The chapter combines military spectacle with a sharp argument about legitimacy. The English stands well when its explicit crown-question is recognized as the sense of Tur’s taunt rather than a literal reproduction of every object named in it.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–11Patience before battle

1–11

The Shah was told, “Their army has drawn near,

This side of Jihun, armed for battle here.”

He summoned Manuchehr and charged him, “Lead

The army to the plain with measured speed.”

He said, “When fortune favors some young man,

A careless sheep may walk into his plan.

With hunter waiting farther down its track,

A hunting leopard drives it from the back.

But patience, judgment, wisdom: with the snare

These draw the raging lion from its lair.

Whoever works an evil earns his due;

Hot iron burns the hand that holds it too.”

Manuchehr said, “What foe could seek your fall,

O Shah whom fortune raises over all?

Unless malignant Time itself should rise,

Who sought your life would cast away his prize.

I bind my Roman jowshan, scale on scale,

And will not loose it while these foes prevail.

For Iraj’s vengeance I will lead the way,

And raise our army’s dust to cloud the day.

Among their whole assembly I see none

Whom I would count a man when war is won.”

سپه چون به نزدیک ایران کشید

همانگه خبر با فریدون رسید

بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه

ز پهلو به هامون گذارد سپاه

یکی داستان زد جهاندیده کی

که مرد جوان چون بود نیک‌پی

بدام آیدش ناسگالیده میش

پلنگ از پس پشت و صیاد پیش

شکیبایی و هوش و رای و خرد

هژبر از بیابان به دام آورد

و دیگر ز بد مردم بد کنش

به فرجام روزی بپیچد تنش

ببادافره آنگه شتابیدمی

که تفسیده آهن بتابیدمی

چو لشکر منوچهر بر ساده دشت

برون برد آنجا ببد روز هشت

فریدونش هنگام رفتن بدید

سخنها به دانش بدو گسترید

منوچهر گفت ای سرافراز شاه

کی آید کسی پیش تو کینه خواه

مگر بد سگالد بدو روزگار

به جان و تن خود خورد زینهار

من اینک میان را به رومی زره

ببندم که نگشایم از تن گره

به کین جستن از دشت آوردگاه

برآرم به خورشید گرد سپاه

ازان انجمن کس ندارم به مرد

کجا جست یارند با من نبرد

Ganjoor · f14:1-14

Textual evidence

The source combines the father’s hunting analogy, patience and intelligence with the young king’s promise to fight. G 8–9 also gives an eight-day stay and departure counsel; English compresses that interval.

Interpretation

The hunting image recommends judgment rather than mere aggression. The source’s staging interval is not a separate English scene. The translation’s forward motion retains the principle of deliberation even as it hastens the mobilization.

Return to parallel text

12–25The scale of the army

12–25

He ordered Gharan, battle-keen and bold,

To lead the vanguard and the front to hold.

The royal pavilion moved onto the plain,

With all its ordered splendor in the train.

The blessed royal standard followed near,

As warriors massed around it, spear by spear.

Then men upon men poured out, rank by rank,

Until the earth beneath their numbers sank.

The hills and plains became a boiling tide,

So vast the army rolled from side to side.

The daylight darkened under clouds of dust,

As hoof and wheel rolled onward in their thrust.

The sun itself grew lapis in the sky,

Its face transformed as dust-clouds mounted high.

The army’s roar struck even sharp ears numb,

So loud the marching thunder had become.

The cries of Arab horses mounted higher

Than tabiras that shook the plain with fire.

Two ranks of battle elephants stretched wide,

Two thirds of a farsang, marching side by side.

Of these, full sixty bore gold thrones on high,

With varied jewels blazing to the eye.

Three hundred more bore baggage for the train,

And moved beneath their burdens on the plain.

Three hundred battle elephants came last,

In armor bound from forehead downwards fast.

Their bodies vanished under plate and gear;

Except their eyes, no naked flesh showed clear.

بفرمود تا قارن رزم جوی

ز پهلو به دشت اندر آورد روی

سراپردهٔ شاه بیرون کشید

درفش همایون به هامون کشید

همی رفت لشکر گروها گروه

چو دریا بجوشید هامون و کوه

چنان تیره شد روز روشن ز گرد

تو گفتی که خورشید شد لاجورد

ز کشور برآمد سراسر خروش

همی کرشدی مردم تیزگوش

خروشیدن تازی اسپان ز دشت

ز بانگ تبیره همی برگذشت

ز لشگر گه پهلوان تا دو میل

کشیده دو رویه رده ژنده‌پیل

ازان شصت بر پشتشان تخت زر

به زر اندرون چند گونه گهر

چو سیصد بنه برنهادند بار

چو سیصد همان از در کارزار

همه زیر برگستوان اندرون

نبدشان جز از چشم ز آهن برون

Ganjoor · f14:15-24

Textual evidence

The reference gives marching noise and dust, two mil of elephants, sixty gold-throne mounts, three hundred baggage elephants and three hundred battle elephants. English 21 gives two thirds of a farsang.

Interpretation

The fractional farsang is a conversion of the source distance rather than a different count of animals; no modern fixed metric length is imposed here. Epic numbers convey magnitude. They should be kept distinguishable from historical troop statistics.

Return to parallel text

26–40The battle array

26–40

From Tammisheh the army reached the plain,

Its ordered ranks advancing in a chain.

Bold Gharan led three hundred thousand horse,

All fighting riders gathered in that force.

Famed men in jowshans, heavy gorz in hand,

Like raging lions charged to the command.

Their purple swords flashed brightly through the sky;

Kaveh’s standard streamed before them high.

Then elephant-bodied Gharan rode beside

Manuchehr from Narvan’s woods in martial pride.

Manuchehr viewed his army, broad and deep,

And spread the battle lines in ordered sweep.

He gave the left to Gashasb for the fight,

And Sahm with Qobad marshaled on the right.

He held the center, Sarv beside him near,

The wise king’s counselor without a peer.

Among the troops Manuchehr shone in light,

Like moon among a gathering at night.

Gharan commanded all the army’s ranks;

And Sahm stood champion, guarding both the flanks.

Qobad led forth the vanguard, scouts in hand;

The ambush chief sprang from Taliman’s band.

The army stood adorned just like a bride,

With lions armed and kousts arrayed beside.

Swift riders told both Salm and Tur with dread:

“Iran’s ranks from forest over plain have spread.”

The two blood-spillers gathered all their force,

Their hearts set hard upon a bloody course.

They set their army on the battlefield,

With sea and Alanons fortress as shield.

سراپردهٔ شاه بیرون زدند

ز تمیشه لشکر بهامون زدند

سپهدار چون قارن کینه‌دار

سواران جنگی چو سیصدهزار

همه نامداران جوشن‌وران

برفتند با گرزهای گران

دلیران یکایک چو شیر ژیان

همه بسته بر کین ایرج میان

به پیش اندرون کاویانی درفش

به چنگ اندرون تیغهای بنفش

منوچهر با قارن پیلتن

برون آمد از بیشهٔ نارون

بیامد به پیش سپه برگذشت

بیاراست لشکر بران پهن‌دشت

چپ لشکرش را بگرشاسپ داد

ابر میمنه سام یل با قباد

رده بر کشیده ز هر سو سپاه

منوچهر با سرو در قلب‌گاه

همی تافت چون مه میان گروه

نبود ایچ پیدا ز افراز کوه

سپه کش چو قارن مبارز چو سام

سپه برکشیده حسام از نیام

طلایه به پیش اندرون چون قباد

کمین ور چو گرد تلیمان نژاد

یکی لشکر آراسته چون عروس

به شیران جنگی و آوای کوس

به تور و به سلم آگهی تاختند

که ایرانیان جنگ را ساختند

ز بیشه بهامون کشیدند صف

ز خون جگر بر لب آورده کف

دو خونی همان با سپاهی گران

برفتند آگنده از کین سران

کشیدند لشکر به دشت نبرد

الانان دژ را پس پشت کرد

Ganjoor · f14:25-41

Textual evidence

Tammisheh, Narvan, three hundred thousand riders, Kaveh’s banner, commanders, wings and center lead into the opposed armies before the Alanons fortress.

Interpretation

The English preserves military hierarchy and terrain. Commander roles can change between a march, a battle deployment and an ambush; their recurrence in different positions need not be treated as a contradiction.

Return to parallel text

41–50Tur’s attack on maternal descent

41–50

Once more Qobad rode out beyond the line;

Tur saw him there and charged with dark design.

He said, “Go back and tell your youthful king:

‘O fatherless new Shah, hear what I bring.

Though Iraj left a daughter as his heir,

What right have you the royal crown to wear?’”

Qobad replied, “Each word I heard from you,

To Manuchehr I shall repeat it true.

But if you think awhile, your reasoning heart

May settle straight and wisdom play its part.

You will see your task has passed all bound,

And rue the reckless words you cast around.

No wonder beasts both wild and tame should grieve,

And mourn you, never finding a reprieve.

From Narvan’s forest over Chin entire

Stand warriors whose vengeance burns like fire.

When purple swords beside Kaveh’s banner rise,

The sight will strike the courage from your eyes.

Then terror will confound both heart and will;

You will not know the depth from lofty hill.”

یکایک طلایه بیامد قباد

چو تور آگهی یافت آمد چو باد

بدو گفت نزد منوچهر شو

بگویش که ای بی‌پدر شاه نو

اگر دختر آمد ز ایرج نژاد

ترا تیغ و کوپال و جوشن که داد

بدو گفت آری گزارم پیام

بدین سان که گفتی و بردی تو نام

ولیکن گر اندیشه گردد دراز

خرد با دل تو نشیند براز

بدانی که کاریت هولست پیش

بترسی ازین خام گفتار خویش

اگر بر شما دام و دد روز و شب

همی گریدی نیستی بس عجب

که از بیشهٔ نارون تا بچین

سواران جنگند و مردان کین

درفشیدن تیغهای بنفش

چو بینید باکاویانی درفش

بدرد دل و مغزتان از نهیب

بلندی ندانید باز از نشیب

Ganjoor · f14:42-51

Textual evidence

Tur’s message calls the young king fatherless and challenges his equipment and rank through Iraj’s daughter. English renders the implication directly as a challenge to the right to wear the crown.

Interpretation

This is an insult by the enemy, not the narrator’s judgment that maternal descent is illegitimate. The English’s explicit formulation helps a reader grasp what the taunt seeks to deny.

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51–59Descent and worth together

51–59

Qobad returned and told the youthful king

Each word that battle-seeking Tur would fling.

Manuchehr laughed: “A fool alone speaks so,

With battle near and armies set to go.

Praise to Yazdan who rules both worlds in might,

Who knows the hidden and what stands in sight.

He knows that Iraj stands within my line;

And blessed Fereydoon confirms the sign.

When battle joins, my lineage and my worth

Will stand revealed before the watching earth.

By Him who rules the sun and moon on high,

Before Tur blinks, my hand shall make reply;

His head, cut clean away from trunk and frame,

I shall display, avenging Iraj’s name.

I shall avenge my blessed ancestor’s death,

And end his kingship with his final breath.”

He ordered then the banquet cloth be spread,

With wine and music where the warriors fed.

قباد آمد آنگه به نزدیک شاه

بگفت آنچه بشنید ازان رزم خواه

منوچهر خندید و گفت آنگهی

که چونین نگوید مگر ابلهی

سپاس از جهاندار هر دو جهان

شناسندهٔ آشکار و نهان

که داند که ایرج نیای منست

فریدون فرخ گوای منست

کنون گر بجنگ اندر آریم سر

شود آشکارا نژاد و گهر

به زور خداوند خورشید و ماه

که چندان نمانم ورا دستگاه

که بر هم زند چشم زیر و زبر

بریده به لشکر نمایمش سر

بفرمود تا خوان بیاراستند

نشستنگه رود و می‌خواستند

Ganjoor · f14:52-59

Textual evidence

Manuchehr invokes the God who knows Iraj is his ancestor and Fereydoon his witness; battle will reveal lineage and inherent worth. The chapter closes with a banquet.

Interpretation

The answer neither disowns the female line nor reduces legitimacy to violence alone. It asserts ancestry already recognized and promises its public demonstration. The English’s additional vow sustains the emotional link to the murdered ancestor.

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Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor f14 ↗ Moscow p 118 ↗ Moscow p 119 ↗ Moscow p 120 ↗ Moscow p 121 ↗ Moscow p 122 ↗ Mohl p 92 ↗ Mohl p 93 ↗ Mohl p 94 ↗ Khaleghi p 136 ↗ Khaleghi p 137 ↗ Khaleghi p 138 ↗ Khaleghi p 139 ↗ Khaleghi p 140 ↗