New NaqqaliFereydoon and His Sons · A6.25
Manuchehr Fights Salm and Slays Him
Salm is overtaken by the harvest he helped plant. Manuchehr’s treatment of the defeated army then tests whether vengeance can stop with the guilty.
The chapter in five texts
| Text | Chapter treatment and distinctive choices |
|---|---|
| F&R English | Thirty-nine couplets connect the fuller Kakouy episode to Salm’s flight and preserve the release of ordinary soldiers. |
| Moscow | The pursuit, killing and surrender follow in a continuous sequence, with mercy distinguished from personal vengeance. |
| Mohl | Pp 102–104 retain Salm’s defeat and the army’s plea. |
| Ganjoor | Sh20.1–39 supplies the pursuit and settlement; its stroke-location and final honoring of the surrendered are more specific than the English in different ways. |
| Khaleghi | The main text retains the full moral turn from punitive victory to an end to needless killing. |
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.
1–6+
With Kakouy slain, the lord of Khavar knew
His strength had failed; his counsel altered too.
His head was emptied now of vengeance’s heat;
He fled back to the fortress, his retreat.
When Salm came to the sea, he found no boat,
No trace of timber, nothing that could float.
Behind him Manuchehr’s battalions sped;
The road grew hard with wounded men and dead.
The youthful chief, with wrath and vengeance stirred,
Mounted his swift gray charger without word.
He cast its barding off and drove ahead,
And caught Rum’s king where narrow passage led.
تهی شد ز کینه سر کینه دار
گریزان همی رفت سوی حصار
پس اندر سپاه منوچهر شاه
دمان و دنان برگرفتند راه
چو شد سلم تا پیش دریا کنار
ندید آنچه کشتی برآن رهگذار
چنان شد ز بس کشته و خسته دشت
که پوینده را راه دشوار گشت
پر از خشم و پر کینه سالار نو
نشست از بر چرمهٔ تیزرو
بیفگند برگستوان و بتاخت
به گرد سپه چرمه اندر نشاخت
Ganjoor · f20:1-6
7–18+
He cried, “O evil man, unjust and grim,
You killed your brother; now answer for him.
You killed your brother for a crown through greed;
Did you gain that crown? Why flee now at speed?
Now crown and throne I bring before your eyes;
The royal tree has borne the fruit you prize.
Do not flee now the crown of royal state;
Fereydoon has prepared your seat of fate.
The tree you planted now has come to fruit;
Its harvest stands beside you in pursuit.
If thorns it bears, you planted every seed;
If silk, you spun the thread by your own deed.”
Still speaking, he drove hard along the track,
Till narrow ground hemmed Salm and held him back.
One sword-stroke fell across the royal side;
And split his body open, deep and wide.
He ordered Salm’s severed head raised high,
Upon a spear that reached toward the sky.
The soldiers stood astonished at the sight,
At Manuchehr’s fierce arm and battle-might.
Then Salm’s whole army scattered like a flock,
Dispersed by Time’s strong breath beneath the shock.
In groups they fled without a road or guide,
Through plain and cave and mountain far and wide.
رسید آنگهی تنگ در شاه روم
خروشید کای مرد بیداد شوم
بکشتی برادر ز بهر کلاه
کله یافتی چند پویی براه
کنون تاجت آوردم ای شاه و تخت
به بار آمد آن خسروانی درخت
زتاج بزرگی گریزان مشو
فریدونت گاهی بیاراست نو
درختی که پروردی آمد به بار
بیابی هم اکنون برش در کنار
اگر بار خارست خود کشته‌ای
و گر پرنیانست خود رشته‌ای
همی تاخت اسپ اندرین گفت‌گوی
یکایک به تنگی رسید اندر اوی
یکی تیغ زد زود بر گردنش
بدو نیمه شد خسروانی تنش
بفرمود تا سرش برداشتند
به نیزه به ابر اندر افراشتند
بماندند لشکر شگفت اندر اوی
ازان زور و آن بازوی جنگجوی
همه لشکر سلم همچون رمه
که بپراگند روزگار دمه
برفتند یکسر گروها گروه
پراگنده در دشت و دریا و کوه
Ganjoor · f20:7-18
19–28+
They chose a wise man, pure of heart and mind,
Whose graceful speech was measured and refined.
They sent him to appear before the king,
As tongue of all the troops, their words to bring.
He said, “We all are subjects in your thrall;
We tread the earth obedient to your call.
Some own the herds that graze upon the plain;
Some tend their fields and households for their gain.
Our ruler’s order brought us to this ground;
His binding word compelled us, duty-bound.
We came as soldiers to this battle’s test,
Not from desire for vengeance in the breast.
Now all are servants to your rule, and bow;
With lowered heads we wait your order now.
If blood and vengeance still are your decree,
We have no strength to struggle or to flee.
Our chiefs have all come wholly to your seat;
We stand before you guiltless in defeat.
Whatever you desire, command it done;
You rule these guiltless lives beneath the sun.”
یکی پرخرد مرد پاکیزه مغز
که بودش زبان پر ز گفتار نغز
بگفتند تا زی منوچهر شاه
شود گرم و باشد زبان سپاه
بگوید که گفتند ما کهتریم
زمین جز به فرمان او نسپریم
گروهی خداوند بر چارپای
گروهی خداوند کشت و سرای
سپاهی بدین رزمگاه آمدیم
نه بر آرزو کینه خواه آمدیم
کنون سر به سر شاه را بنده‌ایم
دل و جان به مهر وی آگنده‌ایم
گرش رای جنگ است و خون ریختن
نداریم نیروی آویختن
سران یکسره پیش شاه آوریم
بر او سر بیگناه آوریم
براند هر آن کام کو را هواست
برین بیگنه جان ما پادشاست
Ganjoor · f20:19-27
29–36+
The wise man ended; Manuchehr gave ear,
And weighed his words with judgment calm and clear.
He said, “My private wish I cast to dust;
I seek a lasting name through what is just.
Whatever stands apart from God’s decree
Is Ahriman’s work and shall not govern me.
Whether you came as enemies or friends,
God’s victory shows where guilt begins and ends.
Today is justice; tyranny has ceased;
Your chiefs from further slaughter are released.
Seek amity and cast your weapons down;
Let rancor end with Salm’s defeated crown.
Be wise, keep pure your faith, your spirit bright,
And cast all harm and hatred from your sight.
Return to every settled home you own,
In Turan, Chin or Rum, to lands well known.”
بگفت این سخن مرد بسیار هوش
سپهدار خیره بدو دادگوش
چنین داد پاسخ که من کام خویش
به خاک افگنم برکشم نام خویش
هر آن چیز کان نز ره ایزدیست
از آهرمنی گر ز دست بدیست
سراسر ز دیدار من دور باد
بدی را تن دیو رنجور باد
شما گر همه کینه‌دار منید
وگر دوستدارید و یار منید
چو پیروزگر دادمان دستگاه
گنه کار پیدا شد از بیگناه
کنون روز دادست بیداد شد
سران را سر از کشتن آزاد شد
همه مهر جویید و افسون کنید
ز تن آلت جنگ بیرون کنید
Ganjoor · f20:28-35
37–39+
A cry arose: “Let needless slaughter end;
The tyrants’ fallen fortune cannot mend.”
Then Chin’s warriors bowed before his sight,
And heaped their battle gear to mountain height.
Jowshans, helms, bargostvans, khanjar, gorz he gave;
With these Manuchehr honored each chief brave.
خروشی بر آمد ز پرده سرای
که ای پهلوانان فرخنده رای
ازین پس به خیره مریزید خون
که بخت جفاپیشگان شد نگون
همه آلت لشکر و ساز جنگ
ببردند نزدیک پور پشنگ
سپهبد منوچهر بنواختشان
براندازه بر پایگه ساختشان
Ganjoor · f20:36-39
Narrative and poetic form
The chapter’s most substantial achievement comes after Salm’s death. The English gives the king space to renounce private appetite and recognize the difference between guilty principals and compelled followers, making restraint part of royal strength.
Couplet commentary
Quoted text · evidence · interpretation1–6A refuge already destroyed
1–6
With Kakouy slain, the lord of Khavar knew
His strength had failed; his counsel altered too.
His head was emptied now of vengeance’s heat;
He fled back to the fortress, his retreat.
When Salm came to the sea, he found no boat,
No trace of timber, nothing that could float.
Behind him Manuchehr’s battalions sped;
The road grew hard with wounded men and dead.
The youthful chief, with wrath and vengeance stirred,
Mounted his swift gray charger without word.
He cast its barding off and drove ahead,
And caught Rum’s king where narrow passage led.
تهی شد ز کینه سر کینه دار
گریزان همی رفت سوی حصار
پس اندر سپاه منوچهر شاه
دمان و دنان برگرفتند راه
چو شد سلم تا پیش دریا کنار
ندید آنچه کشتی برآن رهگذار
چنان شد ز بس کشته و خسته دشت
که پوینده را راه دشوار گشت
پر از خشم و پر کینه سالار نو
نشست از بر چرمهٔ تیزرو
بیفگند برگستوان و بتاخت
به گرد سپه چرمه اندر نشاخت
Ganjoor · f20:1-6
Textual evidence
The reference opens with Salm fleeing toward the fortress and finding no boat. English explicitly connects the loss of confidence with Kakouy’s death.
G f20 1 ↗ G f20 2 ↗ G f20 3 ↗ G f20 4 ↗ G f20 5 ↗ G f20 6 ↗ Moscow p 129 ↗ Moscow p 130 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Mohl p 102 ↗ Mohl p 103 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Khaleghi p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 151 ↗ Khaleghi p 152 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗
Interpretation
The added causal bridge belongs to the fuller combat sequence just retained. The fortress stratagem now pays off: Salm’s retreat fails because the apparent refuge has already been removed.
7–18The harvest of violenceLocal blow-location difference
7–18
He cried, “O evil man, unjust and grim,
You killed your brother; now answer for him.
You killed your brother for a crown through greed;
Did you gain that crown? Why flee now at speed?
Now crown and throne I bring before your eyes;
The royal tree has borne the fruit you prize.
Do not flee now the crown of royal state;
Fereydoon has prepared your seat of fate.
The tree you planted now has come to fruit;
Its harvest stands beside you in pursuit.
If thorns it bears, you planted every seed;
If silk, you spun the thread by your own deed.”
Still speaking, he drove hard along the track,
Till narrow ground hemmed Salm and held him back.
One sword-stroke fell across the royal side;
And split his body open, deep and wide.
He ordered Salm’s severed head raised high,
Upon a spear that reached toward the sky.
The soldiers stood astonished at the sight,
At Manuchehr’s fierce arm and battle-might.
Then Salm’s whole army scattered like a flock,
Dispersed by Time’s strong breath beneath the shock.
In groups they fled without a road or guide,
Through plain and cave and mountain far and wide.
رسید آنگهی تنگ در شاه روم
خروشید کای مرد بیداد شوم
بکشتی برادر ز بهر کلاه
کله یافتی چند پویی براه
کنون تاجت آوردم ای شاه و تخت
به بار آمد آن خسروانی درخت
زتاج بزرگی گریزان مشو
فریدونت گاهی بیاراست نو
درختی که پروردی آمد به بار
بیابی هم اکنون برش در کنار
اگر بار خارست خود کشته‌ای
و گر پرنیانست خود رشته‌ای
همی تاخت اسپ اندرین گفت‌گوی
یکایک به تنگی رسید اندر اوی
یکی تیغ زد زود بر گردنش
بدو نیمه شد خسروانی تنش
بفرمود تا سرش برداشتند
به نیزه به ابر اندر افراشتند
بماندند لشکر شگفت اندر اوی
ازان زور و آن بازوی جنگجوی
همه لشکر سلم همچون رمه
که بپراگند روزگار دمه
برفتند یکسر گروها گروه
پراگنده در دشت و دریا و کوه
Ganjoor · f20:7-18
Textual evidence
The taunt promises Salm the crown and throne he sought, now as punishment. The source’s single stroke falls on the neck; English 14 places it across the royal side before the head is displayed.
G f20 10 ↗ G f20 11 ↗ G f20 12 ↗ G f20 13 ↗ G f20 14 ↗ G f20 15 ↗ G f20 16 ↗ G f20 17 ↗ G f20 18 ↗ G f20 7 ↗ G f20 8 ↗ G f20 9 ↗ Moscow p 129 ↗ Moscow p 130 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Mohl p 102 ↗ Mohl p 103 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Khaleghi p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 151 ↗ Khaleghi p 152 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗
Interpretation
The tree, thorn and woven-silk figures make consequence feel self-produced. The body-location differs locally: the English’s split body should not be used to erase the source’s explicit neck-strike. The wider action and responsibility remain intact.
19–28The soldiers distinguish compulsion from desire
19–28
They chose a wise man, pure of heart and mind,
Whose graceful speech was measured and refined.
They sent him to appear before the king,
As tongue of all the troops, their words to bring.
He said, “We all are subjects in your thrall;
We tread the earth obedient to your call.
Some own the herds that graze upon the plain;
Some tend their fields and households for their gain.
Our ruler’s order brought us to this ground;
His binding word compelled us, duty-bound.
We came as soldiers to this battle’s test,
Not from desire for vengeance in the breast.
Now all are servants to your rule, and bow;
With lowered heads we wait your order now.
If blood and vengeance still are your decree,
We have no strength to struggle or to flee.
Our chiefs have all come wholly to your seat;
We stand before you guiltless in defeat.
Whatever you desire, command it done;
You rule these guiltless lives beneath the sun.”
یکی پرخرد مرد پاکیزه مغز
که بودش زبان پر ز گفتار نغز
بگفتند تا زی منوچهر شاه
شود گرم و باشد زبان سپاه
بگوید که گفتند ما کهتریم
زمین جز به فرمان او نسپریم
گروهی خداوند بر چارپای
گروهی خداوند کشت و سرای
سپاهی بدین رزمگاه آمدیم
نه بر آرزو کینه خواه آمدیم
کنون سر به سر شاه را بنده‌ایم
دل و جان به مهر وی آگنده‌ایم
گرش رای جنگ است و خون ریختن
نداریم نیروی آویختن
سران یکسره پیش شاه آوریم
بر او سر بیگناه آوریم
براند هر آن کام کو را هواست
برین بیگنه جان ما پادشاست
Ganjoor · f20:19-27
Textual evidence
The defeated army sends a speaker explaining that its men own herds, fields and homes and came under royal command, not personal hunger for revenge.
G f20 19 ↗ G f20 20 ↗ G f20 21 ↗ G f20 22 ↗ G f20 23 ↗ G f20 24 ↗ G f20 25 ↗ G f20 26 ↗ G f20 27 ↗ Moscow p 129 ↗ Moscow p 130 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Mohl p 102 ↗ Mohl p 103 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Khaleghi p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 151 ↗ Khaleghi p 152 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗
Interpretation
The English preserves a crucial moral discrimination between rulers and their ordinary forces. The soldiers’ innocence is their plea; the king’s subsequent action gives that plea practical recognition rather than simply repeating it as an unquestioned premise.
29–36Justice limits retaliation
29–36
The wise man ended; Manuchehr gave ear,
And weighed his words with judgment calm and clear.
He said, “My private wish I cast to dust;
I seek a lasting name through what is just.
Whatever stands apart from God’s decree
Is Ahriman’s work and shall not govern me.
Whether you came as enemies or friends,
God’s victory shows where guilt begins and ends.
Today is justice; tyranny has ceased;
Your chiefs from further slaughter are released.
Seek amity and cast your weapons down;
Let rancor end with Salm’s defeated crown.
Be wise, keep pure your faith, your spirit bright,
And cast all harm and hatred from your sight.
Return to every settled home you own,
In Turan, Chin or Rum, to lands well known.”
بگفت این سخن مرد بسیار هوش
سپهدار خیره بدو دادگوش
چنین داد پاسخ که من کام خویش
به خاک افگنم برکشم نام خویش
هر آن چیز کان نز ره ایزدیست
از آهرمنی گر ز دست بدیست
سراسر ز دیدار من دور باد
بدی را تن دیو رنجور باد
شما گر همه کینه‌دار منید
وگر دوستدارید و یار منید
چو پیروزگر دادمان دستگاه
گنه کار پیدا شد از بیگناه
کنون روز دادست بیداد شد
سران را سر از کشتن آزاد شد
همه مهر جویید و افسون کنید
ز تن آلت جنگ بیرون کنید
Ganjoor · f20:28-35
Textual evidence
Manuchehr casts private desire aside and distinguishes guilty from innocent. The main source commands affection, disarmament and an end to killing; the English gives the return-home direction fuller expression.
G f20 28 ↗ G f20 29 ↗ G f20 30 ↗ G f20 31 ↗ G f20 32 ↗ G f20 33 ↗ G f20 34 ↗ G f20 35 ↗ Moscow p 129 ↗ Moscow p 130 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Mohl p 102 ↗ Mohl p 103 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Khaleghi p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 151 ↗ Khaleghi p 152 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗
Interpretation
This is not a reversal of the entire campaign. It is a limit placed upon it: the original murderers have fallen, so revenge must not expand indefinitely into the destruction of their subjects.
37–39The proclamation against further bloodshed
37–39
A cry arose: “Let needless slaughter end;
The tyrants’ fallen fortune cannot mend.”
Then Chin’s warriors bowed before his sight,
And heaped their battle gear to mountain height.
Jowshans, helms, bargostvans, khanjar, gorz he gave;
With these Manuchehr honored each chief brave.
خروشی بر آمد ز پرده سرای
که ای پهلوانان فرخنده رای
ازین پس به خیره مریزید خون
که بخت جفاپیشگان شد نگون
همه آلت لشکر و ساز جنگ
ببردند نزدیک پور پشنگ
سپهبد منوچهر بنواختشان
براندازه بر پایگه ساختشان
Ganjoor · f20:36-39
Textual evidence
The source orders an end to needless killing, receives the army’s equipment and honors the defeated according to rank. English 39 makes the distribution of equipment to chiefs more explicit.
G f20 36 ↗ G f20 37 ↗ G f20 38 ↗ G f20 39 ↗ Moscow p 129 ↗ Moscow p 130 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Mohl p 102 ↗ Mohl p 103 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Khaleghi p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 151 ↗ Khaleghi p 152 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗
Interpretation
The ending turns martial victory into a political settlement. Honoring surrendered people matters as much as accumulating arms; the source’s treatment of them should remain visible beside the English emphasis on the material transfer.