Fereydoon and His Sons · A6.26

Fereydoon Receives the Head of Salm

The victorious heir returns; Fereydoon arranges succession and transfers responsibility to Sahm before asking release from life.

F&R English · 50 couplets · 6 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Fifty couplets preserve the second letter, Sahm’s guardianship and the fuller release-prayer, and arrange a final paternal crowning.
Moscow	The return and succession occupy the reign’s close; the main-text sequence is shorter in places than the full Mohl account.
Mohl	Pp 104–105 support the fuller homecoming, Sahm handoff and desire to leave the world.
Ganjoor	Sh20.40–64 has no second victory letter or Sahm guardianship scene, and differs in the order and agent of treasure distribution.
Khaleghi	Pp 153–156 print the second letter and succession material; local main-text and apparatus extent must be distinguished rather than inferred from Ganjoor.

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 prince then called a courier, swift and true,

And gave him Salm’s severed head to view.

To Fereydoon he wrote what war revealed,

Of battle, cunning, and kimiya concealed.

First to the Maker blessings he addressed,

Then Fereydoon, the famous Shah, he blessed.

“Praise to the conquering Lord, source of our might;

From Him come strength and skill that guide the fight.

All good and evil lie within His power;

All pain and suffering answer Him each hour.

Now blessings on Fereydoon, wakeful, wise,

The Shah of earth beneath the turning skies.

He breaks the bonds of evil by decree,

His counsel and divine farr set us free.

I took revenge upon Chin’s mounted array,

And set an ambush where their forces lay.

By your great strength those unjust men were slain,

The blood-guilty who brought us grief and pain.

Their heads we severed with avenging steel,

And washed earth’s face till vengeance set its seal.

I follow close behind the letter sent,

And soon will tell you how the battle went.”

یکی نامه بنوشت نزد نیا

چه از جنگ و چاره و کیمیا

نخست آفرین بر خداوندگار

دگر یاد کرد از شه نامدار

سپاس از جهاندار پیروزگر

کز اویست نیرو و هم زور و فر

همه نیک و بد زیر فرمان اوست

همه بندها زیر پیمان اوست

Selected Khaleghi p 153; compare Mohl pp 103–104

12–24+

He sent Shirviyeh back toward the hold,

A seasoned warrior, world-wise and bold.

He said, “Inspect the treasure stored inside;

Arrange what must be done, and nothing hide.

Load all the wealth on elephants held high,

And bring it decked before the Shah’s own eye.”

Then bronze kousts sounded, and the reed-pipes cried,

Their music rolling from the royal side.

From sea to land he drew his ordered force,

Then turned toward Fereydoon on his course.

When Tammisheh appeared before his sight,

Fereydoon longed to see the prince alight.

The karnay’s cry rang out beside the wall,

And all the army stirred beneath its call.

On elephants turquoise thrones shone bright,

Prepared by him whom fortune crowned with light.

Gold litters draped in Chinese brocade,

With jewels bright, a royal show displayed.

Banners of every kind streamed into view;

The world turned red and yellow, violet too.

From Gilan’s sea, a black cloud swept the plain,

And marched toward Sari in an ordered train.

Gold trappings, golden girdles gleamed in line,

Silver stirrups, golden shields would shine.

With elephants and treasure in array,

They dressed themselves to greet him on the way.

سوی دژ فرستاد شیروی را

جهاندیده مرد جهانجوی را

بفرمود کان خواسته برگرای

نگه کن همه هر چه یابی به جای

به پیلان گردونکش آن خواسته

به درگاه شاه‌آور آراسته

بفرمود تا کوس رویین و نای

زدند و فرو هشت پرده سرای

سپه را ز دریا به هامون کشید

ز هامون سوی آفریدون کشید

چو آمد به نزدیک تمیشه باز

نیا را بدیدار او بد نیاز

برآمد ز در نالهٔ کر نای

سراسر بجنبید لشکر ز جای

همه پشت پیلان ز پیروزه تخت

بیاراست سالار پیروز بخت

چه با مهد زرین به دیبای چین

بگوهر بیاراسته همچنین

چه با گونه گونه درفشان درفش

جهانی شده سرخ و زرد و بنفش

ز دریای گیلان چو ابر سیاه

دمادم بساری رسید آن سپاه

Ganjoor · f20:40-50

25–32+

When prince and army neared the royal train,

Fereydoon came on foot along the plain.

Gil warriors came like lions loosed to fight,

Gold torques and musk-black caps adorned the sight.

Behind the Shah the men of Iran came,

Each like a raging lion in his frame.

Before the army elephants were led,

With lion-hearted champions at their head.

When Fereydoon’s banner rose into view,

Manuchehr formed his ranks and forward drew.

The young sepahbod stepped down from his steed,

A new-grown tree with new fruit from its seed.

He kissed the earth and offered praise divine

To throne and crown, royal cap and sign.

Fereydoon raised him, kissed the youthful heir,

And clasped his hand with praise and kingly care.

چو آمد بنزدیک شاه آن سپاه

فریدون پذیره بیامد براه

همه گیل مردان چو شیر یله

ابا طوق زرین و مشکین کله

پس پشت شاه اندر ایرانیان

دلیران و هر یک چو شیر ژیان

به پیش سپاه اندرون پیل و شیر

پس ژنده پیلان یلان دلیر

درفش درفشان چو آمد پدید

سپاه منوچهر صف بر کشید

پیاده شد از باره سالار نو

درخت نوآیین پر از بار نو

زمین را ببوسید و کرد آفرین

بران تاج و تخت و کلاه و نگین

فریدونش فرمود تا برنشست

ببوسید و بسترد رویش به دست

Ganjoor · f20:51-58

33–41+

Back at his seat, the Shah sent out a call

For Sahm, son of Nariman, to the hall.

From Hind far away had Sahm already sped,

To aid them in the war where blood was shed.

He brought great wealth the Shah had never claimed;

No gift had been requested, sought, or named.

Of golden coins and jewels, thousands more,

Beyond all reckoning was that shining store.

When Sahm came before the Shah renowned,

He praised the old and young with words profound.

The Shah looked on the Pahlevan, glad-eyed,

And seated famous Sahm close by his side.

“I place this grandson in your faithful care;

For death draws near, and I must now prepare.

In every task stand with him as his guide;

Let your own worth and skill be magnified.”

He took Manuchehr’s hand, the youthful heir,

And laid it in Sahm’s palm, a trust to bear.

گرفتش سبک دست شاه جهان

بدادش به دست جهان پهلوان

Selected Mohl p 105 · guardianship scene

42–46+

Then Fereydoon turned upward with his plea:

“O truthful, just Judge, hear this word from me.

You said, ‘I am the just Judge in distress,

The refuge of the wronged beneath duress.’

You gave me justice, aid when I had need;

You gave me crown and signet for my deed.

All I desired, O God, You gave to me;

Now take me to the other world, set free.

No longer would I have my spirit stay

Within this narrow place another day.”

پس آنگه سوی آسمان کرد روی

که ای دادگر داور راست‌گوی

تو گفتی که من دادگر داورم

به سختی ستم دیده را یاورم

همم داد دادی و هم داوری

همم تاج دادی هم انگشتری

همه کام‌ها داده‌ای ای خدای

کنون مر مرا بر به دیگر سرای

Ganjoor f20:59–61 + selected Mohl p 105

47–50+

Then Shirviyeh returned with treasure bright,

And set it all before the Shah’s clear sight.

The Shah shared treasure with the royal train

When two days still of Mehr’s month did remain.

Then Manuchehr was seated, crowned and known,

Upon the gleaming gold of royal throne.

With his own hand he crowned him for his reign,

And gave him final counsel, clear and plain.

بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه

نشست از بر تخت زر با کلاه

سپهدار شیروی با خواسته

به درگاه شاه آمد آراسته

بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه

ببخشید یکسر همه با سپاه

Ganjoor · f20:62-64

Narrative and poetic form

The fuller English is strongest where it shows the transfer of care as well as the transfer of a crown. The small reordered acts at the close should be disclosed, while the larger movement from victory to exhaustion remains fully intelligible.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–11A second letter and a second severed head

1–11

The prince then called a courier, swift and true,

And gave him Salm’s severed head to view.

To Fereydoon he wrote what war revealed,

Of battle, cunning, and kimiya concealed.

First to the Maker blessings he addressed,

Then Fereydoon, the famous Shah, he blessed.

“Praise to the conquering Lord, source of our might;

From Him come strength and skill that guide the fight.

All good and evil lie within His power;

All pain and suffering answer Him each hour.

Now blessings on Fereydoon, wakeful, wise,

The Shah of earth beneath the turning skies.

He breaks the bonds of evil by decree,

His counsel and divine farr set us free.

I took revenge upon Chin’s mounted array,

And set an ambush where their forces lay.

By your great strength those unjust men were slain,

The blood-guilty who brought us grief and pain.

Their heads we severed with avenging steel,

And washed earth’s face till vengeance set its seal.

I follow close behind the letter sent,

And soon will tell you how the battle went.”

یکی نامه بنوشت نزد نیا

چه از جنگ و چاره و کیمیا

نخست آفرین بر خداوندگار

دگر یاد کرد از شه نامدار

سپاس از جهاندار پیروزگر

کز اویست نیرو و هم زور و فر

همه نیک و بد زیر فرمان اوست

همه بندها زیر پیمان اوست

Selected Khaleghi p 153; compare Mohl pp 103–104

Textual evidence

Khaleghi pp 153–154 and Mohl pp 103–104 print the victory letter and dispatch of Salm’s head. Ganjoor’s corresponding point passes from the army’s treatment to the treasury instruction without this letter.

Moscow p 131 ↗ Moscow p 132 ↗ Moscow p 133 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Mohl p 105 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗ Khaleghi p 154 ↗ Khaleghi p 155 ↗ Khaleghi p 156 ↗ Khaleghi p 157 ↗

Interpretation

The repeated head-message echoes Iraj’s original dispatch. The English preserves the symmetry, but the victor’s cleansing language remains his own triumphal account; the father’s last grief will complicate it.

Return to parallel text

12–24Spoils and the northern homecoming

12–24

He sent Shirviyeh back toward the hold,

A seasoned warrior, world-wise and bold.

He said, “Inspect the treasure stored inside;

Arrange what must be done, and nothing hide.

Load all the wealth on elephants held high,

And bring it decked before the Shah’s own eye.”

Then bronze kousts sounded, and the reed-pipes cried,

Their music rolling from the royal side.

From sea to land he drew his ordered force,

Then turned toward Fereydoon on his course.

When Tammisheh appeared before his sight,

Fereydoon longed to see the prince alight.

The karnay’s cry rang out beside the wall,

And all the army stirred beneath its call.

On elephants turquoise thrones shone bright,

Prepared by him whom fortune crowned with light.

Gold litters draped in Chinese brocade,

With jewels bright, a royal show displayed.

Banners of every kind streamed into view;

The world turned red and yellow, violet too.

From Gilan’s sea, a black cloud swept the plain,

And marched toward Sari in an ordered train.

Gold trappings, golden girdles gleamed in line,

Silver stirrups, golden shields would shine.

With elephants and treasure in array,

They dressed themselves to greet him on the way.

سوی دژ فرستاد شیروی را

جهاندیده مرد جهانجوی را

بفرمود کان خواسته برگرای

نگه کن همه هر چه یابی به جای

به پیلان گردونکش آن خواسته

به درگاه شاه‌آور آراسته

بفرمود تا کوس رویین و نای

زدند و فرو هشت پرده سرای

سپه را ز دریا به هامون کشید

ز هامون سوی آفریدون کشید

چو آمد به نزدیک تمیشه باز

نیا را بدیدار او بد نیاز

برآمد ز در نالهٔ کر نای

سراسر بجنبید لشکر ز جای

همه پشت پیلان ز پیروزه تخت

بیاراست سالار پیروز بخت

چه با مهد زرین به دیبای چین

بگوهر بیاراسته همچنین

چه با گونه گونه درفشان درفش

جهانی شده سرخ و زرد و بنفش

ز دریای گیلان چو ابر سیاه

دمادم بساری رسید آن سپاه

Ganjoor · f20:40-50

Textual evidence

Shirviyeh is sent to the fortress wealth, the army turns inland, and thrones, litters and banners prepare the approach to Tammisheh and Sari from the sea of Gilan.

Interpretation

The geography is an epic northern itinerary, not an exact modern military route. The English retains proper names and the visual transformation of the earlier battlefield abundance into a homecoming procession.

Return to parallel text

25–32The old king meets the new

25–32

When prince and army neared the royal train,

Fereydoon came on foot along the plain.

Gil warriors came like lions loosed to fight,

Gold torques and musk-black caps adorned the sight.

Behind the Shah the men of Iran came,

Each like a raging lion in his frame.

Before the army elephants were led,

With lion-hearted champions at their head.

When Fereydoon’s banner rose into view,

Manuchehr formed his ranks and forward drew.

The young sepahbod stepped down from his steed,

A new-grown tree with new fruit from its seed.

He kissed the earth and offered praise divine

To throne and crown, royal cap and sign.

Fereydoon raised him, kissed the youthful heir,

And clasped his hand with praise and kingly care.

چو آمد بنزدیک شاه آن سپاه

فریدون پذیره بیامد براه

همه گیل مردان چو شیر یله

ابا طوق زرین و مشکین کله

پس پشت شاه اندر ایرانیان

دلیران و هر یک چو شیر ژیان

به پیش سپاه اندرون پیل و شیر

پس ژنده پیلان یلان دلیر

درفش درفشان چو آمد پدید

سپاه منوچهر صف بر کشید

پیاده شد از باره سالار نو

درخت نوآیین پر از بار نو

زمین را ببوسید و کرد آفرین

بران تاج و تخت و کلاه و نگین

فریدونش فرمود تا برنشست

ببوسید و بسترد رویش به دست

Ganjoor · f20:51-58

Textual evidence

The king comes to receive Manuchehr; the young ruler dismounts, honors the royal insignia and is embraced. English makes the old king’s coming on foot explicit and extends the clasp of welcome.

G f20 51 ↗ G f20 52 ↗ G f20 53 ↗ G f20 54 ↗ G f20 55 ↗ G f20 56 ↗ G f20 57 ↗ G f20 58 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Moscow p 132 ↗ Moscow p 133 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Mohl p 105 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗ Khaleghi p 154 ↗ Khaleghi p 155 ↗ Khaleghi p 156 ↗ Khaleghi p 157 ↗

Interpretation

Ceremony yields to bodily affection. The two rulers’ relation is neither simple replacement nor merely hierarchical submission; the older man recognizes the descendant who fulfilled his hope.

Return to parallel text

33–41Sahm receives the heir’s hand

33–41

Back at his seat, the Shah sent out a call

For Sahm, son of Nariman, to the hall.

From Hind far away had Sahm already sped,

To aid them in the war where blood was shed.

He brought great wealth the Shah had never claimed;

No gift had been requested, sought, or named.

Of golden coins and jewels, thousands more,

Beyond all reckoning was that shining store.

When Sahm came before the Shah renowned,

He praised the old and young with words profound.

The Shah looked on the Pahlevan, glad-eyed,

And seated famous Sahm close by his side.

“I place this grandson in your faithful care;

For death draws near, and I must now prepare.

In every task stand with him as his guide;

Let your own worth and skill be magnified.”

He took Manuchehr’s hand, the youthful heir,

And laid it in Sahm’s palm, a trust to bear.

گرفتش سبک دست شاه جهان

بدادش به دست جهان پهلوان

Selected Mohl p 105 · guardianship scene

Textual evidence

Mohl p 105 prints Sahm’s arrival from Hind, unrequested treasure and Fereydoon’s placing Manuchehr in his care. This longer guardianship scene is absent from the captured Ganjoor sh20.

Moscow p 131 ↗ Moscow p 132 ↗ Moscow p 133 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Mohl p 105 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗ Khaleghi p 154 ↗ Khaleghi p 155 ↗ Khaleghi p 156 ↗ Khaleghi p 157 ↗

Interpretation

The English retains the institutional handoff beneath a personal gesture. The prince inherits sovereignty, but seasoned counsel remains necessary. Sahm’s role is guardianship and support, not a transfer of the royal title.

Return to parallel text

42–46Justice granted, life relinquished

42–46

Then Fereydoon turned upward with his plea:

“O truthful, just Judge, hear this word from me.

You said, ‘I am the just Judge in distress,

The refuge of the wronged beneath duress.’

You gave me justice, aid when I had need;

You gave me crown and signet for my deed.

All I desired, O God, You gave to me;

Now take me to the other world, set free.

No longer would I have my spirit stay

Within this narrow place another day.”

پس آنگه سوی آسمان کرد روی

که ای دادگر داور راست‌گوی

تو گفتی که من دادگر داورم

به سختی ستم دیده را یاورم

همم داد دادی و هم داوری

همم تاج دادی هم انگشتری

همه کام‌ها داده‌ای ای خدای

کنون مر مرا بر به دیگر سرای

Ganjoor f20:59–61 + selected Mohl p 105

Textual evidence

Ganjoor gives the appeal to the just Judge and acknowledgment of crown and signet. Mohl p 105 continues with the desire to leave this narrow dwelling; the English preserves that fuller prayer.

G f20 59 ↗ G f20 60 ↗ G f20 61 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Moscow p 132 ↗ Moscow p 133 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Mohl p 105 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗ Khaleghi p 154 ↗ Khaleghi p 155 ↗ Khaleghi p 156 ↗ Khaleghi p 157 ↗

Interpretation

Victory does not renew Fereydoon’s appetite for life. The expanded prayer is the emotional bridge from achieved justice to retirement and death.

Return to parallel text

47–50Treasure and enthronement reorderedInvestiture sequence and agency

47–50

Then Shirviyeh returned with treasure bright,

And set it all before the Shah’s clear sight.

The Shah shared treasure with the royal train

When two days still of Mehr’s month did remain.

Then Manuchehr was seated, crowned and known,

Upon the gleaming gold of royal throne.

With his own hand he crowned him for his reign,

And gave him final counsel, clear and plain.

بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه

نشست از بر تخت زر با کلاه

سپهدار شیروی با خواسته

به درگاه شاه آمد آراسته

بفرمود پس تا منوچهر شاه

ببخشید یکسر همه با سپاه

Ganjoor · f20:62-64

Textual evidence

Ganjoor seats Manuchehr before Shirviyeh arrives and explicitly makes Manuchehr distribute the treasure. English puts arrival and distribution first, with the old Shah as giver, then his personal crowning of the heir. Mohl p 105 has the fuller distribution near the end of Mehr.

G f20 62 ↗ G f20 63 ↗ G f20 64 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Moscow p 132 ↗ Moscow p 133 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Mohl p 105 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗ Khaleghi p 154 ↗ Khaleghi p 155 ↗ Khaleghi p 156 ↗ Khaleghi p 157 ↗

Interpretation

This is a difference of sequence and agency, not merely a shortened list. The English creates a clean last act of paternal investiture. The source record allows that design to be appreciated without presenting every step as identical across the comparison texts.

Return to parallel text

Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor f20 ↗ Moscow p 131 ↗ Moscow p 132 ↗ Moscow p 133 ↗ Mohl p 104 ↗ Mohl p 105 ↗ Khaleghi p 153 ↗ Khaleghi p 154 ↗ Khaleghi p 155 ↗ Khaleghi p 156 ↗ Khaleghi p 157 ↗