Fereydoon and His Sons · A6.9

Salm and Tur Send a Message to Their Father

The brothers’ ultimatum travels through a blameless envoy to a court that continues to observe the obligations of hospitality.

F&R English · 46 couplets · 5 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Forty-six couplets give the ultimatum and its delivery a separate dramatic chapter.
Moscow	The ultimatum and reception continue within the family dispute, with the bearer distinct from the senders.
Mohl	Pp 72–74 preserve the sharp message against a courteous royal reception.
Ganjoor	Sh6.34–77 supplies the continuous reference for the embassy.
Khaleghi	The corresponding main-text sequence retains the moralized threat and the envoy’s protected speaking role.

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.

1–9+

Then Salm and Tur called forth a Mobad wise,

Sharp-witted, eloquent, with watchful eyes.

Discerning, quick to understand each word,

He kept in mind each message that he heard.

They met apart, excluding every ear,

And shaped their plan in counsel cold and clear.

Then Salm washed filial shame from both his eyes,

And shaped the words that pride would now devise:

“Go swiftly; let not wind or dust draw near;

Outstrip them both upon your road from here.

Go straight to Fereydoon without delay;

Let nothing turn you from the onward way.

Greet him for both of us, then tell him this:

‘Fear God in both worlds; do not act amiss.

The young may hope to reach the years of age,

But white hair never darkens on life’s stage.

Why linger as your span of life grows small,

When age each day draws nearer to its fall?

گزیدند پس موبدی تیزویر

سخن گوی و بینادل و یادگیر

ز بیگانه پردخته کردند جای

سگالش گرفتند هر گونه رای

سخن سلم پیوند کرد از نخست

ز شرم پدر دیدگان را بشست

فرستاده را گفت ره برنورد

نباید که یابد ترا باد و گرد

چو آیی به کاخ فریدون فرود

نخستین ز هر دو پسر ده درود

پس آنگه بگویش که ترس خدای

بباید که باشد به هر دو سرای

جوان را بود روز پیری امید

نگردد سیه‌ ، مویِ گشته سپید

چه سازی درنگ اندرین جای تنگ

که شد تنگ بر تو سرای درنگ

Ganjoor · f6:34-41

10–18+

God gave you all the world to rule and keep,

From shining sun down to the earth’s dark deep.

Yet you pursued your own desire and will,

And slighted God’s command, and slight it still.

You chose the crooked path in each decree,

And dealt without true justice to the three.

Three sons were yours, all wise and brave and grown,

All three were worthy ornaments of throne.

No greater merit marked one son alone,

That others should regard his rule their own.

One son you cast where savage dragons blow,

One to the very clouds you made to go.

Beside you Iraj wears the royal crown,

And cheers the eyes that age has weighted down.

One mother and one father gave us birth;

Why should our claims be judged of lesser worth?

O Shah whose justice earned you high regard,

Such judgment leaves that honored title marred.

جهان مرترا داد یزدان پاک

ز تابنده خورشید تا تیره خاک

همه بآرزو ساختی رسم و راه

نکردی به فرمان یزدان نگاه

نجستی به جز کژی و کاستی

نکردی به بخشش درون راستی

سه فرزند بودت خردمند و گرد

بزرگ آمدت تیره بیدار خرد

ندیدی هنر با یکی بیشتر

کجا دیگری زو فرو برد سر

یکی را دم اژدها ساختی

یکی را به ابر اندر افراختی

یکی تاج بر سر ببالین تو

برو شاد گشته جهان‌بین تو

نه ما زو به مام و پدر کمتریم

نه بر تخت شاهی نه اندر خوریم

ایا دادگر شهریار زمین

برین داد هرگز مباد آفرین

Ganjoor · f6:42-50

19–25+

Tear from his head the diadem he wears,

And end the sovereignty he falsely bears.

Then give him some small corner for his share,

To sit estranged and wounded in despair.

Do this, and peace between us may abide;

Then we shall rest content on either side.

But if you will not, armies shall advance

From Turks and Chin, with Rum to lift the lance.

A mighty force with gorz will now descend,

Till Iran and Iraj both meet their end.’”

The Mobad heard, then kissed the ground and turned,

And bore away the words that he had learned.

He set his foot in stirrup with such speed,

Like fire wind-whipped, and urged his flying steed.

اگر تاج از آن تارک بی‌بها

شود دور و یابد جهان زو رها

سپاری بدو گوشه‌ای از جهان

نشیند چو ما از تو خسته نهان

و گرنه سواران ترکان و چین

هم از روم گردان جوینده کین

فراز آورم لشگر گرزدار

از ایران و ایرج برآرم دمار

چو بشنید موبد پیام درشت

زمین را ببوسید و بنمود پشت

بر آنسان به زین اندر آورد پای

که از باد آتش بجنبد ز جای

Ganjoor · f6:51-56

26–34+

He reached the royal seat, where to his view

A palace rose, high-towering in the blue;

Clouds hid its lofty summit from his gaze;

From ridge to ridge it climbed through mountain haze.

From peak to peak its vast enclosure ran,

A court beyond the common works of man.

At gates sat chiefs; behind, the nobles stood,

In ranked degree, as mighty warriors should.

On one side lions bound with leopards lay;

On one, fierce war-elephants stood in array.

From gathered ranks arose a roaring sound,

Like lions raging through the palace ground.

He thought, “This eyvan must be heaven’s sphere,

With armies like the paris gathered here.”

Wakeful attendants saw the envoy wait,

And told the world-Shah who had reached the gate.

The Shah said, “Raise the curtain; let him through,

And bring him to our presence as is due.”

به درگاه شاه آفریدون رسید

برآورده‌ای دید سر ناپدید

به ابر اندر آورده بالای او

زمین کوه تا کوه پهنای او

نشسته به در بر گرانمایگان

به پرده درون جای پرمایگان

به یک دست بربسته شیر و پلنگ

به دست دگر ژنده پیلان جنگ

ز چندان گرانمایه گرد دلیر

خروشی برآمد چو آوای شیر

سپهریست پنداشت ایوان به جای

گران لشگری گرد او بر به پای

برفتند بیدار کارآگهان

بگفتند با شهریار جهان

که آمد فرستاده‌ای نزد شاه

یکی پرمنش مرد با دستگاه

بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند

بر اسپش ز درگاه بگذاشتند

Ganjoor · f6:57-65

35–46+

When the envoy then saw the Shah appear,

His heart grew still with wonder and with fear.

A cypress was his form, his face the sun;

In him the grace of kings seemed joined as one.

White camphor hair lay round a rose-red face;

Age joined with majesty and royal grace.

His lips held smiles, his cheeks a modest glow;

From royal lips sweet speech began to flow.

The envoy fell in homage to the ground,

And kissed the earth in reverence profound.

The Shah then raised him with a gracious hand,

And seated him where honored envoys stand.

He asked, “Do Salm and Tur, my sons, remain

In health and joy throughout their distant reign?

And have you borne the long road’s weary strain,

Its steep descents and climbs across the plain?”

The envoy said: “Long life and honor due,

And none in rank take precedence of you.

All those you ask about are well and strong,

And flourish through your name their whole lives long.

I am your lowly servant. Harsh the word

Those angry, foolish princes bade be heard.

I bear no guilt.” The Shah said, “Speak it all.”

The Mobad gave the message in the hall.

چو چشمش به روی فریدون رسید

همه دیده و دل پر از شاه دید

به بالای سرو و چو خورشید روی

چو کافور گرد گل سرخ موی

دولب پر ز خنده دو رخ پر ز شرم

کیانی زبان پر ز گفتار نرم

نشاندش هم آنگه فریدون ز پای

سزاوار کردش بر خویش جای

بپرسیدش از دو گرامی نخست

که هستند شادان دل و تن‌درست

دگر گفت کز راه دور و دراز

شدی رنجه اندر نشیب و فراز

فرستاده گفت ای گرانمایه شاه

ابی تو مبیناد کس پیش‌گاه

ز هر کس که پرسی به کام تواند

همه پاک زنده به نام تواند

منم بنده‌ای شاه را ناسزا

چنین بر تن خویش ناپارسا

پیامی درشت آوریده به شاه

فرستنده پر خشم و من بیگناه

بگویم چو فرمایدم شهریار

پیام جوانان ناهوشیار

بفرمود پس تا زبان برگشاد

شنیده سخن سر به سر کرد یاد

Ganjoor · f6:66-77

Narrative and poetic form

The strongest feature is controlled contrast between the sons’ imperious words and their father’s courtesy to an innocent bearer. The parentage formula deserves a local note because its English wording can otherwise seem to contradict the earlier family account.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–9A threat framed as moral counsel

1–9

Then Salm and Tur called forth a Mobad wise,

Sharp-witted, eloquent, with watchful eyes.

Discerning, quick to understand each word,

He kept in mind each message that he heard.

They met apart, excluding every ear,

And shaped their plan in counsel cold and clear.

Then Salm washed filial shame from both his eyes,

And shaped the words that pride would now devise:

“Go swiftly; let not wind or dust draw near;

Outstrip them both upon your road from here.

Go straight to Fereydoon without delay;

Let nothing turn you from the onward way.

Greet him for both of us, then tell him this:

‘Fear God in both worlds; do not act amiss.

The young may hope to reach the years of age,

But white hair never darkens on life’s stage.

Why linger as your span of life grows small,

When age each day draws nearer to its fall?

گزیدند پس موبدی تیزویر

سخن گوی و بینادل و یادگیر

ز بیگانه پردخته کردند جای

سگالش گرفتند هر گونه رای

سخن سلم پیوند کرد از نخست

ز شرم پدر دیدگان را بشست

فرستاده را گفت ره برنورد

نباید که یابد ترا باد و گرد

چو آیی به کاخ فریدون فرود

نخستین ز هر دو پسر ده درود

پس آنگه بگویش که ترس خدای

بباید که باشد به هر دو سرای

جوان را بود روز پیری امید

نگردد سیه‌ ، مویِ گشته سپید

چه سازی درنگ اندرین جای تنگ

که شد تنگ بر تو سرای درنگ

Ganjoor · f6:34-41

Textual evidence

The brothers choose a Mobad, meet privately, set filial shame aside and begin their message with fear of God and the irreversibility of age.

G f6 34 ↗ G f6 35 ↗ G f6 36 ↗ G f6 37 ↗ G f6 38 ↗ G f6 39 ↗ G f6 40 ↗ G f6 41 ↗ Moscow p 96 ↗ Moscow p 97 ↗ Moscow p 98 ↗ Moscow p 99 ↗ Mohl p 72 ↗ Mohl p 73 ↗ Mohl p 74 ↗ Khaleghi p 109 ↗ Khaleghi p 110 ↗ Khaleghi p 111 ↗ Khaleghi p 112 ↗

Interpretation

Pious form does not establish a just claim. The English preserves the calculated inversion by which disobedient sons instruct their father in moral duty while pressing a threat.

Return to parallel text

10–18Equality asserted, not demonstratedParentage wording

10–18

God gave you all the world to rule and keep,

From shining sun down to the earth’s dark deep.

Yet you pursued your own desire and will,

And slighted God’s command, and slight it still.

You chose the crooked path in each decree,

And dealt without true justice to the three.

Three sons were yours, all wise and brave and grown,

All three were worthy ornaments of throne.

No greater merit marked one son alone,

That others should regard his rule their own.

One son you cast where savage dragons blow,

One to the very clouds you made to go.

Beside you Iraj wears the royal crown,

And cheers the eyes that age has weighted down.

One mother and one father gave us birth;

Why should our claims be judged of lesser worth?

O Shah whose justice earned you high regard,

Such judgment leaves that honored title marred.

جهان مرترا داد یزدان پاک

ز تابنده خورشید تا تیره خاک

همه بآرزو ساختی رسم و راه

نکردی به فرمان یزدان نگاه

نجستی به جز کژی و کاستی

نکردی به بخشش درون راستی

سه فرزند بودت خردمند و گرد

بزرگ آمدت تیره بیدار خرد

ندیدی هنر با یکی بیشتر

کجا دیگری زو فرو برد سر

یکی را دم اژدها ساختی

یکی را به ابر اندر افراختی

یکی تاج بر سر ببالین تو

برو شاد گشته جهان‌بین تو

نه ما زو به مام و پدر کمتریم

نه بر تخت شاهی نه اندر خوریم

ایا دادگر شهریار زمین

برین داد هرگز مباد آفرین

Ganjoor · f6:42-50

Textual evidence

The message denies any greater merit in Iraj. Ganjoor says “we are not less than he in mother and father”; English 17 says “One mother and one father gave us birth.” The earlier narrative distinguishes the sons’ maternity.

Interpretation

A claim of equal parentage or birth-worth is stronger in the English as a literal shared-mother statement. Since Salm and Tur themselves share maternity, “us” can designate the elder pair; it should not be turned into a new genealogy for all three. The assertion remains partisan.

Return to parallel text

19–25The ultimatum

19–25

Tear from his head the diadem he wears,

And end the sovereignty he falsely bears.

Then give him some small corner for his share,

To sit estranged and wounded in despair.

Do this, and peace between us may abide;

Then we shall rest content on either side.

But if you will not, armies shall advance

From Turks and Chin, with Rum to lift the lance.

A mighty force with gorz will now descend,

Till Iran and Iraj both meet their end.’”

The Mobad heard, then kissed the ground and turned,

And bore away the words that he had learned.

He set his foot in stirrup with such speed,

Like fire wind-whipped, and urged his flying steed.

اگر تاج از آن تارک بی‌بها

شود دور و یابد جهان زو رها

سپاری بدو گوشه‌ای از جهان

نشیند چو ما از تو خسته نهان

و گرنه سواران ترکان و چین

هم از روم گردان جوینده کین

فراز آورم لشگر گرزدار

از ایران و ایرج برآرم دمار

چو بشنید موبد پیام درشت

زمین را ببوسید و بنمود پشت

بر آنسان به زین اندر آورد پای

که از باد آتش بجنبد ز جای

Ganjoor · f6:51-56

Textual evidence

The demands remove Iraj’s crown, assign him a remote portion and threaten destruction of Iran and Iraj if refused. English 21 states the peace conditional on compliance.

G f6 51 ↗ G f6 52 ↗ G f6 53 ↗ G f6 54 ↗ G f6 55 ↗ G f6 56 ↗ Moscow p 96 ↗ Moscow p 97 ↗ Moscow p 98 ↗ Moscow p 99 ↗ Mohl p 72 ↗ Mohl p 73 ↗ Mohl p 74 ↗ Khaleghi p 109 ↗ Khaleghi p 110 ↗ Khaleghi p 111 ↗ Khaleghi p 112 ↗

Interpretation

The threat is coercive before the murder ever occurs. The explanatory conditional makes its logic clear; the envoy’s ritual departure does not imply his assent to the policy.

Return to parallel text

26–34The envoy sees sovereign order

26–34

He reached the royal seat, where to his view

A palace rose, high-towering in the blue;

Clouds hid its lofty summit from his gaze;

From ridge to ridge it climbed through mountain haze.

From peak to peak its vast enclosure ran,

A court beyond the common works of man.

At gates sat chiefs; behind, the nobles stood,

In ranked degree, as mighty warriors should.

On one side lions bound with leopards lay;

On one, fierce war-elephants stood in array.

From gathered ranks arose a roaring sound,

Like lions raging through the palace ground.

He thought, “This eyvan must be heaven’s sphere,

With armies like the paris gathered here.”

Wakeful attendants saw the envoy wait,

And told the world-Shah who had reached the gate.

The Shah said, “Raise the curtain; let him through,

And bring him to our presence as is due.”

به درگاه شاه آفریدون رسید

برآورده‌ای دید سر ناپدید

به ابر اندر آورده بالای او

زمین کوه تا کوه پهنای او

نشسته به در بر گرانمایگان

به پرده درون جای پرمایگان

به یک دست بربسته شیر و پلنگ

به دست دگر ژنده پیلان جنگ

ز چندان گرانمایه گرد دلیر

خروشی برآمد چو آوای شیر

سپهریست پنداشت ایوان به جای

گران لشگری گرد او بر به پای

برفتند بیدار کارآگهان

بگفتند با شهریار جهان

که آمد فرستاده‌ای نزد شاه

یکی پرمنش مرد با دستگاه

بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند

بر اسپش ز درگاه بگذاشتند

Ganjoor · f6:57-65

Textual evidence

Palace height, noble ranks, lions, leopards and elephants precede the envoy’s admission. The English redistributes the spectacle.

Interpretation

This courtly abundance is political theater experienced through the messenger’s eyes. It answers the brothers’ assumption that an aging ruler is already powerless.

Return to parallel text

35–46Courtesy before anger

35–46

When the envoy then saw the Shah appear,

His heart grew still with wonder and with fear.

A cypress was his form, his face the sun;

In him the grace of kings seemed joined as one.

White camphor hair lay round a rose-red face;

Age joined with majesty and royal grace.

His lips held smiles, his cheeks a modest glow;

From royal lips sweet speech began to flow.

The envoy fell in homage to the ground,

And kissed the earth in reverence profound.

The Shah then raised him with a gracious hand,

And seated him where honored envoys stand.

He asked, “Do Salm and Tur, my sons, remain

In health and joy throughout their distant reign?

And have you borne the long road’s weary strain,

Its steep descents and climbs across the plain?”

The envoy said: “Long life and honor due,

And none in rank take precedence of you.

All those you ask about are well and strong,

And flourish through your name their whole lives long.

I am your lowly servant. Harsh the word

Those angry, foolish princes bade be heard.

I bear no guilt.” The Shah said, “Speak it all.”

The Mobad gave the message in the hall.

چو چشمش به روی فریدون رسید

همه دیده و دل پر از شاه دید

به بالای سرو و چو خورشید روی

چو کافور گرد گل سرخ موی

دولب پر ز خنده دو رخ پر ز شرم

کیانی زبان پر ز گفتار نرم

نشاندش هم آنگه فریدون ز پای

سزاوار کردش بر خویش جای

بپرسیدش از دو گرامی نخست

که هستند شادان دل و تن‌درست

دگر گفت کز راه دور و دراز

شدی رنجه اندر نشیب و فراز

فرستاده گفت ای گرانمایه شاه

ابی تو مبیناد کس پیش‌گاه

ز هر کس که پرسی به کام تواند

همه پاک زنده به نام تواند

منم بنده‌ای شاه را ناسزا

چنین بر تن خویش ناپارسا

پیامی درشت آوریده به شاه

فرستنده پر خشم و من بیگناه

بگویم چو فرمایدم شهریار

پیام جوانان ناهوشیار

بفرمود پس تا زبان برگشاد

شنیده سخن سر به سر کرد یاد

Ganjoor · f6:66-77

Textual evidence

The Shah’s appearance, gracious seating, concern for his sons and inquiry after the road precede permission to deliver the harsh message.

Interpretation

The English retains the envoy’s claim of innocence. A messenger transmits another’s words: the distinction between speaker, bearer and recipient is essential to the scene and to the king’s ensuing answer.

Return to parallel text

Chapter source record

English original ↗ Ganjoor f6 ↗ Moscow p 96 ↗ Moscow p 97 ↗ Moscow p 98 ↗ Moscow p 99 ↗ Mohl p 72 ↗ Mohl p 73 ↗ Mohl p 74 ↗ Khaleghi p 109 ↗ Khaleghi p 110 ↗ Khaleghi p 111 ↗ Khaleghi p 112 ↗