Zal and Rudabeh · A8.10

Mehrab Is Not Pleased

Sindokht approaches a dangerous truth indirectly, then holds Mehrab to a promise of restraint. Rudabeh refuses to disown the attachment even under her father’s gaze.

F&R English · 76 couplets · 7 commentary entries

Parallel text ↓Commentary ↓

The chapter in five texts

Text	Chapter treatment and distinctive choices
F&R English	Seventy-six couplets sustain the indirect disclosure, threat and negotiated safety. Two local relations—the parable’s child and the instruction about gems—need explicit notes.
Moscow	Pp 187–192 retain the household confrontation and closing prayer, with local additions and alternative wording.
Mohl	Pp 145–149 carry the fuller ancestry and religious insults; p 148 supports removing ornaments rather than putting them on.
Ganjoor	Sh13 has 73 couplets. Its sequence makes the tree signify a child and preserves Rudabeh’s adorned entrance after advice to remove adornment.
Khaleghi	The confrontation is consulted within pp 215–221, with the critical presentation separated from the fuller Mohl sequence.

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.

1–15+

Mehrab returned, well pleased by Zal’s regard,

And found Sindokht prostrate, her countenance marred.

Her color drained, her calm was worn and frayed;

He asked, “What grief is this? Why so dismayed?

Why have the roses of your face grown pale?

Speak plainly now and let me hear your tale.”

She said, “I have been thinking for a while

On all we hold; this wealth, this power, this style:

These Tazi steeds, this palace proud and wide,

The treasures heaped and guarded at our side,

These gardens where our joys and friends remain,

Our fame and wisdom, all our gathered gain.

Our servants, crown, and our high royal seat,

The splendor gathered richly at our feet,

All these must fade; none here are meant to stay,

In time our pride and splendor pass away.

What we have built must fall to hostile claim,

Our labor turns to wind and leaves no name.

At last a narrow coffin is our share;

What pride we gathered vanishes to air.

We rear a tree whose theriac turns to bane;

What should have healed us brings us mortal pain.

We plant and water it through toil and care,

Then crown its boughs with treasure rich and rare.

It spreads its shade and lifts its head to sun,

Until the labor of our years is done.

Then down its head is buried in the ground;

What rest is left when such an end is found?

With this before me, clear in mind and view,

I find no place where rest can still be true.”

چو آمد ز درگاه مهراب شاد

همی کرد از زال بسیار یاد

گرانمایه سیندخت را خفته دید

رخش پژمریده دل آشفته دید

بپرسید و گفتا چه بودت بگوی

چرا پژمرید آن چو گلبرگ روی

چنین داد پاسخ به مهراب باز

که اندیشه اندر دلم شد دراز

ازین کاخ آباد و این خواسته

وزین تازی اسپان آراسته

وزین بندگان سپهبدپرست

ازین تاج و این خسروانی نشست

وزین چهره و سرو بالای ما

وزین نام و این دانش و رای ما

بدین آبداری و این راستی

زمان تا زمان آورد کاستی

به ناکام باید به دشمن سپرد

همه رنج ما باد باید شمرد

یکی تنگ تابوت ازین بهر ماست

درختی که تریاک او زهر ماست

بکشتیم و دادیم آبش به رنج

بیاویختیم از برش تاج و گنج

چو بر شد به خورشید و شد سایه‌دار

به خاک اندر آمد سر مایه‌دار

برینست فرجام و انجام ما

بدان تا کجا باشد آرام ما

Ganjoor · m13:1-13

16–27+

Mehrab replied, “This truth is old and known:

The passing world was never ours alone.

One rises high while others fall away;

One enters life, another ends his day.

No soul escapes the reach of heaven’s will;

Grief changes nothing; time advances still.

No power of ours can change what fate has signed;

The Just One governs all of humankind.”

She answered, “Wise men look beyond the word;

What I have said should not be lightly heard.

Can I conceal from you this inward weight,

A truth that bears upon our future state?

A fortunate Mobad once told his child

This parable in words both grave and mild.”

She bowed her cypress form, her eyes with tears;

The narcissus washed the rose beneath her fears.

“Know this,” she said, “the turning heavens go

Not always where our wishes bid them flow.

The son of Sahm has set his cunning snare,

And caught Rudabeh’s bright heart unaware.

Now we must act and find a path to mend;

I counseled her but could not make it end.

Her spirit trembles, sorrow fills her face;

I see no strength that turns her from this place.”

به سیندخت مهراب گفت این سخن

نوآوردی و نو نگردد کهن

سرای سپنجی بدین سان بود

خرد یافته زو هراسان بود

یکی اندر آید دگر بگذرد

گذر نی که چرخش همی بسپرد

به شادی و انده نگردد دگر

برین نیست پیکار با دادگر

بدو گفت سیندخت این داستان

بروی دگر بر نهد باستان

خرد یافته موبد نیک بخت

به فرزند زد داستان درخت

زدم داستان تا ز راه خرد

سپهبد به گفتار من بنگرد

فرو برد سرو سهی داد خم

به نرگس گل سرخ را داد نم

که گردون به سر بر چنان نگذرد

که ما را همی باید ای پرخرد

چنان دان که رودابه را پور سام

نهانی نهادست هر گونه دام

ببردست روشن دلش را ز راه

یکی چاره مان کرد باید نگاه

بسی دادمش پند و سودش نکرد

دلش خیره بینم همی روی زرد

Ganjoor · m13:14-25

28–41+

Then Mehrab started up in wrath, and pressed

His hand upon the sword-hilt near his breast.

His face turned lapis-blue, his body shook;

Cold breath escaped his lips; rage filled his look.

“Her blood shall flow for this!” he cried aloud;

His voice rang harsh, his anger fierce and proud.

Sindokht sprang up and clasped his waist, afraid:

“Wait now and hear me; let your hand be stayed.

Grant me one word before your wrath runs free;

Then judge as wisdom shapes your just decree.”

He cast her off and roared in furious heat,

Like a drunken elephant none dared meet:

“I should have struck her down when she was born;

I spared her then! Now I am left in scorn.

I turned from custom, let her life remain;

Now she repays me with this bitter stain.

A son who strays beyond his father’s way

Is base, no matter what the world may say.

The leopard’s cub must show his father’s sign,

Though lesser strength within the son may shine.

The father’s mark should live within the son;

By lineage is ancestral honor won.

I fear disgrace no less than I fear death;

Why bar me from the fight with pleading breath?

If Sahm and Shah should hear of what is done,

Kabul’s dark smoke will rise up to the sun.

The land will fail; its harvests cease to grow;

Our strength will break beneath a crushing blow.”

چو بشنید مهراب بر پای جست

نهاد از بر دست شمشیر دست

تنش گشت لرزان و رخ لاجورد

پر از خون جگر دل پر از باد سرد

همی گفت رودابه را رود خون

بروی زمین بر کنم هم کنون

چو این دید سیندخت برپای جست

کمر کرد بر گردگاهش دو دست

چنین گفت کز کهتر اکنون یکی

سخن بشنو و گوش دار اندکی

ازان پس همان کن که رای آیدت

روان و خرد رهنمای آیدت

بپیچید و بنداخت او را بدست

خروشی برآورد چون پیل مست

مرا گفت چون دختر آمد پدید

ببایستش اندر زمان سر برید

نکشتم بگشتم ز راه نیا

کنون ساخت بر من چنین کیمیا

پسر کو ز راه پدر بگذرد

دلیرش ز پشت پدر نشمرد

همم بیم جانست و هم جای ننگ

چرا بازداری سرم را ز جنگ

اگر سام یل با منوچهر شاه

بیابند بر ما یکی دستگاه

ز کابل برآید به خورشید دود

نه آباد ماند نه کشت و درود

Ganjoor · m13:26-38

42–53+

She said, “My lord, speak not in reckless flame;

Sahm knows of this; there is no cause for shame.

He turned from Gorgasaran for this alone;

The matter now is widely heard and known.”

Mehrab replied, “Do not mislead me so,

Can wind obey the dust that lies below?

If she were safe from harm, I would not grieve;

No finer son-in-law could I conceive.

From Ahvaz on to Kandahar’s wide span,

Who would not seek alliance with that man?”

She said, “My prince, I would not speak untrue;

Your grief is mine, I share its weight with you.

At first, I feared as you now fear within;

That is why sorrow marked my face and skin.

But if this bond is fated to be made,

Let us not shrink or let our hearts be swayed.

Fereydoon’s crown was joined to Yemen’s line;

Dastan now seeks the same by fate’s design.

When fire and water, wind and earth combine,

The darkened world itself begins to shine.”

She brought Sahm’s answer forth for him to hear:

“Take heart; his words give us good cause for cheer.

When strangers join with you in ties of worth,

Your foes grow pale and lose their strength on earth.”

چنین گفت سیندخت با مرزبان

کزین در مگردان به خیره زبان

کزین آگهی یافت سام سوار

به دل ترس و تیمار و سختی مدار

وی از گرگساران بدین گشت باز

گشاده شدست این سخن نیست راز

چنین گفت مهراب کای ماه‌روی

سخن هیچ با من به کژی مگوی

چنین خود کی اندر خورد با خرد

که مر خاک را باد فرمان برد

مرا دل بدین نیستی دردمند

اگر ایمنی یابمی از گزند

که باشد که پیوند سام سوار

نخواهد ز اهواز تا قندهار

بدو گفت سیندخت کای سرفراز

به گفتار کژی مبادم نیاز

گزند تو پیدا گزند منست

دل دردمند تو بند منست

چنین است و این بر دلم شد درست

همین بدگمانی مرا از نخست

اگر باشد این نیست کاری شگفت

که چندین بد اندیشه باید گرفت

فریدون به سرو یمن گشت شاه

جهانجوی دستان همین دید راه

هرانگه که بیگانه شد خویش تو

شود تیره رای بداندیش تو

Ganjoor · m13:39-51

54–64+

Though anger still within his bosom lay,

Mehrab gave ear but cast no wrath away.

“Bring Rudabeh before me,” he replied;

“This matter now must no longer be denied.”

Sindokht, in fear that rage might take its toll,

Replied, “First promise me to keep control.

First swear her body whole returns to me;

No wound shall touch her, and she shall go free.

And Kabul’s garden, like high Paradise,

Shall not be lost at any grievous price.”

He gave his word, but warned, “The Shah may rise

With wrath against us under turning skies.”

She bowed in thanks, her heart both light and strained,

Then hastened where her daughter still remained.

With smile that broke like dawn through fading night,

She said, “Your fate has turned at last to light.

The war-leopard has spared the Gur-e-Khar’s hide;

Put on your gems and go to him,” she cried.

Rudabeh said, “What are mere gems or gold,

Beside the love and fate my heart does hold?

My soul is bound to Sahm’s illustrious son;

Why hide what fate and truth have plainly done?”

به سیندخت فرمود پس نامدار

که رودابه را خیز پیش من آر

بترسید سیندخت ازان تیز مرد

که او را ز درد اندر آرد به گرد

بدو گفت پیمانت خواهم نخست

به چاره دلش را ز کینه بشست

زبان داد سیندخت را نامجوی

که رودابه را بد نیارد بروی

بدو گفت بنگر که شاه زمین

دل از ما کند زین سخن پر ز کین

نه ماند بر و بوم و نه مام و باب

شود پست رودابه با رودآب

چو بشنید سیندخت سر پیش اوی

فرو برد و بر خاک بنهاد روی

بر دختر آمد پر از خنده لب

گشاده رخ روزگون زیر شب

همی مژده دادش که جنگی پلنگ

ز گور ژیان کرد کوتاه چنگ

کنون زود پیرایه بگشای و رو

به پیش پدر شو به زاری بنو

بدو گفت رودابه پیرایه چیست

به جای سر مایه بی‌مایه چیست

روان مرا پور سامست جفت

چرا آشکارا بباید نهفت

Ganjoor · m13:52-63

65–71+

She went before her father, bright and fair,

Adorned in gold with jewels in her hair.

Like rising sun she stood before his eyes;

He gazed in silence, struck with mute surprise.

She seemed a paradise in human guise,

A springtime sun beneath the open skies.

He called upon the World-Creator’s name,

Astonished by the radiance that came.

He said, “O foolish child, can you not know

What doom the heavens on such folly throw?

How could a pari join Ahriman’s breed?

May crown and ring be lost for such a deed.

If Qahtan’s snake-charmer took the Magus way,

An arrow would be fit reward that day.”

به پیش پدر شد چو خورشید شرق

به یاقوت و زر اندرون گشته غرق

بهشتی بد آراسته پرنگار

چو خورشید تابان به خرم بهار

پدر چون ورا دید خیره بماند

جهان آفرین را نهانی بخواند

بدو گفت ای شسته مغز از خرد

ز پرگوهران این کی اندر خورد

که با اهرمن جفت گردد پری

که مه تاج بادت مه انگشتری

Ganjoor · m13:64-68

72–76+

At this her heart grew heavy, full of dread;

The living color from her cheeks had fled.

She lowered black lashes over eyes of light,

And held her breath, nor answered in his sight.

He roared in fury like a leopard pressed,

His wrath still beating hard within his breast.

She turned back to her chamber, heart in pain;

Her altered cheeks still bore their sorrow’s stain.

Then daughter and her father sought God’s light,

And placed their troubled hearts within His sight.

چو بشنید رودابه آن گفت‌وگوی

دژم گشت و چون زعفران کرد روی

سیه مژه بر نرگسان دژم

فرو خوابنید و نزد هیچ دم

پدر دل پر از خشم و سر پر ز جنگ

همی رفت غران بسان پلنگ

سوی خانه شد دختر دل‌شده

رخان معصفر بزر آژده

به یزدان گرفتند هر دو پناه

هم این دل شده ماه و هم پیشگاه

Ganjoor · m13:69-73

Narrative and poetic form

The English gives Sindokht’s risk management real dramatic force. The ornaments reversal is consequential but local; recording it strengthens the commentary’s independence and leaves the poem available to be read on its own terms.

Couplet commentary

Quoted text · evidence · interpretation

1–15A tree that should heal becomes poisonReferent clarified

1–15

Mehrab returned, well pleased by Zal’s regard,

And found Sindokht prostrate, her countenance marred.

Her color drained, her calm was worn and frayed;

He asked, “What grief is this? Why so dismayed?

Why have the roses of your face grown pale?

Speak plainly now and let me hear your tale.”

She said, “I have been thinking for a while

On all we hold; this wealth, this power, this style:

These Tazi steeds, this palace proud and wide,

The treasures heaped and guarded at our side,

These gardens where our joys and friends remain,

Our fame and wisdom, all our gathered gain.

Our servants, crown, and our high royal seat,

The splendor gathered richly at our feet,

All these must fade; none here are meant to stay,

In time our pride and splendor pass away.

What we have built must fall to hostile claim,

Our labor turns to wind and leaves no name.

At last a narrow coffin is our share;

What pride we gathered vanishes to air.

We rear a tree whose theriac turns to bane;

What should have healed us brings us mortal pain.

We plant and water it through toil and care,

Then crown its boughs with treasure rich and rare.

It spreads its shade and lifts its head to sun,

Until the labor of our years is done.

Then down its head is buried in the ground;

What rest is left when such an end is found?

With this before me, clear in mind and view,

I find no place where rest can still be true.”

چو آمد ز درگاه مهراب شاد

همی کرد از زال بسیار یاد

گرانمایه سیندخت را خفته دید

رخش پژمریده دل آشفته دید

بپرسید و گفتا چه بودت بگوی

چرا پژمرید آن چو گلبرگ روی

چنین داد پاسخ به مهراب باز

که اندیشه اندر دلم شد دراز

ازین کاخ آباد و این خواسته

وزین تازی اسپان آراسته

وزین بندگان سپهبدپرست

ازین تاج و این خسروانی نشست

وزین چهره و سرو بالای ما

وزین نام و این دانش و رای ما

بدین آبداری و این راستی

زمان تا زمان آورد کاستی

به ناکام باید به دشمن سپرد

همه رنج ما باد باید شمرد

یکی تنگ تابوت ازین بهر ماست

درختی که تریاک او زهر ماست

بکشتیم و دادیم آبش به رنج

بیاویختیم از برش تاج و گنج

چو بر شد به خورشید و شد سایه‌دار

به خاک اندر آمد سر مایه‌دار

برینست فرجام و انجام ما

بدان تا کجا باشد آرام ما

Ganjoor · m13:1-13

Textual evidence

Sindokht speaks of splendor, transience, coffin and a tree watered by labor. Ganjoor 12 brings the head of the owner or possessor down to earth after the tree rises; English 14’s “its head” can sound like the tree’s own.

Interpretation

The parable holds generational anxiety inside ordinary mortality. A note can preserve the source’s human referent without disrupting the English image; otherwise readers may miss that it is the parent’s life and investment that are threatened.

Return to parallel text

16–27A parable about a child, not a speech to oneLocal relation changed

16–27

Mehrab replied, “This truth is old and known:

The passing world was never ours alone.

One rises high while others fall away;

One enters life, another ends his day.

No soul escapes the reach of heaven’s will;

Grief changes nothing; time advances still.

No power of ours can change what fate has signed;

The Just One governs all of humankind.”

She answered, “Wise men look beyond the word;

What I have said should not be lightly heard.

Can I conceal from you this inward weight,

A truth that bears upon our future state?

A fortunate Mobad once told his child

This parable in words both grave and mild.”

She bowed her cypress form, her eyes with tears;

The narcissus washed the rose beneath her fears.

“Know this,” she said, “the turning heavens go

Not always where our wishes bid them flow.

The son of Sahm has set his cunning snare,

And caught Rudabeh’s bright heart unaware.

Now we must act and find a path to mend;

I counseled her but could not make it end.

Her spirit trembles, sorrow fills her face;

I see no strength that turns her from this place.”

به سیندخت مهراب گفت این سخن

نوآوردی و نو نگردد کهن

سرای سپنجی بدین سان بود

خرد یافته زو هراسان بود

یکی اندر آید دگر بگذرد

گذر نی که چرخش همی بسپرد

به شادی و انده نگردد دگر

برین نیست پیکار با دادگر

بدو گفت سیندخت این داستان

بروی دگر بر نهد باستان

خرد یافته موبد نیک بخت

به فرزند زد داستان درخت

زدم داستان تا ز راه خرد

سپهبد به گفتار من بنگرد

فرو برد سرو سهی داد خم

به نرگس گل سرخ را داد نم

که گردون به سر بر چنان نگذرد

که ما را همی باید ای پرخرد

چنان دان که رودابه را پور سام

نهانی نهادست هر گونه دام

ببردست روشن دلش را ز راه

یکی چاره مان کرد باید نگاه

بسی دادمش پند و سودش نکرد

دلش خیره بینم همی روی زرد

Ganjoor · m13:14-25

Textual evidence

Mehrab treats the reflection as a familiar truth about the transient world. Sindokht explains that a wise Mobad used the tree as a figure for a child. English 22 instead says he “told his child” the parable.

Interpretation

The narrative purpose remains clear, but the grammatical relation has shifted: the child is what the tree represents, not necessarily the original listener. This is a local explanatory difference best carried in the note before the revelation of Rudabeh’s love.

Return to parallel text

28–41The father’s fear becomes a death threat

28–41

Then Mehrab started up in wrath, and pressed

His hand upon the sword-hilt near his breast.

His face turned lapis-blue, his body shook;

Cold breath escaped his lips; rage filled his look.

“Her blood shall flow for this!” he cried aloud;

His voice rang harsh, his anger fierce and proud.

Sindokht sprang up and clasped his waist, afraid:

“Wait now and hear me; let your hand be stayed.

Grant me one word before your wrath runs free;

Then judge as wisdom shapes your just decree.”

He cast her off and roared in furious heat,

Like a drunken elephant none dared meet:

“I should have struck her down when she was born;

I spared her then! Now I am left in scorn.

I turned from custom, let her life remain;

Now she repays me with this bitter stain.

A son who strays beyond his father’s way

Is base, no matter what the world may say.

The leopard’s cub must show his father’s sign,

Though lesser strength within the son may shine.

The father’s mark should live within the son;

By lineage is ancestral honor won.

I fear disgrace no less than I fear death;

Why bar me from the fight with pleading breath?

If Sahm and Shah should hear of what is done,

Kabul’s dark smoke will rise up to the sun.

The land will fail; its harvests cease to grow;

Our strength will break beneath a crushing blow.”

چو بشنید مهراب بر پای جست

نهاد از بر دست شمشیر دست

تنش گشت لرزان و رخ لاجورد

پر از خون جگر دل پر از باد سرد

همی گفت رودابه را رود خون

بروی زمین بر کنم هم کنون

چو این دید سیندخت برپای جست

کمر کرد بر گردگاهش دو دست

چنین گفت کز کهتر اکنون یکی

سخن بشنو و گوش دار اندکی

ازان پس همان کن که رای آیدت

روان و خرد رهنمای آیدت

بپیچید و بنداخت او را بدست

خروشی برآورد چون پیل مست

مرا گفت چون دختر آمد پدید

ببایستش اندر زمان سر برید

نکشتم بگشتم ز راه نیا

کنون ساخت بر من چنین کیمیا

پسر کو ز راه پدر بگذرد

دلیرش ز پشت پدر نشمرد

همم بیم جانست و هم جای ننگ

چرا بازداری سرم را ز جنگ

اگر سام یل با منوچهر شاه

بیابند بر ما یکی دستگاه

ز کابل برآید به خورشید دود

نه آباد ماند نه کشت و درود

Ganjoor · m13:26-38

Textual evidence

Mehrab reaches for the sword and says he should have killed the newborn daughter. Sindokht physically intervenes. Mohl pp 146–147 expands the ancestry-and-leopard-cub argument retained in English 37–38.

Interpretation

The threat and alleged ancestral custom are a furious father’s words. They do not establish a general historical account of female infanticide throughout ancient Iran. The imagined burning of crops gives political fear a material object beyond family shame.

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42–53Alliance can answer hostility

42–53

She said, “My lord, speak not in reckless flame;

Sahm knows of this; there is no cause for shame.

He turned from Gorgasaran for this alone;

The matter now is widely heard and known.”

Mehrab replied, “Do not mislead me so,

Can wind obey the dust that lies below?

If she were safe from harm, I would not grieve;

No finer son-in-law could I conceive.

From Ahvaz on to Kandahar’s wide span,

Who would not seek alliance with that man?”

She said, “My prince, I would not speak untrue;

Your grief is mine, I share its weight with you.

At first, I feared as you now fear within;

That is why sorrow marked my face and skin.

But if this bond is fated to be made,

Let us not shrink or let our hearts be swayed.

Fereydoon’s crown was joined to Yemen’s line;

Dastan now seeks the same by fate’s design.

When fire and water, wind and earth combine,

The darkened world itself begins to shine.”

She brought Sahm’s answer forth for him to hear:

“Take heart; his words give us good cause for cheer.

When strangers join with you in ties of worth,

Your foes grow pale and lose their strength on earth.”

چنین گفت سیندخت با مرزبان

کزین در مگردان به خیره زبان

کزین آگهی یافت سام سوار

به دل ترس و تیمار و سختی مدار

وی از گرگساران بدین گشت باز

گشاده شدست این سخن نیست راز

چنین گفت مهراب کای ماه‌روی

سخن هیچ با من به کژی مگوی

چنین خود کی اندر خورد با خرد

که مر خاک را باد فرمان برد

مرا دل بدین نیستی دردمند

اگر ایمنی یابمی از گزند

که باشد که پیوند سام سوار

نخواهد ز اهواز تا قندهار

بدو گفت سیندخت کای سرفراز

به گفتار کژی مبادم نیاز

گزند تو پیدا گزند منست

دل دردمند تو بند منست

چنین است و این بر دلم شد درست

همین بدگمانی مرا از نخست

اگر باشد این نیست کاری شگفت

که چندین بد اندیشه باید گرفت

فریدون به سرو یمن گشت شاه

جهانجوی دستان همین دید راه

هرانگه که بیگانه شد خویش تو

شود تیره رای بداندیش تو

Ganjoor · m13:39-51

Textual evidence

Sindokht says Sahm knows, Mehrab admits Zal is a desirable son-in-law if safe, and she invokes Fereydoon’s Yemen marriage and the weakening of foes when strangers become kin.

Interpretation

The English’s elemental combination at 51 elaborates the case for union; Ganjoor at this point goes directly from the Yemen precedent to newly acquired kin. Her argument is political as well as personal: marriage can reduce the threat that ancestral hatred has created.

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54–64A promise protects the daughter; ornaments test the limitInstruction reversed

54–64

Though anger still within his bosom lay,

Mehrab gave ear but cast no wrath away.

“Bring Rudabeh before me,” he replied;

“This matter now must no longer be denied.”

Sindokht, in fear that rage might take its toll,

Replied, “First promise me to keep control.

First swear her body whole returns to me;

No wound shall touch her, and she shall go free.

And Kabul’s garden, like high Paradise,

Shall not be lost at any grievous price.”

He gave his word, but warned, “The Shah may rise

With wrath against us under turning skies.”

She bowed in thanks, her heart both light and strained,

Then hastened where her daughter still remained.

With smile that broke like dawn through fading night,

She said, “Your fate has turned at last to light.

The war-leopard has spared the Gur-e-Khar’s hide;

Put on your gems and go to him,” she cried.

Rudabeh said, “What are mere gems or gold,

Beside the love and fate my heart does hold?

My soul is bound to Sahm’s illustrious son;

Why hide what fate and truth have plainly done?”

به سیندخت فرمود پس نامدار

که رودابه را خیز پیش من آر

بترسید سیندخت ازان تیز مرد

که او را ز درد اندر آرد به گرد

بدو گفت پیمانت خواهم نخست

به چاره دلش را ز کینه بشست

زبان داد سیندخت را نامجوی

که رودابه را بد نیارد بروی

بدو گفت بنگر که شاه زمین

دل از ما کند زین سخن پر ز کین

نه ماند بر و بوم و نه مام و باب

شود پست رودابه با رودآب

چو بشنید سیندخت سر پیش اوی

فرو برد و بر خاک بنهاد روی

بر دختر آمد پر از خنده لب

گشاده رخ روزگون زیر شب

همی مژده دادش که جنگی پلنگ

ز گور ژیان کرد کوتاه چنگ

کنون زود پیرایه بگشای و رو

به پیش پدر شو به زاری بنو

بدو گفت رودابه پیرایه چیست

به جای سر مایه بی‌مایه چیست

روان مرا پور سامست جفت

چرا آشکارا بباید نهفت

Ganjoor · m13:52-63

Textual evidence

Sindokht demands safety before bringing Rudabeh. Ganjoor 61 and Mohl p 148 tell the daughter to undo or remove her ornaments; English 62 says “Put on your gems.” Rudabeh nevertheless enters adorned in the following source scene.

Interpretation

The outcome is preserved, but the instruction reverses. In the Persian sequence, the splendid entrance can carry the heroine’s refusal to abase her chosen bond; the English instead makes it follow maternal advice. The note keeps this meaningful difference available without casually rewriting the verse.

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65–71Beauty does not remove inherited hostility

65–71

She went before her father, bright and fair,

Adorned in gold with jewels in her hair.

Like rising sun she stood before his eyes;

He gazed in silence, struck with mute surprise.

She seemed a paradise in human guise,

A springtime sun beneath the open skies.

He called upon the World-Creator’s name,

Astonished by the radiance that came.

He said, “O foolish child, can you not know

What doom the heavens on such folly throw?

How could a pari join Ahriman’s breed?

May crown and ring be lost for such a deed.

If Qahtan’s snake-charmer took the Magus way,

An arrow would be fit reward that day.”

به پیش پدر شد چو خورشید شرق

به یاقوت و زر اندرون گشته غرق

بهشتی بد آراسته پرنگار

چو خورشید تابان به خرم بهار

پدر چون ورا دید خیره بماند

جهان آفرین را نهانی بخواند

بدو گفت ای شسته مغز از خرد

ز پرگوهران این کی اندر خورد

که با اهرمن جفت گردد پری

که مه تاج بادت مه انگشتری

Ganjoor · m13:64-68

Textual evidence

The father is dazzled, yet condemns a pari joining Ahriman. Mohl p 148 additionally prints the Qahtan/Magus insult behind English 71.

Interpretation

Both supernatural and religious terms belong to his denunciation, not a factual new parentage for Zal. The fuller insult is transmitted text. Its violent sectarian logic must remain a feature of this speaker’s anger rather than becoming the analysis’s own religious classification.

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72–76Two troubled appeals to God

72–76

At this her heart grew heavy, full of dread;

The living color from her cheeks had fled.

She lowered black lashes over eyes of light,

And held her breath, nor answered in his sight.

He roared in fury like a leopard pressed,

His wrath still beating hard within his breast.

She turned back to her chamber, heart in pain;

Her altered cheeks still bore their sorrow’s stain.

Then daughter and her father sought God’s light,

And placed their troubled hearts within His sight.

چو بشنید رودابه آن گفت‌وگوی

دژم گشت و چون زعفران کرد روی

سیه مژه بر نرگسان دژم

فرو خوابنید و نزد هیچ دم

پدر دل پر از خشم و سر پر ز جنگ

همی رفت غران بسان پلنگ

سوی خانه شد دختر دل‌شده

رخان معصفر بزر آژده

به یزدان گرفتند هر دو پناه

هم این دل شده ماه و هم پیشگاه

Ganjoor · m13:69-73

Textual evidence

Rudabeh falls silent and withdraws, while father and daughter both seek refuge in God.

Interpretation

The English preserves the shared appeal despite opposed wishes. The scene ends in unresolved distress, not a secret paternal consent that the ensuing threat would contradict.

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The chapter in five texts

Parallel text

Narrative and poetic form

Couplet commentary

Chapter source record