New NaqqaliZal and Rudabeh · A8.11
Manuchehr Hears of Zal and Rudabeh
Manuchehr understands the marriage through the possibility of a future claimant. Court ceremony continues while an inherited political fear hardens into policy.
The chapter in five texts
| Text | Chapter treatment and distinctive choices |
|---|---|
| F&R English | Thirty-seven couplets expand the Shah’s feared double allegiance and follow the summons to a magnificent reception. |
| Moscow | Pp 192–194 carry the deliberation and summons, including bracketed portions of the amplified approach. |
| Mohl | Pp 148–150 retain the royal anxiety and ceremonial meeting sequence. |
| Ganjoor | Sh14.1–35 forms this chapter; the audience continues in the next English chapter. |
| Khaleghi | The royal deliberation and approach can be consulted within pp 221–223. |
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.
1–8+
News reached the Shah: new ties had now begun,
Binding proud Mehrab’s house to Sahm’s own son.
And more, that Zal had bound his heart by vow
To Mehrab’s daughter of the moonlit brow.
Before the throne the matter was laid bare,
The Mobadan weighed all with solemn care.
The Shah then said, “Grim days may rise from this;
I see no easy road to lasting bliss.
From lion’s claw and leopard’s savage hand,
By counsel and by war I freed the land.
Did Fereydoon cleanse earth of Zahhak’s reign
That such a root should rise and spread its bane?
Shall from that seed, long withered and cast down,
A branch arise to threaten throne and crown?
This love, if left to grow, may yet restore
The very blood we strove to end before.
پس آگاهی آمد به شاه بزرگ
ز مهراب و دستان سام سترگ
ز پیوند مهراب وز مهر زال
وزان ناهمالان گشته همال
سخن رفت هر گونه با موبدان
به پیش سرافراز شاه ردان
چنین گفت با بخردان شهریار
که بر ما شود زین دژم روزگار
چو ایران ز چنگال شیر و پلنگ
برون آوریدم به رای و به جنگ
فریدون ز ضحاک گیتی بشست
بترسم که آید ازان تخم رست
نباید که بر خیره از عشق زال
همال سرافگنده گردد همال
Ganjoor · m14:1-7
9–17+
If from this union there should rise an heir,
A sharpened sword from sheath would meet the air.
He stands between two worlds and bears two claims:
Half bound to us, half to the Dragon’s names.
How shall two natures so opposed endure?
Can poison ever mingle with its cure?
If toward his mother’s side he bends his will,
Corrupting words may then his judgment fill;
He may fill Iran’s cities full of woe,
And crown and treasure to his keeping go.
Now give me counsel; tell me what you know:
What course will guard the realm from overthrow?”
The Mobadan bowed, offered him their praise,
Extolling wisdom in his words and ways:
“Great Shah, whose insight pierces every veil,
Whose judgment stands where weaker counsels fail.
Let wisdom guide you with its sovereign art;
For wisdom breaks the fiercest dragon’s heart.”
چو از دخت مهراب و از پور سام
برآید یکی تیغ تیز از نیام
اگر تاب گیرد سوی مادرش
ز گفت پراگنده گردد سرش
کند شهر ایران پر آشوب و رنج
بدو بازگردد مگر تاج و گنج
همه موبدان آفرین خواندند
ورا خسرو پاک‌دین خواندند
بگفتند کز ما تو داناتری
به بایستها بر تواناتری
همان کن کجا با خرد درخورد
دل اژدها را خرد بشکرد
Ganjoor · m14:8-13
18–26+
The Shah, resolved to bring the matter clear,
Commanded them to summon Nohzar near.
With lords and chiefs assembled at his side,
He spoke to Nohzar, whom he charged to ride:
“Go forth to Sahm, whose fame the world has crowned,
And ask how he emerged from battle sound;
Then say: ‘The Shah would see you at his seat;
Come first to court, then homeward turn your feet.’”
Nohzar obeyed, and galloped as decreed;
When Sahm was told, he mounted on his steed.
With elephants, tabiras, chiefs drew near,
And all rode out to greet the prince with cheer.
They met and clasped, exchanged the words of peace;
Sahm’s heart rejoiced, his welcome did not cease.
Nohzar delivered what the Shah had said;
Sahm answered, “I shall go where I am led.
To see the Shah will fill my heart with light.”
That day he kept them as his guests till night.
بفرمود تا نوذر آمدش پیش
ابا ویژگان و بزرگان خویش
بدو گفت رو پیش سام سوار
بپرسش که چون آمد از کارزار
چو دیدی بگویش کزین‌سو گرای
ز نزدیک ما کن سوی خانه رای
هم آنگاه برخاست فرزند شاه
ابا ویژگان سرنهاده به راه
سوی سام نیرم نهادند روی
ابا ژنده‌پیلان پرخاش‌جوی
چو زین کار سام یل آگاه شد
پذیره سوی پور کی شاه شد
ز پیش پدر نوذر نامدار
بیامد به نزدیک سام سوار
همه نامداران پذیره شدند
ابا ژنده‌پیل و تبیره شدند
رسیدند پس پیش سام سوار
بزرگان و کی نوذر نامدار
پیام پدر شاه نوذر بداد
به دیدار او سام یل گشت شاد
چنین داد پاسخ که فرمان کنم
ز دیدار او رامش جان کنم
Ganjoor · m14:14-24
27–31+
The banquet spread throughout Sahm’s domain,
Where wine was poured and joy dispelled all strain.
They raised the cup and drank the Shah’s great name,
Then Nohzar’s, and then Sahm’s, by custom’s claim,
And named each lord of every far-off clime,
Each province toasted in its proper time.
The night was spent in music, wine, and cheer;
At dawn tabiras once more rang out clear.
Swift hiyuns rose; the march resumed; and straight
They turned their course toward Iran’s royal gate.
نهادند خوان و گرفتند جام
نخست از منوچهر بردند نام
پس از نوذر و سام و هر مهتری
گرفتند شادی ز هر کشوری
به شادی درآمد شب دیریاز
چو خورشید رخشنده بگشاد راز
خروش تبیره برآمد ز در
هیون دلاور برآورد پر
سوی بارگاه منوچهر شاه
به فرمان او برگرفتند راه
Ganjoor · m14:25-29
32–37+
When word arrived, the Shah adorned his hall;
He summoned chiefs and warriors, one and all.
From Sari and from Amol rose a sound,
Like boiling seas that shook the country round.
The javelin-men came mailed, rank upon rank,
Their heavy spears held ready on each flank.
From mountain on to mountain stretched the line,
An army drawn in ranks of vast design.
Red shields and yellow pressed in ordered rows,
While tabira, pipe, bronze-cast cymbal rose.
With Tazi steeds, great elephants, and gold,
They marched to greet him, banners all unrolled.
منوچهر چون یافت زو آگهی
بیاراست دیهیم شاهنشهی
ز ساری و آمل برآمد خروش
چو دریای سبز اندر آمد به جوش
ببستند آیین ژوپین وران
برفتند با خشتهای گران
سپاهی که از کوه تا کوه مرد
سپر در سپر ساخته سرخ و زرد
ابا کوس و با نای رویین و سنج
ابا تازی اسپان و پیلان و گنج
ازین گونه لشکر پذیره شدند
بسی با درفش و تبیره شدند
Ganjoor · m14:30-35
Narrative and poetic form
The English succeeds by giving the fear a comprehensible political logic without requiring the analyst to share it. The prediction of a dangerous descendant belongs to a ruler trying to control an uncertain future.
Couplet commentary
Quoted text · evidence · interpretation1–8News is interpreted through dynastic memory
1–8
News reached the Shah: new ties had now begun,
Binding proud Mehrab’s house to Sahm’s own son.
And more, that Zal had bound his heart by vow
To Mehrab’s daughter of the moonlit brow.
Before the throne the matter was laid bare,
The Mobadan weighed all with solemn care.
The Shah then said, “Grim days may rise from this;
I see no easy road to lasting bliss.
From lion’s claw and leopard’s savage hand,
By counsel and by war I freed the land.
Did Fereydoon cleanse earth of Zahhak’s reign
That such a root should rise and spread its bane?
Shall from that seed, long withered and cast down,
A branch arise to threaten throne and crown?
This love, if left to grow, may yet restore
The very blood we strove to end before.
پس آگاهی آمد به شاه بزرگ
ز مهراب و دستان سام سترگ
ز پیوند مهراب وز مهر زال
وزان ناهمالان گشته همال
سخن رفت هر گونه با موبدان
به پیش سرافراز شاه ردان
چنین گفت با بخردان شهریار
که بر ما شود زین دژم روزگار
چو ایران ز چنگال شیر و پلنگ
برون آوریدم به رای و به جنگ
فریدون ز ضحاک گیتی بشست
بترسم که آید ازان تخم رست
نباید که بر خیره از عشق زال
همال سرافگنده گردد همال
Ganjoor · m14:1-7
Textual evidence
The Shah recalls the liberation from Zahhak and fears the renewed growth of that lineage.
G m14 1 ↗ G m14 2 ↗ G m14 3 ↗ G m14 4 ↗ G m14 5 ↗ G m14 6 ↗ G m14 7 ↗ Moscow p 192 ↗ Moscow p 193 ↗ Moscow p 194 ↗ Mohl p 148 ↗ Mohl p 149 ↗ Mohl p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 221 ↗ Khaleghi p 222 ↗ Khaleghi p 223 ↗
Interpretation
The English expands the root-and-branch metaphor coherently. These are the ruler’s reasons for alarm, not proof that the heroine has secretly planned to restore Zahhak’s tyranny.
9–17An unborn champion imagined as a threat
9–17
If from this union there should rise an heir,
A sharpened sword from sheath would meet the air.
He stands between two worlds and bears two claims:
Half bound to us, half to the Dragon’s names.
How shall two natures so opposed endure?
Can poison ever mingle with its cure?
If toward his mother’s side he bends his will,
Corrupting words may then his judgment fill;
He may fill Iran’s cities full of woe,
And crown and treasure to his keeping go.
Now give me counsel; tell me what you know:
What course will guard the realm from overthrow?”
The Mobadan bowed, offered him their praise,
Extolling wisdom in his words and ways:
“Great Shah, whose insight pierces every veil,
Whose judgment stands where weaker counsels fail.
Let wisdom guide you with its sovereign art;
For wisdom breaks the fiercest dragon’s heart.”
چو از دخت مهراب و از پور سام
برآید یکی تیغ تیز از نیام
اگر تاب گیرد سوی مادرش
ز گفت پراگنده گردد سرش
کند شهر ایران پر آشوب و رنج
بدو بازگردد مگر تاج و گنج
همه موبدان آفرین خواندند
ورا خسرو پاک‌دین خواندند
بگفتند کز ما تو داناتری
به بایستها بر تواناتری
همان کن کجا با خرد درخورد
دل اژدها را خرد بشکرد
Ganjoor · m14:8-13
Textual evidence
The source’s unsheathed sword might incline toward the mother’s side and fill Iran with trouble. The counselors praise the Shah’s wisdom rather than openly challenging the premise.
G m14 10 ↗ G m14 11 ↗ G m14 12 ↗ G m14 13 ↗ G m14 8 ↗ G m14 9 ↗ Moscow p 192 ↗ Moscow p 193 ↗ Moscow p 194 ↗ Mohl p 148 ↗ Mohl p 149 ↗ Mohl p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 221 ↗ Khaleghi p 222 ↗ Khaleghi p 223 ↗
Interpretation
English makes the double claim explicit and adds the poison/cure question. That is a lucid amplification of the fear, but ancestry is not established as destiny by the narrator. Courtly agreement is also conditioned by the setting in which it is voiced.
18–26A summons disguised as ordinary royal business
18–26
The Shah, resolved to bring the matter clear,
Commanded them to summon Nohzar near.
With lords and chiefs assembled at his side,
He spoke to Nohzar, whom he charged to ride:
“Go forth to Sahm, whose fame the world has crowned,
And ask how he emerged from battle sound;
Then say: ‘The Shah would see you at his seat;
Come first to court, then homeward turn your feet.’”
Nohzar obeyed, and galloped as decreed;
When Sahm was told, he mounted on his steed.
With elephants, tabiras, chiefs drew near,
And all rode out to greet the prince with cheer.
They met and clasped, exchanged the words of peace;
Sahm’s heart rejoiced, his welcome did not cease.
Nohzar delivered what the Shah had said;
Sahm answered, “I shall go where I am led.
To see the Shah will fill my heart with light.”
That day he kept them as his guests till night.
بفرمود تا نوذر آمدش پیش
ابا ویژگان و بزرگان خویش
بدو گفت رو پیش سام سوار
بپرسش که چون آمد از کارزار
چو دیدی بگویش کزین‌سو گرای
ز نزدیک ما کن سوی خانه رای
هم آنگاه برخاست فرزند شاه
ابا ویژگان سرنهاده به راه
سوی سام نیرم نهادند روی
ابا ژنده‌پیلان پرخاش‌جوی
چو زین کار سام یل آگاه شد
پذیره سوی پور کی شاه شد
ز پیش پدر نوذر نامدار
بیامد به نزدیک سام سوار
همه نامداران پذیره شدند
ابا ژنده‌پیل و تبیره شدند
رسیدند پس پیش سام سوار
بزرگان و کی نوذر نامدار
پیام پدر شاه نوذر بداد
به دیدار او سام یل گشت شاد
چنین داد پاسخ که فرمان کنم
ز دیدار او رامش جان کنم
Ganjoor · m14:14-24
Textual evidence
Nozar is sent to ask about Sahm’s campaign and request his presence before the homeward journey. Sahm receives him honorably and agrees.
G m14 14 ↗ G m14 15 ↗ G m14 16 ↗ G m14 17 ↗ G m14 18 ↗ G m14 19 ↗ G m14 20 ↗ G m14 21 ↗ G m14 22 ↗ G m14 23 ↗ G m14 24 ↗ Moscow p 192 ↗ Moscow p 193 ↗ Moscow p 194 ↗ Mohl p 148 ↗ Mohl p 149 ↗ Mohl p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 221 ↗ Khaleghi p 222 ↗ Khaleghi p 223 ↗
Interpretation
The English’s Nohzar is a name-form choice; it does not create another prince. The king’s public message withholds the marriage issue, allowing the later command to confront Sahm before he can present his own case.
27–31Toasting preserves the hierarchy
27–31
The banquet spread throughout Sahm’s domain,
Where wine was poured and joy dispelled all strain.
They raised the cup and drank the Shah’s great name,
Then Nohzar’s, and then Sahm’s, by custom’s claim,
And named each lord of every far-off clime,
Each province toasted in its proper time.
The night was spent in music, wine, and cheer;
At dawn tabiras once more rang out clear.
Swift hiyuns rose; the march resumed; and straight
They turned their course toward Iran’s royal gate.
نهادند خوان و گرفتند جام
نخست از منوچهر بردند نام
پس از نوذر و سام و هر مهتری
گرفتند شادی ز هر کشوری
به شادی درآمد شب دیریاز
چو خورشید رخشنده بگشاد راز
خروش تبیره برآمد ز در
هیون دلاور برآورد پر
سوی بارگاه منوچهر شاه
به فرمان او برگرفتند راه
Ganjoor · m14:25-29
Textual evidence
The banquet names the Shah first, then prince, champion and other lords, before dawn’s march.
G m14 25 ↗ G m14 26 ↗ G m14 27 ↗ G m14 28 ↗ G m14 29 ↗ Moscow p 192 ↗ Moscow p 193 ↗ Moscow p 194 ↗ Mohl p 148 ↗ Mohl p 149 ↗ Mohl p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 221 ↗ Khaleghi p 222 ↗ Khaleghi p 223 ↗
Interpretation
The English’s ordered sequence makes ceremonial allegiance audible. Hospitality and pleasure coexist with the unresolved political summons; the feast is not evidence that the marriage has been discussed and accepted.
32–37Royal welcome as visible power
32–37
When word arrived, the Shah adorned his hall;
He summoned chiefs and warriors, one and all.
From Sari and from Amol rose a sound,
Like boiling seas that shook the country round.
The javelin-men came mailed, rank upon rank,
Their heavy spears held ready on each flank.
From mountain on to mountain stretched the line,
An army drawn in ranks of vast design.
Red shields and yellow pressed in ordered rows,
While tabira, pipe, bronze-cast cymbal rose.
With Tazi steeds, great elephants, and gold,
They marched to greet him, banners all unrolled.
منوچهر چون یافت زو آگهی
بیاراست دیهیم شاهنشهی
ز ساری و آمل برآمد خروش
چو دریای سبز اندر آمد به جوش
ببستند آیین ژوپین وران
برفتند با خشتهای گران
سپاهی که از کوه تا کوه مرد
سپر در سپر ساخته سرخ و زرد
ابا کوس و با نای رویین و سنج
ابا تازی اسپان و پیلان و گنج
ازین گونه لشکر پذیره شدند
بسی با درفش و تبیره شدند
Ganjoor · m14:30-35
Textual evidence
Sari and Amol sound like a boiling sea; the reception presents dense shield-ranks, instruments, horses, elephants and wealth.
G m14 30 ↗ G m14 31 ↗ G m14 32 ↗ G m14 33 ↗ G m14 34 ↗ G m14 35 ↗ Moscow p 192 ↗ Moscow p 193 ↗ Moscow p 194 ↗ Mohl p 148 ↗ Mohl p 149 ↗ Mohl p 150 ↗ Khaleghi p 221 ↗ Khaleghi p 222 ↗ Khaleghi p 223 ↗
Interpretation
The English preserves the scale and ordering of the display. Green sea in the Persian is a color image; the English’s broader sea comparison keeps its force without supplying a named modern body of water.