New NaqqaliZal and Rudabeh · A8.17
Zal Goes with Letter before Manuchehr
The royal audience changes the direction of the case, while deliberation and prediction still mediate between sympathy and a settled public decision.
The chapter in five texts
| Text | Chapter treatment and distinctive choices |
|---|---|
| F&R English | Forty couplets join audience and prediction, attaching the secrecy order to its natural subject. |
| Moscow | Pp 217–219 retain the welcome and forecast with local bracketed expansion. |
| Mohl | Pp 164–165 support the Indian zij reading in the three-day inquiry. |
| Ganjoor | Sh18 has 22 and sh19 14 couplets; sh20.1 supplies this chapter’s final secrecy instruction. Ganjoor reads Roman zij. |
| Khaleghi | Pp 244–247 carry the audience and forecast; p 246 has Roman tables in the main text and Indian in the apparatus. |
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.
1–10+
Now hear how Zal came forth before the king,
As Fortune blessed his coming on the wing.
Word came: “The son of Sahm has neared the hall.”
The nobles rose to greet him, one and all.
As Zal approached, they opened wide the way,
And led him straight before the Shah that day.
He entered and approached the royal seat,
Then kissed the earth in homage at his feet.
For some time still his face remained below,
In humble reverence before Manuchehr’s glow.
The kindly Shah, moved deeply by the sight,
Bade dust be wiped from Zal’s face clean and bright.
Then musk was scattered richly on his face;
The Shah received him with abundant grace.
When Zal arose and stood before his gaze,
The Shah addressed him then with gracious praise:
“How did you fare upon that difficult way,
Through wind and dust that beat you all the day?”
Zal answered: “Through your farr all things grow bright;
With you all hardship turns to pure delight.”
پس آگاهی آمد سوی شهریار
که آمد ز ره زال سام سوار
پذیره شدندش همه سرکشان
که بودند در پادشاهی نشان
چو آمد به نزدیکی بارگاه
سبک نزد شاهش گشادند راه
چو نزدیک شاه اندر آمد زمین
ببوسید و بر شاه کرد آفرین
زمانی همی داشت بر خاک روی
بدو داد دل شاه آزرمجوی
بفرمود تا رویش از خاک خشک
ستردند و بر وی پراگند مشک
بیامد بر تخت شاه ارجمند
بپرسید ازو شهریار بلند
که چون بودی ای پهلو راد مرد
بدین راه دشوار با باد و گرد
به فر تو گفتا همه بهتریست
ابا تو همه رنج رامشگریست
Ganjoor · m18:1-9
11–16+
The Shah received the letter Sahm had sent,
And smiled; his heart grew glad with its intent.
He read old Sahm’s appeal from end to end,
And heard the grief beneath each word he penned.
He said: “You add still further to my pain;
This matter weighs upon my heart, a chain.
Yet for your father and the words he sends,
I grant the wish on which your heart depends.
Whatever you desire I shall allow;
Stay here in happiness beside me now.
Remain awhile while I consider well
What course may serve you best; then I shall tell.”
ازو بستد آن نامهٔ پهلوان
بخندید و شد شاد و روشن روان
چو بر خواند پاسخ چنین داد باز
که رنجی فزودی به دل بر دراز
ولیکن بدین نامهٔ دلپذیر
که بنوشت با درد دل سام پیر
اگر چه مرا هست ازین دل دژم
برانم که نندیشم از بیش و کم
بسازم برآرم همه کام تو
گر اینست فرجام آرام تو
تو یک چند اندر به شادی به پای
که تا من به کارت زنم نیک رای
Ganjoor · m18:10-15
17–24+
The cooks set out a golden table’s fare;
The Shah sat down with Zal beside his chair.
He called the kingdom’s famous chiefs to dine,
And all sat down in ordered rank and line.
When food was done, another seat was made;
There wine was poured and royal joy displayed.
Then Zal mounted a horse with harness gold,
And rode away as evening shadows rolled.
Through all the night his heart was full of thought,
His lips with words that restless worry brought.
At dawn he came once more with girded frame
Before the Shah of ever-glorious name,
The Shah received him with a gracious cheer,
And blessed the Pahlevan as he drew near.
Then, when Zal turned away from royal view,
The Shah in private praised the worth he knew.
ببردند خوالیگران خوان زر
شهنشاه بنشست با زال زر
بفرمود تا نامداران همه
نشستند بر خوان شاه رمه
چو از خوان خسرو بپرداختند
به تخت دگر جای می‌ساختند
چو می خورده شد نامور پور سام
نشست از بر اسپ زرین ستام
برفت و بپیمود بالای شب
پر اندیشه دل پر ز گفتار لب
بیامد به شبگیر بسته کمر
به پیش منوچهر پیروزگر
برو آفرین کرد شاه جهان
چو برگشت بستودش اندر نهان
Ganjoor · m18:16-22
25–30+
Then did the Shah command the wise be brought,
The Mobadan and those of subtle thought,
The chiefs, Mobadan, readers of the sky,
To search the stars and learn what they imply.
Before the lofty throne they gathered near,
To make the heavens’ hidden judgment clear.
They labored three long days beneath the skies,
Till truth stood clear before the judging eyes.
They took the Indian zij and traced each sign,
And made their reckoning by its design.
Then spoke the seers: “The stars have made it clear:
A stream of shining water shall appear.
بفرمود تا موبدان و ردان
ستاره‌شناسان و هم بخردان
کنند انجمن پیش تخت بلند
به کار سپهری پژوهش کنند
برفتند و بردند رنج دراز
که تا با ستاره چه دارند راز
سه روز اندران کارشان شد درنگ
برفتند با زیج رومی به چنگ
زبان بر گشادند بر شهریار
که کردیم با چرخ گردان شمار
چنین آمد از داد اختر پدید
که این آب روشن بخواهد دوید
Ganjoor · m19:1-6
31–39+
From Mehrab’s daughter, joined to Sahm’s own line,
A high-souled hero, famed, shall rise and shine.
With towering strength, of everlasting name,
And matchless prowess, wisdom, lasting fame.
His years shall stretch beyond the common span,
With strength and farr befitting such a man.
In feast and battle none shall be his peer;
Wherever sweats his steed, his foes know fear.
His rival’s liver shall grow dry with dread;
No eagle dares to pass above his head.
The chiefs of all the world he shall outdo;
Tall, mighty, fearless, steadfast, brave, and true.
Each raging lion he shall catch alive;
His circling kamand leaves no chance to strive.
He roasts the Gur-e-Khar upon the fire;
His sword makes heaven weep beneath his ire.
He shall be girded in the service of kings;
Iran’s riders seek the shelter that he brings.”
ازین دخت مهراب و از پور سام
گوی پر منش زاید و نیک نام
بود زندگانیش بسیار مر
همش زور باشد هم آیین و فر
همش برز باشد همش شاخ و یال
به رزم و به بزمش نباشد همال
کجا بارهٔ او کند موی تر
شود خشک همرزم او را جگر
عقاب از بر ترگ او نگذرد
سران جهان را بکس نشمرد
یکی برز بالا بود فرمند
همه شیر گیرد به خم کمند
هوا را به شمشیر گریان کند
بر آتش یکی گور بریان کند
کمر بستهٔ شهریاران بود
به ایران پناه سواران بود
Ganjoor · m19:7-14
40+
The Shah then said: “Keep secret what you say;
Let none beyond this council bear it away.”
چنین گفت پس شاه گردن فراز
کزین هرچه گفتید دارید راز
Ganjoor · m20:1
Narrative and poetic form
The English’s favorable promise and continuing procedure follow the source’s own sequence. The technical variant provides a particularly clear case where a note can defend the English precisely rather than invoke poetic license.
Couplet commentary
Quoted text · evidence · interpretation1–10Dust removed by the king’s command
1–10
Now hear how Zal came forth before the king,
As Fortune blessed his coming on the wing.
Word came: “The son of Sahm has neared the hall.”
The nobles rose to greet him, one and all.
As Zal approached, they opened wide the way,
And led him straight before the Shah that day.
He entered and approached the royal seat,
Then kissed the earth in homage at his feet.
For some time still his face remained below,
In humble reverence before Manuchehr’s glow.
The kindly Shah, moved deeply by the sight,
Bade dust be wiped from Zal’s face clean and bright.
Then musk was scattered richly on his face;
The Shah received him with abundant grace.
When Zal arose and stood before his gaze,
The Shah addressed him then with gracious praise:
“How did you fare upon that difficult way,
Through wind and dust that beat you all the day?”
Zal answered: “Through your farr all things grow bright;
With you all hardship turns to pure delight.”
پس آگاهی آمد سوی شهریار
که آمد ز ره زال سام سوار
پذیره شدندش همه سرکشان
که بودند در پادشاهی نشان
چو آمد به نزدیکی بارگاه
سبک نزد شاهش گشادند راه
چو نزدیک شاه اندر آمد زمین
ببوسید و بر شاه کرد آفرین
زمانی همی داشت بر خاک روی
بدو داد دل شاه آزرمجوی
بفرمود تا رویش از خاک خشک
ستردند و بر وی پراگند مشک
بیامد بر تخت شاه ارجمند
بپرسید ازو شهریار بلند
که چون بودی ای پهلو راد مرد
بدین راه دشوار با باد و گرد
به فر تو گفتا همه بهتریست
ابا تو همه رنج رامشگریست
Ganjoor · m18:1-9
Textual evidence
Zal stays bowed until Manuchehr orders the dust wiped away and musk applied, then asks about the road.
G m18 1 ↗ G m18 2 ↗ G m18 3 ↗ G m18 4 ↗ G m18 5 ↗ G m18 6 ↗ G m18 7 ↗ G m18 8 ↗ G m18 9 ↗ Moscow p 217 ↗ Moscow p 218 ↗ Moscow p 219 ↗ Mohl p 164 ↗ Mohl p 165 ↗ Khaleghi p 244 ↗ Khaleghi p 245 ↗ Khaleghi p 246 ↗ Khaleghi p 247 ↗
Interpretation
The English preserves a visible act of welcome before the petition is judged. Personal courtesy changes the atmosphere but does not itself constitute an issued marriage settlement.
11–16A favorable undertaking retains a pause
11–16
The Shah received the letter Sahm had sent,
And smiled; his heart grew glad with its intent.
He read old Sahm’s appeal from end to end,
And heard the grief beneath each word he penned.
He said: “You add still further to my pain;
This matter weighs upon my heart, a chain.
Yet for your father and the words he sends,
I grant the wish on which your heart depends.
Whatever you desire I shall allow;
Stay here in happiness beside me now.
Remain awhile while I consider well
What course may serve you best; then I shall tell.”
ازو بستد آن نامهٔ پهلوان
بخندید و شد شاد و روشن روان
چو بر خواند پاسخ چنین داد باز
که رنجی فزودی به دل بر دراز
ولیکن بدین نامهٔ دلپذیر
که بنوشت با درد دل سام پیر
اگر چه مرا هست ازین دل دژم
برانم که نندیشم از بیش و کم
بسازم برآرم همه کام تو
گر اینست فرجام آرام تو
تو یک چند اندر به شادی به پای
که تا من به کارت زنم نیک رای
Ganjoor · m18:10-15
Textual evidence
The Shah smiles over the letter, admits his discomfort, promises to fulfill the desire and asks Zal to remain while he considers the course.
G m18 10 ↗ G m18 11 ↗ G m18 12 ↗ G m18 13 ↗ G m18 14 ↗ G m18 15 ↗ Moscow p 217 ↗ Moscow p 218 ↗ Moscow p 219 ↗ Mohl p 164 ↗ Mohl p 165 ↗ Khaleghi p 244 ↗ Khaleghi p 245 ↗ Khaleghi p 246 ↗ Khaleghi p 247 ↗
Interpretation
The English reflects the source’s own combination of assent and continued deliberation. The later examinations do not require us to invent an earlier rejection; the king has undertaken to resolve the matter favorably while still determining how.
17–24Hospitality is followed by private praise
17–24
The cooks set out a golden table’s fare;
The Shah sat down with Zal beside his chair.
He called the kingdom’s famous chiefs to dine,
And all sat down in ordered rank and line.
When food was done, another seat was made;
There wine was poured and royal joy displayed.
Then Zal mounted a horse with harness gold,
And rode away as evening shadows rolled.
Through all the night his heart was full of thought,
His lips with words that restless worry brought.
At dawn he came once more with girded frame
Before the Shah of ever-glorious name,
The Shah received him with a gracious cheer,
And blessed the Pahlevan as he drew near.
Then, when Zal turned away from royal view,
The Shah in private praised the worth he knew.
ببردند خوالیگران خوان زر
شهنشاه بنشست با زال زر
بفرمود تا نامداران همه
نشستند بر خوان شاه رمه
چو از خوان خسرو بپرداختند
به تخت دگر جای می‌ساختند
چو می خورده شد نامور پور سام
نشست از بر اسپ زرین ستام
برفت و بپیمود بالای شب
پر اندیشه دل پر ز گفتار لب
بیامد به شبگیر بسته کمر
به پیش منوچهر پیروزگر
برو آفرین کرد شاه جهان
چو برگشت بستودش اندر نهان
Ganjoor · m18:16-22
Textual evidence
Dining, wine, the night’s anxiety and another morning audience precede the king’s praise after Zal turns away.
G m18 16 ↗ G m18 17 ↗ G m18 18 ↗ G m18 19 ↗ G m18 20 ↗ G m18 21 ↗ G m18 22 ↗ Moscow p 217 ↗ Moscow p 218 ↗ Moscow p 219 ↗ Mohl p 164 ↗ Mohl p 165 ↗ Khaleghi p 244 ↗ Khaleghi p 245 ↗ Khaleghi p 246 ↗ Khaleghi p 247 ↗
Interpretation
The English extends seven Persian couplets into eight without changing the order. The praise is now more than publicly required courtesy, because the narrator explicitly gives it in the prince’s absence.
25–30Indian and Roman tables are actual variantsPrinted technical variant
25–30
Then did the Shah command the wise be brought,
The Mobadan and those of subtle thought,
The chiefs, Mobadan, readers of the sky,
To search the stars and learn what they imply.
Before the lofty throne they gathered near,
To make the heavens’ hidden judgment clear.
They labored three long days beneath the skies,
Till truth stood clear before the judging eyes.
They took the Indian zij and traced each sign,
And made their reckoning by its design.
Then spoke the seers: “The stars have made it clear:
A stream of shining water shall appear.
بفرمود تا موبدان و ردان
ستاره‌شناسان و هم بخردان
کنند انجمن پیش تخت بلند
به کار سپهری پژوهش کنند
برفتند و بردند رنج دراز
که تا با ستاره چه دارند راز
سه روز اندران کارشان شد درنگ
برفتند با زیج رومی به چنگ
زبان بر گشادند بر شهریار
که کردیم با چرخ گردان شمار
چنین آمد از داد اختر پدید
که این آب روشن بخواهد دوید
Ganjoor · m19:1-6
Textual evidence
The astrologers take three days. Ganjoor m19.4 gives a Roman zij; Mohl p 165 prints an Indian zij, supporting English 29. Khaleghi p 246 prints Roman in the main text and records Indian as an alternative in the apparatus.
G m19 1 ↗ G m19 2 ↗ G m19 3 ↗ G m19 4 ↗ G m19 5 ↗ G m19 6 ↗ Moscow p 217 ↗ Moscow p 218 ↗ Moscow p 219 ↗ Mohl p 164 ↗ Mohl p 165 ↗ Khaleghi p 244 ↗ Khaleghi p 245 ↗ Khaleghi p 246 ↗ Khaleghi p 247 ↗
Interpretation
Zij means astronomical tables used here in an astrological inquiry. The English’s Indian designation is a defensible printed reading, not a mistaken expansion of Ganjoor’s Roman adjective. Neither reading makes the prediction a result of modern empirical validation.
31–39The anticipated champion serves kings
31–39
From Mehrab’s daughter, joined to Sahm’s own line,
A high-souled hero, famed, shall rise and shine.
With towering strength, of everlasting name,
And matchless prowess, wisdom, lasting fame.
His years shall stretch beyond the common span,
With strength and farr befitting such a man.
In feast and battle none shall be his peer;
Wherever sweats his steed, his foes know fear.
His rival’s liver shall grow dry with dread;
No eagle dares to pass above his head.
The chiefs of all the world he shall outdo;
Tall, mighty, fearless, steadfast, brave, and true.
Each raging lion he shall catch alive;
His circling kamand leaves no chance to strive.
He roasts the Gur-e-Khar upon the fire;
His sword makes heaven weep beneath his ire.
He shall be girded in the service of kings;
Iran’s riders seek the shelter that he brings.”
ازین دخت مهراب و از پور سام
گوی پر منش زاید و نیک نام
بود زندگانیش بسیار مر
همش زور باشد هم آیین و فر
همش برز باشد همش شاخ و یال
به رزم و به بزمش نباشد همال
کجا بارهٔ او کند موی تر
شود خشک همرزم او را جگر
عقاب از بر ترگ او نگذرد
سران جهان را بکس نشمرد
یکی برز بالا بود فرمند
همه شیر گیرد به خم کمند
هوا را به شمشیر گریان کند
بر آتش یکی گور بریان کند
کمر بستهٔ شهریاران بود
به ایران پناه سواران بود
Ganjoor · m19:7-14
Textual evidence
The child of this couple is long-lived, powerful, peerless in feast and battle, and a protection for Iran’s riders in service to sovereigns.
G m19 10 ↗ G m19 11 ↗ G m19 12 ↗ G m19 13 ↗ G m19 14 ↗ G m19 7 ↗ G m19 8 ↗ G m19 9 ↗ Moscow p 217 ↗ Moscow p 218 ↗ Moscow p 219 ↗ Mohl p 164 ↗ Mohl p 165 ↗ Khaleghi p 244 ↗ Khaleghi p 245 ↗ Khaleghi p 246 ↗ Khaleghi p 247 ↗
Interpretation
The English’s clear close is important: the forecast answers the Shah’s fear of an independent rival by describing a girded servant of kings. It predicts an eventual child, not deeds Zal himself is presently performing.
40Knowledge remains within the council
40
The Shah then said: “Keep secret what you say;
Let none beyond this council bear it away.”
چنین گفت پس شاه گردن فراز
کزین هرچه گفتید دارید راز
Ganjoor · m20:1
Textual evidence
The Shah commands the forecast to be kept secret. Ganjoor places this line at the opening of the next digital section.
G m20 1 ↗ Moscow p 217 ↗ Moscow p 218 ↗ Moscow p 219 ↗ Mohl p 164 ↗ Mohl p 165 ↗ Khaleghi p 244 ↗ Khaleghi p 245 ↗ Khaleghi p 246 ↗ Khaleghi p 247 ↗
Interpretation
Moving the boundary attaches the secrecy order to the prediction it governs. It does not omit a new council or a second royal decision. English chaptering and digital sectioning need not coincide to preserve sequence.