New NaqqaliZal and Rudabeh · A8.20
Manuchehr Approves of Zal
Intellectual success is followed by demonstrated horsemanship and arms. The court tests a future champion in controlled performance before rewarding him publicly.
The chapter in five texts
| Text | Chapter treatment and distinctive choices |
|---|---|
| F&R English | Forty-six couplets preserve the two kinds of examination and public reward, while condensing one arrow action and enlarging the royal voice. |
| Moscow | Pp 223–227 carry feast, field and reward with local bracketed amplifications. |
| Mohl | Pp 168–170 give the fuller display and pursuit that help explain the English pacing. |
| Ganjoor | Sh21.34–76 supplies the sequence; its additional galloping shot is preserved as source-only. |
| Khaleghi | The performance and investiture are consulted within pp 253–256. |
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.
1–6+
When Zal had thus resolved each hidden word,
The court was struck with wonder as they heard.
The nobles marveled, joyed in his reply;
The Shah cried out in pleasure, standing high:
“Well done!” he cried, and ordered straightaway
A hall made bright as moon on its fourteenth day.
There wine was poured, and through the livelong night
They drank till sense gave way to glad delight.
At last the cry to mount rang from the hall;
One after one they answered to the call.
They left the court still joyful, flushed with wine,
Each hand in hand with comrades from the line.
چو زال این سخنها بکرد آشکار
ازو شادمان شد دل شهریار
به شادی یکی انجمن برشگفت
شهنشاه گیتی زهازه گرفت
یکی جشنگاهی بیاراست شاه
چنان چون شب چارده چرخ ماه
کشیدند می تا جهان تیره گشت
سرمیگساران ز می خیره گشت
خروشیدن مرد بالای گاه
یکایک برآمد ز درگاه شاه
برفتند گردان همه شاد و مست
گرفته یکی دست دیگر به دست
Ganjoor · m21:34-39
7–12+
When dawn cast light upon the mountain’s height,
And chiefs arose restored from wine and night,
Zal came before the Shah, his waist girt tight,
And stood there like a male lion in his might:
“My lord, I long to see my father’s face;
Yet having touched the threshold of your grace,
I kissed the base of your great ivory seat;
Your crown and royal farr made joy complete.”
The Shah replied: “Young warrior, tarry still;
One day remain and gratify my will.
Perhaps your thoughts are fixed on one so fair,
Not on your father; is she not your care?”
چو برزد زبانه ز کوه آفتاب
سر نامدران برآمد ز خواب
بیامد کمربسته زال دلیر
به پیش شهنشاه چون نره شیر
به دستوری بازگشتن ز در
شدن نزد سالار فرخ پدر
به شاه جهان گفت کای نیکخوی
مرا چهر سام آمدست آرزوی
ببوسیدم این پایهٔ تخت عاج
دلم گشت روشن بدین برز و تاج
بدو گفت شاه ای جوانمرد گرد
یک امروز نیزت بباید سپرد
ترا بویهٔ دخت مهراب خاست
دلت راهش سام زابل کجاست
Ganjoor · m21:40-46
13–18+
He bade the cymbal, Indian bell resound,
And karnay call the warriors to the ground.
They rode with lance and gorz and bow and shield,
And turned the plain into a bristling field.
They loosed their shafts at marks set in a line,
And proved their skill in feats of war’s design.
With gorz and sword, with arrow and with spear,
Each wheeled his horse and showed his prowess clear.
The Shah from high observed what each could show,
Their open skills and hidden arts below.
The Shah saw Dastan’s mastery of the steed;
No tale had told of such surpassing deed.
بفرمود تا سنج و هندی درای
به میدان گذارند با کره نای
ابا نیزه و گرز و تیر و کمان
برفتند گردان همه شادمان
کمانها گرفتند و تیر خدنگ
نشانه نهادند چون روز جنگ
بپیچید هر یک به چیزی عنان
به گرز و به تیغ و به تیر و سنان
Ganjoor · m21:47-50
—
Source-only passage; no separate English couplet.
هم اندر تگ اسپ یک چوبه تیر
بینداخت و بگذاشت چون نره شیر
Ganjoor m21:54 · an additional arrow shot at the gallop; no separate English couplet
19–25+
An ancient tree stood rooted in the plain;
Long years and months had passed through sun and rain.
Zal bent his bow and spurred his mount to race,
Then raised his battle cry and gathered pace.
He shot the ancient trunk with royal force;
The arrow pierced it cleanly in its course.
Then men advanced with shields and javelins bright,
To show their craft before the King’s own sight.
Zal called his Turk page: “Bring the shield I need,”
Then raised his mane and spurred his eager steed.
He cast his bow aside and raised his spear,
A heavy javelin, balanced, bright, and clear.
His javelin pierced three shields in one fierce cast,
And through the third it drove and hurtled past.
درختی گشن بد به میدان شاه
گذشته برو سال بسیار و ماه
کمان را بمالید دستان سام
برانگیخت اسپ و برآورد نام
بزد بر میان درخت سهی
گذاره شد آن تیر شاهنشهی
سپر برگرفتند ژوپین‌وران
بگشتند با خشتهای گران
سپر خواست از ریدک ترک زال
برانگیخت اسپ و برآورد یال
کمان را بینداخت و ژوپین گرفت
به ژوپین شکار نوآیین گرفت
بزد خشت بر سه سپر گیل‌وار
گشاده به دیگر سو افگند خوار
Ganjoor · m21:51-53, m21:55-58
26–35+
The Shah then turned and questioned all the band:
“What warrior now will test this hero’s hand?”
A famous rider answered from the throng,
In arrow, spear, and shield both fierce and strong.
The warriors readied weapons, angered all,
And answered challenge boldly to the call.
They spurred ahead with spears prepared for fight,
Their water-tempered points flashed cold and bright.
Zal drove his steed and raised a cloud of dust;
Then man met man beneath the lances’ thrust.
He marked a noble rider famed for skill,
A hardened warrior, fierce of hand and will.
He charged; the warrior wheeled and fled away;
Zal pressed behind him, hunting down his prey.
From out the dust Zal sprang with leopard speed,
And closed upon the rider’s fleeing steed.
He seized the rider’s girdle in his hand,
And tore him from his seat before the band.
He raised him lightly from the saddle-seat;
The Shah and army marveled at the feat.
به گردنکشان گفت شاه جهان
که با او که جوید نبرد از مهان
یکی برگراییدش اندر نبرد
که از تیر و ژوپین برآورد گرد
همه برکشیدند گردان سلیح
بدل خشمناک و زبان پر مزیح
به آورد رفتند پیچان عنان
ابا نیزه و آب داده سنان
چنان شد که مرد اندر آمد به مرد
برانگیخت زال اسپ و برخاست گرد
نگه کرد تا کیست زیشان سوار
عنان پیچ و گردنکش و نامدار
ز گرد اندر آمد بسان نهنگ
گرفتش کمربند او را به چنگ
چنان خوارش از پشت زین برگرفت
که شاه و سپه ماند اندر شگفت
Ganjoor · m21:59-66
36–42+
The chiefs cried out in wonder at the sight:
“No man has ever shown such strength and might!”
“Such deeds as these no living man has shown;
No equal to this youth has yet been known!”
The Shah said, “Brave young man, remain this way,
Bright-souled and fortunate through every day.
The mother of whoever seeks your fight
Will dye her mourning robe in lapis night.
No lioness has borne a man like you;
Among all the nahangs your place is due.
And blessed is Sahm, whose name shall long endure,
Who leaves behind a rider brave and sure.”
The Shah blessed Zal; the Pahlevans, amazed,
Looked on his strength with wonder, and they praised.
به آواز گفتند گردنکشان
که مردم نبیند کسی زین نشان
هر آن کس که با او بجوید نبرد
کند جامه مادر برو لاژورد
ز شیران نزاید چنین نیز گرد
چه گرد از نهنگانش باید شمرد
خنک سام یل کش چنین یادگار
بماند به گیتی دلیر و سوار
برو آفرین کرد شاه بزرگ
همان نامور مهتران سترگ
Ganjoor · m21:67-71
43–46+
The nobles, girded, wearing caps of state,
Returned together through the palace gate.
A robe of honor, crown, and golden chair
The Shah bestowed, all jeweled, rich, and rare,
With armlet, torque, and golden girdle bright,
Rich cups, steeds, servants; all a splendid sight.
The Shah bestowed the treasures in his hall;
Zal kissed the earth in gratitude for all.
بزرگان سوی کاخ شاه آمدند
کمر بسته و با کلاه آمدند
یکی خلعت آراست شاه جهان
که گشتند ازان خیره یکسر مهان
چه از تاج پرمایه و تخت زر
چه از یاره و طوق و زرین کمر
همان جامه‌های گرانمایه نیز
پرستنده و اسپ و هر گونه چیز
به زال سپهبد سپرد آن زمان
همه چیزها از کران تا کران
Ganjoor · m21:72-76
Narrative and poetic form
The English is strongest when skill becomes visible action rather than a catalogue of epithets. The analysis keeps the trial distinct from battlefield killing and identifies exactly how the voices of approval have been redistributed.
Couplet commentary
Quoted text · evidence · interpretation1–6Understanding receives collective celebration
1–6
When Zal had thus resolved each hidden word,
The court was struck with wonder as they heard.
The nobles marveled, joyed in his reply;
The Shah cried out in pleasure, standing high:
“Well done!” he cried, and ordered straightaway
A hall made bright as moon on its fourteenth day.
There wine was poured, and through the livelong night
They drank till sense gave way to glad delight.
At last the cry to mount rang from the hall;
One after one they answered to the call.
They left the court still joyful, flushed with wine,
Each hand in hand with comrades from the line.
چو زال این سخنها بکرد آشکار
ازو شادمان شد دل شهریار
به شادی یکی انجمن برشگفت
شهنشاه گیتی زهازه گرفت
یکی جشنگاهی بیاراست شاه
چنان چون شب چارده چرخ ماه
کشیدند می تا جهان تیره گشت
سرمیگساران ز می خیره گشت
خروشیدن مرد بالای گاه
یکایک برآمد ز درگاه شاه
برفتند گردان همه شاد و مست
گرفته یکی دست دیگر به دست
Ganjoor · m21:34-39
Textual evidence
The king and assembly rejoice, a moon-bright feast is arranged and the guests depart hand in hand.
G m21 34 ↗ G m21 35 ↗ G m21 36 ↗ G m21 37 ↗ G m21 38 ↗ G m21 39 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
The English preserves the social recognition of an answer. The riddles do not end in private approval alone: the assembly that witnessed the test now participates in acceptance.
7–12The king teases the impatient lover
7–12
When dawn cast light upon the mountain’s height,
And chiefs arose restored from wine and night,
Zal came before the Shah, his waist girt tight,
And stood there like a male lion in his might:
“My lord, I long to see my father’s face;
Yet having touched the threshold of your grace,
I kissed the base of your great ivory seat;
Your crown and royal farr made joy complete.”
The Shah replied: “Young warrior, tarry still;
One day remain and gratify my will.
Perhaps your thoughts are fixed on one so fair,
Not on your father; is she not your care?”
چو برزد زبانه ز کوه آفتاب
سر نامدران برآمد ز خواب
بیامد کمربسته زال دلیر
به پیش شهنشاه چون نره شیر
به دستوری بازگشتن ز در
شدن نزد سالار فرخ پدر
به شاه جهان گفت کای نیکخوی
مرا چهر سام آمدست آرزوی
ببوسیدم این پایهٔ تخت عاج
دلم گشت روشن بدین برز و تاج
بدو گفت شاه ای جوانمرد گرد
یک امروز نیزت بباید سپرد
ترا بویهٔ دخت مهراب خاست
دلت راهش سام زابل کجاست
Ganjoor · m21:40-46
Textual evidence
Zal asks to see his father; Manuchehr suspects that Rudabeh is the real destination and asks him to stay one more day.
G m21 40 ↗ G m21 41 ↗ G m21 42 ↗ G m21 43 ↗ G m21 44 ↗ G m21 45 ↗ G m21 46 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
The gentle teasing changes the tenor of the earlier hostility without denying it occurred. The English’s explicit maiden paraphrase makes a compressed royal joke easy to understand.
13–18A field arranged for display
13–18
He bade the cymbal, Indian bell resound,
And karnay call the warriors to the ground.
They rode with lance and gorz and bow and shield,
And turned the plain into a bristling field.
They loosed their shafts at marks set in a line,
And proved their skill in feats of war’s design.
With gorz and sword, with arrow and with spear,
Each wheeled his horse and showed his prowess clear.
The Shah from high observed what each could show,
Their open skills and hidden arts below.
The Shah saw Dastan’s mastery of the steed;
No tale had told of such surpassing deed.
بفرمود تا سنج و هندی درای
به میدان گذارند با کره نای
ابا نیزه و گرز و تیر و کمان
برفتند گردان همه شادمان
کمانها گرفتند و تیر خدنگ
نشانه نهادند چون روز جنگ
بپیچید هر یک به چیزی عنان
به گرز و به تیغ و به تیر و سنان
Ganjoor · m21:47-50
Textual evidence
The warriors bring weapons, set targets and perform mounted skills. Mohl p 169 adds the king’s observation of open and hidden abilities reflected in English 17–18.
G m21 47 ↗ G m21 48 ↗ G m21 49 ↗ G m21 50 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
This is an organized demonstration, not a new battle against enemy invaders. The martial vocabulary can remain fierce while the occasion and consequences remain distinct from Sahm’s campaign.
19–25Tree, bow and three shields
—
Source-only passage; no separate English couplet.
هم اندر تگ اسپ یک چوبه تیر
بینداخت و بگذاشت چون نره شیر
Ganjoor m21:54 · an additional arrow shot at the gallop; no separate English couplet
19–25
An ancient tree stood rooted in the plain;
Long years and months had passed through sun and rain.
Zal bent his bow and spurred his mount to race,
Then raised his battle cry and gathered pace.
He shot the ancient trunk with royal force;
The arrow pierced it cleanly in its course.
Then men advanced with shields and javelins bright,
To show their craft before the King’s own sight.
Zal called his Turk page: “Bring the shield I need,”
Then raised his mane and spurred his eager steed.
He cast his bow aside and raised his spear,
A heavy javelin, balanced, bright, and clear.
His javelin pierced three shields in one fierce cast,
And through the third it drove and hurtled past.
درختی گشن بد به میدان شاه
گذشته برو سال بسیار و ماه
کمان را بمالید دستان سام
برانگیخت اسپ و برآورد نام
بزد بر میان درخت سهی
گذاره شد آن تیر شاهنشهی
سپر برگرفتند ژوپین‌وران
بگشتند با خشتهای گران
سپر خواست از ریدک ترک زال
برانگیخت اسپ و برآورد یال
کمان را بینداخت و ژوپین گرفت
به ژوپین شکار نوآیین گرفت
بزد خشت بر سه سپر گیل‌وار
گشاده به دیگر سو افگند خوار
Ganjoor · m21:51-53, m21:55-58
Textual evidence
Zal pierces the old tree, then changes from bow to javelin and passes through three shields. Ganjoor 54 adds a further arrow at the gallop; the English does not give it a separate action and it is displayed above.
G m21 51 ↗ G m21 52 ↗ G m21 53 ↗ G m21 54 ↗ G m21 55 ↗ G m21 56 ↗ G m21 57 ↗ G m21 58 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
The English preserves two different demonstrations and the change of weapons. The source-only line prevents a close reader from mistaking compression for proof that the Persian has only one arrow-shot in this trial.
26–35A girdle-lift, not a narrated killing
26–35
The Shah then turned and questioned all the band:
“What warrior now will test this hero’s hand?”
A famous rider answered from the throng,
In arrow, spear, and shield both fierce and strong.
The warriors readied weapons, angered all,
And answered challenge boldly to the call.
They spurred ahead with spears prepared for fight,
Their water-tempered points flashed cold and bright.
Zal drove his steed and raised a cloud of dust;
Then man met man beneath the lances’ thrust.
He marked a noble rider famed for skill,
A hardened warrior, fierce of hand and will.
He charged; the warrior wheeled and fled away;
Zal pressed behind him, hunting down his prey.
From out the dust Zal sprang with leopard speed,
And closed upon the rider’s fleeing steed.
He seized the rider’s girdle in his hand,
And tore him from his seat before the band.
He raised him lightly from the saddle-seat;
The Shah and army marveled at the feat.
به گردنکشان گفت شاه جهان
که با او که جوید نبرد از مهان
یکی برگراییدش اندر نبرد
که از تیر و ژوپین برآورد گرد
همه برکشیدند گردان سلیح
بدل خشمناک و زبان پر مزیح
به آورد رفتند پیچان عنان
ابا نیزه و آب داده سنان
چنان شد که مرد اندر آمد به مرد
برانگیخت زال اسپ و برخاست گرد
نگه کرد تا کیست زیشان سوار
عنان پیچ و گردنکش و نامدار
ز گرد اندر آمد بسان نهنگ
گرفتش کمربند او را به چنگ
چنان خوارش از پشت زین برگرفت
که شاه و سپه ماند اندر شگفت
Ganjoor · m21:59-66
Textual evidence
The court invites a challenger; Zal finds a notable rider and lifts him out of the saddle by his belt. Mohl pp 169–170 extends the pursuit.
G m21 59 ↗ G m21 60 ↗ G m21 61 ↗ G m21 62 ↗ G m21 63 ↗ G m21 64 ↗ G m21 65 ↗ G m21 66 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
The English’s quarry language describes the contest’s energy. It does not say the rider is slain, and the commentary should not convert a controlled feat into an additional death in the epic. The gesture recalls Sahm’s earlier girdle-lift and makes inherited skill visible.
36–42Acclamation shifts from the chiefs to the kingAcclamation redistributed
36–42
The chiefs cried out in wonder at the sight:
“No man has ever shown such strength and might!”
“Such deeds as these no living man has shown;
No equal to this youth has yet been known!”
The Shah said, “Brave young man, remain this way,
Bright-souled and fortunate through every day.
The mother of whoever seeks your fight
Will dye her mourning robe in lapis night.
No lioness has borne a man like you;
Among all the nahangs your place is due.
And blessed is Sahm, whose name shall long endure,
Who leaves behind a rider brave and sure.”
The Shah blessed Zal; the Pahlevans, amazed,
Looked on his strength with wonder, and they praised.
به آواز گفتند گردنکشان
که مردم نبیند کسی زین نشان
هر آن کس که با او بجوید نبرد
کند جامه مادر برو لاژورد
ز شیران نزاید چنین نیز گرد
چه گرد از نهنگانش باید شمرد
خنک سام یل کش چنین یادگار
بماند به گیتی دلیر و سوار
برو آفرین کرد شاه بزرگ
همان نامور مهتران سترگ
Ganjoor · m21:67-71
Textual evidence
Ganjoor gives the chiefs the warning that an opponent’s mother will wear mourning and the comparison beyond lion-born strength; the king’s blessing follows. English places much of this acclaim directly in the Shah’s speech.
G m21 67 ↗ G m21 68 ↗ G m21 69 ↗ G m21 70 ↗ G m21 71 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
The approval remains collective, but the royal voice receives more of it in English. The speech shift intensifies institutional acceptance; it is a local attribution difference rather than an omitted contest.
43–46Recognition becomes an investiture
43–46
The nobles, girded, wearing caps of state,
Returned together through the palace gate.
A robe of honor, crown, and golden chair
The Shah bestowed, all jeweled, rich, and rare,
With armlet, torque, and golden girdle bright,
Rich cups, steeds, servants; all a splendid sight.
The Shah bestowed the treasures in his hall;
Zal kissed the earth in gratitude for all.
بزرگان سوی کاخ شاه آمدند
کمر بسته و با کلاه آمدند
یکی خلعت آراست شاه جهان
که گشتند ازان خیره یکسر مهان
چه از تاج پرمایه و تخت زر
چه از یاره و طوق و زرین کمر
همان جامه‌های گرانمایه نیز
پرستنده و اسپ و هر گونه چیز
به زال سپهبد سپرد آن زمان
همه چیزها از کران تا کران
Ganjoor · m21:72-76
Textual evidence
The nobles return to the palace, and the king bestows throne, crown, armlet, torque, girdle, clothing, attendants and horses.
G m21 72 ↗ G m21 73 ↗ G m21 74 ↗ G m21 75 ↗ G m21 76 ↗ Moscow p 223 ↗ Moscow p 224 ↗ Moscow p 225 ↗ Moscow p 226 ↗ Moscow p 227 ↗ Mohl p 168 ↗ Mohl p 169 ↗ Mohl p 170 ↗ Khaleghi p 253 ↗ Khaleghi p 254 ↗ Khaleghi p 255 ↗ Khaleghi p 256 ↗
Interpretation
The English keeps the khilat as an ensemble. These are material signs that thought and strength have been publicly recognized, completing the examinations before the written answer is sent.